When I found myself awakening from my slumber, the sky outside my window was still dark, with only a barest slither of sunlight appearing over the walls, way earlier than I had usually woken up.

  My mind went back to the day before, when our patron goddess had returned from the Denatus with the details for the War Game and whatever event the divine had decided upon.

  In about a week’s time, we were going to have essentially five one-on-one duels, and who was going to fight who would be decided on the day itself by the roll of the dice. The condition of victory would be when one side won more duels than the other.

  And as expected, we were given the restriction that no one above Level 2 were allowed to take part.

  Though Jeanne freaked out when Hecate confessed to having bet on our Familia’s future with it, which meant that it was no longer just Emma we had to worry about losing to Aeshima if we failed.

  With the deadline now set and the stakes now raised, everyone really got into their respective training; Tris even joined in with Garos, the former learning from the tter about more ways to use the shield in a more offensive manner against another person.

  For me, I was still unable to get the strange breathing technique down; no matter how many times I’d tried following Jirou’s instructions, each breath I took didn’t have the same effect as when he did it.

  It felt like I was hitting against a wall with each attempt, with no indication that I was going to break through it. And it was driving up the wall with how little progress I was making.

  I could still recall that small bout I had with that Enoch bastard; with the rules and handicap given, it was a guarantee that he would be fighting as well.

  If I were to defeat him, I need to at least get this breathing technique down. Otherwise…

  Knowing that any attempts to go back to sleep would be of naught, I got out of my bed and changed out of my sleepwear into my usual attire, excluding the jacket that I had yet to repce, and headed down to get an early start in my training.

  As I was about to descend down into the entrance hall, I ran into Jirou by the stairs, the swordsman in a simple pants and tunic instead of his eastern robes.

  “Oh, Dae.” He greeted, “You are unusually early this morning.”

  “Suddenly woke up and can’t fall back to sleep.” I told him, “And you?”

  “Thought I went about my old morning training once more.”

  “…You used to train?”

  “Rude.” He rolled his eyes in annoyance before expining, “I do train, just not as much as I did many years ago. But after what happened in the Water Capital…”

  I flinched at that particurly humiliating defeat, before nodding in understanding, “Yeah, I get it…”

  “Say, if you don’t have anything to do, why don’t you join me? It might give you some insight on the workings of the breathing technique.”

  “…Sure, I’ll come along.”

  And a change of pace would be more beneficial than just trying the same thing over and over again.

  So, after a quick bite to fill my empty stomach, we set out from the mansion and essentially just started jogging down the near empty streets of Orario; Jirou’s choice of simple clothes over his robes suddenly made sense.

  It was a surreal feeling of seeing the usually bustling streets being this empty, while passing by the many shops and market booths that were steadily setting up as the sun slowly rise over the city walls.

  There was also this sense of calmness that I’d never experienced in the city before; a feeling that rushed over me even as I felt the burn of my legs with each step I took after Jirou.

  Speaking of whom, the swordsman had not said a word since we started jogging; the only sounds I’d heard from him were short concise breaths akin to cracks of thunder.

  Was that another application of that breathing technique? To continuously use it even when in constant motion?

  As if sensing my curiosity, Jirou slowed to a stop and let out a deep breath, before turning to me, “I take it you noticed my training?”

  “You’re using that technique as you jog.” I pointed out.

  “Yup. It’s the fullest application of the breathing technique. My physical strengths are constantly being boosted through continuous breathing.”

  “I see… but I don’t see much improvement…”

  “It is like the difference between sprinting and jogging. One is a burst of strength, while the other is a steady increase.”

  “Ah, kind of like inhaling before…Oh.”

  It suddenly hit me; all this time, I had just been breathing it in like just taking a deep controlled breath, just going through the motion as Jirou demonstrated to me.

  When I should have been doing it with the same mindset as when I reeled back my fist for a powerful punch; just like Jirou said, drawing in as much energy within a single breath.

  “I take it you got it?”

  “I…I think so…”

  With my new insight to my problem in mind, I took a deep breath as I had done many times before, but this time with the same intent of chambering my fist for a powerful strike.

