Chapter 4

Since then, I've been practicing the skill of channeling magic. It seems to be called "Combat" as an active skill.

While collecting herbs as part of my daily routine, I practice Combat as soon as I finish.

At first, my MP would drop to zero in just five minutes, but through daily repetition, I realized that even if my level didn't increase, my MP did. It seems to work like muscles, increasing the more you use it.

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My current status:

Name: Yu Sato

Race: Human

Job: None

Level: 1

HP: 11

MP: 8

Strength: 3

Agility: 4

Stamina: 5

Intelligence: 22

Magic: 2

Luck: 1

Passive Skills:

None

Active Skills:

Combat LV1

Unique Skills:

Otherworldly Magic Eye LV2

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Now, I can last for about ten minutes. I think the reason I can only last twice as long despite my MP increasing from 2 to 8 is because my Magic stat has only increased to 2. Of course, the effect of improved physical abilities is noticeable, but for now, I'm practicing how to control the amount of magic and how to prevent the continuous drain of MP.

I tried tailing Hage and his group of adventurers to see if there were any tips, but their Combat skill always drains MP, so I didn't learn anything useful.

So, I tried to activate Combat by imagining the magic circulating through my body.

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* * * * * *

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Alright, this is less burdensome than just letting it drain...

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It's still a bit awkward, but I decided to maintain this state and verify the effects.

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Since I started practicing magic and MP control while using Combat, my herb collection has become much faster. What used to take until the evening now finishes by noon. With the extra time, I've also started strength training.

I feel like my muscles aren't growing because my body doesn't get fatigued due to the improved physical abilities from using Combat. I don't want to be suspected by the guild, so I report my quest completion at the usual time.

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"Tomorrow, bring me twice as much."

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The guild leader gives his orders with a pompous air. As usual, two-thirds of the reward is skimmed off.

This guild leader has the skills "Blacksmith LV1" and "Alchemy LV1," so he might be processing the herbs into potions and making a profit.

When I left the guild, Hage and his group were whispering and looking at me. I hurried out before they could confront me.

The villagers look at me with disdain.

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"Black hair and black eyes... creepy."

"Leave the village already."

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That's harsh.

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*Whoosh*

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A rock was thrown at me... of course, I dodged it.

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"Tsk"

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I heard a tongue click.

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I felt a gaze and turned to see a red-haired girl looking at me. She's around 15 to 17 years old, wearing a leather armor top and hot pants, and equipped with a short sword.

I think she's the last remaining adventurer in this village...

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Currently, there are only five adventurers staying in this small village: Hage and his group of four, and this girl is the last one.

Unlike the other villagers, she didn't look down on me or give me a disdainful look, but I wanted to leave quickly, so I left the village.

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When I got home, Grandma Stella was sewing.

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"Welcome back, Yu."

"Thanks, I'm home."

"Did the villagers do anything mean to you?"

"I'm fine."

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Grandma Stella seems to have noticed that I sometimes come home injured. She mentioned that she lives away from the village because she couldn't get along with the closed-minded villagers.

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Today, I talked about finishing my herb collection early and seeing a goblin in the mountains. After that, Grandma Stella taught me sewing, and I went to bed. I pricked my finger with a needle...

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The next day, I went to the guild to report on my herb collection quest as usual, but something felt off. Hage's group was standing at the entrance, as if they were trying to prevent their prey from escaping.

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I had a bad feeling, so the moment I received my reward and turned to leave, I felt a shock in my stomach.

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Caught off guard, I was hit directly and fell to the floor. Looking up, I saw Hage staring down at me with his usual creepy smile.