Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 107

Reincarnated Devil’s Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~

Chapter 107   The Greatest Teacher, the Strongest Disciple

Elsa Mama took charge of the coming-of-age party, and I couldn’t help but feel warm inside seeing the reactions of Saint Isha-chan and Sword Saint Ein-kun as they were surprised by the appearance of Fire Dragon Ballus and other elemental dragons, lured in by the delicious smell of food.

In the corner of the venue, I was sharing drinks with Gaius, deepening our friendship after a year apart.

“Man, Gaius, bringing such a beautiful lady with you. You sly dog!”

“Hahaha! Cut it out, Master! You’re embarrassing me!”

Perhaps feeling good from the delicious magic liquor specially made by low-class demons, he already had a flushed face, showing signs of being tipsy.

Hey, if he keeps drinking at this pace from the start, he’ll be too drunk to talk about the real topic before long. Looks like I’ll have to bring it up first.

There are two things I want to convey this time.

First, of course, is gratitude for guiding Ars this far.

Second is something I’ve been thinking about for a while now, the future with Amanda-san.

If Gaius prioritizes life with Amanda-san from now on, then unfortunately, he won’t be able to continue traveling with Ars. That’s something that both of us, who are starting to struggle to keep up with my rapidly growing son, should understand all too well.

“Gaius.”

“No, don’t say it, Master. I understand. …I understand what you want to say better than anyone else.”

“………… Yeah.”

I tried to bring up the topic right away, but it seemed like he had already understood everything I wanted to say from the beginning. It appears I’ve been a bit too meddlesome with this man, who, despite his rough appearance, is actually quite sharp.

Gaius is not stupid. I, his superior, friend, and even family, thought I understood that well. But when it comes to someone I like, I tend to be overly meddlesome.

…It’s a bad habit.

“Besides, the answer is already clear. After this Ars’s coming-of-age celebration, I’ve decided to travel the world with Amanda. We discussed and decided on this together. Thanks for everything, Master.”

“I see. That is indeed a wonderful future. As someone who has been there as family and friend, I’ll support you. And…”

I gently waved my hand and used a bit of magic to break a certain spell that was cast on Gaius.

The spell I destroyed, of course, was the slave contract.

Purchased as a top-grade combat slave from the slave trader Sebas-san eleven years ago.

To maintain the relationship of boss and subordinate, I had kept this magic contract intact until now.

But that ends today.

This man has served our family well enough and has left behind everything as a mentor to our son, above all else.

That’s why, precisely at this moment when the greatest warrior who has wielded his power for the sake of others is about to set off for himself…

No, precisely because of this moment, it seems like the perfect timing to abolish such a magic contract.

“Go and come back. From now on, wield your power for yourself, for Amanda, …and someday, for the child that will be born.”

“…Master… Yeah, leave it to me.”

“Yeah. And after a while, come back to visit. You and your child will be warmly welcomed.”

Finally, we clenched fists, confirming our friendship with each other.

The child of this great man and Amanda will surely become a wonderful person. Whether they become a hero, an adventurer, or something else entirely, I have a feeling it will come true.

“Well then…”

“Oh, are you leaving already?”

“Yeah. When it comes to settling things, it’s best to do it as soon as possible. So, I’m going to give one last parting gift to Ars as his mentor and then bid farewell.”

Judging from his figure holding a large sword and wearing the Ice Dragon gear, he’s probably planning to challenge Ars to a mock battle.

Of course, it’s impossible for Gaius to win against the current Ars, who has surpassed the realm of humans.

But as a mentor, there are still things he can do in such a duel.

It’s about experience, mentality, and such.

In essence, what Gaius is doing now is Ars’s graduation ceremony, as a mentor giving his final gift to his disciple who has become a person who can surpass himself.

Ars must have somehow sensed his mentor’s feelings. Seeing Gaius approaching solemnly, he prepared himself, ready to face him one-on-one.

The greatest mentor and the strongest disciple.

There’s a special atmosphere between the two, and those observing from the sidelines, like Hades, Saint Isha, and Sword Saint Ein, who have also received their master’s full teachings, silently watch.

Perhaps due to their mature sensibilities, Elsa-mama and Amanda seemed to have sensed what would happen on this day.

They smile with a sense of understanding.

“What’s going on? The hero and Gaius are facing each other, drawing their weapons. What’s about to happen?”

“Hehe. It seems you still don’t understand, Mermel. In a way, this is like a graduation test. You’ll understand someday, I’m sure.”

“Oh, I see…”

Though asked by the young girl, Chibiske, she seems somewhat unsure about the atmosphere. However, she seems to have received an answer that satisfies her, or maybe not, it’s hard to tell.

Anyway, it seems like an important event is about to begin, that’s the only thing that seems to have gotten across.

“Are you ready, Gaius?”

“Yeah. Well, it’s come to this. So, this is my final gift to him… ‘The preparations are…’ seems like there’s no need to even ask.”

Without needing to exchange words, they understand everything.

After all, Ars has been like a family member receiving warrior training every day since he was three years old.

There’s no need to explain every detail.

And amidst the tense anticipation of the onlookers, the first one to move was…

“Whoaaaaa!! Ultimate Warrior Awakening Secret Technique! Super Devil Bat Assaulttttt!!!”

“……!”

────It was Gaius.

Normally, it would be proper for the mentor, who is the superior, to yield the initiative. However, this was a graduation ceremony meant to clearly surpass such a mentor.

There was no longer any distinction between who was superior or inferior. Simply, they initiated the match with the first move to unleash their full warrior potential.

Swinging the Ice Dragon’s Greatsword I once forged with unparalleled skill, Gaius controlled it masterfully, displaying movements worthy of being called the pinnacle of humanity. Unconcerned about the recoil damage to his body, he activated his magic to the fullest and unleashed the unrestrained Super Devil Bat Assault with all his might, making it seem like it might be a fair match for a moment, but then…

“Thank you for everything, Gaius. As a mentor, as family, as a friend… I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you for always being my goal until the end…”

“Heh, it’s fine…”

Even the Super Warrior’s full-powered Devil Bat Assault was easily surpassed, as Ars demonstrated moves that went even further with the power of his golden eyes, with his Brave Blade pointed at Gaius’s neck.

As a final match, it was an unexpectedly anticlimactic conclusion. However, this victory was surely Gaius’s parting gift to Ars. The confidence and conviction born from this graduation ceremony, clearly surpassing his own mentor, will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for great growth in the future.

The warm and gentle atmosphere between the two master and disciple seemed to indicate that this ending was indeed the best and the finest.