Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

With light steps, Christian glanced at where Liana and Aira were as he returned to the waiting room.

“So, aunt, what expression are you going to show… huh?”

As he had expected, Liana’s gaze, which was staring intently at him, revealed both surprise and displeasure.

But then…

“Why are you glaring at me too?”

Christian quickly turned his head due to the piercing stare directed at his face.

“Did I make a mistake?”

Perhaps he should have only displayed his abilities to Garcia appropriately.

However, since wave was quite noticeable, it was unavoidable, and given his current physical state, he couldn’t operate the wave discreetly enough to hide it.

Whatever had happened, it was already done. Future problems would have to be handled by his future self.

“Well done, my son!”

“Huh? I lost, but you seem happy?”

Contrary to Christian’s expectations, Neria greeted him with an overly bright face.

Christian tried to recall whether he had accidentally won inadvertently.

“I’m sure I lost, though.”

Neria smiled broadly as she looked at Garcia, who was still standing in the center of the training ground, and Liana, who was seated beyond him.

“No, my son won, didn’t he?”

“I won?”

“Didn’t you push Sir Garcia—a man whom your haughty and prideful, money-obsessed aunt sent with great expectations—to his limits? Look at her face! She seems to be reverting to her original age no matter how hard she tries to look young.”

“Well, that is…”

For some reason, although there were no insults, it felt like there were insults laced within the words.

Neria, however, was undeterred by her son’s reluctant demeanor and expressed her joy wholeheartedly.

“My son, when did you grow so much? Mom was genuinely surprised. Well, even Milly was shocked, and everyone here was too.”

Although the event was hosted by Liana Worden, Christian had a significant number of supporters from Neria’s faction present.

Of course, there were also knights who followed Neria, and they were shocked as they watched Christian corner Sir Garcia.

Even with a mana tool that restricted his mana, it was a remarkable feat to push someone like Garcia using only his own talent.

“Well, about this…”

Amidst the admiring gazes and comments like ‘Amazing, young master!’ and ‘You’re impressive, young master!’, Christian felt a bit overwhelmed but played along.

“You truly are remarkable for demonstrating such prowess against the brutish Sir Garcia.”

“Ha! This much is nothing.”

“Are you feeling alright? Oh dear, right now…”

“Oh, this is nothing. A soak in a potion, and I’ll be back to normal in no time.”

“Incredible that you’re unfazed by such injuries! Your resilience is truly outstanding.”

“Well, these aren’t even worth calling injuries.”

Ah, how long had it been since he’d received such compliments?

He’d always been regarded as lacking by his master, but now he basked in the admiration and concerns mix in the expecting gazes.

While Christian was indulging in the compliments, Neria asked with a guileless face.

“Huh? Why is my son’s nose heading towards the sky?”

“No, it’s nothing, mom.”

“Alright then, let’s get you treated quickly. Milly! Do you have the potion?”

“Yes! It’s ready here, lady Neria.”

“Alright. Here, Chris. Hurry and drink it.”

As Milly handed over the potion she had prepared, Neria promptly took it and gave it to Christian.

Respecting his mother’s sincerity, Christian accepted it without much hesitation.

“Potions really are great. But I can’t get addicted to them…”

If one relied too much on potions, it would become a problem when none are available to treat wounds.

One needed to become somewhat accustomed to pain, to keep a clear mind in battle despite injuries, ensuring they could continue fighting to the end.

After confirming the completion of Christian’s treatment, Neria let out a sigh of relief and took her son’s hand.

“Let’s go!”

“Huh? Where are we going?”

“Where else?”

Neria grinned and looked in the opposite direction. There, Liana was leading her affiliates away from the training ground.

‘Hmm. It seems like it’s not the right time to go.’

As Christian hesitated, Neria urged him on.

“We need to go collect the money!”

“N-Now?”

“Yes! If you’ve made a bet, you should have prepared the money for losing, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“And if anyone knows who the winner of the bet is, it’s your Aunt, wouldn’t you agree?”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Neria’s statement. Even Liana and her faction would have no objection to the fact that Christian won the bet.

“For that reason, we must go collect the money!”

‘Why does it seem like Mom is more excited about this? Could it be that there’s some money she hasn’t gotten back?’

***

As befits the residence of a family representing a local region, the Count’s mansion was large and spacious, with many rooms serving various purposes.

Among them, the second reception room was lavishly decorated to suit Liana Worden’s taste, unlike the humble preference of the family head.

