“Ha!”

The yell came with the earsplitting sound of wood hitting each other. The hero, Keizo clutched his wooden sword as he let out a rugged breathe.

This sight provoked a low grunt from the watching Darwyn with arm crossed. He might not look like it, but the hero is diligent.

He didn't complain even once during his training session. He obeyed the knights who have lower status than him. I just don't understand why Liliana hates the hero so much.

Just what is a harem? He straightened his back as he walked forward. If he was a servant of the god of knowledge, then the word harem might peaked his interest.

But as a servant of Aversia, he could only focus on things like justice and protecting the weak, that was his way of living.

He strode aimlessly, arriving at the garden, at the gate, then again, at the court where the hero was training. Sure enough, he earned stares from the people surrounding him.

He looked here and there, then he grunted. Just what is it? He has a feeling that something will happen. The hero is here, the third princess too, it would be too good if the day ended without happening of some sort.

As he was thinking about what was it, Avellana came out from the balcony. Keizo burst in a smile with the presence of the princess.

“Avellana—ouch!” Bonk!

His training partner struck him down mercilessly in the head. “H-hero! Are you all alright! Why you didn't block that attack!”

“S-sorry... I wasn't paying attention...”

“Goodness!”

Avellana giggled at the comedic banter of the two. Keizo was quick to notice this and blushed in embarrassment.

“It's good to be young!” The training partner teased the beet red hero, while Darwyn, Indeed, nodded in agreement.

Then the training partner looked at Darwyn's way. “What about you Sir Darwyn? You don't want to join us?”

“Eh! Do you want to die!” Keizo shouted.

“What? Fighting an A-ranked adventurer might be good once in a while, no? And it's not like we're going to have another chance after this.” He explained.

Certainly, fighting someone who was a lot stronger than you was a good way to learn one or two. Hesitantly, Keizo muttered with a “Fine... I guess...”

“That's the spirit! How about it Sir Darwyn? Care to teach the hero a proper way to defend himself?”

“I don't mind.” Without wasting any second, he pulled his broadsword and his giant shield at the back and—.

“W-wait a minute! Why are you pulling your weapon!?” Kiezo turned pale when he saw the shield that was just big as him.

“For practice...?” Darwyn couldn't understand. Even if it was a practice, a little danger should be put on the table, because of not, one would not take it seriously.

“Practice!? You're damn ready to kill someone!”

He has the same energy as Liliana. Darwyn thought, then put back his weapon and shield. “Fine,” he said, “I will use a wooden sword.”

“How about that tree over there, you could probably pull that up and use it as a weapon” The training partner jokingly said.

“Understood.” He turned his back without hesitation and—.

“It's only a joke! Don't pick that tree!” Waving his hand in panic, Keizo stopped Darwyn who will probably do it.

“Hahahaha! Fine, then you can use my sword!” Training partner said as he threw the sword at him.

Catching the wooden sword easily, he swung it around to feel its weight. Too light. A normal sword was not enough for him, but it was better than nothing.

“Tell me when you're ready,” Darwyn muttered. Though his voice was low, it echoed through the place.

“So... So this is the pressure of the strongest adventurer in town....” The training partner uttered.

Keizo gulped down his saliva, his feet trembling, but still, he didn't back down.

Darwyn was impressed. He knows that he was a lot stronger than the current hero, so that was why he intimidated him.

Seeing the hero acting the way he should be, he nodded in satisfaction.

“L-let's begin...!” The hero sharpened his gaze, watching Darwyn intently. Out of all the gods and goddess of law and goodness, Frye was the one with a good eye for people, and she was correct to choose this person as the hero.

Keizo was the first one to attack, stepping with his dominant right foot, dashed, and sliced Darwyn.

“I win if I hit you once right!?” The hero exclaimed. The fear was no longer on his face, instead, it was excitement and taunting smile.

“Sure.” With one swing of his sword, Darwyn grazed the shoulder of Keizo with an upward cut. “Guh!”

Keizo retreated with a painful face. He was aware, that Darwyn was above him at any department including speed. What tactic or tricks should he use to land a strike at him?

For some reason, Darwyn shook his head left to right. “Thoughts that are unrelated to battle is dangerous. When its time to fight, fight, and think if otherwise.”

“I see...! All I need to do is attack!” That was how Keizo interpret his words. Grasping his sword, he launched himself once again.

Even if I hit just the tip of his gloves! Then he would win. Adrenaline pumped the blood from his body. Just wait for it and!

A large hand grabbed his face and lifted him from the ground.

“You're too easy to read. Try to hide your expression.” The fight ended with jus that. It was so anti-climactic that even the princess who knows nothing about fight sighed in disappointment.

“Puff me dofn!”

“Alright.” He let go of his face and dropped Keizo on the ground. Falling with his back first, Keizo laid on the ground as he caught his breath.

“S-so this is what A-ranked adventurer huh! They're so strong!” Keizo's eyes sparkled innocently as he looked at Darwyn in admiration.

Whatever that harem thing, it's surely not that bad when a boy like this is thinking it. He thought

as the unease he felt earlier still lingered inside him.