Chapter 37

As the tournament approached, Safina's special training intensified, continuing without a break from between classes to weekends. This was partly thanks to this private training facility, which could be reserved at any time.

"The sword is still a prototype, but it's finally taking shape, and Safina's sword-drawing technique is looking good."

I watched Safina, who was practicing sword drawing relentlessly with Zahh, and nodded in satisfaction.

"I heard from Deodora-sama that everything, from the length and weight of the blade to the shape of the hilt, is a custom-made item tailored to Safina-san... How much did it cost, Mary-sama?"

Majiruka, who was watching Safina beside me, looked exasperated.

"Hmm? What? You want to know? Do you really want to know how much it cost?"

"No... I'll pass."

As I approached her with an evil smile, Majiruka took a step back and surrendered.

"Ouch!"

As we were fooling around, a dry thud echoed through the room, followed by Safina's cute scream. It turned out that Zahh's wooden sword had struck her head before she could draw her sword.

"It's no good, her... I thought sword-drawing would be perfect for Safina-san, who has quick reflexes even in a defensive position, but it seems that her fear of the approaching opponent and her indecisive nature make her hesitate to draw her sword, resulting in a slow sword speed..."

Majiruka sighed and analyzed Safina's progress so far.

"...But if she had the courage, this wouldn't have happened in the first place."

"...That's true."

We both sighed.

(But we can't give up, the tournament is coming up soon... We have to do something.)

"Hmm... I just thought, maybe Safina is a bit too dependent? She might subconsciously think that Zahh will cover for her if she fails... After all, when she fails, she just gets a light tap on the head."

As we were racking our brains, the prince, who had been watching from behind, said something harsh.

"Dependent, you say... So, you're suggesting that we need to instill a sense of crisis in Safina?"

"What? Are you saying we should have Zahh hit her seriously? If she gets seriously injured close to the tournament, that would be counterproductive."

I immediately objected to Majiruka's suggestion.

"Hehe! Don't worry, I have a plan. I'll go back to the school building and prepare... See you later."

Majiruka, with a smug look, left the training facility, so I decided to let Safina take a break. After finishing the remaining classes, we returned to the training facility, where Majiruka was waiting for us.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, this is the secret weapon!"

She spun around and held up the bottle she was holding. Safina and I stared at the bottle with our mouths open.

"What is that?"

"It's the secret weapon."

She pulled the cork out of the bottle with all her might and held it out to us. As Safina and I leaned in to look at it...

"Ugh! What's that smell?!"

"Ahhh!"

The foul odor from the bottle made us jump back.

"Hehehe... I developed this original liquid for the smell bag to repel monsters that are sensitive to odors. However, it was so foul that even the person holding it would be damaged, so it was shelved."

Majiruka, proud of her creation, sealed the bottle again to block the smell. Despite this, I couldn't help but ask her.

"Why did you bring such a dangerous thing?"

"It's obvious! We're going to use it for Safina's special training!"

"Sorry, I don't understand at all... Can you explain properly?"

Although I felt bad for Majiruka, who was excited about her shelved creation, I asked her to explain clearly for Safina, who was clinging to me in fear.

"It's simple. We'll tie a cloth soaked in this liquid to the opponent's sword and have Safina attack. If she doesn't do it properly, the liquid will splash on her head... and that strong smell will stick to her body..."

"Ah!"

"Oh, how terrifying... How could you think of something so terrible?"

Majiruka, holding the bottle and chuckling ominously, explained her terrifying plan to us. I was shocked by her cruelty, and Safina let out a small scream.

"By the way, this smell will stick until it's washed off, so be careful. Now, time is limited, let's start! Mary-sama, please tie the cloth soaked in the liquid to the sword."

"What? Why me? Isn't that Zahh's job?"

"He still has classes, so he won't be here."

I protested as Majiruka started preparing, but without the person to do the dirty work, it wouldn't work.

(Damn... He's always around when we don't call him, but not when we need him...)

Shaking with anger, I was hurried by Majiruka and started preparing.

A few minutes later, I, with a disgusted look, and Safina, almost in tears, faced each other.

"Ugh! Smell! Hey, this smell won't transfer to my sword, right?"

"Who knows?"

"What do you mean, who knows?!"

As I frowned at the awful smell coming from the cloth wrapped around the middle of the blade, Majiruka gave me an ambiguous answer, which made me raise my voice.

"Don't just swing your sword around. The liquid might splash on us."

Majiruka, looking at me as if I were dirty, kept backing away.

(Damn... I'll beat her with this sword when everything is over...)

Putting revenge aside, I refocused on Safina.

"Alright, Safina. I know it's confusing, but you have to get out of this predicament before I attack you. Otherwise, you'll end up as a lady, Safina."

"Bu-but..."

Safina, trembling in fear at my threat, finally seemed to steel herself and took a stance to draw her sword.

"Alright!"

After a moment of silence, I kicked off the ground and charged at Safina.

---

Now, we are in the shower room of the academy. Why? To wash off the smell, of course. Since Solos involves a lot of physical activity and sweating, there are facilities to clean up, which is where we are now.

After about an hour of training that put something on the line as a lady, Safina was really trying her best. She was more serious than I had ever seen her, without any dependence, and she was drawing her sword without hesitation. In the second half, she might have even become hysterical... but she also made many mistakes and ended up receiving my sword multiple times.

(The first time, she was so anxious that she drew her sword before I arrived. The gap was indescribable. She felt like a princess who had just been sentenced to death. But if she had shown any dependence, it would have been meaningless, so I swung my sword... Once I did it, I didn't hesitate after that, which is scary...)

I shuddered as I recalled the nightmare. By the way, I am also washing my body now.

"Hehehe... I didn't expect it to turn out like that... But it's okay! I've prepared spare clothes, so once everyone is done washing, we'll resume the special training! Hehehe, hahaha!"

By "that," I mean this: Eventually, Safina's enemy became not me but my sword. I didn't expect her sword to be aimed at my sword, and the sword, or rather the foul-smelling cloth tied to it, flew and hit Majiruka's face, who was taking cover. Then, in a fit of madness, Majiruka threw the bottle of original liquid at us, and the situation turned into a hellish scene.

As I watched the broken Majiruka in a strange mood, I laughed dryly.

"...I can't do it..."

Safina, with a look of despair and lifeless eyes, came out after washing her body.

"S-Safina?"

"...I can't do it... I don't want to... I don't understand... What is this training that makes you smell? What is this? Who came up with such a ridiculous idea... I can't do it... I can't do it... I can't do it... I can't... I can't... I can't..."

With lifeless eyes staring into space, Safina muttered words devoid of emotion.

(Ah! Safina is broken too...)

Watching the two of them in strange moods, I could only laugh quietly.

Thus, our dangerous special training was sealed away forever without being known by our male friends.

The next day, the two of us were back to normal, and Safina's sword-drawing technique no longer had any hesitation, so it could be considered a success... However, whenever we try to talk about that day, both of us become a bit strange, so we decided not to bring it up again.

Thank you for reading.