Volume 2 Chapter 36: Farewell to the Old Me

In the underground training room of the mansion, we were ready to begin.

The room, with its sturdy walls, floor, and ceiling, felt like a vast metal box. It was clear that no matter how intense our sparring got, we wouldn’t cause any damage here.

I didn’t know they had a training room. It’s impressive how miners constantly work on their skills. As someone who’d rather live a lazy life, I realize I’d never survive as a miner.

When I said, “Let’s step outside,” I didn’t expect to end up here. Embarrassing.

“Alright, you can use weapons, Magis Armor, tools—whatever you like. The first one to land a blow wins, and I’ll step in at that point. Noil, Mina, are we clear?”

Standing between Carat-san and me, El placed a hand on her forehead, sounding almost troubled.

A bit farther away, Sophie was watching in case things got out of hand, and beside her, Tialué, now recovered, stood with his usual sparkling smile, striking poses now and then. Fiona, still under the effects of “I Love You” and asleep, was absent.

“Fine by me. So, I just need to get one hit in, right? I’ll make sure it’s a killer blow.”

“…Without actually killing him. That’s why we have rules.”

El shrugged, watching as Carat-san bounced on her toes to loosen up, then turned to me.

“Noil, are you good with this?”

“I’m fine.”

I nodded at El’s question.

In fact, this setup worked in my favor. It raised my odds of winning compared to a regular fight. Plus, I didn’t want to hurt Carat-san. After all, she was the victim of a rather unfortunate incident. I just wanted her to acknowledge my strength.

I hope she’ll recognize it… although, now that I think about it, what if I lose here? That would be humiliating.

Feeling a pang of anxiety, I opened the pouch on my belt to check my supply of mana bottles.

Incidentally, this pouch was mine, but the clothes I was wearing were provided by Sophie. Somehow, they fit perfectly, just like my usual clothes. Why does the mansion have a change of clothes for me?

“Alright, start whenever you’re ready, and don’t go overboard.”

Distracted by these trivial thoughts, I snapped back to reality at El’s words. She stepped back to rejoin Sophie and Tialué.

I faced Carat-san, who pointed at me and made her declaration.

“If I win, you and your group are out of here immediately. I’ve already gotten El’s agreement.”

“Wait, really?”

That sounds great. Wouldn’t it be better if I lose, then? In fact, I think I’ve already won.

The world feels so kind to me right now.

“Actually… you look way too pleased with yourself, so I’m changing my mind.”

Carat-san’s face contorted as I tried to hide my excitement. Drat, did my face give me away? Where’s my trusty poker face when I need it?

“In that case… if you lose, you’ll be my slave and punching bag for life, and that annoying woman has to leave.”

“Wait, that’s terrible!”

Damn it! The world isn’t so kind after all! What did I do to deserve this?

But even so…

I didn’t plan to lose. Though my odds might not be high, I wasn’t about to let myself lose.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke up.

“If I win, I want you to acknowledge me as your equal.”

“…That’s infuriating.”

After a brief pause, Carat-san muttered in irritation, her voice growing louder.

“Infuriating, infuriating, infuriating! You and that woman! And even El is acting weird! Why does it feel like I’m the bad guy here?!”

“Carat-san, you’re not in the wrong. I can vouch for that.”

Truly, you’re just a victim here.

Dragged into an unfortunate incident, harassed by a troublesome junior, abandoned by a friend, and now dealing with my demands—she had every right to be angry.

Inwardly, I felt sympathy and guilt. I’d let her hit me to her heart’s content later—so long as Fiona doesn’t find out.

Yet, my reassurance only seemed to make her more irritated. The world really is strange.

Carat-san clenched her teeth, glaring at me as her shoulders shook.

“You’re mocking me… I was going to go easy on you, but now…!!”

With tears welling up, she lowered her stance and shouted, her frustration clear.

Following her lead, I raised my right hand in preparation.

“Magis Armor—Black Nail!”

“Magis Armor—Guardian!”

A set of black gauntlets with claw-like extensions materialized, covering her hands up to her elbows, and black knee-high boots replaced her usual footwear.

I’d never seen her Magis Armor back in our academy days; maybe she’d used it before, but I was usually preoccupied with the fishing pond.

Around me, ten semi-transparent, glowing shields floated in the air.

Not that I was nervous. Really.

I just needed to gauge her current strength. I might have grown since our academy days, but Carat-san’s strength was still a mystery.

Judging from her Magis Armor, she seemed like a fighter who preferred close combat. Doesn’t look like we’ll get along anytime soon.

Beastfolk tend to have poor mana control, and as a half-beastfolk, she likely designed her Magis Armor to suit her strengths. Most likely, she’s optimized for pure hand-to-hand combat.

“A flimsy shield again? You really haven’t changed at all!”

With that taunt, Ms. Carat charged straight at me.

Coming directly at me seemed like she was underestimating me, but her speed was beyond what I’d anticipated.

I merged all my shields, forming a protective barrier around me.

“…!”

Her eyes widened briefly in surprise, then narrowed as she threw a punch that struck my shield with tremendous force.

“What…?!”

A high-pitched metallic sound echoed, and Ms. Carat’s surprise was clear. She couldn’t believe her attack had been blocked. But I was the one truly astonished—her single blow had caused a crack in my shield, which should have withstood much more.

“No way…”

Granted, this shield form had a weaker defense, but it shouldn’t crack from just one punch. Her power was unreal.

“Tch…!”

