Jenna scratched her cheek, blinking. Her expression was bewildered. I said,
"What are you doing? Get in there. Those two are waiting."
"You want me to fight them? They're kind of intimidating..."
"Don't worry. You're stronger."
And it was true.
Jenna had managed to score a victory against me once. It had been a messy win, half stubbornness and half luck, but a win was a win. I didn't think she'd lose against two opponents with absolutely zero coordination.
Velkist's eyes grew cold.
"I heard you loud and clear. But aren't you underestimating me? I might not know about you, Senior, but I don't believe I'll lose to that young lady."
"We'll see."
"Most of all, I don't like the idea of fighting alongside that woman. I'm perfectly capable on my own. She'll only get in the way."
"That's my line," [Nerissa likely retorted].
The two started growling at each other.
I hadn't thought they got along, but it seemed their relationship was even worse than that.
I said, "Then show me the results. If you beat Jenna, I'll fight you whenever you want."
"I hope you don't break that promise."
I gestured with my chin towards the arena for Jenna.
Jenna hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply and retrieved a quiver from the display stand. The quiver contained arrows with rounded tips. While their lethality was low, they still had enough penetration power to tear flesh and muscle.
"Here I go."
Jenna awkwardly offered a greeting as she entered the arena.
Velkist nodded, then said to Nerissa, "You stay out of it."
Nerissa gave a cold smile and stepped aside.
Velkist gripped the hilt of his sword.
"Commencing."
Thwip!
Before he finished speaking, Jenna's arrow shot out. Velkist ducked low to avoid it. Simultaneously, a second arrow aimed for his legs. He dodged that too. And at the same instant, a third arrow aimed for Velkist's head.
Thwip! Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
Velkist's expression flinched and hardened.
A red light flashed in Jenna's eyes—the effect of Weak Spot Detection. Following that, a rapid volley from Rapid Shot targeted Velkist's entire body. Velkist swung his sword, batting away a few arrows, but he was pushed back helplessly, cornered against the arena fence.
Then, the 21st arrow grazed Velkist's nape and embedded itself in the iron bars.
A clear miss.
If she had intended to hit, the arrow would have lodged itself in Velkist's windpipe.
From outside the arena, I spoke to the frozen Velkist in the corner.
"Didn't I tell you? She's stronger than you."
Jenna had clashed dozens of times with me, someone with strong resistance to thrown weapons.
She knew exactly how to shoot arrows to make them difficult for the opponent to dodge or block. There was no way Velkist could handle shooting that even gave me trouble when properly executed.
"A frog in a well, was I?" Velkist murmured, touching the wound on his neck.
"I'll say it again. Fight together with Nerissa. Coordinate as a pair and defeat Jenna. Your deadline is two days. If you can't manage it, I'll have to find different members."
I continued, "We fight numerous enemies, strong enemies, during missions. You should know this if you've watched the replays. So why do you insist on trying to fight only with your own strength? You haven't even mastered the basics."
In the initial briefing, both had answered that they understood, but the reality was likely different.
There are things that cannot be done alone.
I intended to make them fully comprehend this fact.
"It's still my turn, isn't it?" Nerissa stepped forward.
'So stubborn.'
Nerissa didn't last long against Jenna either. Her thrown shuriken and daggers all missed, and before she could get within rapier range, an arrow pierced her right arm.
Nerissa silently left the arena.
Then, clenching her teeth, she gripped the arrow and pulled it out.
I let out a soft chuckle.
"The result is clear to see. Both of you couldn't even last a minute fighting individually."
The difference in levels and skills couldn't be denied.
But just as significantly, their experience was lacking.
Velkist brushed the blood off his left hand and said, "So we just need to beat that young lady together? Fine. I don't like it, but I'll do it."
As Velkist glared, Jenna gave an awkward smile.
Nerissa, having healed her wound, returned to the arena. A rare fervor flickered in her usually cold expression. Velkist and Nerissa stood side-by-side facing Jenna.
"Round two. It won't be easy this time."
Jenna replaced her empty quiver.
"Here we go."
Velkist and Nerissa split left and right.
It was the same tactic they used when attacking me together.
'Pathetic.'
Jenna's continuous shots rained down on Nerissa to the right.
In the instant Nerissa's rapier danced, deflecting the arrows, Jenna darted forward swiftly and swung the dagger in her left hand. A thin spray of blood erupted. Nerissa dropped her rapier and retreated sideways. Jenna, still in the posture from swinging the dagger, switched weapons fluidly, somersaulted, and fired an arrow mid-air. The target: Velkist on the left.
