Hello there my dear spectators or whatever's watching me, it's been quite some time since I spoke with Elios, well it's only been around an hour but still!
Well in that hour I've come to find out that the old bastard was screwing with me, "Go take a rest" he said. But that malnourished freak didn't even give me a room, or anything resembling a place to rest!
Well now I'm currently sitting in a rather large library, actually everything about this place is overwhelmingly large and also unnecessarily fancy. Even the room from before was pretty big, had it not been for a beautiful maid showing me around after finding me I probably would have been stuck walking for a couple days!
Seriously, do these guys not know that their castle is just a large maze?
This library alone could probably fill several mansions with books alone, I wonder how they maintain this place? There isn't even any dust on the books.
But anyways, currently I'm gathering information. Well at least I'm trying to but I've been met with a truly tragic problem… I can't read! Well I can read but I can't read this language!
This necklace is truly worthless, it automatically translates my words to others and theirs to me.. BUT IT CAN'T TRANSLATE WRITTEN WORDS? That's bullshit!
I went out of my way to collect a bunch of books with cool covers and everything.. Man this is disappointing though, how is a reader like me supposed to live if I can't read!
Out of anger I grab the necklace from around my neck and lift it above my head, ready to smash it to pieces on the floor.
"Maybe I shouldn't.."
I slip the necklace back onto my neck and fall into the nicely cushioned chair. It would be a shame if I lost all possibilities of being able to communicate.
Well besides that I can't help but feel uncomfortable, this room is dead silent and no one is around but I can feel someone's eyes.
Well there's that and the occasional object I see fly through the air, maybe the library has a few birds in it?
Maybe I should leave? Probably for the best.
Standing up I go to grab the books I had gathered into a tower, but something was off.. Are they fucking flying-
A woman's voice whispered to me but my mind was so distracted by the flying books that I couldn't hear it.
"Nope, No no no no absolutely not!"
Like a bolt of lightning I burst for the doors, was it a push or pull?
I had no time to remember such details nor did I need to, because as I approached the doors they burst open giving me the chance for an instant get away.
"Safe!"
I yelled out as the doors shut behind me.
"Come back anytime."
The woman's voice whispered to me.
Um? No?
I'm probably never going to go back!
I mean what type of library is haunted by ghosts that clean and open doors for you?
That's way too polite for me, it definitely has ulterior motives.
Next time I go it'll probably drop every book shelf on me and end my life like that!
Damn it but what if I want to read once I learn the language ? Would the maids bring me books if I asked?
Actually that's a bad idea, that requires talking to them.
I brushed myself off as I slowly backed away from the library's doors, making sure my eyes didn't miss a single supernatural phenomenon.
A loud thud echoed off the walls behind me and a loud demonic voice called me out!
"AH ITS KAZUL!"
The ghost knows my name!
I jumped forward while twisting my body to face the demon.
But as I turned I was let out a sigh of relief and annoyance.
It's Reinhardt.
How did he get my name? I only told that maid- Ah she probably told them right?
"I was just about to go find you. Come, it's time for your super secret special hero training!"
Is he a kid or something?
"Ah.. it's that time already?"
"Are you stupid, I just said that!"
"…"
Reinhardt stared at me with eyes of genuine concern, man I hate this guy.
"You know what stupid means right?"
"…"
What do I even say to this big bastard?
"I'm aware of who you are."
Reinhardt shook his head silently before putting his hand on my shoulder.
"There is no cure for stupidity… but we can turn it into a weapon by strengthening your body!"
Why is he so annoying!
"I don't want to be like you…"
"BAGAHAHA! Don't worry you're not smart enough!"
If I wasn't so scared of this giant I'd definitely throw hands with him right now.
"Come on! Stop your gawking and follow me to the training yard!"
Well the training yard is probably more interesting anyways.
Like that, I was led around by Reinhardt.
He may be stupid but he's at least a reliable guide!
As we walked through the halls Reinhardt came to a stop.
"Why did you stop?"
I asked hoping for a good answer.
"IT SEEMS I'M LOST!"
You- so many different words came to my mind but I refused to say any. If this was an online game those words would have definitely got me banned.
I mean how stupid can you be, don't you live here?