  And almost immediately, I felt a difference from all my previous attempts.

  As the air filled my lungs, there was a rush of power that flowed throughout my body, not dissimir to how it felt when I activated my enchantment magic; only unlike my magic, it was eagerly awaiting to be released from within me.

  Deciding to do so, I widened my legs and leaned forward, then exhaled while kicking the tiled streets under my feet as hard as I could, and my surroundings became a blur as I suddenly found myself flying forward at incredible speeds. It didn’t st for long, as I slowed down moments ter and skidded to a stop.

  “Uwah!!”

  And my feet decided to trip over themselves and caused my body to fall over as I took a quick tumble down the street, rolling to a stop and nding on my face seconds ter.

  “Urgh… note to self, work on the nding…”

  “Pff! Yo-You okay there?”

  The sound of Jirou’s stifled ugh had me looking back towards him with annoyance as he jogged up to me, a tight grin on his face that just screamed holding back ughter.

  I got back up and nodded, “Yeah, I’m good. I think I got the breathing down.”

  “That’s-pff!” He csped his mouth with his hand as his shoulder shook from quiet ughter before clearing his throat, “An-Anyway… it will be best if you practice the Shundo back home. Grass is way softer than stone tiles.”

  “I’ve noticed… Hm?”

  “What is it? Oh?”

  My attention was then pulled away when I heard the sounds of something being swung around at high speeds from the alleyway next to a familiar looking building, as well as the grunting of someone in midst of a fight.

  A gnce inside had me noticing the movement of a wooden sword, the elf that owned it swinging the weapon at her opponent, the unarmed brunette either blocking or dodging the fast strikes before striking back at her opponent with her fists.

  At first, I thought it was an actual fight, but a second viewing had me noticing that neither of the two combatants were actually attacking each other at full force, which made me conclude that they were simply sparring.

  “Oh, I guess I came this way without thinking about it…”

  “Whoa…”

  I didn’t hear Jirou’s words as I was drawn to the unarmed girl’s fighting style.

  Arms up and close to her body as she threw punch after punch, feet almost never ft on the ground and constantly on the move until she struck, how she maneuvered around the strikes as she closed in for an attack.

  It was like I was witnessing what my fighting style ultimately should be, as well as all the many mistakes of my current form id out in the open for me.

  “Guh!!”

  “Ah.”

  I was snapped out of my daze when a particurly strong strike sent her crashing into the wall hard, causing the elf to immediately stop the spar as she looked at her opponent with a wince and a grimace.

  “Damn it, Ryuu!!” The girl shouted as she got back up while rubbing the back of her head, “Do you have to go that hard?”

  “Sorry, Lunoire…” The elf apologized.

  “Seriously…”

  “Hm?" The elf suddenly stiffened before turning towards our direction, “Who’s there!?”

  “Woah, woah!” Jirou immediately stepped out from behind the corner with his hands raised above his head, “It’s just me! No one dangerous!”

  “Jirou…?” The elf noticeably rexed at his reveal, before asking him, “What are you doing here so early?”

  “Went on a morning run, and ended up passing by here.”

  “…Morning run? You?”

  “…seriously, do I look like someone who only drinks everyday?”

  ““Yes.””

  “You too, Lunoire?”

  The brunette rolled her eyes and was about to hit him with a retort of her own when she noticed me, “Say, aren’t you…?”

  “Ah, this is Dae. I’m sure you heard of her.” Jirou introduced me before gesturing to them, “These two are Ryuu and Lunoire. They are waitresses of the Hostess of Fertility.”

  “Oh…”

  No wonder the building looked familiar; it was the same bar where we celebrated the fact that I had broke the record all those months ago.

  “So, I take it that the training is less for you and more for her?” Lunoire noted, “With the upcoming War Game and all that.”

  “Pretty much.” Jirou nodded, “Thought a change of pace would be beneficial.”

  “It is surprising to hear that the Hecate Familia suddenly decred a War Game.” Ryuu noted.

  “Well, circumstances and all that. And Aeshima had it coming for a while now.”

