Chapter 53

"Your level has increased. Please allocate your status points."

"The skill level of 《Sword》 has increased."

"The skill level of 《Plundering Sword》 has increased."

"The skill level of 《Tame》 has increased."

"The skill level of 《MP Auto Recovery》 has increased."

"The level of the tamed monster 《Lumina》 has increased."

Well, it seems that while I was defeating various enemies, my level has risen quite a bit.

Immediately after the growth, I checked Lumina's appearance, and it seems that her body has indeed grown with the level-up.

Roughly estimating, it seems that for every level increase, she grows about half a year in human terms.

Lumina, who initially looked like a kindergartener, now appears to be around the age of a lower elementary school student.

I don't fully understand the ecology of spirits, but it seems that with each level increase, she gets closer to the adult form of the sprite we fought back then.

(But, this is quite interesting...)

However, what is truly surprising about the growth of spirits is not just that.

The moment Lumina levels up, the proficiency of the movements she has been taught increases.

For example, Shizuma had just started teaching her how to hold a sword, but right after leveling up, the awkward movements have become much more refined.

This isn't just a matter of her body growing; it seems like she has gained the equivalent of half a year's worth of experience all at once.

With this characteristic, the training for Lumina can be significantly more efficient.

"Shizuma, I think we can move on to the next step now."

"Ah, yes. Understood."

Shizuma, who had been checking Lumina's sword grip and swing, nodded at my words.

While her sword handling is not yet perfect, her technique is improving, and it's about time to start other training as well.

How much technique can we teach her before she evolves next? Even for me, watching from the side, it's somewhat exciting.

"Alright, Lumina, next I'll teach you how to walk."

"Walk? I'm already walking, right?"

"That's just normal walking. What I want you to learn is the foundation of the Kugenshin Shinto style, the basic walking technique called 'Soshirei.'"

The foundation of walking, Soshirei.

This is a walking technique different from the combat-specific steps I use in battle. It is a way of walking suitable for the Kugenshin Shinto style's philosophy of always being ready for battle, allowing for an immediate transition into a combat stance.

Additionally, it serves as practice for weight shifting in other walking techniques, so those learning the Kugenshin Shinto style start with how to hold a sword and how to walk.

This foundational training is crucial before learning flashy cutting and striking techniques.

"First, try holding your sword in a ready position."

"Yes."

I feel like there's a bit more composure in Lumina's response.

In any case, Lumina, following Shizuma's instructions, held the short sword in a ready position as she had learned.

Her stance, with her feet not too wide apart and her center of gravity in the middle, is the basic stance for the Kugenshin Shinto style.

This stance is for vigilance in all directions, allowing for immediate movement in any direction.

"Then, from that stance, step to the side to avoid."

"Hmm!"

With a small step, Lumina moved to the side.

While still a bit awkward, her center of gravity remains stable.

With a bit more practice, this will become more stable. However, that's not the main point here.

Shizuma simply had her do this to explain the movement.

"When you step to the side, Lumina, you use the front part of your foot, lifting your heel, right?"

"Hmm? Ah, yes, that's right!"

"When you strongly push off the ground, you always do this. And at that moment, you unconsciously put force into your toes."

"Ah, that's true."

This is due to the structure of the human body.

However, understanding this can significantly affect a person's movements.

The Kugenshin Shinto style has developed various walking techniques based on this understanding.

The foundation, Soshirei, is no exception. In fact, it is precisely the faithful application of this principle that defines Soshirei.

"Good, Lumina. Your walking form is already following Soshirei thanks to following the teacher's example."

"Really?"

"Yes, it is... Usually, correcting the form is the most difficult part, but it seems that just correcting your posture was enough."

Shizuma has been guiding Lumina's posture naturally through gestures.

Thanks to this, Lumina's walking form is already following Soshirei in terms of shape.

In simple terms, it involves lifting the heel and placing the foot down from the ball. It's almost a shuffling walk.

If you focus too much on this, you might end up walking on your tiptoes, which is very difficult to correct.

As long as this is corrected, completing the form is not too difficult.

"The rest is to grip the ground with your toes while walking, and to maintain a steady pace and posture without walking too fast. That's the basic walking technique, Soshirei."

"Hmm... Hmm, it's difficult..."

"Don't rush. Slowly, without losing your form, and steadily."

Lumina, paying attention to her feet, is wobbling as she walks.

Well, that's to be expected at first. Her focus is too much on her toes, causing her posture to wobble.

While adjusting her posture by gently tapping her back and forehead, I encourage Shizuma to move forward.

Lumina will need to concentrate on walking for a while. Even though she can do it to some extent, it's not something she can master in just a few minutes.

Well, except for the rapid growth due to leveling up.

"Alright. Let's move on and look for enemies, Shizuma. We need to get her to a certain level before the event."

"If it weren't for Lumina's growth characteristic, this would be too much even for us..."

"Indeed. I was surprised by that too. Well... two are approaching."

We are a bit off the main road, so the enemy spawn rate is relatively high.

As expected, two large beasts—bears with black fur—are approaching us.

Feeling a slight sense of nostalgia at their appearance, I closely observe them.

■Black Bear

Type: Monster

Level: 21

Status: Active

Attribute: None

Battle Position: Ground

It seems their name matches their appearance.

Their level is quite high. It appears that the further we move from the capital, the stronger the enemies become.

Well, that's convenient. The stronger the enemies, the better.

"Lumina, you keep practicing your walking. Shizuma, we'll each take one... and you don't need to hold back on using your skills, okay?"

"Huh? But... Teacher, won't you be upset?"

