Chapter VIII - Training (part 2)

Jrake said as he swung his sword to cut the air. I turned my gaze back to him, and found that he wasn't even looking at me.

"Who are you, exactly?"

He suddenly asked, and I opened my eyes wide.

"... Huh?"

"I'm asking for your origins. Where did you come from, that you have such knowledge?"

He… ah…

I guess I was not being very secretive about my skills at all. Me, knowing all those stances was definitely a mystery to him. It's like I have seen, or even learned them at some point of my life.

There's no way he had no suspicion that I have trained with swords before. Even yesterday, he was very suspicious about me ever holding a sword before.

But in reality, I have never truly held a weapon before. Everything that I did was learned because I watched movies and crap. I have never practiced with swords before, even though I may have trained in self defense arts before.

But… how do I answer him?

I turned to him, and found that he wasn't even looking at my face. Which means, he doesn't care that I answer truthfully or not.

He will accept them either way.

"Well… let's just say that I have seen people use swords before."

I said that with a grin, and this time, he turned to me. I grinned at him, and continued my answer.

"As for where I came from or who I am really… it's not like I have to answer that."

I said that mysteriously, which made Jrake look very surprised.

He must be thinking I'm the daughter of some big shot of a country or something, because that shock in his face was definitely comedic, haha.

"In that case… I'll rephrase my question. What is it that you wanted? What is your goal?"

Why is he… asking that question?

Well, it's not like I don't want to answer. My first goal is obviously becoming normal, and I just don't feel that becoming strong is my true goal. I mean, I wanted to kick that ghoul's ass once I have become .

So my real goal is…

"I guess... to go back home."

I said with a slight sadness in my tone, which made Jrake let out a long sigh.

"I see."

He then stopped swinging, and looked at me.

"Then, I will help you."

H-Huh?

Is he serious? I'm not in the mood for any jokes… but, if he does, that would be very helpful.

"I will teach you to become stronger. So that one day, they won't call you 'little lady' anymore. Instead, they will look up to you."

"Huh…? But you're the only one who called me little lady..."

"Don't ruin the moment here, Rize."

You are the one who is joking!!!!

"I will teach you my sword techniques. The techniques that I have learned for tens of years."

Speaking of which, how old is he, again? And knowing how strong he is... I guess I should just accept it. 

Otherwise, this will be a waste.

"Ah... Um, thanks?"

"Be a little more surprised, damn it."

"Oh god! Thank you so much!!"

"You're welcome!! Muahahah!!!"

What was that laugh…?

I might regret this...

After resting for only a bit, I can feel my energy coming back to me. 

That was way too quick for my energy to get replenished, but at the same time, it was probably because I don't have that much energy anyway. Or maybe that's how it was being a normal person, since I have already forgotten all about it.

After that, we started training again. This time, Jrake is teaching me his sword techniques. He wasn't using the big sword this time, but instead a wooden short sword. 

As he showed the techniques, all I did was just replicate it. His moves, starting from his steps to his hand movement, I copied them very detailly. But after I did that, he looked quite shocked for some reason.

"Y-You are a quick learner, little lady… Don't forget these techniques, you know?"

Jrake said with a little worry, but I can only chuckle at his behavior.

Dude. I didn't forget the karate moves from my 7th grade, and I only joined for a very short while. How could I ever forget these cool movements?

During the training, I kept on taking breaks. This limit on my body really sucks, and I had to stop the training session about every five minutes to take a ten minutes break. The learning went well since I learned quickly, but because I spent more time resting than training, it felt like I barely learned anything.

We trained all the way until the third bell, which is sundown. I guess enjoying training really hard makes you don't feel time at all.

Jrake went inside to visit the receptionist office and have a chat with Klane, while I went back to my room after taking a glass of water.

Come to think about it, I haven't had any bath yet, have I? I didn't have any other set of clothes yet, so I didn't really want to bathe. Plus, I don't have money to obtain them. 

Maybe I should borrow Klane's? Will she even let me? Or rather, will her clothes even fit me? I am much taller than her, after all.

After sitting in the bedroom for almost fifteen minutes, Klane entered the room.

"You must be exhausted."

She said while bringing two glasses of water with her, and my eyes turned green at the sight of a drink.

"Not really. Plus, I'm getting used to it. It does happen all the time."

"In that case, how about coming with me?"