  “Then, you guys are also responsible for the attack on the Soma Familia?”

  “…I will neither confirm nor deny that accusation.”

  The elf let out a sigh, “I figured as much.”

  Lumoire ughed, “Well, those guys had it coming to them! Couldn’t tell you how many of those drunkards we have to boot out.”

  “I’m gd to see that whoever is responsible has done you guys a great service.”

  “…Excuse me. Lunoire.” I walked up to the brunette, “If it is no trouble, I want to have a quick spar with you.”

  “With me?”

  “Yes, if it's no trouble.”

  Lunoire turned to Jirou, who nodded at her. She then turned to me and nodded, “Okay. You ask for it. Don’t compin afterwards, alright?”

  I got into my usual stance, “I won’t.”

  As soon as she got into her combat stance, I rushed towards her, and was stopped in my tracks when she did the same as well. But she was faster, and reached me first with a fist already pulled back for a strike.

  I barely managed to put my guard up as Lunoire threw a powerful straight into my forearms, my arms already feeling sore from blocking the single attack as I skidded to a halt.

  She didn't give me time to compose myself as she swiftly closed the gap between us, with a fist raised for another straight; I tried to counter with a straight of my own, only to fall for the feint and got a body blow into my gut.

  Air was forced out of me as I felt my knees buckled, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to remain standing. And just as Lunoire pulled back, I took a step forward, reared my arm back and threw a hook aimed at her head.

  My attack missed as she swayed her head back, before smming an uppercut from below into my chin, knocking my head up as my vision went blurry for a moment.

  When it cleared up, I saw that the brunette’s thrown fist had stopped right in front of my face, the small gust of wind from the force of the strike blowing harmlessly on my face.

  It was obvious who was the victor of this spar.

  “Satisfied?” She asked me.

  “…Yeah.” I nodded before bowing to her, “Please, teach me how to fight like you!”

  “…I’m sorry, what?”

  I then heard Ryuu say to her, “I think you hit her too hard, Lunoire.”

  “Hey, unlike you, I held back!!”

  Jirou turned to me, “Dae, what are you…?”

  I ignored him and expined, “From the way you move, to how you throw those punches, your fighting style is exactly what I need if I were to have any chance of winning the War Game, of beating that bastard…! So please, teach me.”

  Lunoire looked utterly taken aback by my words of praise and was completely lost as she immediately turned to Jirou for help, the swordsman rubbing his chin as he thought about it for a moment.

  “…that’s not a bad idea.” He noted, “Both of you use your fists, and Lunoire has plenty of experience fighting other Adventurers.”

  The brunette flinched at that remark before pointing out, “But me? Me? I-I don’t even know how to teach someone!”

  “There’s a first time for everything.”

  “That’s not the point here!”

  The door next to us suddenly opened and a bck-haired cat girl poked her head out, “Ryuu, Lunoire! Mama Mia is asking for you two to—Nya, Jirou? You’re here early, nya.”

  “Hey, Chloe.” Jirou said, “I was just passing by.”

  Another cat-eared head popped out from behind her, this one having brown hair, and took a look around, “Hm? What’s going on, nya? Oh, hi, Jirou!”

  “Sup, Anya.” Jirou greeted her.

  Ryuu then answered her, “Lunoire got asked by the Record Holder to teach her how to fight.”

  The cat girl cried out in shock, “Nya nyaa!? That Lunoire!?”

  “Oi, oi! What’s that supposed to mean, dumb cat!?” Lunoire shouted at her with indignation, “I’m at least a better teacher than you!”

  “I’m more surprised that somenyan would want you to teach them, nya.” Chloe noted, “Nyan mean, you are just a simple minded brute that punches things, nya.”

  “Chloe, you…!!”

  “But that is why I want her to teach me.” I expined, “That kind of straightforward fighting style like hers is perfect for me.”

  “Guh!”

  “Dae, that’s not helping.” Jirou told me.

  After recovering from what unintentional stab at her, Lunoire let out a sigh before telling me, “Look, I’m fttered, but I’m not someone who can teach. Not to mention I still have my job to worry about, so…”

  “Ah…I see… that’s too bad…” I nodded dejectedly, “But I understand.”

