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Apla 28th, two days after finalizing my research into the world.

With basic info collection out of the way, I shifted my focus to bettering my combat abilities. I'd eventually run into a wall if I didn't buff up my pathetic excuse of a body.

To aid in this endeavor, Lia set up a sparring match between me and Melyn. It was finally time to put all of my physical training to practical use.

It broke away from the typical routine of suffering through my trainer's hellish regimens.

Fwoop! Thwoop! Twack!

We both wielded wooden cudgels—a standard issue weapon for the Sentinels.

Bludgeoning your enemy was seen as a better alternative to slicing. After all, getting blood all over you would only arouse unwanted attention from the local law enforcement.

And the Lakua district Sentinels hated unwanted attention.

「Lorenzo! Steady your form! You're leaving lots of openings for your opponent!」

「E-easier said than done, teach!」

On paper, Lia oversaw our fight—though really, she was guiding my every move. Otherwise, this would've been a one-way slaughter.

Not that it wasn't already.

Melyn, in spite of her small and dainty exterior, was a strong fighter. Her movements were agile and her attacks packed a mean punch.

Needless to say, I had a hard time keeping up.

「By now you'd have died thirteen times, Lorenzo! 」

「Cut me some slack! This is nothing like clobbering a dummy for half an hour!」

Twack! Clack! Fwoop!

Dodging the thief girl's merciless barrage of swings was virtually impossible. I prioritized defense, but only had so much stamina left in me.

Every blow I parried sent a shockwave through my arm. It numbed my fingers as we continued to fight.

I can't even get a hit in! Where's all this energy coming from?!

Suddenly, Melyn took a step back and leaped forward. Her target: my skull.

Instinctively, I held my cudgel vertically above my head and blocked her strike.

Thwack!

In that instant, I felt a sharp pain coming from my ribs. After striking downwards with her bludgeon, she extended both her legs and kicked me in the chest.

An improvised feint.

「Ack!」

The force from the impact sent me flying. I landed—winded and in shock—a good ten feet away from the thief girl.

Her strength was beyond insane.

How is she not a gorilla like Rysef..?

「Match over! The winner of this bout is Melyn!」

Lia raised Melyn's hand, marking the end of our sparring session. Judging by my inability to move, I was also down for the count.

I didn't even last five minutes.

The thief girl scurried over to my side.

「Zozo! Are you okay? I might've gone overboard with the power in that kick...」

「Y-yeah... as if boosting your clothes with infusion magic wasn't already overkill...」

Melyn used her ina rooted infusion magic in a way I had not thought of before.

Instead of changing the environment to her benefit, she altered the properties of her black leather Sentinel armor making it weightless.

She effectively fought me with no physical burdens.

The applications of this world's magic really are limitless...

It was hard to say if experiencing live combat like this was optimal—it only got me to further lament how weak I was.

Lia joined Melyn by my side. Her usual stoic expression was replaced by concern.

「You broke your ribs, didn't you? Be careful not to move, you wouldn't want to risk damage to your organs. I can call an ani caster that specializes in restoration.」

「I'm pretty sure I felt a few cracks in there... a healer would be great...」

As Lia rushed out to seek medical assistance. The entrance door to the training chamber slammed open.

Barging in, was the district master himself.

「Ahah! There ya are! I figured I'd find ya two here! Oh, and Lia's here!」

「Sir!」

The Ashen Thief strode over to us and observed my injured body.

It took a minute, but he finally gave his prognosis.

「Broken ribs huh? Three on the right... and one on the left. Need a hand?」

Just like that, Rysef managed to figure out the type of injury I had. As expected, his ability to read breathings came into play once again.

Knowing his mastery in all four ani magic types, I reluctantly accepted his offer.

「I'm not resisting... just get it over with...」

He nodded and placed his hand on my chest.

What followed was the most peculiar feeling I'd ever felt—it was as if my bones had rearranged themselves of their own accord.

It was a sensation accompanied by slight pain and an uncomfortable twinge.

Lia and Melyn watched in amazement as I made a full recovery before their eyes.

「As always, the Ashen Thief's abilities as an ani caster should not be scoffed at.」

「Woah, that's faster work than our resident healer! Good for you, Zozo!」

Within seconds, I could get up as though nothing had happened. It was almost creepy.

「Thanks... So, what'd you want with us..?」

「Oh right! It's dinnertime! Asthos' hunter team brought back some elk! It should be enough to last us three days, haha!」

My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree—as a slum dweller, decent portions were a luxury.

Despite having a hunter division in the Sentinels, they usually only brought back small animals like rabbits and partridges.

As a result, I'd always call into question my development as a growing child. Surely the lack of nutrients I got daily would be reflected in my future physical growth.

I need to get that money fast if I'm gonna avoid stunted growth further down the line...

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