As if responding to his loud voice, the pretty maid from before sped down the halls. She did it in a weird way though, she's running but walking! Do all maids learn that skill, it seems useful.
Actually it's more concerning that she came instantly upon him yelling, is him getting lost a normal thing?
"Ah Viviana! Take me to the training yard!"
The maid who was apparently named Viviana did a very elegant curtsy.
"Very well Master Aslanor, I shall guide both you and Master Kazul to the training yard. Please follow me"
Oho? Master? Me? Master Kazul, I bet if I had a last name it would sound even better.
Maybe once I make a living on my own I'll hire a maid, oh I'll also choose a last name of my own!
What would be cool though? Morningstar? Vermillion sounds cool but it doesn't suit me.
Maybe I should choose something that's related to the wind… That's too much work though I'll leave that problem for future me!
Viviana quickly weaved through the castle's halls, occasionally she'd point towards doors and tell us about the rooms behind them.
She's the best, truly the best guide!
After a short ten minute walk Viviana led us out a set of doors, after walking through them we were outside!
"I shall take my leave, good luck in your training Master Kazul."
Again she pulled her long maid style dress up a bit performing a curtsy before disappearing behind the doors, I didn't get to thank her…
I'll make sure to thank her later.
Looking around I could immediately tell that this was a place used by knights.
Weapons of all types were lined up in wooden stands, shields, swords, spears.
You name it and it was most likely there.
But to be brought out to this place. Don't tell me this bastard is planning on making me spar with the other knights?
No, that's exactly what he plans on doing.
While the giant was pointing out equipment I would slowly take a step backwards.
There is absolutely no way I'm going to let myself be embarrassed by a bunch of knights. At least not this early on!
But before I managed to escape, Reinhardt found me. Firmly planting his hand on my shoulder, as he guided me further into the training training yard.
Oh yay! Now I feel like a kid being dropped off by his father for the first day at school all over again… Well I don't have a father so this is new!
After what felt like a lifetime of fighting against the giants' strength we finally came to a stop.
Before me were several men and women, each training in their own ways.
Three of the men I saw were having an intense free for all sparring session, each with their own weapon.
Each time one of them leaned in for a strike you could hear their armor clanking and sounds of their weapons whipping through the air.
What are they cannons? Why is the air exploding every time they swing!
It's almost like a movie, just louder and far more chaotic. But at the same time it's disgusting, they all reek of sweat. How long have they been here?
I continued to look around the training yard, and in the very far corner I found a graveyard..
A graveyard of broken weapons! Why the hell are they so rough with them! Shouldn't they get stronger weapons if their current ones are too weak?
Oh and it's not even just weapons, there's some armor fragments mixed in there, are they monsters or what? Why are there so many!
Reinhardt puffed out his chest before shouting.
"This is the Second Divisions Training Yard!"
"You mean warzone?"
I quietly muttered under my breath in response.
"What?"
He heard that?!
"Nothing.."
Before the conversation escalated any further the group of 3 that were sparring approached us.
Damn it, this loud bastard made me the center of attention. Now it's going to be difficult escaping them…
From the group of knights a man with a scar over his eye stepped forward, he wiped sweat away from his forehead before speaking out.
"A new recruit Reinhardt? He's kind of scrawny isn't he?"
And instantly I've been insulted, damned bastard I'll show you scrawny bastard
"You shouldn't judge him so quickly,"
Reinhardt let out a hearty laugh as he approached me.
"He's one of the heroes after all!"
"No i'm not a he-"
Suddenly the air from my body disappeared all at once, any attempt I made at recollecting the lost air was met with failure.
What the hell just happened!?
I stumbled forward and immediately I could feel my back stinging, looking behind me I instantly found the cause... Reinhardt, the bastard smacked my back!
The scarred knight caught me, keeping me from falling.
"Oh? A hero? Been a while since we've had one."
As I struggled to catch my breath, the scarred man examined me, his eyes that once questioned my physique were now set ablaze.
"I think this is going to be fun.."
The corner of his mouth stretched into a smile as he stared at me almost as if he was going to devour me.
Is he a predator? Well I guess I'm not a minor anymore but still! I don't swing that way old man!
"Is it?"
Reinhardt said cluelessly.
