"If you want to, then you can come," said Ray
"Where did both of you train in the first place?"
"Well, we train where people can't disturb us," Ray replied
"Is there a place like that around here? Last time I check, there is no dojo that you can rent." Christina put a finger on her mouth, a gesture that she always does when she was in her thoughts.
"Can she follow us, Artoria?" Ray looked at her, waiting for permission.
"She can. But can you show that place to her?" Artoria whispered her question. She was worried about what will happen to Ray if his abilities were known.
"With some magic, of course." Brian put her hand on Christina's shoulder, instantly hypnotized her.
After that, Ray looked at his surroundings before transferring the three of them to the [Training Ground].
The scenery shifted to make it more convincing for Christina. Since in Bogor there are still some farms for rice paddies, he asked Hana to change it so that the [Training Ground] has some rice paddies as well as mount Salak in the distance.
He also didn't forget to include Christina's car, so he can make a credible story where "Christina was driving them to the place where they usually train"
"I think this scenery should be permanent." Artoria looked at the scenery. Not only that it was more beautiful, but the air became much purer because of it.
Artoria already knew Ray's abilities to change the environment. Because every time they were done training, Ray always made it so that there is a lake of some sort for him to take a bath. She always looked at his broad back, his wet biceps, and sometimes his chiseled torso...
Thinking about it again made her flustered.
Ray saw Artoria's face started to redden and asked, "Are you okay, Artoria?"
"Ah, I-I'm okay. You should get her back." Artoria said. But before she went to the obstacle course, she remembered something.
"Ray, can you have a boulder the size of an elephant? "
"Of course, Artoria."
'If you would, Hana.'
[Affirmative...] The boulder appeared near the obstacle course.
'Thank you, Hana.'
[Your welcome, Host.]
Ray had a bad feeling about his training now. But instead of fearing the unknown, he made Christina came back from her hypnotized state.
"Eh? Where are we?" Christina looked around.
"Did you forget? You drive us here."
"Eh? Seriously?"
"Ummm, yeah. So, I'm going to start training. I hope you can enjoy yourself in the meantime."
"U-uh, yeah." Christina then sat on the green grass.
She's sure that she never saw this scenery before. Not many people know, but her memory is quite strong.
Christina has been traveling around town the first time she came there to inspect if there is something dangerous or not... like a cult gathering.
She can clearly remember mount Salak because she had circled it for many times when she was bored. But the side of this Mount Salak didn't have any rice paddies, she thought.
But she decided to not mind the... questionable scenery. Although she will try to find it again in the future because it is comfortable just breathing the air.
*3 hours later*
To say that 'shocked' is not a good word to describe what Christina felt.
Seeing the brutality of Ray's training, coupled with him required to carry a boulder with a bit bigger size than a hut every time he failed to dodge her rock throws made her lost for words.
At first, she wanted to tell Artoria to not be too harsh on Ray. But seeing his determined face made her decide not to.
Even her family's training for subordinates is not as violent, and they can be said to be the harshest when it comes to training subordinates compared to the military.
Seeing how Artoria trained Ray also erase any intention of Christina wanted to follow their training.
After the training was done, Ray slept and Artoria sat down next to him. Christina felt jealous and went to them.
"Artoria, does your training is always that violent?" Christina said with an angered voice.
"It depends on the person. If I see that they are capable, then I will. Although today's training is on the easier side than usual."
"Easier? If that was easier, what kind of training that both of you usually do?" Christina unconsciously raised her voice. She was quite protective of Ray.
"What methods that I use to train Ray is none of your business. As long as he didn't voice his complaint, then I will not change my regimen." Artoria stood her ground. At first, she thought the same thing as Christina. But after she saw the improvements that it bring, she stopped caring.
Although Christina didn't notice, Ray was awake the entire time. Since he didn't want to make the atmosphere more hostile, he pretended to wake up.
"Good morning, Artoria, matron."
"Good morning to you too, Ray." both replied at the same time.
Ray immediately went solo training. After he checked his status when he was with 'Ray' when he slept, lifting the boulder increases his strength by a lot. But, the most improved one was his Magic because he cast many spells earlier.
"Are you alright, Ray? Don't you want to rest more?" Christina asked worriedly.
"It's alright, matron. This training can make me forget. Besides, I like to improve my strength as fast as possible." Ray smiled towards Christina, not knowing the damage he just created.
Ray felt hot using his clothes, so he took off his shirt and started to lift the boulder. He wanted to take off his jeans but he didn't want the women to see his dragon, which woke up because he was tired.
His goal was to walk for 10 KM with the boulder. Ray asked Hana to help him record distance.
The women were looking at Ray, specifically his body that has already full of sweat. Artoria looked flustered while Christina was looking at Ray like a beast looking at its prey.
It was a given, Christina's husband didn't give her any physical satisfaction anymore despite she looked very young and sexy for her age.
After Ray reached his goal, he was dead tired that he threw the boulder very far away. Christina was looking at him hungrily but when he threw the big boulder, she was shocked.
No amount of strength can throw the boulder that far, at least in her perspective. She needs to wait until she saw Artoria can lift and threw the boulder that Ray used as easy as someone picking and throwing a little pebble. But Artoria didn't like showcasing her strength so Christina will not see it in her lifetime.
Ray wiped off the dirt from his hands and said, "Let's go back."
Like a keyword, Christina has been hypnotized once again. This time, her memories seeing Ray training with the boulder will be replaced with a slightly more.... humane.
