Chapter 452 – 452: Gale And Howling Flame
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Ten minutes into the sparring match.
Clang! Clang clang clang!
Noah was a warrior who more than lived up to my expectations.
Good! Good! This is great!
Agile movements, relentlessly targeting weaknesses!
This is what makes it fun!
Noah, who started with just one dagger, was now wielding two.
In response, I, who initially only used my fists, was now using my legs as well to keep up with Noah.
Noah’s daggers clashed against my gauntlets, sending sparks flying.
“Not bad, Noah! This is a blast!”
“Really? Lyfa is much stronger than I thought…!”
Suddenly, black smoke billowed from Noah’s legs, and his speed drastically increased.
A skill, huh!
But… I can handle that much!
I blocked Noah’s dagger with my gauntlet, anticipating his move to attack me from behind in an instant.
Claaang!
“Wow, you blocked that too.”
“And you…!”
Whoosh!
Noah narrowly dodged my fist, which I swung with considerable force.
So far, Noah hasn’t been hit by any of my punches or kicks.
“You’re really good at dodging my attacks!”
“I already know your faster and scarier attacks!”
Noah’s eyes sharpened in an instant.
Looks like a combo is coming!
Clang clang clang clang!
As expected, Noah swung his daggers in all directions, aiming slashes at various parts of my body.
That was a little dangerous. But…
“Gotcha!”
The intense combo left an opening, and I took advantage of it, maximizing my magic circulation and instantly increasing my speed.
Thwack!
“Ughyaaaak!”
I landed a punch on Noah’s torso.
No, he blocked it with both arms at the last second.
His reflexes are really good!
Noah, who was hit by my punch, flew backward, rolled a few times, and immediately got back on his feet.
“Ugh… my arms hurt…”
Noah shook his arms as if trying to shake off the pain, his face contorted in a grimace.
“Hahaha! To be able to take my punch and come out of it like that, you’re surprisingly tough, Noah!”
“Well, I’ve had several promotions. Wow, but you’re really strong.”
“You’re strong too, Noah.”
“Thanks.”
“Shall we continue?”
“Hmm~ no, I’ll stop here.”
He got back into his stance, but Noah shook his head.
“What, that’s it?”
“I was already exhausted from sparring with Ninya before meeting Lyfa. And I’m also curious about how Gracia and Ninya fight.”
“Tch, then we’ll spar again next time?”
“I’d welcome that.”
My spar with Noah ended anticlimactically.
Ah~ I’m still far from enough.
I should spar with Gracia later.
“Hey, Gracia! You’re up next!”
◈-Gracia’s SIDE
Noah put up a much better fight against Lyfa than I had expected.
Of course, if they both went all out, they would have definitely been injured.
But both sides were aware that this was a spar to test each other’s skills, so no one was injured.
“Noah is definitely 20 years old, right? To be able to fight Lyfa like that at that age… he’s amazing.”
“Hehe, Noah is a hard worker♪ And he’s also very eager to improve, so it’s rewarding to teach him since he absorbs everything quickly.”
“So, Ms. Ninya taught Noah?”
“Yeah, Noah and I have a relationship similar to that of a student and teacher.”
“Doesn’t he learn from the strongest, the Dungeon Crasher?”
“Hmm~ Rent was originally too strong from the start, so he’s not used to teaching. But he spars with us according to our skill levels, and that alone is very helpful.”
When Ms. Ninya talked about the Dungeon Crasher… Rent, the man, her eyes were full of affection.
It was like the deep affection a mother has when talking about her husband…
“…You really love him.”
“Oh my, are you sensitive to these things because you’re an elf? Yes, I love Rent more than anyone in the world♡”
“But… aren’t there any… fights over love?”
“Hehe, I know you’re worried, but we all get along well, so there’s no need to worry about that. Besides, Rent loves all of us, so no one feels lonely.”
“Is that… so?”
“Yeah.”
Honestly, it’s hard to understand.
I don’t think it has to be one-on-one like Lyfa, but… it’s strange that there aren’t any fights when there are multiple women involved.
While I was pondering this, Noah and Lyfa’s spar ended.