"I guess training is always fun! I'll leave this to you Garret! I have more things to attend to now."
Wait.. don't leave me here with them!
Reinhardt turned away and I took a step towards him.
I'll listen to any stupid thing you have to say so please don't leave me here with this guy!
My shoulder began to feel heavy as I was stopped from following after Reinhardt..
"So what weapon do you use rookie"
And like that, my training began.
[Part 2]
After my first training session, Viviana led me to a room which had been cleared out and also gave me a pretty sizable amount of clothing for both training and casual wear.
She's so kind! Isn't she like the ideal wife? Oho my mind's starting to get excited just thinking about it…
But a few days have passed since then, the training was grueling at first and left me sore but my future wif- I mean Viviana was there to help me back to my room and was even nice enough to give me a much more thorough tour of the castle.
Now I even have a little schedule going!
Everyday I wake up before the sun. I clean up my appearance and stylize my hair, lately I've been letting it grow out; maybe I can look like those elegant young masters. I think I have the looks for it.
After washing up and combing out my hair I do basic stretches and workouts from my world. After that I have Viviana guide me around the castle and help me with reading some of the signs.
After the blissful time with the beautiful maid, I'm forced to go to the training yard. If I try to skip a woman by the name of Elaine will come find me and force me to come.
Actually, thinking about it, aren't the people of this world really pretty?
Elaine has Gold-like blonde hair and greenish blue eyes.
She looks like a noble of sorts, actually since this is the knights wouldn't she actually be a noble?
But anyways, after being dragged off towards the training yard we ran for an hour. I lack the stamina and speed the others have so I tend to trail behind.
After the runs we shifted into practicing with weapons, at first I was pretty lost and didn't know what weapon to choose. But I got a few suggestions from Garret and another member of the knights named Darius. So now I'm using a sword!
Reinhardt was a little too happy when he saw that though..
Although I started my weapon training a lot later than most people I've turned into quite the prodigy, with Garret's help of course.
I'm completely undefeated when it comes to sparring with the others.
Well I haven't started sparring but I'm still undefeated!
Plus it's a bit early for me to fight with these monsters.
Right now, I'm currently swinging a wooden blade.
"No, not like that kid, your movements are just too stiff. When you swing you gotta swing with a woosh then go bam. Right now you're just going bam!"
What the hell does that mean!
"Man the heroes are doomed if this is all you got after three days!"
Damn it what if I don't want to be a hero though!
"Yes I'll do better.."
Now if it was up to my expert opinion, I would say that it's not my fault that I'm not doing it right!
First of all my body still feels like it's missing all of the mobility it had before I was brought here, and my sense of feeling is still trash, and as if that wasn't enough… Garret's instructions aren't good at all!
Woosh this, bam that! What bastard teaches like this!
My wooden blade cuts through the air, but once again it wasn't good enough. Garret threw insult after insult at me and then went into a full lecture about woodshed and bams.
Rather than listening to him I'd rather watch the monsters train.
Over there an orange haired freak of a man is using boulders as weights, they're not just some regular light boulders either. Each one is probably as big as Reinhardt.
The scariest part about that though is that he does it all day. Ragnar was his name right?He was one of the three guys who I seen sparring on my first day.
I wonder if knows how to do anything other than train?
If Ragnar was the overly energetic Sun then that guy over there would be the overwhelming chill moon, Lucian.
He is the exact opposite of the ever so vigilant Ragnar.
I mean hell even now he's taking a nap while pretending to meditate!
If you're going to take a nap and pretend to be training you could at least make sure you're not snoring right?
The wooden blade is snatched from my hands causing my eyes to be taken off Lucian.
Oh, Garret's lecture ended.
I turned my attention back towards Garret.
"Here I'll show you,"
He snatched my wooden blade from my hand and held it out in front of him.
He firmly planted his legs on the ground as he brought the blade down to his side.
Isn't this a Japanese katana drawing technique?
Using his hand as a sheathe Garret firmly held onto the blade of the sword. Suddenly Garretts expression changed and an ominous aura burst out, almost like it was showing off how serious he was.
In an instant his right leg slid back and the wooden blade flashed through the air with a sizzle, as he stopped the blade the air would explode with a shockwave.
