Chapter 11. Training

“Are you ready?”

“Yeah, let’s get this over with.”

The training ground of the new mansion.

The other guards were busy on patrol, leaving Lowell and me alone in the empty training area.

The reason?

It was finally time to learn about the Void Family’s Esoteric Technique.

“First, let me make one thing clear. I don't recommend practicing this until you've mastered the basics.”

“Because my basics are lacking?”

“Yes, think of this as a light preview.”

Well, the reward’s sure as hell there.

Aren’t they at least showing me, even someone like me who’s lacking in the basics?

“First off, do you know the difference between the standard basic techniques and the Esoteric Technique I’m going to teach you?”

“What is it?”

“It’s a combination of the existing basic techniques.”

“...How so?”

You could combine those?

Weren’t each of them completely different styles?

“For example, like this.”

Apparently about to demonstrate, Lowell said that and stopped in front of me.

Yeah.

He stopped like he was frozen.

“What’re you…”

Just as I was about to ask if this was the technique, I felt a light tingling sensation from behind me.

*Whack!*

“Ouch!”

Simultaneously, an impact hit the back of my head, making me stumble forward.

“Huh?”

Who hit me?”

I turned around and saw Lowell standing there.

“What the…?”

He was in front of me just a second ago?

Look at him, standing still…

“No… huh.”

…He was definitely there, but now he’s not again?

“What the fuck… what was that?”

“The Void Family’s Vision Fleet.”

“Like… some kind of clone?”

Does he create an afterimage and then slip away using Fleet?

This would be tough to counter unless you’re a master who has Track constantly activated.

“Yes, it’s a technique that combines the existing Fleet with the principles of Guard.”

“You can do that?”

You can combine them like that?

I have no idea how you'd even come up with a technique like that.

“That’s why it’s called an Esoteric Technique.”

“Aha.”

Yeah, well, I guess it wouldn’t be 'esoteric' if it was easy.

Besides, this is the Esoteric Technique of the Void Family, the most powerful Nobles in the Adel Kingdom.

It wouldn’t make sense if it was easy.

“Is that all there is to Vision Fleet? Leaving behind an illusion?”

More than that, I'm starting to get a little excited.

The fact that *I* can learn this technique…

“No. This is just the most basic form of Vision Fleet.”

“Meaning…”

“There are intermediate and advanced versions.”

“Whoa…”

If this is the most basic of basics… Esoteric Techniques are something else.

Commoner Knights born without a Family must be feeling pretty bummed.

“However, all I can teach you here is the basic technique I just showed you.”

“...You won’t teach me everything?”

“The rule is that outsiders can only learn the basics.”

Right.

If they taught everything just for earning some Merit, it’d become a common technique in a hundred years.

And if the Esoteric Technique spreads, it could become a weakness. So, it’s truly a privilege that they’re even teaching the basics.

“Even so, mastering just the basics will take you a good few years.”

“By my standards?”

“Yes, it usually takes the average person ten years to master all four techniques.”

“Hmm.”

Ten years is a pretty long time.

Just how difficult are the advanced versions?

“So, the difference between the basic Vision Fleet and the regular one is just the afterimage?”

To be honest, even just leaving an afterimage is amazing… but I asked out of slight disappointment.

“No. It allows for more efficient and faster movement than the regular Fleet. Um, and… even at the basic level, if mastered, you can do things like this.”

“There’s more?”

“Take this.”

After saying something that piqued my interest, Lowell handed me a wooden sword.

“Now, try stabbing me.”

“Alright.”

“...You don’t hesitate, do you?”

Well, it's not like I'm going to draw blood just by stabbing him, am I?

And he's probably doing this because he has something to show me.

So.

I took the wooden sword and got into position.

Then, without hesitation, I thrust the sword forward.

And then.

*Thud-*

The sword actually stabbed in, with a slight resistance.

“Huh?”

I, I naturally assumed it would be an illusion.

I was momentarily surprised, but something felt off.

