The Author's POV

June flew by and July was nearing. Summer had already approached and the temperatures were starting to rise.

Inside of a training ground.

—Clank! —Clank!

The heavy sound of metal resounded across the room.

"Ren, cover me!"

Shouted Kevin as he quickly moved right of me. As his foot tapped on the ground, his body suddenly shot upwards.

"Huup—!"

—Swoosh!

Right as Kevin's foot touched the ground, I drew a circle in the air and pointed my finger towards a certain spot in the distance. In the same direction, Kevin was headed.

"Thanks!"

Twisted his body, Kevin quickly arrived before my ring. Putting his foot on the ring, he propelled his body towards the center of the room where a young girl leisurely stood.

"Haaa—!"

Arriving before Monica, Kevin let out a shout and slashed his sword down.

"Hmm, not bad…"

—Clank!

Lifting her sword with one hand, Monica easily blocked Kevin's attack.

"…but still not good enough"

BAAAM—!

"Guuuh—!"

"Khhuu!"

Casually swinging her sword and parrying Kevin's attack, Kevin was instantly pushed in my direction.

Because of how fast he was going, I wasn't able to stop him in time and we soon both crashed against a wall.

"Kuegh…this is so unfair"

I muttered as I laid down on the ground. My back hurt like hell.

"I agree…"

Supporting his body with one arm, Kevin weakly stood up. Raising his sword, he glared in Monica's direction.

"Oh, you're not done? I like your fighting spirit"

"Ren, stand up. It's not over yet"

"Ugh…"

Lifting my head, I let out a groan.

‘Damn it, I just want to lay down on the ground for another minute. I'm the one who took the brunt of the attack, not you!'

Why couldn't he let me rest?

Putting my hand on my knee, I stood up and stretched my neck. My eyes soon interlocked with Kevin's.

"Seriously?"

Without him even telling me what he wanted to do, I understood what he meant.

"Alright…"

"Good"

Nodding my head, I placed my hand on the grip of my sword. Kevin on the other hand raised his sword with both hands.

"Huuu…"

Taking a deep breath, I channeled all the mana inside of my body. A white hue shrouded my body.

Kracka! Kracka!

blue bolts of lightning that repeatedly crackled in the air. By my side, an empowering red hue expanded from Kevin's body. He was

planning on using your strongest techniques? Good, good, I

front, Monica's

—Swoosh! —Swoosh!

you

air as if showing off, Monica

"Ready?"

"Never been readier…"

became especially empowering, Kevin looked at me. Looking back at him,

"Let's go…"

as he

VUUUUAM!

powerful energy could be felt from the sword beam as

down with both hands on the sword, so

the fifteenth movement of the Levisha style. Not bad at

"Still…"

of the [Keiki

took a stance. Moments after, the

"Huh?"

sudden appearance startled Monica who for a second didn't know what to do. Taking advantage of the opening I

Monica was quickly able

"Not bad…"

and Kevin's attack, Monica smiled and

—Sha!

the side, to my horror, Monica

Monica casually swung her sword down and a small orange

—Craka!

if made out of paper,

"Haa…haaa…this is so unfair"

I got on my knees and took heavy breaths. On the other side of the room, Kevin slumped down

‘Damn it'

I knew that the gap between me and an [S] rank was huge, I didn't think it would be

Monica was treating us like children. She made it seems as though our most powerful attacks were nothing but child's play in front

"I'm impressed"

scar left behind

this strong. You guys were almost as good as me back when I was your

Monica's shameless boast,

you be

had designed Monica to be this way. If I had to complain, I could

"Here, take this"

direction, Monica casually threw

"This…"

book, I didn't think too much at first,

through its contents,

===

[★★★✰ Quick-slash style]

opponent without them noticing anything had happened. Created to replicate the Keiki style. After years of research, this sword art was

===

"Is this for me?"

trembling hands, I

since you need to hide your sword art, I decided to give you a little gift. The sword art is three and a half stars, but given the criteria,

her sword away,

"You don't like it?"

it. There's no

quickly shook

can I not like this? It's

was, the idea of someone trying to imitate his sword art wasn't

there were many sword arts similar to the Keiki style in circulation at the moment, but

was already a compliment. They were not even close to their real

This, however, was different.

visually it

‘That's right…'

sword art, I could now use the Keiki style whenever I wished without arousing too much

to the basic movements, this made

don't know what to

I am your instructor I'll naturally

Monica looked away. From the side, I could see Monica's ears turning red. She was

right, forgot she was weak

boastful and shameless appeared to be,

compliment was enough to set her

badly, I'm going to look bad so I must do my best to make you guys stronger

hide her embarrassment, in a stern tone Monica

no one actually knows you're

course, only in my heart. Had I actually said it out loud, given Monica's personality, I would be

looking forward to