Train or Not To Train
Ever since Aleph assembled under the banner of Askyros' command, he had to get used to the strange events that happened within the troop.
"Aleph! There you are. Take this." [Ryse]
"...An iron rod?" [Aleph]
"...Yeah? It's time for Askyros' training and he needs five men to help him. You're up." [Ryse]
"Huh. Okay." [Aleph]
Just like the other knightly orders he had worked under, Aleph expected to spar with Askyros. At least, if Askyros was normal like the others.
"This… is training?" [Aleph]
He watched Askyros standing there as four men beat him with iron rods.
"Come on, rookie! Join in!" [Delighted Soldier]
The soldiers who hit Askyros seemed to be very happy. They wore grins wider than Aleph had ever seen.
"...He won't fight back, will he?" [Aleph]
"Nope!" [Delighted Soldier]
Hearing the reassurance, Aleph joined in.
"Yah!" [Aleph]
Striking with a decent amount of strength, he felt the iron rod bounce off.
"Eh…?" [Aleph]
Surprised by how sturdy Askyros' body was, Aleph stood there in shock.
("Lemme try that again.") [Aleph]
He swung again with all his might, causing the recoil to numb his hand.
"Ow. What do people feed you?!" [Aleph]
"Meat." [Askyros]
"...That was a rhetorical question." [Aleph]
"A rhetorical question is a question nonetheless." [Askyros]
Aleph knew that wasn't really the right answer, but somehow felt that he had lost that exchange.
"Continue." [Askyros]
Heeding the order, Aleph grit his teeth and whacked away.
("Hey, this is actually kind of fun!") [Aleph]
About five minutes into the beating, Ryse arrived with a few scrolls in hand.
"Askyros, I've come to give your daily report." [Ryse]
"Oh, do we stop now?" [Aleph]
"No. I will listen during training." [Askyros]
"Damn. Okay." [Aleph]
Aleph felt like he had been striking Askyros for a while, but there wasn't even any sign of his skin reddening.
"First things first, Tanpilt prison had a prison break. The titan of flame, Typhon, was sent to deal with it." [Ryse]
"Oh, didn't he rank seventh among the titans?" [Aleph]
"Indeed. Unfortunately, the report states that he died." [Ryse]
"Huh?!" [Aleph]
Aleph was left in disbelief. To enter the ranks of titans means to be considered a monster. To think someone ranking seventh would be slain means that there must be a monster among monsters in that prison.
"How many escapees." [Askyros]
"Witnesses say there were two, but only one came out." [Ryse]
"Only one?" [Askyros]
"The guards said that there was a boy who could summon lightning and a one armed man who had achieved Peak-Grade strength." [Ryse]
"One arm…" [Askyros]
Something about it felt familiar to Askyros.
"In any case, we might have some problems." [Ryse]
"That is?" [Askyros]
"Do you remember Nikal?" [Ryse]
Judging by the look on Askyros' face, he didn't.
"He's the guy who tried to bully you during our trainee days." [Ryse]
Askyros' expression still made no sign of recognition.
"You broke his legs?" [Ryse]
"Oh. That crybaby." [Askyros]
"...I think anyone would cry if they got their legs broken." [Aleph]
Askyros could vaguely recall such an incident, but there really wasn't much that he cared about.
"Turns out, Nikal is going to become the next Flame Titan. Aren't you worried that he's going to come back for revenge?" [Ryse]
"If that is so… then let him come." [Askyros]
Ryse smiled.
"I didn't expect any less." [Ryse]
"Next report." [Askyros]
"Okay. Let me see here…" [Ryse]
Looking through his scrolls, he picked out a particularly fancy one.
"Ah, it says here that you've been summoned by the Sovereign of Faith." [Ryse]
("The Sovereign of Faith?!") [Aleph]
"Again?" [Askyros]
"It says he wants to reward you." [Ryse]
Askyros sighed.
"Fine. Training will end today." [Askyros]
Aleph and the four soldiers by his side dropped their iron rods. They appeared to have labored breathing, considering for how long they had been swinging nonstop.
"Ryse, call Tida. We will depart as soon as I get changed." [Askyros]
Just as he started leaving, he turned back.
"Ah, and Aleph. You're coming too. Get dressed." [Askyros]
"Oh, sure. Wait, ME TOO?!" [Aleph]