Chapter 10

This time, the line breaks and status display have made it unnecessarily long.

Good morning.

It's the morning of the 7th day of magic sword training.

I've been practicing how to control the release of magic power for almost a week, and by yesterday, I finally managed to control it to the point where it doesn't deplete.

Well, in the end, it did deplete to max out my MP.

What? How was it for the previous few days? I was using all my MP to deplete and increase my max MP, you know?

Every day, I carry Aluma back to the inn, so the residents must think, "What on earth is this guy doing?" How did it come to this?

I'm doing magic power manipulation training next to where Aluma is training, but the magic blade isn't going well yet.

I can solidify magic power and give it physical properties like iron, and shape it into a sharp blade, but it seems that's not enough.

So, when it doesn't go well, I try to play around with magic power manipulation.

I decided to cover the entire sword with solidified magic power and control it like a remote-controlled toy.

I could make the sword move as if it had a will of its own, floating in the air. It looked a bit scary from the outside.

It was a bit like a living sword from an RPG, which was interesting, but when I moved away from it, I couldn't control it precisely, and my other actions became less accurate because I was focused on controlling the sword. It's questionable whether it would be useful in a real battle.

When Aluma saw the sword floating in the air, she looked at me with an expression that said, "There he goes again with his weird stuff." ...Yeah, I should take a break from this.

But, this break led me to come up with a pretty useful technique, even though I ignored the main magic blade.

During a break from training, I went to a material shop near the guild and bought a few things that might be useful besides the oil.

They were all expensive consumables, but I couldn't complain because they were sold at a fair price.

The shopkeeper, an old lady, laughed and served me, which was a bit creepy at first, but when I talked to her, she was very kind and explained the characteristics of the materials.

I'll favor this shop in the future. But, they are really expensive...

So, regarding Aluma's magic power control today, surprisingly, she managed to ignite a fire for breakfast without her ring.

When she woke up this morning, she tried to ignite a weak fire in her room and got the hang of it. It's dangerous, so at least do it outdoors. (I put it on hold)

Honestly, I didn't think she could master magic manipulation so quickly. Lately, I've been thinking she might be a genius.

The training ground we usually use has turned into a scorched earth, so I feel uneasy and will restart training in a different place today.

It's a rocky area, so there's nothing to burn, but, you know, the ground being completely black...

I'll restart training in the opposite direction from where we usually train.

On the east side of Dijel, near the forest of magic beasts.

According to Aluma, magic beasts occasionally wander around here, but the magic beasts in this area are relatively weak, so it should be fine.

Even if she says it's fine, I still feel uneasy.

The experience of being attacked by kobolds and goblins on the first day I came to this world seems to have left a deeper trauma than I thought.

The first time I felt the premonition of death. It's not something you can easily overcome.

But if I keep being scared, I won't be able to save myself or others.

Like when I asked for help from Aluma, who had little magic power.

Alright, I've decided. If I see a magic beast and think I can defeat it, I'll attack first. First strike is the key to victory. Search and destroy!

...But, how will I know which one is the magic beast?

"Hikaru, what's wrong?"

I was thinking about such dangerous things when I was called with a puzzled look.

"Nothing, let's try the magic sword right away."

"Okay...!"

She looks happy. I just hope she doesn't go overboard.

I take up the sword and prepare.

"Wrap the blade of the sword with burning gas and maintain it. That's ignition."

"Hmm... It's hard to control when it's away from my body."

"You'll get used to it. It looks like you've done a good job wrapping it."

"Can you tell?"

"Yeah, when I concentrate magic power in my head, I can somehow sense the movement and shape of the surrounding magic power."

It's not something I can see with my eyes, but rather a sensation like heat or cold.

It's more like a new sixth sense than a sense of touch. Well, it might not be the right term.

In any case, it's like a radar that can sense external magic power.

"...Hikaru, you're learning new techniques every day. To be honest, it's a bit scary."

