“I have more magic power, but my body can’t handle it. Even if it’s little by little, I have to get my body accustomed to handling more power.”
Muscle, technique, and magic. Everything was out of balance.
If he trained hard enough, he would be much stronger than he ever was (which was three days ago).
The year following the great invasion was a year of desperation for Kyle.
All of this did come with a price. He had to resort to forbidden strength enhancing spells, secret medicine, and as a result of the repeated use of such methods, his body was tattered. Regardless of how much he rests, he most likely would have died within ten years.
Kyle decided his last goal in life.
A healthy, tan, and large woman who was about 30 years old had suddenly approached Kyle. She was suited up in a battered armor and was armed with a two-handed sword.
She’s in the same generation as Kyle’s mother Seraiya, but in a different sense, she was very young.
Her name was Leila. She was Kyle’s sword mentor and former gladiator herself. She was also Seran’s foster mother.
It’s a dangerous profession, but comes with tons of fame and glory.
After retiring 10 years ago, she had complicated relationships and decided to come to Rimaze and depended on Seraiya, and old friend.
She has a habit of wandering around, and anyone you knew it, she’d be gone. Her clothes were dirty, so you could tell she just came back from a ‘wandering journey.’
“You were killed at least six times. I counted. What kind of crazy demon have you been battling? If this was a real battle, you’d be dead in 5 seconds.”
Seraiya had been watching Kyle fight in the dim light.
“…It’s just my imagination. I just tried to think of the strongest enemy I could come up with. By the way, I wanted to ask, if you were to fight this enemy, how would you defeat it?”
“I see…That’s what I thought you’d do.”
“Anyways, I’m proud of you. You’re practicing even when I’m not around. I had a feeling you’re the only one that had something special and was worth teaching.”
In fact, since being mentored by Leila, Kyle’s skills grew even further.
“You still teach Seran though.”
Leila often said: Kyle’s a failing student, and Seran was the worst student.
The physical attributes haven’t changed much since Leila left for her “trip,” but his techniques were as if he had been building up on one experience after another.
He used to be like some dog who just sunbathed in the fields, but now, he’s a lion ready to fight.
Kyle decided that it was not a wise idea to try and fool an intelligent warrior like her.
No matter what happens, the stronger he gets, the more things he can do.
She really did look sick.
“People often say to shed a layer of skin. But you seem like you’ve shed four or five layers…Anyways, are you sure it’s just a change of heart? I sense there’s something more to it than just a little change in feeling.”
“…Did you eat any spoiled food? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I wonder what that guy is up to.”
A little into the distance, Seran and Lize were in the bushes watching the two.
“Even my mom knows that something’s up with Kyle. I still don’t know how he got so much more skillful all of a sudden.”
“Is it possible to become like that in such a short period of time?....But if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that Kyle isn’t possessed or anything. This is the real Kyle.”
“Yeah, in principle, nothing much has changed. It’s as if I haven’t met him in several years.”
“I can’t believe it’s the same guy who I took a piss with on an ant hill three days ago and said it was ‘flooding’.”
“Oh hey mom, I knew you’d see us here.”
“I’m back, Lize-chan. You’re probably the only one who greets me anymore.”
“And I see you still haven’t gotten yourself killed, stupid son. You better not have caused trouble to Lize-chan.”
Lize honestly reported to her.
Leila asked if the two were watching because they knew something was up as well, and the two simply nodded in agreement.
“I can’t believe it’s the same guy who said his dream was to screw around and live off whatever he inherits!”
Leila was hoping that the two would know the reason behind his sudden change.
“Well~ if there’s one reason a loser like that would suddenly change…”
“He got a girlfriend!”
“!?”
“Put more accurately, he now understands women. He must have matured, that bastard.”
But that wasn’t the case for the two youngsters next to her.
Seran’s fists were clenched. He was burning with rage.
“There are exceptions for everything! Nothing more evil that I know of.”
“But if that’s the case, who is his partner?”
Seran was looking at Lize the entire time.
“Either way, you’re right. That’s probably the only thing that can cause him to change this much. But damn, who could it be?”
Leila stopped Seran, who was about to say something to her.
“I can feel the animosity in the air.”
“Okay. Confess. Who is it?”
Kyle had his hands on his waist and was greeted by a punch in the stomach by a childhood friend.
“Ca..calm down…I kind of understand what you’re getting at, but it’s a misunderstanding! How did you even reach that conclusion!?”
“Those two never say anything meaningful. You know that girls our age aren’t interested in neither Seran nor myself.”
Before Kyle started slacking off, he was actually quite popular. Not anymore.
“Are you crazy? I wouldn’t commit such a crime!”
That was a girl that was close to Kyle, and Lize treated her like a little sister as well.
“Then...is….is it Leizel-sama?!”
“Are you kidding me?! She’s almost 100! Why is your impression of me so crazy!?”
“You don’t have to be that mean! That’s why at that time I’ll properly….”
“At that time? Properly?”
Of course, Kyle couldn’t tell her that she was the one.