Seraphim is a Bystander

Training Together – Part 2
 

Why has it come to this…?
Today was supposed to be a lovely day—Aoi-san came to our home to give us souvenirs from the school trip. I was looking forward to it so much.
"……"
"……Haa."
I had even hoped that maybe, just maybe, we’d get a chance to talk alone and grow a little closer… But what’s the reality?
All I can do is sit on the sidelines and watch the two of them—Morimiya-sama and Seras-sama—staring silently at each other.

"…Tch!"
"…Haa."
After a brief exchange that I couldn’t understand, the two of them—Morimiya-sama and Seras-sama—clashed once again at a speed far beyond what my eyes could track.
Even from this distance, the shockwaves and the sheer pressure from their killing intent hit me hard enough that I felt like I was going to pass out.
"…How did things end up like this?"

Maybe I’ve picked up Seras-sama’s habit—those words just slipped from my mouth along with a sigh.
At the same time, my consciousness started to fade as I was overwhelmed by the force of their blows.
Ahh… I wish I could go back to just before this “training” started…
After everyone had changed clothes and returned to the dojo, I was immediately dragged out front and introduced by Morimiya-san and Yuna-san—very poorly, I might add.

"Hohhh? So this is the one? Like some kind of by-product of Aoi’s power?"
"Th-this is really Aoi-san as a girl…?"
Aoi… You said you’d explain everything properly before introducing me to these two! And then you just dumped it all on me, didn’t you?

"Sigh..."
"Hmm? You look like you’ve got more talent than Aoi. Alright, let’s test that out—go grab a weapon."
"Morimiya-sama!?"

What is with this master of Aoi’s? Some kind of wild instinct? I wasn’t even trying to act like a dignified fighter or anything, but…
"...Later. The two of them will be poisoned if they watch."
"Ohh… Got it! Hurry up and switch back with Aoi! We’re starting training!"

"What does that mean?! What did you get, and what’s starting?!"
Well, it seemed Master got it, but poor Yuna didn’t. She was totally lost and flustered.
I had no obligation to explain, so I just swapped back with Aoi.
『Um, Seras-san? Master? I… I don’t really understand what’s happening either?』
Aoi looked at us in confusion after returning, but what we want from Aoi and Yuna is actually really simple.

『Hah? Isn’t it obvious?』
"It’s nothing complicated."
Even though this is the first time we’ve talked directly, it was easy to predict what Master would say.
Matching her tone, I spoke at the same time from inside Aoi.
『“You just train until you collapse.”』

From within Aoi, I could feel their blood draining from their faces as his eyes caught the glint of Master’s gleaming gaze.
…Well, while the three of them were all fired up and starting their training, I was thinking back on that short exchange I had with Master earlier.
It wasn’t much of a conversation, really.
She probably just sensed somehow that I was stronger than Aoi and wanted to confirm it with a spar.
But if she and I fought seriously in front of those two, it would only poison their growth.
So I told her, "If we do this, it’ll be out of their sight."
Right after that, she was all gung-ho about starting training with them.
And I thought, "Ah, she’s planning to go until they pass out."

Yup, that’s it.
『Damn…! Gah!』
"Aoi-san!"
Ah, there goes Aoi. He shielded Yuna and dropped. Not even two minutes?

『Oi! This girl's done too. She doesn’t even look like she’s okay. She’s at her limit already, right? We done here?』
…Well, she’s not wrong, but did she really need to say it right in front of her?
Thinking that, I swapped in for Aoi again and stepped forward.

"Oh! Good, you’re all switched back! Let’s get started! What’re you using?"
She was bouncing with energy, completely unfazed by having just sparred with two people. I ignored her for the moment and looked over to Yuna, who had collapsed to her knees and was breathing heavily.
"…Back away."

"Y-yes…"
After watching her totter off a safe distance… Alright. If I pay attention to my movements, she should be fine now.
"All good? So, what’re you using? I’m ready whenever."

"Sigh... You sure you don’t want to use your real weapon?"
"Huh? What are you—"
Before she could finish her sentence, I stepped in close and delivered a light palm strike at a speed just within her ability to react.

"What?!"
She was pushed back several meters, but as I expected, she managed to react in time, blocking with her training scythe. But...
"Seriously...? Damn. I guess I’m the one who wasn’t ready. Gimme a sec."

The shaft of [N O V E L I G H T] her scythe had snapped clean in the middle from the force of my strike.
She placed the broken scythe in the corner of the dojo and brought out her real weapon, carefully unwrapped and stored.
It was rugged, but clearly a finely crafted blade. She took her stance again, her gaze sharp and intense like the edge of her scythe, killing intent radiating off her.
"Let’s begin."

"...Sigh."
I hate to say this with such a serious mood hanging in the air…
But to me, this is already just a boring formality.
Even if she had let her guard down, the previous exchange told me enough about her limits.
Still…

"Alright, come at me however you want."
Even so, the fact that she—Aoi’s master—wants to face me seriously is reason enough to fight.
And if I can help make her stronger, even a little, there’s no downside to that.
I’ll go along with her until she’s satisfied.
"…Tch!"

She charged in with real intent, weaving together slashes and strikes as she attacked—
But all I could think about was...
…Ah, Yuna looks like she’s about to faint from the aftershocks.