Crackle—Fizzle—.
In the center of the training ground lay Luna and Rezé, steam rising from their heads.
They had been dodging lightning, getting struck, falling over, and then getting back up to run again.
It had been a grueling training session. Even I was left shaking my head at its intensity.
"Ah~ such romance in this, don't you think?"
...Where exactly?
I had thought he was the most normal character when playing the game, but meeting him in person changed my mind.
'What a weirdo... no, a bizarre old man.'
Am I really the only normal one in this world?
Ah! From being this world's most handsome man to its only sane individual. What a heavy burden to bear!
"Let's call it a day. Come back tomorrow."
Twitch—.
Perhaps it was the mention of returning tomorrow. Luna and Rezé twitched at the thought.
"Go on ahead then. I have others to train."
"Others?"
"The kid who fought alongside you."
He was talking about Alex, the protagonist of this game.
In fact, before the Carpathia dispatch episode, Alex acquires his second secret technique, 'Lightning Strike (Hungry Wolf)'.
It's one of the protagonist's fateful story moments, where he learns a new technique under Adonis' tutelage.
'If the same principle applies to Luna and Rezé...'
They might also acquire a new technique.
No, it's certain. A hidden piece has been triggered. The hidden piece where they learn a new skill from Adonis.
'Adonis' mentorship is among the highest-tier fateful encounters.'
The 'Hungry Wolf' technique Alex is set to learn will continue to be useful until the final chapter due to its versatility and effectiveness.
Luna and Rezé will undoubtedly receive something suitable as well.
In that case, there's only one thing left for me to do.
'I too must receive Adonis' teachings and learn a new skill!'
The training methods might be a bit strange, but what does it matter if I can gain a new skill?
Rubbing my hands together, I approached Adonis.
"Keke, by the way... the training was incredible. I was deeply impressed by your methods, Master Adonis."
"Did you perceive the subtlety within this training? Impressive."
Subtlety, indeed. As if I understood any of that.
The sight of the poor cat and rabbit dodging lightning on all fours.
That was all I saw.
"So... could I perhaps join in?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, I'd like to participate in your training as well. It's hard to just watch such a profound and subtle training."
I really want to!
The gallant appearance of a soldier-like child. Plus, the romance of training with friends.
Adonis had to listen to my request. That's what I thought at least.
"You've already learned quite a lot."
"...?"
A lot? Surely he's not referring to that trash skill, 'Adonis Style Counter'?
Despite my inquiring gaze, Adonis gave no response.
Just smiling broadly.
Right. Now, I've already used up the great opportunity to learn a character-suited skill from Adonis.
"Of course, you can mimic anything, so you could easily learn a few more things. But too much greed is never good. You should know that already."
I don't know that.
I'm asking because I don't know! I want to be fried by lightning too!
I like that kind of stuff!
However, Adonis had already reached the entrance to the training ground.
"Ha ha ha! See you again tomorrow."
With that, Adonis left the training area. All that remained was the sound of his laughter fading into the distance.
'Damn romantic old fool...'
It seems I'll have to be content with Luna and Rezé gaining new skills.
Chuckling—
I poked the heads of the prone Luna and Rezé with a finger.
Hey, kids, wake up.
Now you train with me.
*
"Man, I feel like I'm gonna die..."
"My legs, they won't move. It's like, it's like they're about to disappear!"
Rezé, there's no such disease in this world.
It's more likely a sign that you're getting stronger, so don't worry.
Following Adonis' training and our private sessions, not to mention their intermittent practice of the Fleur Family Style, it's no wonder Luna and Rezé's legs were shaky.
After a late dinner, the sky was already adorned with stars and a moon.
Normally, we would have gone back to our dorms after a walk, but today, there was something new we needed to do.
'We need to have a consultation.'
I'm not sure what technique Rezé will learn, but it's unlikely to be related to critical hits.
The reason there won't be a critical hit is due to Rezé's fragile heart and her fear of killing, which is a matter of 'will'.
I intended to change such a will through psychotherapy and counseling.
'To overcome her fear of killing!'
To transform her rotten, weak spirit into a fierce killing rabbit that solely pursues slaughter.
The idea came from the 'Carrot Squad', who studied Rezé, suggesting it was worth a shot.
What? You think the Carrot Squad didn't actually suggest reforming a weak spirit?
That's precisely what a weak spirit would think! Such a carrot-like thought!
Anyway, I may not have a license in psychotherapy, but it'll work out somehow.
It's not bluster. Just look at my track record.
A verbal fight with Caron, the Empire's rat.
Victory.
A verbal fight with Lucia of the Empire's Ten Swords.
Victory.
A verbal fight with the Thunder Emperor Adonis.
Victory.
A verbal fight with Luna.
Defeat due to physical violence.
I'm boasting a record of three wins and one loss.
