Chapter 167
The outdoor mock training session with Claude when he had turned rock golems into snowflake slush was nothing compared to this. These were at least tens to hundreds of times larger and stronger.
A level 2 mutant that would require the combined effort of several Espers just to handle. A single one could easily lay waste to multiple villages.
Yet here, there were four of them.
“…W-Why are there real mutants instead of holograms?”
At that moment, Log #3 swiftly covered my ears before I could hear the rock golems’ roar from within the massive cages.
It was unavoidable to feel overwhelmed, as if lightning had struck right above my head.
“Are you alright?”
After carefully removing his hands from my shaking ears, Log #3 asked.
“Why have real mutants been brought into an indoor training ground? And such high-level ones at that?”
I demanded, holding my ears that felt numb. Log #3 shrugged and explained.
“Lord Claude has always disliked appearing in public. This being his first participation in a training demonstration, and uncertain when such an opportunity might come again, the Center decided to go all out.”
“But, even so, the training ground will be destroyed…”
“Ah, repairing the training ground is a minor issue. Consider the fine Lord Claude paid for your unauthorized imprinting. What does it matter if a training ground collapses a hundred times over?”
“…”
…He wasn’t wrong.
Regardless of my grim expression, Log #3’s eyes sparkled.
“To the public, and especially to us Espers, Lord Claude’s significance is immense. We start learning about his achievements as soon as we enter the Center. To us, Lord Claude is a living history, almost a legend.”
“…”
“All Espers admire and aspire to be like Lord Claude. But the Lord Claude they can imagine is nothing compared to the one those of us who have witnessed him up close know. I hope that even a fraction of the overwhelming emotions and thrills we’ve experienced serving him in battle can be felt by those present today.”
I was at a loss for words.
The Logs, despite being Espers, did seemingly menial tasks like snack delivery out of a profound respect for Claude.
Staring up at them dumbfounded, Log #3 added somewhat sheepishly.
“All thanks to you.”
“…Me?”
“He never volunteered for such public appearances before. Perhaps he’s become more emotionally stable since imprinting with you, whether directly or indirectly?”
“…”
“Recently, he no longer erupts in anger without reason or torments us. It’s become much easier to serve him.”
“…Isn’t it a problem in itself that he used to erupt in anger without reason and torment people?”
“Ha ha! Can’t help it. That’s just how he is.”
Log #3 laughed heartily, a kind-hearted expression on his otherwise formidable face. I was a bit taken aback.
Just then.
“Ah, there! Lord Claude is coming!”
“Miss Rose, let’s pay attention now.”
Log #2 shouted. Log #3 also looked up eagerly.
True to their words.
Striding across the training ground with his long legs, commanding everyone’s attention. It was indeed the Claude I saw this morning.
But something was different. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what…
Thump, thump, my heartbeat started to race irregularly.
By then, he had reached the center of the training ground.
As he took his position, the doors of the cages at the four corners of the arena opened.
Kwoong, Kwoong,
Rock golems with shackles on each leg emerged one after the other. The ground vibrated with each step they took out of their cages.
Growling, the echo of the golems’ breaths in the arena was chilling, as if a massive boulder was rolling behind me.
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