Chapter 24

Karu and Rio stood side by side, watching the practice of the Shiraha style. Rio sighed deeply.

"Is this what talent is?"

"Well, don't get discouraged."

Karu patted Rio's back sympathetically.

Shiraha, who had just demonstrated her talent, tilted her head.

"…Do you have talent?"

"Several times more than Rio."

"There's no choice but to accept it."

With the seal of approval from both Rio and Karu, Shiraha swung her wooden sword once. However, she didn't seem convinced.

"Where's the talent?"

"It's the effect of the body enhancement."

As Rio pointed out, Shiraha's body enhancement effect was extremely high.

Even without much training, she could move as well as or better than Rio. Despite her clearly thinner build compared to Rio, when they clashed with wooden swords, Rio would be the one to be pushed back. Karu chuckled.

"Your body must be one that absorbs magic easily. Moreover, this enhancement rate is something I haven't seen even during the dojo-breaking days."

From Karu's perspective, having known many swordsmen, Shiraha's enhancement rate was in the top tier.

However, Shiraha was relatively slim and small. Naturally, she was light, and she wouldn't be well-suited for a style like the Ox style, which relies on heavy attacks.

"Given Shiraha's appearance, she might do well with the unorthodox Enro style, which can surprise and defeat opponents who underestimate her on first sight."

"The Enro style is rough on weapons and has low endurance. It's not suitable. We're poor, you know."

"Is that so? I think it's optimal because of her flexibility."

"…Rio's swordsmanship is good."

At her request, it was decided that Shiraha would learn Rio's self-taught swordsmanship.

Although it was called "learning," Shiraha had already understood most of the forms and their purposes because she had been observing Rio's training from the beginning.

After a round of practice and a rest, Bald came over and called out to Karu.

"I'm sorry for the sudden request, but we'll be conducting a survey in the mountains starting tomorrow. I want to have a discussion with the team, so please come, Karu."

Rio shifted his gaze to the mountains.

The mountains, which had been white during winter, were now lush with green. It was about time to go into the mountains to pick spring mountain vegetables and flowers for spices.

Bald and his team were likely conducting the survey to ensure safety.

Karu stood up and nodded to Bald.

"I was planning to conduct a survey as well to report the progress on the evil beasts to the guild."

"Right. If this survey finds nothing, the village chief intends to allow the villagers to enter the mountains. After all, it can't be stopped anymore."

"Even though we survived the winter, spring is also a time of expenses. It would be good if things return to normal."

"We'll be surveying that tomorrow. Will Rio and Shiraha go home?"

When Bald asked, Rio and Shiraha exchanged glances.

"We'll train a bit more. Eudo and the others have been quiet since then."

"Well, the adults gave them a good scolding."

Bald turned his face, which looked somewhat exasperated, towards the dojo, then faced Rio and the others again.

"Since you'll be returning late, please let your mother know."

Rio saw Bald off, knowing that the meeting would likely turn into a drinking session.

"Karu hasn't been holding a bottle recently."

Karu, who used to drink as if it were his trademark, hadn't been seen drinking outside since the beginning of winter.

Shiraha answered Rio's question.

"…Since he started developing swordsmanship with you."

"Ah, that's right."

Furao and the others, Karu's former party members, would be pleased to hear this.

"Furao and the others will probably come to the village soon. If you get the chance, you should learn magic from them."

Based on the effect of her body enhancement, Rio thought Shiraha had a high aptitude for magic. While it might not be easy to learn from the mage Ogan sent by the lord, it wouldn't hurt to ask.

As Rio was thinking about what to bring as a gift, Shiraha asked a question.

"…If Rio's swordsmanship is used, what do you do if you get hit by magic?"

"The only option is to avoid it. According to Karu, whether it's my swordsmanship or any other, the only ways to counter magic are to avoid it or endure it with armor."

Magic requires incantations or magic circles, which take time to activate, but once activated, it's impossible to defend against.

Even with armor, special processing is needed, and even then, it can only prevent immediate death.

When knights or adventurers engage in combat with magic users, they either launch a quick attack during the activation gap or prevent the magic user from having the time to activate the spell.

"Shiraha, you probably don't know this, but any type of magic has a core of magic power. Theoretically, if you destroy the core, the magic will disappear."

"Can you cut it with a sword?"

"I've thought about it too. Actually, everyone has. But it's impossible. It's difficult to target the small core of a high-speed flying attack spell. Moreover, you get hit by the magic itself before your sword can reach the core, making physical interference impossible."

Even defensive magic can only withstand the magic and wait for the core to collapse or the contained magic power to be consumed. Directly interfering with the core is that difficult.

"It's like trying to hit the heart of a flying swallow. If you fail, you risk a direct hit from the magic. It's more practical to avoid or defend."

"…Will Rio's swordsmanship focus on avoiding?"

"Since we use minimal armor, we'll have to focus on avoiding."

If they were using the Ox style taught by Rakudo at the dojo, they would use heavy armor and the support of a magic user behind them to withstand magic.

Different styles are designed for different situations, and the methods of dealing with them vary.

"In our case, we have to think about avoiding first, no matter what's behind us. We also need to keep moving to prevent the opponent from targeting us. That's why footwork practice is important."

Rio tapped his feet lightly with his hands.

"By the way, it seems there's a method to counter magic with magic. It requires a powerful enough attack to reach the core, but it's difficult to hit, so using defensive magic is more practical."

"…If I learn magic, can I protect Rio?"

At Shiraha's innocent question, Rio narrowed his eyes and poked her forehead with his index finger.

"You need to protect yourself first."

He poked her forehead a few more times, and Shiraha covered her forehead with both hands and retorted.

"But Rio protected me."

"I'm the older brother. Don't be so cheeky, little sister."

Rio snorted and stood up with his wooden sword.

"We don't know if you have a talent for magic or if you can even learn it. Focus on learning swordsmanship first. Our immediate goal is to buy a sword for Shiraha. Once we can enter the mountains, we need to hunt for prey that can earn us money. Can you help with that, Shiraha?"

"Got it."

Shiraha stood up with her wooden sword, keeping a slight distance and standing beside Rio.

They both readied their wooden swords and swung them at the air simultaneously.