Chapter 9

"Blade of Dawn" was indeed a prestigious organization. The facilities were impeccable. The grounds were vast, with a spacious garden and stables. The mansion was three stories tall, equipped not only with members' rooms but also a lobby, dining room, office, and a massive training ground in the basement, which had been converted from a wine cellar.

If there was any complaint, it would be about the companions who would become her party members. Mariette and Cattleya, graduates of the Adventurer Training School, seemed frail and weak, and Towa was short and scrawny. Honestly, they felt even less reliable than the weak Tanis and the others.

However, Tiana thought positively. Her goal was to become strong herself. If her companions were weak and became a burden, she could look for another party. Until then, she would make full use of these facilities.

On the first day, she was busy with the move. Although she had few belongings, the equipment and supplies she had accumulated over time took up a lot of space.

"These aren't very good, are they?"

While checking a healing potion that cost one silver coin, which was precious to Tiana, Shiz said. In "Blade of Dawn," it was said that they could bring as many high-quality potions from the Boltak Trading Company as they needed for the dungeon.

"Does that mean... we can use them freely?"

When Mermu asked hesitantly, Shiz nodded.

"If you hesitate to use potions and something happens, you'll regret it. If you judge that it's necessary, use them without hesitation."

"Princess, this is heaven!"

"Stop calling me princess!"

Shiz also checked Tiana's weapons and armor, and found that the materials were not suitable.

"Equipment used in the dungeon should be light and hard."

This was because the weight of what the adventurer was wearing affected the activation probability of their Gifts. Especially for magic Gifts, the probability of failure was high if they wore metal weapons. Even for warrior classes, heavy equipment increased the likelihood of their active Gifts failing. In a battle with strong monsters, this could be fatal. Therefore, adventurers sought out expensive, light, and hard equipment.

"We should use crystals mined from the dungeon. Mithril is light and flexible but lacks strength. Adamantine—no, Heavy Phantom Iron would be better. We'll call in a specialist to take measurements..."

"Princess!"

"O-Okay."

Although Tiana lacked a sense of money, she had some idea of the market value of weapons and armor. The expensive equipment that this clan would generously provide would take her ten years to earn. She felt a chill down her back.

After that, she was made to fill out documents related to her transfer to the clan and organized her room. Then, her companions who had gone on a dungeon expedition returned.

"We're back."

"We've returned."

Mariette and Cattleya appeared in the entrance hall, looking exhausted and sipping Cure Potions to recover their stamina. Next, Rau appeared, carrying Towa, who was slumped over like a dried fish.

"Wow, wow..."

Towa reached out her hand toward the void, and Shiz showed her a bright green rock fragment with a sigh. Towa immediately perked up, jumped off Rau's back, and ran to Shiz, snatching the rock fragment.

"Wow. Peacock ore. Now I can draw, draw... hehehe."

Shiz explained to Tiana, who was taken aback.

"It's the raw material for rock pigments."

"Huh?"

Tiana didn't understand. She called out to Mariette and Cattleya, who were approaching with heavy steps, in a light tone.

"Hey, good job. Damn, I wish I could have gone too."

"...Yeah."

"You're so carefree."

Their reactions were somewhat prickly. Rau, who had been lying on the floor, gazing at the green rock, picked up Towa as if she were a piece of luggage.

"Come on, let's go."

"Wait, I want to enjoy it more."

The four headed for the stairs leading to the basement, but Rau turned around halfway.

"We're going to train now. Do you want to watch?"

Surprised that they were training right after a dungeon expedition, Tiana, who loved training, responded reflexively.

"I'm going!"

"Me too, please."

Mermu also followed, flapping her wings. The basement of "Blade of Dawn" was the largest room. There were thick stone pillars supporting the ceiling, and despite being underground, the space was dimly lit.

"To make it as close to the dungeon environment as possible, we've spread an extract from luminescent moss on the floor."

Tiana thought it made sense. The dim underground, the light from the luminescent moss, and the suffocating closed space. Indeed, it was a simulated dungeon. Harrisman, who had finished putting away the carriage, finally arrived, and the training preparations were complete.

"Let's begin."

