episode_0146

“Wooo!”

Helena roared, raising her arms as if showing off her muscles.

Ian, who fell to the floor, looked at her and laughed.

It was an attitude and spirit that no other barbaric warrior could possess.

Vivian looked at Helena with surprised rabbit eyes, and Lucia nodded as if it was okay.

While Kati was glaring, Mercy clapped.

“That’s amazing! I can’t believe I passed this!”

“Gaaat-! That’s right! I did it! ”

Helena’s strength has increased recently, and today she finally surpassed Ian.

“Again! Again-!”

Helena jumped up and screamed.

The braided hair was spinning.

It got to the point where I thought it might just fly away.

“Again! I want to do it again!”

Ian chuckled and stood up, dusting himself off.

I raised my training sword and aimed it, and Helena also raised her mace and shield.

Ian swung honestly, and Helena also blocked it honestly.

A pure power struggle was the purpose of today’s training.

With a little skill, Ian could have knocked Helena out, but this wasn’t the time.

More than anything, it was important now to give Helena a greater sense of accomplishment.

-Pad deud deuk… . thud!

After being pushed and pulled with friction, Helena raised the shield hard.

Ian’s sword was raised and his stance opened.

Immediately after that, Helena threw the mace, rushed at him, grabbed him by the collar, and carried him away.

-thud!

“Woohi! Oooaaa-!”

An excited Helena jumped up and shouted again.

“The lightest thing is the strongest, right?”

Lucia chuckled, and Vivian admired it.

“Wow… . I’m jealous… . I can’t believe I can subdue Ian with force… .”

The enviable point was a bit strange.

anyway.

After that, Ian suffered from Helena several more times.

Then, at the end, Helena also lost strength.

Helena knocked Ian down and got on top of him.

With his hands next to his face.

I had to get up, but I had no strength in my body.

“Ha, ha… . Haha… .”

The unbearable hot breath touched Ian’s face.

The reason my face got hot was because I was having a hard time.

I don’t know how long it’s been since I last looked directly into Ian’s eyes like this.

I’m out of my mind.

It’s partly because I’m physically tired, and partly because I’m so close to Ian.

I have to leave… .

The moment the sweat that ran down the tip of my chin dripped onto Ian’s neck.

“Helena? I have to wake up.”

Lucia quickly came over and helped her up.

“What are you doing up there? Ian can’t wake up.”

“Ah, ah, uh, ah… ! Sorry, sorry. I’m so weak… .”

“It’s okay.”

Carty supported Ian.

There was no need for help, but Kati almost helped her up.

I gently touched Ian’s neck and wiped away the sweat.

“I think the time will come when Lucia will surpass me in strength soon.”

“Already? Hmm. Then I’ll have to bother Ian all the time.”

“… … .”

Katy quietly blocked Ian’s path.

“Just kidding, kidding.”

Lucia took a step back, showing both hands.

No matter how much he has grown, he still has a long way to go to compete with Carty.

Ian looked at Vivian curiously.

“Ian? Why?”

“No. hmm. What should I say about Vivian’s magic skills these days? It’s suddenly increasing.”

I flinch.

Vivian trembled greatly.

“That’s right! I’ve been feeling it lately too!”

“Aren’t we doing something alone without our knowledge?”

Lucia joked.

Vivian had to act with all her heart to avoid being seen.

“Heh, ehehe… . Just, oh… . Wow, isn’t it thanks to Scarlett’s education?”

My face was red and sweaty, but I was okay.

It’s right after exercise anyway.

It’s not awkward.

“Still, perhaps because it is a magic tower drink, the effect seems to be certain.”

“Hmm. It works better than I expected.”

Ian also passed without any doubts.

Sylvia said that even if Ian found out, he wouldn’t say anything, but he still didn’t want to be found out.

***

Today, I’m on my way back after telling the Manager’s Guild about massage.

Every time I come, I also check to see if Penny is doing well, and she is doing well without any problems.

