Author Note: Please vote for the poll at the end of the chapter. Thanks as always!!!

Kazue POV 

  

 
 

 
 

  

“Mornin Kazue-chan” <Lavi> 

“… Morning…” <Kazue> 

Miss Lavi greets me as we meet in front of the guild building. 

It seems my bad mood hasn't washed off after crying all night. 

I feel that I've wasted money for nothing. 

  

  

“What’s up? Something wrong? It seems that you’re in a bad mood?” <Kazue> 

Miss Lavi asked as she notice my bad mood. 

“Nah, it’s nothing…” <Kazue> 

[Why am I in a bad mood? Yes, like I said I don’t even want to think about it.] 

  

  

Well… Looking on the bright side of things... 

Today I am going to learn new skills, courtesy of miss Lavi here. 

For today, I left my familiars at the inn where I am staying. 

I don’t intend to go for a quest today that is why I thought that it was OK for me to leave them to relax for the day... 

Those guys deserved some rest. 

Just in case, I asked the innkeeper to give them food for lunch and dinner if I am not around by then. 

I only need to meet up with miss Lavi today. 

The reason… 

Miss Lavi, promised me something, and today is the day she would fulfill that promise. 

  

  

Back in the dungeon, miss Lavi had promised to teach me a Skill I can use in battle. 

Specifically, I am here to learn the skills (Accelerate), and (Sword Wave). 

I did my research and learned about these two skills from miss Krisha. 

(Accelerate I): When activated. Gradually increase AGI of the user over time. AGI increase caps at 50%. Increase thought processing equivalent to how much the user's AGI had increased. This skill will continuously consume mana and stamina during the duration it is activated.  

- Skill level perk: Reduce mana drain. 

(Sword Skill: Sword Wave I): Unleash long-ranged projectile attack of concentrated mana. Release a crescent wave of concentrated mana with a sword. The damage and the effective range of this attack correspond to the amount of MP used. The user can freely decide how much mana is used for this attack. 

- Skill level perk: Damage and effective range increase. 

  

  

“So, shall we proceed with training now?” <Lavi> 

“Yes, I am in your care, Miss Lavi.” <Kazue> 

“Come on Kazue-chan, don’t be stiff, just call me Lavi Onee-chan…” 

I cringed at the thought of calling Miss Lavi, “Onee-chan” ¹(a Japanese term used to call someone the older sister in a very cute and intimate manner.). I will not call her that, not in a million years. 

I did have an older brother but I only called him “Onii-chan” ²(a Japanese term used to call someone an older brother but in a very cute and intimate manner.) up until middle school. 

If he asks me to call him “Onii-chan” I would probably punch him in the face. 

Hell, I am certain that even my brother doesn’t want me to call him that. 

He would feel itchy all over his body and crawl into the corner out of his disgust. 

The point here is that... I don’t want to call anyone “onii-chan or onee-chan”, NO, NEVER, over my dead body. 

  

  

“I shall call you Lavi, then…” <Kazue> 

With a straight face, I ignored miss Lavi's suggestion to call her "Onee-chan". 

“uuuuh… Kazue-chan is a meanie… your too cold” <Lavi> 

I don’t mind calling miss Lavi with a “chan” ³ (Chan: is a suffix used in Japanese to a name more cutely and intimately.) but I would pass. 

I don’t even call my best friend, Sakata Chiho by "chan", why would I call her it? 

“I appreciate the fact that you will be teaching me some skills but I would like to refrain from calling you that way.” <Kazue> 

I bowed my head as low as I could at miss Lavi. 

“-uhh- if you say it that way… it can’t be helped then…” <Lavi> 

“Thank you very much.” <Kazue> 

I lifted my head; it seems that miss Lavi has given up on the idea of me calling her names. 

In the first place, she is not even serious, to begin with. 

[I guess??] 

  

  

We entered the guild and miss Lavi started talking to the guild receptionist, Krisha-san. 

“Krisha-chan, I would like to borrow the training grounds…” <Lavi> 

“Hmnn? The training grounds? Well… no problem but why do you need to use it if I may ask?” <Krisha> 

Although miss Lavi was talking with miss Krisha like a close friend, Krisha is only replying to miss Lavi as respectfully as she could. 

It seems that miss Lavi did not mind Krisha talking to her so formally either. 

