Reversed Roles
As I waited for Lacy at the training grounds, I spotted her in the distance, strolling over with a relaxed expression.
Thou hast been waiting for me since early morning again, hast thou not?
Such diligence. 'Tis truly worthy of praise.
I wasn't early.
You're three whole hours late.
Three whole hours? Shouldn't it be a mere three hours?
Don't be so petty. Time like that doth pass in the span of a single yawn.
Now then, let us begin training.
You're the one who should be training.
I... should be training? Me?
Lacy seemed to think for a moment, then... She raised her hand. Suddenly, two opposing auras—one blazing hot, the other freezing cold—surged across the entire training grounds.
Ugh...!
The clash of the two opposing forces made it hard even to stay on my feet.
Tell me, child. Dost thou still think I require they guidance?
If thou dost, I can always push myself further... provided thou canst withstand it.
...I think that's enough.
Good. Then let us begin the real training.
I've already prepared a training plan for thee.
If thou canst follow it properly, that barren desert of thine will soon be overflowing with life.
I frowned as I took the confidently extended schedule from her hands.
According to the plan, we should've started training three hours ago. But since the one who made it arrived late, the entire schedule was already in ruins.
I can already tell what thou art thinking, but there's no need to worry. I've got it all planned out.
If we're three hours behind, we'll simply make up for it by increasing the intensity of the training.
...What do you mean by that?
A bad feeling crept up my spine as cold sweat began to form.
Start running. Now.
As soon as Lacy spoke those words, the red and blue dragons burst from her hands and flew straight toward me.
Are you trying to kill me?!
Every story's protagonist opens their eyes to a hidden power only in the face of extreme peril!
What if I... literally don't open my eyes?
Hmm...
Then I shall see to it that thou art properly honored with a grand funeral, of course.
At that absurd remark, I turned and ran with everything I had.
Only when the sun began to set was Lacy's so-called "training," or better described as torture, finally over.
*Huff...* *Huff...!*
Well, well... Thou art more resilient than I expected... Quite persistent.
Thy life was never in any true danger, so thy survival isn't all that surprising. But even I didn't expect thee to come out of it with nary a scratch.
Was she hoping I'd break a bone or two?
Her ridiculous words made me want to snap back, but I didn't have the energy left to do it.
All I could do was gasp for air as I tried to calm my racing heart.
Don't glare at me like that. 'Twas merely a joke.
Smiling softly, Lacy raised her hand and touched my forehead.
Just as I was about to panic again, expecting the worst, a soothing chill spread from her touch, cooling the heat within my body.
Thou hast performed well and exceeded mine expectations today, child.
Seeing her gentle smile filled me with a strange feeling.
Should I call it… gracious?
Despite her beautiful human-like appearance, there was an unmistakable sense of grandeur that set Lacy apart from others.
So, child. About that training schedule...
Dost thou not think we could raise the difficulty a bit higher?
W-what?
The gracious smile from a moment ago suddenly felt terrifying...
No way...
Oh? Thou dare refuse?! 'Tis all for thy sake!
As if! I bet you're just trying to use me as material for your next book again!
Alas, I do despise perceptive children such as thee...
I shot to my feet and sprinted out of the training grounds.
Thou shalt not escape!
I felt something almost graze my back, but I didn't dare look behind me.
After a long commotion, Lacy and I eventually agreed to train together.
I still had no idea why, I, the Captain, needed training...
I could only hope my body would hold out until Lacy's Journey was over.
