Chapter 35

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

Sword skills aside, I wonder what I need to do to learn magic skills. So far, there's almost no waiting time from incantation to activation, but this is because the level of magic I can use is low. If I had the option, I would like to take incantation cancellation.

It seems that if you don't have 10 times the INT of the magic level you're using, the incantation time will be longer. Since I've been using mostly low-level magic, I haven't noticed this. After reaching level 5 in dark magic and learning 'Enchant,' I didn't learn any new spells until I reached level 15. With only two spells, 'Blue Lightning' and 'Thunder Spear,' at level 10, I can practically only use spells up to this level.

I think that just like with sword skills, there must be something I can do to gain magic skills. The only thing I can think of is aiming for a trajectory that hits multiple targets, but this is far from incantation cancellation. Still, I decided to give it a try.

My target is the Green Slime.

I switched from Ruba's sword to Julius's staff. Even though the magic efficiency is good, it's not as powerful as a sword. Perhaps when my level increases and I can use higher-level materials, it will be different. For now, this sword is a masterpiece within the limits of my equipment rank.

I'm already at the level where Roy and the others were when they were considering the boss of Fos. In solo combat, I'm still considered to be fighting enemies above my level, or so I hope. Am I already at the appropriate level?

As I gradually become more anxious, I move two slimes close together and guide them. I aim 'Blue Lightning' at the space between the two slimes. Since slimes can stick together without any gaps, they are easy to target.

I use 'Magic Power Activator' and 'MP Potion' because one hit isn't enough to defeat them. I also summon 'Black Radiance' and use 'Life Activator.' I'm drenched in potions! It's a huge expense, but since I made them myself and have plenty of silver, it's fine. If I didn't have the title 'Lone Adventurer,' it would have been much worse.

By the way, my VIT didn't increase when I mastered the sword. I wonder if shield-focused warriors can't master it? I'm a bit curious.

《By guiding 500 enemies, you have obtained the skill [Lure].》

《By defeating 500 enemies simultaneously and consecutively with magic, you have obtained the skill [Area Magic].》

《By consecutively defeating 500 enemies above your level with magic, you have obtained the skill [Action Incantation].》

《By consecutively defeating 500 enemies above your level simultaneously with magic, you have obtained the skill [Incantation Shortening].》

By the time the sun had risen, I had finally defeated 500 enemies. I started as a mage, but my title and equipment are mostly normal except for [Circulating Power] and [Lightning Magic]. Because I've been raising my stats evenly across several attributes, my skill levels might be lower than other players. However, [Lightning Magic] is strengthened by the blessings of the wind and dark gods and the dark spirit, making it stand out even compared to other level 3 spells. But it's only a level 10 spell, and I've been faking it with [Gelslayer] and potions. I need to focus on leveling up my magic.

《By consecutively defeating 500 enemies above your level with advanced magic, you have obtained the title [Wise King].》

《You have obtained the title reward item [Master Ring "Magic"].》

...

......

Please stop when you realize your magic is weak!!!

The Master Ring has the following stats: INT x 2, MID x 1.5, DEX x 1.5, LUK x 1.5.

The effect of the [Wise King] title is to ignore magic defense when attacking with magic. Damage is entirely dependent on the player's stats and weapon.

By the way, there was no world announcement when I obtained the Master Ring. It seemed like there should have been. Apparently, world announcements for assassin-related titles are kept secret. Should the Master Ring also be kept secret?

The skill [Lure] allows you to guide and attract enemies. It might be useful for mass gathering materials.

The skill [Area Magic] allows you to target two adjacent enemies instead of just one, but the power is reduced. There is a level display, so as the level increases, the number of targets or the power will increase. For spells that target multiple enemies from the start, the range will expand.

The skill [Action Incantation] allows you to cast spells while moving. Since there are no cancellable incantations, you can cast spells like lightning while moving. Even without this skill, low-level spells that are effectively instant cast can be used while moving. This skill will be useful when the level increases and the incantation time becomes longer.

The skill [Incantation Shortening] shortens the incantation time. As the level increases, the incantation time will become shorter.

