The rest of the day followed a strict, mentally exhausting rhythm for Kaiser. He rotated between an hour of intense meditation to discipline his concentration and another hour of Garba’s seemingly endless dancing lessons. Short breaks in between were his only reprieve, though even those moments were tainted by the confusion and doubt gnawing at him. Was he even doing this right? There's some trinket of progress but far from ideal.

His mind drifted more than he wanted it to, and there were times he considered giving his mentor a good whack again for sheer entertainment in this tedious session—though his mentor had confiscated his sword, under the reason “for his own good,” wary that stupidity might strike again in his student.

By the time afternoon rolled around, they had finished yet another session. Kaiser sat slumped, eyes half-lidded, feeling his brain going numb from the repetitive, frustrating choreography of the Dance of the Wind.

“That’s the fifth time I’ve shown it to you, brat. I expect some results by now. So, how many steps have you memorized?” Garba asked, eyeing him critically.

Fortunately, Kai's understanding had improved a bit, letting him peer through the bizarre movement fundamentals and comprehend some of its complexity. Which is confusing him further the more he studies.

Kaiser thought for a second. “Ten, maybe twelve? I’m pretty sure I’ve got a few of them down decently.” He hesitated, gathering his nerve, then asked, “Gramps, if you really want me to learn this, why not just guide me through each step? Little by little? Wouldn’t that be... simpler?”

His physical education class applied such a method in the university, which was proven effective for teaching dancers.

Garba chuckled, crossing his arms. “You still don’t get it, huh? This isn’t just a ‘dance,’ brat. Believe me, it’s far more than that. I know it looks like a lot of useless twirling, but spoon-feeding it to you step-by-step would just waste your time and mine, additionally, that takes too long. I know it seems tedious, we share the same opinion when I was starting it, too. But believe me, it's not a dance at all. Just focus on memorizing the movements, nothing else. You’ll understand eventually.”

Kaiser felt marginally better with that hint of explanation, though he couldn’t help but feel even more confused than enlightened. But before he could ask more, Garba changed the topic.

“Enough lessons for today. You’re free to go outside and spend some time with your girlfriends.”

Kaiser choked, snapping upright. “They’re not my girlfriends!”

The old man gave a dramatic sigh. “Tsk, kids these days. Alright, so they’re your concubines? Or wait—don’t tell me you’re already building yourself a harem?” Garba cackled, entirely unbothered by the scowl Kaiser shot him.

Kai was speechless for a moment, not buying the joke at all because he never viewed Ariella and Cia that way.

“Who even needs that?” Kaiser rolled his eyes, cheeks pinking a bit as Garba’s laugh echoed. He tried to brush it off, but Garba’s voice softened for a moment.

“Listen, kid. You can’t just work non-stop. A break does wonders, especially with good company. Clears the mind and keeps you sane, you'll learn better that way.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

But Kaiser ignored the advice, eyeing the sun near the horizon. “Actually, we still have some daylight left. Shouldn’t I make the most of it?”

They're short on time already, why waste a few hours that could be utilized for more lectures.

Garba raised an eyebrow, fixing him with a knowing stare, after a while, he said. “Tell me, brat, did you have a falling out with those two girlfriends of yours?” His eyes twinkled with mischief, smirking. “There’s a reason most men stick to one woman. Let me tell you, even one can turn a life upside-down, let alone two! You should reconsider before you turn into a real mess, it's not too late to fix your life, kid.”

“For the last time, they’re not my girlfriends!” Kaiser exclaimed, exasperated.

“Hmm... if they’re not your lovers, then why avoid them?”

“Who said I was avoiding them?”

Garba snorted. “Oh, please. I know you, brat. If you weren’t hiding, you’d be out there with them already. I still remember the time when you’d attack me mid-lesson because I was taking too long! Now here you are, begging me to stretch the lesson. Either you ate something suspicious, or you’re hiding.”

...

True, he can't hide it anymore. Garba had seen through him.

