Results of Training
Another day, another training session with Lacy.
It seemed our efforts hadn't been in vain, as I could now counterattack while dodging her attacks.
Thy movements have improved quite a bit.
Even the energy within thee... faint and small as it is, 'tis grown stronger.
At this rate, thou might just become the protagonist of my next work.
Though, thou still hast quite a way to go.
The mention of Lacy's next work brought back memories of that day in the library.
If I could somehow become her inspiration and help her break free from her slump...
Then perhaps I'd never again have to see that small, fragile back.
Want to see how far I've come?
Oh? And how dost thou plan on showing me?
Instead of answering, I drew my blade and pointed it at her. A faint smile tugged at Lacy's lips in response to my challenge.
Overconfidence can be dangerous, child.
Come, then. Today, I shall teach thee a much-needed lesson in humility.
I rushed forward before Lacy was even done speaking, only for red and blue dragons to spiral down toward me, as if she'd predicted my movements.
I've seen this pattern dozens of times during training, and wasn't going to be stopped so easily.
I dodged and deflected the dragons' strikes, closing the distance between us in an instant.
Soon, we were within arm's reach. Confident of victory, I gathered my strength for a decisive strike—only to see realize...
...Lacy was smiling, calm and unshaken.
Impressive... Thou hast grown formidable.
In an instant, a memory I have never lived suddenly sweeps through my mind.
In it, Lacy stopped my sword effortlessly with just one finger.
The moment I faltered in surprise, the dragons I thought I'd evaded came crashing toward my back.
A memory of something that hasn't even happened yet... One that felt so vivid and real.
A chill ran down my spine. Without thinking, I twisted and swung my blade behind me, away from Lacy.
Haaah!!
The impact hit my hands, and the dragons that lunged from behind were cleaved apart, and vanished.
*Huff* *Huff...!*
...Child, what was that just now?
To her, it must have looked as if I had grown eyes on the back of my head.
How could I possibly explain it?
...I don't know.
Thou... dost not know?
It just felt like I... knew what would happen.
Art thou saying thou couldst see into the future?
Not quite. It wasn't foresight. It was more like... an experience.
As if I've already experienced this moment before...
Ngh!!
A sudden, splitting headache struck, and darkness began to swallow my vision.
Child?
What's wrong? Child! Answer me!
Lacy's voice grew distant, fading into nothingness.
My consciousness sank beneath the surface, and I blacked out completely...
When I came to, the sound of rustling paper reached my ears, and I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.
As I tried to remember how I'd ended up there, a familiar voice called out to me.
Finally awake, child?
I turned toward the voice and saw Lacy seated at a desk cluttered with manuscript paper, writing intently.
Where am I?
In my dwelling.
Which meant... I was lying in her bed?!
Realizing that, I instinctively stiffened.
Relax. I have no intention of eating thee. Now, give me thy hand.
I did as she said, and she immediately intertwined her fingers with mine.
Before I could react, a gentle warmth flowed through our joined hands, melting away the tension in my body.
Thou gave me quite a fright when thou suddenly collapsed.
Really now, fainting over something as minor as tapping into thy powers?
I thought filling that barren desert of yours would be enough... but it seems I'll have to teach thee how to harness it as well.
And if I fail to complete my next novel properly, I'll have thee to blame!
Being weaker than Lacy, the only thing I can offer her as the Captain… is inspiration...
Yet somehow, I felt I wasn't even managing that much.
...Sorry.
Oh, don't look so serious. I was only teasing thee.
Though Lacy smiled, her desk was covered in disorganized manuscripts. Pages upon pages of half-finished works.
The sight weighed heavily on me.
...Thou art too easy to read, child.
Every thought that crosses thy mind shows plainly on thy face.
Remember, thou art the Journey Captain.
Focus on thine own duties. Thou need not indulge every whim of mine.
It's not a whim.
The look I saw on her face that day, in the library, was desperation.
What could I do to help Lacy break free from her slump?
What do you usually do when you're not writing?
Hoping for a clue, I asked whatever I could. Lacy fell into thought.
Hmm... I train thee, and I write. 'Tis all I do.
The same routine, day after day... maybe that was the problem.
Perhaps a new experience—something she's never tried—might help.
Lacy, let's go on a date.
Hmm. Very well, let's.
...
Wha–
WHAT?!