The Kingdom’s located where the north is cold and the south is warm.
In the warm south, various spices, fruits, and rice are grown, but in the cold north, livestock and potatoes are the mainstay. They also grow wheat but they import most of it from the capital.
The dishes this time include a very rich stew, meat skewer, meat buns, and mashed potatoes. Also, since spring has finally arrived and the snow has started to thaw, there were some dishes made with fresh wild vegetables and peeked out from under the snow, which were really delicious.
Of course, the food’s delicious, not just the food I know but also food made from the mystery ingredients from around this world. There’s a monster fish whose whole body was made of ice, but when I took a bite of the sashimi, it melted in an instant, leaving only the delicious taste of the fish on my tongue. I was told that I can only eat it raw because it would melt when heated, but I’m impressed that I can eat sashimi. Soy sauce please.
After the delicious meal was over and the desert has been put away, Nasha’s father speaks to me.
「Alec, was it? I hear that you’re dating Nasha」
「Yes. I’m dating Anastasia」
It’s here.
I stare right back at Philip-san’s expressionless face, unaware of what he’s thinking. It’s the “Please give me your daughter” bit I’m excited.
「You’re the one my daughter chose. Let’s see what you can do」
「Yes. Let’s do it」
If you want Nasha-chan, you have to beat me. So that’s how it goes, Father-in-law.
I don’t think I can win now but I’ll give it my all of course.
■
We moved to the training area of the castle.
「Danna-sama, good luck」
「You got this, Alec-kun」
Nasha-chan cheered me on and Adrine-san happily smiled. Neither of them think that Phili-san would lose.
「Be careful not to get hurt. You should do it like you’re practicing with someone stronger」
「Philip-sama is quite strong. It’ll be a great experience for you, Alec」
Sophie-oneesama and Mira-chan didn’t think I could win from the start. Well, that’s obvious.
「Alec! Do it in one shot!」
Lina-chan’s the only one who believed that I could give it a shot.
「Yeah! I’ll give my all in one hit so watch me!」
I’m still growing and immature, and Philip-san is a man who had perfected himself as a lord.
There’s a difference between adults and children.
But, that doesn’t mean that I can be pathetic and do nothing about it.
■
(–Let’s wait and see first)
Philip kneads his magic and forms a wall of ice in a blink of an eye.
An ice wall, as clear as glass, formed around Philip.
Only a few of the top knights can penetrate this ice wall. But a mere third-year student can’t handle this.
(If I surround him with this, I can kill him without him moving his hands and feet, but that’s immature of me)
Philip could surround the ice wall around Alec and that would decide the battle. However, that wouldn’t serve the purpose of measuring Alec’s ability.
(I don’t know what Nasha like about him, but he’s a Zatsuryu. If you can get through this wall, then I might see some promise in you)
Zatsuryu They’re an inferior species, even lower than the stone-eating dwarves. A weak man who can’t attack long range using magic or fly.
Since he’s dealing with Alec, a Zatsuryu, Philip decided to take it easy. If he can overcome or dodge Philip’s attacks while not flying and keeping his feet on the ground, then land a blow on the ice wall, he passes.
(If he’s unsuccessful, that’s it)
He’s someone his cute daughter liked. He didn’t want to put his hand on this, but if he doesn’t even have the minimum strength… Then, he’ll urge his daughter to reconsider.
Philip weilds his magic without hesitation, wondering what words he would say to persuade his daughter.
「Now, let’s see what you can do, Alec」
Ice bullets made from Philip’s magic fly towards Alec.
First, it’s a small test, what would Alec do against five fist-sized ice bullets.
Will he receive it, deflect it, or dodge it.
As Philip was preparing for his next bullet to prepare for how he would move, Alec’s whole body suddenly bursts into flames.
「――！？」
Alec’s magic increased explosively and all of it concentrated on his right hand.
In an instant, his red jacket had disappeared, no, it returned to mana and gathered at Alec’s right hand.
(This is bad!!)
Concentration, compression. Seeing the mana gather in Alec’s right hand forming a ball of flame, Philip moved quickly.
—Zugaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!
The fireball shot out from Alec’s fist swallowed the ice bullets coming towards him and it went straight to Philip’s ice walls.