And then, a few days later.
"Don't be ridiculous."
When I told Azier about this, he denied it outright.
"Why would I raise you? As I said before, the Roach family originally intended to expel you."
"...So, you were helping me become stronger out of guilt for that?"
"By neglecting my own duties?"
I have nothing to say to that.
It doesn't make sense for Azier to neglect his work. He's a man who embodies responsibility.
In fact, it's awkward to even bring up such a story to Azier himself. To ask him, 'Are you unable to go anywhere because you're raising me?'
But I had to ask somehow. I thought Azier might actually be doing that, and if so, I had to take action.
"The reason I've been doing temporary work so far is for the sake of choice."
"Yes. You have to experience everything to make a decision."
Come to think of it, he said the same thing when choosing a weapon. He chose the spear only after trying out all kinds of weapons. Is this the same thing?
"And it's somewhat decided."
"I will become a pro."
I nodded at his words. I thought it was a choice befitting Azier, but I also thought it was unlike him.
"That's unexpected. I thought you might become a knight."
"The knights are too stuffy for me. They're strict with rules."
...It seems like that kind of organization would suit him best.
While I was briefly thinking that, Azier scanned my face.
"By the way, how's your training going?"
Did he think that by looking at my face? I've been getting beaten up a lot lately. I want to avoid my face as much as possible, but it's not as easy as I thought. ℞𝘼₦ồВĘṥ
"Of course, don't expect my training to get weaker just because your face looks like that."
That's a ridiculous expectation.
I face Azier holding a spear and weaving the same spear he's holding.
I've been doing this to learn the spear from Azier, and it's embarrassing how Azier's eyes change slightly every time I use my skill.
"It's amazing every time I see it. Obsidian gathers to become metal, and it perfectly mimics a spear."
"You're not angry, brother."
Everyone I've met so far has been angry when they see this technique.
They were even angry when it wasn't their weapon being replicated.
"Why would I be angry?"
But Azier asked instead.
"...Well, it's something you've cherished and nurtured, so wouldn't you be angry if the same thing appeared right in front of you?"
"What I've nurtured is myself. Not a weapon."
"As proof of that, we're holding the same weapon, but I'm teaching, and you're learning."
No matter what weapon I hold, I'm not confident I can beat Azier right now.
Either keep a complete distance and shoot Artemis' bow and arrow, or use 'Bombing'. No, I think he'd avoid that too.
Actually, to beat Azier, I shouldn't think like that.
Like how I defeated Belphegor, I have to face Azier in the same way.
Bluffing, setting traps, using tricks, and getting on his nerves with words.
Those kinds of tactics that you would only use against a complete enemy.
Whether I could use those tricks on Azier...
In the end, I can't beat Azier.
My life during the entire vacation period would have been incredibly boring to a third party.
Just training, training, and more training.
And during the brief moments of leisure in between, I visited various people and asked them about various things.
"Even in close combat, the distance varies depending on the weapon you hold. Since I subdue opponents with martial arts, it's important to first draw them into my grasp."
And Selena, who is by my side, was the one who received the most questions.
I said while taking notes on Selena's answer.
"Selena's main weapon was a needle, right? I've seen you shoot it at opponents a lot, but you don't fight with it in your hand?"
"Of course, it's possible. However, my needle, while long for a needle, is quite short when considered as a weapon. Moreover, it can't cut, and it's so thin and sharp that even if it pierces, it doesn't deal much damage."
"You can cut off the opponent's mana flow."
"It requires aiming at a very precise location, making it difficult to use in situations where the situation changes every moment, like in close combat."
I see. So it's more likely to hit by shooting it.
"Does Selena also predict the opponent's movements? Is that how you can hit the exact spot?"
"Sometimes, but I tend to aim for the moment when the opponent completely stops. Rather than reading movements, it's more appropriate to say I'm looking for openings."
I nodded. Indeed, not all strong people use the same methods.
"...It's kind of amazing."
Selena suddenly said to me as I was taking notes.
"To think that I would one day teach something to Frondier-nim. I've always only been learning."
"The ancient language, right?"
It somehow reminds me of the old days. I always taught Selena the ancient language every night.
...Of course, I also taught her while hiding it appropriately, conscious of it being passed on to Manggot.
But Selena shook her head.
"It's not just that."
"I can't explain it all in words, but still..."
Selena smiled for a moment as if recalling something, then closed her eyes and bowed her head slightly to me.
"It's not just that, Frondier-nim."
I looked at Selena with her head bowed for a moment.
I always suspected that Selena was acting, but this time, it didn't seem necessary.
"Then, that's a relief."
"...Frondier-nim...."
Selena raised her head and looked at me. Her eyes, somehow filled with moisture, looked at my face intently, then,
"That face, does it really not hurt...?"
They were filled with worry.
"...Is it that bad? Me right now?"
"I don't know if you can see ahead."
Hmm, now that I think about it, my vision seems to have narrowed a bit.
But I can't stop training. There's not much time left in the vacation.
And above all, 'rest' is not something I can decide.