The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
"Hey, Kanade. Long time no see."
"Yeah, it's been a while, Dad."
The reunion between father and daughter was surprisingly casual.
Like hugging, or raising their voices with excitement—
you’d think there’d be something more like that…
But it’s not like they had been separated by life or death, so maybe this is just how it is.
"Dad, why are you fishing in a place like this? Did you catch anything? Can I eat the fish?"
"The fish here taste better grilled, so can you wait until we get home?"
"Okaaay."
Kanade nodded, but her gaze never left the fish that had been caught.
There was even a bit of drool at the corner of her mouth—she looked like she wanted to eat it right away.
…Will she be able to hold herself back?
"By the way."
Furi turned his gaze back toward me.
"Would you mind if I meddled a little?"
"Huh?"
"It looks like something’s troubling you. If you’d like, could you tell me about it?"
He said that with a gentle smile.
It was like he was easing away my guard… or quietly stepping into my heart.
Even though we had just met, there was something strangely comforting about him.
As expected of Kanade’s father, I suppose.
"Um… in that case…"
Since the opportunity was there, I decided to talk.
I explained how I had come to the village of the Cat Spirit Tribe for training,
but things weren’t going well, and I couldn’t break through the wall I’d hit.
I summarized everything briefly.
"Hmm, I see."
"Maybe I shouldn’t be rushing… but without any real results, it’s hard to stay calm."
"Nyaa… I think Rain has gotten really strong, though."
"Thanks, Kanade. But…"
It’s true that I haven’t been able to break through that wall.
At this rate, I might end up regretting things again.
My companions might even get hurt.
I absolutely want to avoid that worst-case scenario.
That’s why I want to become stronger.
"Still… what should I do?"
I couldn’t find an answer.
It felt like I had wandered into a maze with no exit.
"I see… if you’d like, how about sparring with me?"
"Huh, with you, Furi?"
"Yeah. What do you think?"
"...Alright, please."
Right now, I was willing to try anything.
If Furi was willing to help, I wanted to take him up on it.
Furi handed his fishing rod to Kanade and stood up.
I also set mine aside and faced him.
"Yeah, not bad. Just standing here like this, I can already feel your strength, Rain-kun."
"Furi too… this is incredible."
It felt like I was facing Suzu.
He looked calm, but there was no doubt he possessed tremendous power.
In that regard, he and his wife were exactly alike.
"I’ll focus on defense and evasion, so attack however you like. Ah, magic is fine too."
"Understood."
I didn’t think something arrogant like what if I overdo it?
Facing him like this, I could tell—
Furi was far stronger than me.
On par with Suzu.
If I was going to challenge him, I had to give it my all.
Holding back would be disrespectful.
"Here I go!"
Thirty minutes later—
"Haa… haa… haa…!"
I was breathing heavily, hands on my knees.
Meanwhile, Furi still wore a gentle smile.
"I can’t believe I couldn’t land a single hit…"
"Rain, don’t feel down! Dad’s just a little weird!"
"Kanade… that explanation hurts me too."
At his daughter’s blunt comment, Furi slumped his shoulders.
But only for a moment.
He quickly returned to his calm smile and looked at me intently.
"Rain-kun, you’re very strong. Not just in power—you can make split-second decisions, and they’re very precise."
"But I couldn’t reach you at all, Furi."
"I can’t afford to lose to someone younger just yet."
"Dad, you get way too carried away for your age. Don’t go hurting your back again like that time you tried to show off to Mom during a hunt."
"Ugh…"
Faced with his daughter’s sharp stare, the father faltered.
"W-Well, putting that aside…"
"You’re dodging the topic, nya."
"...Putting that aside."
Kanade, maybe go easy on him.
"I think your combat techniques are already well-developed, Rain-kun. Of course, you still have room to grow, but that’s more in terms of physical ability. As for fighting style, there’s not much I can teach you."
"I see…"
"However, if I were to give one piece of advice, it would be this: you should develop your own ultimate technique."
"An ultimate technique?"
"If you have a move you can call your own ‘trump card,’ I think you’ll become dramatically stronger. Your tactical options will expand, and you’ll gain another ace. It’s all benefits."
That said, an ultimate technique isn’t something you can just create easily.
Furi seemed to understand that, and continued with more advice.
"For us, our ‘awakening’ is our ultimate move, but it doesn’t have to be an attack. It could be defensive, or even supportive. Also, rather than covering your weaknesses, it’s better to enhance your strengths. Take what you’re already good at and elevate it further… that’s the kind of ultimate technique you should aim for."
"I see."
It was incredibly valuable advice.
I couldn’t come up with anything immediately after hearing it…
but I felt like I had finally found a clue to breaking through that wall.
Comments
Post a Comment