I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 141: 141:Warm ups.

The morning streets were already busy by the time Silver and Ravenna reached the Contractors Association.

Contractors carrying weapons entered and left through the wide front doors in a steady stream. Some wore fresh uniforms on their way to training, while others returned from early patrols around the city.

Staff members hurried between reception counters, and large notice boards displayed newly posted commissions alongside updates on beast activity beyond the walls.

Silver glanced toward the familiar building and smiled faintly.

"Looks busier than yesterday."

Ravenna nodded.

"Morning is usually when most contractors begin their day, or there is probably a really good bounty out."

They stepped inside together.

The cool air of the spacious lobby greeted them immediately. Conversations echoed across the polished floor as contractors formed lines at the reception counters, while several groups gathered around mission boards discussing potential expeditions.

One of the receptionists looked up from her work. Recognition flashed across her face almost instantly.

"Oh!"

She smiled brightly as Silver and Ravenna approached.

"You two are back."

Silver returned the smile.

"Morning."

"Good morning."

Her eyes moved between them before settling on Silver.

"Another premium training room?"

He nodded.

"If one is available."

She laughed softly while pulling out the reservation ledger.

"I had a feeling that’s what you’d ask."

Her fingers quickly moved across the pages before stopping.

"You’re in luck. Room Three is available for the next three hours, but it would be better if you pre-booked next time."

She looked back up with a playful smile.

"And I believe you still have one premium discount remaining."

Silver blinked.

"I almost forgot about that."

"I didn’t."

She entered a few details before placing two identification cards onto the counter.

"There we are."

As Silver accepted them, the receptionist leaned forward slightly.

"I’m only going to ask one thing again."

Silver tilted his head.

"What’s that?"

She pointed toward the hallway leading to the premium rooms.

"...Please don’t destroy this one."

For a second, Silver simply stared at her, then he laughed.

"We only damaged a small part, though it was an accident."

"Only small?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"The maintenance staff would disagree."

Even Ravenna smiled quietly.

"We’ll be careful."

"I appreciate that."

The receptionist handed them the access key with an exaggerated sigh.

"I’d rather not explain another repair bill."

Silver accepted the key with an embarrassed smile.

"We’ll do our best, but I can’t give a concrete promise."

"I’ll hold you to that."

After thanking her, the two of them made their way deeper into the Association. As they walked down the familiar corridor, Silver glanced sideways at Ravenna.

"I don’t think we’re ever living that down."

She looked completely unconcerned.

"We did leave several sword marks in the walls."

"...That’s true."

"And you nearly cut through the barrier."

Silver coughed awkwardly.

"I wasn’t expecting Space Slash to be that sharp."

"You say that as though it wasn’t your attack."

"I’ve learned since then."

"I certainly hope so."

Silver chuckled.

"So much confidence in me."

"You’ll need it today."

He glanced at her. There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in her expression.

A few moments later, they stopped outside the heavy reinforced doors marked Premium Training Room Three

Silver inserted the access key. The thick locking mechanisms disengaged with a solid metallic click. The doors slowly swung inward.

The room was almost identical to the one they had used before. A spacious arena occupied most of the interior, its polished floor covered with countless faint scratches left by previous contractors. Several weapon racks stood neatly against one side of the room, stocked with wooden practice weapons alongside standard training equipment.

Everything felt quiet, perfect for serious training. Silver closed the doors behind them.

The barrier remained inactive for now.

"No audience this time," he said, glancing at the access glass.

Ravenna looked around calmly.

"That’s preferable; most are still probably training."

They both placed their belongings near one wall before retrieving a pair of wooden practice swords from the rack.

Silver gave his blade a few experimental swings. The weight felt familiar, lighter than steel, but balanced well enough for practice.

Ravenna settled into her stance opposite him.

"No powers," she said. "Just fundamentals."

Silver nodded.

"We’ll start with footwork, right?"

"And timing."

He smiled.

"Sounds good."

For the first few exchanges, neither of them attacked with much speed. Wood met wood with soft, rhythmic knocks as they tested each other’s distance.

The pace remained measured. Silver focused entirely on clean mechanics, simply efficient swordsmanship. Ravenna mirrored him with graceful precision.

Her movements flowed naturally from one position to the next. Every cut transitioned smoothly into another guard, while every defensive movement seemed to conserve as much energy as possible.

After several exchanges, Silver’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’She’s changed’

Yesterday, during their brief, almost playful practice in the hotel gym, he’d noticed subtle improvements. Now they were unmistakable. Her sword felt steadier and more patient.

Rather than immediately searching for an opening, she allowed him to commit first before responding with carefully measured counters.

She wasn’t rushing anymore. At the same time, Ravenna noticed changes of her own. Silver’s reactions had become noticeably sharper.

Several times she intentionally altered the angle of her attacks halfway through a swing. Each time, his blade adjusted almost instantly because he reacted faster than before.

The exchanges gradually sped up. The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed steadily through the spacious room.

Silver stepped forward with a quick horizontal strike. Ravenna intercepted it before rotating her wrists and redirecting the force away from her body. Instead of counterattacking immediately, she retreated one step.

Silver smiled.

"You’ve become more patient."

"So have you."

He blinked.

"Have I?"

"You don’t chase every opening anymore."

She was right.

Only a short time ago, he would have pressed every advantage aggressively. Now he found himself waiting and observing his opponent. Looking for higher-percentage opportunities instead of attacking recklessly.

They resumed.

Silver feinted high before changing direction at the last second. Ravenna didn’t bite. She simply adjusted her guard and calmly blocked the real attack.

He laughed softly.

"That used to work."

"You’ve used it too many times around me."

"I’ll need new habits that you won’t know."

"So will I."

Another exchange, another block; neither gained a meaningful advantage.

Time slipped by unnoticed. Eventually both lowered their wooden swords. Their breathing remained controlled despite the steady exercise.

Silver rested the practice sword across one shoulder.

"I think we’re warmed up."

Ravenna nodded once.

"So do I."

Without another word, they returned the wooden weapons to the rack. This time... Silver reached for the familiar weight of his real sword.

The steel blade slid smoothly from its sheath before he tested its balance with a single controlled swing. Across from him, Ravenna unsheathed her own weapon.

The atmosphere changed immediately. Neither of them intended to injure the other, but steel carried consequences that wood never could.

Silver walked toward the center of the room. With a press of his identification card against a control panel built into the wall, the room’s defensive formations activated.

A deep hum resonated through the chamber. Lines of pale blue light spread across the floor before climbing the walls in intricate patterns. Moments later, a transparent barrier enclosed the training arena.

The protective barrier was ready. Silence settled between them. Silver adjusted his grip while Ravenna slowly raised her sword into a relaxed guard.

For several long seconds, neither moved, then Ravenna broke the silence.

"Silver."

He looked at her.

"Don’t hold back because I’m your girlfriend."

His grip tightened almost imperceptibly. He hadn’t realized, but she was right. Even after everything she’d said earlier that morning, some part of him still wanted to be careful and protect her.

Ravenna’s voice remained calm.

"If you do... I’ll never know how strong I really am."

Silver met her eyes. There was no uncertainty there, only trust. Trust that he would respect her enough to fight honestly.

He slowly nodded.

"...Alright."

He lowered his stance.

"Then I’ll try to fight seriously."

A small smile appeared on Ravenna’s face.

"Good."

The smile disappeared as quickly as it had come. Both of them settled into their stances. Neither spoke again; then they moved at the same time.