After level 30, the rate of level increase becomes much slower. It seems that levels up to 30 are designed to be easy to gain to prevent players from clustering in one place. I wonder if level 30 is the appropriate level for the final party in the liberation quest, as I drink tea.

I'm escaping reality again.

While I was focused on the battle, I didn't notice that this forest is full of shiitake mushrooms, mitsuba, fuki, tara no me, seri, and other mountain vegetables. It seems that the development team has a hobbyist. The seasons seem to mix spring and summer, but since the real world doesn't allow for the same duration, this might be a consideration. According to my knowledge, Jears has four seasons. By the way, even without gathering, plants can be found. If I hadn't bought books from the used bookstore, I might have missed this.

... Tempura with salt should be fine, but I want rice or soba or udon. Udon would be fine. I can make the noodles, but not the broth.

The sound of axes hitting trees echoes from far away as the sun rises.

The items I can gather are still herbs, magic fruits, and ruby berries. I've been fighting continuously, so I decided to take a break and gather for a while. Ruby berries are bright red like gems. I tried a couple, and they were perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, with a rich flavor. I gathered enthusiastically!

I want a gathering version of [Mineral Lover]... Since the field boss in Fos is a treant, it might be available. However, since the first party defeat is already complete, I can only defeat it solo.

However, it seems that plant-related skills might be useful. If I get charmed or confused, it will be tough to recover without a party. Even if I decide to call Galahad, I don't know when I'll meet him in the field. First, I'll aim to get resistances.

In addition to resistances, I want to get skills that are useful for solo exploration. I need to change my class to thief at the temple and get [Trap Disarm]. Wait, I thought [Throwing] was a thief skill, but it seems to be just easy to obtain and not a unique skill. It appeared in the list when I was a mage.

Can you get skills from other classes just by using different skill points? I'll look into it later. ... For combat classes, but how do you increase production classes? I need to be able to make accessories. I think Peter mentioned that crafting appeared. What about it?

While thinking, I found a mining spot and gathered clay. Is this a divine message to try pottery? There's definitely a workshop in Fos. Ah, there might be a furniture workshop in Sa. If I think about it, there are plenty of places to learn new production skills. After all, the residents live here.

While continuing to gather, I noticed that as I approached the Nalun Mountains, the flat forest turned into a hill, and behind the hill was a larger hill. If I keep walking, I'll enter the Nalun Mountains. If I keep going, there should be a stream that Leo would like. According to the map I copied from the library, only one river flows from the Nalun Mountains to the city, but there are countless streams. The streams disappear because they become underground water and reappear as springs in the forest.

By the time it's night in the game, it's noon in the real world. I'll head back to the city and look for a restaurant and an inn, and the time will pass.

But...

Sometimes I want to enjoy the scenery and not follow the usual path.

I want to draw water from the stream for cooking.

I want to escape reality.

So, I decided to aim for the Nalun Mountains and return to life. ... It's my first time dying, but it should be fine. Leo has experienced returning to life.

As the terrain changed from forest to mountain, the footing became worse. I found a path that looked like a game trail or a logging road and entered the mountain. As I walked, I noticed that there were stone structures covered in soil and moss, so it might be an old road. The places I've walked are added to the map as paths.

By the way, there were several large trees scattered in the forest. I approached them, thinking something might happen like in the White event, but nothing did. The lower branches were cut off, and the trunks were straight, so they were definitely worked on by humans. When I return to the city, I'll ask what those large trees are.

On the way, I hunted attacking thrushes and a larger boar-type chotai with Chototsu as a companion. I defeat everything that comes near. Sometimes I get roasts from deer, and the monsters in the Nalun Mountains also drop delicious cuts of meat. When I return to the city, I'll make stews and teriyaki. Well, there are other materials besides meat, but so far, I've only gotten hides, feathers, and fangs, which are useful for sewing and blacksmithing, so I'm not interested.

Mother Goose was a black thrush pie, I think. The thrush is a two-toned aggressive bird, but I want to make a pie. I can hunt them without much trouble, but the enemies in the mountains are much stronger than in the forest. They might even be stronger than the enemies in the previous dungeon. However, since only beast and bird types have appeared so far, I can progress without much difficulty thanks to the Slayer titles and the Master Ring.