The result didn't change.
Velkist lasted longer than before but couldn't break through the shower of arrows.
I said in a low voice, "What are you doing? This is worse than fighting alone."
Thud!
Velkist slammed his scabbard hard against the iron bars.
"Damn it."
"Cursing won't change anything. Or would you rather move to Party 2? They don't do this kind of training over there."
"Let us try just once more."
Velkist and Nerissa returned to their starting positions.
Even as they walked back, they exchanged criticisms.
"Couldn't even last 10 seconds? You really are useless."
"Don't talk about others. Look who couldn't even swing his sword once."
Iolka fanned herself and remarked, "Those two... they strangely suit each other, don't you think?"
"What are you doing here?" I snapped at her. "Isn't it Psychokinesis training time now?"
"No, I just..."
"If you're not gone in 10 seconds, I'm telling Chloe. 10, 9..."
"I'm going! I'm going! Honestly!" Iolka scurried away and opened the door to the Magic Hall, disappearing inside.
I turned my gaze back to the training arena.
Round 2 between Jenna, Velkist, and Nerissa was underway. This time too, their tactic was the same: split up and fight their own way.
'Seems they won't learn just by being told.'
They aren't stupid, but they aren't using their heads.
Perhaps they realize it, but their pride won't allow them to accept it.
I decided not to interfere verbally for now.
I could force tactics upon them, but if they don't realize it themselves, if they don't feel the necessity, it's meaningless. I have no need for puppets who merely follow my orders.
The result of Round 2 was, predictably, the same.
Jenna won.
And Round 3, Round 4, and even Round 5.
The two persisted with the same tactic and met the same kind of defeat. Both gradually adapted slightly to Jenna's shooting, but Jenna wasn't like Aaron. She mixed various tactics like situational shooting, repositioning, and weapon switching, easily toying with the two.
"..."
I glanced sideways.
Aaron was watching the arena with a bitter expression. The hand that had been moving his spear was still.
'Can't be helped.'
I wouldn't interfere with Party 2's domain.
That was Edyth's responsibility. Along with any future parties that might be formed.
If I meddled in everything, the system would break down. If I were the Master, maybe, but as Party 1's leader and a Hero myself, I couldn't look after every single member in the waiting room. Aaron soon turned his gaze away from the arena and resumed his training.
"One more time," Velkist demanded.
"No. I..." Jenna started, waving her hands dismissively.
Time had flown, and it was already evening. Jenna had faced the duo more than 10 times.
All ended in Jenna's victory.
"Miss Jenna, I know it's tiring, but..." Velkist began.
"Even I'm tired of watching," I interrupted. "That's enough for today. Try again tomorrow."
"There is still plenty of time left, isn't there?" Velkist argued.
"Because you two kept challenging her, Jenna missed her personal training today. Don't carelessly waste others' time."
I expected them to figure it out within 10 tries, but progress was slower than anticipated.
Watching them, I hadn't gotten to my afternoon training either. It was a loss.
"Like I said, the deadline is tomorrow. Beat Jenna by then. If not, I'll have to find other members."
"Are you serious?" Velkist asked, surprised.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
I knew Velkist and Nerissa couldn't beat Jenna individually.
But to fight for so long and still not find a solution...
"Tomorrow's spar is allowed only once. If you lose then, it's over."
"..."
"Don't disappoint me."
Velkist's and Nerissa's expressions twisted.
Without a word, both left the training center together.
Jenna wiped the sweat beaded on her forehead and came out of the arena. Her face was a little pale from the repeated spars. Jenna asked me,
"Oppa, are you serious? About sending those two away."
"Have you ever seen me lie?"
"Quite often, actually. Hmm, that one time..."
I tapped Jenna lightly on the head.
Jenna clutched her head, pouting.
"Anyway, I'm serious about that. Talent is useless if they can't cooperate. They'll just rush off alone and get killed. Or drag the party down."
"Well, I agree with that. But if those two leave, there doesn't seem to be anyone else suitable for Party 1. Surely you wouldn't bring Aaron Oppa back..."
"Not Aaron."
After finishing my share of personal training for the day, on the way back.
Jenna asked me, "What do you think will happen tomorrow?"
"We'll see."
There's no way they don't know the method.
They simply don't trust their partner beside them. Or perhaps they trust themselves too much. Either way, it was a disposition not suited for long-term survival.
'But if they can change that...'
The next morning.
Velkist and Nerissa did not show up for morning training.
Iolka's mouth dropped open.
