Chapter 29 : Wings of Independence
The chains fell to the ground with a metallic clatter…
Iris fixed her eyes on the rock, just in case the skill’s direction changed.
Teresa watched her closely, her expression serious.
The chains that had fallen coiled themselves on the ground.
Then they suddenly stiffened, shrunk tightly, and then stretched out powerfully.
At the same time, Iris was launched from the ground toward the rock.
“Ahhh!”
“Iris!”
Rather than flying, it was more like she was flung.
Startled, Iris hadn’t braced herself and crashed into the rock, bouncing off and rolling several times across the ground.
Teresa, alarmed, rushed over and quickly helped the dirt-covered Iris to her feet.
She had scratches on her hands and legs.
“Are you okay?”
“Ugh… it hurts so much…”
“It doesn’t look like anything’s broken.”
After checking Iris’s body, Teresa clicked her tongue and handed her a stamina potion.
While Iris drank it, Teresa pulled out ointment and bandages to treat her wounds.
Iris held her back and teared up a little.
Since it was a skill, she naively thought she would land safely on her own.
She hadn’t prepared properly, thinking it would work like the other skills she’d learned and used easily.
She never expected to get duped by her own skill like this.
“Ugh… I should’ve expected to be thrown like that. If only I’d managed to grab the rock…”
“This… is an amazing skill to have just learned. But it’s a bit different from the one I showed you. If you’re not careful using it, you’ll end up hurt.”
“Yeah… I’ll need to train with it first.”
As the potion took effect, Iris’s face slowly brightened.
She had let her guard down and gotten scraped, but still, it was a great gain to acquire something akin to a flight skill.
“Right. You won’t be able to use this in real combat for a while. If a monster attacks while you’re flying through the air, it could be fatal.”
“Yeah, if I crashed into a monster with tough skin, I’d be in big trouble.”
“Still, I’m glad this turned out to be helpful for you.”
Teresa smiled proudly.
She had shown Iris all her skills, and Iris had gained two valuable ones.
Thus, today’s training came to a successful end.
After releasing their transformations, the two shared dinner together.
The food Teresa prepared tasted similar to what Iris’s grandmother used to make.
There must be something warm and comforting in the cooking of grandmothers.
Thinking of her grandmother brought Iris to the verge of tears, but she quickly pulled herself together.
‘Grandma’s still alive. Come to think of it, she said she’d be sending me a gift soon.’
Her grandmother was spending her later years farming in the outskirts of Gyodam City.
She had lived with Iris until she became an adult, then moved to her small country home.
It was a rural town where villains never showed up.
There were occasional petty thieves, but Iris’s grandmother, who had survived in Gyodam City, wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
Iris had spoken with her just today.
‘Should I tell Grandma I awakened? …No, she might worry, so it’s better to keep it a secret.’
If her grandmother found out that her granddaughter had awakened powers and was making a living through dangerous work, she’d surely worry.
Iris decided it was best not to tell her that she’d become a hero.
After finishing her meal, Iris did the dishes despite Teresa’s attempts to stop her.
When she removed her apron, Teresa gestured to her and handed her a key.
“I think you need your own personal training space. So I’m giving you a gift.”
“Huh? A key? Senpai, you’ve already given me so much…”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. Come with me.”
Following Teresa, they arrived at a detached building behind the yard.
Iris used the key to unlock the door and was amazed as soon as she stepped inside.
In one corner of the yard were training dummies, targets, and all sorts of equipment that looked like they came out of a kung fu anime.
The building had a roof open to the sky, but enclosed walls — perfect for secret training.
“Wow.”
“Training in the open yard is risky. Someone might spy on you. Not that many crazy people come all the way here anymore… there were some, but they’ve all been dealt with.”
“Training here will definitely help me improve fast.”
“I’ve been planning to give you the key for a while. Now, you can use this place anytime without asking me first.”
“Ah… thank you so much, senpai.”
Teresa’s generosity had no end.
Iris bowed deeply, expressing her gratitude over and over.
Teresa looked at her warmly.
She had taught her well, and Iris had done great.
Now, she could stand on her own.
“And… from now on, you’ll need to go on missions by yourself. My body’s been getting weaker, so I can’t accompany you anymore.”
“Your body… is getting weaker?”
Teresa just smiled in response.
Iris thought back to Teresa’s heroic feats — kicking and wrestling petty thieves, throwing feathers in an eagle stance, dazzling drift moves to stop biker gangs…
If that was what she called weakened, then what were the rest of humanity — walking corpses?
Still, if she meant it was too much to keep working as a hero, it made sense.
Iris had seen her take potions often, and also catch her breath and rub her back sometimes.
‘So this is goodbye. I’ve grown really attached to Teresa-senpai…’
As Iris’s eyes welled up, Teresa took her hand and gently comforted her.
“Yeah. Using a skill for the first time in a while, I realized my body isn’t what it used to be. And seeing your progress, I think you’re ready to handle things on your own.”
“Ah… but I’m still just a weakling.”
“No. The reason I joined you on missions was to see your skills. Also, to help in case something went wrong during a fight with monsters… That deer catching you off guard last time was just a fluke. Aside from that, you’ve been amazing. You can handle missions on your own now.”
“Really…?”
Iris’s voice shrank to a whisper.
Despite the praise, anxiety crept in.
Could she really take down monsters on her own without Teresa?
She had been bold and fearless because Teresa was by her side.
Now, she wasn’t sure if she could do it alone.
“Yes. Have confidence, Iris. You’re the ‘hero in white clothes who defeated a monster at the bakery café’ from the news, right?”
“Ah, yes… I didn’t tell you properly because I was afraid you’d worry, but you figured it out.”
“Of course. You might fool a ghost, but you can’t fool me. You’re more than capable of doing it alone. I’m getting old… even if I seem fine now, I’d only hold you back.”
“Hold me back? That’s not true at all, senpai.”
At the word burden, Iris jumped.
Teresa had never been a burden — she’d been an immense help.
But she understood what Teresa meant.
If they continued working together, it’d get harder for her.
Still… Iris wanted to protest, but seeing Teresa’s resolute expression, she fell silent.
Her mind was made up.
When Iris hung her head sadly, Teresa gently patted her small shoulders.
“Iris. It’s time for you to stand on your own. You’re more than capable.”
“Phew… Yes. Thank you for the encouragement, senpai. I’m scared, but I’ll do my best on my own.”
Clinging to Teresa would only be selfishness.
With a determined gaze, Iris replied, and Teresa, feeling relieved, continued:
“Good. You’re familiar with the app now, so pick your own missions. And use the training hall as much as you like. If you ever have questions, just call me. I won’t be joining missions, but that doesn’t mean we’re parting ways. I’ll tell you everything I know — just like I taught you all my skills.”
“Yes, thank you for everything. And… I’ll definitely restore peace to Gyodam City.”
“That’s the spirit. I hope more than anyone that you become the legendary hero who saves this city.”
Teresa gave Iris a tight hug.
In her warm embrace, Iris smiled gently.
Their journey together, long or short, had come to an end.
Now, it was time for Iris to rise on her own.