Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“May I speak freely? I don’t believe it’s fair to judge Young master Christian too harshly.”

“Not fair? That boy will clearly stand in Aira’s way.”

Liana looked at Garcia with a hint of surprise. Garcia, on the other hand, did not avert his eyes from her cold gaze as he usually would.

“Young master Christian’s talents and potential are undeniably threatening, causing concern for you, Liana. However, you must remember you have Miss Aira. Her talents are in no way inferior to his.”

“I don’t understand. Even from reports, no, just from your testimonies, it seems Christian was pivotal in subjugating the demon beasts. Was I wrong?”

“No. Despite confronting demon beasts for the first time, his ability to calmly lead the group, his use of wave, and his adaptability and judgment are indeed beyond what one would expect at his age.”

Knowing Garcia’s upright character, Liana did not show any displeasure at the man praising Christian.

Instead, she found it intriguing and took a sip of her now-cold tea while listening intently.

“However, it was the same for Miss Aira. It’s just a difference in direction, but she is in no way lacking.”

Masaya’s testimony, the corpse of the harpy, and vivid traces left at the scene all testified to this fact.

Although Aira had left the battlefield to focus on recovery, the circumstantial evidence painted a vivid picture in her mind.

While Christian effectively countered the demon beasts with minimal mana…

“In terms of sheer force… ahem, mana at least, miss Aira surpasses Young master Christian.”

Aira had overwhelmingly subdued the harpy. Such absolute destructive power was ample compensation for any skill she might lack compared to Christian.

“Mana indeed.”

“The essence of both knights and mages is ultimately mana. The difference in its quantity and quality determines one’s growth and dictates the future.”

To a knight, the capacity of mana symbolizes strength. It’s akin to gold coins or capital for a merchant.

Sometimes, having more mana or wealth indicates how extraordinary a person is.

Garcia emphasized to Liana the value of Aira as a precious asset.

He expected that as a sensible individual, the merchant side of Liana would discern the right choice, even if the mother in her didn’t.

“Of course, having more mana doesn’t mean Miss Aira can immediately outdo Young master Christian. Figuratively speaking, she is a nouveau riche. She needs to learn how to manage and grow her wealth.”

“… What if Christian has mana equal to Aira’s? Not every investment yields profit, and to survive for long in the world of trade, one must know how to minimize losses.”

“To minimize those losses, Young master Christian is essential. He continuously presents both challenges and opportunities to Miss Aira, from which she can learn to seize the opportunities and overcome the challenges.”

“I never thought to hear about investment and risk management from you.”

“Ahem, I’ve been reading a bit lately since I’ve had some free time.”

Understanding why he had free time and why he started reading, Liana nodded, acknowledging his opinion.

It was common knowledge that the capacity of mana serves as a measure of a knight’s rank, and she was well aware of it.

“Indeed, it seems Aira is a step ahead for the moment.”

“Therefore, don’t worry too much. One cannot increase mana in a single day, and this recent incident might work favorably for Miss Aira.”

Comparisons between Christian and Aira arose both within and outside the family.

When everyone claimed Christian possessed superior talent, Aira’s performance was encouraging enough to overturn that evaluation.

Particularly since many of the family’s knights, soldiers, and some from the public and tradespeople silently observing, witnessed Aira support a bloodied Christian, there was no need for any pretense.

Liana’s suggestion to involve Ketn to counterbalance was logical.

One sincere word from Ketn, known for his fairness, held more weight than a hundred praises from those allied with Liana.

Evaluations of Aira were turning favorable, which benefited both Liana and Garcia in gaining an advantageous position in the heir race.

“Even the Viscount will be very pleased to hear this news.”

Liana’s brightening expression instantly vanished at the mention of the Viscount.

Seeing the shift to a colder-than-usual expression from Liana, Garcia had no choice but to tread carefully.

“Even if we don’t report it, the Viscount will naturally learn of this matter. Reporting it in advance might be beneficial to you, lady…”

“I know. For this matter, convey only the facts as they are—nothing more, nothing less.”

“I shall do so.”

“Leave now.”

“Yes, then…”

Liana’s order to leave was given, and Garcia politely bowed before exiting the room. Watching the firmly closed door, Liana sighed.

