Chapter 72

"First, let's start with the breathing technique. Try the usual wave breathing method to begin with."

"Damn it."

"What did you say?"

"It's just a mishearing."

"Hmph... Hurry up."

"Damn... I'll remember... Hoo... Suu... Haa..."

Recently, I've been able to do the breathing technique almost unconsciously. I repeated it.

"Hmm. Good, now try to spread the energy you've gathered in your dantian to the surface of your body as you breathe."

"What about the rhythm?"

"Basically, it's the same as before. Imagine it as armor covering the surface of your body."

Hmm... I followed the instructions and repeated the breathing, imagining the energy I had gathered in my lower abdomen being pushed out to the surface of my skin.

"There's a bit of unevenness... Try breathing a bit deeper."

"Got it."

As I breathed deeper as instructed, my awareness shifted to the surface of my body with each exhalation. It felt like the fine hairs on my skin were tingling. Don't mention leg hair.

"Hmm. Good, keep that awareness."

I maintained that state, and Hagg came back with a dry branch. I was curious about what he was going to do, but I focused on not disrupting my breathing.

"Not bad."

"Yeah, it's good."

Yarai also gave me the okay. I don't know what they were doing, but it seemed I wasn't doing it wrong.

"Hey Akira, don't get flustered just by that."

"Uh-huh."

I got flustered by the praise. Am I in elementary school or something? I refocused my attention.

"Hmm. Keep it... Keep it."

Hagg slowly approached and suddenly hit my arm with the dry branch.

"Ow! What the hell did you do that for!"

"How much did it hurt?"

"Huh? It was supposed to hurt a lot, right...?"

Wait a minute.

Was it that painful?

I checked the spot where I was hit, but there was no significant swelling, just a slight change in color. I thought he hit me pretty hard.

"You were just startled by the sound."

"Is that... so?"

Now that I think about it, I was startled by the sound and sight, but I didn't feel much pain.

"Hmm. It seems you don't understand. Show me your arm."

"Ah, is this good?"

Instantly, I was hit with the dry branch just like before.

"Ouch! It really hurts! This time it definitely hurt! You're a damn jerk, Hagg!"

I quickly jumped away from Hagg and checked my arm, which now had a clear swelling. I'm going to cry, damn it.

"Hmph. The strength was the same as before."

"It's not the same at all."

"The strength, same."

Yarai suddenly said.

"Huh? Really?"

"Yes, really. You weren't using the defensive wave this time, so it hurt more."

"What, defensive wave?"

"More accurately, a defensive technique using waves... but we usually just call it the defensive wave."

"Huh? What? Am I really using something called a wave?"

"What are you saying now? You were using it while running too."

"Well, I guess... but I didn't really feel it... I thought it was just a breathing technique suitable for exercise."

"There's no such thing... I can't tell if you're smart or just plain stupid."

"The food is good."

"That's for sure!"

The conversation went off track.

"Whatever. So, that defensive wave? Does it reduce pain?"

I was quite shocked.

"Yes, not just pain, but it significantly reduces the actual damage to your body."

"Wow, that's amazing, isn't it?"

If I taught this to boxers or fighters, it would be incredible.

"It's a basic technique for those who use waves. But with you, it seems you might be able to withstand a regular soldier's iron sword with your bare hands."

What? That's scary. The situation is scary. I don't want to be in such a situation... But I was already involved in one... I remembered the incident where Yarai became my bodyguard.

"Can anyone learn to use waves?"

I suddenly wondered and asked.

"No, it depends on the innate wave power... the amount of wave magic. This is mostly luck, but genetics play a significant role."

So, I have a decent amount of wave power by chance.

"Then, can a lot of people use wave magic to some extent?"

"No way."

"Huh? I don't know the total amount, but isn't what I'm doing just the basics? Then most people should be able to learn this, right?"

"In theory, yes."

"Then why not?"

"Most people in the world are poor."

Oh, I see. I suddenly understood.

"I didn't realize... So, you need money to go to a wave magic dojo?"

"Money and time. You seem to have a decent aptitude, but there's a lot of individual variation."

