Chapter 24: The Start of Training
Alex sitting under the shade of a tree on the outskirts of the camp, flipping through a book on combat strategies that Aria had given him a few days earlier. EMI stands a few steps away, arms crossed and a determined expression on her face.
—"That's enough, Alex!" EMI exclaims, interrupting his reading. "You can't keep going on like this—you have to train."
Alex looks up, visibly annoyed.
—"Train for what? I don't have powers like you guys. Or did you forget I got dragged into this world because of a 'protagonist error'?" he says, pointing at her sarcastically. "My only accomplishment was figuring out that basic rune I used as support."
EMI frowns, but before she can reply, Aria enters the scene with a confident smile and a leather pouch in her hands.
—"For once, I agree with EMI," Aria says, standing beside her. "I don't want you getting into danger again, Alex."
Alex looks at her incredulously.
—"Not this again. I already told you—I'm just a normal guy. If those magic bandits come back, I'd rather hide behind you two, remember?"
—"That's not going to happen," Aria responds firmly, opening the pouch to reveal a set of glowing, ornate runes. "Because I'm going to train you myself."
EMI gasps at the sight.
—"Those are super rare! How did you even get them?"
Aria throws her a mischievous smile.
—"Being a duke's daughter has its perks. These runes are family relics—I was saving them for a special occasion. But…" she glances at Alex with a flirtatious look, "for my future husband, I'd do anything."
Alex sighs, already used to Aria's comments.
—"Couldn't you just use those things to help yourself instead of wasting them on me?"
—"It's not a waste if it's for you," Aria replies with a smile, blowing him a kiss.
EMI folds her arms, clearly annoyed.
—"And what if you lose them or something goes wrong?"
Aria ignores her and turns to Alex.
—"Let's start with the basics. These runes are for defense, support, and a bit of offense. We don't need to turn you into a legendary hero—just someone who can hold his own."
---
Aria places a rune on the ground, activating it with a faint blue glow. She explains that it's a defensive technique that generates a temporary magic shield.
—"Place your hand here and focus," she instructs.
Alex obeys, though with little enthusiasm. Several minutes pass with no results, prompting a frustrated sigh from EMI.
—"Come on, Alex! Can't you even activate a basic rune?"
—"Maybe if you left me alone..." Alex mutters, closing his eyes and trying to focus.
Finally, a faint light emerges from the rune, but the shield is so weak it barely covers his hand. Alex stares at it with a mix of surprise and resignation.
—"Well, at least it didn't blow up in my face."
Aria smiles.
—"It's a start. Tomorrow we'll try something more advanced."
---
Later, as they rest after training, EMI sits beside Alex, who's staring up at the sky.
—"Why don't you try harder?" EMI asks gently.
Alex shrugs.
—"I'm not like you. I don't have some grand destiny or hidden power. My only skill here is knowing when to run."
—"That's not true," EMI says, looking at him directly. "You're braver than you think. You risked your life for us more than once. You don't need magic to matter."
Alex stays quiet for a moment, then cracks a small smile.
—"I guess I'm the lucky side character who landed on the right team."
EMI smiles too, though there's a hint of sadness in her eyes.
—"You're not a side character to me, Alex."
Aria watching them from a distance, her expression a mix of curiosity y celos, mientras Alex y EMI continúan hablando bajo el cielo estrellado.