"I won't complain about what you do just because I don't like it. In fact, I don't like it when you don't use what you can."

I have no intention of using anything myself, but I don't intend to discourage Shizuma from using her skills.

Even if her body is forced to move, as long as it doesn't break her form, it's not a problem.

In any case, I need to enjoy the fight myself.

It's been a while since I've fought a bear. It's not particularly exciting, but it is nostalgic.

Thinking back, the old man's training was still relatively manageable back then.

"Then... I'll go first! 《Battle Aura》!"

Walking technique—Retsushin.

As Shizuma runs, a golden light bursts from her body.

A skill with an effect similar to 《Sword of Life》.

I had heard about it, but it's a skill that temporarily boosts her stats.

Shizuma, enveloped in light, instantly dives into the Black Bear's range.

She slashes the bear's shoulder diagonally and, while still in the cutting position, shouts:

"【Flame Flash】!"

With her voice, Shizuma's sword is enveloped in a crimson flame.

In the next moment, she accelerates, drawing a red line in the air as she slashes through the bear's torso and runs past it.

That's a magical sword combat technique. I've seen the jellyfish use it occasionally, but this is the first time I've seen it with a sword.

And... Shizuma's usage is somewhat different from other players.

From the position of the diagonal slash, it's usually difficult to move significantly.

While it's possible to handle it with walking techniques, it's not possible to attack while doing so.

She made it possible by using the magical combat technique.

While emitting flames, Shizuma moves about five meters and performs a residual movement as if swinging her sword.

However, her movement is unusually stiff, which seems to be part of the skill's animation.

I find that part a bit unsatisfactory, but there's no point in complaining about it.

Thanks to her attack, Shizuma has drawn the attention of one of the enemies. All I need to do is take care of the other one.

"Well—"

The other bear's attention is also drawn to Shizuma.

However, I have no intention of letting both of them go to her, so I approach the bear from a blind spot.

Bears are covered in strong muscles, making it difficult to deal damage internally with a normal slash.

So, what to do?—Shake the inside directly.

Striking technique—Sunshou.

I press my fist against the bear's side and deliver an internal strike.

Instantly, the ground beneath my feet cracks and the bear is thrown back with a shock.

Then, the bear, with its eyes rolled back, collapses onto the ground.

By shaking its brain, I knocked it out.

"Bears are better suited to being stabbed or punched rather than slashed, Shizuma."

"That's too difficult for me! It's quite challenging, you know!"

While shouting, Shizuma approaches the bear and pierces it with a thrust.

It seems she has finally understood the usefulness of the thrust. She has been practicing it intensively in the real world, and the results are showing.

Satisfied with my disciple's progress, I slit the throat of the bear I had knocked down to finish it off.

Shizuma also seems to have finished, but there was no skill level increase.

While I don't want to fight carelessly, I need to use more skills.

"Hmm. Two is fine, but three or more might be troublesome."

"You're saying that after easily taking them down... But, maybe it's time for Lumina to start providing magical support?"

"Indeed. It will be good practice for multitasking."

The enemies are getting stronger. So far, it's not a problem, but if the number increases at this level, it might become overwhelming.

Lumina is still far from being called proficient, but her magical combat ability is genuine.

It's too early to have her swing a sword, but having her move around and cast spells should be fine.

However, if left alone, her form might break, so I need to keep an eye on her.

Still—our destination, the fort, is already faintly visible.

We will arrive at our destination soon.

"Since our destination is in sight, let's keep it moderate. Lumina, got it?"

"Yes! I'll do my best!"

"Good answer."

It's refreshing to see her enjoy the basic training, which is unpopular among students due to its lack of excitement.

Teaching techniques to someone with high learning ability is indeed interesting.

While watching Shizuma, who is maintaining her sword, I inwardly mused.

■Avatar Name: Kuon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 17

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 19

VIT: 15

INT: 19

MND: 15

AGI: 12

DEX: 12

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.17》

Magic Skill: 《Enhancement Magic: Lv.12》

Set Skill: 《Dead Point Strike: Lv.13》

《MP Auto Recovery: Lv.8》

《Plundering Sword: Lv.10》

《Identification: Lv.12》

《Sword of Life: Lv.11》

《Demon Slaying Sword: Lv.5》

《Tame: Lv.6》

《HP Auto Recovery: Lv.6》

Sub Skill: 《Mining: Lv.1》

Title Skill: 《Blessing of the Fairy》

■Current SP: 16

■Avatar Name: Shizuma

■Gender: Female

■Race: Human

■Level: 20

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 21

VIT: 14

INT: 18

MND: 17

AGI: 14

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.20》

Magic Skill: 《Fire Magic: Lv.15》

Set Skill: 《Battle Aura: Lv.16》

《Spell Charge: Lv.8》

《Fire Attribute Enhancement: Lv.11》

《Healing Proficiency: Lv.8》

《Identification: Lv.11》

《Dead Point Strike: Lv.11》

《Martial Arts: Lv.13》

《Combat Skills: Lv.14》

《Endurance: Lv.12》

Sub Skill: 《Gathering: Lv.7》

《Mining: Lv.4》

Title Skill: 《Scarlet Sword Princess》

■Current SP: 18

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Sprite

■Level: 4

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 12

VIT: 10

INT: 27

MND: 19

AGI: 15

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: None

Magic Skill: 《Light Magic》

Skill: 《Light Attribute Enhancement》

《Flight》

《High Magic Resistance》

《Low Physical Resistance》

《Large MP Auto Recovery》

《Wind Magic》

Title Skill: 《Servant of the Spirit King》