Chapter 98
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The next morning, I tell Sensei about yesterday’s interaction with Purume and the dream I had for the third time.
There was a small argument with her, but it was entirely my fault, and she wasn’t to blame at all.
Despite this, Sensei ultimately encourages me by saying,
「When something happens, I’ll share the responsibility with you.」
Before resuming the Fog extermination, I immediately take action to prepare for what’s to come.
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「The materialized Fog has increased in number these past few days, hasn’t it?」
This is Diete’s line.
I agree with her on this point.
「Indeed. We’ve been encountering them more frequently too.」
At first, we’d encounter Fog maybe once a day, but now we see them multiple times daily.
It’s not uncommon to think, 「Again?!」 when they appear shortly after we’ve just defeated some.
Not only that, but it’s become the norm for materialized skeleton warriors and ghouls to appear simultaneously with the mist-like monsters.
According to Sensei, compared to last time, there should have been a bit more time before it got this bad, but the speed of this development was unexpected. She says it won’t be long before the Sealed Dungeon appears.
As Diete and I are discussing future plans,
「Big bro, did you see that?」
「Yeah, I saw it.」
Milo skillfully spins his spear, making whooshing sounds as it cuts through the air.
Behind him, multiple skeleton warriors lie scattered in pieces.
Although they’re not formidable enemies, it’s still impressive to take them out instantly.
「Please give me some advice!」
Milo, with his tall, slender yet supple and strong physique, wields his spear as if it’s an extension of his body. At this point, there’s nothing to complain about, but…
「I don’t use a spear, but I can still tell you this. At Milo’s level, what’s important now is to relentlessly pursue ‘Theory’ and ‘Intuition’.」
「’Theory’ and ‘Intuition’?」
「Yeah. ‘Theory’ as in reasoning.
How can you swing your spear faster than now? How can you deliver a sharper thrust? How can you move your body more ideally? There’s no end to the challenges for getting stronger if you think about it. But the secret to getting stronger is to always keep these questions in the back of your mind and search for the answers – that is, the ‘Theory’ – while you’re working on it.」
When I first left the castle and focused on exploring the Mirror Dungeon, I didn’t have a clear mentor, so I had to think for myself to get stronger.
A little stronger, a little further.
It’s because I never forgot this belief that I was able to steadily improve myself step by step.
「Hmm,」 Milo lets out a sound.
「As for ‘Intuition’, it’s hard to put into words, but—」
For some reason, I’m looked up to as a big brother.
I might as well show off a bit.
「I’ll demonstrate. Come at me like it’s the real deal.」
I draw Gram and take a stance.
Milo lets out a surprised 「Huh?」 for a moment, but he quickly composes himself and readies his spear.
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Milo’s expression grows tense.
I understand his feelings all too well.
When facing someone stronger than you, you can’t recklessly charge in.
An image forms in your mind that you’ll be taken down no matter where you attack, making you hesitate to strike.
The reverse is also true.
For me, countless images of how I could take him down spring to mind.
I feel that Milo has the potential to surpass even his father. And even now, he could be considered skilled by general standards. However, compared to where he aims to be, he’s still immature. In terms of ability, he’s at a level where he might be able to hold his own against the elite of the Royal Knight Order, let alone the Commander or Vice Commander.
「Aaaaaahhh!」
He lets out a beast-like roar and kicks off the ground.
It’s his signature move – supple, light, and powerful.
I sense talent in all his thrusts, slashes, and sweeps.
I cross swords with him, blow for blow, believing that he’ll understand what I’m trying to convey.
After continuing like this for a while,
「I yield…」
Milo collapses to his knees, drenched in sweat.
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「That unpleasant feeling that you’ll be taken down if you go in now.
The feeling that your opponent might be planning something.
Conversely, the feeling that you can win if you rush in now.
I call the collective vague, irrational sensations based on information gathered from the five senses ‘Intuition’.」
「Intuition…」
「To hone this, you need to consciously try to read some kind of information even during training.」
That’s how it was for me.
Every battle was always against someone far stronger, always desperate, always life-threatening.
「Ideally, you should fight against someone stronger. There are some things you can only grow from by deliberately putting yourself in difficult situations.
I’m sure your old man understands this too, which is why he always takes the lead in battle.」
Milo nods thoughtfully at my explanation.
Diete, who always stares intently at us when we’re talking, is also watching us with a look of understanding.
This situation might be—
「Oh, did I say something weird?」
I know it’s a bit of an exaggerated line.
It’s to hide my embarrassment, so cut me some slack here.
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The Fog extermination has become annoying enough with their increased numbers.
Then,
「Ah, rain.」
Diete murmurs.
A raindrop hits my forehead and trickles down.
「It’s here.」
The rain that was expected to start not too far in the future has now begun to fall.
Looking at the dull-colored rain clouds that have been storing up moisture for a long time, I let out a sigh.
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