Huh!

Ta-ah!

　A voice echoes through the training grounds.

　This is a training ground run by the guild and open to adventurers.

　In the training grounds, Meir and I were holding our morning kumite in a space for mock matches.

　We both got swords. We were using a wooden one that would not cause serious injury even if it was a direct hit. The training ground is quite noisy with people doing kumite and muscle training besides us.

　Now we do kumite in the morning about once every three days. I've heard that Meir is very enthusiastic about this kumite, and to borrow her words, 'I want to do it every morning.

　The reason for this is that it gives her more challenges to get me. She seems to want to have me for herself, no matter what.

　Of course, I'm not going to get hammered that easily.

　Even if you don't have to strengthen your body, the flow of magical power allows your movements to be detected. I'm not going to be able to get away with it, but I'm going to be able to repel all of her attacks, counterattack her, or dodge her.

　Then, with the tip of his sword, he leaps up the sword in his hand and spins the blade as if to rip it off.

　Then.

''Ugh, again!

　The sword in Myl's hand spun around and flew in the direction of the day after tomorrow.

　I quickly thrust the tip of my sword at her defenseless throat.

''That's enough!''

　I said aloud to Mr. Gardner, who was watching our kumite.

　Lately, Mr. Gardner has been giving me and Meir some sword instruction. Even though we had won against Gardner-san, I had never learned swordsmanship from scratch, so it was very helpful.

''Alright. "Well, my boyfriend's as slick as ever," he said. I don't think I can win either. ...Well, you're still in a rough spot. You can't be too fast, but that's just the way it is.

'What?　It was Mr. Gardner who said that the most important thing in an attack is speed!

Oh, sure. But hey, girl. Human beings get used to speed. What's the point of chasing after speed if your attacks become monotonous?

...Then what do I do?

That's what I thought.

　Wahaha, Gardner laughs.

　He's the one who teaches you the basic moves and kata, but leaves you to figure out how to fight on your own. He's laissez-faire in a way, but from a different point of view, you could call him irresponsible.

　However.

"Well, the bottom line is that we just have to get them used to our moves. Then you'll have to figure it out on your own, girlfriend.

　And maybe he was a good teacher because he would also offer a proper hint.

''U~ I don't like to think~!

Well, don't yell at me, Mill. Besides, speed is more important than tactics when dealing with demons. I don't think Meir's fighting style is wrong right now.

That's right, Gerald!　I'm not wrong!

Yeah. Demons, you know.

Yes!

　I meant to say it in an implied way, but Myl doesn't seem to notice it.

　........I meant to say that the way you're fighting now, you won't be able to win against me for a while, but I don't think you get it. Well, it's Mill. If the message was communicated, that's a problem in itself.

　While Meir was feeling depressed and flabbergasted like that, Gardner-san clapped his hands together with a pan.

I think that's about it for today's kumite. What do you guys plan to do today?　Want to join me for another run?

　What he meant by "one earning" was a betting match on the street. Sometimes I would team up with him to earn some money.

　More importantly, it's a good way to train.

No. We're gonna get a case in today. Thanks for the invitation.

Okay. Well, good luck with that. You're just starting out as an intermediate adventurer.

　Mr. Gardner smiles and sends us off.

　We waved back to him and were about to leave the training grounds. The moment that the person came into the training area after we had left, there was a light throbbing among the other adventurers who had been training.

''It's Gant........''

"Demon Slayer Gaunt.

"He who slays the ungodly...

Dojo-eater...

　Words are whispered to each other.

　The target of the conversation was a strong-bodied man wearing a white and silver armor. His silver hair was trimmed short and his sharp, sword-like gaze indicated that he was a strong man of the past.

　When I put all my strength into my gaze to see who it was, I couldn't see the magic power that should be flowing through that man's body. This is the first time this has ever happened.

　Gant folded his arms and glowered at the training grounds with a sweeping glance at the training grounds, and then opened his mouth.

'What's wrong?　If anyone has a problem with it, come forward. I'll beat them to death with my own hands.

　You're not going to kill it. You're not going to crush it.

　While struggling to hold back the feeling that I'm about to make such a tweak, me, Myl and Mr. Gardner try to leave the training ground.

　Then.

"Hey, Gardner. You're going to run away?

　Gant approached us.

　Mr. Gardner,'' he said, a light smile on his cheeks.

If you want to fight me, you'll have to pay me. I'll be in the west side of town.

...you f*cking coward.

It's my business, after all. Well, I'd be delighted if you'd bring me a bag full of gold coins if this is your choice.

　Mr. Gardner replied, and Gant snickered, "Hmph. And he didn't speak to me any more.

''Well who was that?''

　As we walked out of the training area, I asked Mr. Gardner a question.

　He nodded lightly.

'Gant. Gant Belfort. He's the fourth son of the Baron Belfort family and a senior adventurer in the Adventurer's Guild.

Advanced!

Yeah. Yeah. You can't say that you have a great personality or a great mouth, but you have real strength.

　That's great. I don't think I've ever seen Mr. Gardner praise me this much.

　It was probably only when I beat him in a betting match.

　When I was thinking like that, Gardner-san continued to say more words.

You are known as a senior adventurer, but you are also famous for being a violent dojo-breaker. You should be careful not to get involved in it if at all possible.

I'll be careful.

　It's just too much trouble to get involved.

Yeah, that's better. You know, that guy who pulled the trigger the other day--

　I think as I listen to Gardner's words.

　When I tried to 'see' Gant, something prevented me from seeing his magical power.

　What was that--?

　--

Please... please... please... I'm begging you!

　The Adventurer's Guild--.

　When Meir and I headed there to receive a request, someone seemed to be making a lot of noise at the counter.

　When I turned my gaze to it, I saw the older sister who answered us at first - said to be Yulia-san - and a girl with silver beast ears and a bushy tail. It's what we call a beastman.

　It's rare to see a beastman around here.

　The silver haired beastman girl looked about the same age as us from the looks of it. She's shorter than me and a little taller than Meir.

　As I was looking towards the two of them, Yulia-san suddenly looked at me and made a happy face.

''Gerald-kun!　Come here!

　While shouting that, Julia is beckoning to us. I was wondering what she was talking about, and as we approached her--

So you're the examiner!

　And the silver-haired beastman girl hugged me to my chest.

''........Enemy?　Love enemies!

　Next to him, Meir is shouting hostilely.

'Please!　Make me an adventurer!

Huh?　Huh?

　While pulling away the girl who still clings to his chest, he turns his questioning eyes to Yulia-san.

''W-what kind of situation is this?''

The thing is. The kid wants to register as an adventurer but there's someone out there right now who can serve as an examiner for the adventurer registration mission.

　As I recall, in order to register as an adventurer, you had to complete an adventurer registration mission.

　Wasn't it decided that an examiner with a rank of intermediate adventurer or higher would accompany you on this mission?

　By the way, Yulia-san, you didn't try to turn him away by withholding information. Maybe she's reflecting on what happened to us.

　As I was thinking about that, Yulia-san punched her hands together in front of her face and asked for help.

''Please!　Since the reward is bouncing, could you be the examiner for this girl's adventurer registration mission?