"That's a harsh thing to say. How about the magic sword?"

"Yeah, I'm igniting it now."

Click! Whoosh!

Aluma easily reproduces the burning sword.

Well, if she can ignite it with her innate ability, it's to be expected.

She looks at the burning blade with a sense of accomplishment.

After a while, about 10 seconds later,

"Wh-what!?"

Whoosh...

She suddenly exclaims in surprise as the flame goes out.

Did something happen?

"...Aluma?"

"H-Hikaru. Can you check my status now?"

She asks me with an unusually excited look.

"Huh? Yeah, I can, but why suddenly?"

"I just had the feeling of learning a new skill."

"Wow, really? Let me check it out."

I display Aluma's status menu.

Alumina

Lv 9

Age: 16

Race: Human

Job: Apprentice Paladin

Status: Normal

[Stats]

HP (Life Force): 196/196

MP (Magic Power): 101/119

SP (Stamina): 70/85

STR (Strength): 90

ATK (Attack Power): 90 (+30)

DEF (Defense): 82 (+20) (+10)

AGI (Agility): 95 (+16)

INT (Intelligence): 123 (+5)

DEX (Dexterity): 59

PER (Perception): 101

RES (Resistance): 78

LUK (Luck): 42

[Skills]

Swordsmanship Lv 2, Offensive Magic Lv 2, Martial Arts Lv 2, Throwing Lv 1, Magic Sword Lv 1

[Experience]

Total EXP: 1894

EXP to Next Level: 2000

[Equipment]

Iron Sword (Enchanted 1)

ATK +30 (INT +5)

Lizard Leather Chest Guard

DEF +20

Boots of Wind

DEF +10 AGI +16

Some of her stats have increased.

Especially her perception is over 100. Is it due to magic manipulation?

Oh,

Oh wow!?

There's a new skill added to the Magic Sword!

Show me the details!

Skill [Magic Sword]

<This skill allows you to temporarily wrap the equipped sword with the magic power of offensive magic, allowing you to utilize the characteristics of each attribute.>

<Example: Skill Lv 1 [Flame Sword]: Wraps the sword with fire and adds half of the INT value to the ATK. [Note: If you have mastered direct magic manipulation, you can consume additional magic power to further increase the power.]>

<This skill is normally obtained when both Swordsmanship and Offensive Magic skills reach Lv 4. However, since Apprentice Paladins have a slow skill growth rate, they usually lose one of the skills when they change jobs to Swordsman or Mage, and thus cannot meet the conditions. Alumina, by using direct magic manipulation to simulate a magic sword, increased the proficiency of the Magic Sword skill, which she was not supposed to have, and eventually obtained the skill.>

<This is a required skill to change jobs to [Paladin].>

Job [Paladin]

<An advanced job that Apprentice Paladins can change to. While Apprentice Paladins have a lower growth rate in stats and skills compared to Apprentice Swordsmen and Apprentice Mages, Paladins have a growth rate comparable to Swordsmen and Mages, making it an excellent job. Alumina has a high chance of being the first to reach this job.>

So, it's long!

Moreover, there's too much information!

Let me organize it for you. Um, let's see...

"Aluma, I'll explain step by step, okay?"

"Y-Yes."

She looks at me with a mix of expectation and anxiety.

Don't worry, everything is good.

"First, you have a new skill called [Magic Sword]."

"Really...!"

"Normally, you need to reach Lv 4 in Swordsmanship and Offensive Magic to learn it. But since you simulated a magic sword with direct magic manipulation, the proficiency of the Magic Sword skill increased, and you eventually obtained it. It's like a glitched technique."

"Glitched technique?"

"Yeah, it's something the creators of the status system didn't expect. In other words, even the gods didn't expect someone to do this."

"...Did I do something bad? Will I be punished...?"

Aluma's expression changes from joy to worry.

"No, no. If the gods were that petty, we would have been punished long ago when we started manipulating magic power. Maybe they think, 'What an interesting guy.'"