However, it sometimes feels burdensome that they greet me so warmly every time I visit.

Anyway, I am taking Mercy with me because I think it would be good to have an assistant when teaching massage techniques.

And, these days, there is a place that I stop at every time I stop by Superbia.

“Hmm.”

A warrior bulletin board crowded with people.

I glanced at the bulletin board behind the crowd.

Today too, the most stories are about fruit warriors.

From start to finish, there are only compliments and expectations.

Before we knew it, many characteristics of fruits, including Vivian’s no-casting, became known.

It’s also something the public can enjoy and look forward to, so it doesn’t matter.

“Oh my, aren’t you tired of seeing it every time you come?”

Mercy scolded me from the side.

“… If you look at it, how much did you see?”

“Hmm. Okay, I myself will tell you how diligently you look.”

“I saw it all, let’s go.”

“True! Why don’t you just put up a bulletin board on your own land too!”

“… Oh.”

Why didn’t I think of that?

There is no proper warrior bulletin board in Ian territory yet.

I’ll have to have a serious discussion with Charles when I get back.

“As expected, Mercy. Thank you.”

“Ah really!”

Mercy slapped her arm.

It didn’t hurt and it happened all the time, so I left it as is.

“… So, are you going back today as well? Huh?”

“Of course.”

“Give me time too!”

“Busy man.”

As I was walking away bickering, I received a call from the video mirror.

-master.

When I received it, it was Kati.

“Why.”

-When are you coming?

“I’m on my way.”

It’s been like this these days.

If you are away for a long time, call the video mirror and ask when you will be back.

“Ahh! Katy, this guy! What are you doing!”

Mercy on my shoulder ran wild.

“Now Ian decided to hang out with me alone! Do not disturb!”

-… … .

“I’ve never done that.”

“Eight!”

Katy inside the bead glared at Mercy with sullen eyes.

“In front of the portal. Hang up.”

-… yes.

As soon as I disconnected, Mercy clung to my face.

“Now you two are going to have fun, right?”

“No. I have to go and work.”

“Work! Day! What happened!”

“To find out about the Fruit Warriors’ A-level dungeon.”

Before the war came.

The goal is to raise it to at least level A.

“That can’t be helped!”

***

-visor!

Swords clash.

Sparks fly.

The sparks spreading in all directions are clearly visible one by one.

But the eyes see the sword coming in.

Two swords.

A sharp movement that draws a flowing line in the air.

Minimal movement.

Its trajectory of targeting precisely the vital points is rather a work of art.

Two swords rush at me irregularly.

The body is busy blocking and avoiding.

The flesh in my grip feels like it will tear, but I hold on.

Lucia knows this because she has used this sword, but using two swords cannot be this free and flashy.

Surprisingly, holding a sword in each hand is inconvenient and restrictive.

The advantage of this sword comes from its unexpectedness.

However, the other person was not bothered by that at all.

The golden eyes of the beast.

The silver hair flowing like a slow flash is dangerous and beautiful like its momentum.

-Kang!

Whirling, whirling, the sword flew through the air and fell to the floor.

“Ugh… .”

Lucia lost her grip on the sword and fell to the floor.

Katy, who had dealt with Lucia, slowly lifted his sword.

“I can’t think of anything other than defense. Did you see this too?”

Kati nodded calmly.

It’s as if it’s just the facts as they are.

Lucia didn’t feel bad because it wasn’t a belittling attitude.

“Ugh… . This is it, when will it boil over?”

“It will be possible.”

“Really? Is there something you see in Kati’s eyes?”

“Yes. You are growing.”

“Hmm.”

That was not how Lucia felt.

All I had to do was barely block Kathi’s attacks every time.

But if Kati is like that, then she is.

“Carty stayed with the first hero party for a long time, right? What about that person named Kylie?”

“Strong.”

“More than me?”

“Yes.”

“Then better than Kati?”

“Um.”

Kati thought briefly.

