Chapter 71

On the day of the first volume's release, I had heard from the editor that it would be on December 5th, but when I checked Amazon, it clearly said the 4th.

This phenomenon is known as Schrödinger's release date, where the uncertain release date, influenced by quantum fluctuations, is only determined by the act of purchasing. In other words, everyone, buy it for the advancement of science!

On that day, I was greeted by a training ground overflowing with people like never before.

"Wow, he's here! It's Rex!"

"Idiot! Add the honorific, you forehead!"

"Over here! I need your guidance!"

The heat of the moment made me instinctively press my forehead.

(Damn, just as expected!)

Previously, the training ground had been swarmed by adventurers seeking me out due to Nylva's comments, but this time it surpassed even that.

This commotion was not without cause. It was because the "Adventurer News," a publication by the Adventurer Guild, had featured me without my consent.

(Veteran, I won't forgive you for this!)

In modern Japan, I would want to say, "I'll sue and win!" but in this loosely medieval world, expecting privacy or compliance is unrealistic.

(Well, I managed to get them to agree to the condition that, in exchange for taking time to teach Manual Arts, they wouldn't follow me around unnecessarily. I guess that's progress.)

With a sigh, I walked determinedly toward the group of adventurers calling out to me in their rough voices.

※ ※ ※

After giving a brief lecture or some pointers to the group, the staff and I split up to observe.

As I gave some casual advice and demonstrated a few techniques, I spotted a familiar face in the training ground. I couldn't help but approach him and call out to his back.

"Here again today? Is it okay for the leader of your party to leave so often?"

The handsome swordsman turned around and smiled wryly at my words.

"It's my off day, and besides, you know. My party has, well, two members who are too close. When they create a pink atmosphere, I have nowhere to be."

"Oh, right. I remember..."

He had once consulted me about his party members. It seemed the issue was resolved, but...

"I've always supported their relationship, and they take their adventures seriously, but..."

He scratched his cheek, looking troubled. It seemed that even too much success could be a problem. Thinking it was a happy dilemma, I shrugged.

"Anyway, since you're here, teach me properly. For a magic swordsman like me, Manual Arts are a lifeline."

He smiled charmingly and said this.

Indeed, from his stats, he was a versatile warrior. His attack power was slightly lacking, but with more MP than a regular warrior, he could chain Arts and, with his speed, use Manual Arts while moving.

"Still, you've already learned the forms, right?"

"Even so, I can't really tell how well I'm doing on my own."

I used to think that as long as one realized that Manual Arts could be used manually, anyone in this world could use them and they would naturally develop without anyone teaching them. I still think this is partly true, but it seems more complicated than that.

I practiced in a specialized mode called "Practice Mode," which provided an ideal environment: no MP consumption, no cooldown for Arts, trajectory assistance, and a success rate display after each use.

Conversely, for ordinary people in this world, practicing Manual Arts meant: "Each use of an Art consumes MP, there's a cooldown before the same Art can be used again, the trajectory must be figured out on one's own, and it's hard to tell how well the Art was executed."

"Honestly, I envy your disciples."

"Disciples?"

"Sure, like Rad and Risia."

I wanted to say they weren't disciples, but there was no need to deny it. I shrugged it off as usual.

"You can judge the completion of an Art even from a non-activated motion. That alone would help you learn Manual Arts much faster than others, and it's a huge help to have a model to follow."

"Model...? Why not just use Auto Arts?"

I laughed, and he shook his head.

"I've learned from participating a few times. It's true that 'swinging your sword the same way as when using Auto Arts will make it work as an Art.' But your model is slightly different from Auto Arts, and I think the 'correct' way to use Manual Arts is closer to your method."

His eyes seemed to say, "Is it different?"

"Your disciples are good at using Arts, but I think they've just memorized your form. You, however, have a different approach. You have a sense of how to use Manual Arts correctly, something I can't understand, and maybe no one in the world can."

His insight was sharp. Externally, Manual Arts are explained as "swinging your weapon to reproduce the trajectory of an Art."

While this isn't wrong, it's not entirely accurate. To perfectly activate Manual Arts, one needs to "swing the sword with the feeling of controlling the trajectory of the Art, as if using a controller."

Only someone who knows this world is a game, like me, can understand this.

(Maybe I won't have much free time for a while.)

With this resignation, I continued to demonstrate the requested models in various places until the end of the training session.

