The sun shone brightly across the open plain, bathing the green grass in golden light. The air was warm and peaceful—though the tension between us was anything but calm.
"So, who goes first?" K asked, looking between the two girls.
"I... will go first!" Alira and Valkira said at the same time, glaring at each other.
"Zacken was summoned by our queen, so naturally, he will be taught by us, the demons," Valkira declared, puffing out her chest confidently.
"Don't be like that, demon," Alira shot back. "Yes, he might have been summoned by Verixa, but since he's highly respected by us elves, we should train him first!"
Their voices echoed, tension thick in the air. After a long pause, they both turned to me together.
"So, who do you want to learn from?" they asked, voices sharp, eyes expectant.
Feeling cornered, I forced a small laugh. "Uh... maybe it'll be better if we decide this by rock-paper-scissors?"
"Rock... paper... what?" Verixa tilted her head, confused.
"Bring it on! Whatever it is, I'm ready!" Valkira shouted, brandishing her sword toward Alira.
"If you're that eager, then I'm ready too!" Alira aimed her bow right back.
"Hey! Calm down, you two!" I hurriedly stepped between them. "Rock-paper-scissors is just a game from my world!"
After I explained the rules, Valkira squinted in confusion. "I see... but isn't it just based on luck?"
"I agree," Alira nodded. "It's a fifty-fifty chance to win."
"Well, maybe," I said, half-grinning, "but luck's also part of power, right? If I've got luck on my side, maybe I can even defeat a dragon!"
"Hmm... then I agree," Alira said, crossing her arms. Valkira nodded as well, her competitive smirk returning.
A few minutes later, they started stretching like martial artists before battle. On the other side, Verixa was chasing a horned rabbit as if this was completely normal.
"Um... you two did understand the rules, right?" I asked cautiously.
"Of course!" Alira said proudly. "We elves are intelligent—we learn things quickly. Unlike someone who only knows how to destroy stuff."
"At least we don't depend on a dying tree!" Valkira shot back instantly.
Their glares locked again like a lightning clash.
"Can you please... not?" I muttered, already regretting my idea.
They took their positions, ready to fight. I stood between them, raising my hand.
"Alright! Best of three rounds! Whoever wins gets to train me first. Got it?"
Both nodded sharply.
"Then... begin!"
"Rock!" I shouted.
"Paper!" Valkira called.
"Scissor!" Alira exclaimed.
The ground trembled. Wind swirled violently as their powers collided. When the light cleared, I saw Valkira kneeling and Alira jumping up triumphantly.
"Alira chose paper, Valkira chose rock—round one goes to Alira!"
"Victory!" Alira cheered, while Valkira muttered curses, blood trickling from her nose.
"Are... you okay?" I asked, startled. All this from rock-paper-scissors?!
"Rock-paper-scissors!" we shouted again.
A blast of flame burst from Valkira's hand, nearly knocking Alira over.
"Alira chose scissor, Valkira chose rock! Round two goes to Valkira!"
Valkira laughed wickedly. Alira wiped blood from her forehead, glaring back.
This looks less like a game and more like a fight scene from an anime.
"Final round!" I said as the air grew thick with magic. Their auras flared—green winds swirling around Alira, blazing flames around Valkira. The force alone pushed me back.
"Rock!"
"Paper!"
"Scissor!"
Before the energy could explode, Verixa suddenly jumped in.
"Rock!" she shouted proudly.
BOOM! Both Alira's and Valkira's attacks clashed against her move, sending them flying into the trees. Dust filled the air as the forest shook.
Verixa smiled smugly while I stood in silence. How does this always escalate so fast?
After a few moments, I cleared my throat. "So, as Verixa decided, the first thing I'll learn is archery from Alira."
Alira smiled victoriously, hugging Verixa, while Valkira sat on the ground, scratching at the dirt like a sulking child.
"Alright, let's start, Zacken," Alira said, handing me a bow.
I grabbed it, took a deep breath, and tried to pull the string. It didn't move even a millimeter.
"Hmm... Arre?" I grunted, pulling harder.
"What are you doing?" Alira asked, tilting her head.
"I'm trying, but this string is impossible! I can't even pull it halfway!"
"This isn't hard at all, look." She pulled the string easily, no effort at all.
I tried again, putting all my strength into it… and still failed.
I sighed, defeated. "After all this... I still can't even shoot one arrow."
Valkira grinned from behind me. "Looks like it's my turn then," she said, resting her sword on her shoulder.
She handed me the weapon. It was heavy—but somehow, I managed to lift it.
"Good," she said. "Now, hold it firmly. Not like that—your grip is wrong!"
Before I could correct my stance, the sword slipped from my hands, spinning wildly before stabbing deep into the ground—right next to Verixa's foot.
"Hey!" Verixa yelped, hopping back. "Are you trying to kill your own queen?!"
Valkira froze, her face pale. "Uh... that was... part of the training?"
I stood there, sweating nervously. "Yeah... totally part of the training..."
Verixa crossed her arms, glaring at the both of us. "Next time, maybe practice with something less lethal?"
The three of us stood in awkward silence as the horned rabbit hopped between us, almost mocking.
And that's how my training in another world began—with explosions, chaos, and an accidental assassination attempt on the queen.
Typical day in an isekai, really.