Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 738

The day after the social gathering.

We had finished the Rabbit Tribe territory's schedule - sea inspection, talks, and social gathering - much earlier than originally planned.

This was thanks to Vene and Shia offering their full cooperation.

With time to spare, Chris and Emma were taking separate action from us, confirming future trade items and commercial flows with influential Rabbit Tribe members and merchants.

Today, I visited a training ground slightly away from the chief's residence together with Ovelia, squad leader of the Second Knight Order.

Of course, it was for Ovelia to receive beastification training from Vene and Shia.

This time, Capella and Tink were also permitted to observe, so I was watching Ovelia and Vene's training.

Since both had combative personalities, as expected, tremendous impact sounds roared from the training ground right from the start and still hadn't subsided.

Naturally, they were facing each other in beastified form, with Ovelia covered in white fur and Vene in silver fur.

Ovelia continuously unleashed kicking techniques from the Rabbit Moon Style Rabbit Leg Art.

Vene dodged these fierce attacks by a hair's breadth, deflected and redirected them, deliberately blocked at times, and occasionally counterattacked.

Though she has her frivolous side, I was impressed again how Vene possesses power not inferior to other tribal chiefs, while Shia was also groaning in admiration at Ovelia's movements.

"...Lord Rid. You said her name was Ovelia, that Rabbit Tribe girl."

"Yes. She serves as squad leader in the Second Knight Order, but in terms of combat ability alone among the beast tribe children, I think she'd rank within the top five."

There's no doubt that the Second Knight Order squad leaders all possess considerable strength compared to their peers.

If ranking purely by combat ability, it would be Bear Tribe Kalua, Rabbit Tribe Ovelia, Cat Tribe Mia, Wolf Tribe Sheryl, Horse Tribe Geding... those would be the top five.

That said, the other members are only slightly behind them in ability, so they're by no means inferior.

After all, they undergo daily training methods devised by me, Diana, and Capella, plus instruction from the battle-hardened veteran Curtis incorporating practical experience, along with regular joint training with the First Knight Order led by Father.

Probably all Second Knight Order members possess strength sufficient to repel average adventurers or moderately skilled soldiers employed by nobles.

But why is Shia asking this question now?

"But is something wrong with that?"

When I tilted my head, Shia looked at Ovelia and slowly began.

"She mentioned learning Rabbit Moon Style Rabbit Leg Art when she was in the Rabbit Tribe territory, but her teacher must have been quite skilled at instruction. At first glance the movements appear rough, but they're techniques faithful to basics and sharp. At that age, there are likely no Rabbit Tribe children who have polished their skills that much and can keep up with Vene like that."

After saying this, Shia looked at me.

"Lord Rid. Pardon my asking, but have you heard the teacher's name from that girl?"

"Um, I heard she learned from someone named 'Fernando' who ran a Rabbit Moon Style dojo. However, that person has apparently already passed away."

According to what Ovelia told me, her dying mother entrusted newborn Ovelia to Fernando, whom she didn't know.

After entrusting Ovelia to him, her mother lost consciousness without even stating her name and passed away.

Fernando apparently took in the orphaned Ovelia, raising her thinking it was somehow fate.

"...Fernando, is it."

Shia's eyebrow twitched slightly, and he put his hand to his chin showing signs of thinking.

"Could he be someone you know?"

When I asked, he slowly shook his head.

"...No, unfortunately I don't recall the name. But he must have been someone who devoted his life to martial arts. I would have liked to meet him while he was alive."

"That's right. Me too."

If this Fernando person were still alive, I would undoubtedly have approached him about coming to Baldia.

Because while Ovelia's own talent is part of why she's this strong, undoubtedly a major factor is her exposure to the Rabbit Moon Style martial art from an even younger age.

By the way, she once made a certain request of me before.

'Hey, Lord Rid. Isn't there someone who could teach me the Rabbit Moon Style?'

'What brought this on suddenly?'

'Well, the martial art the old man who raised me taught me was called Rabbit Moon Style Rabbit Leg Art. I remember it to some extent, but I thought I'd like to properly train in it again since coming here. It would also serve as proof of the old man having lived.'

'I see, understood. Then I'll look into it.'

'Hehe, as expected of Lord Rid. You're quick to understand, that helps.'

But the Rabbit Moon Style is apparently an old school even within the Rabbit Tribe, and I couldn't find a suitable instructor.

Then, an unexpected person knew about the Rabbit Moon Style.

'Oh, Rabbit Moon Style Rabbit Leg Art? I'm familiar with that too.'

'Eh...!? Curtis, you really know it?'

Curtis Rammark, entrusted with command in the Second Knight Order, is from a martial arts noble family in the Dark Elf country of Renarute Kingdom.

Now he's handed the family headship to his son and works in the Baldia Second Knight Order while semi-retired.

'Yes. Long ago, I became acquainted with a Rabbit Tribe man traveling various countries for martial arts training in Renarute. Not only was he skilled, but he was also excellent at teaching. Since it was a good opportunity, I had him stay at the Rammark house for a while and received instruction. I should be able to teach the basics.'

Thus, Ovelia ended up relearning the Rabbit Moon Style under Curtis's guidance in Baldia.

Actually, despite being completely unimaginable from her usual words and actions, she's a girl who puts in effort unknown to others behind the scenes.

That's precisely why she's well-received by Father, Diana, and other First Knight Order members, and trusted by everyone in the Second Knight Order.

To me too, she's a reliable friend and comrade.

With that thought, I returned my gaze to the training ground.

Vene and Ovelia's practice was so refined it felt like watching an advanced martial arts demonstration.

Probably Vene was making it appear that way though.

"Rabbit Moon - Shigure Assault Kick. Oraaaaaaa!"

