Over the next week, Qianshuo trained under Hedin. He also sparred with the familia's seniors, using Imitation Sword Technique to learn their sword styles and refine his own.
Every day left him exhausted—but it felt fulfilling. At the very least, he could clearly feel himself getting stronger step by step.
At the same time, under Hedin's instruction, Qianshuo began studying the Dungeon as well.
When Hedin learned that Qianshuo intended to enter the Dungeon as an adventurer, he was only briefly surprised. Then he went straight to the familia's reading room, hauled over a pile of books, and told him to finish them all within half a month.
The others in the familia also began to acknowledge the hardworking newcomer—and couldn't help marveling at how frightening his talent was.
His learning speed in swordsmanship was terrifying. He could break techniques down in detail, repeatedly simulate them in his head, then integrate them into his own style for real combat responses.
But most important of all was how seriously and relentlessly Qianshuo treated his training. That level of effort was enough to earn respect.
Today's training continued as usual—only even more intense than before.
"Why are you just standing there?"
Hedin's icy voice seemed to come from every direction at once.
Qianshuo's pupils contracted—steel light was already at his brow.
His body moved faster than his mind. He twisted sharply to the side and felt a strand of hair get shaved off, floating down in front of his eyes.
Did I dodge it?
No.
The chill behind him made his scalp explode with alarm.
Before he could even turn, a massive force slammed into his ribs from the side.
Bang!
Qianshuo's mouth opened, but no sound came out. His vision swam in darkness.
When he lifted his head, Hedin's sword tip was hovering three inches from his throat—perfectly still, as if it had been waiting there from the beginning.
"Do you want me to cut your head off?"
"Blind spots aren't only behind you. You must monitor your surroundings in all directions—overcome every visual dead zone. The minimum threshold is being able to evade, defend, and counterattack at the same time."
Watching Qianshuo collapse, then stagger back upright with sheer stubbornness, Hedin's cold voice struck his mind like a bell, forcing him to think.
Qianshuo stared at Hedin's longsword and frowned in confusion as he weighed the words.
"That… isn't it too hard?"
All three at once—perfectly united—left him dazed. In his understanding of combat, that kind of "trinity" had never existed.
"If you decide you can't do it," Hedin said flatly, "then a monster's fangs and claws—or an adventurer's dagger and blade—will become your guillotine."
The moment those icy words landed, a shiver ran up Qianshuo's spine.
He lowered his head and fell into thought.
His mind replayed battle after battle. His swordsmanship kept simulating, refining, testing. Almost unconsciously, he ran combat scenarios—trying to calculate what level he needed to reach to achieve the seamless evade–guard–counter transitions Hedin demanded.
"You often reflexively raise your sword into an attacking or defensive posture," Hedin said, pointing out his weakness.
"Eh… I haven't improved that?"
Qianshuo froze.
It was a habit he'd developed back when he first started training—something that had become instinct.
After gaining Imitation Sword Technique, he'd realized that habit had drawbacks, but also advantages, so he had tried correcting it during battle.
"Because you're deliberately trying to correct it," Hedin said, "your opponent can see your attack preparation."
"It's an optimal choice when you're attacking monsters. But when facing an adventurer at your level—or stronger—it becomes a fatal flaw."
"So from now on, eliminate that habit. Start conquering every visual blind spot. Otherwise, you'll never become a true strong one."
Hedin dissected Qianshuo's flaw with ruthless precision and offered the simplest, most direct prescription.
"I understand, Master."
Qianshuo took a deep breath and nodded—clear-headed now.
It was obvious he'd thought it through. He reset into his iaijutsu starting stance once more.
And then Hedin's "baptism" began again.
…
Another day of getting beaten down.
But for Qianshuo, today was packed with gains. He etched every word of Hedin's instruction into his bones.
He was genuinely grateful to Hedin. Even if he knew Hedin was teaching him under Lady Freya's orders, the man's seriousness and responsibility made Qianshuo think about how he could repay him.
And Heith, too—she had cared for him with painstaking attention this whole time. Qianshuo carried that kindness in his heart.
And then there was Freya…
A pair of silver eyes surfaced in his mind.
Qianshuo couldn't help tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling.
There were simply too many people he needed to thank.
But the pressure he'd felt at the beginning was gone now. He exhaled slowly, calm and open inside.
As long as he remained in the familia, he'd have the chance to repay them. So what he needed to do—right now—was become stronger.
That was the best repayment for all the care he'd been given.
After that "speech" at the dining table, the suspicious stares stopped gathering on him.
Instead, he was accepted—recognized as a new companion blessed by the goddess's favor.
And there was one more unspoken rule:
Even if someone wanted to mess with Qianshuo, they'd better do it at the same level, not by bullying downwards.
Otherwise, it would be picking on a child who had only recently joined the familia and only recently awakened their divine blessing.
And that would be embarrassing beyond words.
"Kid—try this secret stew. I specifically dug through recipes to make it."
Heith's voice rose, and a porcelain plate was set in front of him.
The stew sat in a thick, glossy sauce, steam rising so hot it blurred his vision.
It was Heith's cooking: the meat was stewed so tender it fell apart with a touch of chopsticks. The fat had seeped into the potatoes, glowing with an irresistible caramel color.
She then dropped into the seat beside him and stretched lazily.
Everyone could only watch as Heith continued to give Qianshuo her "special treatment."
At first, a few people complained that Heith was giving him extra privileges—but she planted her hands on her hips and stared them down with outright contempt.
"The kid is growing. What's wrong with him eating better? What—are you lot seriously going to fight a child for food?"
That single line shut every Level 3 and Level 4 adventurer right up.
Because fighting a child for food was, indeed, humiliating.
"It smells so good, Heith-jie."
"If it smells good, eat more. I learned this secret method специально—just for this."
"Eat it while it's hot, kid."
Seeing Qianshuo's eyes light up, Heith smiled smugly, pleased with herself.
As for being called "kid," Qianshuo had already gotten used to it.
At first, he'd tried to protest—he was twelve, not in the "kid" category anymore. He wanted her to call him by name: Qianshuo.
But Heith had only smiled sweetly and said: I'm a full round older than you. Unless you're older than me, you're a kid.
That ended the discussion. Qianshuo had no choice but to accept it.
"Oh, right—tomorrow, don't go train when you wake up. Day off."
"Hedin told me to take you to register your adventurer status, and we'll also take a walk around Orario."
Heith watched him eating so enthusiastically, her smile full of satisfaction and relief.
Because seeing someone devour food you made like a starving ghost was its own kind of happiness—and Heith was no exception.
"Mmmf… suhd-den…?" (Huh… suddenly?)
Qianshuo's mouth was stuffed with stew as he blinked at her.
It was unexpected—so sudden he didn't know what to do with it.
"Yeah. Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow, big sis will take you out for a proper tour."
Heith looked at his blank expression, noticed the sauce smeared at the corner of his mouth, and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it clean.
Seriously… raising a kid really is fun.
Of course, that was only true if it was a good-looking, obedient kid like Qianshuo.
If it were a little terror, Heith would absolutely start swinging her staff and "educating" them properly.
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