She often enjoyed tea time in her tastefully decorated reception room, but at the moment, she didn’t appear to be in a good mood.

“Liana, you’ve seen firsthand how exceptional my child is, so you won’t argue otherwise, right? Here, it’s clearly stated in the contract!”

Neria Worden thrust the contract forward, her face exuding smugness as if she were collecting a debt.

Liana’s face naturally grimaced.

“If I intended to object to the contract, I wouldn’t have called you here in the first place.”

“Heh. You couldn’t have objected. My son soundly defeated Sir Garcia in front of all those people.”

“Your words are quite vulgar. Are you truly of the Ferda lineage? Watching quietly, you seem to act without regard for decorum. But, given your nature, you’d surely thrive even if expelled from this house.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Liana. But I think you would do just fine living alone somewhere. After all, it’s been more than ten years since you’ve been in separate rooms, hasn’t it?”

The two mothers exchanged sharp words with smiles on their faces, disregarding the onlooking…

“This is my first time watching my mom and your mom argue this closely, and it’s intense.”

“Really? They seem rather reserved today.”

“This is?”

It’s akin to assassins aiming for the vital points, only without daggers.

Seeing Aira’s calm demeanor, unlike his own apprehension, Christian could only sense that this house had even more problems.

Oblivious to the tense presence of their anxious children, the two mothers glared at each other, neither willing to back down.

‘One resembles a seasoned leopard, the other a sharp-witted street cat.’

Just watching this is intense…….

“Well, that’s enough goodwill for now, aunt. I believe I’ve shown you everything there is to see regarding this matter, haven’t I?”

“I acknowledge that.”

It was neither sarcasm nor begrudging acknowledgment. Truly, their decisiveness was reminiscent of a merchant family.

“Then…….”

“The period you will look after Aira is three months. If her development during that time is satisfactory, discussions to extend the period will occur; otherwise, the contract ends immediately.”

“Uh, that is…”

What is this? Could it be new contract terms?

This is an unfair contract…

“However, I will not interfere with any training you conduct on Aira. I will entrust all decisions regarding time, place, and training methods.”

“Then it’s certainly not bad.”

In truth, I hadn’t expected much from training with Aira. I had in mind the time she spent learning swordsmanship from her current tutor, Garcia. However, since everything would be entrusted for three months, it wasn’t entirely a bad proposal.

“Then, what level of growth would satisfy Aunt?”

Considering how tough the conditions were, it was clear there would be demanding expectations.

Christian looked at Liana Worden with a determined gaze.

‘Come on, what do you wish for.’

Whatever it was, Christian Worden was ready to push Aira’s master to the limit!

As she observed Christian, Liana Worden spoke.

“Body Activation.”

“…”

Body Activation was not something Aira, who had only just begun to sense mana, could achieve in a mere three months. Knowing this, Aira felt flustered and was about to voice her concerns. But Liana Worden signaled Aira to remain silent and spoke to Christian again.

“Is it too much of a strain? If so, you don’t have to continue.”

“Th-that’s… oh, it’s c-certainly challenging, but with effort… yes. If Aira just tries, somehow…”

“…”

He was smiling. Christian was desperately trying not to laugh, attempting to convey his uncontrollable joy to the world without overtly smiling, convincing himself he wasn’t.

“… You should never become a merchant.”

“I have no plans to.”

“My child excels in everything!”

Neria, unable to tolerate hearing ill words about her child, even if insults were exchanged about herself, shouted suddenly. Paying no heed to her, Liana fixed her gaze on Christian.

“Anyway, it’s not that difficult, so there’s no problem.”

“You’re brimming with confidence.”

“Body Activation, huh…”

“…”

Body Activation? If it were such a simple task, there wouldn’t be so many who despair and crumble at its threshold.

Doubtful but restrained, Liana didn’t add further comments since she had seen something firsthand. From her perspective, success was great, and failure was insignificant.

“We’ll draft a separate agreement for that later, but for now, with this current contract, can I make a financial request?”

“Speak. How much do you need?”

“For now, simply put…”

Christian grinned as he held up a single finger.

“Just give me 10,000 gold coins.”

“…?”

At those words, Liana and Aira widened their eyes and stared at Christian. Unlike the two women, Neria, who was lovingly gazing at her son, beamed and said with a radiant smile.

“… Our son must be crazy.”

Even a mother excessively doting on her son couldn’t help but criticize him in disbelief given the staggering amount he requested.

TL’s Corner:
Just 10k.