The place where the talented individuals of House Offensa come to train combat magic.

Now, the training ground specially modified for Noah’s exclusive use had finally opened.

“Alright, get ready, little ones.”

A quiet nod…!

“We’re ready!”

Noah and Mihail answered.

When I pressed the button on the magical tool, wooden mannequins holding swords charged at the two of them.

They were training dummies controlled by magic.

I watched the two little ones training through the glass window. Lynen stood beside me.

“The mannequins’ movements are smooth. Very similar to actual sparring.”

“Right? Our family’s training facility isn’t just for show.”

“But they should also prepare for opponents who use magic, not just swordsmanship.”

“Hehe. I’ve thought of that too. There are even magic swordsman mannequins.”

I placed my hand on one side of the training room control panel.

“But since we need realism, I’ve modified them to use extremely weakened magic rather than illusions. So I need to infuse a bit of magical power.”

After saying that, I was about to press the button to push in magical power, just like when I use my ability.

Letting the magical power overflow like this was less strenuous than when I forced it to move.

But a large hand gently pushed me away from the button.

“I’ll do it.”

Lynen immediately infused magical power into the device.

Then, inside the training room, a mage mannequin appeared to be the opponent for the two children.

I awkwardly glanced at Lynen and cleared my throat.

“Ahem. See? Training here will dramatically improve their skills in a short time.”

“It certainly looks useful.”

The mannequins’ skill levels automatically adjusted according to the trainees’ abilities. This allowed for continuous customized training.

“By the way…”

I turned my gaze toward something that had been bothering me.

It was Lynen’s hand holding mine.

“Can you let go of this now?”

It had been like this since before we arrived at the training ground. Even when I tried to pull away, he wouldn’t let go, so I felt like a child being dragged by a parent on our way here.

“I’m not a child. I rested all day as you wanted, so why won’t you let go?”

“Have you forgotten?”

“What?”

“Noah’s request not to let go of my hand. He said it helps the patient.”

Huh, look at this shamelessness!

“You’re completely healed now!”

“I’m still sick.”

“Stop lying!”

“I’m still a patient suffering from magical thirst.”

Ugh. How unfair to use facts against me.

“Besides, I can’t tell what kind of trouble you’ll get into if I leave you alone.”

“Trouble? Am I a child?”

“At least you have something in common with them.”

Lynen’s hand briefly let go before slowly intertwining with mine again.

His fingers, thicker and harder at the knuckles than mine, spread my fingers apart and burrowed deeply between them. Soon our hands were interlocked without any gaps.

He looked into my eyes and said,

“The fact that I need to keep you close to feel at ease.”

“……”

This, this moral book, how, how dare he?

Why am I increasingly at a loss for words in front of Lynen? It was truly frustrating and infuriating.

Unwilling to lose like this, I sneered mischievously.

“Hmph, do you like me that much? Need to hold my hand to feel at ease?”

“……”

But contrary to my expectations, Lynen gave me a strange look. He seemed ready to heave a deep sigh…

“You’re being self-conscious.”

“……”

“Just use your ability, please.”

This is annoying.

As I fumed and squeezed his interlocked hand, Lynen smiled slightly.

I threw his hand away.

“I won’t do it.”

“Are you sulking?”

“Who’s sulking? This is talent exploitation. If you want my ability, pay up.”

“How much would it cost?”

“Hand over your entire fortune.”

While Lynen and I were bickering with meaningless conversation, it happened.

CRASH!

“Who’s using my training ground without permission? Move aside!”

Startled by the sudden loud noise, I looked up to see someone entering the first-floor training room where the children were.

It was a sturdy teenage boy in his mid-teens. Behind him were other boys of similar age who looked like his lackeys.

‘But that boy’s face… looks familiar somehow.’

As I searched my memory, my eyes suddenly widened.

‘Wait, why is he here?’

* * *

“Who are you to use my training ground as you please?”

The boy who barged in was so muscular he could pass for an adult.

Even Mihail, who had a good build for his age, looked like an acorn compared to the boy.

But Mihail was a young master who had commanded the temple’s holy knights.

“And who might you be?”

The intruding boys hesitated momentarily at his skilled handling of the situation.

However, on one side were two acorn-sized kids.

On the other side were hulks with heads two or three sizes bigger.

The boys soon became cocky, and their leader sneered.

“I’m Dillen. Baron Gallard is my sponsor. And this place has been my training spot for a while.”

“…This place has been rented by Lady Calliphe for the duration of the martial arts tournament.”

Noah said quietly.

Dillen snorted.

“Oh, really? But is it right for all of us to suffer because of just you?”

“…!”

“I heard you’re an orphan too, but now that you have a great noble backing you, do you think you’re a noble yourself?”

He had heard that Calliphe’s sponsored child was a timid kid. Dillen provoked the child’s guilt based on the information he had received from Baron Gallard.

“It’s really unfair. Powerless people like us always have to suffer. Isn’t that right, guys?”

“That’s right! It’s unfair!”

“This is tyranny!”

“……”

Noah’s composed expression wavered.

At that moment, Mihail grabbed Noah’s shoulder.

“Noah, don’t waver. These guys are also sponsored by nobles in the first place.”

“…But for us to use this place alone…”

“That’s not a problem either. Because the family agreed to everything from the beginning, which is why we were able to modify it. Besides, there are other training places. Everyone else has moved there.”

“Hey guys, did you hear that?”

But determined not to let Noah regain his composure, Dillen shouted to his lackeys.

“They say we should step aside! If it’s this unfair before the competition even starts, isn’t the outcome already decided?”

“That’s right!”

“Cowards!”

Dillen and his gang surrounded Noah and Mihail, jeering at them.

Under that pressure, even Mihail became slightly intimidated.

Noah proposed a compromise.

“…Then let’s share it.”

“Share? And what if we cause harm to the direct line’s precious sponsored child? Will we all be punished?”

“That won’t happen.”

“How can we believe that?”

Dillen shouted. He raised his sword and pointed it at Noah.

“Let’s decide with a match instead.”

“A match?”

“Yes. A sword match. The winner gets exclusive use of this place. Isn’t that fair and square?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! You’re older than us, how is that fair and square?”

Mihail protested, but Dillen’s gang immediately countered.

“What’s the difference? Dillen is also participating in the youth division of the martial arts tournament.”

“What?! That’s absurd!”

Noah, who had been observing the situation, nodded.

“Alright.”

“Hey, are you serious? This is disadvantageous.”

Mihail tried to dissuade him, but Noah gripped his wooden sword tightly.

“I’ll fight.”

“That’s more like it.”

Dillen grinned maliciously.

“Wait, Noah…!”

Calliphe, who had left the observation room, hurried to intervene.

But Noah had already made up his mind and was glaring only at Dillen.

“I’ll win. I can do it.”

Noah also felt that his swordsmanship skills had improved dramatically. Especially when facing the training mannequins.

‘I can do it.’

Although he had been feeling frustrated lately, it seemed like beating this person would resolve everything.

Above all, it was an opportunity to prove himself to Lady Calliphe.

“Then ready— begin!”

The match began as Dillen’s subordinate gave the signal.