Master and Disciple

After the Declaration of Victory. I met my childhood friends again and had tea together for the first time in a long time. Without doing anything at all, being the first to leave, I returned to the mansion and started my special training.

Phantom sparring, I had forgotten how many times he’s killed me, and although the amount of time I resist him gradually increases, yet I’m still getting killed.

Enuma called out orders, "Hit the left jab then immediately back away and guard. Rather than hitting, be mindful of when to pull back and hold your ground! Your shoulders are too stiff. Loosen your strength. Predict your opponent’s movements by their feet, eyes, and shoulder muscles. If you only react after seeing it, no matter how many lives you have, this is not enough!"

Frustrated I slam my fist on the ground, “Damn”

Enuma said, "Even when worn out strike with your fist! Your legs have ceased movement! Always move your feet lightly. Endless step work, ultimate footwork that fumbles the opponent…Magical Footwork is meaningless if you cannot pull it out when exhausted!"

Trying to motivate myself with a cheer, "Let’s go.”

Enuma coached, "Always be aware of the timing, your kicks are still too early! Get in the pocket with a quick step-in, the body, the upper, the hook… Choose an effective fist depending on your situation!"

Even if I try to stumble Enuma up by repeatedly speeding and slowing my footwork, I can’t because our levels are too different.

Still, I push forward without retreating, I don’t even mind dying, saying to myself, ‘I’ll land even one hit’, and ‘I’ll survive for longer even if for a second’. 

I’m a warrior. But my head is cool.

As a result of training, I said, “Heh, heh… I’m beat.”

Enuma still coaching, "Do not just drop all of a sudden. Cool down."

A short pause after repeated sparring. In the end, I couldn’t land a blow on him or change his eyes. I’m doing it a lot, but I don’t know if I’m really strong.

Enuma with a pep talk said, "Rest assured, you will grow more than you can imagine."

Enuma’s words were clear, for I had shared my heart entirely.

Enuma said, "Your childhood friend might be a strong man that defeated a dragon, but after all, it was a wild dragon of near the Mokomo kingdom. I once battled the Dragon King of Hades, strongest dragon in history and won."

What!? The Dragon King of Hades is real? I thought it was a fantasy creature that appeared in fairy tales. Enuma said, "I think it would be best to adjust the contents of this phantom sparring little by little."

I ask, “What does that mean!?”

Unexpected words from Enuma who so far has constantly killed me. What’s the sudden change in the wind? After all, I’m too weak to train myself.

Enuma lecturing said, "At this rate, you will not be able to acquire the image of defeating your opponent. If you only face opponents who are superior, you will only have the image of losing and being killed. Hence you will lack confidence in yourself and flee from attacks on impulse at this rate."

I’m pretty impressed with the explanation in anticipation of the future.

Enuma said, "This is a psychological matter, but troublesome when ingrained in instinct. I cannot make a step in this circumstance, for it may lead to you giving up at the first sign of danger and retreating."

I say, “Is this a leader’s experience?”

Enuma explained, "No. Hmm, am I too much of a good leader that you are surprised? I am different from Heero, who struggles with raising a child. Not like a hero, what is a hero?"

Enuma sticks his chest out with a pompous face, but as usual I nodded accordingly. Even if he is omnipotent, it’s only possible to go so far. And the great thing about this guy is not just his knowledge and theory. 

I replied to the mock battle, “Then, if I want to build up the image of defeating my opponent, I’ll have some sturdy guy at the Academy as an opponent in a mock battle.”

Enuma denied it, "No, you will not!"

I ask, "What? Why?”

Enuma said, "My dear fellow, you are very dull. Or dare I spell it out, until you fight the children of the heroes, keep hidden that you have come to use martial arts."

I question the tactic, “What? Why? Perhaps I can prepare countermeasures by any chance.”

Enuma said, "That is not the case! Is that all right? Imagine this situation."

With that said, Enuma explains a scenario to me. We created an artificial scenario with the Domain magic. Which played out like cinematic dream. 

An announcer said "Alright, next is a confrontation between the children of the heroes! Terran, the son of hero Heero. And I’m sorry to have kept you waiting! The swordsman that is already hailed as a hero, the leading hero candidate to lead the next generation! It is the appearance of ‘Sword Saint Successor’ Reval!"

Random girl said "Kyaaah, Mr. Reval, good luck!"

Uriko said "Um, then only Reval can be my fiancé!"

Sadie said "Well, I’m sure you can’t do anything about it, little man."

Heero said "After all, I wish our son was as good as Reval."

Reval said, "Terran, you can’t beat me. Prepare to die."

Enuma elaborated, "It will develop as such"

I replied, “Hey, it’s pretty messed up!”

Enuma challenging me said, "And…"

The announcer said "Oops, Terran doesn’t have any weapons, does he? Is this an indication of surrender?"

Uriko said, "Sloppy. Hey, Reval, bury that 2nd place failure quickly so you and I can flirt!"

Sadie said, "If only I were to serve Mr. Reval rather than Little Man."

Heero said, "Tsk, idiot dunce son of mine"

Reval said, "No Mercy, Terran. Now watch as me and the princess flirt. As for Sadie, I’ll get her as my concubine!"

I replied, “Oh, no, no, Hell no! Oh, Reval, you bastard, no, I’ll end the whole world!”

Enuma said "Be quiet and listen! So, here it is! Now present your biggest grin."

The announcer said, "Look at that confidence… Phew… Everything seems to stop.

Reval said, "What? Terran, what’s with those movements! Oh, my sword won’t hit!?"

I replied, "I’ll make that handsome face look like a face of an orc’s! Demon Corkscrew!"

Enuma announced, "And the entire venue is stunned. After a short moment, the Empire is astonished!"

A crowd went wild, "Terran, so GREEEEAAAAAATTT!"

Enuma said, "So, how is it? To forgo the path of a magic swordsman, to aspire for power unrelated with his father or mother, and to show the battle and power, not as the Child of the Hero, but as ‘Terran Kamina’. Is this not ideal?"

Yes, this is it. The great thing about this is not only knowledge and theory, but also how much he can raise my feelings!

I said, “Hey! Enuma! I’m excited”

Enuma snorted, "Right?"

I can’t stop trembling. I’ll show them all, the ones who have been disappointed with me so far. I couldn’t stop my elation from overflowing as I laughed at Enuma's smile.

Enuma said, "So, your sparring partner will be created by my imagining and your Domain. After Phantom Sparring, it is Dream Sparring in a dream world. I will prepare goblins and beasts!"

I nodded, “Ah. Come on! To beat that bastard!”

I’ll do it. I’ll show it to everyone! My power! That I exist! To that end, both lady-killer Reval and the shitty princess will face my power!

Enuma explained, "No, the previous example was a little exaggerated. No, I care not. Seems he has acquired the bloodlust he needs for the conflict."

Shouting I say, "I got it, let's spar!!"

Enuma continued, "Then, seeing as sparring will have numerous variations in the future, today we shall skip to the next training on to Forbidden Spells"

“O-oh! That’s from the other day.”

Enuma confirmed, "This is so. The magic technique I demonstrated during Domain. You should be up to task for it. This will be quite painful, but I think you can handle it."

Confident, I said, “Oh, pain? As if, bring it on!”

Enuma replied, "Such spirit. Well then"

I want to win. No, I will win. In that case, what’s a little pain.

Enuma said, "There was an acupuncture set among the items I had you purchase on the first day, right? Prepare that. I shall stab them in your body later."

No pain… No gain, I nodded in agreement