She clicked her tongue and leapt back, putting some distance between us.

I separated my shields, preparing to control each of the ten independently. Originally, I’d planned to hold a defensive position, but with this intensity, I’d be broken through in no time. I had no choice but to shift my strategy and align my shields to block each of her attacks.

As I braced myself, she charged again. This time, her expression was serious, and her movements were sharper. Suddenly, she changed direction, maintaining her speed as she circled around to my side, then darted toward me like a bullet.

She’s fast—but this…

I tried to move a shield to my side, then stopped. Her image blurred, and before I knew it, she was descending from the ceiling at incredible speed.

I gathered all my shields above me, forming one large barrier. The impact was so heavy it nearly forced me to my knee, accompanied by a sharp metallic clang.

“Guh…!”

But there was no time to rest.

Seeing her attack blocked, she immediately began darting across the room, using the floor, walls, and ceiling in complex maneuvers, aiming to exploit any gap in my defenses. Cracks began appearing in my shields with each successive impact until she finally stopped.

“Hah… hah…”

“What happened to you after leaving the academy?”

It had only been a brief clash, yet I’d lost count of how many attacks I’d blocked. Her agility was astounding, and I’d expended a significant amount of mana.

Meanwhile, she didn’t appear fatigued at all, watching me with a mixture of frustration and admiration.

“It’s like you’re a different person… what happened to you?”

“Hah… hah… well, I’ve been working in hell, you might say…”

I forced a laugh and quickly downed two mana bottles.

“There’s a place called White Road if you’re interested. You could take my spot.”

She clearly wasn’t interested in hell. What a pity.

“This ends now. Beast Step!”

Lowering herself into a crouch, she adopted a stance like a predator eyeing its prey. Her back arched, tail raised, and her eyes shone with a fierce light.

This… doesn’t look good.

“Defend yourself with all you’ve got. Otherwise—you’ll die!”

With her words, she sprang forward with a crackling burst of sound.

It was a straightforward charge, yet stripped of all excess—a pure, concentrated blow. Barely able to react, I instinctively aligned all my shields in front of me.

An explosive metallic sound filled the air as her attack connected, and the intense force brought me to one knee. The shield, already weakened, shattered completely.

The shield that could withstand a dragon’s breath was broken by her single strike.

“Hmph… you really did manage to defend yourself. Well, nice effort.”

She looked down at me, raising her leg to deliver the final blow. This is it, then—a kick to end it. She really doesn’t hold back.

To be honest, I’d given it my all. She was far too strong, but I’d shown her my power, if nothing else. This had been enough.

So—

“Thank you.”

For some reason, I felt compelled to thank my own strength in a small whisper.

At that moment, her leg swung down.

“Huh…?!”

The next sound I heard was her surprised gasp.

She pulled back, her eyes wide as she stared at me, now cloaked in a dark hooded cape.

“I thought your only other Magis Armor was that one-use ring that leaves you knocked out!”

It was surprising she remembered Healer, but I said nothing, instead downing two more mana bottles and tucking them back into my pouch.

Thank you, Guardian. Now, take a well-deserved rest.

Because—now I can see the path to victory.

“Tch…!”

She clicked her tongue in irritation as she launched a fierce, deliberate attack with her Hunter ability.

But this time, I dodged her assault by the thinnest of margins, and her frustration was clear.

Guardian had taught me one thing—she’s unbelievably fast and strong.

But—

“The Manager is stronger than you.”

“What are you even saying?!”

As she unleashed a relentless series of attacks, I barely managed to dodge each one.

Her punches and kicks left no openings, demonstrating superb close-combat skill. There was no chance to counterattack, and even with my heightened senses from Hunter, evasion was the best I could manage.

But thanks to my observations with Guardian, I could at least dodge.

Hunter is also my most mana-efficient Magis Armor, and as long as I kept dodging, the mana drain remained minimal.

In a prolonged stalemate, I’d likely be at a disadvantage, but I suspected Ms. Carat would…

“Argh! Enough of this nonsense!”

As expected, she withdrew, taking a low stance with her limbs on the ground. Knowing her temperament, I’d anticipated this.

“Beast Step!”

I readied my bow, drew an arrow, and aimed. She smirked.

“Hah! You think you can hit me with that?”

“Won’t know until I try, right?”

I forced a cool smile, which made her scowl in annoyance.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

With a shout, she lunged. But her eyes flickered with brief uncertainty.

Because I’d deactivated Hunter.

Seizing her momentary hesitation, I activated Mage and hurled a magic bottle forward.

I can’t activate multiple Magis Armors simultaneously, but I’m quick at switching. It’s a skill the Manager suggested I develop—a technique that those who can multi-cast wouldn’t even need.

She stopped abruptly, eyeing the glowing bottle with suspicion. Her swift reaction was impressive, but it proved her downfall.

In the next moment, the magic bottle emitted a blinding flash right in front of her.

“Ugh…!”

As quick as she was, she couldn’t dodge light. Momentarily blinded, she froze, and I reactivated Hunter, throwing a dagger as I lunged forward.

One of Hunter’s strengths is stealth.

“Gah…!”

Despite being partially blinded, she managed to deflect the dagger, but my approach had gone unnoticed.

Quietly, swiftly—I struck her cheek with my fist.

It was a surprisingly soft, squishy sensation.

“Huh…?”

Her bewildered expression showed her confusion. Given Hunter doesn’t add any damage, it made sense she didn’t understand what had happened.

But—