Chapter 109: Without a doubt, a Millionaire

“Two days later, we’ll start actual combat from then on, so until then, everyone, please do your best to communicate with each other.”

The day after Michela caused an explosion of laughter, Ishud, while continuing his usual strength training, informed Gulf and the others of their future plans.

(Now then… what to do, I need to decide quickly.)

It’s confirmed that two days later, they will engage in combat in the forest of their territory.

The issue Ishud is pondering is whether to add direct guidance from Alex to Gulf, and from when.

(Although they’re close in age and Alex is the best at handling fighting spirit among family members… that guy is so terrible at holding back.)

The ability of fighting spirit is not something that everyone can obtain just by training with a close combat type expert.

Even among the combat-loving Regula family members, there aren’t many who have mastered fighting spirit.

Alex, if it’s a request from Ishud, basically he won’t refuse it.

The main reason is… not only because he likes Ishud, but simply because he entrusted Ishud, the fourth son, with the duty of enrolling in the academy instead of himself, the eldest son.

Alex occasionally wears a smile that can be unsettlingly mad, but he has acquired a certain level of common sense, and he isn’t arrogant enough to think that Ishud, who is weaker than himself, shouldn’t attend the academy!!!

If Ishud asks Alex for direct guidance on Gulf, he will surely accept it gladly.

(………… Gulf somehow has a strong drive for improvement, and can he persist without giving up…?)

Since they met at the academy, since he was invited to his home… Ishud has been teaching training that is extremely strict, or perhaps too strict, by general standards.

However, in Ishud’s case, he not only conducts strict training, but also executes it with a certain level of proper reasoning.

In Alex’s case… he ends up executing training that doesn’t seem to have much reason behind it.

Furthermore, naturally, he is older than Ishud.

Considering Ishud’s unusual circumstances, one might think that the age difference doesn’t matter much… but Alex is different.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for him to win in serious battles against the third son Mikhail or the second daughter. In fact, his recent winning percentage surpasses theirs… but when it comes to serious battles with Alex, there are only a handful in the past.

(……I can only hope it’ll work out somehow. Gulf definitely has the potential to advance further… It’s nonsense to try to crush that, after all.)

The potential that lies beyond those who have acquired fighting spirit.

At that time, Gulf, who began to dramatically expand his power due to his encounter with Ishud, had not yet taken one, or perhaps two, steps far enough to reach a draw with Dimna Kais.

However… Gulf exploded with the potential to make up for those shortcomings in that match, bringing it to a draw.

For Ishud, it’s still about seizing that potential Gulf has grabbed and fighting him with all his might.

A faintly aggressive smile still spilled over the face considering such things, giving Gulf a sudden chill during the tag battle.

“Phew, break time~~~~”

“Huff~~~~”

“Good job. Are you getting used to tag battles, Gulf?”

“…I wonder. I can’t confidently say that I’m used to it yet.”

There was no lie hidden in Gulf’s expression as he wiped away sweat with a towel.

(Consistent ambition for improvement is a good thing.)

However, while conducting muscle training and watching everyone’s tag battles, Ishud clearly seemed more accustomed to tag battles than he did the other day.

“Hey hey, Gulf~~~, ease up a bit. You’re being too modest~~~”

“I-Is that so? But, I still can’t maneuver as skillfully as Phillip.”

“As for me… I’m what you’d call a jack of all trades. I have to make my opponents feel my skillfulness when facing them.”

Phillip, who refers to his own sense and talent as being a jack of all trades.

Michela, who was overwhelmed by Phillip’s skillfulness when teamed up with Christille in the last tag battle before the break, clenched her back teeth and wore a frustrated expression, but she didn’t steam up like she did the other day.

“A jack of all trades? More like a millionaire of all trades, Phillip.”

“Hahaha!! I wish that were true.”

Originally, Phillip thought of himself as quite skillful.

However, looking at the people around him now… occasionally, he feels that his own skillfulness is not that significant.

(Gulf  remains modest as usual, but… it feels a bit unusual coming from Phillip.)

The term “millionaire of all trades” is by no means a comforting phrase.

Up until now, due to not having learned in detail and intricately, there is something astonishing about Gulf’s rate of growth.

However, continuing fights using weapons he doesn’t usually use, and further engaging in tag battles… whether it’s learning from Dustin’s movements with the great axe or battle axe, or learning from Ibuki with the spear… or learning and incorporating from Christille or Michela with the dual swords.

“Have more confidence, Phillip. You’re strong.”

“Heh, thanks.”

“Oh, by the way, there was something I wanted to ask you… Gulf.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“…You probably won’t die. Yeah, you won’t die. But… would you undergo a training that’s not just exhausting, but beyond that?”

Tension ran between Gulf and the others.

The reason being… it was a training recommended by Ishud that made even him hesitate.

“Ishud, is there a guarantee behind the words ‘you probably won’t die’?”

For Christille, Gulf wasn’t just a member of the student council they worked with. 

Still… as the student council president of Flaveld Academy, she had to protect the students enrolled in the same academy.

“I do. Actually, if someone dies during the training, I’ll go kill that person. Whether it’s an unforeseen accident during training or whatever.”

Despite being nonchalant about the fact that he actually died in a match with a teacher, thanks to the existence of elixirs, when it comes to the death of a friend… he emits a pressure akin to a demon.

Indeed, Ishud’s sense as a human falls into the category of being insane… but precisely because of that, there are parts of him that can be trusted.

“…So, what’s your decision, Gulf?”

“Ishud… I wouldn’t have become strong if I hadn’t met Ishud. Even after enrolling in the academy… I might have dropped out.”

It’s because he met the friend in front of him that he is who he is now.

There was no way he would refuse the opportunity given by that friend.

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