It certainly felt like stabbing a person, but there was no blood splatter.

The part where the sword went in also looked strange.

“What the…”

For a moment, I was taken aback.

*Whack!*

Another impact hit my head.

“You really didn’t hesitate to stab me.”

“Huh?”

“Show some respect for your elders.”

The same situation as before.

So *that’s* the afterimage left by Fleet?

“How did you do that?”

“I applied Guard to the afterimage, making it similar in density to a human.”

“Huh?”

“Even a regular Aura User would be momentarily fooled.”

“Ah, I see…”

Yeah, anyone would be fooled by that.

Wasn’t I just fooled myself?

If this were a battlefield, I would’ve thought I’d won and then gotten my head chopped off.

“And *this* is just the basics?”

“Yes, if you can do this, you’ve mastered the basics of Vision Fleet.”

…I see why it takes years.

Plus, it's not like Vision Fleet is the only Esoteric Technique, right?

“How many of these things are there in total?”

“Four, just like the regular basic techniques.”

“And I can learn the basics of all of them?”

“Of course.”

Honestly, I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t learn the advanced versions.

…But now I'm thinking I might not even master the basics even if I stay here for a few more years.

“It’s a long road ahead.”

“Still, you’re a fast learner, so it’ll be quick.”

“Yeah.”

Well, whatever.

I guess I'll just train all day while photosynthesizing.

If I train hard while I’m young, I should be able to do something with it later, right?

“Then tell me about the rest.”

“Yes, next is the Family’s Vision Rush…”

Just as we were about to take a look at the other techniques…

“Doggy!!”

A familiar voice echoed from the back of the courtyard.

“Uh.”

“Oh.”

Both Lowell and I exchanged looks of realization.

“...Is it her early day off today?”

“It seems the Young Lady wanted to play.”

"No...."

“Doggy!”

Before we could finish our conversation, the Young Lady came running from the end of the garden.

“I, I said stay put…!”

*Huff, huff.*

Her small cheeks were puffed out.

…Was she sulking because I didn't keep my promise?

“Uh, well, about that…”

What the fuck am I supposed to do?

If it were a grown man throwing a tantrum, it would be easier.

But a young lady, two heads shorter than me, sulking like that… I'm fucked.

Just as I was trying to figure out what to say…

“Young Lady, it’s training time.”

Lowell spoke up in place of my speechless self.

Aren't you being a little *too* straightforward?

If the Young Lady, who insists on treating me like a dog, hears that, her eyes are gonna fucking light up with that scary glint again… should I stop him? But…

“Training? Why does a *dog* need training?”

“Even animals receive training, Young Lady. No, *because* they are beasts, they require even *more* training.”

“Lowell?”

What the fuck is he saying?

“Uh… is that so?”

Surprisingly, those words actually got through to her.

“A pet dog raised in a Noble Family should maintain a certain level of decorum.”

“But he's just a dog we let loose in the Courtyard, right?”

“It's a bit more special than that. Moreover, since he’s in the Garden where guests might come, he must be properly trained.”

…Is this really a conversation happening in front of another human being?

Well, the Young Lady’s one thing, but Lowell’s defending me, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Hmm, hmmm… Is that so?”

It’s a relief she's being persuaded, I guess?

Yeah, whatever. I'm always treated like a dog anyway.

If I can get some training out of this, I don’t give a fuck…

“Then! I'll train him!”

“You, Young Lady?”

“Yes! The owner should do the training, right?”

…I thought we were in the clear, but another hurdle appeared.

This time, the Young Lady started looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“Paw!”

“…Here.”

“Good boy! Now your Head!”

“Here you go…”

What the fuck are we doing?

Sighing inwardly, I lowered my head and the Young Lady stroked it with her dainty hand.

*Pet, pet.*

“He doesn’t need training, does he? He’s obedient.”

“He’s a smart one, so he already knows the basics. That's why he needs more specialized training.”

“Specialized? Like what?”

“Like Disc throwing.”

