Chapter 84

Will it be updated today? Or won't it be?

I always want to deliver that fresh thrill to the readers.

This delay in updates is the result of such a warm heart.

If a powerless ordinary person who has no experience fighting monsters had to defeat one, who would be the most suitable opponent?

The slime, the standard weakest monster in RPGs?

However, in "Brave & Blade," this is a bad choice.

The slime in this game is not weak, but not that strong either.

They are much larger than the general image, and since they don't have faces, they can be quite intimidating.

Many types also have special abilities, so they are not recommended for beginners.

Reject it.

What about goblins, another common weak monster? This is quite a high hurdle for combat beginners.

They are indeed weak, but psychologically, it's a high hurdle to fight a humanoid opponent.

Believe me, I'm an experienced player.

Additionally, the fact that they often appear in groups and have different weapons is a minus point for beginners who want stability.

It's one thing for someone with the spirit to become an adventurer, but for a mere beginner who just wants to level up, they are not the right opponents.

What is needed is an enemy that does not appear in groups, is moderately weak, has no randomness in their actions, and allows for stability.

In other words...

"That's it. That's the first target."

"That, that one...?"

Rosé tilts her head in wonder, but I understand her feelings.

The place I pointed to looks like it only has a few scattered trees.

"Let me show you. ...Fire!"

Even a level fifty human's magic, though basic, is not ordinary. The fireball I launched immediately closed the ten-meter distance and hit one of the scattered trees.

"Lex-sama!? What are you doing all of a sudden..."

Rosé panics at the sudden attack, but I calmly point to the tree hit by the fireball.

"Take a good look."

"Huh? Ah! The, the tree is moving..."

The tree I hit with the fireball is shaking as if in pain.

"That's a mimic-type plant monster, the Treant."

"T-Treant... That's..."

Rosé swallows hard upon hearing the name. Her fresh reaction makes me happy.

The Treant is a level five plant-type monster that disguises itself as a tree to prey on passing adventurers. Its attack and defense are among the best in its level range, and if it ambushes you from behind while you're moving quickly through the field, it can kill you in one hit (one defeat).

However, this is only if you approach without preparation.

The Treant excels in mimicry and attack but has poor mobility.

Moreover, while it has high physical defense, its magic defense is low, and it is particularly weak to fire.

So, by burning it from a distance with Fire...

"...There, it's over."

The Treant, struggling to get closer, stopped moving after advancing only five meters, unable to withstand the flames, and then disintegrated into particles.

(I can do this.)

The Treant is indeed level five, which is relatively high, but it moves slowly, and with a ranged attack, you can always strike first. Low-level Treants have no ranged attacks, so if you have enough firepower, you won't take any hits.

Especially for Rosé, who has high initial magic, it's the perfect opponent.

"Amazing..."

Rosé gasps, seeing her first close-up battle. It's nice to impress her, but it's a bit too early.

"Sorry to interrupt your admiration, but it's your turn next."

"Eh..."

I nod at Rosé, and she widens her eyes and shakes her head.

"B-But... I'm just an ordinary person with no class, and I can't cast such an amazing spell..."

"What do you think the equipment is for? You can do it."

Though I say it lightly, I know it's the truth.

Rosé is even more flustered by my words, but her appearance has completely changed from before.

She looked like a plain town girl, but now, in the white robe and triangular hat I prepared, with a red ring that looks like it's burning, she looks like a proper magician.

No, she actually is one.

This equipment has high magic bonuses, and the total exceeds 150.

At least in terms of magic, Rosé is now far stronger than a beginner magician.

In her right hand is the key weapon, the Fire Rod.

This allows her to cast fire spells, and it's essential for Rosé to use her high magic value.

With this, she should be able to defeat a Treant one-sidedly, but I haven't compromised on defense either.

Since she can't boost her defense much with armor, I've focused on defensive accessories.

First, the Barrier Ring to take advantage of her high magic and prevent accidents.

Second, the Burn Guard Ring to prevent burns from her own fire.

Finally, I chose the Castle Ring, which balances physical and magical defense, over the Golden Iron Ring, which sacrifices magic defense for high physical defense, to prepare for any eventuality.

A flawless setup with no weaknesses.

As long as I watch over her properly, Rosé won't get hurt even if something unexpected happens.

Actually, I might be overdoing it against a Treant, but it's better to be prepared.

I admire my own work, but it's not flawed anywhere.

Still, Rosé seems to lack confidence.

"B-But, how do I tell the difference between a Treant and a regular tree..."

I answer Rosé, who asks in confusion, with a smile.

"That's easy. Just try burning it."

"Huh?"

"If it moves when you burn it, it's a Treant. If it turns to ashes without moving, it's a regular tree. Simple, right?"

"B-But... If I burn a tree that's not a monster, then..."

Faced with a bewildered Rosé, I can't hold back my laughter.

"Just kidding. The Treant will show information when you use 'Insight.' Just cast 'Insight' on the tree, and you won't go wrong. I'll give you the instructions, so just attack it, Rosé."

"Lex-sama!"

But her tension seems to have eased.