“Hey, Gracia! You’re up next!”
“It’s our turn. Please take care of me.”
“Yeah, you too~.”
Ms. Ninya and I faced each other in the center of the training ground where Lyfa and Noah had been.
I drew my sword from my waist, and Ms. Ninya grabbed her spear and got into position.
“Hey, can I ask you something before we spar?”
“What is it?”
“Are you… the type who likes men’s attention?”
“…? I don’t understand the intention of your words.”
“Oh my, are you a natural? Then… why are you wearing that outfit? Even as a woman, I think it’s quite daring♪”
Ah, that’s what she was asking.
“…This is an outfit optimized for magic. I don’t have any intention of attracting men’s attention.”
“Hmm~ I see. You have breasts as big as mine… and the same level of exposure, so I thought we might have the same hobby. What a shame~.”
“…Ms. Ninya, do you like men’s attention?”
“Hehe, I’m a half-elf and half-succubus, so I really like that kind of attention?”
“Half…”
I thought she was an elf, but to think she was a half-succubus.
I ignored her comments about my outfit because it would be rude to argue about it, but Ms. Ninya’s outfit is quite… provocative.
To think that it was to attract men’s attention…
As a martial artist, I couldn’t look at it very favorably.
But I didn’t say anything.
It was just a matter of personal taste.
So, let’s focus on this spar for now.
I took a deep breath and focused my mind on the spar with Ms. Ninya.
“…”
Ms. Ninya also seemed to understand my intention, and the playful atmosphere instantly changed to that of a warrior.
A quick change of pace.
That alone was proof that Ms. Ninya in front of me was a formidable opponent.
Ah, I was really looking forward to seeing how skilled she was…
“Hup!”
And I charged towards Ms. Ninya first, and the spar began.
◈
The spar with Ms. Ninya continued for 20 minutes.
Her dazzling spear techniques deflected my sword several times.
And the sharp kicks that came in between were enough to make me sweat.
A simple spar where we didn’t go all out.
But that only meant we weren’t using skills.
In the realm of a spar using pure physical strength, Ms. Ninya and I were both going all out.
Ms. Ninya showed the skill to lead my attacks and add feints.
Of course, I used all my experience and the techniques I learned from my father to break through all those intentions.
But the match with Ms. Ninya was not easily decided.
Even when I broke through all of Ms. Ninya’s feints and launched a fierce attack, Ms. Ninya seemed to be in her element, not giving an inch in the sword and spear fight, and even pushing harder as if she could do it in even closer quarters.
I was used to close-quarters combat from my spar with Lyfa, so I was able to deal with Ms. Ninya’s counterattacks.
As this situation continued, the match was not easily decided.
“Haaap!”
“Haaat!”
Finally.
“Oh my, it’s a draw.”
A situation was created where Ms. Ninya and I stopped with our spear and sword pointed at each other’s necks.
I sheathed my sword and said to Ms. Ninya with a refreshing feeling.
“That was a good spar.”
Honestly, it was the most fulfilling spar I’ve had in the past month.
Ms. Ninya also put away her spear and smiled at me.
“Hehe, but you seem to feel like it was lacking? Gracia… you haven’t even started circulating your magic properly, have you?”
“…You knew.”
“I know a very~ strong older sister who can use that method♪”
“And you, Ms. Ninya, didn’t use magic to enhance your body either.”
“If we both used it… it would be a little dangerous, wouldn’t it?”
“I agree.”
Both Ms. Ninya and I were still immature, with room to grow.
If we used magic at the same time, not just a pure physical spar… there was a high possibility that we wouldn’t be able to control ourselves because the spar would be fun and exciting.
If the opponent was overwhelmingly strong… if they were not at a level that could be easily suppressed even if we went all out, we could be seriously injured.
“Hey, Gracia. I’m jealous. You’re having so much fun!”
Lyfa and Noah walked towards Ms. Ninya and me.
“I’m still far from enough! I’m sparring with you later!”
“Haa… we sparred as soon as we arrived in Pludan. Rest your body a little.”
“That’s why I said we’ll do it later.”
