After leaving the True Martial Palace, Raon headed straight for the Fifth Training Ground.
'Are they training?'
Though the rest period hadn't ended yet, the sounds of exertion and swords slicing through the air could be heard from the Fifth Training Ground, suggesting they were practicing.
'Well, it is an enjoyable time for training.'
Now that they had become Masters and could express their movements exactly as they wished, it seemed the swordsmen would find training pleasurable.
-Only you find training enjoyable, you fool!
Wrath waved his hand dismissively, telling Raon to stop talking nonsense.
'Really? I still find it fun.'
It wasn't a lie. Every time he swung his sword, he could feel his own level growing, making training so enjoyable that he looked forward to it.
-That's why you're insane! You're the craziest human I've ever seen!
Wrath furrowed his brow, saying it seemed like half of Raon's brain was made of swords.
'That's not true. There are plenty of other strange people besides me. Like Balder, who we just saw.'
-Ah, that iron-headed fellow was quite extreme...
'And there's Merlin too.'
-Ugh, that madwoman...
He let out a low groan, seemingly unable to refute.
'See?'
After convincing Wrath, Raon opened the door to the training ground and entered. As he had sensed from outside, all the Light Wind division swordsmen were practicing swordsmanship in their own spaces.
"Oh? Division Leader! Are you just arriving now?"
Dorian ran up to Raon, grinning broadly.
"I ate well yesterday!"
He bowed his head, saying it was really delicious.
"Showing up after lunchtime, even the Division Leader gets lax sometimes. You need to shape up... Gah!"
As Krein was clicking his tongue, Martha smacked the back of his head, causing him to fall forward.
"Why, why did you hit me!"
He rubbed the back of his head, shedding a tear as if it really hurt.
"Is this guy you?"
Martha frowned as she looked down at Krein.
"This freak gets up at dawn to train, then comes here to train again!"
She shook her head, saying he must have already finished both dawn and morning training.
"Oh? You've observed all that. Your interest in the Division Leader is immense? As expected..."
"Just die!"
"Argh!"
As Krein snickered and teased Martha, she stomped on him with her boot.
"No need to watch. Even as a trainee, he was the first to arrive and the last to leave."
Burren shuddered, saying he nearly died trying to keep up with that schedule.
"I pride myself on my perseverance, but he was relentless."
He shook his head, saying he still broke out in a cold sweat thinking about it.
"I just slept..."
Runaan said she always slept soundly as she stretched with her fingers interlocked.
"We didn't expect anything from you. Sleepyhead."
Martha wrinkled her nose bridge in disdain.
"Come to think of it. Miss Runaan has long sleep times, so her training time is relatively short. But seeing that she's the strongest among the squad leaders, her talent must be incredible."
Dorian blinked his eyes, saying Runaan's talent was amazing.
"Hmm, now that I think about it. That does seem to be the case."
Burren acknowledged Runaan's talent, saying it seemed that way.
"Am I a genius...?"
Runaan made a V-sign with her index and middle fingers as she looked at Raon.
"Well, you are a genius."
Raon nodded with a faint smile, finding Runaan's self-praise adorable.
"More of a genius than Miss Rakshasa."
Runaan turned her gaze to Martha, slightly curling up the corners of her mouth.
"Eek..."
As the usually expressionless Runaan sneered, Martha's complexion flushed red.
"Genius my ass! If we really fought, I'd win!"
Martha drew her sword, saying they should fight right now.
"Challenging a genius?"
"You're not a genius!"
Runaan and Martha growled at each other with their foreheads pressed together.
"Oh! Is this a duel between Miss Martha and Miss Runaan?"
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Runaan's been winning lately, right? I wonder how it'll go this time?"
The Light Wind division swordsmen set up a temporary dueling area, smiling in anticipation of the long-awaited duel.
"..."
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the Light Wind division chattering in small groups.
'It feels like we've returned to the old days.'
Seeing Martha and Runaan arguing, Krein crawling on the ground after being hit, and Dorian providing supplies, it felt like watching the Fifth Training Ground when everyone was smiling before Rimmer's death.
Rimmer valued this place so much that he used "Fifth Training Ground" as the password for his personal safe.
It was reassuring to see his favorite Fifth Training Ground returning to its original state.
"Attention for a moment."
Raon clapped his hands to gather the attention of the rowdy swordsmen.
"You know we need to go to Sepia to return the Master's sword, right?"
He nodded, looking around at the Light Wind division.
"Yes. We're prepared."
Burren lowered his hand, saying he had finished preparations to leave at any time.
"You said this week. When are we going?"
Martha turned her shoulders, asking for the date.
