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Chapter 121. Three Companion And The Tornado Martial Arts

In the end, my protests were completely ignored, and the training began.

I'm learning hand-to-hand combat techniques from Yaralai, an elf dressed in Native American attire. It's partly a review.

"Ku ku ku... Elf, that's fine, but you should teach Akira a style that suits him better."

"...Huh?"

"What do you mean by that, Faf?"

I hoped this conversation would lead to canceling the training altogether, but the small girl with horns seemed rather enthusiastic about it. Not a single ally! Damn it!

"Ku ku ku, your aura is a spiral, isn't it? Then, adding a twist to your body movements will significantly improve your technique."

"Oh? Then, show me."

"Ku ku ku, of course. I never intended to teach Akira directly forever."

Suddenly, the two faced each other and began an unarmed battle. It was so abrupt that I couldn't even speak!

However, they moved slowly enough for me to follow, so maybe this was just light practice for them.

"Ku ku ku, here, twist like this. Lower your hips more. When you step forward, move your feet inward and then outward, but keep your ankles in the opposite direction."

"Ugh... like this?"

"Ku ku ku! Good! It’s commendable that a non-spiral human like you understands the essence after just one try, Elf!"

"Ugh! Damn!"

Faf praised him with her golden vertical-slit cat eyes gleaming, but Yaralai seemed to be struggling. Perhaps it was more intense than it looked.

After they grappled and sweated for about 30 minutes, I thought I'd read a manga, but the dwarf Hag grabbed me by the neck and threw me into a front-row seat, saying, "Watching is also training." How cruel.

But Hag might have had a point because, when I focused on their aura, I could vaguely see cloud-like movements. Generally, Faf, who looks like a young girl, was overwhelmingly dominant, but only when Yaralai stepped in, transforming her aura into a spiral, did it penetrate Faf's cloud of energy.

I see. That cloud-like aura seems to be drawing a distorted vortex... a spiral.

"Hah... hah... thank you for the guidance."

"Ku ku ku. Good. Be proud that you understood this much in such a short time. Akira has the right essence, so teach him well."

"Yeah... whew."

Yaralai, drenched in sweat as if caught in a torrential downpour, knelt down. It must have been a significant exchange. And Faf, who wasn't even out of breath, who exactly is she...?

People with this kind of power only do what they enjoy. In that sense, it's probably a good thing that Faf is the one who knows the secret.

If she decided to spread it, no one could stop her, so it's pointless to overthink it. Let's just go with the flow.

I handed Yaralai some water. He took a small rock salt from somewhere in his clothes, crushed it, and drank the water.

I see. It's common knowledge to take salt and water together. This has been known on Earth since ancient times, too.

After just two minutes of rest, Yaralai was back on his feet, as if nothing had happened. You could just lie down and rest, you know?

"This martial art, I can use it too. Let's master it together, Akira."

"..."

Please don't look at me with those (supposedly) fresh eyes. It's hard to say no.

"Ku ku ku... Perhaps Akira might even surpass you."

"I'd like to see that. Alright, let's go, Akira."

"No, that's not happening."

The training resumed without question.

It's hard to describe, but indeed, this new martial art Yaralai is teaching me fits my body better than the previous techniques. It's like switching from judo to wrestling and finding it strangely suitable.

Yeah, sorry for the poor analogy.

Anyway, moves that didn't quite "click" before now align perfectly with my energy. Honestly, it feels a bit satisfying.

"Oh. Your movements have improved significantly."

"Ku ku ku, no one has ever mastered spiral martial arts, but Akira might be the founder."

"...How do you even know this technique that no one else knows? And in that earlier bout, what you were enveloped in wasn't aura, was it?"

"Ku ku ku, a dwarf warrior's eye is not easily deceived. You should be proud."

"Hmph. Don't mock me. You held back just enough for me to notice."

"Ku ku ku... Your discerning eye isn't bad. For a muscle-brained dwarf, your head works well."

"I'm an inventor by trade, after all."

"Ku ku ku. Indeed. As for my true identity... well, that's a secret."

"Hah! I thought you'd say that! I don't know of any race that looks like you. If I had to guess, I'd say you might be related to the ogre tribe, but no ogre could emit such a bizarre... yes, that primitive 'fighting spirit' aura."

"Ku ku ku, you're right. If you want to know my true identity... hmm, how about I tell you if you can defeat me?"

"Hmph! That's just what I wanted!"

And so, while I wasn't watching, Faf and Hag began their fight. By the time I noticed, the battle had started with a loud bang, surprising me. I later heard the details from Hag. According to Hag, "That infuriating brat thinks she's just training by fighting me! It's infuriating! But I'll play along for now, and soon, I'll make her regret it!"

Hmm. I'm starting to lose track of how strong Hag is. I used to think she was one of the strongest in the world, but maybe she's just average. Not that Hag is weak, but the really strong ones are on a whole different level.

If Faf ranks in the top 30% of the world, I'd seriously consider going back to Japan. Not that I could.

Yaralai and I sparred, confirming each other's forms. It seems Yaralai also liked this form and plans to incorporate it into his original style. I'll be using only the new form, so our styles will differ slightly in actual combat. For now, though, Yaralai is matching my pace during training.

"By the way, does this style have a name?"

I asked during a short break.

"Huh? No, it doesn't. Why don't you come up with one, Akira?"

"Me?"

Yaralai answered in Elvish.

"Even if you suddenly ask me... How about 'Spiral Close-Combat Technique' or something?"

"Close-Combat Technique! Not bad. But just adding 'spiral' is boring. Can't you think of something with a twist?"

I was just making light conversation, but he seemed more interested than I expected.

I think simplicity is best in these cases, but why overcomplicate it?

"Spiral... rotation... tornado... Ah, Tornado Martial Arts, maybe... ugh, just saying it makes me cringe with how over-the-top it sounds—"

"""That's a great name!"""

I jumped, startled by the sudden three-part harmony.

"Ku ku ku! Akira, you have a good sense for this! That's settled then!"

"Hmph. What a powerful-sounding name. If you become the founder of Tornado Martial Arts, you'll have disciples flocking to you!"

"Akira, name the close-combat technique I improved too!"

No, no, no!

What are you two saying, jumping into the conversation after just fighting each other?! I don't want to use such a cheesy name!

After that, the training became muddled, but I ended up exhausted by the trio's obsession with naming things.

Hey, Goddess! What kind of world did you send me to?!