“I am stronger.”

“Oh… .”

It might not have been the case in the past, but Katy learned how to use black mana and became stronger than before.

In the past, he killed Black Mana to hide his identity and gain strength, but not anymore.

Thanks to Ian, we have come to a world where it is okay to freely reveal one’s identity.

Although there is still opposition in other regions, at least there were no problems within Ian Territory.

Same goes for when I hang out with Ian.

As I thought about it, I started missing Ian.

… anyway.

Even though Kylie’s arm was fine, Katy was confident right now.

It’s hard to be sure, though.

“There is a long way to go. I think Helena will join us next time.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Thank you. Oh right. Kati can use sword skills, right?”

“Yes.”

Kati simply swung the sword as if shaking it off.

The thin sword that was fired cleanly cut off the wooden doll that was far away.

“Oh… .”

Relatively recently, Lucia began taking sword skills lessons from Ian.

It wasn’t easy.

The idea of drawing up mana from the body and swinging it to shoot it out was a simple expression.

“I started learning recently. Is there any advice that might be helpful?”

“You’re just getting started, so there’s no need to rush.”

“Still. There’s a long way to go.”

“Um.”

Kati looked down at her sword.

Although she is now incomparably stronger, she had a particularly hard time when firing sword energy.

This was because he had to deal with blue mana that did not fit the beastman’s body.

At that time, I realized something on my own.

“Swing it like a sword.”

“Like shaking it off?”

“Yes. Think of the mana you drew up as dust on the sword, and then swing it as if shaking it off.”

“As if shaking it off, as if shaking it out… .”

Lucia frowned and repeated those words.

I felt like I knew something.

It may have been a long way from being able to use it in practice, but that sense of familiarity was enough.

“Can you feel it? Thank you.”

Lucia, who had sufficiently rested, raised her sword again.

“Can you look at it again one last time?”

Kati nodded and also raised her sword.

Lucia trained separately in addition to the designated time.

*

“Ian?”

Helena sneakily came to Ian’s office.

Not in the room, not in the office.

It hasn’t come back yet.

Helena came inside cautiously.

Ian’s office was simple compared to other lords.

This is because Charles actually handles most of the work.

“Um.”

Helena quietly sat down in Ian’s seat.

The chair is quite big.

This is a custom chair for Ian, who has a better physique than he does, so it makes sense.

As she swept the armrests, Helena felt a strange sense of conquest and elation.

‘This is the Count’s seat…’ .’

Even though I didn’t do anything, I felt powerful.

Everyone comes here on their own to see this place.

I carefully smelled the chair and desk, but there was no scent of Ian in particular.

I felt ashamed of myself for constantly paying attention to the smell after the last sweat smell incident, but I couldn’t bear it.

‘When are you coming? ah. ‘I should have asked through the video mirror!’

I forgot because I wasn’t used to using it yet.

The moment I rummaged through my arms to contact Ian.

-Crash.

“Huh?”

Ian came in.

“Ah… .”

It was rare for her to have a face-to-face or close conversation with Ian recently.

Worse, I was caught in this embarrassing situation.

There is no choice but to harden.

Ian grinned as he looked at Helena, who instantly turned red.

“The great Countess Helena. Would you please grant me an audience with my humble self?”

“Ugh-!”

Helena struggled in shame and tried to run away, but even that wasn’t easy because Ian blocked the door.

*

“… You’re good.”

Those were Sylvia’s words.

“Is that so?”

Binding magic, root binder.

Root vines sprouted from the ground, wrapped around a large rock, and broke it with force.

Vivian just did it.

“It’s true. Is it because of no casting? . Excellent intuition.”

It’s been a few weeks since my first private lesson, and I’ve had several classes.

Meanwhile, Sylvia was clearly feeling Vivian’s talent.

It was clear that he was a talented person who would become bigger than himself.

“Hehe… .”

“It seems like it can even be handled regardless of attribute.”