“Disc!”

At the word “Disc,” the Young Lady’s eyes lit up.

Ah, not in a dangerous way, but with pure anticipation.

“So, should I throw the Disc?”

“Today, I’ll demonstrate, so please observe first.”

“Okay!”

With that, the Young Lady marched briskly toward the Training Ground.

The other Servants, who had gathered nearby, scurried to bring a chair and a parasol for the Young Lady.

“So, what are we going to do now?”

It's amazing how he managed to handle the sulking Young Lady.

But now, are we actually going to throw a Disc?

“Just as I said, I’ll throw the Disc, and you catch it.”

“…Where are we going to get a Disc?”

“I’ll bring one right away.”

Right away?

I watched Lowell, curious to see where he'd get it.

Something felt strange.

“Hmm?”

Why did he freeze?

He’s not moving at all…

Ah, don’t tell me.

I swung my arm and it passed right through him.

Did he just use Fleet?

Without any fucking warning.

But where the hell did he go…?

“I’m back.”

“Holy shit.”

…How the fuck did he get back so fast?

He even returned to his exact spot before the afterimage faded, without the Young Lady noticing a thing.

“Ha… how strong are you in this Kingdom?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“No, like, is there anyone faster than you?”

He's like some overpowered character from a shonen manga.

Is this even fucking possible?

“Well, the Head of the Family is stronger than I am.”

“Wow…”

“There are many strong individuals in the Empire as well.”

“Ah, the Empire.”

Right, there’s an Empire too.

The Adel Kingdom is a powerful nation that destroys other countries, but the Empire is on a different level.

This place is like a neighborhood gang.

The Empire is the fucking overlord of the continent.

Still, it’s hard to imagine Lowell being inferior to anyone.

Wait.

Considering the Void Family's Secret Technique, wouldn't other Noble Families have their own Secret Techniques?

Well, this isn’t the time to worry about that.

I’m about to play Disc-throwing in the middle of training.

And I’m the one catching the fucking Disc.

“Where did you get the Disc?”

“It was in the Doghouse in the Courtyard.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, I think I saw that Disc when I was looking around the House.

“Now, step back. I’ll throw it.”

“What the… *sigh*, fine.”

I don't know what the fuck I’m doing with this wrinkled old man, but…

I decided to play along.

So…

I moved back a bit.

Lowell swung the Disc at me and threw it.

It’s faster than I thought.

Still, I felt like I could catch it… but…

*Tingle-*

Something felt off about the Disc.

Looking closely, it seemed to be swelling up…

“Block it.”

As soon as I heard Lowell’s voice, I used Guard, one of the basic techniques.

And then…

*BOOM!!*

The Disc exploded in front of me.

What the fuck.

“D-Doggy!”

“It’s a firecracker, Young Lady.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes, he’s alright, isn’t he?”

Alright… Yeah, I’m alright.

It was just a loud explosion, no real damage.

“…What the hell was that?”

“It’s the Void Family’s Vision Rush.”

“Disc throwing is a Secret Technique?”

“To be precise, it’s imbuing an object with Rush and detonating it.”

“Huh.”

Is this guy insane?

Imbuing an object with Aura is incredibly difficult in itself.

But he's imbuing it with Rush, *and* throwing it?

“…Can I learn that?”

I was hit by an explosion, but I was more interested in the technique itself.

A ranged Rush projectile? That’s a fucking bomb! It’ll be useful.

“It’s a slightly dangerous technique, so I’ll teach you after you master the basic Rush.”

“So, you *will* teach me?”

“Of course.”

“Haha.”

Well, whatever.

Who cares if it looks weird?

He's going to teach me this fucking awesome technique.

“Bring more Discs.”

“Shall we try catching it without it exploding this time?”

“How do I do that?”

“I’ll teach you the Void Family's Vision Guard.”

“Huh.”

Anyway, that's how it went.

It's a bit of a strange method, but…

I continued learning the Void Family's Esoteric Technique.