CHAPTER 221: GROWTH

A training facility in Canale.

　Zat Brozed was in a five-on-five mock battle with his leader, Braham Joe.

　They were fighting without magic, each carrying a different weapon.

　Zat and Braham, as leaders of their own, were giving instructions to their soldiers.

　The winner was the one who incapacitates the enemy leader.

“…Kuu!” (Zat)

　Zat was having a hard time.

　In a one-on-one mock battle, Braham was so strong that he could only win occasionally.

　But five-on-five, it was supposed to be a different story.

　Braham can only give simple instructions, and even though the condition is that the winner wins if he incapacitates the leader, he took the initiative to attack himself, so if he fought Braham in a fight of more than one person, he would be able to take advantage of the battle.

　Even so, Braham’s individual strength was so high that he lost about once every two times, but compared to one-on-one mock battles, he had a better chance of winning.

　However, Braham had recently been calmer than before and no longer rushed in on his own without thinking.

　Moreover, he is becoming more precise in his instructions to his soldiers, although he still often makes mistakes

　Zat was finding it hard to win.

“Okay! Go around!” (Braham)

“!!” (Zat)

　Zat had unintentionally created an opening behind him, and at Bramham’s order, the soldiers quickly moved around him.

　He tried to deal with them, but it was already too late. He was pinched, his weapon was dropped, and victory was decided.

“If the enemy gets behind us, we will be at a great disadvantage, so we have to make sure they don’t get us!” (Braham)

“I know that…” (Zat)

　The moment he won, Braham seemed not pleased and pointed this out to Zat.

　He used to be excited like a child when he won, but these days he is calm even after winning.

　His brow is furrowed and he looks thoughtful.

　He seemed to be reflecting and analyzing the mock battle in his own way.

(But he’s really changed, hasn’t he? At first, I thought, why do I have to be under this idiot…) (Zat)

　Zat is a hard worker who has had a lot of experiences while moving from one place to another all over Somerforce.

　When he was in his early teens, he had already gone to war as a soldier.

　The reason he decided to fight was simply that he thought it would be boring to spend the rest of his life as a commoner.

　Later, the captain of the unit he belonged to deserted from the army with the entire unit he led, and when he found himself doing things like stealing in the field, he decided that this was a bad idea and deserted from the unit himself, risking his life.

　After that, he experienced various things, such as becoming a bounty hunter and a mercenary, before joining the Louvent family.

　There is no doubt that being the second-in-command of an elite unit is pretty good, given his previous circumstances, but even taking that into account, he was not convinced that he would work under Braham.

　On the other hand, not being convinced was also a motivating factor.

　He thought that Braham’s incompetence would eventually be exposed and he would be able to become the captain.

(…I was told that the county mayor has the ability to discern people’s talents, but maybe it’s true.) (Zat)

　Zat was beginning to believe in Ars’ power, which he had been skeptical of at first.

(However, I was placed under Braham, which means I’m less talented than him… and I can’t become a commander… Well, if Braham has great talent, then it’s not a good idea to be under him. If the unit achieves a lot, my position in the Louvent family will rise, even if I am left as second-in-command.) (Zat)

　Zat had high ambitions, but he had no great desire to be at the top and was content with a somewhat higher position.

(But is Braham’s talent really that high?) (Zat)

　Zat had not yet fully recognized Braham’s talent.

“Zat… am I improving?” (Braham)

　Braham asked unexpectedly.

“I think you are.” (Zat)

　Zat answered the question honestly.

“Really? How about me now compared to Master Ritsu and Instructor Thomas?” (Braham)

“Huh? No, it’s obvious, you haven’t grown that quickly.” (Zat)

“I still haven’t reached that level after all…” (Braham)

　Braham looks frustrated.

“I’m a man who can only fight, but I will become number one… So, I’ll just have to work harder.” (Braham)

　Braham said with a determined look on his face.

(Number one…) (Zat)

　Seeing Braham, who declared without hesitation that he would be number one, Zat felt a bit of envy.

　He had lived his life and knew his limits to some extent, but these were words that Zat could not say.

“Alright, another mock battle!” (Braham)

“Again…” (Zat)

　Already today alone we have had five mock battles.

　Zat was exhausted because he did not have much rest.

　Braham must be just as tired, but he looks quite energetic. Braham was a tireless man.

“Okay. Shall we start?” (Zat)

　Zat and Braham then engaged in more mock battles