And what? One rabbit? Cooking it would be no big deal.
You can expect it. I will swiftly transform this pufferfish rabbit into a killing rabbit.
"Keke, starting today, we will... no, let’s have a time for dialogue with Rezé."
"Dialogue? Why!?"
"At last, you reveal your ugly true intentions! But I cannot hand over my friend!"
Rezé wrapped her arms around herself, and Luna stood blocking her.
Just by suggesting a conversation, they react like this. What do they see me as?
I desperately suppressed my rising irritation.
"It's been over a month and I realize I don't know much about Rezé. I just want to have a conversation."
"That, that's a bit much with just the two of you..."
"Wasn't it Luna who initially asked me to get closer to Rezé?"
In fact, during class, Luna didn't sit next to Rezé.
Luna, me, Rezé.
This was how we were seated during classes, supposedly to get to know each other better.
"That, that's different! Saying you'll spend time alone with her! Then I'm just left out!"
Hmph! Tch! Pfft!
Luna pouted her lips as if she was sulking, making odd noises.
I am a Doctor of Lunology, having mastered Luna studies.
I could easily understand what Luna was thinking.
'Ah, I see. She feels like she’s being abandoned if Rezé and I are alone together?'
Such a friend-addicted response typical of Luna. Well, the biggest issue was that her only friends were us two.
It seemed necessary to alleviate Luna’s concerns here.
"Keke, Luna, don’t worry. We’re always together."
"Eh?"
"Whether it's the two of us or three. We’re always united in spirit, aren’t we?"
"You think of us as one? You were dreaming that? I always need to be on guard because you're such a pervert!"
...Where did the conversation go wrong? I can't quite grasp it.
Luna lunged at me, intending to chew my ear off.
Normally, I would have just let it happen.
'Sorry, but I don’t have time for that.'
I reached out and pressed down on Luna's shoulders, and she glared at me.
That defiant look in her eyes.
A brief scuffle ensued, and in trying to hold her back, I ended up grabbing both of her wrists.
And then, I pushed her against the wall.
"..."
We were so close, we could hear each other's breathing.
"Do you, do you really want to die? Are you, are you not going to let go?"
Luna stuttered, clearly flustered, not having expected to be overpowered like this.
Well, since I always let her have her way, her reaction was understandable.
'But that's not what's important now. To persuade Luna...'
Someone authoritative.
Specifically, someone whom Luna would actually listen to made things easier.
I leaned in slightly and whispered in her ear.
"This isn't just about getting closer to Rezé."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I've received a message from Mr. Caron. He mentioned that Rezé might need psychological therapy."
That stopped Luna's resistance.
For some reason, she has a reasonable amount of respect for Caron.
After all, he is a teacher at Annwood Academy.
Saying that I got the information from Caron made Luna take an interest naturally.
"Why would Rezé need that? What's the problem?"
"She seems to have a psychological issue with violence. You know this is a serious issue."
It's killing, not violence, but if Luna realized I was pushing Rezé towards killing, it might create aversion.
So, I substituted it with the word violence.
"Demons are a problem, but humans are a bigger issue. Do you want Rezé to be a victim all her life?"
"We can protect her."
"It's not possible to always be together. She needs to at least have the ability to defend herself. You know better than anyone how this world is."
Luna flinched, shivering slightly.
After being branded as a traitor's family, she had spent five years alone in a world that turned its back on her.
She knew better than anyone the importance of power in this world.
"Alright, let go of my hands."
I released Luna's wrists that I had been holding.
As she rubbed her wrists, Luna spoke.
"Are you the one doing the psychotherapy?"
"I heard something from Mr. Caron. I'll try first, and if it doesn't work, we'll seek further help."
"Hmm, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to trust a quack doctor... But if it helps Rezé, then okay. But..."
Luna raised her clenched fist.
"If you try anything weird, you're dead. Got it?"
"Keke, of course. After all, I'm all about fair play."
"...Die."
Luna left a punch mark on my face, and with that, the deal was sealed.
I was granted the right to dissect—no, study—the rabbit.
Rezé was fidgeting, covering her eyes with her hands as if she had seen something terrifying.
"Miss Rezé, from today, you will have a conversation time with me."
"Eh, Eh? Why?"
"As I mentioned before, I realized I don't know much about you, Miss Rezé. I've become interested in knowing everything about you."
"Everything...?"
Rezé shivered.
Yes, tell me everything about you.
Your likes, dislikes, the life you've lived, even the reasons you fear killing!
Hand over all your information to me!
'Give me a clue about how to make you deal critical hits!'
That was the moment. Rezé's face turned deathly pale and then 'pop!'—she fainted, still standing.
Luna immediately grabbed my ear, pulling Rezé and me apart.
With a look that said, 'Such a great therapist, aren’t you?'
--TL Notes--
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