H-Huh? Where are we going?

Come to think about it, she was standing at the door so I couldn't see her clothes very well. She no longer wears her office suit, and instead, it's a set of casual clothes you will see the normal people here wear. 

It's an outdoor clothes set, a casual wear. She is going somewhere tonight.

"W-Where are we going?"

"The town."

Oh my god, it's like a date. Just the two of us, walking on the road. It's not like it is what she wanted, but it does feel like a date.

"Are you sure that's okay? How about your work?"

"It's okay, today is one of the easy-going days. Keila had it handled."

Klane said after placing down my drink on the table, and I stared at it for a while as I thought. Keila is the name of her friend, who is a fellow receptionist lady.

"Don't worry, you need me more than her."

"Ah… right. I guess I still haven't fully settled up here yet."

"Exactly. We have sooo… many things to get for you."

Klane said to me, and I nodded at her shyly.

She lifted her hand up that is no longer holding a glass of water, and it looked like something glows up between her fingers.

All of a sudden, a black item appeared right above her palms.

"W-Woah… what was that?"

"It's called a spatial magic ring. It is used to store items magically."

She explained casually while holding the item in her hands. I had so many questions to ask about it, but I figured the right time to ask isn't now. She opened the item that she took out wide, and I noticed what the item was.

"Wear this."

It's a black flannel. A rather thick and large one that will definitely fit my body.

"F-For me?"

"Yes. It was mine, but I never used it because it was way too big for me. But, it will definitely fit you."

She said as I took the flannel from her hands. I gave it a try, and it really does fit. 

I put the buttons on, and found that the chest part feels really tight. She must have noticed this, because I look really uncomfortable while holding my chest with my hand.

"Sorry, the chest sizes must definitely be an issue!"

Klane said panickingly, but I smiled softly at her.

"It's fine, it's fine! This belonged to you, after all… I don't have the right to complain, haha."

I said that with consideration, but what I found was an even worse level of uneasiness out of her expression.

"... You don't have to be that demeaning…"

Eh?

Eh???

I turned my gaze downwards, and realized what Klane meant.

… looks like a wooden board.

Females do tend to be quite sensitive when it comes to sizes… I should've chosen my words better.

Klane ended up not minding much about it afterwards, and we both exited the room. 

If I'm not wrong, it should be around early night time now. The sun has just gone down, so it should be rather dark outside.

As we walked past the line of people at the lobby, I realized that it wasn't as easy-going as Klane said. But Klane didn't seem to mind it, so I guess everything's okay.

I followed her outside of the office, not turning around to see the receptionist desk at all. Who knows what pair of eyes are waiting for us the moment we look that way.

As we exited the building, I turned my gaze around me to view the spectacular scene. It's actually my first time outside after coming into the Adventurer's Office yesterday. Seeing the night scene of a medieval kingdom really made me want to cry because of how beautiful it is. People walking around, talking with one another loudly and minding their own lives. 

The two of us began walking down the road to the left, and I was so intense looking around at my surroundings.

One thing that I noticed is most important during the walk was the expressions on their faces. Maybe some have this troubled look on their faces, while some others are covering their faces with a face mask. But, most of them are pretty happy with their lives. 

One thing that I'm sure about, was how peaceful and breathable the air is. The kind of air that makes you think, that it must be so nice living here. The kind of air that makes you want to live here.

This feels… so peaceful.

"We are here!"

Klane suddenly stopped walking, and I turned my gaze towards the shop that was right in front of us. I looked upwards and read the sign on the top of the shop, and I immediately sweated bullets.

It's a women's apparel shop.

I have been there a lot when I was little. My mother goes to a store and buys things at a female apparel shop. Like bras, underwears, or maybe women's clothes. But, this visit right now, is on another level.

Because I'm supposed to be wearing those.

Klane pulled my shoulder to get my attention, and I turned to find her serious expression.

"Rize, it's been very difficult for me to say this... But you weren't wearing a bra for the past two days."

Why the fuck would I…

Wait…

Klane then lifted her finger, and she pointed at me. Specifically, towards my chest.

"Your 'thing', was showing a little bit."

Wait… Haha.

Hahahahaha…

What in the love of freakin' titty god do you mean--

"So. Put. This. On."

I couldn't even curse out loud, and Klane is already handing me the item. I looked at the bra that she just gave me, and the expression that I wore must have been really complex, because she let out a very long, tired sigh.

