Chapter 145: You Too, Shout _Shooting is the Best!_

Rohan was in Shion’s mansion’s Meditation Room.

It was called a Meditation Room, but the walls were sturdy and soundproof. The space was also wide, making it a suitable place to move around.

In the silent Meditation Room, where not even the sound of wind could be heard, swinging the sword continuously made him feel like his concentration was being tested.

“Ha!”

Even though his grip ached, he continued to swing the sword. His calluses were quite prominent now.

Although he was told to rest right after returning from the Dungeon, Rohan knew that the Quest Reward had already healed him, so he continued his training.

Moreover, with his mind clear and open thanks to Ichinose Jun’s words, he had a hunch that now was the perfect time for training, and he couldn’t just sit still.

‘Again.’

Just because he had a Mana-infused body didn’t mean some special training method was the be-all and end-all.

There might be some secret training techniques out there, but ultimately, the basics were paramount.

The importance of fundamentals was so obvious it didn’t need explaining.

Therefore, Rohan swung and thrust his sword again today.

He wasn’t firing a Handgun. While using Swordsmanship, he focused on being conscious of where the Handgun’s muzzle was pointed.

He constantly considered the ideal trajectory of the bullet.

Whoom!

Compressed Flames bloomed along the sword’s path, filling it with heat.

The temperature in the Meditation Room was rising.

As he struggled like this, imprinting Swordsmanship onto his body and Consciousness using Mana, fatigue first appeared in the areas where his skills were lacking.

The muscles that tired first screamed loudly for mercy.

“···.”

He ignored them and repeated the movements.

He wasn’t pursuing the aesthetic balance of a bodybuilder’s physique, but the importance of balance was absolute.

He had to severely whip the areas that were lagging behind.

More. More. More.

He squeezed. He pushed himself.

When even the parts that had been holding up well started aching, and his muscles reached their limit, unable to replace the exhausted ones, Rohan’s basic training was nearing its end.

‘One more time.’

Not just Rohan, but Shion and Clara also believed this was the foundation of growth and the core of their training.

When they did this training, the two girls would wear light clothing that Rohan found hard to look at directly, wielding knives and silently exchanging dazzling blows.

The concentration that Shion and Clara displayed at those times was something even Rohan admired.

‘Last one!’

Rohan’s entire body moved elastically as the blade pierced the air.

─Swoosh! Even though it touched nothing, the blade sang sharply.

The chronic problem of the Third Sword, Light Wing Awl, was gradually being erased with consistent effort.

“Haa···!”

Sweat dripped down Rohan’s jawline as he returned to his stance.

His white t-shirt was drenched in sweat, as if he’d fallen into water.

Rohan threw off the thin fabric clinging to his skin. Slap! A watery sound echoed as the t-shirt rolled into a ball.

‘If only I had Points to spare, I’d train while drinking Potions.’

Unfortunately, he didn’t have much left after his Transcendence.

Of course, he had enough to buy a few Potions. But how could he use them like that?

‘Now, having an empty wallet isn’t as unsettling as having no Shop Points…’

Having experienced the Monolith Dungeon twice as Sudden Quests, he felt uneasy if he didn’t have a certain amount of Points left.

He compulsively saved the remaining Points for Food and water.

“···.”

He retrieved the Mana from his Radiance, which had been heated up, and click! sheathed his sword.

He picked up the supplements he had placed in the corner and replenished his fluids and nutrients.

His Consciousness recalled things other than training, one by one.

‘There’s no news about the promised exclusive Quest Reward, and the Shop is silent because it’s updating.’

It was an unwelcome silence. He felt like it was the calm before the storm.

This quiet atmosphere felt like a hint to train thoroughly and wait, as a huge wave was coming.

‘For now… I need to focus on the final exams and training.’

His current goal was simple. To gain strength.

Rather than trying to interpret the information from the restricted section with his not-so-great Head, it was better to focus on training.

Enough to overcome any problems that might arise without resorting to desperate measures that would put his life on the line, just as Ichinose Jun had said.

That was Rohan’s immediate objective.

“Whew!”

He emptied the supplements Clara had prepared.

‘Should I wash up?’

Rohan packed his things and headed to the small shower room right next to the Meditation Room.

“Registering the passcode is now complete.”

Shion manipulated the device at the main entrance, granting Ichinose Yui free access to the mansion.

At first, Ichinose Yui refused, saying it was burdensome, but she eventually extended her hand after Shion suggested that it would be better not to refuse anything related to Rohan and to be greedy.

“Please come in.”

“W-Welcome…!”

Ichinose Yui stepped into the mansion, saying, “Excuse me.”

Without moving her Head, she read the layout of the mansion with her senses.

“It’s a wonderful mansion.”

“Thank you.”

Rohan and Clara had gaped when they first entered the mansion.

However, Ichinose Yui simply nodded, acknowledging that it was a nice house.

“Rohan… seems to still be in training.”

As Shion said, Rohan’s shoes were at the entrance.

