After we had all spent some time relaxing by the river, Master came forward with a suggestion.
"Hey, Ray."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Come here a moment."
"Understood."
Master had been watching us play in the river with a heartwarming smile, but for some reason, she called me aside. She leaned in and whispered something to me.
"I see... You really do have a mean streak, Master."
"Fufu... well, even if you’re the one teaching her, she is something of an indirect disciple of mine."
"Heh... fair enough. I’ll let everyone know."
With that, I headed back toward the others.
"Hey, guys! Why don't we all head over to the waterfall?"
"There’s a waterfall here?" Evi asked.
"Yeah. You want to get under it, don't you? It’ll be a proper waterfall trial."
"Oh! That sounds like a blast!"
Evi’s energy spiked, and Elisa and Clarice both seemed oddly excited as well, wearing bright smiles.
"A waterfall! That has a nice ring to it!" Clarice chirped.
"U-um! I might be a little interested too...!" Elisa added.
Amelia, on the other hand, had a strangely troubled expression. She rested her chin in her hand, lost in thought.
"A waterfall... A waterfall, huh..."
"What’s wrong, Amelia?"
"Nothing, really... it’s just, I have this nagging bad feeling."
"It’s probably just your imagination."
You and your sharp intuition... I thought to myself. Regardless, we all began the trek toward the waterfall. Since it was just a short distance upstream, we reached it quickly.
Master and the others followed along, keeping pace beside us.
Soon, we were standing directly in front of a massive cascade. Water poured down from the heights as if a giant bucket were being overturned; even from a distance, the spray was heavy enough to drench us.
"Alright. Shall we, Evi?"
"You bet!"
Evi and I stepped forward to meet the falling water. We took our seats on the rocks positioned directly beneath the torrent and let the overwhelming force pummel our bodies.
The massive deluge slammed into our heads, shoulders, and backs. It was the very essence of ascetic training. However, clear your mind of all thoughts, and even fire will feel cool. If one calms the heart, this waterfall becomes nothing more than simple water.
"..."
"..."
Having tempered our mental fortitude through daily muscle training, we accepted the impact as if we had instantly unified with the waterfall. We were one with nature—merely living organisms that were part of the natural world, accepting the flow of water. That was all there was to it.
"Phew..."
"That felt incredible! My muscles are singing!"
"Fufu. Indeed, it was the perfect cooling for this heated bulk."
When Evi and I returned, the three girls were staring at us with wide, surprised eyes.
"Wait... are you two actually okay?" Clarice asked.
Her twin-tails drooped slightly as she spoke. She clearly wanted to try it but was feeling hesitant.
"Yeah. It feels great, actually."
"He's right! It’s surprisingly refreshing!"
"Ugh..."
While Clarice wavered, still fearful, it was Elisa who stepped forward. She had a strangely gallant look on her face—likely a sign of her resolve.
"Clarice-chan..."
"Elisa, don’t tell me you're...!"
The Archangel Elisa stepped forward, radiating an overwhelming presence. Evi and I couldn't help but flinch at the sheer weight of it.
"Mm... Elisa... not bad."
"Hehe... even my muscles are trembling in respect..."
I won’t mention exactly what was trembling, but Elisa—radiating that incredible presence—took Clarice by the hand and headed toward the waterfall. Meanwhile, Amelia watched them with a grave expression.
"Ah, Elisa."
"What is it, Ray-kun?"
"You should Lock your swimsuit in place."
"Ah... y-you’re right."
Blushing beet-red, Elisa used magic to Lock her swimsuit. If she didn't, the force of the waterfall would surely strip it away. Should that happen, what awaited this world was... Ragnarok. A Final War among the gods for the sake of Elisa would surely begin. I gave her that advice solely to prevent such a catastrophe.
It seems I have saved the world once again...
"And why didn't you say anything to me!?" Clarice barked.
"Well, based on your swimsuit type, you should be fine."
"I don’t know why, but it makes me so mad that you guys look at Elisa with such immense respect instead of being lecherous!"
"..."
"..."
Evi and I exercised our right to remain silent in the face of Clarice’s accurate observation.
