Chapter 48

"Even large animals, such as bears and leopards, which are known as fierce beasts, require a great deal of effort to take down. With monsters, it takes twice as much. The reason is, first of all, their size."

Indeed, the size of monsters is far greater than that of fierce beasts.

"Secondly, it's because monsters possess magic power."

At Faevalter's explanation, I couldn't help but mutter, "Hmm."

"The two reasons why monsters are harder to take down than fierce beasts are their size and the fact that they possess magic power."

"Do all monsters have magic power?"

"Yes, they do."

"Excuse me, but does that mean even monsters that don't use attack magic have magic power?"

Before I knew it, Hetta and Hilda had joined in, listening to Faevalter's lecture on monsters.

"Yes, even monsters that don't use attack magic have magic power."

Really!

"That's why thinking you can take down a monster with a powerful weapon, like a legendary one, is a big mistake."

Faevalter also said that you can't be complacent just because a monster doesn't use attack magic.

"Monsters that don't use attack magic use their magic power to strengthen their bodies and enhance their defense, similar to how we circulate magic power."

So, the reason blades don't cut through monsters as easily as they do through ordinary large beasts is because of their enhanced defense from magic power.

"Then, how do you take down a monster whose defense is enhanced by magic power? You use magic power."

"Magic, not magic spells?"

"Yes, magic, not magic spells. Indeed, a magician who can use attack spells might be more efficient at hunting monsters than we are, but people who specialize in attack spells would prefer to hone their magic in the magic tower rather than hunt monsters in Fullvathar. There are no magicians who can use attack spells in Fullvathar. So, instead of wishing for what we don't have, we use what we have to fight monsters."

I see, it's better to have something than nothing, but there are no magicians who come to Fullvathar, right?

"Circulating magic power throughout the body is the foundation for using magic power in monster hunting. Once you can circulate magic power, the next challenge is to maintain it without breaking the flow during combat. After mastering that, the next step is to connect the magic power circulating in your body to your weapon. This is also known as channeling magic power into the blade."

At Faevalter's words, I looked at my bardiche.

"With a weapon connected to magic power, you can slay monsters."

Faevalter says it's very simple, but it doesn't seem simple at all to me.

"Lord Albert, to connect your magic power to your weapon, first, you must know your weapon inside and out, to the point where you can handle it like an extension of your own body. Once you can treat it as part of yourself, it becomes easier to channel magic power through it."

So, no matter how you handle it, you need to make sure the bardiche never leaves my hand and that I can use it skillfully.

Tough!

And even on the obstacle course, you have to use the bardiche to dodge or destroy obstacles and clear it.

"Tough!"

"No, you saying that while completing the obstacle course makes you seem like a monster."

Nebel had been learning swordsmanship, but he also wanted to try other weapons, so he was learning how to use a rope dart.

"Don't say that. If you say that, then everyone in Fullvathar who hunts monsters in the Forest of No Return would be the same, right?"

"Yeah... Sorry. I guess it's the environment we grow up in."

That's true. But Nebel, you're getting better at the obstacle course, right? You still get caught in a few traps, but you're learning to avoid them properly.

"Hey, Nebel."

Despite all the support he's given me, I'm a little scared.

"What is it?"

"If it gets too tough, you don't have to join in with this training."

I'm grateful for all the support Nebel gives me, but hunting monsters is a matter of life and death. Thinking about it, it might be better for Nebel to stay in a safe place and wait for me to return with Hilda.

Then Nebel gave me a look of exasperation.

"You, don't say that now."

I'll say it now. Because, I want to be with Nebel and Hilda forever. I don't want them to be in danger.

"I'm ready to be your meat shield, Al."

"Nebel..."

"But I'm not in a hurry to die. This is training to survive, right?"

"Right."

"So, Al, use me well. Whether I live or die is up to you."

...Heavy.

It's heavy, but I'm motivated. Yeah, I said something soft. That's right, to protect Fullvathar, I'm willing to use any means necessary.

"Alright, then I'll take responsibility for Nebel and Hilda's lives!"

Not just in battles with monsters, but in any other situation, if something related to me puts Nebel and Hilda's lives at risk, I'll use my full strength to eliminate the threat.

One more vow for me.

There will surely be many difficult choices ahead.

So, I need to decide what I absolutely cannot compromise on.

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