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Tilea's Worries

Chapter 79

The next day...


I entered the training room in the Underground Empire of the Evil God Army. The room was filled with tools called "tetsuarei" designed to enhance physical strength. Even the lighter ones weighed a ton, with the heavier ones exceeding twenty tons.


Amazing. With my current strength, lifting a one-ton tetsuarei is a challenge.


The members of the Evil God Army effortlessly lift and move these multi-ton weights as part of their training.


One day, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with these people. No, I will surpass them. Fueled with determination, I moved to the center of the room.


In the center stood Nielsen-sama, arms crossed and waiting. As expected of the Supreme Commander of the Evil God Army, he exuded an aura of strength and authority.


"Thank you for waiting."

"You've come..."

"Yes. Please instruct me."

"Hmm. First, I need to see your strength. Hit me with everything you've got!"


Nielsen-sama thumped his chest and left his body unguarded.


All my strength... He likely means my true strength without using my secret technique, Makenken.


However, with my current magic power, I can't impress Nielsen-sama. I need to compensate for the lack of power with technique.


I assumed a palm strike stance.


"Here I go. Taah!"


I put all my weight into the punch aimed at Nielsen-sama's abdomen. The goal was to deliver an internal destruction palm strike meant to destroy internal organs.


But...


A satisfying thud echoed, and that was it.


What formidable abdominal muscles. It felt like hitting a thick log. The internal shock I intended to inflict barely penetrated the surface.


From the feel of it, I knew.


Nielsen-sama had taken almost no damage.


"Are you mocking me?"

"Eh!?"

"Casey, you managed to defeat Ortissio and even landed a blow on me with a surprise attack. And this is the best punch you can muster? If you're not serious, I'll kill you!"


Nielsen-sama's anger radiated.


Ugh!? His killing intent crackled in the air.


This is it. This pressure is beyond human capability. I have fought the world's mightiest warriors, but I am like a child before the members of the Evil God Army.


I truly feel the might of the demons.


With this pressure, I can't make excuses. I must be honest.


"Nielsen-sama, I used an unorthodox technique called Makenken at that time. Makenken temporarily multiplies my magic power. It's a cheating technique using a curse seal. I can briefly draw out three times my usual magic power, which might break through your defenses."


I hinted that I was concerned about causing harm, but Nielsen-sama frowned as if offended.


"Casey, spare me the excuses. I ordered you to give it your all. Don't make me say it twice."

"...Are you sure? This could result in severe injury, even death."

"Hmph. If a brat like you can defeat me, I don't deserve to be the Supreme Commander of the Evil God Army."


That got under my skin.


Even though I'm the top of the world's most feared outlaws.


Fine. If you die, it's not my fault. In fact, if you fall to someone like me, you don't deserve to be Tilea-sama's subordinate.


Without hesitation, I activated Makenken.


Using the curse seal, I forcefully enhanced my magic power, gathering strength in my fist. For a brief moment, my magic power surged to nearly ninety thousand.


"Here I come. Makenken, triple power!"


I put my weight behind the punch aimed at Nielsen-sama's abdomen.


I felt impact!


A heavy shockwave—Guhah!


Clutching my fist, I collapsed on the spot.


"You're still green, Casey."


Ugh, my fist shattered. Three of my metacarpal bones are definitely broken. My middle finger might be crushed to pieces.


W-Why...?


"Haa, haa. N-Nielsen-sama, w-what..."

"You called it Makenken? I've already experienced it once. I understand the technique's nature. I synchronized my magic power to match your punch. For a moment, my abdominal muscles were as hard as orichalcum."

"S-Such a thing..."


Demons possess such potential?


To think someone would use Makenken defensively...


"Casey, why are you standing there? Come on, hit me again!"

"I-I apologize. Haa, haa, my fist is shattered. And the backlash from Makenken... Haa, haa, my consciousness is fading..."

"Casey, whining won't help you in front of the enemy. The important thing is how much you can move even when your magic is depleted, and your body is battered."


T-That's true...


I thought I understood how harsh this training would be, but perhaps I was being soft.


