Chapter 45

This is a corresponding episode to the first chapter.

(I packed six episodes of [Six Saints] into this, so it became a bit long)

This is the last story of the first chapter.

Sig, who manages the capital's training ground, was suddenly faced with an unfamiliar child.

"Let me receive training to become a [Swordsman]"

It was a boy who had not yet reached his teens.

It was unprecedented for a child like this to visit the training ground.

"Training? You? Do you have a permit from the Adventurer's Guild?"

"I do. I just got it."

"…Indeed, there is the seal of a guild official… But, a child like you…? No, if there is a seal here, I have no choice but to accept you."

The training ground for capital adventurers has an unwritten rule: "Do not turn away those who come." Guild officials judge the qualifications, and the instructors of the training ground follow their judgment and teach accordingly.

The procedure is simple.

But – even so.

What were the guild officials thinking, sending a child like this for training?

There might be some circumstances, but even a full-grown adult would struggle with the training. A child like this would not be able to endure it.

Sig, who serves as the chief instructor of the [Swordsman] training ground, thought this while addressing the child in front of him.

"I won't give you special treatment just because you're a child – this is not that kind of place. The training is harsh. Do you have the resolve to endure it?"

"Yes, I understand."

The boy looked straight into Sig's eyes and said this.

But, Sig thought.

This child will probably drop out of training soon.

If he lasts three days, it would be a good outcome.

Thinking this, Sig instructed his subordinates on the training content and began the boy's training – but,

The child did not give up even after three days, or even after a week.

In the [Swordsman] training, from morning till night, the sword is swung, but this boy did not show any signs of quitting even when his hands were raw and bleeding. He continued to swing the sword with all his might, as if his arm muscles were about to tear.

Those without resolve usually quit on the first day, but before he knew it, ten days had passed.

At that point, Sig changed his opinion of the boy.

This boy, it seems, has genuine resolve.

How far can this boy go?

He became a little interested.

Under Sig's watchful eye, the boy continued to follow the training without faltering.

It is rare for a trainee to remain this long unless something extraordinary happens.

The purpose of the training ground is to push the body and mind to the limit to acquire [Skills], and this process is accompanied by great pain.

Swinging the sword day and night, deflecting iron balls flying at you, and continuing to parry weapons, even if the bones in your sword-holding hand are shattered, gritting your teeth and continuing – this is a kind of training that integrates the sword and oneself, bordering on madness.

This boy had stepped into such a realm.

Just a little while ago, he had never even held a sword.

It is rare for someone to swing a sword so mindlessly from childhood.

– This boy might really be promising.

When Sig started to think this, he suddenly noticed something odd.

This boy, even after all this, had not acquired any [Skills] other than the easiest to learn, [Parry].

Is this possible?

From experience, by this point, even someone as young as this should have a decent [Skill] acquisition rate. It would not be strange for him to have already acquired something.

This boy might need a little more time.

But he will surely acquire something eventually.

When he does, this boy will become much stronger.

– After all, this boy has incredibly good eyes.

Once, when the boy begged to see, Sig reluctantly demonstrated the [Thousand Swords] skill.

Of course, a normal person would not be able to see it.

[Thousand Swords] is a technique that even the user has difficulty controlling, let alone perceiving.

Since it would end without seeing anything, there was no point in showing it.

But, at the boy's request, Sig demonstrated it as a jest.

When he heard the boy's impression of the technique, Sig was shocked.

The boy had seen everything.

Thanks to the blessing of [Skills], everything was sped up, and he was able to follow movements that even Sig could not fully perceive.

Not only that, but he clearly caught every movement.

Furthermore, he pointed out a movement habit that even Sig was not aware of.

– Goosebumps ran down his spine.

Sig witnessed the boy's outstanding qualities and felt that he had discovered a talent worth investing his time in.

It was not impossible for this boy to grow into a swordsman on par with himself – it was unusual for him to think such a thing.

Sig began to secretly place great expectations on this boy.

His heart raced at the thought that he might have discovered an extraordinary talent.

But – as the training continued, something unexpected happened.

No matter how hard this boy tried, he did not acquire any [Skills] useful for a [Swordsman].

No, that can't be.

He thought it might be a misunderstanding or an oversight.

But, it was different.

No matter how many times he checked, the boy had not acquired anything.

Sig felt a sense of urgency.

