Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“Oh dear, my body…”

Christian ached all over, having pushed his body to its limits for the first time in ages.

This wasn’t just physical exhaustion; it was a kind of fatigue brought on by excessive mana use, something that potions couldn’t remedy.

Thus, with his body feeling stiff and sluggish, he staggered towards somewhere that could be none other than…

“A hot soak is the best cure for exhaustion!”

It was the large bathhouse provided for knights to use after finishing their training. Christian often used it simply because the bath was spacious.

After stepping into the changing room, Christian stripped off his clothes and boldly headed towards the bath.

Since it was well past regular training hours, the bathhouse was quiet.

Christian, moving without hesitation, had to abruptly stop after just a few steps.

“…”

“…”

There was someone there, their hair wet as if they had poured a bucket of water over themselves, looking at Christian with weary eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

“It’s my home… Did you come to wash before dinner too?”

In response to Christian’s question, Roberto asked back with a somewhat puzzled look. Christian hesitated, unsure of what to do, then nodded.

As Roberto stared intently at Christian, his gaze naturally wandered to Christian’s well-toned body.

Although Christian was still growing, his firm muscles were impressive, and that gaze stopped at a peculiar place before Roberto sighed softly.

“You’re still young.”

“I’m all grown up.”

“Hmm, but growing up shouldn’t be rushed…”

What was this man saying!

The feelings conveyed in Roberto’s sigh stirred Christian’s indignation. But before that could escalate, Roberto spoke.

“If you came to wash up, don’t just stand there; get in.”

At those words, Christian hesitated for a moment. The figure of a father was still unfamiliar to him.

Nevertheless, having done nothing wrong, just a little awkward, he followed the suggestion and entered the bath.

The heat of the water traveled from his toes throughout his entire body.

“Ah, this feels good!”

“It sounds like an old man talking.”

Seeing their interactions, they apparently weren’t on bad terms as one might have thought from before. The bond between father and siblings seemed rather okay.

‘Father, huh…’

For Christian, a father was an unknown presence. Unlike with his mothers, interacting with his father was inherently awkward.

‘Let’s just be natural. Right now, I am Christian Worden. I’m living for the prematurely dead Christian, for the family’s peace, and for the master…’

Christian had not usurped this body to harm Christian or tear this family asunder.

If he didn’t think this way, things would’ve been difficult to endure, so he had to employ self-hypnosis.

“You’ve changed a lot.”

Perhaps noticing such worries, Roberto gently broached the topic.

“Pardon? Changed? Nothing about me has changed since before.”

“Why act so startled?”

“I’m not particularly startled.”

It looked like Christian was hiding something from his parent. Roberto found Christian’s reaction curious but did not press further.

“You initiated it, didn’t you?”

“Oh, no, I just dropped in suddenly and didn’t intend to take anything over…”

“What on earth are you saying? I meant the training with Aira.”

“Oh…”

Christian finally understood, nodded awkwardly, and smiled.

“Well, with the mothers fighting like that, siblings have to help each other out.”

He couldn’t outright say that he stepped in because they were quite short on power against foes including the Fierce Demon Dragon.

Christian tried to phrase it positively.

Besides, helping each other wasn’t a wrong statement. Just the resolve and single strike Aira showed at the end today served as a good stimulus for Christian.

Seeing Christian speaking calmly with a joyous smile, Roberto nodded enthusiastically, feeling touched.

“Indeed. Excluding and rejecting each other isn’t the only competition. Helping where you can and learning what you can—that’s the essence of competition.”

The competition among his children and the infighting of his wives.

The position of the family head of the Count Worden’s family was taken over by the most excellent knight among the direct family members, but as a father and a husband, watching the competition was a distressing matter.

Thus, traditionally, family heads chose to observe.

Talent was not something that could be nurtured through favoritism, nor would the prestige of the family be maintained if the power of the family head were to fall.

Yet Roberto gave both siblings equal treatment and loving care, unable to be harsh due to having lost both parents at a young age despite choosing to remain passive.

“You’ve done well.”

In hindsight, that decision was the worst. As the relationship between his wives worsened, the children’s relationship also grew increasingly hostile.

Praising and loving one child would inevitably lead to jealousy and envy from the other side, and though they were forced to stay together under the name of Worden, they were already like strangers in essence.

That was why Roberto felt thankful and remorseful towards Christian, who managed to mend this desolate relationship.

“Thank you as well.”

Roberto gently patted Christian’s head.

Even though the water on his hand flowed along Christian’s hair and wetted his face, Christian’s face turned red with embarrassment rather than finding it unpleasant.

‘It feels different from when it’s my mother…’

It was an unfamiliar emotion, one he had never sensed even with his master from his previous life.

