From Zero

Yaaawn... did you sleep well?

Bedi, did you sleep well? It's been a while since we've gotten up this early.

Seriously... yaaawn...

What's going on? It's not time to head out yet...

You've been working hard every day since the journey began. I woke you because I have something to say.

At dawn...? Couldn't this wait until daytime...

Hehe... you've all gotten lazy.

Lazy is a bit much... still, everyone got up and came out, didn't they?

Did you say everyone?

...Can we make Morgana an exception? When she sleeps, she wouldn't even notice if you carried her off.

Fine. Morgana is the Fairy Queen... She's strong enough already, and once she regains herself, she won't need training.

Huh? Training...?

Yes. I woke you early for special training.

Training? Didn't you let us off once we started being sent into real battles?

I did. But watching you fight, I feel like you've lost a lot of your old edge.

So, while we're back here resting for once, I decided I'd toughen you up again.

Ugh... no wonder the trip back felt ominous...

I had a bad feeling in my dreams...

S-Sorry, Princess... I guess I'm the only one who slept well...

Even so, you can't just spring training on us... you'll startle our muscles.

Relax. It's not mindless strength training like before.

Then what?

Fight like it's training. Train like it's battle. It's good to carve any skill into your body, don't you think?

Um... Merlin. If it's battle, what will we be facing?

A-At least, please avoid Orcs... just smelling them makes my stomach turn now...

Don't worry. It's not a fight against monsters.

If not monsters, then what?

I've prepared people bound to you on the same path of fate. In an illusory space.

The magic you used to hide your body, Merlin?!

So you know it? That's right.

That's how the great sage Merlin avoided the Empire's eyes... In there, we can train without worry.

The problem is we're tired, Princess... sob...

It can't be helped. At this rate... when you face a massive enemy someday, I can't guarantee victory...

Right. I'm sleepy too, but let's do our best, Bedi. We can't easily receive Merlin's teachings.

You're doing well. The world is practically being saved thanks to the Swordbringer's party.

So... for everyone's sake, can you push yourselves just once more?

Merlin...

Sob...! Merlin praised us...

...Fine. But I have a condition.

What is it?

You're coming with us. Even in an illusory space, it'd be bad if someone gets hurt. We need a mage.

Unlike Morgana, you're a sage who can use healing magic too, so we can trust you, right?

If that's the condition, gladly.

I'll prepare the magic circle. Sit over here in a comfortable position. It'll be over soon.

Shall we start with a warm-up? With your skills, it should be fine... but you have to take them down without getting hit even once.

That won't be easy.

We can do it.

Yeah. Let's show her.

We beat them easily!

This kind of training is fun, too.

Even putting that idiot aside, Princess and Bedivere, your skills have improved a lot.

You seem fully adapted to this space, so shall we begin for real?

Who are you calling an idiot...?

Don't let your guard down. From here on, it'll get truly difficult.

Are you ready?

Just summon them already. Whatever illusion comes out, I'll take it down.

This time... it's enemies that gave you trouble.

T-That's...!

P-Princess... be careful.

Whew... this won't be easy.

Your skills are excellent. But there's a limit to facing fate with skill alone.

Training... and cooperation... you've achieved that much. Now it's time to find the desperation you've lost.

True... against foes like that, there'd be no room to take it easy...

It won't be easy... but I'll do my best to live up to your expectations, Merlin...!

We still... have a long way to go before this journey ends...

Ethan! Let's go back to basics and give it our all!

Alright. Shall we keep going?

I'll help as much as I can. These enemies are that difficult.

Haaah... I'm dead... I didn't think guys like that would show up.

But... thanks to this, we're definitely getting stronger. We have to fight at full strength now.

I'm pushing my strength to its limits, too.

Training is ultimately about mastery.

Once you're used to your power, your movements become natural, and those movements draw out maximum efficiency.

Each of you is surpassing your limits. Your coordination is good now, too. Next, it's time to reach an even higher realm.

I get what you mean... It won't be easy, but we'll manage somehow...

Good. Then I'll heal you.

Amazing. It's like some kind of training room I've seen somewhere.

Whew, now that my strength is back, I have to keep going.

I'll protect everyone...!

Hehe, Bedi, you've become reliable too...

Shall we keep going with that momentum? This time, I'll invite a special guest.

A special guest...?

Haaah... I'm really out of energy now.

You're right... it's hard just to hold my sword...

If they were real instead of illusions, we'd have gone down so many times... Thanks to you, Merlin, we took less damage.

Hehe, I didn't have much breathing room either. Even as fakes, they were this strong... you really are impressive.

Can we go back now...? After working us this hard, you can at least let us eat and rest, right?

I want to, but...

You only grow when you're facing death. You still have energy to complain, don't you?

Ghk... of course...

But this will be the last one. So shall I prepare an opponent that's just as hard?

Brace yourselves. This enemy will be your greatest trial.

I-It's over...!

Sob! I thought I was really going to die...

Whew... everyone did well.

Hehe, how was it?

It wasn't easy... but honestly, like you said, it'll be a huge help.

Crossing blades again with enemies I barely remember beating let me relive those fights and learn from them.

Same here. I realized we need to train again from the ground up and prepare for the great task ahead.

I... learned that I can't rely only on the World Tree's power...

I'll work hard and properly serve you, Princess!

Thank you, Bedi.

Haaah... alright, enough reflections...

Can we go back to sleep? They were illusions, so we shouldn't be tired, but somehow I'm exhausted...

There's no direct effect, but it's training that gnaws at the mind. If you're tired, it means you focused that hard.

If I've cracked the whip, I should offer a carrot. You worked hard to get through sudden, difficult training.

A carrot?

You're leaving soon anyway, right? When someone leaves home, you feed them well... I'll prepare a special turkey party.

And booze...?

Of course.

Could we also get travel funds... Whenever we go somewhere cold, it's so difficult...

We can't be extravagant, but I should at least buy a coat to keep the Princess warm.

Th-Thank you...

Oh... that's a nice carrot...

Um... Merlin...

C-Could I ask for cake too... I have no strength left...

Hmph. I'll get it ready.

I've learned a lot thanks to you, Merlin... thank you.

Huh? What is it... are you going to eat something tasty without me? Yaaawn...!

Oh... this smell... turkey! Cooking from morning just for me... Merlin really knows what's what.

Hehe, sit there and wait.

Turkey! Turkey!

Yeah... you wouldn't be annoying if you didn't show up at times like this...

W-What?! Why are you picking a fight from the morning, you pig?!

Pig? Piiiig?

Oh yeah? Then take a good look at this pig! Die!!

Gyaaaah!!

E-Ethan. You're stretching Morgana's cheeks too much!

Morgana is going to turn into a slime!

Like I care!

What is your problem?!

And this one gets to sleep in without a care!

Let go of me!