Chapter 32 - Training Begins
"—Ahem… r-right then! Shall we begin the training, then!"
My voice cracked on the first word. Witnessing my complete lack of grace, Sora gave me a lukewarm look. The fact that my cool-guy routine never lasts is proof of my average-guyness—hey, don't just stand there smiling.
Why did you look so reluctant to let go when I released your hand? Are you not aware of the scientifically proven fact that such an expression on a beautiful girl is a lethal weapon?
"You've toyed with my heart. This training will be spartan."
"Why?!"
Please come back after you've studied the psychological effects a beautiful girl's words and actions have on a man—okay. Silly thoughts really are the best medicine for calming the mind.
"Jokes aside, I think the only way forward is through practical application."
"Ugh… practical application, you say?"
We had made our way to the ever-convenient flatland, the [Plains of the Horizon]. Sora's gaze fell on the boars strutting about, and her expression clouded with anxiety.
Well, if we used them for practice, the moment she closed her eyes and swung her sword, she'd be sent flying. That was a certainty.
"No, I don't plan on letting those idiots be your instructors. We'll do this one-on-one."
As I said that, I summoned a straight sword. Watching me, Sora's anxious expression—huh? Why did the anxiety just get worse?
"Um… with you, Haru-san?"
Huh? How should I interpret that slightly reluctant tone?
"…Is there a problem?"
"I'd rather not be sliced into tiny pieces…"
What on earth does she think I am? I don't know what kind of face I was making, but seeing me freeze, Sora let out a small chuckle—you were teasing me, weren't you?
"…Ahem. In short, the plan is for you to just keep attacking me."
"Heehee, I'm sorry."
Sora was clearly pleased with herself, as if her little comeback was a success. As she gets more comfortable with me, isn't her combat power increasing? She's supposed to be my junior. Am I going to be okay?
I turned away from her smile, which was a bit too radiant, and twirled the straight sword before offering the hilt to her. Sora timidly accepted the blade, cradling the unfamiliar weapon in both hands as she tilted her head.
"Will it be okay if I attack you… Oh, right. It will be. There's no way I'd hit you."
That wasn't a nuance about her not being able to hit, was it? It was because it's me that she won't hit, right?
And it wasn't born out of trust or affection, but rather a hint of exasperation and resignation.
…Heh, so this is what I get for my usual antics.
"Um, what's with that expression?"
"Oh, just thinking about how you're gradually getting the hang of dealing with me…"
"…?"
Never mind.
"W-well, that's the gist of it. It'll double as evasion practice for me, so it's two birds with one stone."
"I doubt you need any evasion practice at this point, Haru-san…"
Sora smiled wryly, likely recalling the wild performance I'd put on against the flock of Great Winged Birds. She gave her head a small shake as if to clear her mind and, with still-clumsy movements, raised the straight sword.
Even with her small, girlish avatar, her STR stat was higher than mine. Combined with her well-rounded agility and dexterity, she was more than superhuman by real-world standards.
There was no reason she shouldn't be able to swing a single sword.
"Um, so… my stance, and…"
"Hmm, I'm self-taught and an amateur myself, so I can't say for sure… but if I had to say something, relax a little more. Just enough so you don't lose your grip, and then tense up the moment you swing through. How about that?"
I've never seriously looked into how to swing a sword, but after eighteen years of being a guy, I've picked up a thing or two. I can at least offer some basic, compulsory-level advice.
"Like this?"
"Okay. Try swinging it like that… maybe be a bit more conscious of the follow-through? It looks like the sword is pulling you around at the end."
"I-I see. …Hah!"
Before she started her actual swings, I gave her a lecture on the fundamental body mechanics. …She doesn't have a problem when she's just doing practice swings. The issue is definitely whether or not there's an opponent in front of her.
"Hah… hup… So, how was that?"
"Yeah, not bad at all."
This girl, as it turns out, is not unathletic. I still had some lingering preconceptions, imagining her as somewhat clumsy, if not completely uncoordinated… but in reality, her running form is quite beautiful.
Her swordplay was perfectly watchable—no, in fact, a blonde, beautiful swordswoman makes for an incredible picture. For some reason, my own motivation started to rise… Anyway, her swing was fine.
"Alright, let's begin. I'll be sure to dodge, so don't hold back."
"R-right, thank you for your help…!"
And with that one polite bow as a signal, Sora's special training began.
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"—Well, I guess things don't get resolved in a few panels like in a manga…"
When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the increasingly familiar canopy of [Arcadia].
Lately, the intense sense of disconnect from my physical body after logging out has started to fade, which is a relief. I can safely say my adaptation to virtual reality is proceeding smoothly… but the off-the-books quest I'm currently working on has hit a snag.
"I thought if we could just get rid of her habit of closing her eyes, things would work out…"
—Three days had passed since we began Sora's training to transition to a frontline role.
At first, things went smoothly… or rather, the habit that was supposed to be her biggest obstacle was overcome in just over an hour on the first day.
It seems that when people truly commit to something, they can manage to pull it off. I got my hopes up, thinking this was it, a surprisingly quick resolution—
"But who would've thought she wouldn't gain a single skill after three days…"
With Sora having met the bare minimum requirements for melee combat, we started her off on the front lines, retracing our steps from the boar plains and continuing her training.
