第２６９堀：修行パートと一生懸命のプレゼント (Part1)
**Chapter 269: Training Part and a Heartfelt Gift**
**Side: Yuki**
The next day.
I relayed the outcome of yesterday’s duel to Taiki and Eoid.
““Ehh!?””
Both of them were properly shocked.
Well, Taiki had only just returned from his vacation, and Eoid was in the middle of his magic control training. Both of them wore dissatisfied expressions.
“Th-that’s a pain. And why am I being dragged into this!? Even if I’m a ‘normie’ with a partner, I’m only one person!! If that’s the case, why not just use you, Yuki-san, with your harem, and Eoid, the guy with the lucky pervert powers!?”
“Wait, that’s harsh, Taiki-san!?”
Yeah, Taiki started insisting on his innocence, just as I expected. As for Eoid’s cry, well, what Taiki said was true, so I couldn't really defend him.
“Give it up, Taiki. In the eyes of the loveless, you’re a ‘normie’ too.”
“Damn it. So to them, I’m just a normie too, huh… But why do I have to fight? There’s no need for me to go out of my way, right? You mainly want to see the results of Eoid’s training, don’t you?”
“Eh?”
Eoid seemed surprised, perhaps not having realized that intention.
…I really need to do something about his lack of perception; it makes me worry for Amanda.
“Well, that’s one of the goals. But Taiki, you haven’t achieved your goal yet, have you?”
“Huh? My goal?”
Oops, Taiki has gotten so used to academy life that he’s started feeling like this is just a honeymoon. I had no choice but to pull him aside and whisper in his ear.
“Taiki, the purpose of coming here includes finding wives for you. Of course, by me getting together with Cleena and Samantha, we’ve built a foothold for relations between our countries. However, that’s only through me and Weed. That won’t do for you, the Hero King Taiki.”
“Guh… So that means…”
“Naturally, I’ve already received the ‘OK’ from Airi. If you show off something cool on this stage, people will naturally gravitate toward you. Airi even intends to go around declaring that she’s fine with you taking concubines.”
“……No way. I just wanted to live a modest, normal life.”
“……I thought the same thing at first. But reality wouldn't allow it. Besides, this is a good opportunity for you, Taiki, who absolutely needs an heir. So, do your best.”
“……Yes.”
Taiki slumped his shoulders and muttered, seemingly resigned.
Well, it’s tough being the only one with a harem. It’s basically me saying, ‘Come on, join the club.’
“U-um, what about the results of my training?”
“Hm? Ah, exactly what I said. It’s a good opportunity to realize whether you’ve gained the strength to protect Amanda, right?”
“But it hasn’t been that many days since we started training…”
“I’m not saying you have to win, you know?”
“Eh?”
“This duel is a place for Eoid to confirm what he’s lacking. We’ve taught you the techniques of combat, but they are just techniques.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even if you have the techniques to fight, people can’t fight without a reason. Protecting Amanda—you should confirm that feeling during this duel. You can’t protect her just by being strong. If that were the case, Taiki or I could just do it for you. But it’s more than that. Eoid, you want to protect her, don’t you? In many different ways?”
“……Yes!!”
“Don’t worry about the win or loss. I don’t think Amanda’s feelings for you would waver over a mere duel, and if they did, then that’s all there was to it. But if you win, it’ll be a great trigger to confess your feelings to her, right?”
“I-is that so?”
“It is. Because it’s proof that you’ve gained strength. Or would you rather lose the duel on purpose because you’re afraid to confess? I don’t think that’s very fitting for someone who wants to be with Amanda.”
“Ugh.”
“Well, I understand you’re worried, but the preparations are already set. The rest is up to you, Eoid. I don’t know if another opportunity like this will come around. We won’t be together forever, after all.”
“……Yes.”
Even with everything set up for him, the person himself must be feeling very conflicted. I wouldn’t blame him if he chickened out, but Amanda and the wives would probably give him a massive booing.
In this world, dramatic confessions like in stories rarely happen.
But personally, I’d be grateful if Eoid and Amanda used this as a chance to officially start dating.
The rest will just have to take its course.
“That’s how it is. They seem to have their own preparations, so the duel is set for the day after tomorrow.”
Actually, the truth is that Ardes got beaten to a pulp, and the day after tomorrow is when he’ll finally be able to move again. They can’t train until the day of the event, mostly thanks to the training they received from the Academy President.
Whether she did it to help them gain real strength or just because she wanted to beat them up, I don’t know.
I don’t know how Ardes plans to gather people while he’s unable to move, but I hope the duel goes ahead as planned. Otherwise, the operation for Eoid and Amanda would be a waste.
“The day after tomorrow…”
“Yes, the day after tomorrow. Well, rest up tomorrow, but today, we’re going to do this thoroughly.”
“Eh!?”
Eoid looked surprised, but Taiki and I were the ones who were actually surprised.
In these kinds of classic battles, you’re supposed to train right up to the very last second!
Then, you gain new power, overcome a superior enemy, and engage in a heated, nail-biting battle.
Taiki and I must have been thinking the same thing, because our eyes met, and we nodded in unison.
““We’re going to teach you a finishing move!!””
“Th-that’s impossible in just one day!?”
Eoid shouted, but I couldn’t care less.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Besides, while I don’t want to be the one in the spotlight, playing the role of the mentor training the protagonist is fun for both Taiki and me, so we’ll enjoy it to the fullest.
“First, let’s get through the usual basic training.”
“Exactly. You must never neglect the basics.”
“……Yes. Understood.”
With that, Eoid began his run.
Not around the school building, but in the narrow courtyard where we could keep an eye on him, until we gave him permission to stop.
This was to prevent any lone attacks on Eoid, and also to train his own mental fortitude.
For a human, being forced to do something monotonous and meaningless forever is incredibly painful.
This kind of repetitive task is even counted as a method of torture.
Well, compared to digging a hole and filling it back in, or stacking stones only to knock them down, this at least doubles as physical conditioning, so it’s slightly better.
Also, when a person experiences something truly grueling, they won’t panic unless they face something even worse.
This is what people mean when they say, ‘Experience hardship while you’re young.’ Mistakes made when you’re young can be corrected, so you should gain various experiences and hardships while you can.
To put it simply, an adult man can walk without much trouble if he gets a minor scrape from falling down.
But that’s only because he got injured often as a child. He knows the extent of his own injuries and can grasp the situation, so there’s no need to panic.
Hmm, that’s a bit hard to explain.
Ah, right, like a P.E. teacher at school.
During class, someone breaking a bone happens quite often, doesn’t it?
Even if it’s not in your own class, you hear about so-and-so in the next class… and so on.