Everything started when my mother called me into the main hall. I had just finished another exhausting day of training (read: getting beaten up by Hikaru), so I wasn't exactly in the mood for a surprise announcement.
"Lorien," she said in her usual strict tone, "I've decided to assign you a new instructor."
I blinked. Huh?
"Wait, what?" I asked. "Why?"
Mother crossed her arms. "Because my responsibilities with the party have increased. I no longer have the time to oversee your training personally."
Oh. Right.
My mother wasn't just some random noble lady. She was a high-ranking adventurer, a powerful mage, and an absolute monster in battle. But since she was constantly busy with guild affairs, monster subjugations, and who knows what else, my training had taken a backseat.
I mean, I didn't mind. Getting beaten up less often sounded nice.
But then she dropped another bombshell.
"Your new instructor is personally recommended by the guild. You'll obey their every command."
That sounded dangerous.
---
When my mother told me she was hiring a new instructor, I thought she was about to throw me into a fight with a dragon.
But the person who walked in… was a girl.
She looked strict but wasn't much older than me. Long purple hair, sharp eyes, and a black combat outfit with a thin sword at her waist—she gave off an aura of someone dangerous.
"I'm Reina," she said briefly. "From now on, I'm your instructor."
Right at that moment, Eris burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! Lorien, you're so lucky! Your instructor is really pretty! Maybe she'll teach you how to flirt instead of how to fight!"
A moment of silence followed.
Then, without a word, Reina picked up a book and hurled it straight at Eris' head.
"GAAAH—!"
BZZT! A small spark of electricity crackled where it hit.
I blinked. "...Did you just throw a magic book at her?"
Reina calmly replied, "I don't tolerate unnecessary noise."
Eris groaned. "This woman is DANGEROUS!"
I sighed. And this is the person who's supposed to train me?
Reina turned to me, eyes narrowing slightly. "You want to defeat Hikaru, don't you?"
I nodded.
"Alright. Then, I'll make you his equal in three months."
I froze. "THREE MONTHS?!"
Reina smirked slightly. "Yes. But only if you follow my orders exactly."
Eris grinned mischievously. "Lorien, you still have time to run away!"
But I wasn't going to run. I had already promised myself—I wouldn't lose to Hikaru again.
"I'm ready," I said firmly.
For the first time, Reina seemed to really study me.
"...We'll see."
And so, the craziest training of my life began.
---
Training Day 1: Lumberjack Arc Begins
I expected intense magic practice, sword duels, maybe even some cool fire techniques.
But Reina's plan? Completely different.
My first task?
Cutting down a tree.
"…Excuse me?" I asked, staring at the giant trunk before me.
Reina answered calmly, "Your mana control is sloppy. So first, we train your body."
Eris burst out laughing. "HAHAHA! Lorien the Lumberjack!"
I groaned. "How am I supposed to cut this? Magic?"
Reina gave me a blank look. "No. With this knife."
I stared at the tiny knife she handed me.
"...WHAT?!"
"A warrior with a weak body has weak magic," she stated. "Stop relying on spells."
Eris leaned in, smirking. "Lorien, you still have time to run."
I gritted my teeth. "I'm not running!"
And so, my forest-cleaning nightmare began.
---
Two Hours Later…
THE TREE HADN'T MOVED.
My arms trembled, my entire body drenched in sweat. Reina, on the other hand, hadn't even blinked.
"Are you giving up?" she asked.
"Never!" I gasped.
Eris cackled. "You're so stubborn, Lorien. That makes this even funnier."
But I was too frustrated to care. I refused to leave until this stupid tree was cut down!
Summoning every ounce of strength, I gripped the knife tightly and swung it with everything I had!
And then—
THE TREE SPLIT IN HALF!
But…
"HAH! I DID I—"
BOOOOM!
…THE TREE FELL ON ME.
Eris collapsed on the ground laughing. "AHAHAHAHAHA! You IDIOT!"
Reina, however, actually smirked slightly.
"At least you have determination," she muttered, casually lifting the massive log with magic and tossing it aside.
I was barely alive.
Eris was dying of laughter. "Lorien, you're a legendary idiot!"
But… for the first time, I noticed something.
In Reina's eyes, there was the faintest hint of acknowledgment.
And at that moment, I realized—
Reina wasn't as cold as she seemed.
But my training?
It was far from over.
This was just Day One.
And I had to survive.