SELECT DUNGEON'S STORY - Nephilim's Corruption

Chapter 18 - Alfred & Catherine Special Training #2

Catherine and Alfred's training had reached the 7th day and all of Vezda could see all of their development together. Everything they do to have to bet their lives for the sake of this exercise is not in vain. Alfred can be more confident and his ability to improve very rapidly than before. On the other hand Catherine was increasingly convinced to protect her other friends and become strong. Indeed both have a vision not to be a burden in the alliance and can help other members.

“Now it's 7 days. It's a day to rest. You two can do exercises to launch the movement, but do not be too heavy.” Vezda gives the order when Alfred and Catherine are awake.

“Eh?” Alfred and Catherine were confused.

“Iya this is a day to rest. Don't force yourself.” Vezda.

“Good.” Alfred and Catherine said simultaneously.

Today Vezda is conducting an overall evaluation for Alfred and Catherine. They were both very happy that they could each master a different branch even though their training was the same. Vezda also explained in detail why Catherine was directed to study the Dance of Free Wind. Catherine's body as a cat human has a slightly different muscular structure and is more agile although the overall body shape is the same as that of a human other than the ears and tail. Meanwhile, Alfred had a muscular structure and attack pattern that perfectly matched the Dance of Flowing Water because every movement Alfred had was very calm.

“Catthy, you actually have a match with 2 branches. Another one is Dance of Roaring Thunder.” Vezda said after explaining to the two of them the reason why they were studying the branch Vezda had chosen.

“Serious?” Catherine said with shining eyes.

“Serious, but this branch has a very high level of difficulty because if you are not familiar with the technique, it can paralyze your legs. That's why I taught you more Dance of Free Wind.” Vezda explained to Catherine.

“Vezda are those who can explore more than one branch better?” The direction of Alfred's conversation can be guessed easily.

“Not really. The monster man Carlos mastered the Dance of Flowing Water so well that he made some special techniques of his own creation. Then Vajra, became one of the strongest adventurers just by mastering the Dance of Roaring Thunder.” Vezda.

“Wait a minute Vajra? Vajra from Na’ava Alliance?” Catherine and Alfred were surprised that Vezda mentioned Vajra.

“Iya. Vajras. No need to be surprised. He mastered what you are learning.” Answer vezda.

“But why can you know that?” Alfred asked back.

“That reason I won't say, but you can ask Aliviah directly later.” Vezda replied with a smile.

“I understand, but how long can they get that strong just by mastering 1 branch?” Alfred asked Vezda back.

“Carlos 7 years and vajra may be over 9 years of practice as it starts from very early childhood. I myself fairly fast 4 years to master the most difficult main branch.” Vezda.

“If during that–” Alfred looks desperate.

“I used to meet a fighter. He told me that he was very afraid of me that one day I would have to fight with him because I trained every move and ability of the Dance of Scorching Flame branch repeatedly endlessly. He concluded that it is more frightening for someone to do 1 kick 1000 times than someone with 1000 kicks 1 time.” Clearly Vezda to Alfred and Alfred was stunned to hear Vezda's explanation.

“I understand now. That's the reason Captain never told me why you should keep training with what I'm good at.” Alfred said to Vezda.

“Good if you understand. Never again feel inferior about many things. Alfred, you are strong and you are the leader of group 2. Show yourself as a leader.” Vezda to Alfred.

“I've always been by your side, Alfred. So never again you humble yourself yes.” Catherine was very sympathetic to Alfred.

“Talking about the branch you learned, I've made copies for both of you. Alfred, you obviously get all the basic concepts that you should continue to learn and practice in the Dance of Flowing Water experience along with the modifications made by Carlos.” Vezda gave a special copy to Alfred.

“Good. Thank you very much, Vezda.” Alfred thanked me.

“For Catthy, I gave a copy containing the basic concepts of Dance of Free Wind and Dance of Roaring Thunder. Learn everything. For the Dance of Roaring Thunder, his main technique was actually just the first technique alone. Other techniques that you can use or no longer have studied in full Dance of Free Wind so you can use many techniques from the 2 branches that you learn.” Vezda gave a special copy to Catherine.

“Thank you very much, Vezda.” Catherine accepted the book and thanked Vezda.

“Well, now you can practice and be free if you want to rest. Tomorrow we will return to our routine.” Vezda gave orders to Alfred and Catherine.

“SIAP!”

