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For a brief moment, silence reigned. The child, sent flying by the shock of a flick to the forehead, lay sprawled in a corner of the training hall, eyes rolled back.

“Hmm, was that a bit too much?”

Sophia reflected slightly on whether she had gone overboard. Sensing her inner thoughts, Setanta chuckled and said, “You did just fine. That kid needs a good lesson in humility. Besides, he’s tougher than he looks. No harm done, so feel free to push him harder.”

“Push him, you say? But he seems to have already lost consciousness.”

“He’s just dazed from a proper hit after so long. I bet he even caught your earlier taunt. Look at that.”

Following Setanta’s words, Sophia turned her gaze to see Conra, now regaining consciousness, trembling as he got up. Clearly embarrassed, the boy clutched his bruised forehead and tightly shut his eyes.

“Ugh, damn it…”

Uttering words unbecoming of an 11-year-old, Conra opened his eyes wide.

“I might have been a bit careless earlier. It won’t be so easy from now on.”

“Hmm. Quite the talker.”

Amused by the boy’s trembling, Sophia couldn’t help but tease him, though she was slightly startled by her own actions. There was something about him that made it irresistible to provoke. He seemed like he’d be fun to have around.

Sophia raised a hand toward Conra, who immediately flinched into a defensive stance. Teasingly, she flipped her palm upward and wiggled her fingers, a clear taunt to come at her.

Though a light gesture, the timing made it feel like an outright humiliation to the recipient. Furious, Conra lunged forward, spear in hand.

His movement, closing a dozen steps in one, was indeed impressive. He had clearly mastered the Penna Erin’s signature footwork technique, “Salmon Leap,” with no wasted motion and a highly practical energy.

But Sophia remained unimpressed, even slightly disappointed.

“Haven’t you learned that the same approach won’t work twice?”

She spun around, aiming to flick his forehead again. But Conra wasn’t foolish.

“Hoh?”

Sophia let out a light exclamation of surprise. The spear thrust, seemingly straightforward, suddenly changed direction like a fish chasing prey. Moreover, she noticed a slight timing shift in the spear’s trajectory.

A clever technique indeed. She smiled, noticing how the boy subtly adjusted his grip on the spear mid-motion.

‘His spear skills are quite refined.’

Seeing talented young individuals was always a joy.

Watching the overflowing potential of the next generation motivated her to strive harder, ensuring she wouldn’t be overtaken. The younger generation saw their predecessors as walls to surpass, while the older generation viewed the younger as waves that might push them forward. Sophia believed this dynamic was the ideal mentor-student relationship.

‘So, I must teach him the bitter lessons of life to keep him from climbing too easily.’

Sophia shifted her stance, stepping back half a step before lunging forward with a deep stride. Her form seemed to ripple, and Conra’s spear passed through her like water.

‘An afterimage!?’

In reality, Sophia’s quick retreat and advance had misjudged the boy’s sense of distance, causing his attack to miss. It was a technique similar to Conra’s earlier spear skill, but to him, it felt as though his spear had cut through an afterimage.

Now positioned opposite the spear’s trajectory, Sophia raised her hand again. The familiar flick approached Conra’s forehead. The boy gritted his teeth.

‘Not again!’

In an instant, the young spearman bent his waist backward, using the spear as support to launch a kick.

Sophia, facing the attack aimed at her elbow’s pressure point, smiled even wider. Her arm moved subtly, and the next moment, Conra’s kick was caught neatly under her armpit.

“Another point for me.”

*Snap!*

A crisp sound echoed as the boy’s forehead was struck again. Sent flying once more, he tumbled into a corner of the training hall, his pride wounded as he sprang up like a coiled spring.

“Damn it!”

“Hmm. A bit foul-mouthed, aren’t you, kid?”

“Shut up!”

With a defiant shout, Conra charged again. Sophia, still with her arms crossed, faced him.

Several more crisp flicks echoed, each time sending Conra flying to different corners of the hall.

Conra challenged Sophia with all his might, using the spear and martial arts he learned from Setanta and the dueling swordsmanship from Kali. Despite his young age, his skills were indeed masterful.

But his opponent was simply too strong. Sophia, in her past life, had mastered nearly all martial arts on Earth and had redefined them in this life. She was a specialist in combating demons across the world. Her experience and skill were on a different level.

Seeing the boy visibly frustrated, Sophia casually remarked, “This isn’t much of a fight. Feel free to use Druid and Alchemist techniques. Maybe one of them will work.”

“……”

No response came. Instead, the boy’s body began to change. His pupils turned golden, his frame grew larger, fur sprouted, and his snout elongated. Soon, a sleek werewolf stood where the boy had been.

