Episode 15: Training Begins (Part 1)

Zeke, who had been punched into the horizon by Meow late last night, finally made his way back just before dawn.
Apparently, he had been sent flying an absurd distance… but honestly, he had it coming.

As the sun began to rise and the world slowly brightened, we all woke up at nearly the same time.

Well—almost all of us.

Zeke tried to go back to sleep, but Meow promptly smacked him awake.

We rekindled the campfire and began preparing breakfast.

“By the way,” Ligan asked, “you said you’d train us. When do we start?”

Ligan… thank you for asking that.

I had been thinking the same thing. I’d been traveling with them for four days now, but since I had joined of my own accord, I didn’t want to impose. I couldn’t bring myself to ask for training, so I had simply watched their battles from the sidelines.

But now, with Ligan asking, maybe I could finally—

“Honestly,” Zeke said, munching on a banana, “just watching me and Meow fight should be enough to learn a lot. Just keep training on your own, knowing there’s always someone stronger.”

…This guy just doesn’t want to bother training us.

He was the one who invited Ligan, and now he’s acting like this?

“Hey! You said you’d take responsibility!” Meow snapped.

Dark magic began to gather in her right hand.

Zeke immediately broke into a cold sweat.

“…Hmm.”

He thought for a moment.

Probably trying to find the easiest way out without getting punched into orbit again.

“Alright, fine. I did say it, after all.”

He sighed.

“First question. Can either of you use magic?”

“I cannot,” I answered. “My father was a talented royal mage, but he died in a magical accident—an explosion during his research. After that, I decided to walk the path of the sword alone, without relying on magic.”

“I’ve never even tried using magic,” Ligan added. “And honestly, I don’t want to rely on tricks like that. I want to become the strongest with just my body and this spear.”

“Ohhh, so neither of you wants magic, huh? What stubborn students…”

Zeke scratched his head.

“…Ah! Wait a second.”

He rummaged through his bag and pulled out two bracelets, handing one to each of us.

“Put these on.”

We did as instructed.

The moment I put it on, strength drained from my body, and a heavy weight settled over me.

“Wh-what is this…?”

“It’s a cursed bracelet!” Zeke said with a grin.

…What kind of joke is that?

I felt irritation rising within me.

“While you’re wearing those, you’ll constantly feel drained,” Zeke continued casually. “Train like that, and it’ll strengthen both your body and mind. When you take them off, you’ll be way stronger. So don’t remove them until I say so. Got it?”

…That actually made sense.

Training under this kind of burden would definitely be effective.

Ligan and I exchanged glances, then reluctantly nodded.

“Alright, let’s start training,” Zeke said. “Meow, I need your help.”

“Don’t call me Meow! And I’m older than both of you!” she snapped, stomping over.

When Meow looked closely at our bracelets, her expression changed.

“Zeke…! These are—”

She looked genuinely surprised.

Zeke just smirked.

“Chris, Ligan—blindfold yourselves and turn your backs to Meow. Meow, stand behind them and form a spell in your palm. Any element is fine. Just keep it quiet.”

We did as instructed.

“Alright, begin,” Zeke said. “Meow, you’re up.”

I focused all my senses on her presence behind me.

The faintest sounds. The movement of air. Changes in temperature.

…Nothing.

“Alright, how is it?” Zeke asked.

“I have no idea,” Ligan admitted.

“What kind of training is this?” he added.

“This is to help you sense attacks without relying on your eyes,” Zeke explained. “If you can instantly imagine and understand an incoming attack, your reaction will be faster. The key is imagination.”

I see…

Even after several attempts, neither of us got a single one right that day.

After that, we moved on to the next “training.”

…Which was just standing around and looking at the scenery.

“Listen,” Zeke said. “Don’t empty your mind. Feel nature.”

“The color and heat of the fire.
The wind—its strength, sound, and scent.
The blue of the sky. The light of the sun.”

After saying that, he just stood there, staring blankly like an idiot.

…How is this training?

We continued this “training” as we descended the mountain.

When we reached a river, we stared at the water.
When we reached a field, we stared at the grass.

There’s no way this makes you stronger…

This guy just likes lazing around.

This isn’t training—it’s his hobby.

“Hey, Chris,” Zeke said suddenly. “Your mind’s wandering. Focus. Enjoy the scenery.”

…And he insists this is training.

Reluctantly, we obeyed.