Chương 28: Training? Don't Want

Another beautiful day in the Vatican has come.

Most people will just enjoy this day to relax, especially this church. Kids aren't obligated to drown themselves in training.

However…

"Your kicks are impressive, but your fist… I dare say they are unpleasant." The Cardinal Priest commented while looking down.

Cao Cao was laying down in the grass, panting.

It's been a few hours since their 'spar' started.

Honestly, he wouldn't call it a spar, it's more like a survival shtick that he needed to do.

If it wasn't for his senses and Senjutsu, he would be more beaten up than he is now.

This old man is no joke! He felt like he got hit by a truck everytime one of his blows struck him.

And it was just pure physical strength! He'd buy it from some like Sun Wukong but a human?

They weren't kidding when they said that Vasco put Kokabiel in a chokehold back then.

"W-Well, my spear is always in my hands. I don't really need to do much striking with my hands so I used my legs more often instead." Cao Cao rebutted after catching his breath.

That's true, he doesn't really need to use his hands much since it's mainly to hold his spear.

Unlike other weapon users, disarming him is hard if not almost impossible as he can just summon True Longinus in his hands.

"That may be the case but it's always more convenient to have more cards, no?" Vasco isn't aware of his True Longinus so his arguments are indeed reasonable.

Cao Cao didn't say anything but just stood up, ready for another round.

"That's enough for today's young Cao Cao." The Apex of Humanity didn't return the same gesture.

It was clear that they should stop fighting for today.

Cao Cao slumped back his shoulders. He got his ass kicked.

He can understand why he needs to do this but for some reason it just doesn't feel right.

'Hmm'

"Hahahaha, don't be down. I was also once in your shoes. As a swordsman, it was indeed quite a waste of my time to learn how to use my fist… at least that's what I thought." The Cardinal Priest as he remembered his younger days.

"Come to think of it, old man, why did you learn hand-to-hand?" Cao Cao asked after he was done wiping his sweat.

"So I won't accidentally kill my opponents."

"..."

—

"How's your training young man?" Griselda asked the blue eyed boy with a smile.

"The Cardinal Priest is rough, I can still feel my bones shaking." Cao Cao twisted his arm as if he was demonstrating.

"By the way, how are Valerie and Asia?" He asked.

After sparring with Vasco, he took a break and met Griselda along the way. He's curious about how she trains her students.

"Ufufufu~ well, they are good girls that's for sure." She covered her mouth and let out a little laugh.

'Where are they?' He thought.

As if on cue, he heard a shout from behind him.

"There you are!" Valerie walked limply towards him with Asia following behind her, she looked exhausted too.

"What happened to the both of you?" Weren't they lazing around earlier? He woke up earlier than them.

Valerie threw a glare at Griselda whom the latter just smiled at before returning her attention to Cao Cao.

"We were looking for you until this nun grabbed the both of us." After what Valerie said, Asia looked at Griselda with fear.

It's the first time she felt so much aches in her body, but compared to her, Valerie had it worse.

According to Griselda, Valerie was a pretty talented individual who not only possesses light inside her but even her physical strength is superior to average humans.

After knowing this, Griselda decided to immediately level up her training to squeeze her potential.

Aside from Xenovia, Valerie is the only girl she had encountered with a strong body.

"Good for you then." Instead of comforting them, Cao Cao patted her shoulder.

Valerie, who felt this, had her eyes twitching. What do you mean good for her?

"As for you Asia, you don't need to do this training. You already have a Sacred Gear related to healing. You should focus on that." Compared to his casual attitude towards Valerie. Cao Cao turned his back on Asia with distress.

There was really no need for her to do this. It's not that they'll throw her in the front lines when her ability is more suitable for support.

"It's fine brother, I can do it." Asia shook her head. She's not just doing this to be an exorcist but mainly so that she can accompany her brother and sister.

After seeing their talents and the evaluation sister Griselda had given, she figured that they'll probably be sent on high level missions. At that time, she didn't want to just be left behind.

She also wanted to be with them too!

"Yes yes, they can do it." Griselda nodded with a smile. It seems that she enjoyed 'training' them.

"... Why are you only concerned about Asia? What about me?" Valerie saw their interaction and felt weird. She was the one who got hit the most.

"You're thinking too much." Cao Cao waved her off. She's a dhampir with the Holy Grail. She can just heal herself.

Compared to Asia who's a human, Valerie can handle most of those hits.

"Are you taking a break?"

"Yesn't."

"..."

"Now, don't fight with each other. You three still have to conserve your strength for the next session." Griselda stepped in between them.

"Next session?!" Asia said in a horrified voice while Valerie started having second thoughts on how to leave the church.

Cao Cao on the other hand wasn't that surprised. He took a lot of beatings from those old Buddhas back then.

"Yes!" Griselda answered with a smile.

Asia looked like she had seen a ghost and Valerie was muttering 'old witch' under her breath.

"And you seem fine with your training." Her sarcastic voice traveled on Cao Cao's ears.

"Fine? If you mean getting turned into a human punching bag counts as 'fine' then yeah." He snorted.

Surprisingly, Valerie wasn't angry with his retort and even lightly giggled which made his eye twitch.

It seems she enjoys his suffering.

Or maybe it's just a way to comfort herself.

"Whatever, laugh all you want. I'm going to have lunch." He sighed and walked away.

Valerie smirked and Asia, who was still in daze, didn't hear what her brother was saying.

All in her mind was,

I don't want to train anymore!