kscans

Chapter 160 - Awakening Training

When I got home from the Nue dungeon and consulted my dad about taxes, his eyes rolled back in his head.

"Son... I think you should probably just hire an accountant now..."

He threw in the towel. Well, yeah. Even I was taken aback by the number of zeroes.

Why does a high school student who isn't the heir to some major corporation or a member of a royal family have enough savings to buy several luxury foreign cars...? The Adventurer Dream is something else.

I'd like to think I'm in the top thirty adventurers, so it's not a position just anyone can reach. Still, I can understand why kids these days want to become adventurers.

And man, the materials dropped by B-Rank monsters are seriously expensive.

When I think about it calmly, they're 'rare items that have never been on the market before,' so I guess it's only natural.

Still, it's a little scary how my sense of money is getting warped. This is on a whole other level from 'how many game consoles or manga can I buy.'

...If I think about it too much, I'll either become arrogant or develop a severe case of misanthropy.

I'll ask Aira-san or Professor Arisugawa about the accountant situation. I've consulted with them before, so maybe I can ask them to introduce me to someone who could work for me exclusively.

Having come to that conclusion, I immediately asked Aira-san, and she readily agreed to talk to the professor for me.

She's usually a bit of a mess, but she's reliable when it counts...

"Oh, by the way, Kyouta-kun."

"Yes, what is it?"

Just as I was relaxing my shoulders in relief, Aira-san spoke up as if she'd just remembered something.

"Are you free this coming Saturday?"

"Well, I don't think I have any plans to go to a dungeon that day, so I should be free."

"...So you have absolutely no plans to go out other than for dungeons. I know how you feel..."

"Guh...!"

I couldn't see her face, but I could tell she had a gentle smile on her needlessly beautiful features.

Damn it, I want to retort, but I can't argue with her!

"It's okay, Kyouta-kun. Our bond is absolute. We're besties for life...!"

"Sh-Shut up! Anyway! What is it? Is there something you want to do on Saturday?"

"Oh, it's nothing much. Actually, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

"A favor?"

From the way she said it, it didn't sound like she was asking me to go to a dungeon.

I tilted my head, wondering what it could be.

"Kyouta-kun. You know that class your parents are going to for Awakening training? Could you go and help out a little?"

"...Excuse me?"

No, seriously, what does that even mean?

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On Saturday, I found myself on a rare family outing, riding in the car driven by my dad.

If this were a trip to an amusement park or something, it would be a warm holiday memory... No, wait, a high schooler going to an amusement park with his parents is kind of weird. And embarrassing.

After about a twenty-minute drive, we parked in a lot near the station, then took the train for another twenty-five minutes.

From there, another fifteen-minute bus ride brought us to a building that looked like a temple.

Apparently, it was originally an abandoned temple that had been left to rot for several decades before the current owner bought and rebuilt it.

There was a verdant mountain a short distance away, and a glance around revealed prominent irrigation canals. It was a nature-rich area with many fields. The sound of cicadas coming from all directions evoked memories I didn't even have.

While I wouldn't call it scenic beauty, the reason we came to this place where you could fill your lungs with clean air was not for camping or mountain climbing.

It was for `Awakening Training`.

Under the guidance of an instructor, one strives to draw out their latent spiritual potential for a stronger body (stats) and to acquire supernatural abilities (skills).

...When you write it out, it sounds like nothing but a shady new cult!

Well, it's true that stories like that exploded in number after the `Day of Awakening`. Needless to say, most of them were nothing but scams.

I trusted that this place was legitimate, since Professor Arisugawa was the one who introduced us to it.

We passed through the impressive gate, walked along the stone-paved path and up the stairs to the entrance. It must have been a large temple originally, as the whole structure was quite magnificent.

"Excuse me. Yagawa here."

"Yes, come on in."

A woman in her sixties came across the tatami mats. After a brief greeting, we took off our shoes and went inside.

"Oh my... Um, are you okay?"

"Yes?"

The woman spoke to me with a worried expression, and I tilted my head, not understanding at first.

As I did, the strap of the Boston bag on my shoulder started to slip, so I grabbed it and put it back in place.

"It's just, that looks incredibly heavy... Wouldn't it be better to put it down first?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you."

I see, so that's what it was.

Slung over my left shoulder was the Boston bag containing `Byakuren`.

Since I got caught up in stampedes so often, I'd gotten into the habit of carrying it with me whenever I went far from home.

Carrying the full armor around would be too cumbersome, and I tried not to carry the weapon case unless I was going to a dungeon. If a police officer saw it, I might get my adventurer license confiscated.