Kaiser’s facade cracked. “Fine, fine. I might’ve... said something stupid, and now I’d rather avoid them. So... Um, my great, great, great mentor, the legendary swordmaster, Garba. Can we just continue the lesson until they’re asleep? I promise, I'll sincerely listen or watch your fantastic teachings from now on. Pretty please.” He begged, putting so much praise that he would never normally give to gain the favor of his mentor with flowery words.

There's absolutely no way he'll face Cia after saying all that this morning. At least give the memory time cool down.

But to his nightmare, his mentor were never kind either. His not an ally.

Garba’s grin widened as realization dawned.

"Ohh, is that when you're brazenly talking about making babies in my tower? Don’t worry, brat, I wholeheartedly approve of your plan to build a family here. I’m even happy to help you make it happen!” The old man's smile was turning darkly inhumane in Kai's eye, Garba's eye glinting malicious red.

Kaiser took a step back, face draining as he processed Garba’s words. “W-wait, no, it was a joke! I wasn’t serious. He-hey—what are you doing?!” He yelped as Garba reached to grab him by the collar. Knowing the old man's evil intentions, Kai won't let it happen.

He ducked, evading the swift hands and rolled away.

"Why did you dodge?" Asked Garba, amusingly wearing his friendly yet wicked smile.

Walking back, Kai nervously negotiated.

"Hey, let's talk about it, I'm still too young to become a father, don't you think? Besides, we're just joking!"

Garba chuckled. "From what I hear, aren't you already a step-father of that white-head? She looks a bit older than you, though."

'Ok, how much did he eavesdrop on us?' Kai didn't even no how the old manage to hear them. No, actually, Leveling might have something to do with that. After all, it increases one's quality the more they kill, not strength alone. Which allowed Alfred to navigate better in the dark forest when they were chasing after the repulsive hound, unlike average people. The elderly tower keeper was undoubtedly superior than the hunters leader. The question is... Just how strong Garba really is?

"But does that matter?" Added the old man after a bit of paused. Just as he finished his words, he blurred towards Kai.

Kaiser was aware of his inferiority in comparison to the swordmaster, but there's simply no way in hell he will let this bored geezer torment him. Furthermore, none of them have swords, his chances aren't that low in bare hands.

He saw Garba's swift hands pounce towards him, but when he attempted blocking it with his. It twisted into an unnatural angle, bending like a snake. He tried to evade, but the next thing he knew. His body was lifted off the ground, floating for a moment before blocking out.

But his immortal, blocking out was beneath him!

Banged!

Kaiser's head was once again shoved in the floor.

He struggled as hard as he could, but Garba is just much swifter and somehow counter his defiance all the time. Quickly restraining him, rendering his resistance futile. Kai hadn't realized it earlier, but after engaging in hand to hand combat with the old man, he swear, Garba doesn't move like a human at all. The elderly master movements seems utterly wrong compared to the human opponent he faced before. Making him lost every struggle to resist.

'What the heck?'

Kaiser had fought people with inhumane strength, but inhumane movements? The old man is the first.

In the end, of course, he lost again. And was helplessly dragged down the stairs, and toward their room, where Ariella and Cia were tidying the bed up together.

Garba’s voice boomed in Kaiser's ear as he shoved him into the room, just loud enough for the girls to hear. “Remember what you promise, brat! Show me that those bragging aren't empty words. I’m expecting quadruplets, each! Don’t disappoint me, now!” Garba cackled as he disappeared down the hall, leaving Kai trapped in the room after drooping a bomb.

Kaiser’s face burned with a mixture of embarrassment and dread as he looked up to see Ariella and Cia staring back, mid-motion, confusion turning to stifled amusement on their faces. The goddess looked at him with a strange smile, the strangest he ever seen.

While Cia asked, her voice was gentle but full of unknown threats. "Did I hear that wrong?"

Extremely perplexed, not knowing what to do. He could still hear Garba’s booming laughter echoing down the corridor.

'Da-damned you old man, thanks for making it worse!!'

Needless to say, his screwed.