Chapter 7

After taking off his robe, he put on the training uniform that was laid out.

He thought it might smell, but it didn’t.

I wonder which category this dojo falls into—karate, judo, boxing, or something else.

Watching the sparring, I noticed various points.

"I’ve changed. ... So, any weapon is allowed, right?"

"Yeah, basically it’s bare-handed, but it’s designed so that anyone can defend themselves against monsters!"

That’s why there were so many people with farming tools and tools.

I think it’s a bit dangerous, though.

"So, you use a sword even though you’re a magic user?"

"Oh, sorry."

He hurriedly placed the longsword in a suitable spot. When changing, you just operate the equipment slots, so you tend to forget to remove your weapon.

"Alright, ... Marse, come over here."

"Yes, Sensei."

A brown-haired young man approached.

We faced each other bare-handed and bowed.

"What are the rules?"

"I’m fine with anything."

When I asked the assistant instructor, Marse answered instead.

The assistant instructor nodded in agreement.

I see, anything goes. I see, I see.

"Begin!"

I don’t know which category his job falls into—martial artist, villager, or farmer—but the black belt he wears suggests his skill level.

Is the belt color used to indicate rank and strength?

While I was thinking about this, a hook punch came at my face from a low stance.

I blocked it with my arm.

It hurt so much I thought it would be knocked away.

"Assistant instructor, no good. This guy isn’t used to it."

As I rubbed my numb arm, Marse, who was looking at my HP displayed above my head and my pained expression, stood up and shook his head.

"That’s part of the trial. You need to learn to hold back."

Marse shook his head.

"What does a magic user, who has only studied, want to achieve by entering here? If it’s just for health, you should play with the kids over there."

I was irritated.

What kind of attitude is that?

"... Please continue the lesson."

When I retorted, Marse was annoyed.

"You might get hurt."

Another punch came.

There’s no status display, but the assistant instructor mentioned hidden stats.

In other words, it’s something you need when swinging or wearing equipment.

If skill growth is related to physical growth, what about my situation where I’ve only increased the power of my [Slash]?

I couldn’t freely swing the greatsword, but I could with a human body.

I had already seen the low hook.

"Sei!"

"Wha!?"

I read his movements in a line; Marse was underestimating me.

There was no tricky movement due to his carelessness.

I closed in and grabbed his sleeve and collar, then rolled him over.

Normally, this would be a win, but not here.

Since there’s no clear end, I went for a chokehold.

"Stop! It’s over."

At the assistant instructor’s call, I released Marse’s neck.

He was holding his neck and coughing.

"That’s cheating!"

Marse shouted with bloodshot eyes, his words becoming quite harsh.

"No, it’s your loss for being careless."

"Ugh, ... thank you."

We bowed to each other, and Marse said, "I’m going home today," and left.

The assistant instructor approached.

"Hmm, so that’s what it means to have a sword."

"Yes."

I think what the assistant instructor is thinking and what I’m imagining are different.

But it’s too much trouble, so I just answered.

"Are you going to use jujitsu even though you’re a magic user? Since you beat Marse, I could give you a black belt, but..."

"I want to learn swordsmanship, especially thrusting techniques."

When I said this, the assistant instructor said,

"Subduing... and thrusting... that’s quite dangerous."

He grimaced.

I have no intention of fighting monsters one-on-one...

"This is just for self-defense. I think thrusting weapons are the best against monsters, so I would be happy to train in that area."

"That makes sense. Thrusting techniques are effective as long as they don’t dull. Alright, our basics apply to any weapon, but if you want to seriously learn thrusting sword techniques, I can write a recommendation?"

"Please, but I’m not sure if I can come regularly, so please mention that as well."

"Don’t worry, anytime is fine."

After that, I practiced with the kids, the town’s housewives, and uncles.

The practice involved moving the body according to forms, but I gained the [Boost] skill.

◇Skill Tree

[Boost (Optimization)]

- Effect Lv2/10

- Consumption Lv2/5

- Proficiency Lv2/5

What is this?

It starts at Lv2, and the required level for a magic user is the same as what I saw on the board.

"Surprised? Each fighting style has its own way of moving the body, and that leads to acquiring skills that suit you. Even a basic skill like Boost has such a mechanism."

The assistant instructor said this while giving me a thumbs up after the practice.

The Growing in Growing Skills Online has various meanings.

Then, he handed me the [Black Belt].

"Since you beat Marse, a black belt is appropriate in terms of rank. I’ll give you this training uniform as well, it’s a service. It’s quite light and durable, so use it."

"Thank you."

[Training Uniform] A light and durable outfit.

- Does not hinder movement.

- Defense Lv3

- Durability 100/100

[Black Belt] A light and durable belt. The color indicates rank and performance.

- Defense Lv1

- Physical Ability Skill Level Bonus Lv1

- Durability 100/100

The black belt has a charming effect!

Let’s compare it with the beginner’s robe.

[Beginner’s Clothing] The cheapest fabric.

- Cheap.

- Defense Lv1

- Durability 100/100

[Beginner’s Robe] The cheapest fabric.

- Cheap.

- Defense Lv1

- Durability 100/100

This beginner’s equipment is actually tutorial gear, not for sale, but it can be repurchased.

I thought about putting on the training uniform, but... it doesn’t fit the image of a mage.

Originally, carrying a sword with a robe and coming to the dojo is already outside the norm for a typical magic user, but that can’t be helped.

Anyway, the [Black Belt] is a good deal.

I’ll put on just the black belt for now.

My current skill tree is:

Player Name: Laurent

Job: Apprentice Mage Lv5

Trust: 20

Remaining Skill Points: 0

◇Skill Tree

[Slash]

- Power Lv7/10

- Consumption Lv1/10

- Proficiency Lv1/10

- Speed Lv1/10

[Boost (Optimization, Black Belt)]

- Effect Lv3/10

- Consumption Lv3/5

- Proficiency Lv3/5

[Teleport]

- Accuracy Lv2/10

- Distance Lv2/10

- Weight Lv6/10

- Incantation Lv1/1

[Throw]

- Accuracy Lv1/3

- Distance Lv1/3

[Grapple]

- Power Lv1/3

- Duration Lv1/3

I feel satisfied.

The [Boost] skill is at Lv3 across the board.

In terms of levels, this is like gaining about 3 levels.

With this, I should be able to allocate points to [Teleport] without any problems.

I might even be able to solo the Green Rabbit group or the forest entrance, which I struggled with in the early stages.

It’s not time to log out yet, so I’ll head to the next place.

I need to buy thrusting weapons, and I have a little money from hunting with Tomogara.

I still only have Green Rabbit meat and skin as materials, but I need to find a place to cook them.

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Player Name: Laurent

Job: Apprentice Mage Lv5

Trust: 20

Remaining Skill Points: 0

◇Skill Tree

[Slash]

- Power Lv7/10

- Consumption Lv1/10

- Proficiency Lv1/10

- Speed Lv1/10

[Boost (Optimization, Black Belt)]

- Effect Lv3/10

- Consumption Lv3/5

- Proficiency Lv3/5

[Teleport]

- Accuracy Lv2/10

- Distance Lv2/10

- Weight Lv6/10

- Incantation Lv1/1

[Throw]

- Accuracy Lv1/3

- Distance Lv1/3

[Grapple]

- Power Lv1/3

- Duration Lv1/3

◇Equipped Items

Weapon

[Ordinary Longsword]

Equipment

[Beginner’s Robe]

[Beginner’s Clothing (Full Body)]

[Black Belt]

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Thank you for reading!