Chapter 358: Stamina

Chapter 358 - Stamina

"Damn it, no good...too far!"

I could close the distance between me and those two running in front of me...... but, if I don't take a breath before reaching them, the breakthrough will be interrupted.

In the end, that one breath ends up with me being just one step short.

"Fufufu, too bad, Brother ♪."

That game of tag I played with Slayer in the past.

With a smile, Slayer said what seemed to be payback for that time.

"That's twice now, right~?"

Espie grinned too.

The speed and distance of Slayer and Espie running in front of me was just barely out of reach with my breakthrough speed and duration.

No, I'm sure they adjusted it so it would be that close.

"Damn...... ha, ha, ha......."

Besides, I was getting a little out of breath after sprinting as fast as I could.

Come to think of it, it was at Cacretale.

Before I learned Magical Breathing, Tre'ainar had said...

―― Learn this, and so long as you have physical strength, you will never be unable to use magic for lack of magic power ......

He did say, "as long as you have physical strength".

So that's what he meant.

"Tis so. Magical Breathing only restores one's magic power. It does not recover physical strength or fatigue."

Running at full speed for the duration of the Breakthrough. If I still can't catch up, I'll have to use Magical Breathing again to chase them with a Breakthrough.

But, the speed of the second dash is slower than the first.

Naturally. I would get tired.

"Through your training so far, the child's mental strength and concentration have improved. These are important in an endurance battle. However, the most important thing is... stamina. The current child does not have the stamina to carry on for three days and three nights.'

Stamina. It's an essential element in combat and in anything else.

I used to run a lot in Cacretale...... but I haven't done it lately......

"On the other hand, both Espie and Slayer are well-versed in the art of prolonged combat, whether in the throes of war or the pursuits of a hunter...... as a seasoned warrior and a masterful hunter, should they find your weakness, it would prove difficult to take the lead."

"Tch............ they're already at that level."

"Then, fatigue accumulates, and the moment you realize it, mental exhaustion and disruption of concentration would set in."

That's right.

It feels like my concentration was gradually fading and I'm starting to lose track of the Magical Shining Road.

"Tre'ainar, is there any kind of magic that can help me recover from fatigue?"

"Tis not impossible. Rather than recovering fatigue, tis more like a spell to numb one from it...... however, rather than relying on that, it would be more beneficial to consider the future and fortify your stamina.』

"Is it easy to learn?"

"It will not come in haste. Tis the steady, daily accumulation of effort that brings one closer to unrivaled physical and mental strength. Tis not something that can be achieved in a matter of days.'

In other words, even if it's an endurance battle, does that mean I can't catch those two right now?

Well, I knew it wouldn't be easy, considering they had been training for 15 years and had been preparing for today's game of tag.

But......

"But even so, it would be too pathetic to give up so easily."

"Indeed. Hence why you should persevere. Take your time, be mindful of your pace, and then think of how best to outwit them......."

We're just getting started. We've still got a few days before we reach the finish line.

Even if I could see how hard they had worked now, I still had to make them say, "As expected".

"Surpass the you of yesterday."

"Osu!"

The duration of the Breakthroughs and my physical strength are not easily extended or recovered.

Knowing this, what can I do?

Take a deep breath, calm your mind and get into the zone......

"Fluffy Sandstorm!"

"Ugh!?"

"Hmm, I won't let Big brother concentrate, you know?"

Just as I was trying to calm myself down, Espie, who was supposed to be running away, came running back on purpose! With sand for my eyes!?

What a cunning move...... but, what's the point of blinding me?

My concentration and Magical Radar were not disturbed by that much......

"Oh, by the way, Big brother. When I stopped by Cacretale, I heard something interesting~~"

「...... Huh?"

"Big brother~, between Sadiz dear, little Phianse, the ninja girl of Japone, and someone I only know by name, Kron? Who do you like the most~?"

"Huh!?"

Huh......? Espie? What......

"Right, I heard about that from Espie, so I've been really curious about it too!"

Not only Espie, but even Slayer, who was far away, came all the way back to say this to me......

"I get that it's inevitable for Brother to be popular with the ladies, but the woman you choose shouldn't be a matter for you alone, right?"

"That's right~? Because, to us, whether she'll be our older sister? No, since they're all younger, our younger sister. Either way, she'll become our family too, you know?"

"So far, are those four the candidates for Brother's bride? There's no one else?"

"If it's someone Big brother has chosen from his heart, then we'll bless the marriage and accept it, but~ if it's someone you don't like, then we won't like them either, you know? For example...... what if you only like the girl for her big boobs, or something like that?"

"You're in puberty, after all...... right, Brother?"

"I always thought you'd marry Sadiz dear, but now there are more options~"

Wh, what are these guys saying? Eh? I get that they know about Sadiz and Phianse, but even Shinobu and Kron? No, no, no, boobs? I don't care if they're big or small, I mean, if they have them, that's fine...... but Kron doesn't have that much...... and Shinobu even less...... I mean, why are my little sister and brother suddenly bringing up love talk with me out of nowhe―――――

"Fubya?!"

Suddenly, I had no footing?!

At that moment, I couldn't open my eyes due to the sandstorm, and was so flustered by the sudden love talk that my feet gave way and I fell onto something.

A pitfall?

"Fufu. You have to concentrate properly, okay? Brother."

"Hey~, Big brother got caught~♪"

Ah...ah...those guys!?

"Oooooooh, you guys!"

"Ahahaha, Brother got mad, we have to run away ♪."

"Yay! Go for it! Whoosh ♪"

"Waaaaah, just you wait! I'll give your butts a good spanking! Breakthrough!!"

Making a fool of your brother...... I'll get you, that's a promise!

『Fufufu... you have totally played into their hands...』

Author's Note

I'm messing around again. Butt ass...... It's a serious story, so I hope you enjoy this one too. There is a character in it that you may have seen somewhere before...... but he is a different person.

"Brrrr Vibro! Extreme Ultra-Vibration Crusher ~ The Useless One Abandoned by Humanity is Taken in by the Demon Princess and Has Their Limits Unleashed. Let Humanity, the World, and the Bed Shake Violently!~"