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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The First Day of Training
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Well, I hadn't managed to so much as tear a single thread of Ekiel's clothes, but he'd said my ability was impressive. I figured he'd at least raise my rank by one level.
"Ah."
In response to Jusielia's question, the corners of Ekiel's eyes curved into a gentle smile as he answered sweetly.
"Yes. It was terrible."
Jusielia's expectations collapsed just as terribly.
"You'll be keeping the yellow mana stone access bracelet."
"...W-what did you say?"
Jusielia's eyes widened in shock.
"I don't accept it!"
"No. You have to."
Ekiel drove the point home, a smile never leaving his face.
"You couldn't land a single hit on me. That alone is grounds for failure."
"Ugh."
"Besides, there isn't a single white tiger in our empire. You're a rare animal. If you were seen wandering around, animal lovers would surely target you. Or worse, someone might discover you're the White Tiger Princess from Penterin and try to kidnap you."
Ekiel's gaze grew more serious.
They were currently re-investigating the animal populations in every region of the Rilberg Empire.
This was to check for any hidden followers of the Dark Divine Beast.
Jusielia's safety was the top priority, after all.
"So, until you're strong enough to protect yourself—strong enough to become an Archmage who can actually land a blow on me—you are absolutely forbidden from going outside."
Every word of Ekiel's rapid-fire explanation was true.
Jusielia was at a loss for words.
*This is insane.*
When in the world will I ever get to go outside?
Am I doomed to be cooped up in the Rilberg Empire just as I was in the Penterin Imperial Palace?
Ekiel patted Jusielia's slumped shoulders and said.
"Don't worry, Jusielia. You won't be bored or frustrated. You came here to develop your abilities, right? I'll help you."
"Really?"
At his words, Jusielia, who had been staring at the floor, snapped her head up to meet his gaze.
A gentle smile played on Ekiel's lips as he spoke.
"Yes. From now on, you and I will be training here."
"Training?"
"Yes. The problem is that your body is too small for your ability. We need to strengthen you physically and also develop your powers. And periodically drain some of that power."
Ekiel recalled the time Jusielia had fallen gravely ill back in the Penterin Empire.
It had happened because Jusielia's small body couldn't handle Anash's power.
Of course, now that he was always by her side, he could simply help her with his magic.
*That's why I brought her here, after all.*
Ekiel looked Jusielia's small body up and down.
Still, it must be painful every time her power overwhelmed her small frame.
It would be better to train her, to build a sturdy body capable of handling that power.
Just then, Jusielia exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Okay! I'm in. So when does the training start?"
Ekiel answered brightly.
"How about we start today? I plan on keeping my schedule clear from nine in the morning until noon every day."
"Got it. What kind of training will we be doing?"
Her eyes sparkling, Jusielia hopped down from her chair with a look of pure enthusiasm.
She was filled with anticipation.
Was it training for her supernatural attributes?
Target practice?
Or a blue flame tornado?
"Just say the word! Give me the order, I'll work hard!"
"Hmm? No. I'll be doing it with you, Jusielia. I can't let you do it alone."
Ekiel took off his jacket, draped it over a chair, and rolled up his shirtsleeves with a grin.
Jusielia tilted her head.
How could Ekiel possibly do ability training *with* her...?
"Come here, Jusielia."
At Ekiel's gesture, Jusielia followed him as if in a trance to one side of the training grounds.
She now noticed that the perimeter of the training grounds was laid out like a track in a stadium.
Ekiel started to run first, calling out.
"Alright, run!"
"Huh?"
As Jusielia reflexively started running after him, Ekiel flashed a smile as bright as a fresh orange.
"Let's start with a light fifty laps around the training grounds."
*What?*
Before she could even protest, Ekiel ran past her and began to pull ahead.
Jusielia stared at his retreating back and dark hair in disbelief before letting out a snort.
"Hah, please!"
This little brat!
Does he really think a human's stamina is the same as a white tiger's? And he wants to train *with* me?
*You poor thing, Ekiel. You have two legs, and I have four!*
Jusielia grinned.
Then, putting power into her four confident(?) legs, she propelled herself forward, easily overtaking Ekiel with a wicked laugh.
"Khahahahah!"
