NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Let's Train
Ryushi swung the sword lightly to get a feel for it.
“Aha,” said Amon, looking on with interest.
“A sword forged by Hulfas, huh? As expected of one of the top blacksmiths in the demon world, he does good work.
“I think so too. All that’s left is to wait for that other one to be completed.”
“Youngster, is it necessary for you to have that Ashitachi you mentioned? This sword should be more than enough for slashing.”
“True, but… The Ashitachi would be more suited to me. I can’t quite explain it…”
“Is it just my imagination?” Ryushi glanced at the sword in his right hand.
Spears, axes, bows… There are plenty of weapons, mostly unused and gathering dust in storage. But with swords, Ryushi always felt an inexplicable sensation.
His body felt unusually light. Moreover, he felt power surging within him.
This phenomenon didn’t occur with other weapons, leading Ryushi to hypothesize that his overall physical abilities improved only when wielding a sword.
The actual reasons needed to be clarified.
For now, swords suited him. Ryushi concluded.
“Just to confirm, I can go all out, right?”
Amon snorted through his nose at Ryushi’s challenging question.
“Of course, there’s no need to hold back. Test the capabilities of that sword forged by Hulfas. That is, if you can catch me.””
Amon, too, wore a provocative smile.
The next moment, with a ‘pop’ sound, small blue fireballs appeared around Amon.
There were eight of them, each only about 3 cm in diameter, yet they burned fiercely, like hellfire.
Amon, a demon who governs fire magic.
In particular, his blue flames were special, allowed only to him.
They were much more powerful than ordinary fire magic in heat and damage.
Amon, the “Ruler of Burning Flames” – to be misled by his flames meant certain death.
Ryushi gripped his sword tightly and slowly assumed a stance.
It was the basic mid-level straight-eye stance of swordsmanship.
“Then, let’s go, boy!”
The blue fireballs simultaneously attacked Ryushi.
“Ha!”
With a shout and a flash, Ryushi slashed the incoming fireballs with his sword.
“Hulfas-san’s work is impressive!”
Ryushi immediately leaped from the ground, acknowledging the swordsmith’s skill.
Amon was skilled at both close and long-range combat. For Ryushi, who lacked long-range attacks, keeping distance was a disadvantage. He weaved through the fireballs, closing in on Amon.
“Shaah!”
Ryushi swung his sword horizontally as he entered Amon’s range.
The thick blade whistled sharply as it cut through the air. Amon was nowhere to be found at the edge of the blade.
“Where are you looking, boy?”
“Ah, that’s not fair!”
Above Ryushi, Amon, flapping his wings, launched more fireballs towards the ground.
Ryushi, helpless against the raining fire, quickly grabbed a nearby shield to use as a makeshift umbrella. The shield, rusted and neglected for years, sufficed for the moment.
“In the demon world, there are those like me who can fly and excel in aerial combat. If you keep calling that unfair, you’ll never end.”
“But I can’t fly… What can I do?”
“Think more flexibly. Everything in your sight can be a weapon to your advantage.”
“But how…”
“Here comes more, boy!”
Ryushi barely defended against the relentless rain of fire with the shield.
He was on the defensive, and it seemed only a matter of time before he was overwhelmed.
“Take this!”
Abandoning its primary purpose, Ryushi hurled the shield with all his might.
The iron disc spun straight towards Amon.
“Interesting move, boy.”
Effortlessly, Amon caught the shield.
In just an instant, his face distorted with surprise.
In his line of sight was Ryushi, sword raised high – the shield was merely a decoy; the real attack was here.
“I’ve got you!”
Ryushi’s lightning-fast sword swiped through empty air.
Gravity forcefully brought the now momentum-less Ryushi back to the ground. Frustrated, he slapped the ground.
“Darn, still didn’t reach him…”
“Regarding the strategy itself, it’s barely passable. This time, youngster, your youth was the factor. No need to be so down.”
“Still, if it wasn’t successful, it doesn’t mean anything. I’d be dead by now if this were a real battle.”
“If you understand that, it’s good enough. Now, let’s continue—”
Suddenly, Amon dropped to one knee, catching everyone off guard.
Ryushi, remaining calm, pointed his sword’s tip at the bowing Amon.
Their positions perfectly illustrated the winner and the loser.
Footsteps approached the training ground, stopping abruptly.
“Ryushi-chan!”
The door dramatically burst open.
Ryushi, with a look of exasperation, glanced sideways at the intruder.
There stood Astaroth, flustered and in a panic.
Ryushi gently admonished her.
“Mother… doors should be opened quietly and slowly. You know, the facility staff have to fix this.”
“But what are you doing, Ryushi-chan!? Are you hurt anywhere!? Is your heart still beating!?”
“I’m not hurt, and if my heart had stopped, I wouldn’t be talking to you.”
—She’s overprotective…
Yet Ryushi sighed softly. Astaroth’s overprotectiveness stemmed from her trauma – the loss of her first child, a reality, not a dream.
Understanding her fear and despair, Ryushi refrained from commenting further.
“…So, what’s the meaning of this, Amon?”
Astaroth’s anger turned towards Amon.
Enduring her intense aura, Amon maintained his posture, meeting her gaze directly.
“I was training with Ryushi-sama.”
“Yes, but last time you were teaching him basic sword swings. I’ve repeatedly told you not to do anything that might cause serious injuries. Yet, looking at this room, it’s clear you’ve had a mock battle. Why, without my permission?”
“That’s because…”
“I asked him to, Mother.”
Ryushi spoke up for the hesitating Amon.
Astaroth, still dissatisfied, confronted Ryushi, gripping his shoulders so hard it hurt.
“Why would you do something so dangerous?”
“I’m your son too, Mother. And I have five sisters, including Alissa and Eltruja… It’s the brother’s job to protect them. If I’m weak, it’s pointless.”
“But Ryushi-chan!”
“I’m fine. And getting hurt a bit is necessary to get used to pain. Humans… and demons can’t learn anything without experiencing pain in battle.”
Silence fell.
Astaroth was the first to break it.
“…I understand, Ryushi-chan.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“But from now on, I’ll be accompanying you.”
“Eh?” Ryushi exclaimed, taken aback.
Confusion spread even to Amon’s face.
“If I’m there to watch, I can immediately respond if anything happens. No objections, right Amon?”
“Ye… Yes, of course, Lady Astaroth.”
“Ryushi-chan, Mama will be there to support and provide first aid!”
“Ah… okay.”
This could be problematic. Ignoring the enthusiastic Astaroth, Ryushi and Amon exchanged glances, sharing their concern.