Early morning before Whitey woke up.
Having some free time, I decided to head to the training grounds, following Sienna’s suggestion, and grabbed a wooden practice sword.
Sienna also went back into the mansion briefly to fetch her training equipment before returning.
“This is my weapon.”
As she stepped outside, Sienna pulled wooden throwing axes from her arms.
“That’s…”
“I made them myself for training.”
The small, short axes she displayed looked perfectly designed for one-handed throws.
Did she really make these herself?
They seemed quite intricate—she must be skilled.
“You’re quite handy.”
“To survive in the forest, you have to be versatile.”
“Impressive. Let’s have a sparring session.”
Throwing axes, huh?
I’ve been practicing with throwing knives recently, so sparring with her could help me decide whether to switch weapons.
We took our positions on opposite ends of the training ground.
As before, there were no guards around. Since the mountain range was sealed off, the city had become unsettled, and patrols were stationed elsewhere.
“This might be a bit dangerous since it involves throwing weapons….”
“Don’t worry; throw as you like.”
“Alright! You seem strong, so I’ll do as you say.”
With that, Sienna drew her practice throwing axes from her waist with both hands.
Despite her delicate and feminine appearance, the aura she gave off changed drastically when she wielded weapons.
A bit of a rough edge… Maybe it’s because she’s from the North.
“You can make the first move.”
I decided to let her strike first, given her age.
She looked to be in her mid-twenties at most—this could be interesting.
Then, without delay—
Whirrr!
Before I even finished speaking, an axe was already flying toward me.
Thwack!
I quickly raised my wooden sword to deflect it and was slightly taken aback.
It was fast—much faster than expected, even with the distance between us.
And—
Whirrr! Whirrr!
Two more axes were already speeding toward me.
…I can’t afford to let my guard down.
Whoosh! Thwack!
I twisted my body to dodge one and deflected the other.
“Huh!”
Sienna’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You’re really strong.”
“I just eat and train, that’s all.”
“Wow… I didn’t think you’d block them so easily.”
“Well…”
Whirrr!
Mid-conversation, I dodged another axe flying toward my back.
“What! You even avoided that….”
“That’s amazing. How did you master that throwing technique?”
The axe I had dodged earlier seemed to have looped back to fly toward me from behind.
It was an impressive display of skill.
“…You’re dodging so easily, though.”
“I have good instincts.”
Still, those axes are dangerously precise.
If we ever faced each other in real combat, she’d be a formidable opponent.
Especially since Sienna usually fights in the forests of the North.
Dodging axes flying between the trees would be nearly impossible.
Thwack!
“Oh, another one!”
But on another note, she’s thrown quite a lot of axes already.
Since I’ve deflected most of them, she probably hasn’t had a chance to retrieve them.
She must be running low by now.
“Phew… It’s been a while since I faced someone who could block this well.”
But then—
Sienna hurled another axe before launching herself toward me.
Close combat? Does she think she can manage?
Clang!
I deflected the incoming axe and focused on the charging Sienna.
Wham!!
She leaped high and brought her axe down with surprising force.
How could someone with her frame produce such power?
However—
Whoosh-
I redirected her axe with my wooden sword, her strike sliding off its edge.
She’s still lacking experience in close combat.
“Huh.”
As I deflected the axe, Sienna’s stance crumbled.
I moved my practice sword toward a vital point to signal the end of the sparring session when—
Thwack!!
With unbelievable flexibility, she twisted her body mid-fall and spun around.
Using the momentum, she crossed her two axes in an X and swung them at me.
Well, her quick thinking is commendable.
But this leaves her open to an easy counter.
Exploiting my longer reach, I prepared to kick her in the abdomen.
But then a thought struck me.
She’s a guest, and soon she’ll be training Whitey. It wouldn’t be right to kick her too hard.
Instead, I raised my foot and gently pressed her stomach to push her back.
“Huh?!”
Sienna’s axes sliced through empty air as her body was stopped in its tracks.
Moments later—
Thud!
She stumbled and fell backward onto the ground.
Pointing my wooden sword at her, I declared.
“I’ve won.”
“Yes…”
“You did well.”
“You’re saying that after completely beating me?”
“I mean it.”
I really did.
Would she be willing to help with my training in the future?
Her throwing skills were exceptional—unlike anything I’d encountered before.
I needed to prepare more thoroughly for ranged techniques.
“By the way, can you use Aura?”
“…Not yet.”
“Are you training for it?”
“Yes, I’ve been practicing with a breathing technique an elder in my village taught me.”
So she hasn’t unlocked Aura yet.