  If she couldn’t do it, then there was no point in forcing her. While it truly was a shame, I guess I had to figure out my fighting style on my own; and my spar with her had shown me a few more things I need to improve on.

  But damn, it really was a shame…

  “Guh! It-It’s like I’ve just kicked a puppy…”

  “Lunoire, you are awful, nyah!” Chloe cried out.

  “Damn, Lunoire. Didn’t think the Bck Fist could hurt someone this badly without actually punching.” Jirou noted.

  “It is a bit much, Lunoire.” Ryuu pointed out.

  “Co-Come on now! I can’t help it if I have no time!!” Lunoire cried out.

  “You still have the early mornings, right? Look at her! Have a heart, nya!”

  “Then you teach her!”

  “She wants you, not me, nya.”

  “Grgk…!” The brunette let out a long sigh before telling me, “Look, I…I can’t promise that you will learn much, or I’ll be any good. But if you truly want me, I’ll try my best to teach you what I know.”

  I turned to her, “Really?”

  “But! The only time I have avaible is in the early morning. And! This arrangement is only until the War Game. If you are okay with that…”

  “Yes, of course! Thank you so much! I’ll try not to be a bother—!”

  The door suddenly smmed open, as a big robust woman taller than Jirou walked out with a scowl as she pretty much shouted, “What are you girls out here making a ruckus for!?!?”

  “Hiek!! So-Sorry, Mama Mia!”

  “Chloe, I told you to get them, not join them in merriment!”

  “Sorry, Mama Mia, nya…”

  “And Anya! Don’t think I didn’t see you there! What are you doing out here! You still have dishes to clean!”

  “Nyah! Bu-Busted, nya…”

  “Hah…you girls…hm? Jirou? You’re here early.”

  I leaned over to the swordsman and quietly asked, “How many times have you come here?”

  Jirou ughed nervously at my question before greeting the tall woman, “Hi, Mia. I’m not here for a drink, just passing by.”

  “Huh. I guess even you know moderation.”

  “…Harsh, Mia. True, but harsh.”

  The woman then noticed me, “Hm? Aren’t you…?”

  “A-Ah, yes! I’m Dae!” I greeted.

  “Ah, right. The new Record Holder. I’m Mia. I take it you are the one responsible for this ruckus?”

  “I…I think so?”

  “Hey, Mama Mia, listen!” Anya patted Lunoire on the shoulder, “Lunoire here just got a disciple!”

  “Uh, what?” Mia rubbed the bridge of her nose before letting out a sigh, “You know what, you can expin it to me after we get the preparations done. So get in! We still have a lot to do!!”

  ““Yes, Mama Mia.””

  Lunoire then turned to me, “I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.”

  I nodded, “I’ll be here!”

  The brunette then followed the rest of her coworkers as they walked through the door Mia had left open. Once they all entered the building, the robust woman turned to Jirou with a small frown.

  While this was the first time we met, I could tell that she was more than she seemed; she exuded a certain presence that reminded me of Ottarl of all people, though she was much less intimidating compared to the King.

  “Word on the street is that you guys have a War Game coming up. Is that why you are bothering my girls?”

  Jirou shook his head, “No, no. We really were just passing by. I honestly didn’t expect Dae here to just ask like that.”

  Mia grumbled a little before turning to me, I flinched under her hard stare as she told me, “Make sure that you do not take too much of her time. It wouldn’t be good for one of my workers to get exhausted before her shift.”

  “I-I’ll try not to…” I replied.

  “Good to hear. Will I be seeing you tonight, Jirou?”

  The swordsman shook his head, “No, I probably won’t be coming here for the coming week. You know, the War Game and all that.”

  “I guess that’s true.” Mia nodded in understanding.

  “But if you could help me reserve a table…”

  “That confident in your victory? Last I’ve heard, the Aeshima Familia captain is quite strong for a Level 2.”

  “Even then, he wouldn’t beat our rookies.”

  “Oh? That much faith in them?”

