Chapter 20

I finally get to wear pants again. Kinda got used to the dresses, though. Rika looked down at the training uniform she had borrowed. It was a bit big for her, but it was the smallest they had, and it'd do the job.

Knock, knock. "Are you alright in there? I know it's not like your usual attire, so it might be hard to put on," Wolfe spoke through the door.

"I'm fine." Rika opened the door, hands on her hips, and smiled up at him.

Wolfe's eyes trailed down her, and he cleared his throat. "The boots might be a bit big on you, so be careful not to trip."

"No promises."

Wolfe held back a laugh and shook his head. "Let's go." He walked her to the middle of the training grounds, the music from the festival faintly playing in the distance.

"What should we start with?" Rika bounced around and threw a few air punches.

"Normally, I'd start with strength and stamina training—"

"Both of which I assure you I don't have in abundance." Though I don't know if this body does? Haven't exactly had much gym time these past few years.

Wolfe cleared his throat again and looked away. "You'll be busy with Ferran soon enough, so I don't have time to train you for those skills, and you'll probably fare better defending yourself with magic, so this will be a more focused lesson on how to take down an opponent and hopefully, flee."

"Shouldn't I get a sword or something?"

"Seeing as you won't be carrying a sword, I suggest learning to use what you have." Wolfe pounded his fists together.

"Gonna teach me to punch?"

"One part of it, yes. Those punches earlier wouldn't make someone like me flinch with the lack of power you put into it."

"I think even at full power I wouldn't hurt you." He's built like a brick wall; what is he expecting me to do?

"You might surprise yourself. Besides, I think teaching you to throw someone might be best. It'll give you time to flee."

Rika pointed at herself. "You expect me to throw you?"

Wolfe chuckled. "Yes."

"How? You're huge and built like a truck."

"Truck?"

"Never mind. You're heavy because of all the muscle. Shouldn't I start with someone... smaller?" Rika looked around, even though she knew they were alone.

Wolfe shook his head and sighed. "If anything, it's better for you to learn using someone like me, so you're prepared."

Rika nodded. He has a point. "How do we start? And don't put it on me; just assume I'm a beginner."

"Right, right... I'm used to teaching knights. This is a little different." Wolfe sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe I should say aim for the shins, groin, throat, or nose when you see a chance. All weak points. I guess it's easier to show you first, then have you to try it on me. We'll get to throws, but let's start with what to do if you're grabbed. Grab my wrist." He held it out.

I have a feeling this is going to hurt. She grabbed his wrist. My hand doesn't even fully fit around it.

"Put your hand over their knuckles, swing your arm, grab their wrist, and push down," Wolfe said as he demonstrated.

"Ack!" Rika dropped onto one knee and twisted away.

"Ready to try it?"

Rika stood and took a deep breath. "Okay..." He grabbed her wrist this time. "You could probably break out of this without a fancy move," she muttered.

"But this is about you. Go for it."

She followed his instructions and brought him down to one knee as she was. "Oh, it worked? Or did you let it work?"

"What purpose would that serve? I need you to learn these techniques. Again, but faster."

She didn't know how, but he had pulled out of her grasp.

"Next, if someone wraps their arm around your shoulders..." Wolfe trailed off, realizing she was too short for him to demonstrate properly. "I guess you'll have to go based on what I tell you for this one." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, up close.

"Oh..." Okay, I know he's carried me before, but this feels different.

"Grab my wrist and pull me close."

Her hand hovered for a moment, then landed on his shoulder.

"Then duck back, pulling their arm around their back, and push down on their knees. Then run."

Rika ducked under his arm, wrapping his arm around his back.

"Go for the knees next."

"I don't want to hurt you."

Wolfe laughed. "Don't worry about it. I'm sturdy, and you need this practice."

"Right..."

He whipped around before she could, broke out of her hold, and pulled her in close by the waist."

"H-hey, what are you doing? This isn't what you said."

