Chapter 272 - Intensive Training and the Instructor's Hardship
Why do we seek strength?
We are strong. Our combat prowess is formidable. To defeat the Kikyo Society by force would require an overwhelmingly large and well-equipped force.
And even that might not be enough.
Every member must be of the highest caliber, highly disciplined, and equipped with the latest and most expensive gear. There can be no compromise.
Only then would there be a slight chance of victory. That's how strong we are.
But I, and the Kikyo Society, aim for even more.
We don't seek strength aimlessly. We have a firm belief driving us.
Fundamentally, women are defined as the weaker sex.
And the weak are often exploited.
No matter how idealistic, the world operates this way. It's a harsh reality.
Moreover, even those who speak idealistically often engage in exploitation.
Power, wealth, and violence—those who wield these are the strong. The rulers monopolize these powers. For the exploited to rise is a monumental challenge.
But in a world dominated by the logic of strength, it's a clear and understandable system.
Survival of the fittest, why not embrace it? Yes, I affirm it.
Especially violence. Among the various forms of power, violence is unique. It can't be easily taken away, and anyone can develop and wield it through training.
The results are immediate and clear. There's no clearer form of power.
Wealth and a certain level of power are ultimately supported by violence. It's a strong and undeniable force.
The foundation of the Kikyo Society's achievements is violence. This is why we can hold a prominent position in Exembra.
Seeking and enhancing this power is a natural and essential course of action.
For us, violence is the most important and non-negotiable element. It's the proof of our existence, understood by everyone in the Kikyo Society.
Stagnation is the beginning of a slow decline. There is no upper limit to strength, which is why we can continuously strive for more. I find this to be a happy and fulfilling pursuit.
Even as the sky darkened into night, it was time to wake everyone up.
Considering the position and movement time of the target beasts, I woke the sleeping members.
They were deeply asleep, but waking them up was simple.
【Red Flame of Valor (Exterior)!】
I blasted them with intense magical energy and killing intent, forcing even the sleepiest to jump up immediately.
The trained members woke up instantly, rubbing their sleepy eyes as they gathered.
"...I'm so tired."
I stroked the slightly disheveled hair of the sleepy sister and announced mercilessly.
"It's training time. We'll set off in twenty minutes, so hurry up."
There was enough time to wash up and change clothes.
During this period, I also rested to recover some of my strength.
Exactly twenty minutes later, the gathered members looked to Siegrune, who spoke on behalf of the group.
"Yukari-dono, what will we do from here?"
"You'll be fighting magical beasts. They'll be tough opponents."
"Magical beasts?"
These members are beyond the norm. In special places like the Forest of the Underworld, they might face a challenge, but ordinary magical beasts are no threat.
The Romariel Mountains are a special place with many powerful magical beasts, but the area near the base isn't known for strong ones.
Some members were likely imagining a long trek deep into the mountains.
"We'll go up the mountain a bit, but not too far. It's about a three-hour journey. You'll see once we get there."
I said that much and then headed outside, running through the dark, snowy landscape.
Using my magical senses to track the beasts, I kept moving until I found a suitable spot to wait.
While waiting, I prepared a little surprise.
"Yukari-san?"
I raised stone pillars from the snow, creating five of them at a considerable distance apart.
I then explained the task.
"A magical beast will come soon. Guard these pillars. Each of you will guard one, and you must protect it at all costs. Understand?"
I emphasized the importance, and they nodded, though they didn't fully understand.
Each member positioned themselves in front of a pillar and waited. Soon, a faint rumbling sound could be heard from far away.
Angelina seemed to have realized what was coming.
"...Could it be Capros!"
"Capros?"
"They are a disaster-like magical beast that moves in vast herds, trampling everything in their path. It can last for hours on end..."
Indeed. They resemble buffalo or cattle, not particularly strong individually, but they move in overwhelming numbers, mindlessly charging forward like a disaster. This area is likely part of their patrol route, which explains why no one lives here.
The attack on the Girls' Re-education Camp in the past might have been due to some irregularity in their route. It's a lingering question.
Regardless, guarding the pillars from a prolonged magical beast attack will require immense physical and mental endurance.
Considering they are already fatigued, this task will push them to their limits. It will be an excellent training exercise.
I observed them briefly discussing in tense whispers as I set up a transparent, triangular shield to protect myself from physical attacks. I was ready to watch them struggle.
"I've detected them with magical senses. They're about a kilometer ahead. I'll launch a flare."
Verone was the first to notice and cast a light spell.
The snowflakes in the darkness glowed as they rose.
"As I said, guard the pillars. The Capros herd may take hours to pass, but you must succeed. If you fail, you'll do it again!"
I left them to it, offering no advice.
They soon encountered the roaring herd.
The members positioned themselves in front of the pillars, focusing their attention on the front.
We had just completed a three-day marathon in the snow, and even with a few hours of sleep, they were still fatigued.
The pressure of the Capros herd was immense, and I expected them to reach their limits soon. That's when the real training would begin.
I was excited to see who would be the first to manifest the magic.
The approach of the massive herd was initially quiet.
The fatigued members started the battle conserving energy, focusing only on the Capros charging from the front, without wasting words.
