Chapter 15: Moon Shadow Style (1)

It has been about 20 days since the day I was in my best condition.

At first, I felt a strong sense of deprivation. When something you had is gone, the void feels even larger.

The reverse effect was much more pronounced.

What I could do by just watching once or twice, I couldn't grasp even after watching three times.

"Even what I did that day, I couldn't do at will."

I knew it in my head, and my body remembered it, but it felt like my current body couldn't keep up.

It was inevitable.

To swing a sword like that day, I needed six times the strength.

Anyway, I have now adapted to my original body condition. A lot has changed since then.

It wasn't just because I started handling weapons; it was because of what I showed that day.

First, I started learning Bowt's swordsmanship in the early morning, but he didn't pay attention to me.

He focused solely on Denif's learning speed to conduct the lessons.

At first, I was a bit annoyed. It was obvious that he was only considering Denif's convenience.

No wonder Denif told me he didn't understand.

But now, my thoughts have changed a bit.

I guess, after teaching me once, he wanted to see what I could do on a good day.

"Even though he adjusted the speed to Denif, he didn't completely ignore me."

Also, Marhan, who was watching, didn't say anything, and his lessons proceeded normally.

The increased emphasis on physical training was also a clue.

If I could properly understand Bowt's swordsmanship on a good day...

With my body prepared, it would become a training method that accelerates my growth several times over.

"Whether it will work or not, we'll see when the time comes."

It seemed possible.

I hadn't even thought of such a method. That's why I felt experts were indeed different.

"Even if it's tough now, coming here was a stroke of luck."

Not just the structure of the basic training, but also the way they tried to use the penalty traits to their advantage.

If I hadn't caught the Duke's eye and had become a mediocre noble spy or trained on my own...

I wouldn't have been able to grow like this.

If this process goes smoothly, the worst condition might not even be considered a penalty trait.

Actually, even now, it's a bit ambiguous.

After growing to a certain extent, I could use it to make my opponent relax and catch them off guard.

Well, it's a bit too positive. I can't control when I have a good day.

Still, the penalty traits I have all have a similar aspect.

"Maybe it's a double-edged sword."

Thanks to the eccentric, I benefited, and the demon's blood also gives an advantage to the talent itself.

If I get caught, it's a big problem, though.

Anyway, when I first came, my future was dark, but it's gradually brightening.

Since it's long before the game starts, I just need to grow steadily.

"Thinking calmly about helping the princess through the Duke can come later."

Separately, there was definitely a physical strain from starting to learn weapons.

But it will be fine once I grow a bit more.

"Being a steelman isn't a useful trait right now anyway."

It's better than nothing, but having the steelman trait doesn't make me stronger than a healthy adult.

All the steelmen I've seen were adults. It's a trait that makes you a steelman during the growth process.

The unique trait, Wind, has been stagnant in growth. The biggest problem is mana.

Mana is needed to use mysteries.

Since I can use mysteries without learning mana, they are weak, which is natural.

I learned that the power of mysteries is proportional to the user's mana.

The mental fatigue I feel when using mysteries is because I'm squeezing out non-existent mana.

Marhan reduced the proportion of mystery training, telling me to wait a bit.

According to Denif, the Duke finds suitable mana training methods for the children he raises.

He's probably looking for one now.

There's no need to rush; it's not urgent.

While growing my body is also important, I'm busy with physical training.

Unfortunately, I still don't have information about the demon's blood.

A new instructor replaced Lena, but I can't just ask about the demon's blood right away.

"I'll learn it eventually."

While thinking, I sensed someone outside the door.

I knew who it was without looking.

"How's it going? Do you think you can sleep well tonight?"

"...Go away."

"Good night! You must sleep well!"

Denif, who left with a loud voice, walked away quickly.

He's been doing this every day since the day I was in good condition.

When I told him that I slept well without any signs of trouble on good days, it became a problem.

I should have just ignored him.

I know it's not a big deal for an adult to say I sleep well, but...

At first, I thought it was cute. Whether intentional or not, he was thinking about me.

But doing this for 20 days is a problem. Even a Buddha would get annoyed, right?

It's not just before bed.

"Even during meals and short breaks."

I quietly told him it was useless to say it once a year, but it didn't change.

I understand his competitiveness, but there are limits.

I don't want to be in bad condition, but hearing it more than ten times a day is driving me crazy.

It's not like he's pouring oil on a burning house.

