Chapter 8

The building that seemed to be the vigilante group's hideout was a former guard post.

It had been transformed into a dirty and squalid dwelling, so I cleaned it up.

I thought it was a way to pay respects to those who had risked their lives for the country and the town.

When I inquired around the town, I didn't hear any stories about the vigilante group protecting the town.

Fortunately, due to the lack of monster invasions in recent years, the self-proclaimed vigilante group had room to act.

It was also thanks to a few adventurers, including Elna, that this was possible.

Now, it's the Adventurer's Guild.

A person who had been pretending to sleep at the Adventurer's Guild started talking to me enthusiastically.

"Wow, you're amazing. I was so scared back then."

"Are you going to continue your activities in this town?"

He was a 4th-class adventurer, not quite up to the level of the vigilante group's boss, but he had some skills.

He had lost his motivation due to the vigilante group, but seeing me seemed to have reignited his passion.

"They were scary, so I've been slacking off lately. I've been doing a bad thing to Elna."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Of course, we shouldn't let our guard down..."

"Huh?"

"Never mind..."

There were only a few adventurers active in this town, including this person and Elna.

Most adventurers had gone to Hunters.

I didn't know much about Hunters, but I was well aware of the adventurers' contributions.

They were valuable in fighting monsters when the royal army couldn't reach them.

They helped with the supply of resources to the town and assisted with escort requests, contributing in various ways.

However, there were also some bad people like the vigilante group, and perhaps some of them had gone to Hunters.

"Decent people have either died or joined Hunters... It can't be helped. Supporting oneself with the rewards from the Adventurer's Guild is a thing of the past."

"I understand your feelings and the situation. That's why I have a request."

"From me?"

"I want you to teach sword skills to the people I bring who are motivated."

"What? Me?"

"I'm asking you because I see you as one of the top 4th-class adventurers."

Defeating the vigilante group didn't solve the root problem.

The town was still in decline, and people were still afraid of monster attacks, so I thought it was necessary to have people who could protect it.

If the town regained its vitality, strong people might gather again as they used to.

Of course, for that to happen, this person and Elna would have to work hard.

"I'll make the request."

"Are you going to pay the reward? Do you have the money?"

"Yes, I do."

"It's a bit concerning, but are you sure?"

I'm not sure. I'm short on money because my assets were seized when I was sealed.

Thanks to the monster hunts I did with Elna on the way to this town, I have a little bit, but not much.

I'll have to take on more monster hunting requests in the area to earn money.

* * *

The next day, a surprisingly motivated group of people gathered in the town.

The 4th-class adventurer, Rex, whom I had asked, was enthusiastically starting training in the square.

We had borrowed weapons and armor from the vigilante group, and I hoped they would be put to good use.

I decided to give Elna a little guidance.

The location was the former guard post, where we would also have some classroom sessions.

"Mom is feeling better and is eager to work."

"Please don't overwork her."

"Yes. Are you going to teach me about magic today?"

"Yes, think of me as your teacher."

"Yes! Teacher!"

It's good that you're so honest. Starting with the form is also important.

If only I had some textbooks or materials to use.

"Elna has talent, but she's using her magic inefficiently. It's better to suppress the physical enhancement a bit more."

"Why? Wouldn't it be bad if she can't move in an emergency?"

"It's good that you're thinking about the meaning of your actions. However, you don't need as much as you think to be able to move. Do you know the basics of close combat?"

"No, I only use magic for attacks."

"That's right. For someone like Elna, it's better to focus on magic attacks. Even if you boost your physical abilities with magic, it won't help in combat if you don't know how to fight. Close combat is difficult and requires specialized training based on natural talent."

"I understand, but..."

I stood up and demonstrated some punches and kicks.

My natural physical abilities are the same as Elna's, but I have learned the forms.

Thanks to the times I begged the knight captain to teach me during my free time. I wonder how he's doing?

"Can you do the same movements?"

"No, I can't..."

"Of course, being able to move is better, so physical enhancement is important. But for now, let's specialize in magic. It's often better to avoid being mediocre."

"Mediocre..."

"Ah, don't take it the wrong way. It's actually impressive that you've polished your skills this much without any training or knowledge."

In fact, it's scary that she's just imitating what she read in storybooks.

The magic Elna can perform is what a first-year student at a magic academy would only just be able to master.

Her magic power still has a lot of potential. That's because—

"We'll work on increasing your magic power while you learn the basics of magic and train in magic fundamentals."

"Can magic power increase?"

"Yes, it can, as long as you use the right methods. I can see the value and potential of your magic power."

"Value?!"

"Yes, the standards are subjective, but here's a rough idea."

Magic Power

10 - Average person

100 - 5th-class adventurer mage (Vigilante group's boss)

500 - 3rd-class adventurer mage (Elna, though not 3rd-class yet)

1000 - 1st and 2nd-class adventurer mages

3000 - Lower court mages

5000 - Upper court mages

10000+ - People called monsters, beings (Eight Sages, demons, and evil gods)

"Eight Sages? Demons?"

"Don't worry, those are just examples I came up with on the spot."

I couldn't help but write it down.

In reality, there are many people with over 10,000, but I didn't want to set the bar too high and discourage her.

Elna is comparing the paper with me.

"How much do you have, Soa?"

"I'm around 1000."

"Wow! You're a 1st-class mage?! Why haven't you registered as an adventurer before?"

"I, I finally had to become an adventurer because of my financial situation."

I've dug my own grave.

In reality, it's more than 1000 times that, but it would sound like a joke if I said my magic power is 1.25 million.

"Anyway, let's start. There are three stages to improving magic power and magic: awareness of magic power, understanding of magic power, and manipulation of magic power.

These are the basics, and even if you're already doing them, we'll improve the precision."

"You can quantify your own magic power?"

"Yes, at my level, I can tell a lot just by looking at someone's magic power."

"You're that amazing and still short on money..."

She keeps pressing! Maybe the financial situation was a bad idea.

I regained my composure and started Elna on basic meditation.

First, I had her feel her magic power in a quiet place.

Many mages who can't do this end up struggling.

Elna sat on the floor, legs crossed, and closed her eyes.

"Let's start with one minute a day. It's meaningless to continue for a long time if you lose concentration. We can gradually increase the time."

"Yes, sir!"

Because she can't sense her magic power, she can't use all of it.

Because she doesn't understand her magic power, she consumes more than necessary.

And she can't manipulate it well.

So, I'll have her focus on these areas.

I don't have much time to spend with her, but I at least want to bring her up to the level of a 3rd-class adventurer.

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