Chapter 32: Looking forward to hearing the story of your Rozz in the future! (Patreon)

Once his Familia members' expeditions had settled into a steady rhythm, Takemikazuchi rarely had time anymore for this — accompanying an Adventurer through live combat training.

These days his focus leaned more toward managing the Familia.

After all, living in Orario cost money every month, and he still had to send funds back to the orphanage in the Far East on schedule, to keep it running.

Of course, using his rest days to help a fellow god's Familia members, and any rookie Adventurer willing to put in the effort, sharpen their combat skills — that was something Takemikazuchi was more than happy to do.

He noticed the trace of worry in Rozz's eyes and waved a hand casually to reassure him. "No need to worry about me getting hurt."

"Um..."

"Even without using my divine power, I can still hold my own against a Level 5 Adventurer."

"!"

Could it be — just maybe — that the one who ought to be worried about getting kicked to death was himself?

But looked at another way — getting beaten up by someone who could rival a Level 5 Adventurer like Takemikazuchi wasn't an opportunity any other Adventurer could ever get.

What a blessing~

If facing an opponent too strong to beat meant losing all will to fight, then in Rozz's eyes that was simply cowardice.

He gripped the wooden training sword with both hands.

Though it felt nothing like the Adventurer's Shortsword he normally used, the fundamentals of combat never really changed.

Rozz took a deep breath, his expression turning serious.

"Well..."

"I'll be in your care from here, Lord Takemikazuchi."

"..."

Takemikazuchi could clearly feel that drive in Rozz — something most Adventurers lacked — and felt rather pleased with his own eye for talent.

He didn't forget to add a warning:

"Combat skills are forged through constant practice. There's a good chance you'll get hurt — I need to make that clear up front."

"That's fine."

Getting hurt during live training with Takemikazuchi was, however you looked at it, far easier to accept than dying outright in a clash with a hostile Adventurer.

Rozz lowered his stance.

Noticing the young god's gaze on him, he answered calmly, "There's no such thing as pulling punches in live combat training. If that's what worries you—"

"—then I don't see the point in sparring at all!"

"..."

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Takemikazuchi's eyes.

He tightened his grip on the wooden sword but didn't rush to attack, instead studying Rozz's next move carefully.

His stance, his grip on the sword —

— it was hard to believe.

Just days ago this kid had been a novice asking him for basic pointers. His growth rate was nothing short of astonishing.

The god's eyes turned sharp as a hawk's. He gave a low chuckle and stepped forward.

"Then let's begin."

What followed —

— was Takemikazuchi demonstrating, through action, exactly what it meant to deliver the fiercest attacks in the gentlest tone. No matter how gifted Rozz was —

— he was still just a rookie!

Against someone whose raw strength rivaled a Level 5, this sparring match had its outcome decided before it even began.

In speed and in power alike, it was a complete, one-sided crushing.

All Rozz could do was defend passively with his wooden sword, letting the pain of being sent flying, of taking hit after hit, brand the experience into his bones.

The most immediate result of this —

— was that when facing Takemikazuchi's blindingly fast strikes, he could now raise his sword and block on pure instinct.

As for finding an opening and counterattacking —

— techniques that worked perfectly well in Dungeon fights proved utterly useless against a gap in strength as vast as the one between them.

In short:

he was just getting beaten.

The relentless, high-intensity exchanges burned through Rozz's stamina fast.

The speed of his blocks and parries gradually fell behind Takemikazuchi's assault, and the price of taking hits with his own body was:

wave after wave of pain.

Until Takemikazuchi's wooden sword swept up and knocked him flat on the ground.

Every muscle in Rozz's body ached, but even so, he pushed himself shakily back to his feet and raised his weapon again.

"Can you still keep going?"

"I can."

Rozz's instinct for combat really was absurd.

That was the conclusion Takemikazuchi drew from their mock battle — from that first disastrous showing to gradually being able to block, and even strike back.

But pure defense alone —

— would never be enough to win a fight against another Adventurer.

"Next."

"Switch — you attack, and I'll defend."

"Got it."

Rozz stretched his sore body. Attacker and defender switching places... it was probably wishful thinking, but maybe — just maybe — he could land a hit on Takemikazuchi's shoe sole.

He steadied his breathing quickly and dropped into a low stance.

As power gathered in the muscles of his legs, the boy shot forward like an arrow loosed from the string, charging straight at Takemikazuchi.

"Bang!"

The training swords collided with a sharp, ringing crack.

In fact —

— the violent impact sent splinters flying, and as Takemikazuchi felt the ferocity of Rozz's strike and the power packed into it —

— surprise filled his eyes.

The power Rozz had unleashed in that single instant would put him among the very best of Level 1 Adventurers.

Something wasn't right here.

What truly astonished him wasn't Rozz's technique — to be precise, it was Rozz's raw talent as an Adventurer!

So...

had this stretch of Dungeon exploration already pushed the kid's stats past most of the Adventurers in Orario?

Absurd!

"Good power."

Even Takemikazuchi, the God of Martial Arts himself, gave high praise on that front — though he didn't forget to add, "But your attacks are still green."

...

That was what live combat training looked like.

Rozz cycled endlessly between taking hits and pressing attacks, and he never tired of it, because he could feel himself growing stronger with every round.

Lunch was brought back specially by Lili.

After a brief rest once they'd eaten, he returned to the grueling training with Takemikazuchi once more.

By evening, he'd lost count of how many times his loose training clothes had soaked through with sweat. All he knew was that even lifting his arm had become agonizing.

Though in the end... he still hadn't so much as grazed the hem of Takemikazuchi's robe.

But when he thought about the fact that his real opponents would be Adventurers of the Soma Familia, Rozz suddenly felt... confident enough to arm-wrestle them.

He looked at the god before him and offered his thanks with genuine sincerity.

"Thank you, Lord Takemikazuchi."

"Don't mention it."

An Adventurer's Vessel was an extraordinary thing — to grow this much in so short a time, paired with Rozz's instinct for battle —

— it had to be admitted:

Takemikazuchi had truly never come across a prospect as promising as Rozz. Most crucially, the boy showed not a trace of arrogance over his talent.

Even after being knocked down more times than he could count —

— what mattered most was that in Rozz, Takemikazuchi could clearly feel it: the one thing this kid never lacked was the courage to get back up and try again.

The young God of Martial Arts waved a hand casually.

"Teaching combat skills is something I genuinely enjoy — and besides, in you, I see a potential unlike anything I've seen before."

"Truly..."

"I'm looking forward, more than anything, to the day I hear other Adventurers across Orario telling stories... about you, Rozz!"