Chapter 36

"I have something to tell you."

After taking a break and drinking cold water by the carriage, Chelina, with her red eyes glaring at me, said,

"Common sense doesn't apply to you, Akira-sama."

"Harsh!"

"No, it's a completely fair assessment. It was right not to leave you alone. Just thinking about what would have happened if you had done that in front of people without any precautions..."

Chelina sighed deeply and pressed her forehead. Her red hair was slightly disheveled.

"Tell me what went wrong already."

It seems there's a huge gap between Chelina and me. It's so big I can't even figure out the cause.

"Well... first, light swords... you can usually only create a few at a time."

"Ah, I remember that."

Yes, I heard you can't create them simultaneously, so I solidified the image of releasing them in succession.

"Melvin is quite skilled with aetheric devices, right?"

He's a senior in the guild, so he must use aetheric devices often.

"Even he can only manage three... or maybe four at a stretch."

Hmm, I see. I wonder how many I can create at once. I managed to create three like Melvin did earlier, but four might be difficult.

"Light swords are a manifestation of aetheric techniques that launch the created swords at a target."

"Ah, I saw that."

"Generally speaking... or rather, they are created as offensive aetheric techniques. So, they can only be used to attack a target. At least, I've never heard of any other use."

Oh, this is getting strange.

"So..."

There, the young lady took a deep breath.

"Creating hundreds of light swords, continuously firing them, having enough power to kill an unarmed person, shattering large rocks, and even changing the trajectory of the flying light swords to create explosions—these are things I've never seen or heard of! What exactly are you doing!?"

This time, she shouted so loudly that I nearly fell over.

I don't understand why I'm being scolded! It's so unfair!

"Um... is it my fault?"

"Yes, it is. And more importantly, you need to realize how unconventional this is!"

Her eyes were burning red.

"Hmm. First, I heard it was difficult to create them simultaneously, so I tried to release them in succession. The next one was just a slight modification of Melvin's example."

She sighed deeply. It's like she's losing her happiness.

"Please understand how far outside the norm your thinking is."

It seems my way of thinking is wrong, but I'm at a loss here.

"There's one more thing."

Is there more?

"Creating light swords, or rather, using aetheric devices, requires a great deal of concentration and mental power. Akira-sama, you don't seem to concentrate at all, and you activate aetheric techniques so casually. Moreover, a normal person can't create that many light swords."

"Is that so?"

"Melvin, how many light swords can you create?"

Melvin, who was also resting and drinking water, answered.

"Well, with the same power as earlier, probably two to three times. I can use them again after a short rest, but the number will decrease."

That's less than I thought.

"Did you hear that? That's what's normal. Even some talented individuals have never been known to fire them in succession."

Hmm. I'm finally starting to understand the gap between Chelina and me.

"So, you're saying my light swords are stronger than normal?"

"Don't just say 'stronger.' The difference is on a completely different scale. It's almost at the level of a fairy tale."

Is that so... I don't really feel it.

"Hey, if you don't mind, I want to try how many I can create at once."

"…Well, it might be good to check."

So, I immediately prepared the aetheric device.

I imagined it like a gun's trigger, but without pulling it, I focused on the image of the light swords floating in the air. I planned to release them when I pulled the trigger.

Three, four, five...

It's getting tedious... Okay, let's try the copy-paste image.

I copied and pasted a set of five light swords.

Five, ten, fifteen, twenty,

Around that point, the faintly glowing aetheric device started to flicker and flash. I ignored it and continued to increase the number.

Twenty-five...

At that moment, the aetheric device shattered with a loud crack.

The metal sphere was split and cracked.

"Whoa!"

Surprised, I accidentally threw the broken aetheric device away.

"…As expected."

She picked up the broken device and sighed. She's been sighing a lot today.

"Most likely, Akira-sama has a great deal of latent power. I've heard of such individuals. This is the first time I've seen an aetheric device break like this."

"Ah, sorry. I'll pay for it."

It feels a bit unfair, but I broke a high-end item, and I have the money to pay for it now, so I'll do it honestly.

"No, that's not necessary. I already anticipated this when you said you wanted to try."

"Hmm, I feel bad."

"Don't worry about it. It's more interesting that it didn't break the first time."

That's true. In terms of power or focus, the first time was much stronger. Maybe focus doesn't matter.

"Regarding aetheric techniques, both I and the guild are almost amateurs. It might be best to consult someone else."

Consult someone else, huh.

"Right, I'll ask Yararai later. He's not good at it, but he can use it."

"…Akira-sama, I know you understand, but—"

"Don't worry, I'll handle it smoothly."

Her expression showed some doubt, but does she really not trust me? If that's the case, I'd like her to step down as my advisor.

"Anyway, it's getting dark. Let's head back quickly."

I don't want to end up paying for Hagg again because it's getting late. He's becoming less hesitant about his orders, and I don't understand why I'm being scolded, but since he saved my life, I can't be too harsh.

"Understood. Please be careful, Akira-sama."

In response to Chelina's persistence, I waved my hand and got into the carriage.