Read Novel Full Vol 3 Chapter 3 Part 2
Vol 3 Chapter 3 Part 2
Here’s the chapter. Enjoy~
Part 2
They lay out a cloth at a vantage point and surround themselves with a sumptuous lunch.
“This stir-fry is delicious! I’ve never tasted it before.”
“It’s so richly seasoned, it’s good even cold. And the ingredients are great.”
“Xiaolin-sama’s mother cooks by herself, doesn’t she? That’s amazing…!”
“Yes, she does. I love the food my mother cooks for me.”
They enjoyed the delicious food while chatting lively.
Seeing that Xiaolin’s strength had been restored, Tito stood up this time.
“Now it’s my turn!”
“I’m looking forward to working with you!”
The group moved further into the mountains.
“Listen to me, Xiaolin-san. The most important thing in combat is to recognize your opponent’s weaknesses and openings. Your opponent’s breathing, eye contact, muscle movement, and structure… If you sharpen your nerves, you will see the openings in your opponent. There, you strike immediately. Even if you don’t have the strength, you can win if you take advantage of the gaps and weaknesses!”
“I understand! But why the waterfall?”
On an overhanging rock, Xiaolin looked up at the wall of water, making a rushing sound in front of her.
A great deal of water was cascading down from the cliffs that pierced the sky, being sucked into the waterfall basin far below.
“This is an exercise in exploiting the opponent’s gap! Various things are coming down from upstream, so keep slashing at them!”
“I understand!”
Xiaolin prepared her twin swords with great enthusiasm.
“With this training, I will surely become stronger! Eeii!”
Xiaolin swung her swords vigorously toward the waterfall──.
“Oh, please step back! You’ll get splashed!”
“Eh? B-but…”
“You don’t want to catch a cold, do you?”
Tito quickly helped Xiaolin to step back.
“All right, you won’t get wet here. But be careful; sometimes, there are big branches coming through!”
“Y-yes, yes, I understand! ──Haaaaaaah!”
As Xiaolin readied her sword again, a twig flew out of the waterfall.
“Hyah!”
“Xiaolin-san, it’s dangerous! Fierce Claws!”
Tito released a vacuum wave and hit the twig, slicing it away.
“Such an amazing technique on such a small twig!”
“Huh, it’s still dangerous, so I’ll do it!”
“Why?”
“Huh? Because it would be terrible if Xiaolin-san got hurt!”
“It’s my training!”
Tito was about to stand in front of the waterfall, but Xiaolin hastily held her back.
“U-um, Tito-san! I’m so glad you’re worried about me, but it’s my training, so you can be stricter with me…!”
Tito came back to herself with a “Huh!”
“Awawa, I’m sorry! I was just thinking of Xiaolin-san as my little sister, and I just couldn’t stop myself…!”
“Fufufu, thank you. I’ll try my best to become stronger, so I hope you’ll watch over me!”
“Y-yes…!”
Xiaolin stood in front of the waterfall with her twin swords in her hands.
She swung her sword at the falling twigs and leaves.
“Eii! Haahh!”
But the swords only sliced through the void, not even grazing.
“I-it’s hard…!”
“Ugh, I’d like to help…! But it’s for Xiaolin-san’s sake…!”
Tito managed to stop herself from jumping out at any moment and called to Xiaolin.
“Xiaolin-san, take a good look at the object you are about to cut and concentrate! Xiaolin-san is very good at recognizing signs, so you will be able to do it in no time!”
Lexia and Luna, who were watching behind them, nodded their heads.
“By the way, when we first met Xiaolin-sama, you hid faster than we could call you!”
“Yes. I guess you have good instincts and the ability to sense danger.”
“I’m doing my best…!”
Xiaolin focused her attention and swung her twin swords in quick succession.
“Hah!”
Slash, slash, slash!
The falling twigs were cut into two pieces.
I did it! I was able to cut the twig!”
“Wow, that’s amazing! You timed it so well!”
“But leaves are hard to cut because they flutter…”
“It’s all right! You just have to keep your eyes on the target, remember what Luna-san taught you, and swing the sword sharply!”
“! Yes!”
As she repeated the training, Xiaolin became able to deal with any object quickly.
“Hah, hah… It’s a wonder… I’m getting better and better at knowing the moment the next target will come down before I even see it.”
Tito excitedly runs over to Xiaolin, who is wiping the sweat from her face.
“Amazing, that’s amazing! I think your five senses are picking up the slightest sound or sign of change! You are doing very well; good job!”
She stroked Xiaolin, and she leaned her head ticklishly.
“Kyaaa! U-um, Tito-san…”
“If you combine the techniques you’ve just learned with Luna-san’s teachings, there’s nothing you can’t defeat! And you’re not alone; we’re here for you. You can count on us. So no matter what happens, please fight without worry!”
“!”
Xiaolin beamed happily.
“I’ve been training and studying by myself for a long time… and my older brothers and sister have always made fun of me… but this is the first time I’ve had someone so kind to me. Tito-san looked after me, and I was able to do my best. I’m so happy to have a kind sister!”
“Xiaolin-san…!”
Tito burst into tears as if overcome with emotion.
“Goaaaaaaah!”
Bashaaaaaaaaaaan!
A roar of something and the sound of violent water came from the top of the waterfall.
“W-what?”