However, the mansion was quiet. It seemed he had entered the Meditation Room and hadn’t come out yet.

“I can’t interrupt his training. Would you mind waiting?”

Shion replied, “Of course,” and headed to the refrigerator to get something to drink.

Clara guided Ichinose Yui to the sofa.

“H-Here, please sit down…!”

“Thank you. Excuse me.”

Ichinose, having received even a cushion to hold, slowly opened her eyelids.

She rolled her eyes and looked around the house. Then, a question arose.

Looking at Shion bringing fruit juice, Ichinose asked,

“But… there aren’t any Droplet Friends decorations?”

It was a shared interest between Ichinose and Shion.

She clearly liked the characters, but no merchandise? From Ichinose’s perspective, it was simply incomprehensible.

“Ah! Those are in my room. I’ll bring them.”

Shion, with a smile, set down the drinks and headed to her room.

‘A perfect conversation starter.’

Droplet Friends was also a symbol of the place where Shion first met Ichinose.

They weren’t close then, but Ichinose had been the one to bow first.

A heartwarming memory. Shion hadn’t voiced it, but she felt her relationship with Ichinose was destiny.

Creak.

The door opened, and Shion emerged into the living room.

A teary-eyed pink dragon and a goofy-looking shark were nestled in Shion’s arms.

“These are my most precious ones.”

The Droplet Friends dolls Rohan had bought for Shion.

Ululi and Bluebee, classic versions.

The moment Ichinose saw them, her eyes widened.

She had a near-certain suspicion.

“Did Rohan buy these for you?”

“…How did you know?”

“Rohan asked me what good things were a while ago.”

Ichinose smiled silently, understanding everything.

Normally, she might have felt a tinge of bitterness, but remembering their cooperation, her envy for Rohan’s gift was overwhelmingly greater.

“Shall we go to the store together next time? I have some recommendations.”

“Of course, I’d love to.”

Ichinose also glanced at Clara, who was sitting quietly beside her.

“Clara, come with us too. The store near the Academy also has a Collaboration Cafe inside, with lots of special desserts.”

“Ah! Yes…!”

As this heartwarming atmosphere settled,

Rohan, having just finished showering, came up the stairs from the basement.

“Oh? We have guests?”

“R-Rohan… We’re intruding…”

“Welcome. It’s funny for me to say that since I’m a guest too.”

Ichinose quickly stored the sight of Rohan in his everyday life.

The droplets of water remaining at the ends of his hair.

His usual short-sleeved T-shirt openly displayed his well-developed muscles. To a girl, it was as stimulating as a well-dressed outfit.

“Are you both done with your outing?”

“We just got back.”

“I, I went to a Cafe with Older sister…”

Rohan stroked Clara’s hair, praising her, then headed to the water purifier.

Ichinose felt envious of Clara, who couldn’t hide her melting smile.

‘…These two have been experiencing this precious situation every day.’

Ichinose swallowed, controlled her emotions, and opened her mouth.

“I somehow… became quite close with you two.”

“That’s good. I’m glad to see it.”

Rohan laughed heartily. He seemed genuinely happy.

Seeing that, Ichinose felt she had made the right decision to join hands with them.

In that moment, Shion thought.

She decided to show Ichinose the true taste of cooperation and pushing.

Shion quickly formed a plan and moved her lips.

“Ichinose-nim, this Mansion also has a Shooting Range.”

“I’ve never used a Handgun. Besides a Sword, I don’t know how to handle anything else, and I’m comfortable with my eyes closed.”

“I think it’s okay to just try Shooting as a hobby. If it suits your taste, there’s nothing better for relieving stress.”

“I see. I should try it sometime.”

“Since we’re on the topic, would you like to try shooting now?”

“Hmm…”

It was just a polite remark; she didn’t particularly want to shoot. As Ichinose hesitated, wondering how to politely decline,

Shion’s gaze shifted to Rohan.

“Rohan would be better at teaching than I am. Rohan, how about teaching Ichinose-nim the basic Shooting posture?”

“Sure. Are you interested?”

This changed things.

Aeng-ae Nose nodded urgently.

They all went down to the Shooting Range.

Ichinose stood at the firing line for the first time, holding a Handgun, and Rohan positioned himself behind her.

Shion and Clara watched the two from a distance.

“Shooting, like Swordsmanship, has various grips and postures.”

“H-Hmm… Is that so…?”

“But there’s a standard posture. To do that, spread your feet shoulder-width apart.”

“…”

Rohan stood behind her, supporting her arms. He touched her hand holding the gun, correcting even the shape of her fingers.

Thick fingers and forearms, a broad chest that seemed to engulf Ichinose’s small body.

Rohan’s voice and warmth felt from behind made her heart pound.

So much so that she worried it might be audible.

‘…Is this heaven?’

Ichinose couldn’t shake the thought that she had made the right choice to cooperate.

Shooting is the best!

As Ichinose emptied a magazine in this sweet moment,

Her smartphone rang.

[Noa]