After getting Christina, her car, and Artoria out of the [Training Ground], he dispelled the hypnotize magic.
"We're back, already?" Christina asked, looking at her surroundings with a confused face.
"Are you okay, matron? You are the one that drove us just now. I suggest you rest for a little bit."
"You know, after that kind of training, I'm the one that should suggest you rest. It's almost 4 P.M."
"Hahaha, I want to do just that. Thank you for driving us, matron." Ray said as Artoria and he turned around, walking to their room.
"You're welcome," Christina replied, longing can be seen on her eyes.
After letting Christina saw his training, she became much more angry at the supposed best friend and girlfriend of Ray.
Then, she walked to her room. Going inside her room, Christina called 'Asep'.
When the phone answered, she said, "Start the operation in 7 more days."
["Yes, mam."] said the man and she closed the call.
*Ray's room*
Ray was picking his used clothes and store them in a bag to laundry them.
Surprisingly, he liked to not use a washing machine to do his laundry. But since he was just coming back from training, using the machine once won't hurt.
'Besides, I need to prepare for dinner.' Ray thought.
Artoria was staring at him, thinking of what kind of future Ray will bring. Seeing him being so diligent can't help but made her want to do the same.
So, she started to help him.
Artoria held onto the bag. Ray saw it and said, "Ah, you need to rest, Artoria. I can do this on my own."
"No, as a person living in the same room, I need to do my part of the work."
"You've done enough just training me."
Artoria just stared at Ray's eyes, signaling that she will not change her stance.
Both stared at each other's eyes.
Looking at Artoria's strangely determined eyes, he gave up and let her help him. Since Artoria probably never seen a washing machine, it was his job to teach her how to do it so she can wash her clothes.
But then, a sudden realization came. Artoria didn't have that many proper clothing. Ray then promised himself to go to boutiques to buy Artoria some clothing.
As he suspected, when they arrived at the washing room, Artoria looked like she saw an alien.
Ray teaches Artoria how to use the washing machine, his phone ring. Looking at the caller, it was Greg. After he sped up his lesson, he answered the call.
"What's up?"
["Are you going to the cafe today?"]
Ray looked at Artoria for a second and said, "Yeah, but not for too long though. I have school tomorrow. Is there a problem?"
["Nah... the guys are all here. They said that they wanted to learn cooking from you."]
"Hahaha, what a coincidence! I was just going to prepare for dinner. I'll come in 20 minutes!"
["Great! I'm going to tell the guys. See ya later."]
"See ya." Ray closed the call.
Ray notified Artoria that they will have supper in the cafe. Artoria's eyes were shining when she heard that they were going to eat in the cafe.
Ray's cooking was different when he was in the boarding house and the cafe. When he was at the former, his cooking felt homely. But when he was at the latter, his cooking tastes different.
It was probably caused by the lack of ingredients in the boarding house. Whereas the cafe has many ingredients to choose from, which can bring many kinds of flavor in Ray's hand.
Even though his [Cooking] is only in rank C, it can be considered as the top of the food chain. On Earth's universe, no one can beat a person with a skill rank C. But that does not mean that they cannot improve beyond C rank.
It was just that to rank up from C on Earth is too difficult... for normal people that is.
Although people's potential is unlimited, they have different speeds on which they can improve themselves.
Some can become a university professor at the tender age of 18, conquering Mount Everest at the age of 13, and many more.
But Ray, even without his cheat, can become any person that he could ever want faster than all of the people on Earth.
In a hypothetical situation where he has supportive people on his side, he can become the most powerful chef at the tender age of 12.
Ray always wanted to be a chef. But because of the cafe's bankruptcy and being alone in his 'future' life, he does not have that dream anymore. He did not even realize that he became the person that he ever wanted.
Not long after the call, Christina came by.
"Are you doing laundry?" Christina said as she entered the washing room.
"Yes, we are," Ray said.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"Well... we are going to go eat dinner in the cafe. How did you know?"
"I was walking near here and I heard your voice." Christina looked at the washing machine, looked back and said, "Let me be the one that washes your clothes."
"Ah, you don't need to do that, matron."
"...I insist" Christina said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Ray sighed and said, "Okay then."
He wondered why Christina always lend a hand to him. Ray was very grateful beyond imagination, but it became more apparent when Artoria came into the picture.
Ray knew she has a husband, but he never saw him. Even the wife herself only mentioned him once, and that was when he was still a new resident in the boarding house. Christina then never mentioned him again.
"Don't worry. Your clothes are safe in my hands." Christina said as she lifted her left hand and put her right on her left bicep. A gesture that almost every anime character did.
"...I leave it to you. Let's go, Artoria."
"Yes," Artoria replied.
Artoria rarely talks when she was near people that Ray knew. It is as if she was enjoying the moment while reminiscing the past.
It will be for quite a while before she can fully enjoy her new life.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello readers,
I feel that my writing is really bad. Not like it was any better in the past anyway. I don't really know how to fix grammar except editing on grammarly before publish a chap, something that I always do.
This new 2019-nCoV, or what people called Corona virus, is really scary. People coming home to my country from China still are not positive with the virus... yet, and I hope it stays that way. My condolences for people left by their close ones because of this new virus.
I should write my monthly report for my university soon before I risk my graduation. I suppose to graduate this year, but my stupid past self thought that everything would be okay. If I can go back in time, I will falcon punch my past self. Ironic because I write about a person that went back to his young days.
Thank you for reading :D