Still, with her fundamentals, she could learn it quickly once she awakens.
I can’t help but wonder—how powerful would her axes become if infused with Aura?
“Would you like me to help you?”
“Really? Wait, you’re an Aura user?”
“It’s been a while.”
It had been quite some time since I first awakened my Aura.
Now, I’ve mastered the basics well enough to call myself a fully-fledged Aura user.
“But… you look about my age.”
“I’m just a bit ahead of the curve.”
My age, huh?
Judging by Sienna’s appearance, she might assume I’m younger than her.
Still, if she thinks we’re the same age, I don’t mind.
Most people never guess I’m still in my late teens.
Anyway—
“In return, teach me your throwing techniques.”
“Huh? Throwing techniques?”
“Yes. I use throwing knives, but axes seem like a promising alternative.”
I picked up one of the wooden training axes from the ground.
It felt light since it was made of wood, but real axes would be heavier.
“Throwing them without proper technique feels inefficient.”
Whizz—
I hurled the axe at a dummy standing at one end of the training ground.
Thud!
The axe embedded itself squarely in the scarecrow’s chest.
“Whoa… You’re already good at throwing.”
“But it’s slower than your throws.”
It’s hard not to covet Sienna’s throwing technique, especially with her axe spinning through an evasive trajectory.
“You’re quite greedy, aren’t you?”
“It’s my only hobby and specialty.”
In a world devoid of entertainment, what else is there to enjoy?
You live for the thrill of growing stronger and fighting.
“Well, I’ll share some tips with you later.”
“Thank you.”
And so, I secured a promise to learn from Sienna.
With training finished, I took a quick shower and returned to the doghouse, where Whitey was still fast asleep.
…How long does he plan on sleeping?
Well, considering his usual wake-up time, it’s still within his schedule.
After roughly towel-drying my hair, I headed to the yard and sprawled out on the grass.
The sun was about to rise—time for some photosynthesis.
It’s one of my favorite parts of the day, lying there and enjoying the cool breeze.
“What are you doing?”
A shadow fell over my face, and there stood Sienna, fresh from her shower as well.
“Photosynthesizing.”
“Just lying here like this?”
“Yes, it feels nice. Why don’t you lie down too, Trainer?”
“Oh, um, sure. Right here?”
Sienna plopped down on the grass next to me as I suggested.
…She really just laid down.
Well, sunlight is good for you, after all.
Though winter is approaching, it’s still pleasantly cool here since winters aren’t too harsh.
“Rain, what’s your plan for later?”
“I’ll keep doing this until the afternoon, then train again.”
“Is that your daily routine…?”
Sienna seemed shocked at the idea of lounging for hours.
Well, I suppose it’s not exactly a normal human lifestyle—completely unproductive.
But it’s something I can afford to do because of my unique position as her ‘puppy.’
Still…
“It used to be like this every day, but now I also travel to the Kaine Mountain Range.”
I’ve been taking on more responsibilities lately.
Once today’s rest is over, I’ll need to head to the mountains tomorrow.
“Oh, the Kaine Mountain Range… wait, isn’t that place sealed off?”
“I’m going there for investigation purposes.”
“Even so, is it okay to enter the mountains?”
“Not usually. But I’m part of the investigative team, so it’s fine.”
As I said that, I stood up.
Speaking of investigations, I need to pick up the buff coat I sent for repair yesterday.
Thanks to the mansion maids’ skills, repairs are always quick and well-done.
“In-investigative team? But aren’t you a slave?”
“Think of me as more of a servant.”
Even I think I’m closer to a servant than a slave. Not the mansion’s servant, but more like Lowell’s personal one.
“Since I’ll be heading out tomorrow, please take good care of Whitey for me.”
“Oh, sure… When do you usually return?”
“Usually at night or the next morning, but…”
This time, it seems like I’ll be stirring things up to find the main camp, so I might not return for a day or two.
“Tomorrow’s investigation might take a bit longer.”
“Oh, okay…”
“Don’t worry too much. If I’m late, just make sure Whitey doesn’t get too upset.”
Last time I was gone for three days, he sulked so much. But with Sienna here now, it should be fine.
“Well then, I’ll go pick up my coat.”
Later, I retrieved my repaired buff coat from the maids.
Keng…!
“Whitey’s awake?”
“Yes! He came outside earlier.”
When I returned, Whitey was up, and I spent the rest of the day watching Sienna train him in the yard.
And so, the day passed.
The next morning, after a well-deserved rest, I joined the first team of the mountain reconnaissance unit to resume the investigation.
