Volume 5 Chapter 25 Interlude - New Employee Training 2️⃣
Sasha trembled as she clutched the wound on her neck. Lala could have dealt a fatal blow at any moment, but earlier she had only grazed Sasha's skin with a single cut. Curling inward, Sasha hugged herself tightly.
"Little lady, isn't that enough?" Lala's voice was calm but firm.
"Not yet. Not yet." Sasha's voice quivered but grew steadier. "Even if I can't be number one, I should at least be second. Come on. Bring it on."
The trembling figure that had been curled up just moments ago straightened, standing tall with newfound resolve.
"Hmph. You've got guts. I don't mind that at all." Barvish's tone was amused. "Alright, I'll fight you properly until you're satisfied."
Barvish's enthusiasm sparked something in Sasha. Gardy started to intervene, but seeing Barvish's determined expression, he muttered, "It can't be helped," and stepped back.
"Little lady," Barvish said quietly, "When I became Sir Cain's servant, I swore I'd only fight seriously to protect him. Could you say something harmful about Sir Cain? Anything."
"I'm not a little lady!" Sasha snapped. "Hmph. I have no choice as a servant... Fine, I'll kill Sir Cain!"
Her words rang louder than expected, and in an instant, visions of her neck being slashed, her heart pierced, her head crushed flashed violently before her eyes.
(Huff, huff... what? Did I just get killed three times at once?)
She hurriedly checked herself. No injuries beyond the one on her neck. The three opponents before her hadn't moved.
"Sorry. Even though I knew it was a lie, I couldn't hold back. As promised, I'll fight seriously now." Barvish murmured as he pulled out a plain mask with black eyes and put it on.
"'Silent,' huh? It's been a while." Lala watched him, voice low. "Since we have one more round left, you can't kill her, alright? Oh, right, you don't speak once you wear that mask."
Sasha readied her shortsword, focused and alert.
"Ready? If you don't go all out, this will end fast. Now, let's begin!"
Barvish advanced slowly, but his presence began to fade until he vanished entirely after five steps.
(Where did he go? Not again... This is just like last time.)
"Spirit of the wind, lend me your strength! [Wind Ball]"
Sasha shouted the incantation, releasing a compressed sphere of air toward Barvish's last known position. The wind ball flew straight ahead and vanished against a tree.
"This is strange... where did it go? [Wind Ball][Wind Ball][Wind Ball]"
She fired several more, desperate and frantic. Each wind ball flew forward, colliding uselessly with trees.
"In that case, spirit of the wind, lend me your power! [Wind Wall] Huh?"
As she tried to summon a wind barrier, a sudden sharp pain stabbed her throat. Looking down, she saw Barvish's estoc thrust through her. Startled by the sudden Bardiche's appearance, she fell backward, landing hard.
Barvish slowly withdrew the estoc and removed his black mask. Extending a hand, he helped Sasha to her feet.
"Thank you."
She accepted his grip and stood. "You should train more to hear the spirits. Next up is Gardy. Keep your heart strong and do your best."
Barvish returned to his place, leaving Sasha with a sinking feeling.
(What's with these two? That woman and this guy... The next one is definitely a powerhouse. It's frustrating to obey, but I'll fight with everything I've got. I will win.)
Sasha drew her bow from her magic pouch and strapped a quiver to her waist. Preparing herself, she glanced at Gardy, who was carefully applying mud under his eyes.
As he worked, Gardy's eyes shifted from soft to sharp, a faint red tint spreading.
"Well then. This is the last one. Do your best. Keep your heart strong. Begin!"
Lala's voice marked the start.
Sasha released a rapid volley of arrows, backing away quickly. Gardy's small shield deflected the shots.
Retreating about twenty meters, Sasha nocked three arrows and fired them spread wide—right, center, and left. Gardy stepped forward three steps, blocking the center arrow and dodging the others.
She kept shooting, but Gardy avoided or blocked every attack with his shield and swift movements. As he closed in, a growing killing intent pressed down on her.
"Spirit of water, lend me your power! [Water Arrow]"
Eight water arrows materialized around Sasha, flying straight at Gardy. Just before impact, he chanted "Shield," and the arrows exploded harmlessly.
"That shield is our magic tool—elf magic," Sasha shouted, almost in tears.
Despite her spirit magic and arrows, Gardy kept closing in, unfazed.
Swinging a large one-edged axe with one hand, Gardy growled as he advanced. Fear gripped Sasha, recalling earlier illusions, her mind wavering.
Finally, Gardy's fierce red eyes locked onto her as he opened his mouth wide. Sasha fired arrows desperately at his face at nearly point-blank range. Gardy twisted his neck to dodge but an arrow grazed his cheek, leaving a scratch.
The wound seemed to fuel Gardy's killing intent. Sasha staggered back, overwhelmed by the pressure, then collapsed.
Gardy raised his axe to strike the downed Sasha. A heavy thud sounded near her ear—and then darkness claimed her.
* * *
Time passed, and Sasha felt a sharp slap on her cheek. She awoke.
"You're finally awake. You can't cross the barrier while unconscious. Can you lead the way quickly?"
Remembering Lala's voice, Sasha touched her face, relieved it was intact. She looked up to see Lala, Barvish, and Gardy watching her. Kneeling, she spread her hands in surrender.
"I apologize for my insolence. I won't defy you again. Please spare my life... just my life..."
Tears flowed freely as fear washed over her again.
"That's harsh, even for training recruits. No one will hurt you now. But we should leave soon, or waking up tomorrow will be harder."
Lala gently wiped Sasha's tears with a handkerchief. Sasha nodded softly, then stood.
Notes:
• Sasha - Female. A young and energetic warrior. She has a confident demeanor and wears a short sword at her waist. Her appearance is typical of an elf, with pointed ears and a slender build. She is determined to prove her strength and has a playful rivalry with her seniors. She admires Sir Cain and is responsible for waking him gently in the morning.
• Lala - Cain's companion, likely a servant or minder, cautious and protective.
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
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