The fallen Capros didn't form a barrier; they were stepped over as the endless herd continued to charge.
Their combat skills were too high for the Capros to pose a real threat, but the challenge would intensify.
Ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes... the number of Capros they had to defeat was significant.
In the dark, snowy landscape, the pile of Capros corpses grew, and they continued to fight the relentless onslaught. It was a grueling ordeal, even with their superior combat abilities.
They had to constantly be aware of the position of their pillar, dealing with the relentless Capros and the bodies they kicked away. The endless repetition distorted their sense of time and added immense mental stress.
I could sense their spirits being worn down, inching closer to their limits.
The key to Combat Body Transformation Magic lies in controlling one's instincts.
Advanced magical sensing and manipulation are essential, but mental strength is crucial.
Identifying one's limits and transcending them with magic and willpower. Normally, instincts act as a brake, but they must be brought under complete control. Once achieved, the magic can be activated.
With practice, one can gradually push those limits further, improving the level of Combat Body Transformation Magic.
To initiate this, I placed them in a situation where their limits were reached, but the threat persisted. They had to deeply feel the need to transcend their limits, leaving them no choice but to push through.
The training in magical sensing and manipulation they had undergone would allow them to identify and break through those limits, reaching a new stage. I believed they could achieve this.
"By identifying and gradually peeling away the layers of your limits, you can unlock more and more power."
They were tired and pushed to the limit, but this is where the real training began.
Despite the extreme fatigue, they seemed to be more focused than ever.
Using magical sensing to delve deep into their inner selves and pushing their limits with magical manipulation, they needed to focus inward, not outward.
They were practicing this, and I saw a positive trend.
But there's still more to come.
--- More time passed.
Their deepening focus eliminated unnecessary movements, making each action more efficient.
Guarding the pillars left no room for evasion.
Using the minimum amount of strength and energy, they had to eliminate waste. When that wasn't enough, they had to break through their limits. They already possessed the potential to do so, and they were gradually reaching that point.
A new threat approached, as expected.
The blood from killing Capros filled the area with a metallic scent.
Drawn by the smell, other magical beasts arrived. Apes, wolves, and familiar creatures appeared one after another.
The members, in a trance-like state from the intense battle, moved like battle machines, maintaining their focus and quickly detecting the new threats.
However, they couldn't just deal with the Capros charging from the front. The new beasts arrived chaotically, making it much harder to protect the pillars.
In a normal situation, this would be a hopeless scenario. The pillars couldn't be defended, and they would be forced to retreat. But these members are not trained to retreat. They had to find a way through, concluding that they had almost no options left. They didn't give up.
It was time to wake up.
Hours had passed since the start of the battle, and the situation had become dire when one of their magical energies suddenly spiked.
Everyone was focused on their own tasks, so only the person and I noticed.
"Impressive, the first to break through is Verone."
A newfound force seemed to surge within her, and she wielded it joyfully, forgetting her fatigue.
Activating Combat Body Transformation Magic for the first time is challenging, but maintaining it requires advanced magical manipulation skills. It seemed she managed it without issues.
Once she did it once, the second time would be easier. With continued practice, she would master it.
One by one, Valeria, Mary, Siegrune, and Angelina followed.
As expected, but they had already built a solid foundation. This was a natural outcome.
I watched them until the magical beasts were gone, ensuring they didn't overexert themselves. The threat eventually subsided.
In the dark, snowy night, everyone collapsed from exhaustion.
Despite their fatigue, they likely felt a sense of accomplishment. I didn't want to interrupt this moment, but as the harsh instructor, I had to speak.
"Good job. But you can't rest here among the corpses. More training! Run back to the camp with Combat Body Transformation Magic activated. If you fall behind, you'll face the Capros again!"
Siegrune, who had been dozing, scrambled to her feet, awkwardly activating the magic for a second time.
Good, it wasn't smooth yet, but the second activation was successful.
【Red Flame of Valor (Exterior)!】
I activated the magic more flamboyantly, showing them how it's done, and took off running.
I believed they understood the importance of setting a key phrase and reinforcing the mental image. I would explain it again after we returned.
We took nearly a full day to rest at the camp before it was time to head back.
For Siegrune and the others, the training was over, but I, as the instructor, had to repeat this with the other groups. I might be the one who benefits the most from this training. But that's fine.
The winter intensive special training would continue without compromise. The return journey would involve running back to Exembra with the newly acquired magic activated. This alone would help them get more accustomed to it.
"Alright, it's our turn! We can't lose!"
"Of course. Count on us, Yukari!"
"It's a bit scary, knowing the content is a secret, though."
Thus, the second and third waves would follow, and my role as the instructor would continue.
It wouldn't be a problem if it were just once, but I had to do it three times.
Just accompanying them through the training was exhausting.
Maybe I'll be the one who levels up the most this winter...?
I've shared the meaning of seeking strength and a glimpse of the training.
The strong will face challenges, but they will seize the hammer and strike back even harder.
While this foundation of training is quite mundane, I don't plan to make it a central focus in the future.
Next, we'll shift our attention to the organization itself. Reform as an organization is also necessary.