"R-Really...?"

"Don't dwell on the past. There's more good news to come."

"More? What else?"

"Since you obtained the Magic Sword skill, you have a new job option. You're no longer an Apprentice, but a [Paladin]."

"Wh-What...? Wh-What...!?"

She opens her eyes wide and covers her mouth with both hands in surprise.

"Apprentice Paladins are often seen as jacks-of-all-trades but masters of none due to their growth rate in stats and skills. However, Paladins have a growth rate comparable to Swordsmen and Mages, making them an excellent job. It's great for you."

"...Hikaru"

She suddenly calls my name.

"Is this a dream? Is Hikaru, the magic sword, and the new job all real? Can I believe it...?"

Her usual expressionless face is gone, and she looks like she's about to cry, asking me this.

...It's obvious, isn't it?

"...Yeah. The fact that I'm still alive, that you've gained a new skill, and that you've opened up new possibilities, all of this is because of your hard work, Aluma. You did a great job, Aluma."

"Phew... Phew... Uuuu~...!"

After a moment, she starts to cry quietly, tears streaming down her face.

She's crying. Was she that happy? Well, considering all the times she's been called incompetent and mocked, and the awkward relationship with her parents, it's understandable...

Squish Squish

As I watch Aluma, I feel a sensation that makes me think of these onomatopoeias.

Wait, am I being hugged? By a girl? What? What?!

Why!?

"Whyyyyy...!"

Not "Whyyyyy"! This situation is problematic in many ways! I can't even articulate why it's wrong, but it's definitely wrong! It's soft!

Miss, calm down! The guy you're hugging is a 25-year-old man in training! You should do this with someone closer to your age, like a handsome guy!

Ah, no good. She's not letting go at all. Should I wait until she stops crying? Do I have to stay like this the whole time? No, I don't mind, but...

Ah, it smells nice... No, I should stop. If I think about it, all my thoughts turn perverted. I need to clear my mind. I should return to nature.

I am air... I am air...

Can I really clear my mind in this situation! Hurry up and stop crying!

Ah, yeah. I can understand how Aluma feels right now.

She was called incompetent, no one acknowledged her efforts, and she couldn't confide in anyone because she had no friends, and her relationship with her parents became awkward after she grew up.

I haven't seen Aluma go on a quest with anyone, go shopping, or play in the past half month since I've been living in this town.

Well, she's what you'd call a loner. I was similar in my world, so I can't really criticize her.

Living alone and feeling lonely, she helped me, and we started eating and training together, becoming friends.

And finally, her efforts paid off, and she was acknowledged, even by me.

I feel a bit envious.

In my world, on Earth, no one ever—

...No, I should stop. Now is the time to celebrate Aluma. Congratulations, Aluma.

...By the way, when are you going to let go?

After a while, I was finally released, about 20 minutes later.

I was struggling internally the whole time. My head was about to smoke.

"Sorry for suddenly crying..."

"No, it's fine. Haha."

"You really care, don't you?"

"What are you talking about, miss? It's fine, really."

"..."

I can't help but speak in a stilted manner. I don't even know what I'm saying.

Calm down. Even if I have almost no experience touching women, she's a 16-year-old girl.

Ah, but in this world, 15 is considered an adult, so it's okay to be flustered. ...No, it's still not okay.

Take a deep breath, take a deep breath. Not the Lamaze method. No silly jokes.

By the way, Aluma's eyes are a bit puffy from crying, but she's back to her usual expression. She switches quickly, doesn't she?

"Ahem! So, what do we do? Should we take a quest to hunt magic beasts to level up and change jobs?"

"That sounds good. We've been training a lot lately and haven't visited the guild, and the money we have is running low."

"Alright, I'll go to the magic beast forest today too. We can take F-rank quests up to G-rank, right?"

"Yeah. F-rank quests involve hunting magic beasts from level 1 to 5. Hunting goblins and kob