Training Routine

Having decided that Tsubaki would train Haru to enter the Dungeon before he could solo it once again, the conversation grew serious. Hephaestus wanted to know why Haru thought the Dungeon felt this hatred towards him.

From the way he said it, Haru seemed confident in his belief, but as soon as she put this argument back into play, Tsubaki changed the subject as if nothing had happened. What interested her was his equipment and whether it was of good quality, and to her questions, Haru nodded as he explained as both the weapon and the armour were ideal for him, indeed, it would seem that they were suitable for his standards.

"... I understand. So you don't need advice on that point. I'd like to discuss something about the training you'll have to withstand before you can enter the Dungeon alone, though."

What Tsubaki needed was to know his limits, and to determine the type of training Haru would have to undergo, so in a casual tone, she continued her speech.

"...However, I need to spar with you. Otherwise, I'll never know what you are lacking."

It was common for a teacher. Trying to understand Haru's flaws during practice was the best attitude Tsubaki could have adopted, yet to her words, Hephaestus interfered.

"...Try not to harm him."

Their exchange of words kept Haru silent. He wasn't yet aware of Tsubaki's level, but from that demonstration just now, he knew her strength was overwhelming enough to annihilate him with a single finger.

"Since I have to evaluate him, I'll take it easy."

She knew Haru wasn't powerful yet- However, she had to see for herself how much potential he had.

After a little discussion where Tsubaki and Haru agreed to meet the next day so that she could introduce him to the training itself, Hephaestus recalled having to update Haru's status.

---

"...Your growth is abnormal."

That's all Hephaestus could whisper. Once she mentioned it, Hephaestus asked Haru to update the status and noticing his parameters had undergone a new 'explosion', she wasn't surprised.

Besides, his skills and even his [Swordsman] development ability had increased.

'Haru's theory seemed rather abnormal. However, it could explain this situation. The more dangerous a situation is, the more the parameters, and everything related to it, increase.'

If Haru's growth was so explosive, it meant the situation was much more dangerous than average.

'I wonder if it's for the best. Nevertheless, Tsubaki can teach him how to survive in the Dungeon, so that he will never have to return with all these wounds.'

Taking a look, Haru had been injured overall his arms for the second time. However, something that struck her was the presence of strange cuts. They did not seem to be made by monsters at all. However, she didn't think much about it.

"Your status is quite impressive, not only are you very close to level up, but you have also unlocked magic, probably you are also very well-versed to it."

It was purely Hephaestus' hypothesis. One could obtain magic in several ways. It was possible to use a grimoire that may be necessary for some individuals to unlock their magic, others based on races, possess magic. Nevertheless, others could also inherit magic from their parents.

However, there's the last case, a little rarer. One can unlock magical power purely for the high compatibility with it. Since Hephaestus didn't know who his parents were, she was sure the rapid increase in magic was due to this. It was rare, but not something out of the theories known as the speed with which Haru was growing, so she didn't think much about it.

"...Do I?"

It was awkward for Haru. Hephaestus was telling him he possessed high compatibility with magic, but since he was unable to perceive the mana both around him and in his body, he didn't believe that this could be the answer he was looking for. Hephaestus seemed so enthusiastic about her answer. So, he chose not to contradict her.

After reading his status for the second time, Haru decided to call it a day, as fatigue due to the monster party, combined with mental fatigue put pressure on him...

---

After leaving Tsubaki and Hephaestus, Haru chose not to go to the Hostess of Fertility, because from the Tower of Babel, there were already many restaurants offering a decent dinner. With his mental and physical fatigue, he just wanted to eat something, and then retire to his room, sleeping relaxed for the rest of the evening.

'After tomorrow, I also have to train with Yamato Mikoto...'

With the routine changed by two days of training with two different people, and the third regular training to become a blacksmith, Haru knew perhaps the whole will be even more challenging than before. However, he couldn't give up now that the road to his future was barely on track.

So the next day, Haru found himself in Tsubaki's Mansion.

Opening the door as it didn't appear to be locked, Haru made his way into the Mansion calling Tsubaki's name, but the latter did not appear to welcome him.

'...She can't be sleeping.'