****

Day 9 of the exercise, the physique of Catherine and Alfred had improved drastically. Their every move was not a movement that was just beautiful, but a movement that was very effective in combat. It was likely that Catherine had not studied the Roaring Thunder branch and was more focused on pursuing Free Wind. Vezda himself was amazed to see the two of them training on the basis of the desire to become stronger.

“It looks like the training here went smoothly, eh?” Bromner came and greeted Vezda who was observing Catherine and Alfred.

“Very smoothly. Their determination and desire that makes rapid development. Probably won't make the two of them level up, at least they can be confident to protect the other.” Vezda.

“Good then. And this is your weapon from Hikoshiro.” Bromner gives Hikoshiro's weapon.

“Did you keep the bill in my room, Bromner?” Vezda asked while receiving the two katanas he ordered.

“It has been and it looks like the sword is indeed special huh?” Ask Bromner.

“Iya is right. This katana is made especially for those who master the regulation of breathing and body.” Answer Vezda.

“So, you gave this to them?” Bromner asked as he watched Catherine and Alfred train.

“Iya. Next they will make training easier for others.” Vezda smiled at Alfred and Catherine.

“You turned out to be very attentive to group 2 huh. Hahahahah.” That typical Dwarf laugh was something very encouraging for Vezda.

“Bromner, you want to see something interesting?” Vezda asked and immediately got up to his feet.

“Oh? Be able. Show me.” Bromner said to Vezda.

“ALFRED CATTHY! COME HERE!” Vezda called out to the two of them shouting because their training was quite intense and Vezda was sure they would not be easy to call out in a quiet voice.

Alfred and Catherine stopped their training and went straight to Vezda. Since it was still in the training session, they both looked very serious. Despite that, they are still happy to see Bromner coming.

“Alfred, Catthy. Swap your blunt katana with a wooden sword and I want you two to sparring. Don't hold back and give up everything you've learned.” Vezda gave the order and they were both surprised to have to fight one against the other.

“Sparring is part of your practice as well, kids. It will prove that you have mastered what you have mastered or not.” Bromner said to the two of them.

“Good!” the two of them simultaneously and exchanged the blunt katana with the wooden sword then prepared for the sparring.

“Looks like I still have a lot to learn from you, Bromner. I will show the children you have trained wholeheartedly to become top-class adventurers and now they have been honed to be much sharper than before.” Vezda.

Bromner and Vezda saw Alfred and Catthy's current gaze was simply stunning. They are both enthusiastic and their eyes are not a sign of defeating each other, but a sign they are ready to show that they both deserve to protect whoever they want to protect.

No matter how persistent I train, I will remain weak and Ragnulf will probably continue to insult me and Alfred. But this time I will be stronger. I will protect all the people I love and cherish for me. Catherine's determination was already unanimous to become even stronger in order to protect her friends.

“AAARRRRGGGGGHH!!!” The cry of Catherine and Alfred was a sign that they had changed their minds and outlook on life.

“Dance of Flowing Water - Waterfall Slash.” Alfred started his attack first.

“Dance of Free Wind - Wind Cutter.” Catherine's defense was offset by the assault as well and it was quite deadly to use a real katana.

The fight between Alfred and Catherine may not be an impressive fight for someone of the same level as Bromner, but who would have thought that Bromner was impressed to see the determination of the two young members. Their speed and strength looked similar, but in fact Catherine had an advantage in her speed and that was the reason why Catherine was also suitable to study the Dance of Roaring Thunder. On the other hand, Alfred's attack was much faster than Alfred's attack in general and Alfred was much quieter in using every technique he had learned. Catherine and Alfred were not aware that in their sparring, they both smiled as if each of their burdens had come off after beginning to master the regulation of breathing and body.

“Wind and water will always be a very refreshing combination right?” Vezda said to Bromner who was amazed at Alfred and Catherine's fight.

“True. I owe you so much now. Eh?” Bromner was surprised to see Vezda shed tears at the time.

“Ailas, Carlo. They're like you guys when you used to practice.” Vezda's words were thrown out unknowingly and Bromner could clearly see a deep sadness on Vezda's face.

“I understand you're Carlos' best friend, but Ailas? That's new news for me.” Bromner said that and Vezda was immediately shocked and wiped his tears.

“Ah sorry.” Vezda didn't want to open it, but it's a very difficult sadness to hold back at the moment.

“Your atmosphere is unstable, son. After the training is over, go back to headquarters and rest.” Bromner cheers Vezda up and Vezda just smiles while looking back at Alfred and Catherine's fight.