[I guess Miss Lavi is just like this to others? No… I don’t think she speaks like this to others… either… I wonder… why is she acting so close to me and miss Krisha? Is there a reason behind this? I might as well ask her later on…] 

  

  

“Ah, I’m going to teach Kazue-chan over here some skills.” <Lavi> 

“Oh!!! Miss Lavi would? You would personally teach her skills yourself?! I see… so even miss Lavi is seeing potential in her as well! I knew it! I knew that miss Kazue is someone special! Here, take the key and train her well!” <Krisha> 

All of a sudden miss Krisha looked very eager to give Miss Lavi the keys. 

Krisha handed miss Lavi a key. 

Miss Lavi took the key after thanking Krisha-san. 

I bowed my head at Krisha-san as I followed miss Lavi to the training grounds. 

  

  

“Miss Kazue, Do your best!” <Krisha> 

She cutely pumped her fist toward me with a wide smile and sparkling eyes. 

“ahuh…” <Kazue> 

Krisha even encouraged me, I’ve noticed this before, but at some point in time, Krisha-san had taken a liking to me after doing several quests for the guild. 

Ever since then, she had been pushing and helping me on several quests. 

She was the one who recommended me to the dungeon raid party. 

She did that despite knowing the fact that I am just an E-rank adventurer. 

I am aware that she even asked the guild master to ask for some exemption just for me. 

Seriously, she’s one of the few people I can trust. 

“Thanks… I'll do my best.” <Kazue> 

In the end, I decided to just thank her before I followed miss Lavi toward the training grounds. 

  

  

It did not take a long walk as the door we stopped at was also on the 1st floor of the guild building. 

Miss Lavi opened the room.  

Just like in the time I entered some stalls in the Scale Atelier back in the capital and in the same way, during the time I visited the potion shop and met Leira in her store. 

It seems that this room works fundamentally similarly to those. 

The inside of the room was larger than it should be. The room does not correspond to the area it used up in the guild building. 

It was as if this place was located somewhere else or the space of the room itself is expanded using some sort of magic. 

[I wonder if all guilds had this kind of a room] 

  

  

It was an empty room. 

It looked like a dojo, just that the floor was made out of marble. 

Beside the entrance were stacks of weapons. 

A variety of weapons, from swords, bows, gauntlets, spears, and many more are arranged in stacks. 

The room was a cube in shape. 

The room was large enough for one to run around. 

I surveyed the room in interest. 

  

  

“Is this the first time you entered a guild’s training ground Kazue-chan?” <Lavi> 

Out of nowhere, miss Lavi asked me a question. 

I quickly responded to her question while still looking around the enclosed space we are in. 

“Yeah it is my first time here, do all guilds have this kind of room within their facilities?” <Kazue> 

I asked in response. 

“Hmnn, as far as I know, they do. They usually use this room for training or testing adventurers.” <Lavi> 

“heeeh~—" <Kazue> 

[Wait... If they have this room why do they need to hold a duel in the plaza? Oh right… for the show… what a stupid custom.] 

  

  

“Well, should we start your lessons now?” <Lavi> 

I nodded at miss Lavi’s words as I too was excited to start training. 

It might be because of the atmosphere of the training ground. 

To some extent, I loved the idea of training in a proper training area. 

I unconsciously turned on a switch and immediately wanted to start training. 

Right now, I am in training MODE. 

  

  

“Ok…~”<Lavi> 

Miss Lavi agreed happily. 

“Well, for starters… try attacking me.” <Lavi> 

“yes?” <Kazue> 

I blinked several times out of confusion. 

“Fight me…” <Lavi> 

Then it finally came to me, and as a result, my eyes went wide. 

I could not help but speak in a higher pitch than I usually do. 

“YES?!!!” <Kazue> 

  

  

All of a sudden, I am to fight miss Lavi. 

“Why?!” <Kazue> 

I asked, wishing that all she had said just now was a joke. 

“I want to see you fight up close so I could teach you better. I guess?” <Lavi> 

“Why are you at loss? I get what you mean, I get the logic behind it but… Why do I get the feeling that you only want to bully me?” <Kazue> 

“W-w-what? N-n-no! W-w-why would I do that?” <Lavi> 

She answered awkwardly. 

[… it seems that I’ve hit the mark huh… whatever… I am quite interested in seeing miss Lavi fight anyway, I’ll humor her this once…] 

This woman just loves to tease others. 

  

  

And so, a duel with miss Lavi… 

  

  

. 

. 

. 

  

  

After doing some stretches and some practice swings, I faced miss Lavi. 

She was holding a training sword in her hand. 

She was not wearing his usual fighting gear, I guess she was just that confident that she can take me on without it. 

I wanted to say that she’s being cocky but I feel that the result would not change even if she did have her armor and weapon on. 

