Published: July 4, 2025
The "Dragon Spring Residence" has a vast training ground on its premises.
You might understand it if I say it's equivalent to two 400-meter tracks.
This area is exclusive to guests, allowing them to use it freely.
Due to the high accommodation fees, most of the people staying here are wealthy merchants and local lords.
While they rarely use the training ground themselves, those who protect them never miss their daily training...
It's a matter of professional pride, one could say.
In recent days, several wealthy merchants and local lords have been staying at the "Dragon Spring Residence" with their attendants.
This is, of course, in preparation for the entrance of Princess Shio Fen, who is to become the principal consort of his highness Lyun, the sixth prince, and subsequently for wedding-related events.
The Imperial Palace, where the wedding events will take place, is only about a ten-minute walk away.
While this is not exactly a close distance, it can be considered just right in some respects.
If it were too close, it would be easier for various matters to be pried into, making it more difficult to move around.
Moreover, those staying at the "Dragon Spring Residence" often bring many followers with them.
For their relaxation, the training ground, large bathhouse, and other facilities are quite convenient.
Having spent several days in the same inn, these followers generally come to recognize each other's faces.
They had noticed that there were new guests since yesterday.
One group consisted of ten warriors.
These appear to be new retainers of a certain local lord already staying here.
But the other group... a pair of individuals.
A man in a black cloak from a foreign land and a man in a robe. Who might these two be...?
Since morning, a swordsman has been practicing in a corner of the training ground.
Although he is a swordsman, he is not swinging a sword.
"Hmph!"
With a shout filled with spirit, his body lifts off the ground.
And then, he moves forward...
Swooosh.
"Ugh..."
Abel falls.
"That was close! I mean, you were floating and even flying!"
Ryo cheers him on.
"Right? It felt good, didn’t it?"
Even though he keeps falling, Abel's face is filled with joy.
The act of flying in the sky, which he had dreamed of...
It's gradually becoming a reality for him, which is to be expected.
Of course, he has been practicing since morning, but he started intermittently after arriving at the inn yesterday afternoon.
"Still, it's surprising that Abel hasn't experienced any magical power depletion despite all this practice. Perhaps the mechanism of this Flying Ring is incredible, or maybe Abel actually has a lot of magical power..."
"Wasn't it Ryo who said that magical power is related to some kind of gravitational pull?"
"Yeah, well... That's true, but I think the magical power used to draw in the gravity from the excess dimension comes from within his body. So, I guess anyone who pushes themselves too hard could experience magical power depletion."
"Hmm, I don't really get it."
Saying this, Abel heads back to practice flying again.
(Choosing to move his body instead of thinking about things he doesn't understand... it’s a characteristic of a muscle-headed person.)
"Ryo, didn't you just think something rude?"
"N-No, I wasn't thinking anything! Come on, focus on your practice!"
Feeling flustered by Abel's sharp inquiry, Ryo promptly returns to the practice session without paying too much attention to it.
People can continue doing what they love and enjoy.
No matter what others say about their lack of results or progress, it doesn't matter.
They continue without regard.
Because they enjoy it, because it's fun.
If they keep going, they will improve.
Yes, they will improve if they keep at it.
This is absolute.
Even if it seems like they aren’t improving at first glance, they are making progress.
It's okay.
They can continue with peace of mind.
One day, suddenly, results will show up.
For reasons unknown, humans are structured this way.
This can't be helped.