Chapter 205: Praise The Lord (1)

The recruitment of Alphs seems to have concluded successfully.

"Theo... Is there anything specific I should prepare?"

Although we're now on the same team, Alphs still appears to be quite anxious.

She hesitated and fixed her gaze on me.

There's really nothing in particular that needs to be prepared.

But now that we're here, I should assess Alphs' current skill level.

"There's nothing specific to prepare. However, if you have a technique you'd like to demonstrate, feel free."

"What kind of technique...?"

Alphs looked up at me, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

Strangely, her eyes reminded me of Little Fist waiting for its meal, bringing a smirk to my face.

"Seeing it in action will be quicker."

I moved towards the training ground.

"Oh, yes, yes-!"

Alphs quickly followed me.

Creak—

I opened the door and entered the training ground.

Inside, Piel de Chalon was there, possibly resting, as she was wiping off sweat.

As our eyes met, she greeted me, slightly flustered.

"Uh, um... hello."

"Nice to see you."

It's fortunate that Piel is here too.

I should pass on the breathing technique.

Since Piel's primary weapon is a sword, my insights will be should be of great help to her.

I picked up a practice longsword from the weapon rack and approached Piel.

Piel's eyes widened in surprise.

Theo had mentioned something unexpected.

"Teach me a breathing technique? Me?"

"Yes."

Theo's expression remained calm as he spoke.

She already knew from Aisha that Theo had taught a breathing technique to Neike, Eshild, and Aisha.

─That breathing technique was really amazing, Piel! Even with all the various training manuals in the Chalon family's arsenal, I doubt there's anything like it.

Aisha's voice echoed in her mind.

Eshild, present at that time, had nodded in agreement too.

She hadn't seen Neike's reaction, as he wasn't there.

But if that monster had willingly learned it, it couldn't be just any ordinary technique.

That's why she was quite intrigued.

"Well, if you're willing to teach, I'm willing to learn. But why would you just freely share such a valuable technique like the breathing technique?"

Piel narrowed her eyes as she looked at Theo.

She comes from a martial family.

She understood the value of unique breathing techniques, swordsmanship, and physical techniques.

'Why all of a sudden...?'

Unlike Neike, Eshild, and Aisha, she had caused him much trouble.

Yet, he was readily offering to teach her the technique...

It naturally raised questions.

Theo nodded.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Objectively, her learning speed was slower than Piel's.

'Well, let's appreciate that she's trying hard.'

Theo decided not to comment on Alphs.

She probably knew her own shortcomings well enough.

The most frustrated person right now would be her.

'The good thing is, she's using a longsword like in the game. When striking down, her arms tend to lift too high.'

Theo moved behind Alphs and gently grasped her wrists.

Her body trembled noticeably at his touch, but he decided to ignore it.

"When striking down, your arms are lifting too high. This height seems about right."

With those words, Theo adjusted her wrists to the appropriate height.

"Thank you, Theo."

Alphs, her face red to her ears, bowed deeply.

Theo instructed,

"No need to lower your gaze that much. Keep it steady."

"Ah, understood..."

As Alphs raised her flushed face, Theo smiled slightly.

"Everyone has their own pace, but it's better to correct such things before they become a habit. Let's keep practicing steadily like this."

"Yes, yes!"

Alphs responded with a voice full of determination.

Piel, observing this, frowned slightly.

Watching them, she felt strange.

Alphs, the girl with white hair, why was she blushing so much?

Theo's patient way of teaching was unlike him.

Piel continued her own sword practice, while Theo supervised Alphs's technique.

About 30 minutes passed.

Grrrumble──

A loud stomach rumble resonated through the training hall, coming from Alphs.

'Oh no, how embarrassing...'

Perhaps it was the intense training, but her stomach had quickly become empty.

For her, receiving such tailored instruction was a first, and she had exerted herself greatly.

'What will Theo think of me...?'

She worried if he would look down on her for lacking decorum.

With anxious eyes, Alphs glanced at Theo.

But then,

"Hmm, seems it's mealtime. If it's okay, let's go eat together. Piel, would you like to join? It's on me."

Theo suggested casually.

At his attitude, Alphs blinked in surprise.

Piel chuckled and said,

"No, I'll pay this time. You paid last time."

"Then I won't refuse."

"Right. But can you stop using that stiff, formal tone? I've never seen anyone, even among the older dukes who are heroes, talk like that."

"I can't help it."

"Anyway, let's hurry. Today's the last day of the festival, and with special performances, it's going to be packed."

"Alright. I'll just take a quick shower. Should take about 5 minutes."

Saying so, Theo turned and headed towards a corner of the training hall, towards the showers.

Piel clicked her tongue.

"Really, he's still the same."

She felt relieved seeing him back to normal, especially after he almost broke down the day before.