Yes. Don't think of it as training.


This is a battlefield!


Training with the legendary Evil God Army. Death is a real possibility.


"N-Nielsen-sama, I was wrong. If my right fist is shattered, I'll use my left. If both hands are crushed, I'll use my legs."

"That's the spirit. And if both hands and legs are useless, use your tongue."


Tongue!? Of course!


"You're right. Tilea-sama's teachings should have prepared me for this."

"Hmm. Tilea-sama taught us this determination. If your fists are shattered, punch with your left hand, kick with your legs, and if need be, pierce the enemy's temple with your tongue and scatter their brains!"

"Yes! Here I go!"

"Come at me!"


At Nielsen-sama's signal, I used pain suppression and forced consciousness.


Alright, I can move!


Overcoming the backlash of Makenken, I launched myself at Nielsen-sama with my left fist.


Nielsen-sama countered with ironclad defense.


My left fist shattered.


Of course, I wouldn't back down.


With my left fist broken, I kicked with my right leg.


"Your stance is weak!"

"Guhah! Haa, haa, not yet..."


Years of assassination techniques proved futile.


More. Concentrate more. Erase your presence and blend into the surroundings.


"Hoh. Your movements have improved slightly. But still naive!"

"Guhah!"


I concealed my presence, using multiple feints to attack.


It was my best, concentrated attack...


Haa, haa, haa. Strong, too strong.


As expected of Iron-Wall Nielsen, praised as the strongest in close combat. He saw through, dodged, deflected, and countered all my attacks.


This is the power of the Supreme Commander of the Evil God Army...


I understand why Tilea-sama and Camilla-sama trust him.


I can't move my arms or legs an inch. With injuries and exhaustion, my vision spins.


I can't stand anymore. I sank to the ground.


"What's wrong? Stand up. Stand up, Casey!"

"Haa, haa, haa, I-I'm sorry. I can't..."

"Casey. Time is precious. The warm-up is over. Now for the real training."


What!? That was just the warm-up!?


Cold sweat trickled down my back.


I haven't felt such terror from training since my parents threw me off a cliff a few months after I was born.


This is the most brutal training I've faced in a long time. I had almost forgotten.


I can't imagine how grueling the next training will be... Wait, wait!


This is overwork. Any more training will only bring harm. Is Nielsen-sama trying to kill me?


"U-um, I can't take any more."

"What! Is this the level of determination you have to be Tilea-sama's disciple!"

"B-but, this is overwork..."

"Casey, I won't say it twice. Whine again, and I'll kill you."


Such killing intent... He really means it. If I don't change, he'll kill me.


Kill your weak self. I am a killing machine, aiming to become a member of the ruthless Evil God Army.


"Ugh, I apologize. I was wrong."


I tried to stand with all my strength, but my body wouldn't cooperate.


Ugh, it's no use. I can't move. I'm completely out of magic. My life force feels depleted.


"What a weakling. But it can't be helped. It's the first day. We'll go easy on you. Camilla-sama, if you would."


Eh!? Camilla-sama is here?


I was too focused on the training to notice.


The founder of the magic system, the second in command of this formidable army. Such a great person is casting a spell on me.


And...


Camilla-sama herself cast a healing spell on me.


As expected, what incredible healing power. Demons are supposed to be poor at healing magic.


I'm almost fully recovered.


"Casey, Nielsen and I will train you. If you don't improve, you die."

"Yes. I will give my all to meet your expectations."

"Casey, here's my assessment. As an assassin, your skills are decent. Your use of magic, movement, and combat style are passable. You reacted quickly to my feints and thought of countermeasures. You're a quick learner. But your physical ability is too low. It's partly your race, but train harder. At least build a body that can withstand Makenken at five times."

"Yes."


Listening to Nielsen-sama's assessment, my first day of training ended.


Since it was the first day, they said it was light.


This is light!? What will it be like after this?


Just imagining it sends chills down my spine. But I won't run. I can't stop. I need to see how far I can rise. And this training leads to becoming Tilea-sama's disciple.

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