"Do I have a good aptitude?"

"I can't tell. Dwarves can use more than the basics by the time they can think for themselves."

The comparison was too harsh. It's not helpful.

"What about Yarai?"

"Elf. Can't use waves."

"Oh, right..."

I remember that using spirit magic means you can't use wave magic. I don't remember the details... This isn't helpful either. Useless people.

"Well, it's fine..."

Everyone is different, and I am who I am.

"It seems you can imagine the defensive wave. Practice for a while."

"Sure, sure."

I don't like running, but defense isn't bad, so I'll practice seriously. Just as I started sweating, Chelina came back.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting. You seem to be working hard."

"Yeah."

I took a water bottle from the container and drank some water. I want to take a bath.

"Chelina, what's the plan from here?"

"The business is done, so we just need to go back."

"Then..."

I was about to ask if I could take a bath when Chelina's aide, Melvin, approached her.

"Miss, if you have time later, would you like to visit the lumberyard?"

"The lumberyard?"

"It's nearby, and if the new product development is successful, the consumption will increase. It would be a good time for an inspection."

"Sure, let's do that."

My happy hot spring plan was unexpectedly interrupted by Melvin. It's not a hot spring, but still.

"What's the lumberyard?"

I asked Chelina with a sigh.

"It's a place where logs are gathered, a bit downstream along the river. It's quite a spectacular sight to see so many logs lined up."

"Wow."

I think it doesn't compare to the lumberyards I've seen in a certain country, but it would be rude to point that out. So, we headed to the lumberyard right away.

Of course, I was made to run to the lumberyard.

Damn it!

Forced running along the river. I feel like I'm running faster than when we came. Is it just my imagination? Is it just my imagination?!

We arrived at the lumberyard relatively quickly.

Unprocessed logs were piled up on the land, and on the opposite bank, a brown river was filled with large rafts tied together to prevent them from floating away. In some areas, people were dismantling the rafts and pulling up huge logs with dozens of people.

Not only humans but also many beastmen were visible. I sometimes saw them in the city, but seeing so many at once was quite impressive. Notable were the human-like beastmen with lion heads, reptilian types that looked like lizards, and even those with just cat or dog ears.

"There are beastmen with high and low beast rates."

"Yes, I've heard that the beast rate changes based on the contribution to the beast god, but in reality, genetics play a significant role. It's said that with faith in the gods, crossbreeding is possible... but I'm not sure about that."

"Wow, that's an interesting story. Why does such a story come up?"

"I'm not sure. But the church's stance is that since the gods gave them words and the ability to walk on two legs, they are considered 'human' and can interbreed."

"Ah, it's the church's teaching."

I nodded.

"I've heard a bit from tutors and traveling priests in the past, but in this western region, there are many small local beliefs, so most people don't know about this."

"Do all religions say the same thing?"

"I don't know everything. There are many, and some gods are said to be wrong, but the religious information available in this country is quite limited."

"Ah..."

Even the three major religions only have one church for one of the deities, and it's in pretty bad shape. To get more detailed information, I'd have to ask someone from the church. I pointed to something that caught my attention.

"Are they peeling the bark off?"

"Yes, depending on the type of wood, some are transported with the bark on, while others are transported without it. The bark is very water-resistant and strong, so it's used for things like shoe soles."

"Oh, maybe the sandals I bought were made from that bark."

"The ones you were wearing when we first met?"

"Yeah, but they didn't fit, so I quickly bought these."

I lifted my foot to show the hiking shoes.

"I didn't ask much, but those are very finely crafted shoes."

"Really? I think the long boots Chelina wears are also quite good."

"Indeed, they are made by a master craftsman. You can wear them for months in the wilderness without them wearing out."

"That's impressive. These... are very comfortable to wear and walk in. They should be durable, but maybe those boots are even tougher."

Shoes, no matter how good, are always consumables.

While we were chatting, Melvin came back.

If you evaluate or bookmark this, I will be moved to tears with joy.

I also look forward to your comments (comments are accepted in the activity report).