“Is there something like that?”

“Yes, then. Have you ever gotten confused while using different attribute magic in succession?”

“Hmm… . I haven’t tried it.”

“Try it.”

Vivian immediately did as she said.

Fire Ball, Water Ball, Rock Shot, Ice Spear, Lightning Bolt.

The five basic spells were unleashed almost simultaneously.

“How about it?”

“I’m not sure.”

“That’s abnormal. Normally, there has to be at least one thing that feels like a hindrance.”

“Silvia is like that too?”

“It was like that in the old days. It took a long time to get over that. Anyway, I specialize in water and ice. Unlike me, Vivian doesn’t need to be concerned about attribute specialization.”

“… lol. That’s a good thing.”

Even saying it was good wasn’t enough.

Vivian easily performed all the magic taught by Sylvia.

They were a bit lost at first, but as the days went by, they learned to get along with each other.

Sylvia learned to adapt her explanations to Vivian, and Vivian learned to patiently understand Sylvia’s complex and obsessively detailed descriptions.

‘… There’s something subtle about it.’

That was Vivian’s impression.

As he said, the two became somewhat subtle friends.

“… Ian, how are you?”

Sylvia suddenly asked.

If it had been the old Vivian, I wouldn’t have answered.

but.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear that things are going well?

“… yes. I’m doing well.”

Sylvia looked at Vivian in surprise.

It was a question I asked without thinking.

It wasn’t intentional.

So, I didn’t expect to get an answer back.

“… … .”

She blinked blankly and smiled brightly.

While taking lessons from Sylvia, Vivian saw her smile for the first time.

It was pretty and sad.

“Thank goodness.”

Sylvia said that with sincerity.

“I’ll contact you again next time. Please take care of Ian.”

Every time we parted ways, Sylvia always left behind those words.

Please take good care of Ian.

Those words made me feel sad for some reason.

It felt like the last greeting of someone who would soon disappear.

‘Please take care of Ian…’ .’

*

That night.

“Ian.”

Vivian came to visit Ian.

At that time, Ian was eating strawberries.

“Ah, yes. He said he had something to say.”

“Yes… .”

“Would you like to eat together?”

“Oh, no. are you okay. Hehe.”

Ian hurriedly cleaned up what he was eating.

“What’s going on? If there is any information about the dungeon we are going to next, I will let you know before we leave tomorrow.”

“Ugh. That’s not it. that… You know.”

Vivian came over and sat down opposite Ian, then stood up again.

Vivian walked towards Ian, who was confused.

“Wait a minute, listen… .”

Ian looked up at Vivian and tilted his head.

whisper?

There are only two of us here, so close?

Although I was puzzled, I slowly turned my head and gave him an ear.

Vivian approached slowly.

She bent down and placed her hands on his shoulders and thighs to support herself.

It was an instinctive action.

“Stir… . You know… .”

Red, plump lips let out a rough, sticky breath.

Vivian didn’t even know how hard she was breathing right now.

It’s also how blatantly it’s bothering Ian’s ears.

And then suddenly.

-side.

Vivian kissed Ian’s cheek.

“Yes?”

Ian turned his head in surprise.

For a moment, he remembered when Vivian was drunk.

However, Vivian is not drunk now.

The moment you blink your eyes rapidly and try to understand the situation.

-Chuuup.

Vivian twisted her head and smacked her lips.

The moist and soft texture felt strong.

The contact did not last long.

Vivian slowly lifted her head and looked at Ian with disheveled eyes and a blushing face.

“Suddenly what… .”

Vivian pulled Ian’s hand and placed it on her chest.

I was startled and tried to pull it away, but Vivian pressed me down hard.

I can feel the warmth through the thin fabric.

What’s clearer than that.

thud. thud. thud. thud.

Just as Ian’s heart was pounding in his hand, Vivian’s heart rang loudly.

“I like it.”

Vivian finally spoke.

“Me. I love Ian so much.”