Alfred and Catherine's battle continued and every technique they mastered, they used and combined it with their experience of fighting. That makes all their current fights a fantastic thing. Until one point both of their wooden swords were broken.

“Enough!” Vezda stopped their fight right after their two wooden swords broke.

“I just saw 2 insects fall and rise into a much stronger insect” Bromner said as he approached Alfred and Catherine along with Vezda.

“You two. Thank you so much for learning and developing everything you have learned. It only takes 9 days with non-stop practice, you can master it. Your determination and your strong desire become something that will help you to protect all those who are precious to you.” Vezda's calm voice made the two of them teary-eyed.

“So how, Vezda? Finish faster?” Bromner asked Vezda.

“Iya. We're going home today. I've taught you both what I can, the rest you have to keep developing. There is no stop word to develop to get better.” Vezda said to Alfred and Catherine.

“Good!” Catherine and Alfred said in unison and wiped away their tears.

“Before return. I want to give you this.” Vezda gives a katana to Aleratha and Alfred.

“Pedang katana.” Alfred said while taking out the sword.

“Eh? Change color?” Catherine said and was surprised.

“That is a sign that you have mastered the breathing and body settings. Where you flow directly into the mithril that is there and change the color according to the branch that you mastered first.” Vezda.

“Hmmm is too beautiful for a weapon if I think, but it is a worthy gift for both of them, eh?” Bromner said to Vezda.

“Jadi–”

“VEZDAA THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!” Not yet finished speaking, Catherine and Alfred hugged Vezda tearfully and finally they were able to master a difficult thing very quickly.

****

Vezda, Bromner, Catherine, and Alfred finally arrived at the headquarters and were surprised to see Aleratha laughing very satisfied for some reason. Vezda himself saw Aleratha was very beautiful and sweet as she laughed and indeed Aleratha was almost never seen laughing.

“Nak, your face is red.” Bromner said to Vezda who was watching Aleratha.

“Oh, so the rumors are true?” Catherine smiled wickedly with Alfred.

“Ah. I–” Vezda hasn't had a chance to talk.

“Vezda. Don't forget you have to talk to me.” Aleratha wiped her tears and tried not to laugh as Samir continued to cling to Aleratha.

“Iya. Whenever you want. I'll just wait for your order.” Vezda said and covered up how nervous he was looking at Aleratha.

They finally met when everyone was exhausted. It turned out that Aleratha and Samir were back after Laris and the others came back. Samir fought the monster boss on the 35th floor alone. It wasn't easy and it might kill him, but he did. Aleratha was only there to accompany and aid Samir's healing. On the other hand Samir felt Catherine and Alfred were different from before. They were both full of passion and confidence, especially Alfred. Surely Bomner will remain a Bromner by telling Alfred, Catherine, and Samir to rest. Bromner himself again met with Laris, while Aleratha spoke four eyes with Vezda.

Not a comforting thing for Vezda considering Bormner also had Vezda tell me all about him including Ailas, including, Ailas Psila Alf who is the King of all Light Elves including High Elf and the father of Aleratha, Aleratha Psila Alf.

****

“I know you might be awkward to say everything, but please not to be awkward because I might also be awkward to answer your question.” Aleratha said as she put a glass of tea on the table.

“I know, but it wouldn't be weird and awkward if I directly said ‘I love you’?” Vezda asked Aleratha.

“I get it, but my real question is what's the reason you love me?” The question Aleratha gave Vezda made a little thought.

“Physically, you are a beautiful and strong figure. However, more than that you are a figure who cares deeply about colleagues and members. You are also not a person who cares about yourself. You even help others a lot too.” Vezda explained out loud.

“Then?” Allertha realized there was still something Vezda wanted to say.

“Surely because you are an Elf who has never been selfish and looked at other races. You respect anyone regardless of their race.” Vezda said that and Aleratha was somehow satisfied with the answer Vezda gave.

“Do you know that I am not just a High Elf, but also a child of the King?” Alertaha asked.

“Iya I know. Coincidentally Ailas, Carlos, and I were the three best friends who had trained together.” The words made Aleratha almost spout the tea she was drinking onto Vezda's face.

“How can you know him?” Aleratha asked.

“If you were Ailas's son I might have known before we set out to explore together. If Ailas himself has known me and Carlos since 12 years ago.” Vezda started telling me how he met Ailas.

****