Oath.
It is a term that connects the user with the will of the gods, making him/her bound by the shackles of the conditions.
It is a thing that is used by a variety of people in this world while making deals, doing transactions, and many others.
It gives the other party the impression of trust.
That was the reason why after I swore the oath, the strictness on John's face lessened.
"I see; you are very sincere."
"I am."
"I will be watching you, I won't hand over my daughter that easily."
"You are saying that now, but as a merchant, you had already calculated everything, hadn't you?"
"Being a merchant is different from being a father."
"Is that so?"
"It is."
Saying that, he got up from the seat he was sitting in.
"But, for now, I won't bother you two. Although seeing Aliya open herself more towards you rather than me hurts my pride as a father, it seems she is happy that way."
Saying that he left the carriage, leaving me alone with Aliya.
'Wow, that was a bit weird of a meeting. I had never thought I would meet a father-in-law like that.'
"Hmm…."
Feeling a slight wriggle in my chest, I turned my attention to the girl, who started opening her eyes.
"Ah…."
"Have you calmed down now?"
"Yes…."
"Hmm? What is the matter?"
Seeing her with a slightly red face smuggling in my chest, I asked.
"I showed another ugly side of me again."
"So, it was like that…. Don't worry."
"Won't you think I am a crybaby now?"
"What is wrong with being a crybaby?"
"….."
"Right? You need to be yourself. You don't need to be someone else."
"Really?"
"Really."
"But I still don't like this. I don't want to cry like that always. I want to be strong. No, I will be strong."
'Girl, if you ever knew how you were in the future, you would never doubt yourself.'
I thought, looking at the bright green eyes, making a resolute expression.
"You want to be strong, huh?"
"Not like that. It is different from you."
"I know. You want to be strong mentally, don't you?"
"Yes. I need to keep my calm, I know that."
"It will come with the experience."
"Experience….. So I need to put myself in danger."
"No."
"….. I know. It was a joke."
"Somehow, it didn't feel like."
"…."
"Callius. It is your turn!"
Hearing a voice coming from the outside, I looked at the girl clinging to me.
"I need to leave now."
"I know."
"Then, how about letting me go?"
"… Don't want to…."
"Don't be stingy, now."
"I am not."
/BITE/
"Hmm?"
Feeling the slight pain in my neck, I was surprised.
"What was that for?"
"It was for being cocky."
"Cocky?"
"Yes."
"How come?"
"Get out now."
"What the?"
Seeing the red-faced girl pushing me out, I got out, stretching for a while.
'I can't understand her heart at all.'
And then, started looking after the convoy, sitting on the horse.
*****
After we departed from the lake, we traveled for approximately 12 hours without stopping.
Since we needed to increase the distance and lower the possibility of encountering strong monsters.
Anyway, thanks to the bandits being cocky and a bit dumb, they didn't damage the monster repellant, making our trip a lot easier.
"We will be resting there now."
Reaching another open place with trees all around, Wayne instructed everyone.
"I will be on the watch first, so everyone can rest. After that, other four-star will make the shift."
Although they had fought for a long time as well, being four-star, they were still in better shape than others, including me.
No matter how strong you are, being constantly awake for approximately 20 hours and fighting as well have taken quite a toll on my mind.
Thinking that, I started setting up my tent.
"Callius."
Hearing a familiar sound, I turned my head back.
"Brother Akira."
"When you wake up, come find me tomorrow."
"Okay."
Saying that he left leaving me alone.
'I wonder what he wants to talk about.'
Thinking that, I finished setting up my tent and went to sleep not long after.
******
Waking up after having a fair rest, I left my tent.
/SWOOSH/ /SWOOSH/
Feeling the wind blowing through my nose with a cool feeling, I started looking around.
And there saw a person with a Japanese-style sword in his hand, leaning towards the tree.
"You are up."
"Good morning to you, too."
"Ah… Good morning."
Approaching him, I leaned on the tree as well.
"So, why did you call me here?"
"I saw you fighting there."
"You saw? Between all those bandits."
"It wasn't that hard. After you broke through their defenses from behind, those that were restraining me lost their attention for a moment.
"And that was a fatal thing…."
"Indeed."
"So?"
"…. It seems you have finally found your own way of the sword."
"….."
"Am I right?"
"… You are."
'But, seeing him notice those things that easy, my pride is a bit hurt.'
Thinking that, I answered.
"That's good. We can finally move to the second step of training.
"Second step, huh? Are you deeming my training enough?"
"I am."
"I see."
"You must be already refreshed."
"I am."
"Then, let's start right away."
"Right away?"
"Yes. Since you had already understood my intentions."
"….. What about the watch?"
"Salma will take my place now."
"I see."
"Follow me."
Seeing him leaving, I started following him, walking toward the middle of the forest.
"Callius, do you know why most nobles or clans have such strength?"
"Because of their bloodline?"
"That is true. Those who have a bloodline of strong have a better chance of getting stronger. This is how this world operates. But that is not the only thing."
"…. Is it because of their martial arts or techniques?"
"It is. The thing you did with your sword moves, combining other martial arts and making them fit yourself. Now, you will take this to another level."
"Another level, huh?"
"Yes. Now, we are starting to have real training on how to use your aura and your mana according to the technique you are using. Are you ready?"
"I am."
"Then let's begin."
Just like that, I started another set of training, not knowing this would be the fundamentals of something that I was going to frequently use in the future…..
