Chapter 19: Strength Training.

(Selenia’s POV)

After talking all morning, I came up with a pretty decent plan for dealing with Tarina. Tarina is overconfident, so their security is extremely non-existent at the moment. Most of their troops are focusing on invading a different kingdom under the Alwessal Empire, with practically no one defending their kingdom at all.

Radahn: “Selenia, we, or rather, you with a small army, can take over Tarina. But not with your current strength.” He advised.

Radahn thinks that I won’t need more than 500 soldiers to take Tarina over. The problem is my strength, which is that of a child. Of course, I could just lead the army, rather than fight, but if I want to move up, I need to be on the front lines.

Selenia: “And how do we increase my strength, Radahn? Waiting until I get older isn’t a good idea.” I reply with a sigh.

Radahn: “Do you think that you could pick me up?” He asked.

Selenia: “Huh? No way! Ah, you aren’t fat, Radahn. I would actually say that you’re pretty healthy.” I reply.

Radahn: “Thanks… Anyway, I am decent friends with Cirilia, and similar to you, she was seemingly blessed by some higher being. Even if you know who it was, don’t tell me, as it wouldn’t be a good idea. Cirilia, even three years ago, could easily pick me up like I weighed absolutely nothing.” He explained.

Selenia: “Isn’t Cirilia an adult? Ah, wait, I do remember you telling me that she was young still… How old is she?” I ask.

Radahn: “If I recall correctly, she will be 14 years of age this year.” He answered.

What the heck? She really isn’t that much older than me… I guess that due to her strength, you will get that vibe of an adult from her? I truly thought that she was in her twenties… At least, she really acts mature, so please forgive me, Cirilia…

Selenia: “So people that are blessed by a higher being get strong fast?” I ask with an unsure tone.

Radahn: “They really do. At least, that’s what we understand from the records of them that we have. If we do a week or two of strength training, I think that you will be able to carry out this take over.” He said with a confident tone.

Selenia: “…Fine. What kind of strength training do you have in mind?” I ask with a sigh.

Radahn: “Guess?” He replied.

Selenia: “…Pushups, running laps, and lifting weights?” I guess.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Radahn: “…Selenia, it’s no fun when you actually correctly guess.” He said with a defeated sigh.

Selenia: “…”

The great General Radahn Quartz is sitting here acting like a child… For the soldiers of the fort, he is a tough but fair general. I see… this must be how he acts around family. His true self in a sense… I guess that means that Radahn sees me as family? That wouldn’t be that bad.

Selenia: “So, when does training start?” I ask.

Radahn: “Let’s eat breakfast first, and then we can do your training.” He replied.

Selenia: “Radahn, I don’t think that you have to micromanage me. I won’t slack off, as I need to get stronger.” I say with a sigh.

Radahn: “…Can you listen to my selfish request?” He asked with an unsure tone.

Selenia: “I don’t know… The last request almost ended badly.” I reply with a nervous tone.

Radahn: “It’s not anything like that! It’s just… My wife gave me a daughter, a daughter that I truly love, but my wife couldn’t bare anymore children. I always wanted a son or at least a child that I could raise up strong. But my daughter wasn’t the kind of person that would like something like that, and I had no intention of forcing her to live how I see fit for her.” He explained.

Selenia: “Are you saying that you see me as your daughter, and that you want to train me?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

Radahn: “Yes… Which is why my request is selfish.” He replied.

Selenia: “Hm… I see you more as a friend rather than a father, but I am fine with you training me. Saying that I was a student of the great General Radahn Quartz will be a good thing to gloat about.” I say with an evil tone.

Radahn: “…I feel like I might be creating a monster…” He admitted.

Selenia: “I would get strong and powerful regardless of your help, Radahn. You’re just speeding up the process. In that sense, you won’t create me, but you will help make me powerful.” I reply with a giggle.

Radahn: “…”

Once we ate some dinner, it was time to train. First, we started out with running laps around the fort. If you do a light jog, it will take you around twenty minutes to do a full lap around the fort. By the time I made it to lap thirty, I realized that Radahn had given up keeping pace with me. He was leaning on a wall quite a ways back in the loop…

Selenia: “Radahn? What’s wrong?” I ask after I finished making another loop.

Radahn: “Ha… I was just waiting for you to get tired. I dropped out around lap fifteen…” He answered with an embarrassed tone.

Selenia: “That so? You should go in and take a break. You will recover faster in a cool environment, after all. As for me, I plan to go for at least sixty laps total.” I reply before getting back to running laps once more.

Radahn: “…”

Some Time Later.

By the time I hit lap sixty, my body was on fire. But oddly, it was like my soul screamed for me to keep going, so I did. Only when Rana begged me to stop running did I actually stop. I started in the morning, right as the sun was coming up. Now the sun was in the process of going down…

Selenia: “How many laps did I run?” I ask with a curious tone.

Originally, I was extremely exhausted after I finished running, but after drinking some water, I was almost back to full strength and energy. Marika clearly understated her blessing… Though, after running that much, I feel as if I could do even more next time…

Rana: “Are you insane!? You ran over five hundred laps!” She exclaimed.

Selenia: “That so? Thanks for telling me. I’ll shoot for a thousand next time.” I reply with a smile.

Rana: “…General Radahn said that you should eat dinner and go to bed.” She said with a sigh.

Selenia: “Yes, it is pretty late. Will you eat with me?” I ask.

Rana: “Of course!” She replied with a happy expression.

When she doesn’t eat with me, Rana is left with the normal kinda shitty meals that the soldiers of this fort eat. So Rana is always more than happy to eat with me. From what I know of her, I don’t think that she’s ever been a noble… While eating, I pondered about something that might upset Rana…