Chapter 5 of 100

Chapter 5

7 min read1,840 words

EP.5 Regression - 5

Arias菲尔 Reinhardt.

She was a prime example of what was known as an elite, a genius.

If there was a basic framework of theory, she was a being capable of growing to any extent, and that was Arias菲尔 Reinhardt.

However, unfortunately, she was a genius that surpassed the norm.

Theory was merely a broad framework; if talent swelled, that theory would only serve as a shackle suppressing growth.

Originally, geniuses break through theories and create their own schools of thought because they feel dissatisfied with the slow growth caused by theories.

However, Arias菲尔 was different.

She did not break the theories she learned.

Ironically, this was because she possessed talent that surpassed the norm.

'So strong... How can she be this good at this age...'

'Miss, you are a genius!! To have grown this much already...!'

No matter how much theory suppressed her, she grew faster than other geniuses. With a talent that was in a different league, she surpassed theories that were not on her level.

Thus, no one could think that her talent was being suppressed.

Because she was ahead of everyone else.

But

'If I don’t like losing, let’s call it a draw. Okay?'

There was someone who was ahead of her.

'Then that’s the problem.'

Someone pointed out her problem accurately.

Someone who could create a framework that suited her,

'Now, try swinging it.'

She met her teacher, the one who would teach her for the first time.

Whoosh...

The wind makes the trees sway.

"...Eh?"

Leaves fall in the wind created by her sword.

'My heart... is racing...'

Just like when she first met that boy, her heart swells.

Yes, this is, in a sense,

'Satisfaction.'

She felt a sense of accomplishment for the first time in what she had done.

Not just by easily imitating, but by learning properly from someone.

'...Why?'

She came to meet the boy to calm her racing heart,

'Why is it racing even more...?'

But it’s racing even more.

***

[...Why is this happening? Is this the trend nowadays? Huh?! Is this the golden age of geniuses?!]

<That's right. I wonder where that kid came from.>

[You too! How did you develop that so quickly!?]

Why are you so angry and making a fuss? I’m also frustrated that that kid is a genius among geniuses.

<It's nothing much. I just brought in the posture Arias菲尔 used in her previous life.>

I roughly taught her a suitable posture for her current growth state.

I thought she would catch up quickly, but it was even more shocking than expected.

"How is it? Not bad, right?"

"...Eh?! Yeah... It's good!"

She looked at him with surprise. Her face was red, and her eyes sparkled, which was evidence of her reaction.

'It’s understandable that she’s surprised.'

That level of skill is something she would normally achieve about half a year after being cut off from Jihard.

Although her 1-star mana core is still insufficient to fully catch up, from the mana training she did earlier, it’s only a matter of time.

"Then let’s go. The bodyguard knight will be worried."

The moon was already high in the sky. If she stayed out too long, who knows what kind of trouble that bodyguard thug would cause.

"That’s true..."

A shadow fell on Arias菲尔's expressionless face. Even though the change wasn’t significant, it was clear she was disappointed.

'Is it disappointing that the training ends here?'

I would feel the same way. To break through her limits and grow significantly in just one day, it would be quite disappointing if it ended right away.

"Will you come tomorrow?"

"...Eh?"

"About this time would be good. You can also hear what the bodyguard knight says."

"...Is it okay...?"

"It’s fine. I find solo training boring, and waiting a whole week seems daunting."

This was Leo’s way of showing consideration.

At the same time, it was also a sign of respect for a rival who always spurred his competitive spirit.

"Do you not want to?"

"...No. I do."

The corners of her mouth subtly turned up. It had been a while since she showed such a clumsy smile.

"Then go quickly. Reinhardt, it’s late, so be careful."

"I know. I won’t be late."

Arias菲尔 said this and turned to leave.

"...Ah."

At that moment, she turned her head and added,

"You can call me Arias菲尔. Leonardo."

She said this and left.

[...Kid, you’re smooth.]

<Yes, the next one.>

[Should I show the inside of the stomach this time?]

I’m not that kind of relationship with Arias菲尔.

Anyway, these guys.

***

"...Are you sleeping?"

Today, she also checked on the sleeping Jihard. Jihard was sound asleep, even with Arias菲尔's voice.

The training she gave him was bound to exhaust him with his current capabilities.

'I should go.'

But now, such lessons no longer satisfied her.

Arias菲尔 went out of the inn with an excited look.

'What will I learn today? It will be fun to learn something new today, won’t it?'

As she ran, various thoughts about the lesson came to mind. Thinking about that boy, Leonardo, always made her head and heart race.

"...You’re here?"

Today, the boy was also swinging his sword in the forest.

"Leonardo!"

"Alright, let’s do it as usual?"

"Got it."

Both she and Leo raised their swords.

"Draw...!"

Then they started swinging their swords, continuing their training by splitting the surrounding mana.