"I was originally planning to go tomorrow..."
Raon twisted his lips as he examined the eyes of the Light Wind division swordsmen.
"But seeing your condition, I think we need to refine a bit."
"Re-refine?"
Dorian's lips trembled as if his animal instincts sensed danger.
"You've all lost a lot of spirit. If your eyes are this dull when we meet the Guardian, the Master will be criticized, so let's have a little session of hi-. No, let's duel."
Raon tapped his scabbard, smiling dryly.
"Y-you were about to say 'hit' just now, right? You definitely were going to say 'hit'..."
"So you want to go first, Krein?"
After nodding in agreement, he drew the Heavenly Drive with its scabbard and swung it down at Krein.
"Aaaaargh!"
Krein quickly drew his sword like a Master and took a defensive stance, but unable to withstand the power contained in the Heavenly Drive's scabbard, he fell to the ground.
"See. You can't focus."
"No, how could I possibly... Gak!"
As he tried to argue, he was struck by Raon's fist and fell backward with his eyes rolled back.
"Well, Krein is done."
Raon wiggled his finger, calling for the next person.
"Th-this isn't a duel, it's just violence... Eek!"
Dorian threw himself to the right as he muttered a complaint.
"Oh, is this the Mind's Eye?"
Raon chuckled while standing still.
"I-I was sure you were going to hit my thigh..."
Dorian blinked his eyes, wondering why Raon wasn't moving even though he had seen it with his Mind's Eye.
"Don't rely too much on your senses. Even with the Mind's Eye, you can't see everything. Just now, you were scared by my killing intent."
After giving clear advice, Raon struck Dorian's waist as he was about to dodge to the left again.
"Ugh!"
Dorian clutched his waist and rolled on the ground.
"You've definitely gotten weaker. It won't be enough with just a day or two. Next!"
Raon wiggled his finger, calling for the third person.
"Ah..."
"Ugh!"
As Raon waved his long fingers, all the Light Wind division swordsmen had the same thought. The madman had returned. Their complexions turned pale as they realized that the ghost crazy about dueling, who had been quiet for a while, had come back to the training.
-It seems the King's initial thought was correct...
Wrath shook his head as he looked at Raon.
-You are indeed the craziest human the King has ever seen!
* * *
After finishing a light duel with the Light Wind division, Raon entered the office.
"So this is where you were."
He bowed his head to the Gambling Monster, who was drinking with his feet up on the desk.
"You were killing the kids, so I just ignored it and drank."
The Gambling Monster muttered that it had been a long time since he felt at ease as he tossed peanuts into his mouth.
"Then shall I keep you company for a drink?"
"You're no fun."
He lightly waved his hand.
"That damn gambler was good at drinking..."
The Gambling Monster clicked his tongue briefly and downed the little alcohol that remained.
"Is that so? Then I guess I'll have to take this alcohol back."
Raon said it was a shame as he pulled out a golden bottle of alcohol from his subspace pouch. It was an expensive alcohol he had bought in the coastal city as a gift for the Gambling Monster.
"Alcohol? What kind of... Huh? Ba-Barsian? How did you get such a precious thing!"
"I went to a tavern for a meal, and it looked good, so I bought it."
He shook the bottle, saying he thought the Gambling Monster would like it.
"Th-then hurry..."
"But you said you didn't want to drink with me."
Raon sighed as he pulled the alcohol back.
"Y-you don't get drunk!"
The Gambling Monster quickly shook his head, saying it wasn't that he didn't want to drink.
"How can I show my face if I pass out first!
He bit his lip, admitting he was actually afraid of losing in drinking.
"I'm just joking."
Raon smiled faintly as he handed the bottle to the Gambling Monster.
"Ooooh!"
The Gambling Monster opened the bottle as soon as he received it and flared his nostrils.
"This is it..."
He smacked his lips, saying he felt drunk just from the smell.
"Well then..."
The Gambling Monster tapped the glass clean and slowly sipped the alcohol that sparkled like a sunset-tinged sea.
"...It's good. Aged just right."
He closed his eyes in satisfaction, sinking deep into the chair.
"Would you pour me a glass as well?"
Raon took out a glass from the cupboard and held it out.
"It's a waste to give it to someone who doesn't even get drunk."
The Gambling Monster clicked his tongue briefly and poured alcohol into the glass.
"Thank you."
Raon smiled and downed the alcohol in one gulp. His expression involuntarily scrunched up at the strong alcohol that burned his throat.
"Here."
The Gambling Monster pushed forward the bowl of peanuts, telling him to eat some snacks.
"It's bitter. I guess I'm really not suited to be a drinking companion."