  “Naturally. After all…” Jirou patted me on the back, “We have the Record Holder, who is also going to get trained by the Bck Fist.”

  “…hahaha, you got me there!” Mia ughed, “Alright. I’ll save you a table. And maybe I should bet on you guys as well.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence!”

  “You can thank me by winning and spending your money here!”

  “With a winner's discount?”

  “Ha, you wish!”

  After a shared ughter, we bid the robust woman farewell and returned to our early morning jog.

  Along the way, I tried to copy Jirou and used the breathing technique in short bursts, only for me to choke on my spit in each attempt.

  The morning sun was over the walls as we returned to the Arcane Manor.

  And when we turned the corner to reach the main gate, we were greeted by a familiar man pacing about in front of it; though he wasn’t really a man, with the divine aura he was emitting.

  For even when he was dressed in modest bck robes that had seen better days, there was no hiding the blue-haired god’s divinity.

  “Good morning, Lord Miach.” Jirou greeted the god, “What brings you here?”

  Miach was the patron god of the Miach Familia, who runs the Blue Pharmacy where we often get our many potions from, and was also Drake’s former Familia.

  He was a kind god, almost to a fault. And I often see him with a small tranquil smile on his rather attractive face when I was in charge of purchasing potions for the party.

  So, it was quite strange to see him without it, his expression looking a little clouded.

  “A-Ah, Jirou. Good Morning.” The god Miach greeted back, “My apologies for bothering you so early in the day, but do you mind delivering this to Drake for me?”

  The god then handed the swordsman the well-kept wooden box he had in his arms, one that was held closed by a simple rope that was as modest as the god himself.

  With how Jirou nearly dropped it when he took it, it was a lot heavier than it appeared to be.

  “Why not give it to him yourself?” He asked the god.

  Miach’s features immediately portrayed that of conflict, as he sighed, “I…I don’t think he will take it if I give it to him myself.”

  “Ah… I understand.”

  Drake had mentioned that his reasons for leaving his former Familia were complicated, aside from the crushing debt the god had taken on.

  And while their current retionship wasn’t bad, Hecate likened it to a wayward parent trying to keep in touch with their child after he had cut ties with them.

  “What is it?” I asked him.

  “Just something he left behind when he… left the Familia. I thought he might need it for the upcoming War Game.”

  We both looked at the box, curious about its contents as well as its retionship with Drake; I had considered just opening it up, but I immediately kicked down that intrusive thought.

  Whatever it contained, it was clearly of great value to Drake, and it was only right that he would be the one to handle it.

  “I’ll be sure to give it to him.” Jirou told the god.

  Miach smiled in response, “Thank you, Jirou. I’m in your debt.”

  If gring could burn through wood, Drake would have turned the box into a sea of fmes with how intense he had been doing it since we gave it to him.

  We had returned just in time for breakfast, so Jirou took the chance and handed the box over to Drake at the dining table; and his immediate response was just as we had thought.

  Though we did not say who the giver was, he already seemed to know that it was his former patron god; was the box that important to him, or was it that he was too aware of Miach’s behaviour?

  Either way, he was definitely not happy about it.

  “Gring it isn’t going to make it go away.” Jirou told him.

  Drake let out a sigh, “Hah, if only…”

  “It is really well-kept.” Lisa noted, “Looks like it is cleaned regurly.”

  “What’s in it?” Tetra asked as she poked the box.

  “It’s something from my time in the Miach Familia.” He expined, “A… gift from Lord Miach when I reached Level 2.”

  “It sounds really important to you.” The amazoness noted, “Why didn’t you take it with you? Did you forget?”

  “No, I left it behind for his sake. As my st act of goodwill towards him.”

  Jeanne raised an eyebrow when she realized what he meant, “You wanted him to pawn it off?”

  Drake nodded, “It probably won’t be enough to clear his debt, but it should at least put a sizable dent into it. But I see he didn’t.”

  “Miach probably valued it too much to pawn it off.” Hecate noted, “But I think the real question here is what are you going to do with it?”

  “Indeed.” Garos nodded, “Whatever is inside that box, you are the one that he gifted it to. It is up to you on what to do with it.”

