THE ILLUSIVE SECOND MASTER
“Thank you for agreeing to this training, Mr. Cranell.”
“O-oh, no, please! The pleasure’s all mine!”
It was early morning, before dawn’s light had reached the tavern courtyard, when Bell and Lyu shook hands.
A few days after all the fuss at the casino had died down, Bell was making good on his promise. He had agreed to help Lyu with her training at the crack of dawn. At present, the elf was dressed plainly and armed with a wooden sword, while Bell held a blunted practice knife.
“I apologize for making you come out so early,” said Lyu, “and for acquiescing to my selfish demands.”
“N-not at all! I’m just glad I get to learn from a master like you!”
That wasn’t flattery. If Bell ever hoped to catch up to the one he admired, then opportunities like this were exceedingly valuable.
Come to think of it, Aiz has been training me as well. I guess that makes Lyu my second master!
Bell was tickled pink by the notion, but the smile on his face was met by Lyu’s serious expression.
“That’s the spirit…If I’m to catch up to Syr…then I must hold nothing back, either.”
“Huh?”
“I thought it would be useful for us to train alongside each other, but I’ve changed my mind. If we are both to improve, Mr. Cranell, we must practice sparring.”
Bell failed to keep up with Lyu’s sudden change of heart. By the time he noticed the unsettling mood that had descended over them, it was too late. The elf girl narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“…Here I come.”
Bell didn’t remember very much that came after that.
“Stand up. We go again.”
“What are you lying there for? Again.”
“The enemy will not stand still while you dawdle. Again.”
“Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.” “Again.”
When Bell finally regained his senses, he was lying on the cold, hard ground, beaten black and blue.
Miss Lyu’s training methods are pretty harsh as well…
There was no way a Level 3 boy could keep up with a Level 4 elf.
“…Perhaps I overdid it,” muttered Lyu.
“‘Overdid it’?” whispered Ahnya, watching on. “I think you purrty much killed him!”
Twenty seconds later, Syr walked in, saw Lyu silently standing over a battered Bell, and blew her top.
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