  

  

“Ready?” <Lavi> 

She asked smiling at me. 

Although she’s not serious I am planning to take this seriously. 

“If you’re ready just attack me any time you want...” <Lavi> 

“Kay…” <Kazue> 

  

  

I activated (Aura blade) and (Concentration) at once and attacked miss Lavi without any warning. 

As she said, whenever I’m ready I should just attack her, and so I did. 

I quickly narrowed the gap between us with the use of the skill (Burst) and at the same time, I activated (Katana Skill: Decapitation Slash) and aimed at her neck. 

I did not hold myself back, on the contrary, I went all out. 

“hmmm~ impressive… For an E-rank... that is...” <Lavi> 

She meekly swung her sword at me. 

It was so sudden that it made me jump back so that I could dodge the attack. 

It was as if she swung the sword in a lax and non-threatening manner. 

more than a slash it looked more like a sway. 

But still, it was enough to make me overreact. 

  

  

I clicked my tongue when I saw miss Lavi dodge my attack and counter as if it was nothing. 

[That was my best attack just now…] 

I did expect her to dodge it that way, but seeing it and thinking about it are two different things. 

Maybe, at the back of my mind, I wanted my attack to at least affect her a bit. 

As expected it did not faze her or even made her react in any way. 

[I guess she’s just that strong huh?] 

  

  

Even so, even though I knew that I had no chance of winning I continued my attack. 

She kept dodging my attacks while observing each of my every movement. 

I know that she was observing me. 

She was watching me with a curious expression on her face. 

Even though I attacked her with all I have, she's managing to dodge all of it at hair's breadth distance. 

She would only react at the very last moment. 

It was as if she had all the time in the world to evade my attack 

I was so exposed that my attacks were too predictable for her, it was as clear as day. 

  

 

 

  

  

  

I tried doing faints and fakes mixed in my attacks but to no effect. 

She still dodges my attack while looking at me in amusement. 

She would sometimes retaliate, but the counters lack intention. 

It was only meant to push me back or to disrupt my balance. 

It did not even take long for me to realize just how far my abilities are compared to hers. 

[To be honest, I don’t think that the Hero, Hano Ryuusei, or anyone in his party would stand a chance against this woman. Oh… wait… I am wrong. I guess that “Knight Master” could give her troubles… Well... at the very least I think that they are in the same dimension when it comes to fighting abilities.] 

After all, I knew that that person was ridiculously strong. 

It was evident when he stopped my sword from touching Levethy’s neck when we dueled back in Altus. 

  

  

Anyway, I continued attacking for another 15 minutes or so. 

As time passes my “excitement” faded and eventually came to a halt. 

I exhausted all my Mana from the constant use of the skills (Aura Blade) and (Concentration). 

As a result, I felt weak from draining all my mana, I was out of breath and was about to fall. 

I grabbed my knees as I catch my breath, not allowing my body to fall as my pride would not allow it. 

I was sweating profusely, I was out of breath I could not speak, and I’m completely exhausted. 

  

  

I did my best. 

I did all things that I could think of, in hope of at least giving her some problem. 

I wanted to at least leave a scratch on her but in the end, I could not even touch the tips of her clothes. 

“This... is... impossible... -hah- -hah- -hah- -Breathing heavily-” 

“Not bad, not bad… I say you are as strong as the average C-rank adventurer, no maybe a little bit stronger than that…” <Lavi> 

She said as she was playing with the sword in her hands like it was some kind of a toy. 

She gave me a satisfied smile. 

“I see… -hah- -hah- -hah- -Breathing heavily-” <Kazue> 

I took deep breaths to calm my breathing. 

  

  

She assessed my strength; I did all I can and did not hide anything. 

After all, what will it do if I hid something from her? 

If I did that will she be able to assess my strength properly?  

Probably not right? 

To be honest I wanted to see what miss Lavi was capable of doing when she fights with my own two eyes. 

But as frustrating as it sounds, I was not strong enough to even make her expose a part of that ability of hers. 

Her experience, her stats, and her abilities were simply too high for me to even touch the tip of her toes. 

I was bested. 

I already expect this to happen but still, it’s frustrating. 

  

  

“Kazue-chan, I can say that you have potential at the very least.” <Lavi> 

“… thanks…” <Kazue> 

[Well, at least she thinks that I have potential… that’s a positive… I’ll honestly accept that compliment.] 

  

  

“Ok… I think I know what kind of fighter you are, where you excel, and I already have an idea of what is your affinities and areas of talents may be.” <Lavi> 

“I see… I guess that's a good thing?" <Kazue> 

If she already knows those pieces of information about me it would be easy for her to teach me… right? 

