Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 714

"I understand your concern, but please trust Sek here. Sek is not the type to do something like this without reason."

"B-but..."

"Rest assured, Ridd."

As I hesitated, stopped by Tabal, Johann showed his white fangs.

"Mia, was it? I smell a warrior on her... and an exceptional one at that.""You smell a warrior?"

"Yeah, that's right. Precisely because Mother understands that, she's pushing her that far."

Just as I tilted my head in confusion, Sekmetos's voice boomed.

"Well now, what will you do, little girl? Will you admit defeat pathetically like this, or will you stand and fight?""D-don't screw with me! You think I'd... admit defeat against the likes of you?! No way in hell!"

The moment Mia shouted with a spirited voice, a wave of mana erupted from her, swirling into a gust of wind. Looking to see what was happening, the color began to fade from the grey fur covering Mia's body.

"That's it, that's the spirit! Struggle like that, try to surpass me, try to escape this predicament!""Shut up! I'm definitely going to land one hit on that face of yours!"

As Mia retorted dismissively at Sekmetos, an even more powerful wave of mana than before burst from her, becoming a gale that whipped through the training grounds, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Guh...?! What in the world just happened?"

I instinctively covered my mouth with my left arm against the swirling dust and turned my face away.

As the dust settled, Mia was seen in the center of the training grounds, glaring at Sekmetos. However, Mia's entire body was now covered in white fur, and the mana she emitted was incomparable to before.

"Haha, amazing. That Mia person has reached 'White Cat.'""Yes, to truly master White Cat at that age is remarkable. You don't see that even among the children of the great clans often."

Johann's eyes were wide, and Tabal nodded with an impressed look, glancing my way. Mia can be a bit rough around the edges, but I know how hard she's worked in Baldia. Precisely because of that, hearing her praised made me happier than being praised myself.

"Thank you. I'm sure she would be delighted to hear those words."

I thanked him with narrowed eyes, and Tabal then said, "However..." with a solemn expression.

"That child should be of commoner birth... if so, rather than talent, it means she reached that level through considerable training. Lord Ridd, what kind of training do you conduct in Baldia?""Eh...?! Ahaha, it's normal. Just regular training conducted jointly with the Baldia Knight Order."

In Baldia, joint training sessions between the First and Second Knight Orders are held every other day. During these, some squad members undergo training where they push themselves to their limits while using 'Mana Recovery Potions.' This training method was something I devised a prototype for and developed together with the late Cross. It's a groundbreaking training regimen that can dramatically increase mana capacity even in short sessions. However, because it involves repeatedly pushing mana consumption to the limit and consuming Mana Recovery Potions—a harsh process—even knights often drop out, unable to keep up. The squad leaders of the Second Knight Order, starting with Mia, have never given up.

Perhaps this limit-breaking training using 'Mana Recovery Potions' suits the naturally high physical abilities of beastmen better than humans, physiologically speaking. I couldn't divulge such information so candidly here, so as I smiled evasively, Mia pointed a finger at Sekmetos.

"Power's welling up. I'm different from before now.""I'd expect nothing less. However, don't think that level is enough to beat me.""Shut up!"

Spatting those words, Mia leaped forward, closing the distance to Sekmetos and unleashing a flurry of claw strikes. They clearly had more power and speed than before. But they were all blocked, and Sekmetos's composure remained unchanged.

"What's wrong? Weren't you going to land a hit on me?""You're a irritating one. But..."

The moment Mia relaxed the corners of her mouth meaningfully, her movements changed. She shifted from primarily using claw strikes with her hands to focusing on kicks.

"This is the Rabbitmen's...?"

Sekmetos seemed caught off guard, her rhythm disrupted just slightly. And Mia didn't let that opening slip. Crouching down, she twisted her body and launched a sharp kick, propelling herself into the air.

"Borrowing a technique, Ovelia! Rabbit Foot: Soaring Sky Impact!""Guh...?!"

The sharp kick grazed Sekmetos's cheek, making her click her tongue. The 'Rabbit Foot' technique Mia used is a martial art employed by some Rabbitmen, primarily Ovelia from the Baldia Second Knight Order. Apparently, Ovelia learned it from someone she was indebted to during her time in the Rabbitmen territory. Even warriors like Rubens and Curtice acknowledge the technique's high level of completion, and Ovelia teaches it to those who wish to learn. But I had no idea Mia had also learned to use it. Ovelia and Mia are always bickering, but it seems they get along surprisingly well.

"Take this, another one!"

Mia, now airborne, followed up with a heel drop as she fell. However, Sekmetos caught her foot with her left hand.

"Wha...?!""That was a good technique just now. But getting carried away isn't good. It's time for punishment."

Facing the wide-eyed Mia, Sekmetos twisted her body and opened her right hand. The next moment, as we watched to see what she would do, Sekmetos released the foot she was holding.

"Grit your teeth.""What...?!"

The moment Mia blinked, a tremendous slapping sound echoed through the training grounds. Sekmetos's open-handed strike had landed directly on Mia's backside.

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?!"

She was sent flying high into the air, her pained scream raining down upon the ground. As we stared up at Mia in astonishment, Johann, standing next to me, shuddered and turned pale.

"Mother's slap is incredibly painful. It feels like your backside might split in two.""Haha, you say amusing things, Johann. The backside is already split from the start."

As Tabal burst out laughing, the rest of us smiled wryly, our mouths twitching. "Ah, ahaha..."

"Ridd. It looks like Mia is falling towards us.""Ah, you're right."

Startled by Amon's words, I looked up to see Mia falling towards us, clutching her backside with both hands.

"Lord Ridd, I will catch her.""No, I'll handle this one."

I shook my head at Capella's offer, stepped forward, and gauged the landing spot. Then, timing Mia's fall, I activated Body Enhancement and leaped.

"Up we go!""R-Ridd... sir?!"

"You did very well."

Catching Mia in my arms in mid-air, I landed smoothly on the ground. Her Beast Transformation had already reverted, and her appearance was back to her usual black hair.

"Are you okay?"

When I called out to her, Mia, who had been dazed, opened her eyes wide.

"Eh...? Ah, yeah... I mean, I'm fine. I'm fine, so please put me down.""Okay, be careful."

I carefully set the blushing Mia down on her feet. She winced, saying "It hurts...", and placed both hands on her backside. Her tail was standing straight up stiffly. Is she really okay?

"I know, I know. Mother's slap hurts for a full day."

As Johann crossed his arms and nodded emphatically, Sekmetos approached us, laughing.

"It was Mia, right? Even if it was just a graze, managing to touch my face is impressive. I'll remember your name.""...Thank you."

As Mia bowed her head sullenly, Sekmetos relaxed her mouth into a grin.

"By the way, Mia. How would you like to become my direct subordinate?""Eh...?"

We were all stunned by the sudden proposal, frozen in place.