※ ※ ※

"See you. Get along with Gray and Zemina."

"Sure, I'll come again."

While inwardly thinking he didn't need to come back, I waved with a needlessly cheerful smile to the magic swordsman Bene as we parted ways. This concluded the Manual Arts training, but my work wasn't over.

"Next, I have to appraise abilities and stats at the arena."

With a weary expression, I headed toward the arena.

"Good work, brother."

"Risia..."

Risia appeared from somewhere and walked beside me as if it were natural. She was probably acting as my guard. I thought she was diligent but accepted it as usual and continued toward the arena.

"Surprising, isn't it? I didn't think you'd take the guild's request so seriously. I thought you'd give up and leave town."

"Is that so? I can earn money without leaving town. Without the excessive fame, it's the ideal life for me."

When I said this, Risia shook her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe your words. You say safety first, but your actions prove you're a true adventurer who enjoys diving into danger."

"Making me sound dangerous..."

When I voiced my dissatisfaction, Risia returned a cold, disapproving look.

"...Anyway, there's another reason I took this job besides safety."

I answered Risia, who tilted her head in confusion.

"Scouting."

※ ※ ※

"Next, please."

Guided by the guild staff, a visibly nervous adventurer stepped forward.

"Please, take care of me!"

I nodded at him and activated <Insight>. As I wrote down the stats revealed by <Insight> on the paper in my hand,

(Total aptitude is nineteen. He's more of a warrior, but his mental value is unnecessarily high, which deviates from the ideal. ...Hmm, average.)

I was mentally evaluating the stats.

This is why I continue to take this job.

Teaching Manual Arts and appraising aptitudes are jobs involving adventurers. Through this process, I can identify capable adventurers.

While it might not be commendable from a privacy or compliance standpoint, I have no intention of misusing the information, so I hope for your understanding.

(I hope to find someone with potential, but so far, it's been disappointing.)

The half-unique characters like Rad, with the game's adjustments, all had total aptitude values over twenty-one. However, for randomly generated regular adventurers, a total aptitude of twenty or more is rare.

There were a few adventurers with aptitude values of twenty-one or twenty-two, but unfortunately, they were all high-level adventurers.

(Lower levels are easier to develop efficiently, and their relationships aren't as solid, making them easier to scout.)

In that sense, Rad and the others were in a good position.

(I just need more hands.)

I need not only combat power but also collaborators.

(I need pawns.)

This world is vast, and moving to another area can take days, sometimes even weeks. I need someone who can gather information and report on the situation in other areas on my behalf.

Risia, who follows me like a shadow, is indeed my best ally in this world, knowing my secrets.

However, it's not certain that she would follow my orders. For example, when I asked her to gather information in the neighboring area,

"I understand. ...I refuse."

She immediately rejected my proposal without hesitation.

"I have no intention of leaving you. I must protect your, I mean, Rex's body."

When she said this firmly, I had no choice but to accept it.

Of course, if the situation absolutely required it, Risia would act independently. But as long as there's any leeway, she doesn't want to be away from "Rex."

(Sigh. I wish I could find someone who doesn't pry into my secrets and follows my orders.)

I know I'm thinking of something despicable.

Enough with the daydreaming; I need to finish the work in front of me. With this thought, I shook my head to clear my mind when,

"Riley. Please, take care of me."

A cool voice resonated in my ears.

"Huh..."

I could feel my heart beat strongly. A voice that carried a hint of tension and fear, subtly evoking a protective instinct.

(Could it be...?)

I lifted my head.

There, standing before me, was a being that embodied the ideal of a man.

A gentle, kind face that was also approachable. Long, lustrous hair that flowed down to her back. A large chest that exuded a maternal aura, visible even through her clothes. A graceful, dignified posture that was modest yet firm.

I didn't need to use <Insight>. I remembered her name, her aptitude, her abilities, everything in vivid detail.

And the moment our eyes met,

"..."

She smiled. A smile that was both angelic and demonic, one that could draw a person into the depths.

(Ah...)

It might have been the first time I thanked the gods for being sent to this world.

I slowly lowered my head. I couldn't let anyone see my face at this moment.

Because...

"I've found it. The perfect pawn."

A dark, dark smile must have been on my lips.

It sounds grand, but don't worry, it's not like that at all!

I found a lot of things I want to fix when the book is published, so I'll work on that tomorrow!

So, the next update will be the day after tomorrow!