"If you run like that at the start, you'll get tired, Jusielia."
Jusielia ignored Ekiel's sincere words of concern from behind her.
*You're the one who should worry about getting tired, human boy.*
Leaving Ekiel behind, Jusielia happily sprinted along the track.
*Hahaha! You're a mere human, and I'm a beastman!*
But unfortunately, there was something Jusielia had gravely overlooked.
The fact that Ekiel Isles Rilberg was no ordinary human, but a combat mage—and the strongest one at that.
From a very young age, Ekiel had meticulously devised ways to subdue and attack the black snake that appeared in his dreams.
He had practiced and honed his attack magic every single day, naturally building his physical stamina in the process.
Ekiel ran.
He ran like a madman, ceaselessly, relentlessly, and he was *still* running!
"Pant, pant, pant!"
In the end, it was Jusielia who tired out first.
*W-what is this!*
With her tongue lolling out, Jusielia forced her wobbly legs to keep moving.
Then she stared at the still energetic Ekiel as if he were some kind of monster.
*How is he completely fine!*
Jusielia's exhausted body felt like it would collapse to the ground at any moment.
Just as she staggered and was about to fall.
Ekiel encouraged her from her side.
"Jusielia, you still have five laps left. Get up, you have to keep going."
*...said the lunatic who hadn't even broken a sweat.*
Jusielia grumbled inwardly.
In Jusielia's eyes, Ekiel's face no longer seemed pretty.
Well, it was still pretty, but now he looked like a pretty devil.
"Kraaaaaah!!!"
Letting out an unintelligible shriek, Jusielia thought that, as a tiger, she couldn't possibly lose to a mere human child.
"Let's goooooo!"
With a defiant roar, Jusielia ran on pure grit.
Behind the white tiger cub, who had suddenly found a burst of energy, Ekiel smiled and murmured to himself.
"So Jusielia gets even cuter when she's struggling."
After running with every last ounce of her strength, with just one lap to go, Jusielia finally collapsed onto the ground.
"Haa, haa, heuk, heek, hik!"
"Jusielia."
"Haa, hik! Hik!"
Ekiel pulled the limp tiger cub back to her feet and began to drag her forward.
"Let's go, Jusielia! One lap left."
Jusielia shook her head.
"Gak! Ugh! I can't! I'm gonna die!"
"You're not dead, Jusielia~"
"No! If I run anymore, I will die!"
"No, Jusielia~ You can do it~ If you give up today, you'll want to give up tomorrow, too. And then you'll just keep giving up, won't you?"
*S-scary!*
Goosebumps rose on Jusielia's skin at the terrifying brainwashing of a hardworking genius.
"Let me go!"
Jusielia struggled with all her might to break free from Ekiel's grasp.
"I'm only giving up on this one lap! I've done enough. It's okay to stop now!"
As Jusielia continued to whine, Ekiel sighed.
"...Jusielia. You said you wanted revenge. We made a promise, remember? Will you be able to do it with this kind of attitude?"
When Ekiel brought up their vow on the magic airship, Jusielia's face crumpled.
"*Sob, waah...!* It's just too hard!"
"Yes, I know. It's hard, isn't it? But you have to endure this now so you can give the Dark Divine Beast a proper thrashing later."
As Ekiel coaxed and whispered, Jusielia became genuinely furious.
Jusielia ground her teeth and clenched her front paws, gathering blue flames within them.
"Fine. I get it. But, Ekiel."
"Yes?"
"You're really getting on my nerves. Can I beat you up before we run?"
Her tearful expression instantly hardened into an angry one as she glared at Ekiel.
Amused by the rapid changes in her expression, Ekiel teased her.
"Of course. But I doubt the current you could land a single blow on me."
"Grr!"
"I'm really looking forward to the day you can actually hit me. So let's keep running hard."
Jusielia shed tears as she looked at Ekiel's bright, innocent smile.
He was so infuriating.
*Hic.*
It was frustrating, but it was the truth.
In the end, Jusielia staggered through the final lap.
Just you wait, you damn lunatic of a combat mage emperor.
Someday, when this fierce tiger princess is all grown up!
Roar! I'll pounce on you and gobble you right up! Don't you dare regret it then.
