Chapter 29 The Reward
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”…So, what happened to your hair and eyes?”
My master asked this when I stepped into the dojo again after a long time. I stood there in silence, unable to reply.
Three days had passed since the night Haruka’s magic eye was transplanted into me. The commotion was so great that the teachers who came to check on me found me staring blankly at a cracked mirror, my appearance drastically changed. Fearing after-effects from the battle, they allowed me to return home temporarily.
the Voice had said, ‘Your level is already at the cap, and you need to recover from the damage accumulated while forging your blessings before the martial arts tournament, so it’s fine.’ But I didn’t think the Voice would focus solely on recovery. Those days were spent in fear.
”I… ah…”
I truly wanted to answer my master’s question, but I couldn’t risk my voice leaking out, not even by my own will. I feared my reliance on it might endanger him, the man who took me in after my parents’ death.
I knew it was strange he didn’t comment on my hair, now colorless, or my irises, a mix of my former gold and Haruka’s crimson.
”Can’t you speak?”
’Stay silent. If you do, Gin-oji will train you again after a long time,’ the Voice echoed in my mind, making my shoulders jump.
”Come to the courtyard,” my master said. “Let’s spar. It’s been a while.”
”Yes.”
’Training Water God Style is most efficient under Gin-oji’s direct guidance. Let’s aim for that,’ the Voice added.
”Your stance is weak! Relax!”
”Ugh!”
The Voice had trained my voice, and with Haruka’s magic eye, I could track a fly’s wings. But my master’s movements were beyond perception—no wind-up, no tell, just fluid motion I couldn’t consciously follow, like trying to track individual raindrops.
”Don’t look away! Keep your eyes open! Watch your opponent, but don’t rely only on sight!”
’Ah! That hurts, but good!’ the Voice exclaimed.
By the time I reacted, my master was already several moves ahead. I couldn’t counter in time, took a blow, and my attacks were brushed aside. It was no contest—I was like a leaf in a storm.
”Enough!”
The sparring ended as my movements slowed from damage. Fatigued and in pain, I collapsed, waiting for ‘Rebirth’ to heal me.
’To fight Gin-oji properly, you need Water God Style and other martial skills at level fifty, with passive skills related to eyes and senses at least level seventy,’ the Voice explained.
”…Reina,” my master began, then stopped. “Never mind.”
I remained silent.
’Let’s use this to earn skill points, but Gin-oji’s moodiness makes training unpredictable. He stops abruptly. Speaking of Cliff, why do people in this world always trail off mid-sentence?’
I had no answer.
”You’ll soon receive a government reward for holding back a Class 1 Calamity.”
I didn’t want it. Accepting a reward for framing Haruka, my friend, felt wrong.
”Any requests?”
Before I could refuse, my mouth moved on its own.
”A miracle seed,” I repeated.
A miracle seed? After killing, now gardening?
”Another rare item?”
”I want a miracle seed.”
”Got it,” he said.
My master called it the ‘barren seed,’ known for never sprouting. Why the Voice wanted it was anyone’s guess.
’Eating a miracle seed raises your level cap by five. We’ll aim for it if possible,’ the Voice said.
Typical the Voice—always chasing efficiency, no matter the cost.
’Blame Homo-chan’s trash talent. Reflect on it,’ the Voice said.
I held it in.
’Cute when you hold it in,’ the Voice said.
Notes:
• –
• Cliff – Son of First-Class Knight Lilia. Practices Flame God Style. Obsessed with defeating strong opponents, especially Reina Alcott after a humiliating loss.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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