The place the woman pointed to was a wooden-floored space where backpacks and other bags had been placed. I walked over and carefully set my bag down.

Just then, I sensed a familiar mana signature approaching.

"Hello, Kyouta-kun. Thank you for coming today."

"Not at all. Thank you for taking care of my parents."

Professor Arisugawa approached with a smile, dressed in a white blouse and a black tight skirt.

She was wearing a necktie and black tights in this heat. Yet, she wasn't sweating at all, which was a little unusual even for an Awakened Person. If I looked closely, I could see a faint layer of mana flowing over her skin; was she doing something?

I wiped the sweat from my own forehead with a handkerchief and shifted my gaze to the person standing diagonally behind her.

"It's good to see you again after just yesterday, Kyouta-kun. I'm happy to see your face again on our day off."

"Oh, right."

It was Erina-san in her high-class lady mode. To be honest, it was startling.

Today, too, she was dressed in a Taisho-era romantic style hakama. She wore a kimono of a cool, light blue fabric with a floral pattern, and dark navy hakama.

Her hair was tied in a ponytail instead of her usual pigtails, and a gentle smile graced her face.

Yeah. This feels super weird.

"Ah! Professor Arisugawa! Thank you for having us."

My parents, who had been talking with the other 'participants,' walked over at a brisk pace.

"Hello, Yagawa-san. On the contrary, I should be thanking you. Your son gets along so 'well' with my granddaughters."

"Oh, I'm so relieved to hear you say that."

"I was worried Kyouta might be doing something rude in a place with so many beautiful girls like Erina-san."

"Not at all. He's a very gentlemanly young man. To the point where I think he could be a little more mischievous."

Why is it so awkward when your parents talk to someone else?

And Mom. Regarding the 'rude things' part, I can't quite deny that. Sorry. But it's usually mutual, so I hope you'll forgive me.

"Kyouta. Try not to cause too much trouble for Erina-san or the professor, okay?"

"Yeah, I know..."

My dad came up beside me, looked back and forth between me and the smiling Erina-san, and clamped a hand on my shoulder.

Then, my mom whispered in my ear.

"Listen. You absolutely have to seize this chance!"

"Huh?"

"You're probably in your popular phase right now, so if you let this slip by, you'll probably never get married!"

"Isn't that an exaggeration?"

"We want to see our grandchildren... but we don't want to force our son. If you can't get together with Erina-san, we'll give up, so...!'

"Isn't that an exaggeration?"

This is important, so I'll say it again. Isn't that an EXAGGERATION???

What kind of negative faith is that to have in your son? Even I could get a girlfriend if I got serious, probably...

...Nope, can't picture it. The only thing that comes to mind is a honey trap from someone after my adventurer earnings!

This is terrible. I can't even imagine a scenario that would prove my mom wrong! If anything, I could easily picture myself 'making' a girlfriend with alchemy!

"Now then, Kyouta-kun, let's go get ready. Yagawa-san, we'll see you later."

"Yes! Please take good care of our son!"

As the professor gave a graceful bow, my parents hurriedly bowed their heads.

The moment the professor turned her back, both my mom and dad gave me a thumbs-up. No, what does that even mean? I mean, I get it, but I don't want to.

I returned it with a thumbs-down and followed after the professor.

...For some reason, the high-class lady mode Erina-san positioned herself three steps behind me.

"Um, Erina-san."

"Yes, what is it?"

"...Why are you speaking like that?"

"Just for fun."

"Thank god, it's you."

So it wasn't some doppelganger who had perfectly copied her appearance and mana. I breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, her walking position must be her own form of 'play.' Thanks to my parents, it reminded me of stories about how couples used to walk in the old days.

"Thank you for today, Kyouta-kun."

"Oh, no problem."

The professor glanced back at me as we walked.

"I apologize for the sudden request. The Awakened Person who usually helps out here had to go attend his grandchild's birth and couldn't make it."

"Ah, so that's why."

"He's a user of healing magic, so he was quite insistent that if anything were to happen, he would heal his grandchild and great-grandchild himself. I understand he's worried, but I do think he could trust the hospital a little more."

"Ahaha... Y-Yeah."

"However, I can understand the feeling of being unable to sit still when a great-grandchild is about to be born. I suppose I, too, will have that experience someday. Hehe. When that time comes, I won't be able to laugh at him."

"I... see."

When the professor's grandchildren give birth, that would be Erina-san, Mia-san, and Aira-san.

...I'm worried in a different sense.