As soon as the four of them looked up, a huge fish with needle-like scales jumped out of the waterfall.
“Goaaaaaaaaaah!”
“Hyii…!”
“Ferocious Needle Fish…!”
Luna shouted with a tense voice.
The Ferocious Needle Fish is an aquatic monster that lives in the river, dragging its prey into the water and slashing it with needles all over its body. It is a fearsome fish that can even prey on the famously ferocious Devil Bears.
The Ferocious Needle Fish attacks the party as it swims through the air.
“Gohaaaahhh!”
“Xiaolin-san, please stay back!”
But Xiaolin clutched her sword tightly.
“I am no longer alone…──! Tito-san, I will defeat it!”
“!”
Tito’s eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously.
“Yes! You must catch your opponent firmly! You can do it, Xiaolin-san!”
“Yes…!”
Xiaolin gritted her teeth and gripped the hilt of her sword.
She tensed every nerve in her body.
“That’s it!”
Ring──Zubaaaah!
The sound of the bell broke the momentary silence.
The sword that had been drawn in a crossed manner sliced through the giant fish’s forehead.
“Gaahhhh!”
The giant fish turned into particles of light and disappeared, leaving behind a decisive scream.
“Hah, hah, hah… I-I did it… I defeated such a big monster…!”
“Xiaolin-san, that’s amazing!”
Tito hugged Xiaolin vigorously as she collapsed.
“Kyaaa!?”
“You did a great job! You were so cool to stand up and fight without running away!”
Lexia and Luna also rushed to her side.
“Xiaolin-sama, it’s amazing that you were able to defeat such a big monster! And you worked so hard during your training.”
“You’ve grown so much in just one day.”
“I am grateful to Luna-san and Tito-san for their help! The thought of having you all here gives me so much strength!”
Luna laughed and helped Xiaolin stand up.
“I think you’re getting close to mastering the art of swordsmanship. But that’s all for today’s training. We will continue tomorrow.”
“It’s also important to rest your body!”
“Thank goodness… I’m already exhausted.”
Xiaolin let out a distracted voice.
But Lexia held up a finger enthusiastically.
“But that’s combat training, you know!”
“Eh?”
“An emperor must not only be strong. He must also have good manners, culture, elegance, and a deep knowledge of his own culture. You must learn them now so that you will not have any problems when you become an emperor! I’m also Xiaolin-sama’s tutor, so when we get back to the palace, the special lessons will begin!”
“Y-yes! I’m looking forward to working with you.”
“I’m very curious to know what the special lesson will be about!”
“That’s what I’m most worried about…”
With such a conversation, the four of them went down the mountain.
＊＊＊
Back at the palace, the group stood outside Xiaolin’s room.
“If you want to be an emperor, you must first learn how to behave gracefully so that you don’t embarrass yourself wherever you go! So let’s begin the lesson on how to behave!”
“Y-yes! I’m looking forward to working with you, Lexia-sensei!”
“Fufu, Sensei, huh? Now I feel like a tutor!”
“Just start!”
Lexia stands at the end of the corridor.
“Let me show you how to do it! You must have good posture to be graceful. When you walk, keep your back straight, and be tall and graceful. The rest is just spirit!”
“I didn’t expect to hear about spirit…”
“I’ve never seen you look so graceful before. Are you sure?”
“What, even I am a lady representing the Kingdom of Arcelia! I’ll show you a perfect example! So hold your head high and step out beautifully──”
Lexia began to walk confidently and briskly.
Just then, she stepped on the hem of her dress and stumbled.
“Kyaaa!”
A hand swims through the air and drops a very expensive-looking vase.
Crack!
“Kyaa──────!”
“Lexia──────!”
“Lexia-san───?”
The vase shattered loudly, and Xiaolin rushed to Lexia in a panic.
“A-a-a-a-are you okay!? Are you hurt?”
“Yes, I just tripped, that’s all! But I’m sorry for breaking the vase. I’ll pay for it…”
“No, I’m just glad you’re okay, Lexia-san.”
As Xiaolin was relieved, Tito’s cat ears twitched.
“Wait, there’s something!”
“Kishaaaaah!”
A small orange snake emerged from the broken vase.
Xiaolin’s face twitched.
“Wha!? That snake is…?”
“Shaaaaaaaah!”
The snake quickly descended into the garden and fled under the eaves.
“W-why is there a snake in a vase… and what color is it…?”
“…That was a familiar monster created by Brother Mao…”
Lexia blinked at Xiaolin’s muttering.
“Eh! Prince Mao, the third in line to the throne?”
“Yes. Brother Mao’s dragon power is special, and he can create and remotely manipulate his familiar monster.”
Hearing this, Luna mumbled while crossing her arms.
“I see. Maybe he had a familiar lurking in the vase, keeping an eye on Xiaolin’s movements.”
“Everything almost got out, that was close…!”
“Lexia-san, did you notice the presence of the familiar?”
Lexia nodded vigorously under Xiaolin’s respectful gaze.
“Yes, as I thought, it was just as I suspected!”
“No, it was obviously a coincidence.”
“As I thought, this was all part of the plan! It’s amazing, Lexia-sensei…!”
Luna’s mutterings did not reach her, and Xiaolin’s eyes lit up completely.
“Fufu. This isn’t so bad! This is not the end. I’m going to teach you the etiquette of being an emperor all night long!”