Though Ovelia unleashed rapid consecutive kicks, Vene kept dodging with a fearless smile.

"Haha, it was Ovelia, right? Good intensity. Surprisingly solid in Rabbit Moon Style basics too."

"Shut up, effortlessly deflecting like that. I'll definitely land one kick on that smirking face of yours."

"Interesting, it's been a while since a tribesperson talked to me like that."

As Vene deflected kicks while leaping back into the air, Ovelia twisted her body saying "I won't let you escape!" crouched down, and immediately unleashed a sharp rising kick.

"Rabbit Moon - Soaring Sky Impact"

"Oh, you have ground-to-air techniques too. But you won't hit me."

Vene arched her body midair to dodge, but Ovelia relaxed her mouth into a grin.

"Fell for it. Sky Impact Falling Strike Kick"

Ovelia flipped her body midair to build momentum, then followed up with a heel drop.

Vene, left defenseless midair, instantly crossed her arms to block.

"Not bad. But still one step short. Since it's a leg technique, get it? Haha."

"Tch...!? Smirking all relaxed. I'll pound you down like this."

As Ovelia swung her heel drop down, Vene was pushed down with tremendous force, slammed into the ground with an earth-shaking impact and rising dust.

But immediately from within that dust, Vene relaxed her mouth and leaped backward.

Then Ovelia chased after her, emerging from the dust cloud.

"Good! You're entertaining me well."

"Say whatever you want. But my techniques aren't finished yet. Leaping Assault Whirlwind Kick"

Ovelia jumped, flipped her body upside down, spread both legs while spinning like a top - no, like a whirlwind - and continuously unleashed follow-up kicks.

"Amazing! Showing me advanced techniques!"

But Vene deflected and redirected even that technique.

Then the moment Ovelia tried to regain posture after the technique ended, Vene closed in grinning.

"Actually I can use it too. The Rabbit Moon Style."

"Wh...!?"

The moment after Ovelia's eyes widened, Vene unleashed countless kicks at blinding speed.

"Rabbit Moon - Shigure Assault Kick"

"Guh...!?"

Though Ovelia desperately endured Vene's kicking techniques, soon her defense weakened under the fierce barrage.

Vene wouldn't miss that opening, kicking her upward into the air saying "Fly!"

"Da, damn...!?"

"Still more to come! Soaring Sky Impact"

Vene's kick mercilessly struck Ovelia's abdomen while she was thrown off-balance midair.

"Gah...!?"

"Next, Sky Impact Falling Strike Kick"

Ovelia was slammed to the ground by Vene's follow-up heel drop, bouncing up from the excess momentum.

But Vene, already landed on the ground, showed no sign of holding back.

"Last was Leaping Assault Whirlwind Kick, right?"

"Gaaaaah!?"

Just like when Ovelia had performed it, Vene flipped her body, spread both legs, and unleashed kicks while spinning like a whirlwind.

However, Vene's Whirlwind Kick drew Ovelia inward like a vortex, not letting her escape.

When the Whirlwind Kick barrage finally ended, Ovelia was kicked away and rolled violently across the ground.

Meanwhile, Vene showed her sharp double canine teeth with a cool expression.

"This is how you connect Shigure Assault Kick, Soaring Sky Impact, Sky Impact Falling Strike Kick, and Leaping Assault Whirlwind Kick. You still need more practice."

"Da, damn it...!?"

As the unsteadily standing Ovelia spat out these words, Vene quipped "Whoa, not bad."

"But you know. If there were a referee here, 'winner and loser declaration' would have been made just now."

"Shut up, this is just the beginning."

As Ovelia wiped mud and blood from her mouth with her sleeve, Vene smiled fearlessly.

"About time. Do you seriously want to defeat me?"

"Hah? Of course I do. I told you, I'll definitely land one kick on that smirking face."

"Haha, still as spirited as ever. Then use that passion as a key to advance your beastification stage."

"Hah...?"

When Ovelia tilted her head, Vene continued with a serious expression.

"What's needed to advance beastification to the next stage is a certain level of strength and passion. Strength means the caster's magical power, martial arts skill, familiarity level. And after obtaining that strength, regardless of emotion type, passion becomes the key to advancing the beastification stage."

After saying this, Vene spread both arms wide.

"Now, Ovelia. I've explained it this thoroughly. Show me you can advance your beastification stage right now."

"Tch...!? I know that without you telling me!"

"Then hurry up and show me. Ah, or is it that?"

"That...?"

As the spitting Ovelia tilted her head suspiciously, Vene suddenly broke her expression.

"Are you a 'paper tiger' who can't even do what you say yourself?"

"Wh...!?"

Ovelia's eyes widened but soon turned sharp with veins bulging on her forehead.

Meanwhile, Vene wore a smug face with her mouth corners raised as much as possible, plus a condescending, mocking gaze.

Even watching from the side, it was irritating enough.

Ovelia's anger at facing that head-on must be considerable.

"...Fine. I'll make you understand with your own body whether I'm a paper tiger or not."

Right after the trembling, angry Ovelia shouted this, magical waves swept around her and changes appeared in her beastification.

The fur all over her body stood on end, beginning to change from white to dark gray.

"What's this, you can do it if you try."

"Shut up. More importantly, I told you. That I'd make you understand with your own body."

Answering Vene spiritedly, Ovelia crouched in a forward-leaning posture while beastified, placing her fingertips on the ground.

Ah, that is...!?

The moment I saw her stance, a scene from training in Baldia resurfaced in my mind.

"Maris, I'm borrowing your technique. Crush everything with jumping power. Rabbit Moon Style - Instant Step Single Strike Kick"

"Rabbit Moon Style, not Rabbit Moon Style?"

The moment after Vene frowned suspiciously, a tremendous impact sound roared from where Ovelia had been, the earth cracking and gouging out.