A week had passed since my swordsmanship training began.
By now, my wooden sword glowed faintly with the aura of mana—but no matter how hard I tried, it couldn't cut through a tree. All I managed were shallow scratches.
Ugh… What's wrong with me? Is my swing weak, or is my mana control trash?
As I sulked, something in my pocket began to vibrate. I fished it out—the transport stone. That meant only one thing.
A flash of light shimmered before me, and two familiar figures appeared.
"Took you long enough," I said, folding my arms with a smug grin.
"Elvira!" Tindra threw herself at me in a tight hug. "Sorry for being late!"
"Actually, we had an assignment out of nowhere. Couldn't sneak away sooner," Noomi explained, her tone tinged with guilt.
I softened. "It's fine. Really. I didn't mind."
"Say, how have you been?" Tindra asked, her eyes full of concern.
"As you can see, I'm alive and kicking. Training, mostly."
"And your new master?" Noomi pressed, her voice full of curiosity.
"He's… not bad. I can't complain so far."
"I see."
"But… there's someone else here besides Master Obrone."
Both of them leaned in. "Who?"
I lowered my voice. "Rein Regulus."
"What?!" they both shouted.
"Shhh!" I hissed. "I know, I know. It's ridiculous. Living with him is sufferi—"
"You live with him?" Noomi interrupted, her lips curling into a teasing grin.
"Wait—you're under the same roof?" Tindra added, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"What the hell do you mean by that?! It's not like tha—"
"You expect us to believe you resisted his handsome face?" Tindra smirked.
"Wha—No! Absolutely not!" My face burned. "If you two lived with him for even a day, you'd understand how intolerable he is!"
Before they could tease me further, a voice cut in from behind.
"What are these strangers doing here, Aloe Vera?"
Of course. Rein.
"Who's Aloe Vera?" Tindra blinked.
"Don't ask," I muttered darkly. "Anyway, these are my friends—Noomi and Tindra."
Rein's eyes swept over them, cold and calculating. "The only two people who know about this place, I assume?"
"Yeah."
"Fine." Without another word, he turned and left.
Tindra frowned. "His gaze felt like… like we were bugs."
"No kidding," Noomi agreed.
"See? Told you he's intolerable."
"Yeah, yeah… But enough about him. How's your training going?" Noomi asked.
"Oh, I'm working on swordsmanship with mana control."
"That's a tough one," Noomi admitted. "I still can't get it right."
"…Wait. You can't?"
She shook her head. "Don't look so surprised. So, how far are you?"
"I can make my wooden sword glow with mana. But it still won't cut through anything."
Tindra and Noomi exchanged a stunned look.
"…Wait. With a wooden sword?"
"Uh… yeah?"
"Elvira, wooden swords absorb mana the most. If you're already producing visible mana with it, then you're more than ready for a real sword," Noomi explained. "Everyone trains with wooden blades first to learn proper circulation. But when you reach your level, you're supposed to switch."
"Oh…" I blinked. "Then maybe Master Obrone kept me with wood so I'd never struggle later?"
"Maybe," they both said in unison.
"By the way," Tindra asked, her brows furrowed, "why does he call you Aloe Vera?"
"Because Elvira apparently sounds like Aloe Vera," I grumbled.
"…Honestly, that's kinda funny," Noomi teased.
"Not you too!"
Tindra leaned forward, curiosity gleaming. "Where do you even sleep here, Elvira?"
"In the living room."
"WHAT?!" they both yelped.
"Well…"
—A week ago—
"Master Obrone, I am not sleeping in the same room as him."
Obrone hesitated. "There's no other suitable room, you see…"
"Then I'll sleep outside."
"With the dirt and bugs?" Rein asked mockingly.
"And you're better than those?" I shot back.
He clicked his tongue, and for some reason that sound felt like… a melody.
"I'll sleep in the living room," I declared firmly.
"Are you sure? Either way, you'd be at opposite corners of the room," Obrone warned.
"Living room is better."
"Fine. But you chose this—don't complain later."
"I won't, Master Obrone."
—Present—
"…So yeah. That's why."
Tindra and Noomi exchanged a glance.
"…Reasonable, I guess," Noomi admitted.
"Yeah," Tindra agreed.
"It's time for a break—oh? Guests?" A familiar voice entered. Master Obrone approached us with his usual calm smile. "You must be Elvira's friends."
"Yes, nice to meet you, Master Obrone. I'm Tindra," she said politely.
"Same here. I'm Noomi," Noomi added.
"Well then, why don't you sit inside?"
Noomi tried to decline. "Thank you for the offer, but—"
"No buts. Come, chat inside where it's comfortable."
We followed him into the living room, where he gestured for them to sit. He sat opposite us, hands folded.
"As my student's friends, I'd like to know more about you. What's your mage status?"
"I'm a healer," Tindra replied.
"I use water element," Noomi added.
"Quite capable," he said with a nod. "You may visit here whenever you like. In fact, I encourage it. Elvira's training will only get harder. We'll need a healer at some point. And Noomi—you can help her with tips, right?"
"…Right," Noomi muttered.
Obrone smiled faintly and rose to his feet. "Good. Then I'll leave you three to your talk."
As soon as he disappeared, Tindra and Noomi glanced at each other.
Their shared look said everything:
What's up with this guy?
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