Episode 36: The brute versus the prince

Taro and the fancy boy stood face to face on opposite ends of the dueling ground, both holding a training sword. The teacher was standing there as referee after ignoring The Girl’s disapproval of the duel.

fancy boy: the sword is not my specialty, but I shall give you a chance to show me what about you is so attractive. Whatever it may be, a sword is all I need to best you, caveman!

Taro: (How did I end here?!, I’ve seen enough anime to know where this is going, the rich guy humiliates the protagonist.. that would make the girls worry, I can’t let it happen, I fought the Horde, I’m not weak anymore) I defeat you, fancy boy, prepare

The duel had started and fancy boy took an explosive stride towards Taro, but had to dodge a rock Taro very precisely shot. It was surprisingly difficult to get close, Taro was not only precise, but his rock creation technique allowed him to shoot nonstop and with great power, making it a better idea to dodge than to block, it was becoming obvious to everyone that a sword was not enough to take Taro down

fancy boy: not bad caveman!, you may be formidable at a distance, but how about this?!

fancy boy cast wind darts from his hand, upon impact they exploded in powerful gusts of wind, distracting Taro and allowing fancy boy to rush in. just when he thought he had Taro, he was met with a powerful swing he had to block, shaking him to his core before sending him flying back

fancy boy: not only are you deadly at a distance, but you also have the short range covered? not bad caveman!, but I know your weakness, you don’t dodge nor block!

the cycle of dodging rocks, creating an opening, and being sent back by Taro’s sword swing repeated until Taro’s sword shattered due to the immense pressure put on it, it seemed fancy boy had the upper hand, but when he went for the strike, Taro made a rock on his other hand, and was about to smash him with it. the teacher stopped the match, it had ended in a tie. The crowd went wild, impressed at how Taro could stand up against the “almighty blitz” of fancy boy. The Girls rushed to Taro to congratulate him personally, he had many cuts in his uniform and face from the wind blasts, but proud nonetheless

Ari: that was amazing!, you’ve gotten so strong, even I would have trouble fighting that guy

Nagye: (he looked so cool!, I don’t even know what to say!) w-wow

fancy boy: that was incredible, caveman! not many can survive my blitz, I see now what makes you so attractive, but it's a waste if you don't learn defense, I cannot allow you to go on like this, you can strive for much higher!, come with me, I will teach you!

teacher: class’s dismissed, good job everyone, don't forget to practice at home (I’m glad I stopped the match in time, I protected the young lord’s reputation, and face)

fancy boy dragged Taro to continue practicing in one of the arenas, The Girls followed them and kept watch from the stands, among other curious students. While Taro was forced to listen to fancy boy’s explanations, Ari approached Sidra

Ari: hey, Sidra, were you serious? About wanting to marry Taro…

Sidra: hmm?, I wonder

Ari: tell me, you umm got me curious

Sidra: I blurted that out to keep that guy away, but I can't deny I wouldn't have said it if it wasn’t Taro. if I were to marry someone, I would be ok with him

Ari: But, don't people marry for only 2 reasons?, arrangement, or out of love. and the brute doesn’t have a gold coin to his name, unless he is a noble in his world

Sidra: That is true indeed, but I would not be after his money or power. I just think having him as a husband would be nice. He is easy to be around, hardworking, he’s also quite cute, and he has gotten so much stronger too, and his butt is so plump… but above all, I feel like I can really be myself with him, he has always accepted me

Ari: I see… (I agree with her, he is very nice, he’s handsome, always works hard, but she forgot to mention how kind he is, or how—-)

Sidra: I could also marry Shizuka, I will never forget her running naked, or how touchy-feely she is. now that I think about it, I think I could marry all of you, you’re all so cute

Ari: o-oh so that’s what you meant, I get it now haha

Shizuka: What are you guys talking about?, I thought I heard my name just now

Sidra: about marriage, would you want to be my wife?

Shizuka: h-huh? Why all of the sudden?, you can’t just ask things like that so lightly

Sidra: most adorable ohohoho

Ari: are you ok Shizuka? you’re different, you would have said something like “oh yes lets marry hehe let me touch you hehehe”, did you have another dream?, I guess so, after all the time you were sleeping

Shizuka: more than just one dream… I recovered my memories, I remember everything now…

meanwhile, Taro was still training with fancy boy, learning new things, pleasantly surprised

fancy boy: —that way, you don't waste too much energy, it will fit your style of shooting in place, but! Tomorrow I'll teach you how to fight on the move, don't you dare not show up! For today, let's keep practicing. oh, my manners, I always forget hahaha!. My name is Artoggio Baltrez, third prince of the Baltrez, house of Asarana!, give me your name

Taro: (I thought this guy was going to be the typical noble jerk, turns out he's kinda alright, aside from his arrogant personality) my neem is Taro,

fancy boy: Taro!, exotic name. I don't really care where you are from, the kingdom of Asarana is the greatest under the sky hahaha!.

students whispered surprised at how the prince had made a friend, supposedly, he was very hard to get along with, and his lack of social awareness had him in bad standing with other noble peers, leaving his name as his only saving grace and his presence as an amusing spectacle. Meanwhile, Shizuka was telling The Girls about her past in the other world.

Shizuka: I don't think I became a different person, I'm just trying to balance the memories of who I am and who I used to be. Now I don't know where I belong, I miss my family, but I also like it here.

Sidra: most surprising, I would have not expected such a little imp to have been so serious in the past

Nagye: I di-didn’t know all-girl schools were so scary, I w-would never speak either if I was there

Ari: it’s also no wonder you’re a genius, you were training all your life, since childhood, of course you would surpass me… I’m not jealous!, it just makes so much sense now

Shizuka: Even after all that training, I never really became anyone remarkable, I always ended with mediocre results, there’s true geniuses out there. I just held on to my training because I… hmm, I don’t know how to say it, I guess I was running from what I was before… just like I did in this world. That's pretty sad and dumb isn’t it?

Sidra: … then that would make us 2 sad and dumb girls here

Nagye: three with m-me

Ari: I guess we’re all pretty sad and dumb around here then

Shizuka: Just thinking about it all makes me so embarrassed haaaa!, please forget everything

Ari: huh?, take that back, no, don't look at me with your confused eyes, I’m being serious, take that back!

Shizuka: I don't understand, what did I say?

Ari: You're basically telling us to forget our time together with you!, you’re telling us it was all fake, that our laughter was all fake, all our memories, that we never really knew you!. you’re just gonna wake up and pretend our time together never existed?, that we never bathed together?!, that we never slept together?! is that it?!

Shizuka: no… I didn’t mean it like that, I just said something stupid again, I… I really treasure those memories, I just wish I hadn't been such a nuisance

Ari: Then don't say that again!, what nuisance? I’d take silly happy Shizuka over sad Shizuka any day

Sidra: you may not have achieved what you wanted back then, but now, you are a genius, I think it’s something to be proud of

Nagye: y-yeah, I honestly a-admire you, and-and I’m happy to have met you, I’m happy that we’re together again

Shizuka: thank you, I’m also happy… to be here

The girls hugged once again, teary eyed. Meanwhile, onlookers murmured the new spicy news: that Shizuka not only had a carnal relationship with Nagye, but also an affair with Ari, and Sidra was also involved somehow

fancy boy: your woman seems to be crying, shouldn’t you go see what's all the fuss?

Taro: uhh?