Perhaps it was a kind of emotional bond that only a father could provide.

“So, you were really impressive.”

“Pardon? But I lost the duel, though?”

“… Did you expect to beat me? I was talking about the demon beast subjugation. How many kids at your age can wield Wave freely and hunt demon beasts?”

“Well, the beast wasn’t even half-decent. Plus, I had some help from those around me…”

“There’s no need to feel modest about such an accomplishment.”

“You seem to be more eager to boast, Father.”

“But of course, isn’t it natural? With both siblings awakening Wave, there isn’t a happier moment as both a family head and a father.”

Christian couldn’t quite grasp this sentiment.

Having first picked up a sword and realized mana at age ten, he had awakened not only mana reservoir but also Wave in that very same year.

To Christian, he was more puzzled as to why others couldn’t do it, rather than thinking it was an achievement worthy of praise.

“It is extraordinary even in the history of the kingdom. So, you should feel proud, and it’s alright to act a little arrogant at times.”

Unbeknownst to Christian, only a handful of people in Rondel Kingdom awakened to Wave at fifteen. Even Roberto had first awakened Wave at age seventeen.

There was no way he could not be overjoyed to know that his children bore talents exceeding his own.

“You seem happier about it.”

“Do I look so?”

It was evident from Roberto’s words and expression, so Christian couldn’t possibly miss it.

In a knightly family that represented a region, the birth of a talented descendant essentially meant that the future of the family looked bright.

But just as the joy subsided, a shadow began to cloud Roberto’s face.

“Christian.”

“Yes?”

“Whichever of you becomes the heir, I hope you two continue to get along well just as you do now.”

It was precisely this situation where talented children of one generation were competing for the next heir position that was a reason for concern.

“Don’t worry. Nothing like what you’re fearing will ever happen, Father.”

Christian had no particular interest in being the family head. Given a chance, he was more than willing to relinquish the heir candidate position right away.

However, the environment surrounding Christian didn’t allow that, so he was reluctantly maintaining his spot as a candidate. Should circumstances and opportunities arise, it would be the first shackle he’d throw aside.

With Christian’s composed attitude, Roberto’s gloomy expression gradually faded.

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“I’m more worried about how to bring Mother and the others closer rather than get us two even closer.”

While training Aira was progressing well, the real issue for peace within the family was not between themselves but more about the mothers’ relationship.

Roberto nodded in agreement at Christian’s words. Placing his hands firmly on Christian’s shoulders, he spoke decisively.

“That’s impossible. Give it up.”

“Don’t just give up. Why’s the first to give up has to be you, Father?”

“Do you think I left it unattended because I didn’t know?”

Sensing the thick darkness emanating from Roberto, Christian quickly shook his head and lowered his gaze.

Then, he couldn’t help but notice Roberto’s well-trained muscles.

‘Father’s physique is better than expected.’

While both Christian and Aira had intensely trained to build their bodies, most knights of this era prioritized mana over muscle, hence maintaining a more slender build.

‘Is it a body honed through real battles?’

Unlike someone like Garcia who had naturally strong bones, Roberto’s muscles, honed through continuous real battles, protected his entire body like armor.

It was an almost ideal form of physique in Christian’s eyes.

‘He has plenty of scars too.’

Roberto was the family head, a county’s leading force. His role would more fittingly be one step back from the battleground, or commanding knights and soldiers from the rear.

But seeing the scars across Roberto’s body, the timing and depth of each different, proved that Roberto had grown through countless engagements and personally led the fights against monsters at the frontline.

‘So much like Master in many ways.’

Someone who led countless others from the forefront.

Apart from appearances, his master from a past life bore a striking resemblance to the father standing before him in almost every other respect.

Because of this, Christian had regarded Roberto with a peculiar gaze, prompting Roberto to stand up abruptly as if understanding the meaning of that look.

“Ahem, alright, alright. Now, stand up.”

“… What? Why so suddenly?”

As puzzled Christian remained unsure of the situation, Roberto, leaving him behind, took Christian’s arm and hoisted him up by force.

“Goodness, son. What on earth could be so difficult about asking me to wash your back?”

“Pardon? Me?”

When did that happen?

Seeing Christian’s baffled expression, Roberto’s smile only widened, as if viewing a hesitant young son.

“Come on, just lie down comfortably.”

“No, it’s the floor! I’ll just sit!”

In the end, Christian was pulled out of the bath and ended up sitting in front of Roberto, his back turned and getting thoroughly washed.

… It wasn’t a bad experience at all.

TL’s Corner:
Wholesome, the first time Christian felt fatherly love. 🙂