He could understand if Tsubaki told him to wait as she had to prepare, but the entire Mansion seemed to be empty, which meant she was not here.

But after a while, Haru could finally find her. Tsubaki was waiting for him in the garden.

"Good Morning, Tsubaki-san."

Not knowing what to call her, Haru had initially opted for the last name, but Tsubaki had insisted Haru used her name to call her.

"You can stop the formalities. Just call me Tsubaki."

But she didn't even want Haru to take on a formal attitude. From her point of view, it did not matter at all.

Haru did not respond to her words, which led her to sigh.

"Leaving this point aside, let us proceed further. It's merely a sparring session, which means as Hephaestus said yesterday, you will not be hurt in any way. You're free to attack me with all the strength you can unleash, it won't be enough to harm me, but we'll see how you do against someone so unbearable for you. As I recall, you also said you never tried your skills against a real person, and it's the perfect opportunity to learn how to defend yourself against both other adventurers and monsters."

As many people used to think, what most worried this world were not the monsters themselves, but the other adventurers. They acted driven by their desires, unlike the monsters, which have only the objective of defending the Dungeon, and they possess an intelligence incomparable to that of adventurers, far superior.

But avoiding going into too much detail, Tsubaki ended her speech by stating she would throw a coin, and when it landed on the ground, their fight would begin.

Taking the necessary coin, Tsubaki nodded as Haru was ready as well.

Throwing it, Haru stared at it carefully. As soon as it landed, he already had the sword in his hands.

Taking it out completely, he didn't waste any time. He ran towards Tsubaki, kicking the ground with all the strength he had in his body. As far as he was able to confirm, his wounds healed, so it could be said Haru was at its peak right now. He had no disadvantage whatsoever, other than the difference in power.

By the time his sword was close enough, however, Haru saw Tsubaki dodge the blow with zero effort.

"Good reaction, predictable movement."

Tsubaki didn't even think of the blow as something serious, just something that needed to be analyzed and interpreted.

Not losing heart, Haru retreated, so that he could try the style that allowed him to consume less stamina.

But swinging his sword at her for the second time, the result was even more disappointing than before. She moved again with zero effort, avoiding his blow without any problem.

"...Is this all you can do? With this much, you would want to be the person able to bear the burden that weighs on our Goddess' shoulders? Don't make me laugh. Even though you may be an excellent blacksmith or whatever, you don't seem to have figured out how to handle a sword decently."

Her words were quite harsh. But as if he had pulled some lever into his mind, Haru's expression darkened.

"... I think that's pretty normal since my swordsmanship was never polished or taught by anyone but myself. If you don't want to train me, we can always end this right now. I don't need you to remind me of something I already know at all."

He already knew for himself that the burden Hephaestus carried with her was quite heavy, but he did not care at all. It may sound a little cocky, but he believed he would be able to let her share this burden with him, one way or another. He didn't need someone like Tsubaki to remind him he had to become much better.

At his words, Tsubaki was surprised.

"I see."

He didn't say anything else. But as if lightning passed by, Haru saw Tsubaki was no longer in her former position. Before he could look for her, however, he heard a voice behind him.

"...Even if you haven't let your emotions get to you, it doesn't mean you have to entertain the enemy with futile explanations. If someone is dumb enough to stop for a conversation, use that opportunity to make them regret giving you openings."

Since her 'test' affected different from what she expected, Tsubaki decided to remind him not to get lost in small talk. As he had said, even if by only two swings, Tsubaki could already notice Haru had some talent. Indeed, it could be said his swordsmanship was already at a good level, what was missing were some basic teachings, speed and strength, and above all lack of awareness and perception, because if she had not spoken, Haru would not have realized she was behind him at all.

Quickly explaining she didn't mean what she had said, Haru soon realized why she had acted that way, and clarified the small misunderstanding, the two continued their battle. Since Tsubaki had already been able to understand some fundamental things, nevertheless, there was something else that could be useful to guide his training to the best.

---

(This is the famous "Time Skip - Training", I have yet to do the "Time Skip - Blacksmith" but since this will take a little to be done, you'll have to wait for it :o / Join my discord server: discord.gg/y8VBZAp and also support me on ******* if you want - https://www.patre on.com/SkyInTheNight)