I even thought he might be doing it on purpose to tease me.

Denif is strange, but he's not stupid.

My guess is probably not far off.

I usually don't show much emotion, so he might enjoy my reactions.

"Still, Denif is 13 years old."

Even if I, as an adult, try to be patient, my body is tired, and my patience has limits.

I heard a noise in the corridor again.

It seems Denif is back. The other day, he came three times.

Frowning, I said sternly.

"I told you to go."

"...Kalin."

But the voice wasn't Denif's.

Recognizing Marhan's deep voice, I hurriedly stood up.

"Yes, yes!"

"Get ready and come out. The Duke is looking for you."

* * *

I quickly dressed and followed Marhan.

In the office with the orange lights, the Duke and an old man I hadn't seen before were sitting.

I can't read faces, but the strong herbal smell and wrinkled skin made me think he was a doctor.

Marhan had said he would look for a solution.

The old man had been staring at me since I entered the room.

I bowed to the Duke without meeting his gaze.

"Duke, did you have a good trip?"

"Yes. How have you been?"

"Fine."

"Have you been eating well?"

"Fine."

The Duke asked about trivial matters.

It might be to remind me of the contrast between my orphan days and now, or it could be for management.

"Sleeping?"

"I still toss and turn a bit, but it's much better than before."

"It's good that you're eating well, but it's a pity you're not sleeping well."

"I'll try harder."

"Is that something you can try harder at? Anyway, I've heard a lot about you. I have a gift for you, but let's see the doctor first."

The Duke nodded at the doctor, gesturing for me to come closer.

"Hein, take care of him."

"Yes, Duke."

The old man smiled as I approached.

"Sit down comfortably."

As I sat, the old man grabbed my shoulders from behind.

At the same time, a cold yet hot, strange mana entered my body and started moving around.

"Hmm..."

The doctor sighed deeply and observed my body for a long time before letting go.

Is this it?

Being unfamiliar with mana, I was a bit confused.

It felt like when doctors use a stethoscope, even though I'm not familiar with medicine.

"I heard you have trouble sleeping. How many times do you wake up during the night?"

"Before I came here, I woke up more than twenty times. Now, I toss and turn about fifteen times."

"Hmm."

The doctor turned to the Duke.

"From what I can see, there's nothing particularly wrong with his body. It doesn't seem to be a disease, but his body's energy feels blocked."

"Could it be due to fatigue?"

"Although he says he has trouble sleeping, I don't think fatigue is the cause."

The doctor continued to look puzzled.

"To be honest, I don't know. I've never heard of someone using several times their normal ability occasionally. I'm sorry. My skills are limited..."

The old man's words hung heavily in the office.

The Duke waved his hand.

"Don't say that. You were the royal physician of a country. The child is special."

Although he said that, the Duke looked disappointed.

I felt the same.

I didn't expect much from the doctor because of the penalty trait, but since the Duke called me.

There was still a possibility it could be solved.

"Is there no way at all?"

"Unless he becomes a Sword Master of Sword Masters, like the founding emperor, and undergoes a complete transformation... But that's more of a legend."

A Sword Master of Sword Masters? Does that exist?

In the game, I only saw the Sword Master trait.

It might be a hero's legend, like the one about being born from an egg in our country. The Duke chuckled.

"Is there a possibility it will resolve as he grows?"

"It's not impossible, but it doesn't seem to be a natural phenomenon. If a divine physician saw him, it might be different..."

"A divine physician..."

The Duke tapped the desk.

"The problem is that we can't just call one."

"Yes, they are very elusive."

"Is there a way to reduce the intervals between good days? The child said he has one good day every year."

The old man answered with an ambiguous expression.

"I can't say for sure, but since sleeping pills make the body sluggish, it might be better to try tonics or medicinal tea and see how it goes."

"Thank you. Can you make it? Marhan will show you where."

"Yes."

After the old man left with Marhan, the Duke turned to me.

"Disappointed that it can't be solved immediately?"

I chose my words carefully, as I always need to make a good impression on the Duke.

"It would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed, but I think I need to adapt to the current situation and work hard."

The Duke didn't hide his smile.

"Right. A divine physician is very elusive, but I'll try."

"Thank you."

"By the way, I brought a gift. Can you guess what it is?"

Now that he mentioned it, he did say he had a gift earlier.

I realized it was the mana training method Denif mentioned. My lips curved into a smile.