I Decided To Abandon My Family In My Seventh Life (Dropped) - Chapter 13: Training Session

Chapter 13: Training Session

“Hn…?”

A slight sense of breathlessness and a delightful aroma tickled my nose, rousing me from slumber.

It seems I fell asleep just like that.

But, what’s pressing against my face…!?

“Uhh, whoaahhh!?”

Upon realizing its identity, I involuntarily let out a loud scream.

I-I mean, could this really be Melza’s, b-breasts!?

“Ah… fufu, good morning.”

Melza, with a drowsy expression, slowly opened her eyes, smiled, and said.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

Regardless, I offered my earnest apologies with my head hung low. 

To think I not only ended up sharing a bed with Melza but also… pressing my face against her chest…!

“No need to apologize. More importantly, I apologize for making you feel cramped in this narrow bed.”

“N-No, it’s me who should apologize!”

As Melza lowered her head, I lowered mine even further…

“…Pfft!”

“…Ahaha!”

In this amusing situation, we both burst into laughter.

“Fufu. Anyway, you haven’t had any meals since yesterday, have you? You must be hungry. Let’s have breakfast right away.”

“Uh, y-yes…”

Getting up from the bed, Melza rang a bell.

“Good morning, Miss.”

“We’ll be having a meal together now, so please prepare something.”

“Will you dine in your room?”

“No, we’ll go to the dining hall.”

“Understood.”

After offering a respectful bow, the maid exited the room.

“Um, well, I’m really sorry to bother you, but…”

“?”

With a bashful expression, Melza fidgeted nervously.

… I wonder what’s going on?

“Uh… I-I need to change my clothes, so if you could please wait in another room for just a little while…”

“Oh, right! O-Okay!”

“Ah…”

Finally realizing the situation, I hastily dashed out of the room, completely unaware of Melza’s attempt to say something.

“Fuuh… Now, where am I?”

It seemed I had gotten lost within the vast mansion.

… Anyway, I should try to find someone.

Thinking this as I walked down the corridor…

“Haha, did you sleep well?”

The voice that greeted me belonged to none other than the Grand Duke.

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

I hurriedly lowered my head.

“Hmm, good morning. But what brings you to a place like this? Mel is not with you, it seems…”

As he spoke, the Grand Duke looked around inquisitively.

“… Well, you see, Melza—or rather, Meltreza-sama—was changing her clothes, and I hurriedly left the room, only to get lost…”

“Haha, I see. In that case, care to accompany me for a bit?”

“Uh… Sure…”

Unsure of the Grand Duke’s intentions, I responded vaguely.

“Good. Then, follow me.”

And so, led by the Grand Duke, I stepped outside of the mansion.

“Is this… the training grounds?”

“That’s right. Let’s see… given Hugo’s stature… here, this should work.”

The Grand Duke picked up a training wooden sword leaning against a stand and handed it to me.

“Um…?”

“Haha. Come on, don’t be shy. I thought we could work up a sweat together since we’re here.”

“I-I see…”

It seemed like the Grand Duke wanted me to join him in his training. 

But when it came to Grand Duke Woodstock, he oversaw the martial aspects of the Saunzankrein Empire and was already quite advanced in years, yet still renowned as the strongest warrior of the empire.

It’s an honor, but I’ve only trained in assassination techniques. 

If I were to show that, the Grand Duke might be disappointed…

“Come on! Don’t hesitate to come at me!”

With both arms spread wide and a smile on his face, the Grand Duke issues the challenge.

I have no choice, huh…

I lowered my stance and positioned my right hand on the hilt.

“Interesting… you’re quite skilled.”

The Grand Duke showed an impressed expression as he looked at me. But… haha, he has no openings.

Just by standing face to face like this, the vast difference in skill between him and the knight captain I killed, or even Kenneth, becomes apparent.

“Here I come!”

I charged forward, closing the distance between the Grand Duke and me.

“Hah!”

I shifted my body left and right, trying not to give away my target, and aimed to strike his shin… but wait!?

“Hmm… an assassination technique, huh?”

He effortlessly deflected my attack, as if swatting away a twig.

“Gah!?”

Struck on the back with the hilt, I fell to the ground.

“Ah…”

“Haha. Your movement is good, but it’s not suitable for someone like you, Hugo. From now on, I’ll teach you what true martial arts are. Now, get up.”

I hesitantly took the offered hand and got up.

His hand was large, rough, and powerful.

“Now… come at me!”

“Yes!”

And so, time and time again, I attacked him, only to be knocked down by the Grand Duke and sent tumbling to the ground.

Each strike was forceful, stern, and made my body ache with pain.

… But.

“Huh!? W-What’s wrong!?”

“Uuu…!”

I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face.

Seeing me in that state, the Grand Duke rushed over, clearly concerned.

“Hugh!”

Oh no…Even Melza found out about this…

“Grandfather! Just what did you do to Hugh!?”

“W-Well, I don’t know… I was simply training Hugo…”

Melza’s anger and the Grand Duke’s confusion were evident. 

But… it’s obvious I would end up in tears like this.

The Grand Duke was genuinely trying to train me, and he gave me such harsh, sharp, yet heartfelt and warm strikes…