This silver-haired old man was the swordsmanship instructor. Tiana and Mermu watched as a peculiar training session unfolded. Mariette and Cattleya, carrying backpacks and wooden swords, moved around as if jumping.

"Both of you, your movements are slow!"

Harrisman, with a wooden sword in one hand and the other hand hidden behind his back, faced them. Mariette and Cattleya moved around, sometimes separating, sometimes approaching, and sometimes crossing to confuse him.

"Ha!"

The moment they lined up, Mariette, who was in front, lunged at Harrisman. She stopped just before attacking and jumped to the right. Cattleya, who appeared from behind, attacked with a confident smile.

"Got you!"

"Too soft."

Their plan was for Cattleya to engage in a sword lock while Mariette attacked from the side. However, Harrisman deftly parried Cattleya's strike and kicked Mariette, who had lunged at him.

"Ugh!"

Although she defended herself, the kick was powerful, and Mariette was sent flying.

"Mariette!"

"Distraction is a sign of overconfidence."

Harrisman kicked Cattleya, who had been distracted, and then raised the magic wand he had hidden behind his back.

"Hey, hey."

The tip of the magic wand drew a light trail, forming a simple magic circle.

"Just a little."

Harrisman flicked his wrist, and the magic circle split into five, sticking to the walls and pillars around them.

"Is this okay?"

Mermu was alarmed. Using magic Gifts in training was excessive. It could lead to fatalities. Magic was a dangerous offensive tool.

"Don't worry. Towa will handle it."

Towa was standing a bit away, holding a small bow.

"Kyaa! Here it comes!"

With a cry like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Towa quickly pulled an arrow from the quiver on her hip. The arrow, which seemed to be for training, had a rounded tip covered in cloth.

"One."

The arrow, which lacked momentum, pierced the magic circle. The magic circle, its light trail disrupted, dissolved silently.

"Two."

When Towa broke the next magic circle, she realized she wouldn't make it in time.

"Many."

She fired three arrows at once. Two grazed the magic circle, but the last one missed.

"Thought so. But it didn't work."

"Aah!"

Mermu covered her eyes. The remaining magic circle shattered with a high-pitched sound, and its effect was activated. A white ball about the size of a fist appeared where the magic circle had been, illuminating the area. Rau laughed mischievously.

"It's 'Illumination.'"

A support magic of the light attribute. It could create a light source but had no offensive power. It wasn't very useful in the dungeon where luminescent moss grew, but it was quite useful on the surface.

"Towa, party wipe. Fifty push-ups."

"Ugh, mean Shiz."

"Should I add ten more?"

"Lie. Merciful Shiz-bro."

The backpack seemed to contain weights, making it quite tough. Towa started doing push-ups, her arms trembling.

"If you cheat, you'll lose your reward—"

"I'm not cheating!"

Towa's knees, which had almost touched the floor, straightened. On the other hand, Mariette and Cattleya, who were lying on their backs, panting heavily, were being scolded by Harrisman.

"Lord Mariette. Feigned attacks are fine, but if you intend to do so from the start, you won't draw your opponent's attention. At least put some spirit into your swing or avoid the moment you strike."

"...Next time, I will."

"Miss Cattleya. Don't let your guard down just because your ally is hit. That can result in the loss of your ally's life."

"I understand."

The training continued for a while, and the three ended up sprawled on the floor, exhausted.

"Reward..."

Towa, who had done countless push-ups, crawled on the floor, reaching out her hand. She looked like a zombie making a last-ditch effort after being mortally wounded. Shiz, who had come to watch the training, sighed and handed her a rock fragment.

"A, azurite. Hehehe, the world is mine."

Towa writhed, hugging the blue rock fragment. Mermu was clearly taken aback by the sight.

"Without motivation, it's just suffering. We reward those who work hard with things like rock pigments, baths, and sweet treats."

Rau's calm expression as he looked down at Towa was like that of a master training a pet.

"Well, what about you?"

Rau asked Tiana.

"..."

Actually, Tiana had been restless all along. A strong man was right in front of her. If she fought a strong opponent, she would become stronger.

"I want to fight that old man."

Tiana pointed to Harrisman, who was standing coolly after the training.