Chapter 63

Lunch was, as usual, the chef's experimental dish.

I thought it was a bit too much for lunch, but since Hagg and Yararai cleaned it up, there was no problem.

However, to say it was a peaceful lunch would be a lie. It all started with Hagg's sudden comment.

"Ya know, isn't Akira a bit too weak?"

I was suddenly dissed.

...It's true, so I can't argue.

"Well... he's not strong."

"Even that girl could probably take him out in an instant."

"..."

I know. I remember how Chelina felled bandits with the red chains wrapped around her body. Sighing, I realized Hagg was right.

"Isn't it a bit pitiful for a guy?"

"..."

I can't say anything.

"Dwarf, everyone is different."

"Hmph. But you must be amazed at Akira's lack of muscle, right?"

Yararai turned away. Too honest...

"Compared to you, most people are weak."

"Hah! I'm not specialized in combat! There are plenty of people stronger than me!"

"Seriously?"

"Lord Akira, you're in the minority. Don't worry."

"R-right..."

If there were so many monsters like this, I wouldn't be able to relax.

"Dwarf, what are you trying to say?"

Yararai shot a sharp glance at Hagg.

"Well, since we're both here, why don't we train Akira?"

"Hmm."

It seemed Yararai was interested in the dwarf's words, which was rare.

"I'll teach him Ki techniques... no, it's called Wave Techniques now."

"Hmm."

"But for physical techniques, you're better suited for humans."

"True. Occasionally, you say something good."

The two of them started planning without including me.

"Hey, hold on a minute, what are you talking about without me?"

"Akira, getting stronger is good."

"Yeah, I know, but you can't become strong overnight."

"No, from what I can see, Akira isn't using any Ki... no, Wave at all. Once he learns Wave, it'll be easier to train his body."

"Is that so?"

"It's a fact."

If Hagg and Yararai say so, it must be true.

"First, we need to determine the type of Akira's Wave."

Hagg stroked his beard.

"Type of Wave?"

I don't understand.

"Yes. Waves used to be called Ki, and they are a force that runs through the body. Each person can draw out a different type of Ki. For me, it's 'Shell Wave.' There are also 'Steel Wave,' 'Destructive Wave,' 'Flash Wave,' 'Infiltration Wave,' and so on, each with different powers."

"Wow. Can one person have multiple types?"

"I've never heard of it."

"Then, if my Wave type is different from Hagg's, he can't teach me, right?"

"The basics are the same, so it's not a problem. The fundamental methods of drawing out and training the power are the same."

I wish it were impossible. From the look in their eyes, I can't say no.

"So, what type of Wave do I have?"

"We need to determine that."

"Can't you tell, Hagg?"

I was a bit surprised, as I thought Hagg could.

"I'm not good at that. There should be a dojo nearby that can determine Wave types."

"I know one."

Chelina, who had been listening, interjected.

"Chelina?"

"Yes, I had mine checked as well."

"Really?"

"Really."

So Chelina can use Wave Techniques too...

"Hmm, Veriello, what type?"

"Snake Wave."

"..."

Silence fell. It fits her too well, or maybe it's not suitable for a girl.

"Another rare type of Wave."

"Yes, and because of that, I can't learn from anyone, so everything beyond the basics is self-taught. And I'm not very good at it."

"Given your position, being able to defend yourself is enough."

"Yes."

That's the minimum level of strength... I'm starting to lose my grasp on the standards of strength in this world.

I hope it's not like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where one person can take on a thousand. The image of Lu Bu riding his red rabbit and mowing down a thousand soldiers is too much to bear.

"Shall we go to the dojo then?"

"Sure."

The three of them started off happily. The two guards, who hadn't ridden in the carriage, also came closer. The other two were left behind to watch the house. I was the only one emitting a dark aura.

---

What kind of place do you think of when you hear "dojo"?

A wooden floor with a hanging scroll that says "Mind and Body as One," and students in matching gi practicing forms in unison... something like that?

But the dojo in this different world exceeded my understanding.

It was near the Earth Mother Church, on the edge of the slums. The "dojo" was just a wooden fence surrounding a dirt field. It could easily be mistaken for a place to raise chickens or pigs.

In this field, rough-looking men were shouting things like "Die, you bastards!" and swinging weapons. The weapons were wrapped in cloth, so I hope there's no real malice, but the scenes of people being repeatedly attacked after falling, and being beaten by multiple attackers, are not what I associate with a dojo.

"Hmm, very practical."

Hey, is that all right in this situation?

"The way to teach falling is bad."

Yararai frowned.

"Yes, it seems he's not good at defensive Waves."

That's not the problem... Is this just bullying?

"What are you doing! Don't just lie there, you moron!"

A particularly noticeable large man with a mohawk and orange hair shouted from the back of the students (if you can call them that). He looked like a chicken!

He was wearing spiked shoulder pads on both shoulders, but this chicken man was bare-chested and wearing ragged hemp pants. His muscles were so bulky that he could easily win a gold medal in the Olympic shot put or discus throw.

"Once you fall, you should immediately solidify your body with a defensive Wave, or tackle the weakest enemy's legs to regain your footing! How many times do I have to say it, you moron... huh?"

When the mohawk chicken muscle man approached the scene of the beating, he noticed us by the fence.

"Miss Veriello?!"

"?!?!"

The chicken's shout made the end-of-the-world grunts look up in unison.

"Still as enthusiastic as ever, Master Max."

"Please don't call me Master! It's been a while, but what brings you to such a place? If you want to practice, I can come to your house or the guild."

"No, I want to have his Wave type checked today."

He smiled and pointed at me. The chicken's gaze fell on me.

"...Well, you're a scrawny guy."

"I want to improve that."

What, I didn't hear that... Could it be that Chelina likes muscular guys? If so, I need to maintain my current physique. ...Though I do admire lean muscle a bit...

"Hmph, I can train you, but without knowing the type of Ki... no, Wave, it's impossible."

"Hmm, directly from a dwarf! That's impressive! I can't say no to a request from a lady, so I'll do it right away."

The end-of-the-world grunts had already finished their practice and were resting at a distance, watching us. I was completely on display.

I took the pose as the chicken instructed.

"Right. Lower your hips a bit more... don't wobble! You look like a newborn fawn! Extend your arms, put strength in your abdomen! Idiot! Keep your back straight!"

Of course, I don't know the basics without prior knowledge!

After enduring the shouting for about 10 minutes, I finally got into a position that the chicken approved of. It was like sitting in an air chair. This is torture.

"K... hurry up... I can't hold it..."

"That's good, now breathe in slowly, and exhale as long as you can without breaking your posture!"

The orange mohawk chicken master circled behind me and placed his palm on my waist.

"Right, breathe in more slowly... exhale..."

His palm grew warm in sync with my deep breathing.

"Stop breathing! ...Ha!"

"Kha!"

I was flipped forward by a shock like an explosion.

"What?!"

I tried to get up and complain, but the chicken master was staring at his hand with wide eyes.

"Hey... is this real...?"

Max continued to stare at his hand, muttering to himself.

"Hey! Max! What happened?!"

Explain why I had to go through such pain!

"Ah? I did as you said and checked his Wave. Why are you shouting, brat? Be quiet."

Master Max's gaze was so intense it was scary.

"Max! What type of Wave does Akira have?"

Hagg, who was also curious, asked. Max, who wasn't intimidated at all, was cool.

"The brat's Wave is... "

The master sighed.

"Spiral."

"..."

An awkward silence fell.

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