"When my granddaughters give birth someday, will you worry with me?"

"Eh? Ah, yes."

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I nodded without thinking.

When one of those three gives birth... I might curse their husband to death out of jealousy, but it might be better if I'm there when the time comes.

If the worst should happen, I'll ignore the risks and use my `Sage's Nucleus` to save both mother and child.

"I'm relieved to hear that. I'm counting on you for my granddaughters, Kyouta-kun."

"I, uh, see..."

"Grandmother, it's still too early for that. I'm not even dating anyone yet."

Erina-san gave the professor a wry smile, her tone far more ladylike than usual.

In response, she also gave a wry smile.

"You're right. I shouldn't get so carried away at my age."

"N-Not at all."

"Oh, dear. We were about to walk past the owner's room. I seem to have gotten carried away, feeling like our 'family of three' was out on a sightseeing trip."

"Three...?"

"You're already like a grandson to me, Kyouta-kun."

"Oh, thank you...?"

Does that mean she's very fond of me?

I felt like Erina-san had closed the distance between us, but she's always had a small personal space, so it wasn't anything strange.

...If I didn't tell myself that, I might get the 'wrong idea.' This is all my mom's fault for saying those weird things.

I gave my head a slight shake to clear it of worldly thoughts as Professor Arisugawa called out to the other side of the sliding fusuma door.

"Sensei. I've brought Yagawa Kyouta-kun."

"Thank you. Please, come in."

"Excuse us."

The professor opened the door for me, so I gave a bow and entered, a little flustered.

"My apologies. I was in the middle of some research and couldn't come to greet you."

"N-Not at all."

There stood a perfectly bald old man.

His eyebrows and beard were long and white, and his back was stooped. Yet, for some reason, he gave off the impression of a 'man who has his act together.'

He was dressed in a black kimono, looking just like a Buddhist monk. I'd heard this building was a renovated abandoned temple, but...

"Ah, this attire. Well, I have the qualifications to call myself a monk, you see. A worldly one, though. I usually teach at a university."

"I, uh, see."

"My name is Yamadera Anji. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yagawa-kun."

"Ah, yes. The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for taking care of my parents."

I hurriedly shook the hand he offered.

It was a hand of just skin and bones, yet it felt strangely thick. Had this man practiced some kind of martial art?

"Hoh..."

Yamadera-san raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You..."

"Yes?"

"Your martial arts are pretty sloppy. Just a step above an amateur, I'd say."

I was suddenly dissed.

"Um, well, it's mostly self-taught, so..."

"And yet, you're strong. What could it be? The suppleness of your muscles? The density of your bones? Hmm. Biologically, your arm is like that of a normal sports club member."

"Um..."

Yamadera-san started patting and prodding my body.

I have no interest in being touched by an old man. To be honest, it's creepy. What makes it worse is that I feel like his pupils are dilated, which is scary.

"Yes!"

He gave a loud nod and let go of me.

I breathed a sigh of relief, finally free.

"Yagawa-kun! Would you mind if I cut open your arms and legs a little?! I won't touch your brain or heart!"

"I mind very much!"

What is this old man saying?!

"Sensei. Please don't tease him so much."

"Ho ho ho. My apologies. I was just a little curious about this 'master adventurer' I've heard so much about. Please forgive me, Yagawa-kun."

Oh, so it was a joke.

...It was a joke, right? Let's just say it was a joke. For the sake of my mental health.

"No, it's alright."

"That aside."

Yamadera-san grabbed my shoulders with both hands. Now what?

"Are you interested in sperm donation? I'd like to combine it with a suitable egg and observe it."

"...Excuse me?"

"It's fine, no problem. I won't do anything like dissect the baby. I'll raise it properly. I just want to observe the growth process. It's a safe and secure───"

"Sensei."

A sudden surge of mana made me spin around.

There stood Professor Arisugawa, a smile on her face, her `Arcane Gear` deployed.

"That's enough joking around. He's using his precious day off to help us."

"Ho ho ho. I-It was just a joke."

The moment Yamadera-san let go of me, Erina-san, with a plastered-on smile, grabbed my arm.

She pulled me away from him. Huh? What? What's going on? What was that conversation about?

"That's enough for greetings. Let's get down to business."

Wiping the sweat from his bald head with a hand towel, Yamadera-san smiled at me.

"Awakening training. I'm counting on you to help out."

The mad scientist gramps gave me a meaningful, triumphant look.

...Is it really okay to leave my parents in this old man's care?

I instinctively glanced at Professor Arisugawa, but she quietly averted her eyes.