“Huh... Where am I...?”

After carrying the unconscious Rey inside, I let Ivy heal her wounds, then had her rest in bed for a while.

With nothing else to do after dinner, I spent time poking at Ivy and engaging in some playful bonding until Rey finally woke up.

Phew, thank goodness.

I was a little worried she might not wake up at all.

“Good evening, Rey.”

“I... lost... didn’t I...?”

Sitting up, Rey emitted a heavy, dark aura, her head hanging low.

Since her armor seemed too uncomfortable to sleep in, I had removed it earlier, leaving her in the lighter underclothes beneath—a much more relaxed look.

Wow, was losing really such a shock to her?

Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed her so hard. Admitting defeat earlier might’ve been better... Though I don’t think she’d have taken my life or anything.

“Ugh... sniff... hic...”

While I stood there frozen by the atmosphere, Rey suddenly burst into tears.

What am I supposed to do now!?

This is the first time I’ve seen a girl cry—I have no idea what to do!

“Mii!”

Ivy floated one of her personal handkerchiefs toward Rey, offering it gently.

“T-thank you...”

Her tough demeanor vanished, and she now looked like an ordinary girl.

Ivy handed her the handkerchief without hesitation, as reliable as ever.

...Though it stung a little that she seemed cooler than me.

“Phew. Still, I can’t believe I lost so completely and utterly... It’s frustrating, but I don’t even know how to put it into words.”

Her nose was still a little red, but Rey seemed to have regained her usual composure.

Perhaps wanting to forget her earlier display, she cleared her throat and tried to move forward.

I decided to match her mood without commenting on it.

“Um, Rey, I—”

“Heh, no need to say it. I already know. As I am now, I can’t even come close to matching Bruno.”

N-no, that’s not what I was going to say... But I bit my tongue.

Better to let it slide; if she started crying again, I might not be able to handle it this time.

“I’ve been training relentlessly since I was a child, bearing everyone’s expectations and pushing forward recklessly... But it seems that wasn’t enough after all.”

“No, it’s not that you’re not enough...”

“I’m just a frog in a well. I know so little about the world beyond. There must be so many people out there stronger than me...”

That’s not true!

It’s just that Ivy is ridiculously powerful—Rey, you’re incredibly strong yourself.

I mean, just the fact that you made Sanshita the griffon bleed is already insane.

Still... who exactly is Rey?

Is she some kind of martial artist who trained in isolation without venturing outside?

“Mii!”

Noticing Rey’s dry chuckle, Ivy turned to me with a firm look, silently telling me she had an idea.

It’s rare for Ivy to be so insistent.

Alright, I’ll leave it to you.

“Mii.”

After a light nod of thanks, Ivy leapt from my shoulder.

Floating gently, she approached Rey.

“Heh, what’s this, Ivy? Are you here to console me?”

“Mii, mimi!”

With her big, round eyes, Ivy stared directly at Rey.

What she said next took me completely off guard.

Rey nodded as if trying to follow along, but it was clear she couldn’t understand Ivy’s words. She turned to me, her expression practically begging for a translation.

Chuckling awkwardly, I relayed Ivy’s message.

“Ivy says... she wants to take you as her apprentice. She believes you have the potential to grow much, much stronger.”

“W-what!?”

Ivy, what exactly are you planning for Rey...?