"You took too long, which will give them time to break out. Act fast, Miss Saint, or they'll take control."

Before Rika knew what was going on, her back hit the ground. "Ah! Hey! What are you... doing?" Rika swallowed hard, staring up at him as he straddled her.

"I guess I should teach you how to get out of this position, too."

"Is that possible?"

Wolfe leaned in close and smirked. "Of course, and I'll teach you how." He pinned her wrists to the ground.

"Hey! You're making it worse."

"And you need to know how to escape worse-case scenarios."

"I thought you were going to teach me to throw you, somehow." Rika pouted and looked away, acutely aware of the position.

"I will, I will. Now, put your feet on the outside of mine. Lift your hips as high as you can go to destabilize me, immediately bring your hands down at both sides and turn your head, in case the person on you falls forward instead of catching themselves."

"Here goes..." She put as much force as she could muster, and to her surprise, it forced him to move.

"From here, you'll have to act quickly. Grab my arm. Thrust me into the air again, and turn and flip me."

I think I did think in a class once. She followed his instructions and flipped him over. "Oh, it worked!"

He wrapped his legs around her and smirked. "You really need to learn to flee when you can. And at least pretend you're aiming for my... ahem... weak points."

Trapped again. "Is it me or are you enjoying this?" Rika crossed her arms, pouting. I don't think I've ever seen him smile this much. Has he smiled before?

"Maybe I am." He smirked and released her. "A few more practices, and we can move onto a hip throw, since you want to throw me so badly." He laughed and got to his feet.

"With this, you have to come in very close with your back to your opponent. Break their balance by grabbing their wrist, arm, or belt, and drawing them forward and slightly upward, using your hip."

Rika tried to follow along. Geez, he radiates so much heat. Do I really have to be this close? Well... it's for a throw.

"Rika?"

"Yes?"

"Are you still listening? You're not moving."

"Right, sorry." Rika shook her head. Focus, Rika. Wait, has he actually called my name before?

"With your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, with your hips lower than theirs, reach around their waist or lower back with one arm, and use your legs and hip, not your back, to lift them up. Rotate your torso to the side, guiding their body over your hip to the ground."

"Ack!" She fumbled it and fell to the ground with him half on top of her. "Sorry..."

"Don't be sorry. Learn. Try again." Wolfe got up and held his hand out to her.

"Right." She took his hand and flew to her feet.

After a few more attempts, she got the hip throw right. "I did it!" Rika cheered, arms pumped into the air, and fell to the ground on her back beside him. "This is so tiring!"

"Done already?" Wolfe smirked, leaning his head in his hand as he lay beside her.

"Are you suggesting we're not done? I don't have your stamina; I can't do this all day."

"Obviously, but at least you've succeeded in breaking out of various holds and learned to throw someone bigger than you, like you wanted to."

Rika nodded. "I will admit it was a bit exhilarating."

The blue rose above Wolfe's head glowed.

Oh, that made him happy? I wish there were numbers. But am I really supposed to woo one to make it out of here? The game system hasn't been clear on any of this. And since I've already unlocked Drydan's route, should I focus on him? Wherever he is...

"What's on your mind? You seem deep in thought."

Can't mention that they're video game characters. "Wondering what happens next. Maybe I can put a cloak on and wander through the festival." She laughed.

"No, it's too dangerous."

"Even if you're with me?"

Wolfe's cheek twitched. "Yes, even so. Unless we're literally tied together, there's always a chance we could get separated."

"I see."

"Sorry," Wolfe mumbled. "I know this isn't fair to you, none of it is, but that's the hand you've been dealt."

Oh, this is a major attitude change. I guess he accepts I'm the saint now. "I think I just want a nap now."

"Let's head in." Wolfe stood and held his hand out to her.

"Thanks." She took his hand.

A screen popped up.

'Quest Completed: Learn to Defend Yourself.'

'Reward: Wolfe's Affection Up, Kael's Affection Up, Reputation Up.'