The werewolf spun his spear like a windmill before settling into a stance. Runes and alchemical symbols glowed on his body and spear, infusing the blade with alchemical power.

[Let’s go again!]

“Alright. Come at me.”

As Sophia responded, the werewolf’s spear struck the ground. Sophia instinctively recognized the move, similar to when Setanta struck the ground with his staff. She leaped into the air just as roots sprouted to grab her ankles, narrowly missing her.

But that was enough for Conra. The werewolf spearman dashed toward Sophia with incredible speed. Though his movements were slightly less refined than in his human form, his extended limbs and wild strength compensated.

Moreover, the Reverse Muscle Technique still applied, enhancing his speed and power. The ethereal muscles, though following the form of physical muscles, were fundamentally spiritual, allowing the technique to work regardless of his form.

Conra’s movements were faster, heavier, and more powerful. He knew that if he couldn’t refine his movements, brute force would be more effective.

The werewolf spearman twisted his waist and swung his spear with a heavy, club-like force. The impact would be hard to avoid, even for Sophia.

What he didn’t expect was Sophia’s extended airtime and that his speed was still within her expectations. Her foot landed precisely on his spear after his swing.

[What kind of full-armored person moves like that…]

Conra was stunned by her agility, defying the weight of her armor.

“If your attack fails, you should think of the next move. Who told you to lose focus?”

With that, another flick landed on the werewolf’s forehead, stronger this time. Conra was sent flying again, tumbling to the ground.

Even in his werewolf form, several more flicks echoed, each perfectly calibrated to Conra’s tolerance.

Finally, the boy’s spirit broke when the swelling on his forehead became comically large. He realized that no matter what he did, he couldn’t even make Sophia uncross her arms. Completely demoralized, he slumped.

As his transformation faded and he lay exhausted, Sophia approached and placed her hand on his forehead. Expecting another flick, Conra flinched and closed his eyes. Instead, a warm, soothing light enveloped him, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The pain and swelling on his forehead gradually subsided. Conra’s eyes widened in amazement, experiencing a cleric’s Light Power for the first time. Sophia chuckled at his childlike wonder.

“Good. I like this kid’s skill and determination. I’ll take him with me and teach him.”

“Hahaha, I knew you’d say that.”

“He’s still lacking. Please take good care of him.”

“If anything, I should worry about keeping up. I thought he was just a spoiled kid, but he’s a true genius. Teaching him will be fun.”

Sophia laughed heartily, ruffling the boy’s hair. Conra made a face but, recognizing the power dynamic, accepted the gesture.

“But first, we must ask the person in question.”

Sophia knelt down, meeting Conra’s gaze.

“So, tell me your thoughts. Your parents seem to want you to see the world with me. But know this: I can’t settle in one place. Traveling with me will be tough, and you’ll face many hardships.”

Conra’s expression turned serious. He asked, “If I follow you, can I become as strong as you?”

Sophia was delighted by his straightforward, warrior-like question. She smiled warmly.

“That depends on how I teach and how you learn. But one thing’s certain: you’ll become stronger than you are now.”

Conra pondered her words seriously. After a moment, he nodded firmly.

“I’ll follow you! From now on, you’re my master and teacher!”

“Good. Then, warrior Conra, kneel on one knee.”

Conra obeyed, kneeling. Sophia drew her sword and touched his shoulders and head with it.

“Though informal, the ceremony of a knight taking a squire is complete. From now on, you are my disciple and esquire, with duties and rights. Your duty is to diligently learn my teachings, act with wisdom and justice, and uphold the nobility of a warrior. Your rights are to request my teachings and to be respected as a knight’s squire. Remember this well.”

“Yes, Master. I will remember.”

As the ceremony ended, Setanta laughed heartily.

“Hahaha, today is a good day! A great master has met a talented disciple. As his parent, I must celebrate! I caught a large boar this morning. Though you have urgent matters, why not stay the night and enjoy a small feast?”

“That was my thought as well. The boy should properly bid farewell to his parents. If you’re offering a feast, I gladly accept.”

Hearing this, Kali’s face brightened.

“Thank you for your kindness. In return, I’ll bring out my secret wine. A masterpiece of Rotaringia alchemy. You must try it.”

Setanta’s eyes widened at Kali’s words.

“What, you’re bringing that out!? You flatly refused when I asked to taste it!”

“Oh, you? You’d drain the barrel in one go! I saved this wine for special occasions!”

“Ugh, hitting below the belt! Let’s settle this with a drinking contest!”

As Setanta and Kali bickered, Conra, exposed to their antics, covered his ears and shut his eyes in embarrassment.

Watching it all, Sophia couldn’t help but laugh heartily once more.

 

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