If he could just acquire one thing.

If he had just one usable [Skill], this boy would be able to master it.

He has the effort and the dedication to do so.

It was an invaluable quality.

This boy must have some talent.

He will surely amount to something.

Thinking this, he continued the training.

The training had already reached the most difficult level.

This boy had come this far.

There was no way he had done all this and gained nothing.

Sig watched the training with a prayerful heart.

But – no matter what he did, it was no use.

No matter how hard he tried, he did not acquire a single [Skill] that could be called useful.

As a [Swordsman], he would not be able to make it.

He might be able to fight against weak monsters, but when faced with a real threat – as it was, he would not make it.

He would lose his life immediately.

This boy is physically gifted, has a strong will, and good eyes. Yet –

– Unfortunately, he lacks the talent for the sword.

He is not blessed by the god of swords.

That was the conclusion he had to draw.

"You should pursue a different path."

This was the decision Sig made after much deliberation.

"There is nothing more I can teach you here. Go to a different place."

"But –!"

The boy protested.

Of course.

He had trained hard for three months, only to be told he lacked talent.

It was also his responsibility as an instructor.

But, he could not continue to let the boy waste his time on something meaningless.

He did not have the right to do so.

"A [Swordsman] without [Skills] and just swinging a sword will not be of any use to his companions. Continuing further would only waste your time. Give up and move on."

Sig deliberately turned the boy away coldly and expelled him from the [Swordsman] training ground.

– This boy has genuine potential.

But, because of that, there must be a different path for this boy.

A path other than mastering the sword.

◇◇◇

When the child appeared at the [Warrior] training ground, Dandalug crossed his arms and frowned.

"Hey, are you really serious about joining our training…?"

According to what he had heard, this boy had been expelled from the [Swordsman] training ground.

He had recently heard from Sig that he was "taking care of a child."

He might eventually come here, since the [Swordsman] training did not work out.

He had indeed heard such a story.

But, when he saw the boy in person, he was just a child.

Is this kid really okay?

Is it alright to let him join the training?

This was his first impression.

The boy did not have the physique suitable for the [Warrior] training ground, which is frequented by robust individuals.

A warrior's role is to be the 'shield' for their companions.

Compared to the usual visitors, this boy was so small that he could be blown away.

But, if a guild official had approved him, he could not refuse to accept him.

There was no choice but to let him try the training and see if he would give up on his own.

So, he decided to let the boy join the training.

(– I was surprised)

Contrary to expectations, the child kept up with the harsh training.

Training that even full-grown adults would run away from.

No – his body was not keeping up.

But he clung to it with all his might, as if he was cutting into his own life, and kept up with the training.

(– Is there really such a person?)

Dandalug was incredulous.

But, he had to admit it.

This boy was strong.

Not physically, but mentally.

He could move forward without considering his own pain or self-preservation, just moving forward relentlessly.

It was a bravery bordering on madness, and it was something that should be most sought after in a [Warrior].

Dandalug shuddered at the sight of the boy, who continued to move forward even when severely injured.

Wasn't this the kind of talent he was looking for?

A person with an 'indomitable' spirit, who could be his right-hand man.

The boy eventually completed the most difficult training.

It was the first time in the history of the training ground.

– Of course.

It was not designed to be completed.

If the king demanded the utmost, it would naturally become so.

Of course, it could not be made so that no one could pass, so he made it passable by himself.

But, he did not expect someone to pass it just by setting that standard.

Yet – this boy overcame it.

That almost hellish, harsh trial.

But, even then.

Something even more unexpected happened.

"Is this possible?"

No matter how much physical strain this boy put on his body, no matter how hard he tried, he did not acquire any proper [Skills].

Even the optimistic Dandalug was stunned at this point.

If he could give something to someone who could work this hard, it would be fine.

He felt dissatisfaction with something like fate or a god.

The three-month training period passed in a flash.

When the deadline came, the boy wished to continue the training.

This was also the first time.

Dandalug was hesitant.

The training period ends today, but he could invite the boy to his [Warrior Corps] where he serves as the commander.

But, if this boy becomes a [Warrior] without acquiring any [Skills] –

This boy – will surely die first.

This reckless and brave boy will definitely do something reckless, protect his companions, and lose his life.

This future was vividly clear, and Dandalug shook his head.

"– No.

If you continue like this, you will lose