More Joy, More Happiness

The owner of a shiny bald head.

“Come this way!”

“Understood.”

“This is the joint training ground of the Empire and the Federation, a monster research facility boasting the world’s highest level of scientific prowess, hoho!”

While examining Serty’s appearance with not a single hair on his head, I let out an exclamation at the view visible through the window right in front of me.

“It’s certainly beautiful.”

“Isn’t it? You can’t find a place like this anywhere else!”

It was just as he said.

Dozens of monsters abandoned in every concrete cavity.

“Everyone this way!”

“How much has the magic been deployed?”

“Almost done…”

Various awakened ones fighting against them.

It was truly a spectacular sight.

As befitting its name as the crystallization of the Federation’s unlimited monster supply and the Empire’s unique technology, it boasted a level of training facilities even more excellent than expected.

…And the research director is a person fitting the caliber of the facility.

Rustle─

I looked at Serty, showing his smooth back of the head.

“Hm? Is something the matter?”

“I’m surprised the training ground is more impressive than I thought.”

“Uhaha! That’s possible, hmm.”

Who would know that this middle-aged man with such a hearty laugh was the Federation’s top scientist, no, a capable person unrivaled even in the whole world?

Of course, his treatment wasn’t bad as he was supervising this place even now, but…

He was too valuable a scholar to be in charge of just this one Sevirpol training ground. It was also regrettable that he would fall victim to the Great Purge later.

He dies without fully realizing his intentions.

Thousands of officers.

Hundreds of thousands of people.

Hundreds of promising scholars and generals.

Serty Gottfried was one of the victims caught up in the political massacre led by the Federation’s General Secretary to solidify his power.

How could it not be pitiful that he would meet his end on false charges of embezzling national funds?

So it was an extremely attractive situation.

He was still alive and well.

There were still several years left before the Great Purge would occur.

This meant that if I played my cards right, I could save Serty.

More precisely,

By making him defect to the Empire.

“But how did you know you could do monster combat training? Ordinary cadets usually only come during classes and don’t visit much.”

“I heard from an elf researcher passing by.”

“Hmm, so that’s why… Anyway, you’ve come at a good time. Yena, was it? First, follow me this way.”

Whether he knew my thoughts or not,

Serty led the way to the training ground, his white gown fluttering.

“Understood.”

I nodded at his words.

Rustle─

Licking my lips.

I really wanted to bring him to the Empire.

I wanted to provide him with a good position and have him research for the country until his death.

How could such a desire not spring up?

If we could utilize Serty’s brain and talent, the possibility of the Empire’s victory would increase even more.

As it happened, he was a scientist his country was about to discard─

There was no need to forcibly extract him, just guide him when the time was right.

It would require persuasion, though.

I needed to build a relationship, but I wasn’t worried about that.

I was quite confident.

Why would I hesitate with worries of failure in the first place? From the standpoint of dreaming of victory in the Great War, persuading Serty was just a trivial matter.

“We’ve arrived.”

“This is the monster combat training ground, right?”

“That’s right.”

[Training Ground Section 21]

A huge iron door blocked the way.

Above it was a sign with Federation language written on it.

So I can read it after all.

Although it was clearly not Imperial script, I understood the meaning.

No, beyond just understanding, I was fluent.

Since the language itself was taken from actual countries that existed in my previous life, and I had naturally learned it while playing countless games, I could understand it.

That’s good.

Wasn’t that one less inconvenience?

It was the same with other languages.

If I could read Federation language, it would be the same with the languages of Britannia or the Gallic Republic.

It was a good advantage to have gained.

“Then I’ll be going this way. Once you enter the training ground, you’ll hear my voice through the loudspeaker, so please focus on that.”

“Understood.”

Serty finished speaking and left hurriedly.

Showing his shiny scalp.

“…It’s white.”

And the moment his shadow disappeared,

Creak, rumble─!

I pushed the door that was taller than me vigorously to the side.

The sound of rusty steel scraping the floor was heard.

Whoosh─!

As I opened the entrance wide, a strong wind leaked out.

The unexpected chill made my mind clear.

It was an empty cavity no different from the other buildings I had passed through.

Except for the unknown bloodstains sparsely visible on the floor.

Purple bloodstains─

I was certain they were from monsters as soon as I saw them.

Such peculiar blood was one of the characteristics they possessed.

And there weren’t just one or two such traces.

There were countless.

I could guess how many battles had taken place.

─Ah, ah. Can you hear me, Cadet Yena Freud?

How much time had passed as I appreciated the surroundings like that?

A familiar voice rang out from the loudspeaker.

When I slightly raised my head, Serty was waving his hand with a pleased smile beyond the thick reinforced glass.

“Yes, I can hear you.”

I immediately answered that question.

Through the radio right below the loudspeaker.

There was a separate telegraph machine for trainees, so it seemed they had made two-way communication possible.

─Anyway, let’s start training right away.

“Understood.”

─What level of difficulty do you want? It might be prejudice, but judging from your appearance, I don’t think a high one would be good…

Serty asked with a worried tone.

Although it was a loudspeaker full of static noise, I could tell he was concerned about me possibly getting hurt.

