Choices and Decisions (3)
Frondier learned one thing while teaching Pielott and Dier.
Every student is different.
No one had the same experiences as him, nor were they as desperate as he was.
It was unreasonable to expect the same level of effort from those who didn't know the bad ending of the game.
Students are just students. Children who haven't even become adults yet.
Don't put too much pressure on those whose bodies and minds are not yet fully developed.
"...That's why I said let's take it easy for the first spar."
And now.
Three exhausted figures lay sprawled before Frondier's eyes.
"Huff… huff… huff…"
"Hee… Hee…"
"..."
Basileo gasped for breath, Glaucus's face was pale as he let out strange noises, and Aias lay motionless beside him.
"I was just going to do a light check-up, but it seems I went overboard."
Frondier scratched his head.
It wasn't that he had hurt them. They simply collapsed from exhaustion.
Frondier had no intention of being strict from the first lesson. Pielott in the past was steeped in arrogance and had the potential to become a villain. That was why Frondier had been strict, and since it was his first time teaching, he couldn't deny that he had made mistakes.
But this time was different. While Aias and Glaucus had their unstable aspects, they showed signs of improvement, and Basileo wasn't a concern mentally… yet. Frondier had planned to gradually increase their skills.
That was why he had conducted the skill check.
"Why are you all getting so worked up and wasting all your stamina?"
Frondier asked the three sprawled figures.
Basileo was the first to answer.
"Because we can't just slack off under those conditions…!"
Finally catching his breath, Basileo rose. He continued,
"You're facing all three of us with just a single spear. We wanted to at least land one hit!"
As Basileo said.
Frondier had only held a single spear during the spar.
It was Azier's Spear, a Unique-grade weapon. However, since Frondier had no intention of attacking, the spear's grade wasn't particularly important.
That's right. Frondier had only defended.
Frondier rested his hand on his hip and said,
"I didn't set any conditions like that. It's not like you had to land a hit to pass."
"It's a matter of pride!"
"...It hurts my pride if I allow the three of you to land a single attack."
Frondier sighed.
They didn't know the extent of Frondier's abilities when he focused solely on defense. To them, he was still just a magic teacher.
'You guys need to experience Azier's endless loop of training to come to your senses.'
When it came to defense, Frondier had reached a level where he could respond to almost all of Azier's challenges. In addition, he had learned various martial arts from numerous individuals, and his own senses had been honed to their limits.
He had long surpassed the level where three students, no matter how talented, could even touch him.
"Mon… Monster… He's a monster…"
Beside him, Glaucus stared at Frondier, his expression not of exhaustion but of terror.
It seemed that having his full-powered, full-speed attack effortlessly neutralized was quite a shock.
"...Just accept it. He's just that kind of person."
Aias muttered, still lying face down. In truth, he had anticipated this outcome from the moment Frondier had used Obsidian to effortlessly knock down both him and Glaucus.
"Well, I achieved my original objective, so that's good enough."
"What was your original objective?"
"What else? For you guys to clearly recognize the current situation. And to find ways to get stronger."
Recognizing the current situation. They had done that to their heart's content.
The current situation being that the three representatives of Atlas, even when combined, couldn't even graze Frondier.
Frondier spoke,
"First, Aias. You didn't use your divine power."
"...You said it was a skill test. There's no point in me relying on divine power if I haven't gotten any stronger."
Frondier smiled at his words. Aias wasn't wrong, but he was mistaken.
"Aias, I told you that you had to make a decision."
"...Yes, you did."
"That applies to your divine power as well"
“Yes, sir."
"You haven't chosen anything yet. Divine power is no different."
"...?"
"Think carefully."
Frondier left those words hanging for Aias, who wore a puzzled expression.
Right now, Aias didn't need a lengthy explanation.
He then approached Glaucus.
"Glaucus. You seem quite shaken."
"...Teacher, you're a monster."
Oh dear.
Frondier tilted his head slightly and said,
"From what I saw, your attacks were overly straightforward. Are you surprised that they were countered?"
Glaucus wasn't stupid.
He charged in a straight line and his attack patterns were simple, but it wasn't because he was incapable of anything else.
"...But it worked until now."
"Indeed. You've been compensating with overwhelming strength and speed."
Glaucus wasn't interested in disguising his attacks.
He believed in making his opponents unable to dodge or block, relying solely on his physical prowess.
Glaucus clenched his fists.
"In rock-paper-scissors, it's a rule that you lose if you play late, right?"
"...Well, yes."
"So if you play first, you're guaranteed to win! Whether I throw rock, paper, or scissors! Though I prefer rock!"
Frondier's eyes half-closed.
'…Dier mentioned rock-paper-scissors before too. Is it a trend in this world?'
Or was there a common perspective that viewed combat as a game of rock-paper-scissors?
While Frondier was lost in thought, Glaucus's shoulders slumped.
"Everyone who told me to mix in feints or use footwork, I beat them all like this. I thought there was no need to listen to those who couldn't dodge even if they knew what was coming. But you're different, Teacher. Should I really be doing those things? Like gauging distance and feinting."
"Of course. What are you talking about?"
"Ugh!"
"Did you think I was going to say you didn't have to?"
"Uugh!!"
"You're not even following the basics of combat, and you think you can get stronger?"
"Kuuugh!"
Glaucus collapsed with each word, as if taking damage.
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