Chapter 77

Only gray was visible. Whether it was a bit darker or a bit lighter, there were differences in saturation, but my surroundings were always a world of gray. In the midst of that gray, the only color spoke.

“Hey, 204.”

“Why are you calling me again? Annoying.”

“Why are you so expressionless? Are you some ninja who got wiped out in a mission? Teach me how to cut lightning.”

“What the hell are you talking about, you crazy woman? She’s making jokes about things only she knows again.”

Back then, I really disliked that kid. Because she grew up in a happy family, unlike me, she made jokes from anime, movies, or books. Since I didn’t know those things, her jokes just annoyed and irritated me.

“Don’t call a woman a crazy woman. A British gentleman never insults a lady.”

“What the hell is a British gentleman, you crazy woman?”

“Someone who values ladies first, always prioritizes manners and integrity.”

“Training to kill people while talking about manners and integrity? Bullshit.”

Back then, I thought she was just a crazy kid. Of course, I disliked her, but I didn’t refuse to talk to her. During the very short free time, there was nothing else to do, and she was the only way for me to learn things I didn’t know.

“By the way, what was that punch you used during martial arts training? I’ve never seen that technique before.”

“This?”

She placed her hand on my solar plexus, just like she did during training.

“It’s called the Inch Punch.”

“Inch Punch?”

“Yeah, Inch Punch. It’s also called the One-Inch Punch.”

“Who taught you? The instructors never taught us that.”

Basically, during training, we either hit straw bundles wrapped in rope around iron plates to toughen our hands, stabbed vital points bare-handed, or did basic boxing punches. But the technique 200 showed was very different from what I knew.

“This is a technique my ancestor taught me through a book when I lived with my parents.”

“Who’s your ancestor?”

“The martial god Bruce Lee, the strongest man in the world.”

“You really are a crazy woman.”

And then the Inch Punch landed right on my solar plexus. For a moment, it felt like my insides were twisting.

“Today, I’ll teach you not to use such words with a woman. This is Confucian teaching.”

“You crazy woman…”

That day, I got beaten to a pulp by her.

—

My head feels heavy. Damn, is it that dream again? Women have their monthly thing, but… for me, the day I have that dream comes. On the day I have that dream, no jokes or random thoughts come. I just feel unpleasant all day. Just when I think I’m feeling a bit better, it comes back and ruins my mood.

Is it like a cold? In the sense that it comes unexpectedly and makes you feel bad, this is my own personal cold.

Since my house isn’t fully organized yet, and I’m staying at Ricardo’s place for a while to hire servants to manage the mansion… the air here is quite nice. If possible, it’d be great if my new mansion were near here.

Looking at the time, it’s still early dawn, so I put on some light clothes and went outside. The only way to shake off this uncomfortable feeling is a walk or medicine. But unfortunately, since I don’t have any psychiatric medication, I had to walk in the chilly dawn air.

If only I could drink alcohol, but I have to investigate a kidnapping case in the morning, so daytime drinking is out of the question. It’d be easier to kidnap a kid. Catching the kidnappers and beating them up—could there be a more mismatched task for me?

Walking through the backyard, I came across the knights’ training ground. Everyone was training, sweating even in the chilly dawn. I don’t dislike hardworking people. In fact, I admire them a bit because they’re different from someone like me.

Among the knights training there was Thomas, whom I had seen before. During training, he suddenly saw me and waved.

“Isn’t this Sir Werner? What brings you here?”

Then all eyes turned to me. I don’t really like being the center of attention.

“I came out for a walk and was watching the training. If I’m in the way, I apologize.”

“Hahaha, not at all. It’s an honor for the esteemed Archmage to watch our training.”

Saying things I don’t mean—there’s no way they’re comfortable with an outsider watching their training.

“It looks like you’re doing hand-to-hand combat training. I have some knowledge of martial arts… Would it be okay if I joined the training?”

“Hahaha, no problem… but are you sure? It’s a bit intense for knights.”

There it is. That look of underestimation. The look that says, “What’s a frail mage doing joining knights’ hand-to-hand training?” The look that says, “Do you even know how to make a fist?” The complete underestimation of a person. Judging someone by their left hand isn’t a good perception—in the industry I used to work in, there were seniors who were bent-over old ladies at the senior center.

I took off my shirt and walked into the training ground. I needed someone to vent my frustration on.

“One question… is killing someone during sparring forbidden?”

“Yes, seriously injuring or killing your opponent is prohibited. We have to be careful about accidents during training…”

“Then it’s going to be a bit tough.”

No matter how much these bastards train, their hand-to-hand combat skills won’t improve. The minimum damage I can inflict is breaking bones, so it’s going to be a bit difficult since I can’t use many techniques.

—

The guy slammed to the ground, the guy who got hit in the jaw and collapsed, the guy who threw a punch and hurt his right hand hitting my elbow, the guy who passed out from a choke, the guy who got a knife-hand strike to the neck and fainted—they were all pathetic. Maybe they’re good with spears or longswords, but their hand-to-hand training is just for show.

They don’t even know basic footwork, and their breakfall training is so sloppy. Their scarred hands are just from holding swords—there’s no sign they’ve seriously trained in hand-to-hand combat.

“If you’re going to be like this, just give up on hand-to-hand training and focus on weapon training. Spending time on a field you’re not serious about is an insult to those who train hard in that field.”

Not that these guys who suck at hand-to-hand training would be any good at weapon training.

But the uncomfortable feeling still didn’t go away. I thought sweating a bit would make me feel better, but I just felt irritated and annoyed. Then, applause came from behind.

“Impressive. I didn’t know your hand-to-hand combat skills had improved so much.”

The one clapping was Ricardo. Next to him, Airi was waving.

“You used to hate hand-to-hand combat, but now you’re quite skilled at beating people up.”

“I guess I needed one more way to fight.”

“Ah… I see.”

Looking at Ricardo’s bitter smile, I replied curtly.

“Are you mad I hurt your subordinates, brother?”

“It was a mutual agreement, and it’s true their hand-to-hand skills were pathetic. Maybe this will motivate them to improve.”

“If there’s no problem, then it’s fine.”

Airi handed me a dry towel.

“I was watching the whole time, Master! You were so cool! The way you went ‘shoosh shoosh’ with your fists was amazing!”

Airi awkwardly mimicked the jab I had shown. Come to think of it, I only taught her kicks, not boxing. If this were actual boxing training, I would’ve hit her for that stance.

I wiped my sweat with the dry towel. A slightly damp towel would’ve been better, but Airi is a bit clueless in this regard. Well, I should be grateful she even brought one. That damn dream is making my personality weird.

“Airi.”

“Yes, Master?”

Airi was smiling brightly. And that smile… it looked a lot like the girl from my dream who ruins my mood.

“Are you free today?”

“You’re going to train me again, aren’t you! I was supposed to read a book with Glacia…”

Another one of those erotic novels.

“Then never mind. It was a date request…”

“I’m busy so… huh?”

Since she looks like that girl, I thought patrolling together might help me feel better.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll just ask Sister Camelia…”

“No no! I’m totally free today!”