It was the same blade but everything was completely different about it.
But I can tell.. That's not normal! There is no way in hell just anybody is capable of that.
"Your problem is that you're trying to swing with only strength, so your blade lacks the flow to be a woosh. The bam comes after the woosh, remember that."
Why does that kind of make sense now?
"I see… Woosh."
But how do I create that woosh? How do I swing a sword without using only strength?
He throws the wooden blade back to me and gestures for me to do what he just did.
Yea I'm definitely about to get lectured again..
I grab the hilt of the blade firmly, letting its rough texture sink into my hand. I could feel the skin on my hand tearing from how tight I grabbed it.
But ya know these wooden blades are a lot heavier than I expected. It was a bit annoying at first but it's pretty manageable now that I've been using it for so long.
I slow my breathing as I steady my stance, planting my feet on the dry soil.
I exhale slowly as I focus on nothing but the space before me. Strangely the training yard has grown silent, almost as if it's quietly waiting for what I have to show. Even the noisy nights have grown quiet, it's better this way though.. I can focus on nothing but my strike.
Again I take in a deep breath, my eyes fix themselves on the empty space before me.
Almost like I was being guided by an invisible force my body took a step forward, and I leaned forward pushing the weight of my body onto my leg.
My arm then begins to move, being pulled along by that invisible force. It was a slash and still my body, but everything about it felt different. My body which had leaned forward was now leading the motion rather than before when it was just my arms.
I think I get it now, I understand the woosh.
My arm was finally released from its position, now it glided through the air with the blade in hand.
The moment my blade stopped moving I regained complete control over my body.
That was easily my best slash, but it was completely different from what Garret had shown me.
I don't think it was wrong though? In a way it was natural?
"Not bad not bad, it's completely different from what I showed you though!"
I rested the wooden against my shoulder while shrugging.
"I prefer to have creative liberty ya know"
"I see, alright then let's see you do it again!"
Garret gave me a light applause as I prepared to do another slash, maybe being part of the knights isn't that bad after all.
I planted my feet and once again gazed at the space before me, the feeling of my body being pulled along wasn't there time.
I take a step forward and lean in for a strike….
"WORK HARD, TRAIN HARDER! THOSE ARE WORDS ALL KNIGHTS SHOULD FOLLOW!"
My concentration was broken and my strike was horrible.
Damn it! That was Ragnar!
Instantly I turn my gaze towards Ragnar.
What in the hell was so important that he needed to yell like that!
Instantly another voice responded to Ragnar answering my question.
"SHUT UP YOU FILTHY MUTT, TRAINING IS FOR THE DOG NOT THE MASTER!"
Ah, I understand. It's this routine again
It's something that happens every few hours, the battle between a hardworking loser and a lazy noble. Something that could only be compared to a Dog and Cat fighting, Ragnar of course being the dog and Lucian the cat.
Why can't they just get along? Maybe it's because they're opposites with the way they do things?
Lucian's pretty lazy despite the potential everyone says he has so that probably annoys Ragnar?
But really? Did they have to do this when I was awakening my latent potential? I was having a breakthrough and about to awaken my SSS class talent as a Hero!
"Master? Since when have you been a master!"
Lucian who was previously napping against a wall, was now standing and approaching Ragnar with spear in hand.
"I've been your master since the day I met you."
A Vein protruded from Ragnars forehead.
"Yea right jackass.. You're not even good enough to be a rocks master, so no way in hell are you my master!"
"Huh? Who the hell do you think you're speaking to? You finally learn to bark and so you turn on your master?"
Lucian would tap his spear on his shoulder before turning the spearhead towards Ragnar.
"Seems I need to teach this mutt manners."
Ragnar cracked his knuckles while approaching Lucian.
"Oh please do, I've been wanting a reason to beat you."
The fight was beginning and everyone was gathering to watch, yes that's right everyone.
Even Elaine. Oh shit it's Elaine! It was just about to get good though! Oh and Isolde the Second's so called stoic archer is right behind her.
With her arms crossed and an expression that read "not amused." Elaine called out to Garret.
"Garret, will you stop them already? They're going to end up destroying the yard again!"
Hearing Elaine, Garret clicked his tongue.