Three days might have passed, but Sora can't play all day like I can. Her daily login time averages about four hours, which is about six hours in Arcadia time.
Even so, she spent roughly eighteen hours of real time on this adventure, swinging her sword nonstop… but nothing. No sprout, no growth, no acquisition.
Not even the aptitude tree, which is supposed to be relatively easy to obtain—something you can get on the same day just by using the corresponding weapon type for a while—refused to appear.
As the one who grandly declared I'd stick with her through thick and thin, I feel incredibly awkward, but the way she herself has fallen into despair is truly painful to watch.
From Sora's perspective, it's as if the system itself is telling her, "You're not cut out for this." When we parted ways today, the light was almost completely gone from her eyes.
—I'll probably never forget the look on Sora's face when a skill for the shortbow tree, a weapon she wasn't even using, popped up, as if to say, Just go back to your real job already.
Who was it that said a beautiful girl is beautiful no matter what she does? …No, when they're genuinely angry, it's actually terrifying. I never knew a person could have such cold eyes. If that gaze were ever directed at me, it'd be an instant kill.
"Haaah…"
I sighed, wondering what to do, as I lifted my body out of the [Arcadia] machine.
Seeing her dejected expression as she logged out, I figured it was about time I offered some emotional support. I have a responsibility since I was the one who fired her up—I wonder if the internet has any insights on how to comfort a woman (whose real-life information is unknown)…
Drawn by the smell of dinner, I left my room, my mind preoccupied with how to acquire a skill I'd never needed in my life of part-time jobs.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Is something the matter, Young Lady? If you keep making such a sour face, that lovely face of yours will be… well, it's still lovely, though, isn't it?"
"…………"
"Oh my, this seems rather serious."
She was so down that she completely ignored the customary rebuke for being called 'Young Lady.' Or perhaps it wasn't ignoring so much as her mind being elsewhere; she'd been like this ever since dinner preparations began.
She started to lose her spirit about three days ago, a stark contrast to the sheer excitement she'd shown just a few days prior when she first started Arcadia.
"What is it, Sora? Is something bothering you?"
Dropping the teasing tone, Itsuki asked again. This time, she managed to get her attention, as Sora's gaze turned towards her.
"…………It seems I have no talent."
Talent? Wondering what kind of talent she meant, Itsuki asked her directly—
"Talent with a sword…"
With a sorrowful expression, the young lady whom Itsuki adored made her declaration.
For a moment, Itsuki almost laughed, wondering if this girl was from some medieval or fantasy world, but she was sharp enough to guess it was about the game.
"I see, a sword… It's true, I can't quite picture you fighting with one, Sora."
"…The game told me the same thing."
Itsuki didn't quite understand what she meant, but it was clear that she had hit a wall and was feeling down.
"Hmm… In that case, why don't you try relying on that knight everyone's talking about?"
"Haru-san has already spent three days with me… I'm taking up his time, and I have nothing to show for it…"
Oops, it seemed she had stepped on another landmine. And this Haru person, who was apparently always with her, seemed to have earned her deep trust. Just what kind of person was he?
It wasn't as if she could get her own [Arcadia] machine and join them, so the fact that she couldn't see his character for herself was a little frustrating.
"I don't know much about games, but it's a game, isn't it? You lose out if you don't have fun."
"I know, but… Haru-san went to the trouble of encouraging me…"
It was rare for this girl to be so openly dejected. Knowing Sora's personality, it wasn't her own lack of progress that was bothering her, but the fact that she was inconveniencing someone as a result.
"Haru-san is a man, isn't he? In that case, you should just burden him as much as you want. He might even think it's a perk of the job, being relied on by such a cute girl."
"There you go saying strange things again… Both Haru-san and I are in our avatars. It's not about appearances."
"Oh, but you haven't changed your face or anything, have you?"
"I-I wouldn't tell him something like that! It's bad manners to disclose real-life information carelessly in Arcadia!"
Itsuki only had a general knowledge of Arcadia as a form of entertainment, but it seemed to have all sorts of rules. For a virtual reality indistinguishable from the real world, that was only natural.
"If it's too difficult, why not try something else? You're in a fantasy world, after all. What about magic?"
"…In the virtual world, I wanted to move my body to my heart's content. Because in reality, I'm… like this."
Sora gestured to herself, expressing her frustration. She was born with a frail constitution and had been forbidden from strenuous exercise, unable to even participate fully in her school's physical education classes.
She had excellent natural athletic sense, and contrary to her gentle appearance, she loved to move her body. Knowing this, Itsuki felt sorry for her, but to think that even a game would brand her as unsuitable was another matter entirely.
It was more than just unfortunate; Itsuki couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sympathy for her young lady, who seemed to have drawn the short straw in so many ways.
In the end, there was little Itsuki, who knew nothing about Arcadia, could do besides listen to her laments and complaints.
Under Itsuki's pitying gaze, Sora spent the rest of the evening being comforted by her maid and older-sister figure, her face never once brightening.