  “I’m aware. It’s just…”

  Our patron goddess took a small sip of her morning coffee as she turned to Drake, “You are… conflicted, yes?”

  He let out a sigh, “A part of me wants to just throw this box away, to never have to think about it ever again. While another…”

  “Wants to use it in the War Game?” I pointed out.

  “Yeah, that.” He nodded, “After the disaster of an expedition down in the Water Capital, I was in need of a weapon that would not break after a couple more swings.”

  “So this is an old weapon of yours.” Jirou noted, “I had a feeling that might be the case.”

  “Then there’s no need to think about it too much, right?” Kyumaru noted, “While it isn’t welcomed, it is still something you need at this moment.”

  “It is also one of the st things that is tying me to Lord Miach.” Drake expined, “For me to accept and use it in the War Game… to accept help from the god that I had turned my back on…”

  “Ah, I get it.” Hecate nodded with a thoughtful expression, “It’s like a kid receiving help from the parent he has cut ties with.”

  “When you put it like that, it makes the issue seem all the less serious…”

  “It is you that is making things way too serious than it actually is. At the end of the day, you still need that weapon, right?”

  He flinched at her expnation, “I do, but still…”

  Our goddess took a long sip of her mug, before telling him “…whatever your choice will be, I won’t intervene. But I will tell you this; it is more than just your pride that is on the line.”

  That stunned him in silence as he turned to all of us, his gaze lingering on Emma who flinched under his stare and tried not to make eye contact with him.

  After a moment of contemption, he got up from his seat, “I’m…going to need some time to think it through.”

  Without another word, he picked up the box and left the dining room in a hurry, leaving his pte and his unfinished breakfast on the table, as silence filled the air around us.

  Tetra was the one to break the silence, “Will Drake be okay?”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Lisa assured her with a pat on her head, “He probably have a lot of things to think about.”

  “Do you think he’ll keep it?” Emma asked, “He looks rather livid at the idea…”

  “Yeah, did you see how he gred at it?” Tris pointed out, “I didn’t think his retionship with Lord Miach would be that bad.”

  “What happened for him to dislike Lord Miach that much?” I noted.

  As far as I was aware, Miach was pretty well-liked by anyone that he crossed paths with, especially among the female popution due to his good looks and sometimes flirty demeanor.

  “That’s his story to tell, whenever he feels like it.” Jeanne told us, “For now, we can only hope that he make a decision he is satisfied with.”

  “I sure hope so…”

  Little did I know that we would get his answer a lot sooner than we had originally thought.

  “Wooah…! Oh. OH! I didn’t trip that time!”

  As the sun was about to reach its peak, signaling the end of the morning and the start of the afternoon, I had successfully done a Shundo without tripping over myself on the nding.

  It took the whole morning for me to get it, but I at least managed to do it right!

  “Great! Now, let’s see if you can pull that off one more time!”

  “You got it-huh?”

  Just as I was about to take another deep breath, I spotted Drake exiting the house and walking into the backyard; and to everyone looking, it was clear that made his choice on his old weapon.

  After all, why else would he be wielding something other than his usual bow or trench knives?

  Jirou gnced down at the weapon in his hand, “I take it you made your decision?”

  “Indeed.” He nodded, before turning to our newest rookie, “Mind helping me get used to this again, Emma? It had been a few years since I used this thing.”

  “O-Of course!” She nodded in agreement, readying her two swords, “Whenever you are ready!”

  Drake twirled the weapon in his hand, his feet bouncing a little, before his fingers closed tightly around its hilt and he rushed towards her with a flurry of steel that had her stumbling back while trying to parry or block his strikes.

  That was when I knew why Miach wanted to give that to him. For there was no other weapon more suited for his hands.

  …To be continued…

  Sup! Long time no see!

  Now this chapter, I had been thinking and revising a lot on how I was going to go, as I didn’t want to just skip right to the War Game, as much I as wanted to; there is a lot of room for story and plot to be had!

  And with the anime now deyed until April or May, I thought this would be a good time to catch the story up.

  With that, I thank you all for reading this!