"But they're getting to the good part!"
"Garret."
The aura of anger that came out with her words caused me to shiver.
Come on Garret just stop them, I'm too young to see a blood bath again!
"Fine.. I'm going to borrow that."
Garret slipped the wooden blade out of my hand before slowly approaching Ragnar and Lucian who were now deep in a fight.
Oho! Good thinking she can't complain if you take your time getting over there.
But back to the fight! It's pretty interesting, talent vs hard work. Cat vs Dog.
Both of them vanished before reappearing at the center, Lucian's spear collided with
Ragnars steel gauntlets and sparks began to fly.
Is this anime?
Ragnar planted his feet firmly on the ground before knocking Lucian's spear into the air. Instantly he threw his fist forward.
However Lucian was ready, like a nimble cat he slipped away from the strike before pouncing once again.
His spear spun around before flying forward, attempting to pierce Ragnar through his chest.
Lucian's pretty strong for someone who sits around all day? Is that what people call talent?
"Eat it commoner!"
Lucian's basic stab quickly evolved into something far more advanced as he spun it around to smack Ragnars.
This however still wasn't enough to put Ragnar down, the haft of Lucian's spear slammed into Ragnar's cheek but he continued to press forward.
Yea ge definitely ate that.
Lucian, not prepared for Ragnar to easily shrug off his attack, was unguarded and because of that, he received a powerful strike to his stomach.
A shockwave boomed out as Lucian flew back several meters, only coming to a stop after crashing into a wall.
"Looks like you need to train after all."
Lucian's face turned red as he pulled himself out the wall, his eyes narrowed as he grew angrier.
"Y-you bastard, you won't get away with harming my perfectly honed body!"
"Perfect my ass! You should lay off the sweets princess!"
Ragnar charged in again, his arm swung back as he prepared a powerful strike, sparks began to burst off of his gauntlets as the area began heating.
At the same time Lucian got up and prepared to stab Ragnar with everything he had, his spear began to glow in a deep blue color as frost began forming around him.
What in the hell is happening!?
Something about these strikes felt different though, almost like a Z fighter the ground below them cracked and loose pebbles began floating.
What the hell am I about to witness!
The heat began to concentrate around Ragnars fist as he swung forward.
"And that's enough!"
A cloud of dust kicked up as the two released their attacks at each other, a powerful explosion erupted blowing the dust away and revealing a shocking development.
"You guys should really just chill out, or fight when Elaine isn't here. She's always on my ass because of you two."
Garret was now between both Ragnar and Lucian, the wooden blade he had taken from me was placed against Ragnar fist which was now embedded in the ground while his other hand caught the spear Lucian had planned to embed in Ragnar chest.
This old man might be stronger than I originally thought..
"Alright everyone! Let's call that a day for now, go home or something! Don't let me see you till tomorrow!"
He pushed Lucian back a bit and pulled Ragnar off the ground before walking off yawning.
He's definitely going to go drinking.
Taking this time to catch a short break I took a seat on the ground and began to massage my somewhat aching body.
I bet Vivana is good at giving massages..
But man this still feels so surreal, before I couldn't imagine myself putting this much work into physical training.
I don't think it would have been as fun either..
Something about seeing the Second interact and banter like this feels soothing, almost like they're a big family.
I wonder if I'll be able to fit in with the rest of them like this, or even with anyone else.
Lucian who was still heated pointed his spear at Ragnar.
"Since we can't fight it out I'll just have to show you the difference between someone like me and you, Ragnar. At the next subjugation I'm going to get double the amount of kills you get."
Ragnar, who was starting to walk away, stopped in his tracks before whipping around.
"Huh? You get more kills than me? That's a big jump for someone who barely managed to kill 10 during the last subjugation. Are you sure you won't hurt that precious body of yours trying to keep up with me?"
Ragnar wore a smug smile as he taunted Lucian.
"Be quiet! Watch I'm going to force a Hobgoblin to actually fight me this time!"
Yelled Lucian.
But wait, subjugation? What the hell are they talking about?
"W-"
I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted by their bickering.
Well it doesn't matter, it's probably just something they do for fun.
Standing up I dusted myself off while thinking about tomorrow's tour with Viviana.