"Just wear it… please."

This time, she pleaded. I felt bad for her, because she must have thought that this is very important, and yet I'm still thinking about not doing it.

"... Okay. Sorry."

I took the bra from her hands, and she smiled softly at me.

Gosh, what a world!!!!

She gave me a bra, and she went on a little stroll around the shop to pick some new sets of clothes for me to try on. 

How… does she know my sizes…? Do women have this intuition where they can guess the sizes perfectly?

After selecting the new set of clothes for me, Klane walked back to me and gave them to me. She then asked the shop owner lady about the changing room, and the lady guided me to the said room.

I went there alone, and it was a very small room with a large mirror on the wall. I was still very annoyed by the fact that I have to wear a bra, but my hands kept on moving anyway and began to unbutton my flannel.

I let go of every single clothing on my body, leaving myself fully naked. The reason was so that I could look at my naked self in the mirror.

This is... actually my first time seeing my body naked.

But instead of being aroused by the sight of a naked woman, instead I feel horribly pained.

I moved my hand, and I was able to see my hand moved from the mirror. I touched my face, and truly realized that this face I am seeing is my own.

… How did I get into this situation?

To fall into this world, to be in this new smoking hot babe of a body, and to have my pride destroyed.

Everything that I know of, has turned upside down. There's magic, knights, monsters, and to add to all of that, I have to change genders.

What the fuck has happened to me…? What did I do, that I deserved to be in this situation…?

I can feel my breathing become heavier, and I suddenly had a very strong urge to just punch the mirror with my bare hands. And as my mind was gradually losing it, the door behind me was knocked.

"Rize? Are you done?"

Klane's voice can be heard at the other side of the door, and I quickly snapped out of my daze.

"Ah, sorry! T-The bra was s-stuck!!"

I had to lie… a really dirty one, too.

"Pft!"

I can hear Klane chuckling behind the door… man, this is so pathetic.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and found the tired expression I'm wearing. I'm so tired of all of these things that are happening to me, that I just want to close my eyes and fall asleep.

But… I have to keep moving.

And so, I began unfolding the new set of clothes that Klane gave me. I put on the new green t-shirt after the new bra, but I kept the black flannel on the outside unbuttoned. The long black skirt looked very cool as well, making my whole appearance very modern-looking with the black and green combination.

I'm glad she didn't give me a short skirt, because I'm against showing off any kind of skin.

I didn't get aroused by seeing my naked body, but looking at me now made me lose myself again by how cool I look.

Is it wrong to fall in love with yourself?

"Rize!? Hurry!!"

"Ah, I'm nearly done!"

I quickly began wrapping up all of my dirty clothes, and found that it was pretty much… dirt-y.

There was just a lot of dirt. In a span of just two days, I fell down and rolled on the ground multiple times, after all.

I came out of the changing room, and found the annoyed look on Klane's face. But as soon as she saw how I looked, her expression changed as she whistled.

"Whew… would you look at that? I wouldn't be surprised if a prince from another kingdom came here and requested marriage to you."

Oh, please. I wouldn't be surprised if any man isn't falling for this appearance.

"Can I really keep this? It is your money, after all…"

I asked Klane carefully, but she laughed hearing that.

"Listen, listen. I would spend hundreds of Jules if it means making you beautiful. Trust me, it's very worth it, hahah."

She said while still holding back her laughter, and I can only chuckle softly at her behavior.

I will still return the money someway… once I can make my own.

"Now, come. I also bought you a few more sets to keep."

"W-Wait, you're buying me more?"

"Well, yeah. You're going to change your clothes tomorrow, won't you?"

I-I can't deny that…

"Ah, and… here."

She walked to the front desk, and picked up an item from the top of the table. She gave the new set of clothes to me, but as soon as it arrived in my hand, I realized that it was not a simple set of casual clothes.

It's a full adventurer's clothing set.

"For your adventures."

She said that one line to me, and despite how cool she sounded when she said that, I was still very amazed by how much cooler the design is on the adventurer's set.

"C-Can I go and try this--"

"No! The good diners will close by the time you're done! We have to eat to survive!!"

"Ahhh!!"

Klane said as she immediately started pulling me out of the store. Behind us, the shop owner lady can only wave her hand awkwardly at us as we leave.

And so, we continued our tour of the night.