[Kid.]

[Is this even meaningful?]

The sage alternated his gaze between Leo and Arias菲尔.

[Even if you train together, you’re essentially practicing separately.]

It looked that way. They were swinging their swords without paying attention to each other.

[Is it? I notice the surrounding mana particles seem to be finer.]

As he said, the size of the mana particles decreased significantly with two people splitting them, and the absorption rate increased accordingly.

[But isn’t it meaningless since one person’s share of mana is now split between two?]

That was a fact that couldn’t be denied. In fact, if you calculate everything, the amount of mana absorbed is roughly the same.

<...Actually...>

[...As expected...]

The sage looked at Leo meaningfully. With the sage’s wisdom, he would have already noticed.

[That kid has feelings...!]

...The sage’s eyes blinked.

[You have feelings... or not?]

<Feelings? I have them. The desire to win, competitiveness.>

The blinking eyes cooled down dramatically.

[...You’re a pervert.]

"Who’s a pervert?!"

"Eh?"

Out of frustration, his voice rose. The shout made Arias菲尔, who was swinging her sword, turn her head.

"What did you say? Pervert?"

"Ahahaha... I misspoke. Let’s continue."

"It’s fine. But what’s a pervert?"

...I can explain, but I don’t want to. With the idol of perverts right in front of me, I especially don’t want to say anything.

"It’s nothing. Let’s continue."

[It’s not nothing. ‘Who’s a pervert~?!’]

Ah, I really hate that nasal voice. If it weren’t for the ghost kid, I’d break his nose.

[So what? What do you mean by growing and winning?]

There was a clear reason. It just took time to articulate it.

[So? What is it?]

<It’s not my prime.>

It was a very obvious reason and cause.

What Leo wanted was a duel with a genius who had grown equally strong.

Even if he won a duel with such an overwhelming shortcut, could he be proud of himself?

[Of course. What can you expect from a ten-year-old kid? If you were in my position, I’d quit teaching you.]

<That’s right. It’s only natural.>

Even if she’s a genius, she’s still a child.

Even if she’s a talent destined to become a giant, it takes a minimum amount of time to grow.

That day, when he corrected Arias菲尔's sword technique, Leo was certain.

<Arias菲尔 can become even stronger, faster than before the regression.>

Arias菲尔's growth potential was not yet fully unlocked.

If he could guide her in the right direction, she could grow much faster than before the regression.

[So? You’re going to help her?]

<Yes, then her prime will come much faster.>

Not just her prime, but even more could be possible. Then...

[You’re a creep.]

The word made me doubt my hearing.

"Excuse me?"

[You’re talking about raising and eating. What are you trying to beautify that as?]

This guy is really...

"That’s not a creep! It’s a hopeful story about growing together!"

[No, it’s not. You’re a pervert.]

The old man, who had aged beyond his years, finished with a rotten tongue. I should tear out that three-inch tongue and stick it in his ear.

"What did you say?"

I realized it. It slipped out again.

"...What’s a creep?"

...I can explain, but I don’t want to.

Knowing the meaning of this word is now a source of shame.

"'Growth' is the short form of 'growing' 'technique'. It’s slang used by delinquents, so don’t use it."

"Okay... I understand."

When she used polite language, she seemed to accept it reluctantly.

Yes, stay pure for now.

[Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!! 'Growth'...! 'Technique' for 'growing'...! Oh! I didn’t know that...?]

Don’t become like that old man who has only aged in years.

Please grow up like you used to.

"Leonardo, I’m sorry for talking to myself. Can you check the posture I did earlier?"

"Sure. Quickly! Let’s see it!"

I needed to change the topic quickly. This young girl doesn’t need to learn gutter words like pervert or creep.

"There seems to be a problem here... If your combo is as fast as yours, it would be better."

"You don’t need to be like me. You have good flexibility, so use the elasticity of your muscles rather than strength..."

The training continued like this.

Arias菲尔 would sneak out at night to meet Leonardo.

They would mainly practice mana training, and if her posture was off, Leonardo would give her appropriate advice.

This training lasted for a week.

Leo completed his mana core perfectly in 7 days, and Arias菲尔 was able to condense and learn sword techniques that would normally take a year.

And the last day arrived.

***

"...Are you ready?"

"Yeah. Today, I will definitely..."

On the last day, Arias菲尔's eyes showed determination. It was a look of satisfaction.

"I will win."

She drew her longsword from her waist.

[Kid, try not to use 'that' if possible.]

Using that 'technique' he learned from the sage would not be allowed by his current pride.

Winning that way would only bring greater humiliation.

"But I can’t just lose."

Leonardo also drew his sword from his waist.

"...Alright, let’s start."

Jihard stood in the center as the referee.

"Begin!"

Clang!!

The swords clashed as soon as the command was given.

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