“Ahaha, sorry, Lyfa. For not being enough.”
“Huh? No, there’s no need to apologize, Noah! If you’re sorry, then get stronger and spar with me!”
“…Hmm, you like sparring even more than Ninya. Shouldn’t you find a husband first?”
“This is the adventurer city of Pludan, right? If I spar with a few good-looking guys for about a week, I’m sure I’ll find one!”
“Is it okay to choose a husband like that?”
“Of course, I’ll look at their personality too. It’s not just about strength. If they’re skilled and have a good personality, I can take care of the rest.”
“Oh, you’re surprisingly submissive?”
“My mother taught me to be submissive to a strong husband.”
“So, this is the Bridan culture…”
Listening to Lyfa and Noah’s conversation, Ms. Ninya smiled and asked me.
“Gracia, do you think the same as Lyfa?”
“I do want to find someone who will be my husband. And… since I was born and raised in Bridan, I would like my husband to be strong.”
“Hmm~.”
For some reason… Ms. Ninya’s eyes seemed to be appraising me like an object.
It was at that moment.
“Ms. Ninya, Noah.”
A man’s voice calling for Ms. Ninya and Noah was heard from outside the training ground.
Looking in the direction of the voice, there was a muscular man with a sturdy build and height, green hair, and blue eyes.
Noah smiled brightly when he saw the man.
“Ah, Rent!”
Rent…
So, that man is the Dungeon Crasher…?
I had heard about him from the adventurer Kizal, but he had a gentle face… a gentle atmosphere compared to his build.
A man with that kind of impression… is the strongest S-rank adventurer in Pludan.
“Oh ho… that guy is…”
Lyfa was already starting to show a belligerent smile.
Ms. Ninya approached the Dungeon Crasher with Noah and asked.
“Oh my, weren’t you not coming to the Adventurer’s Guild today?”
“Well… I was at the shop with Miranda when League came and said that Noah and Ms. Ninya were sparring with some adventurers they had never met before at the training ground. I was curious, so I came with a clone.”
“Is that so? But the spar is already over.”
“Really?”
“Yeah! Ah, Rent, come here! Those two are them!”
Noah grabbed the man’s hand and approached us.
“Rent! This is Lyfa and Gracia! They came from Bridan to meet Rent!”
“From Bridan?”
“I’m Lyfa Tizan! So, you’re the famous Dungeon Crasher! You’re big, but… you seem a bit more gentle than I thought?”
“I’m Gracia Locke.”
“Ah… hello. I’m Rent.”
The Dungeon Crasher… no, Rent, bowed politely.
Despite having the title of the strongest, there was no arrogance in his attitude.
“Those two came to see Rent and to find a husband in Pludan!”
“To find a husband?”
Rent tilted his head, not understanding the situation due to the sudden explanation.
“Hey, hey, let’s put that explanation off for later! Hey, Dungeon Crasher!”
“Ah, the nickname is long, so you can just call me Rent.”
“Then Rent! Let’s spar! Show me how strong you are!”
“Lyfa, even if the person himself has appeared, you’re being too hasty.”
“But unlike you, I’m not enough! Rent has appeared like this! If not for this opportunity, when else would I spar….”
Grumble grumble
At that moment, a loud signal of hunger came from Lyfa’s stomach.
A moment of silence fell.
Lyfa patted her stomach and tilted her head.
“…Was sparring with Noah more fulfilling than I thought?”
“Hehe, it seems like Lyfa’s feelings weren’t satisfied, but her stomach thought it had moved enough.”
Lyfa… that was embarrassing as a comrade.
“Um… I’m happy to spar anytime. How about we have a meal first?”
“Oh? Really? No take-backs? Hey, Gracia, let’s eat!”
With those words, Lyfa walked into the Adventurer’s Guild first.
Lyfa is too free-spirited.
“Haa… I’m sorry.”
I sighed and apologized to Rent.
“Hahaha, it’s okay. It’s natural to be hungry when you move around.”
Rent responded with a kind smile.
Just like the adventurer Kizal said, he seemed to have a good heart.
