Akane's PoV

I brandished my weapon multiple times, Yuito careful examined my actions while nodding.

He placed his hand on his chin and asked.

"You received decent training, your movements are refined, always maintaining a guard while landing a strike."

"I received minimal training from my mother, that's all."

I replied, Yuito examined me from head to toe and exclaimed.

"For now, let's improve what you already know, first you need some physical training."

Yuito grabbed a pair of wooden swords, he handed me one and told me.

"For now let's have a sparring match, that way I can evaluate your combat prowess more effectively."

I nodded, and took the wooden sword.

Yuito used a low guard stance, I did the opposite and went with a high guard stance.

There was a few meter distance between us, I slowly closed the gap by taking small steps towards Yuito, he stood still and maintained his guard. Upon reaching striking range, I brandished my sword lightly, Yuito parried and counter attacked.

I quickly blocked with my sword, a grind could be seen on Yuito's face as he told me.

"Not bad, not bad at all Akane-chan, but you'll need more than that, if you want to survive on the battlefield."

Yuito took several steps forward, closing the distance between us. He deliberately picked the sword with a shorter reach, to give me a handicap.

Within reach of his sword, Yuito barraged me with multiple heavy swings, each blow was powerful, yet he still maintained his guard, not giving me a change to counter attack. On the other hand I could barely block his attacks.

Each strike became faster and stronger, I can feel my hand shaking, with one last strike Yuit broke through my defense.

He tried to end the match with a thrust of his sword, aimed at my abdomen, I quickly blocked with my sword, however the power of his thrust pushed me back.

"Why are you getting serious all of a sudden?! Isn't this just a sparring match?"

I angrily shouted at Yuito, who ignored my words and slowly approached me, I clicked my tongue, and tightly gripped the hilt of the sword.

I took a step forward, putting all my strength on one last heavy swing, however it was easily blocked. Seeing an opening I tried kicking Yuito's leg and make him lose balance, as if predicting my actions he took a step back.

He stared at me dumbfounded, a smile could be seen on his face as he began laughing and he told me.

"You're not half bad, to be honest I expected less from you."

I took a deep breathe, and returned to my guard stance, Yuito took a step forward and attacked, I parried, however the force of his attack pushed me back, my knees and hands began to shake.

Noticing this, Yuito let's go of the wooden sword, he sighed and told me.

"Our sparring match is over, get a drink over there and rest up."

Yuito lead me to a nearby tent, handed me a cup of water.

"Thanks."

"I went a little overboard there, sorry."

He apologized with a dejected look on his face/

"I-Is there a problem?"

I asked hesitantly, fear could be seen on Yuito's eyes, he gulped and told me.

"Co-Could you keep this a secret from the captain?"

I gulped and replied.

"I-I understand."

After I finished resting, I did multiple exercises to improve my physical strength, and studied military tactics with Yuito. Afterwards he told me to go home.

Yuni's POV

"This soup taste slightly better now Yuni-Chan."

The Chef told me while smiling, he lightly pats me in the head.

"Th-Thank you for helping me make this soup."

"No problem, Yuni-Chan your friend should be on her way back, you should wait for her in the lobby.

"What about my shift?"

I asked, the Chef pats me in the head one more time and told me.

"I have everything under control, don't worry about it."

I bowed my head to the Chef and replied.

"I-I will, thank you."

The receptionist placed a few silver coins on my hands, he patted my head, with a smile on his face he told me.

"You've been a lot of help Yuni-Chan."

He placed a cup of orange juice on the desk, and he told me.

"It's on the house, consider it as my treat."

The receptionist handed me a few silver coins, he patted my head and told me with a smile on his face.

"You've been a lot of help Yuni-Chan."

He handed me a cup of orange juice, with a smile on his face he told me.

"Consider it my treat.

A few moments later, Akane walked through the door and said.

"I'm back."

I hugged her and replied.

"Welcome back, Akane."

Akane told me, while carrassing my hair.

"I'm back, Yuni."