The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
Although the encounter with Mona had caused some trouble, after that, we resumed training as usual.
Mona's objective was still nothing more than speculation, and Reinhardt's true identity remained a complete mystery.
There was no point worrying over things we couldn't understand.
That was the conclusion we reached.
And then another week passed.
We trained relentlessly throughout it.
"Myaan!"
Suzu-san, in her awakened state, charged at me.
As always, she moved at a ridiculous speed, slipping behind me in the blink of an eye.
But I couldn't keep losing forever.
"Jinrai!"
Using an instantaneous burst of super-acceleration, I evaded Suzu-san's attack.
At the same time, I dodged Shigure-san's strike as she swooped down from above like a hawk hunting its prey.
"Take this!"
"Oraaa!"
Milua-san and Rezona-san threw punches from both sides, attempting to trap me between them.
But these weren't ordinary punches.
Their blows were comparable to siege weapons.
No, they were even stronger than that.
Which was why I had no intention of blocking them head-on.
"Gravity Reversal!"
"Awawa!?"
"Oooh!?"
I reversed the gravity affecting the two of them, sending them into the air.
At most, I could only lift them about a meter, but that was enough to divert their attacks.
"Fireball Multi-Shot!"
I created as many fireballs as I could possibly manage and scattered them like rain.
Explosions erupted everywhere, kicking up clouds of dust.
People probably thought my goal was to block their vision...
But that wasn't my true objective.
My real aim was...
"Summon!"
"Eh?"
Without being distracted by the smokescreen, Suzu-san had been preparing to attack.
Right in front of her, I summoned a dagger.
Even Suzu-san couldn't help but freeze for an instant when a blade suddenly appeared before her eyes.
That brief opening was all I needed.
Using the power I had gained through my contract with Rifa...
I bound her with my Evil Eye.
Once her movements were completely halted, I thrust my fist in front of her face.
"..."
"..."
For a moment, we stared each other down.
Then—
"I surrender."
After a short pause, Suzu-san raised both hands.
"Very well! That's enough!"
"Yes!"
For this entire week, I'd been undergoing the absurd training of fighting Suzu-san and the others all at once...
And now, on the seventh day, I had finally managed to score a victory.
I was so happy that I couldn't help shouting in celebration.
"Not bad. I never thought you'd actually beat us."
"Hmm... I was trying pretty hard because Tania-chan was watching, but I can't believe I lost."
"Milua. Wanting to look good in front of your daughter is one thing, but that was a bit childish..."
One way or another, Rezona-san and the others acknowledged how much I had grown and praised me for it...
"Good work. You really did your best."
"...Suzu-san..."
"With this, you've achieved full mastery. Well, there's no actual certification or anything. It's just the atmosphere, you know?"
Suzu-san grinned mischievously.
"Not only did you master the technique called 'Jinrai,' you've also developed far more flexible and diverse tactics than before. Your growth over this past month has been remarkable, Rain-san. I have nothing left to teach you."
"Thank you very much!"
She had acknowledged me.
That alone made me incredibly happy.
I thanked her loudly and bowed deeply.
That night, a party was held to celebrate the completion of my training.
Not only Suzu-san and Fuuri-san attended, but many of the other Cat Spirit Tribe members joined as well.
They didn't seem to fully understand the circumstances, but apparently their attitude was:
"If there's a party, then we have to participate."
It felt very much like the cheerful Cat Spirit Tribe.
"Phew..."
After eating, drinking, and getting a little too excited...
I stepped outside to cool off in the night breeze.
Yeah.
The night air felt wonderful.
Maybe it was because this was the Cat Spirit Tribe village, but the air felt especially fresh and pleasant.
"Rain."
When I turned around, Nina was standing there.
Kuu sat atop her head, while Kuu's mother rested in her arms.
After everything that had happened, the two foxes had become completely attached to her and refused to leave her side.
Nina also enjoyed being with them, so this arrangement had become normal lately.
...Incidentally, Tina had been lamenting,
"My favorite spot got stolen!"
but that's merely a side note.
"Good work... today."
"Thanks, Nina."
"Kuu!"
"Kon!"
As if congratulating me, Kuu and Kou let out cheerful cries.
Kou was Kuu's mother.
Naturally, Nina had been the one to name her.
"Thanks to you two as well."
"...Wapu."
When I petted Kuu and Kou, both of them wagged their tails energetically.
Their tails brushed across Nina's face, making her let out a ticklish sound.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
"You see..."
It seemed she had something she wanted to say.
Nina fidgeted nervously.
Her three tails swayed restlessly, and Kuu and Kou's tails moved in sync with hers...
From the outside, they looked like a family, creating a heartwarming scene.
"Are we... going back soon?"
"Yeah, I think so. We've stayed in the Cat Spirit Tribe village for quite a while now... If we stay any longer, we'll just be imposing on them. Besides..."
I was also concerned about the movements of the demons.
Not that returning to Horizon would suddenly let me do anything about it...
Still, I wanted to be home so that I could respond if anything happened.
Besides, I'd accomplished my objective here.
"Do you want to stay here longer, Nina?"
"Um... it's fun, but... I think I want to go home."
It seemed she considered the house in Horizon to be where she truly belonged.
That made me very happy.
"Um... you know? I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"It's about... these two..."
Ah.
I immediately understood what Nina was trying to say.
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