Chapter 41
* * *
At the same time, Morgan walking down the Training Hall corridor.
This boy suddenly felt a chill like cold water poured over him.
Thanks to Karhen's brainwashing fading a bit over time.
*'Why did I submit to Iri?!'*
Even if that kid's fist was insanely strong!
It was truly, really incomprehensible.
So this child panted as he walked toward the castle.
Just then, he heard the news that Seraphin-nim, the intense darkness existence he admired, had returned.
*'Gotta warn him. Iri, that kid. Super dangerous!'*
After several misses, Morgan finally got to meet 'that person.'
"What? Morgan. Long time no see."
"Seraphin-nim!"
Morgan's eyes reddened seeing Seraphin-nim's sturdy form after a year.
"How have you been?"
"Me? Whatever. What's up?"
Morgan lowered his voice and asked toward Seraphin.
"Have you met Lady Iri Ortejo by any chance?"
"......Huh, how'd you."
As Seraphin flinched, Morgan whispered.
"You gotta be careful. Super powerful! I sparred her once too, and ever since, my heart's been pounding. Non-stop!"
"Pfft, Morgan. Heart pounding? You sick or something?"
"Feels like it....... Plus, her manners so perfect, talking to her made me feel like turning gentleman."
Listening to gloomy-faced Morgan's warning, Seraphin clenched his fist.
"Dare make manners perfect and gentlemanly in our North."
"Yes! Exactly! So lately, I can't even stand tall......"
Hearing Morgan's grumbling, Seraphin's spine chilled oddly.
*'N-no way this is my future?'*
Iri's sparkling purple pupils kept floating up, making his back crawl.
"W-well, weak ones crumble fast anyway. I'm strong, so different."
Looking at Morgan, merely his fragile underling 1, Seraphin said confidently.
"Y-yeah. You're different from me!"
"Then, I'll teach that kid a lesson myself."
Seraphin thought inwardly.
The thick darkness's darknis in his heart.
Finally about to hatch.
But right then.
Chop chop footsteps of Iri approaching from afar.
Hearing that, Morgan flattened like seeing a ghost and yelled.
"No! My mind! Feels like gotta submit again! Th-then, I'll take my leave!"
Watching Morgan flee tail between legs, Seraphin shook head inwardly.
Such a weakling.
*'But I absolutely won't fall for it!'*
Seraphin's pupils gleamed wickedly.
Planned to scold Iri plenty when she returned.
But problem here.
Iri brought skilled assistants.
About seven years old kid trailing her.
Plus ten-ish year olds lured with candy in a line.
And those weren't even human.
Pointy ears, unusually long eyes, gem embedded on forehead, etc.
Unusual appearances.
Their bows toward Seraphin had discipline.
Others might not know, but Academy chief Seraphin could tell at a glance.
Those kids could be stronger than decent Ability Users.
*'So, do Mental Training with those kids?'*
How exactly?
Curiosity suddenly sparked.
* * *
Meanwhile, Iri brought friends for Seraphin's Mental Training.
Precisely, Karhen and magi beast hybrid friends who grew splendidly rubbing with other kids at Training Hall!
Planned to give them mental, no, character education too!
"Senior Dan assistants, friends, nice to meet you-nimida."
These friends specialized in Mental Training like Seraphin too!
"Yes, XX."
As Iri's eyes swept flounder-like, Lirid covered his mouth himself and said.
"......Not that, yes? What's up?"
"My friends super smart 'cause learned lots too-nimida. Friends studied hard-nimida. Right?"
"Yes."
"Then now heads clear! Bodies healthy! Doing Mental Training!"
"Wh-what exactly gonna do?!"
Hearing Seraphin's yell, Iri said solemnly.
"Everyone watch while I demonstrate-nimida. Seraphin, look here."
Seraphin swallowed.
"Then, now showing martial arts demo for Mental Training. Everyone focus!"
That instant, Iri yelled hugely.
"Haaaap!"
Tremendous spirit yell!
Unlike commoner origins, noble martial artists learned separate strong body techniques.
Condition of strong body techniques: 'move quietly.'
But current Iri different.
Yelling thunderously, moving body like dancing.
Yet movements looked free like mermaid.
*'Plus movements I don't know! Like martial arts not of this world!'*
"Y-you, wh-what's that! First time seeing that style!"
"Exactly, Forms-nimida. Instructor-nim said doing Forms makes you feel mentally trained-nimida."
"M-martial arts, why mental training? Isn't it just beat 'em up?"
"Each movement one by one!"
"W-watch?"
"Makes you re.spect. training friends together-nimida! That's first step of Mental Training!"
What? Foreign language?
Couldn't understand a word, flustered Seraphin looked at Iri, then.
Iri tilted head staring at him.
"Why-nimikka? Something wrong-nimida?"
"N-no, nothing!"
*'Forms' first time hearing.*
*'No way that kid knows martial arts I don't?'*
Seraphin rubbed eyes urgently.
His dream martial artist using body.
No way unknown martial arts, yet that kid seemed to know new style.
"Curious-nimida? Become close comrade with me, then I'll teach-nimida."
Seraphin agonized seriously.
Came to scold Iri.
*'Just find out what "Mental Training" is, then punish that rascal who turned night owl me into morning person!'*
*'Damn, can't punish!'*
Thrill ran through body.
This, this......
*'Damn, too curious!'*
Seraphin barely suppressed twisted heart and asked.
"......S-so. How do it?"
"Then now teach Forms-nimida. But one move, friend. Two, respect!"
"......No! Won't do that!"
"Then won't teach-nimida."
That instant, Seraphin's fist sliced air.
"Friend!"
Spirit-infused movement super fast like wind. Even he surprised.
"Eh, what? R-real Mental Training happening?"
"Yes-nimida. 'Cause properly mentally armed-nimida."
"......What?"
"Especially Seraphin did super good lots-nimida. Woke morning today, ate properly too-nimida. So body swifter-nimida! Whoosh!"
Makes sense?
Flustered, Seraphin's movements slowed.
Then, not letting him think more, Iri imitated instructor solemnly.
"Two!"
"Respect!"
Seraphin's body moved faster, lighter than before.
*'Weird, really weird!'*
Kept getting swayed by this kid!
Iri said to surrounding 'skilled assistants' too.
"Do together-nimida!"
'Cause gotta raise these friends well like Seraphin.
"Ready, start!"
Thus training began.
Seraphin passionate.
Until magi beast hybrids with Iri left for their tasks.
Seraphin and Iri kept practicing Forms with 'Mental Training' there.
Several hours later.
Unlike frowning Seraphin, Iri smiled satisfied.
*'Good, success again!'*
The magi this tiny boy held turned mist form.
Then slowly absorbed into Iri's Ring of Purification.
But right then.
Iri felt something catch in ring, frowned.
*'Huh? Why not fully absorbing?'*
Mist still remained on Seraphin's body. No matter how much tried, wouldn't absorb more!
*'Gasp, what's this?'*
First time happening.
Beep beep.
Red siren blared in head.