While thinking about this, I noticed a large blue-gray humanoid monster in front of me. It's a troll, and it's a two-headed one. I can't see the level, but it's definitely above 10.

Looking up, the mountain peak is dyed orange by the sunset, and something that looks like a wyvern is flying in the distant sky. I thought it was a bird at first, but it seems to be different. Even the city requires a procedure to be unlocked, and beyond the Nalun Mountains is another country, but it seems they don't want to let players cross the mountains yet.

I could charge at the troll, but since I'm going to return to life, I have something I want to do.

I continued gathering and mining, and hunting for meat until just before noon in the real world, and finally, I'm ready for my first return to life experience.

And now, I'm on a steep rock ledge.

Do you understand?

I want to fly. It will be a free fall, but...

I looked up at the sky, where the white moon and the reddish moon shine brightly, and the stars fill the sky. The moons don't seem to dim the stars. I want to fly under a blue sky, but this is fine too.

I looked up at the sky and floated, spreading my arms wide and falling backward.

The wind pressure and the flapping of my coat. Since I'm falling backward, I can keep my eyes open, but this is it. I imagined a longer fall time in a fantasy world, like being embraced by the stars. But it was different in reality.

And I was knocked to the ground via a tree branch.

《By jumping from a certain height, you have obtained the skill [Jump].》

《By jumping from a height that would cause instant death, you have obtained the skill [Hover].》

《By obtaining the skills [Jump], [Hover], and [Carry], you have obtained the skill [Sky Glide].》

《By obtaining the skills [Hover] and [Wind Magic], you have obtained the skill [Sky Magic].》

《By obtaining 10 types of magic, you have obtained the title [Sage].》

... It was supposed to be a return to life plan.

Yeah, the 'Substitute Pendant' activates even outside of combat. I got a lot of skills.

By the way, it hurt. I recovered quickly thanks to the 'Substitute Pendant.'

[Jump] is something like five times the jumping power. With this, you can hit a boss's head that you have to look up to, which is almost a must-have skill for physical attacks to hit weak points. I'm not sure what the 'certain height' is, but since the stars aren't visible, it seems that people have already obtained it, probably from the height of a tower or the city wall. Anything higher than that might only be found in the Nalun Mountains, and you have to climb deep into the mountains to find a place to jump from.

[Hover] extends the hang time when jumping. When I tried a small jump, I could not only hang at the highest point but also rise slowly if I focused, which was quite interesting. As a first-time reward, I can hover a bit longer than others.

[Sky Glide] allows you to move in the air at the height you jump. You need to step on something every 60 seconds. Normally, it's 30 seconds, but this is also a first-time reward!

[Sky Magic] is level 1 and includes the spell 'Levitate,' which makes you float about five centimeters off the ground, making you less affected by terrain like [Carry].

The title [Sage] reduces the skill points required for magic, spells, healing, and holy magic by 1. Of course, it can't go below 0, but it's great!!!

So, I'll do it again.

I used [Jump] to climb the cliff, using a foothold less than 20 centimeters wide. It's a lie; I fell and rolled down when I hit my knee while stepping. It wasn't a high fall, so I didn't return to life, but it was quite embarrassing and painful. Even though I'm planning to return to life, I don't want to return during the journey, so I'll climb seriously. The key is not to put your knee in front of your toes when stepping.

The second dive was a bit closer to my ideal thanks to [Hover].

I fell slowly and gently.

The whisper of the treetops from below.

The full sky of stars in my view.

If I cast 'Levitate,' will I fall more slowly?

I can't return to life if I do, so I didn't cast it, but maybe I should have tried it before the third dive.

"Who's being reckless? It's you, isn't it?"

Something is sitting.

I thought I would return to life this time.

I was floating on my back, and the wind god Val was beside me.

Val is also floating, and it seems I'm floating about two meters off the ground. I'm surrounded by a faint light the same color as Val, so it seems Val is making me float.