kscans

Chapter 541 - Thus, the Blue Sky Offensive is Underway

The day for the assault, decided on with one hundred percent momentum, was fast approaching. The two new 'cards' that had fallen into my lap were both major problem children—which meant the next step was already decided.

And so, the next day in the afternoon. At the training grounds I had once again visited,

"...I just don't understand you anymore, Haru. What are you trying to become?"

"............For now, I'm not aiming to become a monster."

It was a complete rehash of yesterday. Me, in my transformed body, crumpled like a rag against the wall; Sora-san, crouching beside me; and the residual magic crackling in my ears as if mocking the user's pathetic state.

No, really, seriously, for real. I can accept inhuman movements as a part of this fantasy world, but I don't want to become inhuman myself.

If anything, I see myself as the basic type who thinks that heroic characters who maintain their human form while surpassing monsters are the coolest. So, it's extremely vexing to be looked at with such an exasperated, troubled, and resigned expression.

"Well, um, of course I'll help you with your training... but is this something that can be managed with training? The 'sword' is one thing, but..."

"That one, at the end of the day, just has a heavy cost."

"No, it's not just that. To begin with, I want you to realize that your handling of weapons in general is fundamentally not normal."

Oh, she's praising me even while being exasperated. Thinking that, I gave a weak laugh, and Sora, with a half-lidded gaze, said, "Is this any time to laugh?" as she took my hand and pulled me up.

"Daggers, straight swords, greatswords, katanas, spears, and axes. And then, hammers... was it? It's amazing how you can use so many different weapons. It's a bit late to be saying this, though."

Come to think of it, I still haven't shown Sora-san my cheerful new weapon, the 'gun.' It looks like I'll be on the receiving end of another amusing look in the near future.

Anyway—

"I think that's simply thanks to my aptitude skills."

The reason why even beginners can manage to 'fight' in the virtual world, as long as they have the resolve. The thing that's practically a 'knowledge of battle' installed in your brain when you acquire a weapon aptitude skill.

Without it, I'd just be Average Person A, unable to properly swing even a stick, let alone a sword... and based on that premise, even my trash skill, [All Weapon Aptitude], has its subtly useful aspects.

After all, just by acquiring and setting it, you can instantly understand the basics of various weapons. I've never acquired any other aptitude, so I can't compare, but even if a dedicated aptitude grants 'deeper understanding,' there should still be a demand for it.

In any case, the base is that skill. When you add the Sword Saint's teachings on top of the system's unerring foundational knowledge, of course you'll surpass a certain level.

I've never seen her use them herself, but Ui-san is surprisingly knowledgeable about weapons other than katanas. She's actually taught me a bit about spearmanship and such—and, hey?

"Sora-san?"

I inquired of my partner, who, after pulling me up, showed no sign of letting go of my hand. A swing to the left, a swing to the right... I see, so that's how it is.

"............You see, I think breaks are important."

"Oh, breaks."

"I think you get better results if you concentrate and work hard each time."

"I see, concentration."

"And besides, I am 'helping' you, so I think it's okay to get a rewar—... a reward, don't you?"

Heh, a reward.

"I get it. You were about to retract the word 'reward' because it sounded childish, but you couldn't think of another way to say it, so you gave up—ouch, ouch, ouch!"

She pinched the back of my hand, and I immediately surrendered.

Ah, I understand. I bet the word 'compensation' that came to mind felt too business-like, and you didn't like that either.

So cute. This is painful.

............Come to think of it, Nia said something about this. It's true, I feel like I'm quite careless about saying things like 'cute' to Sora.

I kept it in my head this time, but it's not impossible that I let it slip out casually in a moment of carelessness. In fact, I have 'memories' of it happening several times.

I should be careful to be fair... but then again, is being 'careful' about that sort of thing right? Isn't thinking consciously about being fair and all that insincere? Rather, isn't frankly expressing my honest feelings the way I should be—

No, I don't know, how should I know? I'd like to be allowed to just be myself.

For now, there's only one thing I want to say from the bottom of my heart. It's true that Haru Kasuga, as a person, may have a weak spot for older women, but that aside...

"Younger girls are so unfair..."

"E-excuse me???"

It's like, every single thought and action of hers automatically comes with 'cute' attached. Of course, the additional condition of being a 'cute younger girl' like Sora is probably necessary, but... wait, cute and a younger girl? Doesn't that mean she's 'cute cute'? The theory that cute plus cute equals the strongest is born—

"....................Um, Haru."

"Yes."

"Putting my reward aside, let's take a break between each attempt. Your face looks like you're thinking about something stranger than I've ever seen before. You're tired, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Shall I give you a lap pillow?"

"Wha—geez, you scared me!! Since when did you learn such wiles?!"

"blush... D-don't say it in such a... a lewd way!"

Eh, where's the line for lewd? Well, I guess in the old-fashioned sense it's not wrong—but wait, this is no time for that...!!

"Wait... stop... hey, isn't this pattern happening a lot lately?!"

Given our initial positions, I had no escape with my back to the wall.

Furthermore, as I tried to resist Sora-san's playful attempt to corner me and drag me to the floor, I found that our STR stats were an even 100 each.

That alone would put us on equal footing, and I'd be at a disadvantage if she used [Magic Cladding]—and there it is, a red card, an instant ejection, this is cheating!!!

"Using the [Song of the Scales] is not allowed!!?"

"...It's your fault, Haru! What do you mean, 'this pattern'?! This is the first time I've ever done something like this!"

"That's because of a lot of complicated circumstances, guwaaahhhhhh!!!!!"

Thirty levels of status transfer. In a single moment, her strength stat swelled to several times its normal value, and the slender girl's delicate arm easily pinned me down.

And since I'm transformed, my arm is also a 'slender girl's delicate arm'—anyway,

"Sad news, Sora-san has finally turned delinquent."

"Don't say such rude things!"

Beaten in words, beaten in strength, beaten in position—helplessly sealed by the younger girl's lap pillow, I no longer had any dignity as an older figure.

Is it too late for that? Yeah, it's too late for that.

"....................Haaah."

"...What is it? Are you dissatisfied with my lap? I know, you know. That you sometimes have Ui-san do it for you."

"The phrase 'have her do it for me' is a gross misrepresentation of the facts..."

"I don't care. If you want me to forgive you, then be quiet."

As she said such angry-sounding words, she mercilessly blinded me—or rather, covered my eyes—when I tried to read her expression. My vision was blocked, and instead, a faint voice reached my ears.

Hearing that satisfied tone, I thought once again,

"Younger girls are unfair."

"Geez, are you still saying that?"

Or rather, my partner is the most unfair person in the world.