“Grade 9, one monster please.”

But he didn’t need to worry.

I intended to request the lowest grade and a single individual, the easiest monster possible.

Shouldn’t I adapt first?

Whether to increase the difficulty or not, that came first.

Although I had met many humans in my past life, this was my first time seeing monsters…

As someone who thoroughly considers all situations, I had to take it step by step.

No matter how much I wanted to have a brawl.

“Phew.”

I tied my hair back while chewing my lower lip.

Be patient for a little while, just a little.

I forcibly suppressed the urge to gather dozens of monsters at once.

It’s not like I would only face one anyway.

From the moment it became clear that it wasn’t much different from the game, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Crunch─!

With that resolution, I put on leather gloves.

It was dirty to touch blood with bare hands.

─Are you ready, Yena?

“You can send it right away, no problem.”

─Hoho, alright. That’s a good ambition, indeed.

Serty’s booming laughter was heard.

Screech──!

At the same time, an unpleasant sound of metal friction pierced my ears.

It’s coming out from there.

There was a large iron gate in the middle of the wall.

No, should I say there isn’t anymore?

The entrance opened as several bars that had been embedded in the groove on the floor slowly rose up.

“Grrrr……”

Through that gap, a red-eyed wolf was visible.

─Although it’s the weakest individual, be careful.

Serty warned, but I didn’t hear it.

All my senses were directed towards the wolf drooling foam over there.

To be more precise, it was inappropriate to call it a wolf – what animal has three eyes?

“…Big-horned wolf.”

I muttered while clenching and unclenching my fist.

True to its name, it had a huge horn in the center of its forehead.

For safety reasons─

Almost half of it was cut off, and even the remaining tip was wrapped in thick cloth, but additionally, for the above reason, its teeth were also pulled out.

Really for training purposes,

An appearance befitting that purpose.

Of course, I didn’t care what it was like.

I would be satisfied as long as it gave me joy, happiness in battle.

So I didn’t feel particularly sorry for it either.

What did I care if their teeth were pulled out or something was cut off? They would have caused harm to civilians if left alone anyway.

“Kyaaaak──!”

Finally, the big-horned wolf approached.

Even though its grade was low, it was a monster with mana. It came running at a speed that could easily crush ordinary beasts.

Narrowing the distance like that,

Swish─!

It swung its front paw with bulging muscles.

“Hup!”

I quickly twisted my body to avoid it.

At the same time, I drew out the mana in my body.

No matter how good a technique I had, with an ordinary body, I couldn’t even inflict a tiny wound on that wolf.

“Grrrk!”

Did it know that too?

The big-horned wolf, taking advantage of its wide field of view and excellent dynamic vision due to its three eyes, launched a follow-up attack without delay.

All attacks showed excellent accuracy.

It wasn’t that the power was low because there was no preparation time either.

Whoosh─!

I bent my body backward, utilizing my physical flexibility.

The monster’s paw passed over the bridge of my nose.

The speed was so fast that the wind created by it brushed my face, making my bangs flutter backward.

…Now.

As the attack passed like that, its belly was exposed.

I absolutely didn’t miss the opening.

I smiled faintly and didn’t let the momentary chance pass.

Covering one clenched fist with thin but hard ice,

Crunch─!

I extended it towards the beast’s belly.

Thud!

“Grrrk…!”

The sound of ribs crumbling was heard in my ears.

The monster let out a death cry.

But how could I be satisfied with just this one punch?

During the brief moment the big-horned wolf’s movement was hindered, I created a sharp ice formation.

Stab!

Like thrusting a spear,

I stabbed the slender ice mass into its upper body.

“Kya, kyarrrk.”

The creature’s breath was dying.

I no longer saw its quick movements.

But I didn’t stop attacking.

The fight wasn’t over until its breath was completely cut off.

I stabbed its abdomen repeatedly, swinging my arm back and forth without rest.

Thud, thud thud.

The more I did so, the more my face was stained with blood.

The black leather gloves had long been completely covered in purple, as if paint had been applied.

Finally, when I could no longer hear its breathing,

“Huff, huff.”

I pulled out my hand while taking a long deep breath.

As I shook my hand, drops of purple blood were scattered on the concrete floor.

The battle with the monster had finally ended, but…

I couldn’t smile at all.

I wasn’t immersed in happiness.

“…A stronger individual.”

Because it was too weak and a boring fight.

Without teeth,

Without claws and nails,

Not even the horn on its head – how could I feel any urgency?

“Director Serty. Is Grade 5, 5 monsters possible?”

So I opened my mouth while wiping my cheek.

Towards the radio under the loudspeaker.

─Kahaha! Good, I’ll have them ready right away.

Hearing his answer, I smiled.

It seemed he was allowing it.

He must have seen how the recent brawl went, so he could respond like that.

“I hope this one will be more fun.”

I lowered my posture and stared at the bars.

Creak, screech──!

Soon the door opened again.

“Kyaaaak!”

“Kuoooo!”

The moment various monsters appeared,

Tap tap tap─!

I ran out, my black hair fluttering.

For even more joy…

To savor it.