“I think Kazue-chan has an affinity to skills related to “Speed” and “Mental”. I guess you also have a little bit of talent in “Mana Manipulation”.” <Lavi> 

“Affinity? Mental? Mana Manipulation? What?” <Kazue> 

“Oh… so you don’t have an idea about this stuff?” <Lavi> 

“Eh??” <Kazue> 

“Okay, so let me explain…” <Lavi> 

“Ahuh…” <Kazue> 

Lavi was right I have no idea what she was talking about. 

  

  

Just like a teacher, Miss Lavi started explaining things to me. 

She was walking side to side as she explains things to me, wagging her index finger in the process. 

“Aside from Job-class, affinities in skill are also a factor when learning skills. For example… Swordsmen have the highest affinity for learning about “sword” related skills. That is why it is much easier for them to learn sword-based attacks and skills. Do you know that Kazue-chan?” <Lavi> 

Lavi explained. 

As if to prompt my understanding she asked while pointing her fingers at me. 

 
 

 
 

“Well… to some extent… but I did not think so hard about it till now… Now that you explain it, it does make sense.” <Kazue> 

Miss Lavi nods as it seems that I’ve managed to get what she wanted to say. 

“Now for the affinities, to explain this better we should ask the question. Why does other swordsman learn certain skill easier than others do? For example, your (Concentration) Skill. You may not find it odd that you managed to learn such an ability... maybe you even learned it by casually fighting monsters. But in fact, the skill (Concentration) is one of the most difficult skills to learn for a swordsman as it is more common to mages. This is the other aspect of learning skills, the "affinity" to learn certain skills better”, you can even call it a talent.” <Lavi> 

Miss Lavi explains. 

Impressed, I was quite stumped by the facts that I'd heard. 

“Heeeh…” <Kazue> 

[So, my skill (Concentration) is not that common for a Swordsman huh? That’s new…] 

  

  

“… and coincidentally, the speed of increasing a skills level is also proportionate to these affinities. For example, “Magic spells”, it is not unprecedented for a swordsman to learn simple "Magic spells", but all they can hope is to learn them, increasing its level is another thing. If a swordsman manages to learn a “magic Spell” it is almost impossible for them to level it up. At best they could only level it up to Level 2, level 3 is the limit. Of course, there are exceptions but we don't have to talk about that. This is also a part of the reason why skills learned via a skill scroll, specifically the skills specified for other job classes do not level up. Simply because these skills are not originally specified for other jobs classes." <Lavi> 

[Oh, so that is the reason why I can't level up my (Cooking). Well, based on what Miss Lavi explained. If I have an affinity for cooking, I might still be able to level up my (Cooking) skills. Meaning the taste of my cooking might improve.] 

  

  

"I also noticed that during our fight you managed to maintain your (Aura Blade) and (Concentration) for a total of about 20 minutes. That alone tells me that you have quite a high INT stat for a swordsman, to be frank, that level of INT is on par with a D-rank Mage. That itself is not normal, I would have accepted it if you were a “Magic Knight” but you’re just a swordsman. A swordsman who has high INT stats is very rare.” <Lavi> 

Miss Lavi articulates things about my stat and I could only listen to her with all my attention, after all, it was related to me. 

“Oh… is that so?” <Kazue> 

Miss Lavi nods. 

I pondered the words she said. 

[I do remember that compared to my other classmate my INT stat is on par with that of Yanase and the others who have INT-based jobs… I did not think too hard about this before but now that she points it out…] 

  

  

“Kazue-chan I have a question about your stat… if you can just answer vaguely.” <Lavi> 

“Oh, Okay.” <Kazue> 

“I assume that your stats are more focused on STR, AGI, and INT… am I correct?” <Lavi> 

“That’s correct… my DEX is quite high too, about as high as my STR and AGI.” <Kazue> 

“Oh... As expected, then let me ask this too. How did you manage to learn your skills?” <Lavi> 

  

  

“Uh… aside from (Aura Blade) and (Mana Shroud), all of my other skills such as (Concentration), (Decapitation Slash), (Burst), (Critical), and such, I learned after engaging in battle. I just noticed them appearing after checking my "Status".” <Kazue> 

“I see… as expected… Just for reference how long did it take you to learn (Aura Blade) and (Mana Shroud)?” <Lavi> 

“Uh… well, when Argent-sensei taught me those skills, I guess it only took me an hour to learn both of them…” <Kazue> 

Miss Lavi’s eyes opened wide. 