Raon chuckled as he ate a peanut. He still didn't understand the appeal of alcohol, but right now he wanted to share even one more drink with the Gambling Monster.
"Don't worry about it, I'm just joking."
The Gambling Monster chuckled, saying that just having someone present is enough for drinkers.
"Thank you."
Raon put down his glass and bowed his head to the Gambling Monster.
"Thanks to you holding down the fort, it seems the kids have found some stability."
Even after Rimmer's death, the Gambling Monster continued to come to the Fifth Training Ground, absorbing the sorrow of the swordsmen who came here.
It must have been hard for him too, but Raon was grateful that he had taken on everyone's emotions.
"...Did that guy really leave with a smile?"
The Gambling Monster furrowed his brow as he poured alcohol into the empty glass.
"Yes. He left with a bright smile, without any regrets. I think it's because he trusted you."
Raon nodded, smiling.
"...You and that guy are really troublesome."
The Gambling Monster chewed on peanuts roughly, saying he was annoyed.
"Since you're annoyed, I have one more favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"Yes. It's an important matter."
Raon bowed his head as he looked into the Gambling Monster's eyes.
"From now on..."
* * *
"Sister. When swinging a sword, you shouldn't grip it too tightly."
Raon gently loosened Sia's fingers gripping the wooden sword.
"Use just the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. That way you can move the sword according to your will."
"Okay!"
Sia swung the sword with a relaxed grip as Raon advised. Though her aura didn't move at all, a sound of air being torn apart erupted, and a sharp sword wind split the lake. This was possible because she still retained the body of a Grandmaster.
"Wow! That feels great!"
Sia grinned, saying it felt good.
"Well done."
Raon nodded, telling her it was impressive.
"Now you'll be protecting this house. Can you do it?"
"Yes!"
Sia nodded, saying to leave it to her.
"But aren't you going to protect it too?"
"I'm going to see off the Master for a while."
"Master?"
She blinked her eyes as if unfamiliar with the word.
"It's someone who made me a better person. He also helped me meet you."
"Then I want to greet him too!"
Sia raised her hand, saying she wanted to give her greetings as well.
"I'll let you meet him later."
Raon smiled slightly, saying now wasn't the right time.
"Okay. I understand."
Though she didn't fully comprehend, Sia seemed to sense something from his expression and stopped, nodding her head.
"Then I'll protect the house! Come back quickly!"
She straightened her back proudly, saying she would guard the annex.
"Thank you, sister."
After saying he was counting on her, Raon approached Sylvia and Edgar, who were sitting at a table in the garden.
"I'll be going now."
"Alright. Be careful as always."
Sylvia nodded as she held his hand.
"Send him off well."
Edgar looked at Rimmer's Leaf Sword stuck in his waist with bitter eyes.
"It's a shame I can't go with you."
Merlin, who was drinking tea between Sylvia and Edgar, sighed briefly in disappointment.
"Is that so..."
Raon chuckled as he looked at Merlin's sparkling eyes.
-What nonsense!
Wrath deeply furrowed his brow.
-That madwoman will definitely follow us!
He lowered his eyebrows, saying she would definitely follow, though he wasn't sure what kind of animal she was.
'I agree...'
Raon nodded, chuckling. Though Merlin said she was tired and would rest, she would definitely follow.
'By the way, where did Lust go?'
Given that she hadn't appeared at all, it seemed she had completely lost her way and moved in a different direction.
'Can't she sense the energy in this bracelet and find her way?'
-No. That fool would sense it on the right and go left.
Wrath muttered not to worry about it, saying one Merlin was troublesome enough.
'To that extent...'
However, Lust hadn't revealed her identity, and there were few who could beat her in terms of martial prowess, so there seemed to be no need to worry.
"Well then."
After saying goodbye to the three, Raon entered the Fifth Training Ground.
The Light Wind division swordsmen were already standing in formation in front of the platform. Raon climbed onto the platform with heavy steps.
"This is..."
He opened his lips as he looked at the swordsmen's eyes, sharpened like blades.
"Our last journey with the Master."
He nodded as he grasped Rimmer's sword at his waist.
"It's not just a simple farewell, but a time to organize our hearts, hoping that we can meet again someday in a different way."
"Yes!"
"It's also a path where we must show what kind of people we are, as left behind by him. Strengthen your resolve as if going to battle."
"We will!"
The Light Wind division swordsmen shouted a brief but firm answer with their hands on their swords like Raon.
"Then we depart."
Raon descended, passing through the center of the Light Wind division while emitting an intense aura. The Light Wind division swordsmen followed behind him, wrapped in sharp energy as if not to be outdone.