"Those two, where did they go? Don't tell me they deserted right after joining?"
"No, they went to the 1st floor."
"The 1st floor? Why?"
"They asked me for some time."
Nerissa had come to my room late last night.
Her request was to excuse the two of them from tomorrow's training schedule. I agreed without difficulty.
Iolka's complexion brightened.
"Then today's training is..."
"Since two are missing, we'll have to increase the intensity."
"I knew it!"
That morning, another sandbag was added to Iolka's burden.
And in the afternoon.
The two only appeared at the training center as evening approached. I sheathed my sword and walked towards them.
"Have you prepared enough?"
"As much as we could," Nerissa replied.
Velkist's expression was blank, but a competitive fire could be seen in his eyes.
"Jenna."
"Yes, coming!"
Jenna, who had been practicing at the shooting range, came down.
She wiped her sweat with a towel and looked back and forth between the two newcomers.
"Are you both ready? Oppa said it's a single match."
"Ready," Velkist confirmed.
"I'll go up first," Jenna said, leaping nimbly onto the training arena platform.
Two daggers hung from her left belt, a shortbow and quiver from her right.
"Do as we discussed," Nerissa whispered to Velkist.
Velkist's brow furrowed for an instant but quickly smoothed out.
Soon, the two entered the arena. The iron cage door slammed shut with a heavy clang.
"The rules are exactly as I said yesterday. Use of real weapons. No other restrictions. Only one chance."
"We know," Nerissa responded, drawing her rapier.
Velkist also drew his sword. Taking his stance, he muttered, "This doesn't suit me. But it can't be helped."
The duel began.
As always, it started with Jenna's opening attack.
"...?"
Jenna reached for an arrow, then paused, tilting her head.
The two, who usually scattered left and right at the start, stood motionless in their positions.
"Anyway, here I come!"
Jenna's arrow shot towards Nerissa.
Nerissa had weaker resistance to projectiles than Velkist. Deflecting arrows with the thin blade of a rapier was difficult. Taking down the weaker link first. It was logical decision-making.
However, Velkist, standing beside her, moved and split the arrow heading towards Nerissa.
Immediately after, Nerissa threw a dagger.
Jenna barely rolled out of the way to dodge the dagger. Simultaneously, her second shot followed. Jenna had the ability to continue shooting from any posture. Two arrows streaked towards Nerissa, aiming for her body.
"Now I see it."
[Skill Awakening!]
['Velkist (★★)' has learned 'Projectile Resistance'!]
Velkist swung his sword, and the arrows dropped harmlessly side-by-side.
Holding his blade sideways, Velkist charged straight at Jenna.
"Not good enough!" Jenna called out.
She calmly nocked an arrow to her string.
The distance between them wasn't close yet. It was still Jenna's domain. Five arrows aimed at vital spots and openings in movement shot towards Velkist.
Velkist dodged one arrow, deflected two.
Two arrows remained. Unavoidable angles and speed. Yet Velkist didn't stop his charge. Suddenly appearing from behind him, Nerissa split the two arrows with her rapier.
'Took them two whole days.' I sighed internally.
If you can't block it alone, block it together.
How could they dally for so long over something so simple?
Velkist and Nerissa covered each other's weaknesses, broke through the barrage of shots, and closed the distance until their attacks could reach Jenna.
There, they split left and right.
Then converged simultaneously.
'It's over.'
"Damn!"
Dodging Velkist's slash, Jenna kicked off the fence and jumped upwards.
A shuriken chased after her back. Following her, Nerissa leaped up to the same height and thrust her rapier. Simultaneously, Velkist stabbed upwards from below.
"Ugh!"
Jenna's posture broke. Her dress was torn lengthways.
Before Jenna could fully recover, Nerissa grabbed her.
The dagger in her left hand touched Jenna's neck.
"It's over," Nerissa stated coolly.
"I... I lost?" Jenna murmured, scratching her head.
"Something this easy..." Velkist muttered, sounding drained.
I stepped forward, smiling.
"You struggled all day yesterday because you couldn't figure out that 'easy' thing."
There was no way they wouldn't have known if they had watched the battles in the boss stages.
The fact that the group's strength takes precedence over individual strength there. They simply couldn't accept it emotionally. I merely helped them realize that part.
"Anyway, you passed. Remember this feeling well."
"If we fight this way, can we beat you too, Senior?" Velkist asked, a challenge returning to his eyes.
"Want to try?"
I drew my sword.
And, naturally.
The two were thoroughly crushed without mercy.