“They said never to make a contract with Miles. It’s laughably true.”

The Viscount Miles family, Liana’s original family, held a near-monopoly on monster by-products from the Rangar region.

Due to the double shackles of blood and contract, it was increasingly difficult to break free of their blatant advances as years passed by.

Yet Liana could not sever ties with her original family.

The lavish lifestyle and Aira’s educational expenses were supported by the Viscount Miles family.

Liana understood what that meant, but she had no intention of easily succumbing.

“Even if Aira becomes the family head, Father will not achieve what he intends.”

Much like a guardian deity of the Rangar region, the Worden County remained.

Without eliminating Worden’s lineage, the Viscount of Miles would never lay claim to the Rangar region.

***

Although Liana instructed him to rest, Christian found it impossible to sleep that night.

After tossing and turning several times, Christian sat up abruptly on his bed and sighed.

His physical injuries had healed without a trace, thanks to high-grade potions and the Priest’s holy energy.

Given all he had been through, his condition was surprisingly good.

His once-depleted mana reservoir was already full again; in fact, his physical condition was at its peak.

“It’s being absorbed well. This is a good thing, for sure, but…”

The harpy’s Spirit Stone, combined with remnants of mana essence left by the ‘Wings of Zephrys’, was gradually being absorbed into his body. Once fully absorbed and once his mana was sufficient, it might even be possible to restore the lost ‘Wings of Zephrys’.

It was undoubtedly something to celebrate, yet Christian’s expression remained troubled, for as one worry was about to be resolved, another surfaced.

“If I’m not careful, other demon beasts or spirit creatures might find their way here, right?”

He realized that territory-type creatures might sense the residual mana essence within him and be drawn towards it.

Since he did not know where the harpy’s territory was, it was challenging to estimate the detection range of these creatures, posing a significant danger to him.

“If a whole slew of naturally occurring demon beasts or spirit creatures show up…”

If they were far away, territory-type or nest-type creatures might dissipate before they reached Flamme.

Otherwise, the Spirit Stone might be lost, or Christian’s plan to return it to its rightful owner might go awry.

Christian had hoped to focus on training with Aira within the protective confines of the Worden Earl’s territory, so this situation was unexpectedly complex.

“Sigh. Seriously, what should I do?”

Christian thought of his allies’ Ether Weapons and their original demon and spirit creatures.

Amongst them, ‘Wings of Zephrys’ had been comparatively easier to retrieve due to the unprecedented situation of a territory-type creature leaving its territory.

However, it seemed unreasonable to wish for such luck in future demon beast or spirit creature hunts.

Within Christian’s body slept Spirit Stones from entities possessing enough power to obliterate something like the territory of the Worden Earl.

Miracles don’t shine as effectively against these kinds of adversaries.

“… The Water Dragon, I mustn’t, under any circumstances, be discovered by that thing right now.”

Among these, the most perilous adversary was the Water Dragon Aielen, the original material for Christian’s Ether Weapon, Arsenal.

As a dragon, a pinnacle magical life form, it was akin to a natural disaster untouchable by humans.

Currently, Christian had no chance of defeating it, and the same applied to even the continent’s strongest person of this era.

“… It’s not like I’ll come up with an answer immediately by worrying.”

Closer to brooding than contemplating, Christian lamented in front of his room’s door.

Fortunately, as there appeared to be no guard on duty this time, no sound came from the hallway.

“Practicing a few more swings of the sword would be more helpful than worry.”

Rather than dwell on unsolvable problems, doing something productive that could ease his anxiety seemed a better solution.

This was not an escape from reality but rather a step toward preparing for the future.

“Master also said the same: if there’s something troubling you, extend your training hours.”

Christian left the room and headed directly toward his personal training hall.

Walking confidently to shake off worries and concerns, Christian stopped before the training room as he felt the flow of mana.

“Seriously…”

He opened the door slightly, an upward curve forming on his lips as he peered inside.

Inside the brightly-lit personal training hall, Aira was sweating profusely, swinging her sword with a face brimming with enjoyment as if nothing else mattered.

‘Indeed, for now…’

He wasn’t alone. With Master and Aira, he could forge ahead.

“Aira! Enjoy the training!”