Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“Whoo, I feel refreshed.”

“Ugh, ha, ha….”

As soon as the sparring ended, Christian wiped his sweat with a satisfied expression. In contrast, Liber sat down on the floor, panting heavily.

“Elder brother Liber!”

“Oh, come on, who’s dead here….”

Sonya hurriedly ran to Liber, followed by Caedwin, who brought a towel and water bottle for Liber.

After using the towel Caedwin handed him to wipe his sweat, Liber gulped down the water.

Only after his breathing became more stable did Liber manage to look at Christian.

“Ha, I never thought you’d use the wave like that.”

“Usually, when someone masters the wave, they rush to learn a special move first, which is the problem. Nobody thinks to focus on its application.”

“Indeed….”

Christian’s words about mastering the wave signified that one had finally earned their place as a knight and was ready to soar to greater heights.

Even when some learned the techniques for application, they were busy mastering key skills and, because it wasn’t necessary, there were few who taught them.

“Well, in some ways, the application techniques consist of various grabs, which might be why they’re even more rejected.”

“You call those various techniques trivial?”

Liber had studied a lot about the wave. He had also personally experienced it through his father, his swordsmanship master, and the knights in his family.

However, what they taught about using the wave was destructive and sharp techniques imbued with a deadly intent.

The Cotra family, known for their willingness to use even tactics others deemed cowardly, also emphasized lethal techniques with the wave.

No, perhaps it was only natural. Pursuing the greatest advantage with minimal damage was crucial because it reduced allies’ injuries while maximizing the harm to opponents.

“Why, you’re probably asking why he’s learning and using this trivial stuff when he’s mastered the wave.”

“No, I didn’t go that far.”

“Well, it must seem like a waste of time to anyone. Why would someone with talent like mine waste time learning trivial things like these?”

Perhaps due to self-praise, Caedwin frowned in discomfort. However, Liber seemed genuinely interested and listened intently.

Christian shrugged as if that was the end of his joking and explained.

“This is one method to gain a significant advantage at a low cost.”

“Gaining a significant advantage at a low cost?”

“Yes. As you know, you can’t use a transformed wave technique many times with normal mana.”

“That’s true….”

Wave techniques are divided into application, transformation, and fusion techniques.

Application techniques rely on using the basic properties of the wave, thus consuming very little mana.

Transformed techniques require changing not only the properties but also the form of the wave.

Thus, without sufficient mana sensitivity and a solid mana reserve, using them was impossible, and even if used, one would quickly deplete their mana.

Still, the power of the wave transformation was so impactful it often served as a critical gauge of a knight’s prowess.

“It’s not that it’s bad, I mean, one-hit kill. It’s dazzling, it’s impressive. But on the battlefield, where you have to fight for sometimes tens of minutes, other times for days, where’s the time to swing your sword a few times and conveniently gather mana again?”

Taking down dozens or hundreds with a single swing of the sword may look glamorous and boost allies’ morale.

However, stepping back to recharge lacking mana after just a few swings is inefficient.

The battlefields Christian experienced weren’t places that ended so quickly.

There were countless dragonkin and monsters possessed by dragons, and when fighting dragons, the struggle was about who could endure longer and survive.

Christian believed that those with considerable power should never step back.

Charging ahead to shield allies with one’s back and serving as an unwavering shield that never falters or retreats.

Having such a presence nearby gave allies hope and the belief that they could persevere together.

Christian spoke after glancing at Aira, who embodied someone who prioritized efficiency over grandeur, leading those who followed unwaveringly forward.

“No matter how much mana there is, there’s always a limit. So, maintaining the battlefront long-term with minimal mana is far more efficient.”

“So, Christian, you’re focusing on application to last longer on the battlefield?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

When Christian shrugged his shoulders, Liber and Caedwin stared at him incomprehensibly.

It wasn’t the meaning of his words that puzzled them, but the part about “battlefield” that he mentioned.

He spoke with such conviction, as if he’d fought in those prolonged battles and verified it firsthand.

“Sustainability and efficiency in combat….”

Liber’s mind wavered at Christian’s words.

While he hadn’t fully mastered the wave, Liber was a knight. Thus, he aimed to properly learn the wave.

He believed it to be the only way to confront monsters more powerfully and swiftly.

And the direction for mastering the wave wasn’t much different from others’. Liber also thought powerful and swift wave techniques were the answer.

“You’re saying such things are possible with application techniques….”

“Of course, it’s not just about application. There are times when firepower is needed, but those aren’t frequent. What’s important is having a battle approach that conserves mana while being prepared for contingencies.”

Christian didn’t solely focus on application techniques. He simply avoided leaning too much to one side.

What Christian aimed to convey to Liber were wave application techniques that could create variances.

“Christian, were you trying to teach me that?”

As if grasping Christian’s intent, Liber asked with wide eyes.

“Well, partially. I really like people who make an effort.”

And even more so when those with talent put in effort. Like Aira, who was quietly watching him.

“Christian….”

“Ahem, it’s easy to misunderstand if you look at me like that.”

Feeling the change in Liber’s gaze, Christian cleared his throat and shifted his eyes.

“Um….”

But where he looked next, he saw Aira glaring intensely with a face full of discontent which forced him to lower his gaze.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar gaze.

Her red eyes, shimmering like radiant rubies, glowed as if soaked in blood when confronting an enemy. But she only displayed that look when facing “enemies.”

And in this place weren’t any enemies, nor was there anyone to evoke such a gaze.

“Why, why…?”

Instinctively, Christian stepped back, pulling his body together.

“No, it just seems like you’re enjoying yourself. Good to see.”

“Enjoy? No way. I was just giving some simple advice while hanging out.”

“Really? Was it fun?”

“….”

Well, it was somewhat fun. Moreover, I got to know yet a bit more about the person known as Liber.

‘And perhaps the fun in teaching too.’

…but he couldn’t say such things.

This was, you see, instinct.

Over more than ten years with his master, the honed instincts rang an alarm.

Therefore, Christian skillfully diverted his gaze away from Aira and spoke.

“No fun, never. It’s, well, you know, labor, labor. Training can’t possibly be enjoyable.”

“I see. So training wasn’t fun. I suppose you’ve been enduring our daily training with such thoughts, huh?”

“…….”

What could this be?

Why?

Why is she like this?

“… I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“Well, I feel like I did something wrong.”

Fortunately, Aira’s arms crossed, and she snorted lightly as if appeased by Christian’s apology. Then, Aira shifted her gaze.

Ignoring Sonya and Caedwin’s playful bickering nearby, Liber seemed lost in thought, eyes closed in meditation.

Aira stared intently at Liber before pursing her lips and spoke.

“Then now, spar with me.”

“Huh, spar? All of a sudden? Why?”

“Why? You ask why? You sparred recklessly before, but now you don’t want to because I asked?”

“No, today was personal training….”

“Can’t personal training include sparring? Isn’t it okay if I decide to spar?”

“… How unreasonable.”

As if disallowing rebuttals, Aira already had her sword out and set some distance between them.

It seemed she was indeed planning to spar, judging by the way she corrected her stance as if ready to charge at any moment.

Christian sighed, scratching the back of his head, but eventually raised his sword again, pointing it at Aira, and spoke.

“Since I’ll be going all-out with no games, be prepared.”

“That’s what I wanted!”

Aira’s face brightened upon hearing Christian’s decision to take it seriously, a departure from her usual demeanor.

Why she was acting this way remained a mystery to Christian, but he figured she’d see reason after taking a few hits.

Christian felt the same. Now that an opportunity had come to legally strike back, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.