[What? Is my learning time too short? Is she shocked by my talents once again? Hehe, as expected I am talented after all… Oh, let’s not be too cocky here … hehe.] 

  

  

“Did you just say… Argent?” <Lavi> 

[Oh… it was about that…] 

My feeling suddenly fell. 

“Yeah, Argent… do you know him?” <Kazue> 

[Come to think of it, Argent is a strong adventurer too. I think he's on the level of miss Lavi if not higher. It would not be a surprise if both of them know each other...] 

Miss Lavi closed her eyes. 

Her fist crumpled on its own and veins bulged from it. 

“Do you mean that weirdo who wears a stupid-looking mask?" <Lavi> 

"!!!--- Y- Yes?" <Kazue> 

  

  

All of a sudden. 

A blast of wind exploded. 

I could feel intense anger coming from miss Lavi. 

The pressure of her aura made me hold my breath. 

"Where is that son of va’ b*tch now? You said you came from the capital, so he’s there right now? How the hell did he manage to get there so fast?” <Lavi> 

[Oh, it seems that the two had some history. She looks so angry… Argent-sensei… what did you do to make miss Lavi this angry?] 

"..." <Kazue> 

I silently smiled. 

I could not push myself to reply to miss Lavi who was too angry to listen. 

“I see so that weirdo was the one who thought you… huh… hehe” <Lavi> 

Miss Lavi was laughing but her eyes were scary. 

  

  

“Miss Lavi?...” <Kazue> 

“Ahem… sorry, where were we… oh right! learning skills…” <Lavi> 

As quick as her mood became foul it changed back just as fast. 

“I see, as expected you have the affinity to learn Mana-based, Speed-based, Skill-based, and Mental-based skills.” <Lavi> 

She placed both of her hands on my shoulder. 

All of a sudden, I could not move. 

I froze. 

[Eh?] 

“OK! I will teach you the fundamental skills for each of those… be prepared. I will teach you skills far better than that lame (Aura Blade) and (Mana Shroud) that that idiot taught you.” <Lavi> 

Although Miss Lavi said those words in her usual sweet voice, I can't understand why I felt chills running down my spine. 

  

  

All of a sudden miss Lavi gripped my shoulder tighter and slowly pushed her face close to mine. 

“Don’t worry I’ll be gentle Kazue-chan.” <Lavi> 

“Miss Lavi?! We- WAIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! YOU'RE HURTING ME... S-STOP, STOP!!! NOOO!!!” <Kazue> 

  

  

. 

. 

. 

  

  

For a day, Lavi Onee-chan had tortur--- 

-ahem- 

TUTOR me useful skills. 

It was clear that she was trying to compete with Argent-sensei who managed to teach me two skills within the day we traveled. 

And so, Lavi Onee-chan tried her best to teach me as many skills as she could during the day. 

“I thought I was going to die.” <Kazue> 

[Maybe I did die, it’s just that she forcefully made me drink HP potions and MP potions to keep me going] 

It was quite a hellish experience that made me want to run away from her as soon as possible. 

When Lavi Onee-chan finally released me from the training grounds by nighttime, I ran toward the inn and escaped from the city and run away from Lavi Onee-chan. 

  

  

Huh? why do I call her in such a manner? 

What do you mean? 

-eyes unfocused- 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Author Note: 

Alright, Everyone! 

We will be diverting our attention from Kazue after this chapter. 

By the next time we meet her, it will be in Riles. 

In the meantime, we will change our perspective toward the other Heroes and what they’re up to. 

I know we will miss Kazue but still, I wanted to ask you which one you want to hear about other than Kazue. 

Please vote for the poll since I will use it as a guide to where I will proceed from now on. 

For now, I will be taking a break of 5 days as the timing is perfect… 

I will use that time for the poll to stack up, so vote well… 

  

  

Well, if no one votes, I’ll just proceed to write Hano Ryuusei and his party’s perspective. 

  

  

Q: When will we return to Kazue’s perspective? 

A: It’s relative, but it’s not as if we won’t hear about her at all, she will still appear as a cameo or as a supporting character for those chapters. Well, we won’t be having a KAZUE POV any time soon. To be honest I wanted to write more from her perspective but it will be hard to connect her classmates’ stories to hers later on if I continue to do it as is. That is why I decided to go for the other’s POV. 

  

  

Q: Will there be a time skip during that time? 

A: Yes, specifically a 4-month time skip. But well… the classmate's POV will cover for that since the next big event will have to happen in Riles. The collection of characters might not be as big as that of what happened in Altus but this will be the place where the gods can tease our heroes once again.