She had hit the mark. Our feelings for Elisa transcended simple attraction. We worshipped the Archangel Elisa as a supreme being.
Evi and I hadn't discussed it out loud, but as men, we could communicate this much without words. Besides, we had muscles. Communicating through our bodies was a piece of cake.
"..."
"Abababababababa!!"
Then, both of them entered the flow.
For some reason, Elisa maintained a stoic, manly expression, keeping her eyes closed as she accepted the waterfall. Clarice started out screaming "Abababababababa!!", but she seemed to gradually grow accustomed to it. Eventually, she closed her eyes and unified with nature as well.
"..."
"..."
They were both sensing the world; they were completely unified.
Naturally, we couldn't just stand by and watch. As Evi’s and my pectorals twitched in response, we stepped back into the spray to stand alongside them.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The four of us were nature itself. We were the world. No, we were the universe. We harbored the great outdoors within our very bodies. When I closed my eyes, the vast cosmos expanded before me, and the Archangel Elisa was there, smiling as she embraced the Earth.
I see. Elisa was the heart of the universe all along.
Thus, by being pummeled by a waterfall, I attained a mysterious enlightenment.
"Phew... that was refreshing."
"Yeah!"
"U-um! I’m so glad I tried it...!"
"It was surprisingly nice, actually!"
The four of us shared the joy of our achievement. However, one person was missing. Looking over, I saw the final member of our group had been restrained by Master’s magic.
"Ray, I’ve secured the deserter."
"Thank you, Master."
Even though Master’s lower body was paralyzed, her magic was still as sharp as ever. Her essence lay in Deceleration and Lock. Capturing Amelia and Locking her in place was a simple task for her. After all, she had rounded up plenty of deserting soldiers during her military days.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen that, I thought with a sense of nostalgia as I approached the trembling Amelia.
"Now then, Amelia trainee."
"H-hiiiiiiiiiiiiie! Humans will die if they get hit by a waterfall like that!"
"I told you to answer with 'Ranger!'"
I barked the command, brooking no excuses. Since it was already carved into her soul, Amelia replied reflexively.
"R-Ra-ngerrrrrrrr!!"
"Very good. To help you clear your mind, you will now undergo one hour of waterfall training with me."
"N-nooooooooooo!"
I began to drag the Amelia trainee toward the waterfall. As I did, Amelia raised her voice, casting a pleading gaze toward the three onlookers.
"E-everyone, help me...!"
"It’s okay! You’ll manage somehow!" Clarice called out.
"C-Clarice, how could you...!"
"He's right! It feels great!" Evi added.
"With those muscles, I’m sure it does! But I’m a delicate maiden!"
Finding herself shot down by Clarice and Evi, she turned to seek the mercy of the Archangel Elisa. However, an angel isn't always kind.
"E-Elisa... you... surely you’re kind enough to save me...?"
"Amelia-chan..."
Elisa, her expression turning solemn, gave Amelia a faint smile.
"W-what is it?"
"As a woman, there are times... when you simply have to take the plunge."
"W-what kind of door did you just open!?"
"It’s okay! I’m sure it’ll be fun!"
"That’s a lieeeeeeeeee!"
Amelia’s cry for help rang out in vain as I continued to drag her away.
"Amelia trainee, rest easy. I’m sure you’ll feel good soon."
"Waaaaah!"
Evi, Clarice, and Elisa saluted us. I returned the salute before heading back into the spray.
"Ababababababababababa!!"
Amelia’s agonizing voice echoed through the forest.
But, of course, it wouldn't end there. The true training was only beginning. Since we were at the river, there was no reason not to make use of it.
"Alright. Next, we’ll do a fifty-kilometer swim. The river isn't very long, but we can just do laps. The depth is sufficient, and the current will provide excellent resistance."
As I spoke, Master approached with a smirk and made a further suggestion.
"No, Ray. Let’s make it a hundred kilometers."
"Mm... I see. As expected of Master. Alright, Amelia trainee! We’re going for a hundred-kilometer swim!!"
"Stop it alreadyyyyy!! Stop ganging up on me, you master and student duo!! U-uwaaaaaaaaaaan!"
And so, Amelia diligently applied herself to her training today as well.