"Look. The second tree from the right over there is a Treant. ...Can you do it?"

I point to the Treant I identified with 'Insight,' and she nods slowly.

Fortunately, the Treant doesn't move unless you get close.

There's plenty of time.

She takes a deep breath to calm herself, closes her eyes, and then opens them sharply, uttering the magic words.

"Fire!"

Instantly, a fireball as powerful as the one I cast is launched from her staff, striking the Treant.

The Treant, enveloped in a large flame, struggles to move closer, staggers, and then...

—Thud.

It falls to the ground with a loud noise and doesn't move again.

"Did I... Did I defeat it...?"

I pat Rosé's shoulder, who stands there in shock.

"Good job, Rosé. Congratulations on leveling up."

"Wh-What?"

And so, Rosé achieved her first monster defeat and first level-up with surprising ease.

※ ※ ※

Once she got started, it was quick.

She may look like a sheltered young lady, but she's someone who dreamed of being an adventurer.

"Fire! Fire! Fire!!"

She quickly adapted and started casting fireballs at the Treants as I gave her instructions.

She looks like she's having fun, which is the best part.

"Rosé! Stop there."

"Okay... Huh?"

I stopped her there.

She looks at me with a face like a dog that has been denied its favorite treat.

I'm glad she's enjoying it, but she's overdoing it a bit.

I use 'Insight' on her.

———

Rosé

Level 4

HP 68

MP 65

Strength 0

Vitality 15

Magic 46

Spirit 14

Agility 5

Focus 8

———

(I guess I overdid it a bit.)

She has no initial class.

In the game, there was no opportunity to level up ordinary NPC citizens, but it can be assumed that she has the 'Novice' class with no bonuses.

Of course, it's more effective to level up with a class that has proper growth bonuses.

While it's not as urgent as for Rad and the others, it's better to aim for a higher class if possible.

(Frankly, Rosé's growth values aren't that great.)

I thought she might be different as a potential vampire, but at least in her current state, she's just a regular person.

With the growth equipment for magic and spirit, her growth values are:

———

Strength 0

Vitality 2

Magic 3

Spirit 2

Agility 0

Focus 1

Total 8

———

This is one point lower than my total of 9.

(Well, I'm still a former adventurer, so of course I wouldn't lose to an ordinary person!)

Understanding this, I had to suppress the urge to smirk...

(But can non-adventurers even change classes?)

This question was very intriguing.

Fortunately, the requirements for first-class changes are very lenient.

For example, a Fighter needs Strength 20 and Vitality 10, and a Magician needs Magic 20 and Spirit 10.

For Rosé, the fastest way would be to meet the requirements for a Magician: Magic 20 and Spirit 10.

I even equipped her with growth equipment for magic and spirit, but I overdid it a bit.

I call out to her, who looks anxious about what I'll say.

"Time for some fun. Do you want to try changing your class?"

She nods enthusiastically.

※ ※ ※

The journey back to town was surprisingly uneventful.

Rosé, who usually walks gracefully, was walking 30% faster than usual, and I followed her brisk pace as we headed to the 'Temple.'

And then,

"I... I think I changed my class..."

She achieved the class change to Magician with surprising ease.

And so...

"Fire!"

Today has been productive, and since the era isn't progressing due to the 'protagonist,' there's no need to rush leveling up.

I suggested we return, but at Rosé's insistence, we returned to the Treant hunting ground to continue leveling up.

"Next... That one."

"Yes! Fire!"

Her movements are now routine.

The fire magic, strengthened by her level-up, strikes the Treant and turns it to ashes.

In the midst of this violent scene,

"Thank you, Lex-sama."

"Huh..."

Rosé suddenly bows to me.

"It feels like a dream. I never thought I could go outside the city and fight such terrifying monsters. Yesterday, I never imagined I could do this."

"Rosé..."

She is a character with a tragic backstory.

"Of course, I don't think I can be an adventurer just yet. But I'm happy. I can do something. And it's wonderful to have someone who shows me that I can do something, right here with me."

Rosé's gaze is filled with genuine warmth.

I look away, unable to meet her eyes,

"It's just a whim."

"But...!"

"Anyway, it seems you've leveled up again. Let's check if the class change has had the desired effect...!"

—An anomaly occurred at that moment.

"Impossible..."

I can't help but mutter.

"Lex-sama...?"

Rosé's voice doesn't even give me time to respond.

The 'Insight' I used to hide my embarrassment showed Rosé's status, which was clearly abnormal.

She didn't change her class to Magician, did she?

No, that can't be.

I saw her touch the statue and saw it emit light!

She must have changed her class to Magician, and there's no other possibility.

So, her ability growth, excluding her current equipment, should be 14: 8 from her base growth plus 6 from the Magician class.

That's what it should be.

But why... why is it...

———

Strength 1

Vitality 3

Magic 6

Spirit 4

Agility 2

Focus 4

Total 20

———

"Why are you growing so much!?"

This... this...

—My base growth values are even lower than Rosé's!!

The fate of low growth for Lex!

Please come back here tomorrow.

I'll show you the real 9 PM update.