Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Unlucky Bodyguard

Chapter 97 Don't hold back too much

The combat training grounds were massive, a sprawling arena lined with stone pillars, jagged training dummies, and weapon racks brimming with intimidating tools of destruction. The ceiling soared high above them, enchanted to resemble a clear blue sky, while a faint hum of magic vibrated beneath Liria's feet.

The first combat lesson for Liria and judging by the size of the crowd, it wasn't going to be a casual stroll in the park.

"Welcome, recruits," barked a gruff voice that immediately commanded attention.

Liria turned toward the front, where a hulking figure emerged. The combat instructor was a demon so broad and muscular that he looked like he could juggle boulders for fun. His skin was a rough, charcoal gray, marked with faint scars that hinted at a lifetime of battles. His horns curved backward like the blades of scythes, and his eyes glowed a menacing crimson.

"I am Instructor Zarnak," he boomed. "For those of you who think combat class will be an easy way to show off, you are sorely mistaken. This is where I separate warriors from weaklings. Strength,"—he punched a nearby stone dummy, reducing it to gravel—"is the foundation of all combat. Today, we begin with physical power."

"Oh good," Liria muttered under her breath. "Let's see how quickly I can embarrass myself."

Enara snorted beside her. "If you trip over your own feet, I'll pretend I don't know you."

"Thanks for the support, princess," Liria shot back sarcastically.

Ananara, perched smugly on Liria's shoulder, chimed in with a snide tone. "I predict a glorious failure. Perhaps you'll sprain something immediately and sit this one out."

"You're supposed to be my familiar," Liria whispered harshly. "Try being supportive for once."

"I am," Ananara replied. "Supportively preparing you for the inevitable disaster."

"All right!" Zarnak's roar cut through their banter. "We'll begin with a simple test of strength. Step up to the boulder and see how far you can move it. No magic—only physical power."

The students lined up in front of what Liria could only describe as a literal mountain disguised as a rock. The boulder was easily six feet tall and wider than three students put together.

"This is simple?" Liria muttered.

[Relax,] the system suddenly chimed in her mind. [With your stats, this should be a walk in the park. Strength 43 isn't just for show.]

Thanks for the confidence, but I'd like to survive this without drawing attention, she replied internally.

"You first!" Zarnak barked at a demon student, a particularly burly-looking guy with horns that resembled tree trunks. The demon grunted, cracked his knuckles, and shoved against the boulder. It creaked forward a measly two inches before he collapsed backward, panting.

"Two inches!" Zarnak barked, scribbling on a clipboard. "Pathetic!"

The next few students fared about the same, each managing only a handful of inches. Even Enara stepped up, a determined scowl on her face. Her black hair gleamed as she set her feet and pushed with all her might. The boulder groaned under the effort and shifted forward by four whole inches.

"Hah!" Enara straightened up, brushing dirt off her uniform. "Beat that."

"That's royal determination for you," Zarnak said approvingly.

"Your turn, human!" he barked suddenly, his gaze snapping to Liria.

Liria swallowed hard as she stepped up to the boulder. She could feel everyone's eyes on her their expectation that she would fail miserably.

[Don't hold back too much,] the system whispered slyly. [We don't want you looking too weak, do we?]

I thought you wanted me to stay under the radar, she shot back.

[Well, we're past that point. They already think you're weird.]

Comforting, Liria thought sarcastically.

Planting her feet firmly, she pressed her palms against the boulder, feeling its rough, uneven surface bite into her skin. She exhaled slowly, gathering her strength.

"Here goes nothing," she muttered.

With a grunt, she shoved the boulder forward. It groaned under her hands and rolled—rolled!—nearly a foot before she released it and stepped back.

Silence. The arena was dead quiet.

"What the—"

"Did she just—"

"Twelve inches?!" Zarnak's voice rang out, more shocked than impressed. "That's… That's not normal."

Liria gave an awkward shrug, pretending to look winded. "Beginner's luck?"

The system snickered in her mind. [Oh, that was beautiful. You should've seen their faces.]

"Lucky, my ass," one student muttered.

Enara just raised an eyebrow at her. "We need to have a chat later," she whispered.

Ananara, meanwhile, was dramatically inspecting his non-existent nails on her shoulder. "Twelve inches? Honestly, I expected more."

"Whose side are you even on?" Liria hissed at him.

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Zarnak quickly regained his composure, though his suspicious glare lingered on Liria a bit too long. "Fine!" he barked, scribbling aggressively on his clipboard. "Next part of the lesson! Partner sparring! You'll pair off and work on physical strikes. No magic. I want to see proper control and form."

Liria sighed. "Perfect. Just what I needed another chance to get punched."

"You're with me," Enara said, dragging Liria toward an open sparring circle.

"Lucky me," Liria deadpanned.

The pairs around them began practicing basic strikes, punches, and grapples. Zarnak stalked the arena, shouting corrections and insults at anyone who dared look incompetent.

"Keep your stance wide, you walking toothpick!"

"Is that a punch or a gentle breeze? Put your back into it!"

"This isn't ballet! Fight like you mean it!"

Enara threw the first punch, pulling her strength just enough to avoid breaking Liria's face. Liria dodged clumsily, stumbling backward.

"Are you even trying?" Enara asked, exasperated.

"Hey, I'm a delicate flower, okay?" Liria shot back, ducking under Enara's next strike.

[You could at least pretend to hit her,] the system snickered. [Your stats are way better than this.]

I don't want to accidentally launch her into orbit, Liria replied, narrowly sidestepping another jab.

"Stop dancing around!" Enara huffed. "Fight me, Liria!"

"Fine, fine!" Liria muttered. She lashed out with a half-hearted punch, only for Enara to block it with ease.

"Pathetic," Ananara commented from the sidelines, munching on what appeared to be a snack he'd conjured from nowhere.

"Oh, shut up," Liria growled.

"Enough!" Zarnak's roar cut through the air, freezing everyone in place. "Your performance today was embarrassing—except for one or two of you," he added, his gaze lingering pointedly on Enara and Liria. "Next time, I expect you to actually fight. Dismissed!"

As the class ended, Liria trudged toward the exit with Enara and Ananara trailing behind.

"Not bad," Enara said grudgingly. "But seriously, twelve inches? What are you hiding?"

Liria forced a laugh. "A strict protein diet?"

Ananara snorted. "And a suspicious lack of humility."

Liria sighed as they left the arena. If this was just the first combat lesson, she was in for a long and painful semester.