Chapter 644 Jan and the Others’ Growth
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The practice started with running around the mansion.
You could see how much Jan and the others had grown just from that.
(They’re not out of breath. Just one practice a week can’t do this.)
”Of course! We run and practice every morning!”
Jan proudly said this when they started swinging their swords after running.
You could tell just by watching their swings were sharper.
”Great job! So, do you want to spar with me later?”
””””Seriously!?””””
”Your hands… are not moving.”
My suggestion made all 4 stop swinging.
But then they resumed with even more determination.
* * *
”Okay! We’re done swinging!”
Jan looked at me with bright eyes, breathing hard.
Lantz, Gazura, and Mash also looked full of energy while sitting down.
”Well, let’s take a break first. We want to give it our all.”
”True. So, will we go one by one?”
”No way I can take on Hiroya alone.”
Jan, who sat down with a thump, asked me about the sparring method, but Lantz raised his hands in disbelief.
”I’m not underestimating you, but… I’ll take all of you at once.”
”Then… we have a chance!”
I told them I would take on all 4, but instead of looking upset, Jan and the others grinned when they heard Gazura’s remark.
”Hehe, this is going to be a fun spar!”
”We will be the referees.”
As Lilith and Frejya sat down next to me, Lantz, Gazura, and Mash glared at me with light malice, and I didn’t miss it.
”Hiroya… not just Kazumi and Rena…”
”Even those pretty girls…”
”I’m going all out!”
Only Jan is grinning lewdly.
* * *
”Alright, here I come!”
Jan stands in front, ready with his Bokken sword.
Lantz next to Jan and Mash and Gazura by my side point their Bokken swords at me.
”Okay. I’m serious too.”
I say this and grip my Bokken sword on my hip.
I won’t go all out like an S-rank player, though.
”Take this!”
Jan lunges at my face with a sharp stab.
It’s pretty fast.
I barely dodge it and quickly swipe at Jan’s belly.
Then Lantz attacks from a distance with a downward strike.
Typical of tall Lantz to use long reach.
I block his attack with my drawn Bokken sword above me.
I push Lantz’s sword away and leap back.
I need to watch out for the pressure from my right.
Suddenly, Gazura jumps out from behind Mash, swinging at my feet with his Bokken sword.
I was distracted by Mash’s pressure, but I easily dodge Gazura’s surprise attack with a quick step.
I put my Bokken sword back and take my stance again as I land.
”Ouch── but!”
Jan, holding his stomach, stands up and charges at me with his Bokken sword.
Lantz, Mash, and Gazura follow him towards me.
(It might hurt a bit… but I’ll go all out!)
I kick off the ground to meet them.
I draw my Bokken sword and slice past Jan.
I dodge Lantz’s attack and bring my Bokken sword down to my side.
I kick Mash, knocking him and Gazura down together.
* * *
”Great job, kiddos. I’m looking forward to what’s next!”
”Since it’s you, master, they can’t be upset about losing.”
Looking sad, Jan and the others received care from Lilith and Frejya, and they smiled happily at their encouraging words.
”Right? Hiroya is the best swordsman in Raetia!”
”But there are also Elberhardt and Master Müller, and my dad too…”
Jan is far from being ‘the best swordsman in Raetia.’
In fact, too many top fighters are in this Raetia.
”No way, those guys are on a different level!”
”Seriously, Hiroya can be compared to those heroes!”
”It’s okay… Hiroya can surpass them…”
Lantz, Gazura, and Mash all cheer for me.
”And Hiroya, you can change into an adult, right? I’ve heard that Hiroya is super strong then!”
”Hehe. Strong is an understatement♡”
”Even goddesses fall for that strength.”
Lilith and Frejya blushed while answering Jan’s question.
Uhh… not long ago, this form of mine was stronger.
I wonder if they mean ‘that part’ is strong.
”I see… I guess I need to get stronger to impress girls…”
Just then, Alisa appeared from the dining room with a tray full of cups.
”I learned how to make fruit water from Ms. Hanna… um…”
”Oh! Thanks, Alisa! I was just thirsty!”
Jan jumped up and ran to Alisa, grabbing a cup from the tray.
Gazura and Mash also took cups without hesitation.
”Uh… thank you…”
Lantz was shy, taking a cup and shrinking his tall frame.
(Oh right, Lantz liked Alisa, didn’t he?)
”Mr. Hiroya, if you want… please, take this.”
”Ah, thanks a lot.”
I thanked Alisa as she blushed and handed me the cup, then drank it all in one go.
The lemon scent spread in my mouth, and the cool drink refreshed my throat.
”So good! It’s not sweet like honey lemon, so it’s perfect after practice!”
”I-I’m glad…”
Alisa hides her face with a tray, then bows her head and runs back to the cafeteria.
But…
(Lantz’s stare hurts…)
Lantz looks at me with a jealous gaze, and it feels scary since Alisa clearly likes me.
* * *
”I have a suggestion…”
I decided to share what I felt during the duel with Jan and the others.
Jan is really the son of the Guild Master, a former rank A adventurer.
He has a well-balanced body and great sword skills.
Focusing on sword skills seems like the right choice.
Lantz uses his long limbs effectively with spear techniques.
Mash’s big body showed a strong presence during the duel, making him a great ‘Tank’ to attract enemy attention.
Gazura is small and quick, so he fits the ‘Thief’ role well.
”I see. You’re right; they showed those traits in the duel.”
”Yeah. A spear…maybe I’ll try it.”
”I’m good with my fingers too.”
”I want to protect everyone…”
Everyone nods at my suggestion that plays to their strengths.
”So, starting from the day after tomorrow’s ‘magic camp’, let’s also look for more ‘magicians’!”
”Agreed!”
Looks like we will form our own Adventure Party.
”We’ll get cute girls to join us who can compete with Hiroya’s Party!”
Jan declares confidently.
(Jan…your motives are too impure…)
After a deep, long sigh, I responded to them with a wry smile.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply