Training, training, training! It’s time for a training camp!
Yeah, can’t miss this event. This is one of those, right? A protagonist power-up event?
I got beaten by a giant panda recently, so the world must be guiding me to power up, right? I get it, the world’s correction.
──Training camp event equals protagonist power-up.
But will it be sudden awakening, or developing a new technique on my own? There are various ways for a protagonist to power up. Which one will it be? Judging by past trends, probably the latter.
But I like the former too, so I’m fine with that.
While I was lost in thought, Ese and Kamase were beside me. I didn’t notice at all. Later, Arthur and the others swapped positions, and we arrived at the city Really!
What? Batsubatsu? Oh, what an unusual name. I remember a lazy Kakukaku and an old Magnum, okay, got it.
Quite unique names, I’ll remember them easily. Anyway, let’s start training already.
I was so eager to train that I couldn’t wait!
When Batsubatsu spoke in a strict voice, everyone else finally started to panic. It was like taking an exam without studying at all. I had been mentally prepared from the journey.
My high level of awareness. And the first training? Push-ups? Kind of plain. This is my power-up event, right?
I was expecting something more… intense. Like hopping around the field a hundred times with a hundred-kilo weight on my back.
Well, technically, rabbit hopping isn’t great for training. But I was expecting something way tougher.
Since I came in last, I had to do a punishment game. Controlling the stars magic is my challenge. Hopefully, I can figure it out during this camp.
As I was doing push-ups, Mr. Batsubatsu kept reducing the number. He said 200, but how many am I supposed to do? Fine by me! This is what I wanted!
Make it tougher! Push me to the brink!
I was disappointed! Just doing push-ups isn’t enough!
Let’s see which breaks first: my arms or your voice counting! Let’s do this!
Just when I thought that, old man Magnum told us to stop. What!? My arms are just starting to make those weird noises!
Push me until my arms fall off!
If we don’t train to our limits, there’s no point in being here! This is supposed to be a training event!
This camp isn’t hard at all!
Okay, let’s calm down. It’s still early. Let’s strengthen ourselves steadily. Next up is a weird rocky room. Do I just have to stay here?
…Oh, there’s a spider above. And the ceiling is really dirty. They should clean it better.
So, where’s the training? I looked around, but no one was there. Huh? And True left too.
What? This is the training? This is too easy! Make it harder!
Come on, get serious! I’m just going to do push-ups. This room is nothing.
I really don’t get it.
What? I’m banned from mock battles? And I have no place to stay?
Well, I kind of like the idea of being isolated and feeling special. Bring on the unfair treatment!
I practice my swings until nightfall. In the end, it seems training one-on-one with Master Yururu would have been better. Master Yururu really is amazing.
While I was swinging my sword, Mr. Kakukaku appeared. Huh? No talent, give up and open a flower shop? Harsh words. Normally, it might annoy me a bit.
But hey, we’re in a camp event. Bring on the unfair treatment even when I’ve done nothing wrong!
Well, I won’t give up because I’m the protagonist.
──Giving up is not an option for me.
After I said that, he left. I kept swinging my sword. I hope tomorrow’s training will be more challenging. Bring on the unfair treatment. I should rest for tomorrow.
It’s a bit chilly, but I can handle it. It’s like being in the fresh produce section of a supermarket.
Just as I was about to sleep, Arthur appeared!
What? You want to sleep in the same room? Sure, I’m cool with that, but sleeping with a girl… Whoa, he dragged me by the arm. Damn, how strong is his grip? Stop with the body enhancements!
Damn, I’ll give in this time… No, let’s say I lost this round. I’ll win someday.
Midway, I saw Arthur of Giant Panda Party making a speech to Alpha .
We reached the room. Well, I’ll just sit in a chair with my arms crossed and sleep coolly? But then Arthur started saying something. I’m not sleeping with you. Huh? Compromise…?
“If you sleep in the same bed with me, your recovery will be better. If you don’t, it means your commitment to training is that weak. Are you going to compromise, Fei?”
Compromise… Me… Compromise? No way! I never compromise!
Ugh! So frustrating! He always talks nonsense, but now he’s making sense and it’s pissing me off!
She looks so smug!
Damn… Fine, just this once.
I lay down on the bed because I can’t compromise. Arthur hugged me. What’s with this heroine act all of a sudden?
Her chest pressed against my back. Quite… ample.
I don’t feel anything special… But Arthur is cute, after all. She’s got a great figure… Maybe she’s not a Giant Panda rival ?
She invited me inside when I was outside alone, and offered to share bed because I had nowhere to sleep… Like a heroine…
Maybe I’ve been overthinking. Perhaps Arthur really is a heroine with feelings for me.
It’s not confirmed, but… I’m a cool guy. Arthur can be annoying, but she’s surprisingly calm, so we might actually be a good match…
I should consider the possibility of Arthur being a heroine. Tomorrow awaits, good night…
……
……
……
What’s this, it’s uncomfortable… What’s going on? Hard to breathe… I woke up to find Arthur hugging me tightly.
I’m suffocating… She’s strong! My bones might break!
She’s like a koala! A Giant Koala Panda!
No, this is dangerous. I almost got eaten. Pretending to be a heroine to devour me, she really is a Giant Koala Panda rival…
No, seriously dangerous. I almost got fooled by cute appearance. Right, both pandas and koalas look good but have sharp claws and are ferocious. Dangerous.
“Fei… Fei…”
He’s calling me sweetly, but I won’t be fooled, Giant Koala Panda. Arthur woke up, looking for something in her sleep.
“Fei, embrace me…”
No thanks. But she lunged at me like she thought I was a tree. she hugged me tightly and fell back asleep.
She won’t let go… Fine, whatever. There’s training tomorrow, I’ll sleep… I fell asleep.
“Fei, oniichan…”
I think I heard something as I was dozing off, but it must have been my imagination.
◆
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On the second day, Fei woke up in Arthur’s room. He detached himself from her and got out of bed. He left the room, quickly walked through the girls’ dormitory, and started his usual practice outside.
That day, too, he wasn’t allowed to participate in mock battles. Nor the next day, nor the day after that.
The five-night, six-day camp came to an end. The sixth day was just for a debrief and return. Only one day left. Fei felt a growing frustration.
The mentally taxing rooms and practice swings were neither painful nor burdensome for him. They didn’t make him suffer or exhaust his spirit.
He didn’t come all the way here for something so boring. He pushed himself just as hard as always.
Fei felt isolated and frustrated by the lax training, but he kept swinging his sword.
Magnum, sitting in a chair and observing the mock battles, occasionally glanced at Fei. KakuKaku, also watching the mock battles of the new holy knights, sometimes looked at Fei too.
“How long will he keep doing pointless things?”
“…Who knows.”
Magnum muttered bluntly. Even among the veterans, he was a seasoned one, and it seemed something was lacking for Fei to overturn his evaluation.
“No matter how hard he tries, I have no intention of letting him join the mock battles.”
“Oh, about that. Can I spar with him once?”
“What? Changed your mind?”
“Not at all. I’ve always disliked his type. I just want to show him there’s no place for someone without talent beyond this point.”
KakuKaku had been hurling harsh words at Fei, intending to break his spirit and make him give up being a holy knight. But Fei never listened. So KakuKaku thought showing him the overwhelming difference in their abilities might do the trick.
“Do it outside training hours.”
“Yes.”
That was all Magnum said. He stuck to his beliefs. Those without innate talent should leave the order, sparing them from a futile death.
As the sun set, the holy knights, drenched in sweat and exhausted, finished their training and returned to the temporary castle. Relieved to be free from hell, they laughed while crying.
They felt a sense of accomplishment, having survived the ordeal. But Fei alone couldn’t help but feel frustrated. There was no point in coming here.
Still with plenty of mental reserves, Fei continued swinging his sword. KakuKaku approached him.
“You, come fight a mock battle with me.”
“Oh?”
The air seemed to freeze, as if time itself had stopped. Fei forgot to breathe for a moment. Fei’s pent-up frustration burst forth all at once.
“Of course.”
“Alright, let’s do it. We’ll use wooden swords—”
“No, use a real sword. I’ll do the same.”
“No way. This could end in more than just a simple injury.”
“That’s fine.”
“Fine, you seem pretty eager.”
Yawning, KakuKaku stood before Fei. Fei’s eyes gleamed like a starved beast finally getting its prey.
KakuKaku, aiming to show his superior talent, drew his sword lazily. Fei drew his sword and took his stance. The other holy knights, done with their training, gathered around to watch.
(Defeating him in front of this crowd… is that really a good idea?)
KakuKaku had a fleeting thought. He didn’t need an audience to prove the cruelty of talent.
“Don’t worry about it. Here is fine. I can’t wait another second.”
“I see…”
But the hungry wolf before him saw through his thoughts and insisted it was fine. He felt like he was facing a mad dog that couldn’t wait any longer.
“Well, okay. Come on, then.”
The battle began. The sound of their feet striking the ground was the signal. Fei swung his sword from above. Their blades clashed, then parted, only to clash again with sparks flying.
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So it was only when Fei heard the word comprimise did he understand.