Chapter 86

Summary of the previous episode ------------------------------------------------------

We bought Naoto's spear from Gantz. As for Haruka and Yuki's weapons, they will be short swords, but since there were no stocks, we had to order them. We decided to order them at the cost of materials only, using it as an opportunity for Tommy's training.

After leaving the weapon shop, we headed to the bookstore we visited before. Of course, our purpose was to buy magic books. We bought the basic magic book, water magic book, light magic book, and fire magic book, which we didn't purchase last time.

To save money, we bought a slightly worn basic magic book for 15,000 rea. Additionally, we found a wind magic book that wasn't in stock last time, so we bought that as well.

Since it was a good opportunity, we also looked for other promising books. We added an earth magic book, which seemed to have a steady demand and was in stock, a book on pharmacology that Natsumi wanted, a dictionary of medicinal herbs, and a dictionary of monsters that seemed quite useful, bringing the total to nine books.

The total cost was well over 200 gold coins, but we managed to get a discount for buying in bulk and ended up paying exactly 200 gold coins.

Nine books for 200,000 rea. Books are really too expensive.

However, with these books, we now have general texts on the magic we will use, so I'm sure our magic training will progress. Honestly, it would be a problem if it didn't, considering the 200 gold coins we spent.

◇ ◇ ◇

After putting all the books into the magic bag, we headed straight to the land we purchased. Normally, we would have to return to the inn to store our belongings and worry about theft, but the magic bag really saved us the trouble.

When we arrived at the land, construction had already begun, even though it was just the day after we bought it.

The foundation of a rather large house was already up, in the spot we had decided on after consulting with each other—about ten meters straight from the gate.

It seems this foundation was commissioned from an earth mage, similar to how concrete foundations in Japan are replaced with magically created stone. This work alone is quite lucrative for the earth mage.

The sturdiness of the foundation depends on the skill of the mage, but by building a solid foundation first, the houses in this country are surprisingly sturdy and resistant to rain.

Currently, carpenters are processing the pillars and other materials that will be erected on the foundation. There are materials piled up, but the site is so large that we have plenty of space for training.

We set aside about ten meters of space in front of the house, but there is enough room on either side to build two or three more houses, and the space behind the house is even larger.

It's easy to see why Diora suggested selling the land in smaller plots. We greeted the carpenters working there and moved to the spacious area behind the house.

"Alright, for today's training... it's better to read the magic books first, right?"

"Then, shall we do weapon training as usual?"

"I think it's better to teach Haruka and Yuki swordsmanship as soon as possible, but we'll have to wait until we have short swords."

"I still have the wooden sword I used. It's a different length, though."

Toya said this and took out a nostalgic wooden sword from the magic bag. This was the one he used to face the task boar, which bounced off his skull.

"The length is quite important... maybe a simple stick would be better."

Seeing Natsuki shake her head, Yuki seemed to have an idea and raised her finger.

"Ah, right! Since the carpenters are here, let's ask them to make some wooden swords!"

"What!?"

Haruka, looking confused, was pulled by Yuki, who ignored her protests and approached the carpenters with a smile.

I was worried that the craftsmen might be difficult to deal with, but Yuki used her communication skills to talk to the carpenters with a smile, and it seemed they were willing to make the wooden swords.

"Here she goes."

"She really impresses me with that ability."

"She's making good use of her appearance."

As Toya said, Yuki accepts that she looks young and acts accordingly.

The fact that she can do this without coming across as manipulative is a testament to her high communication skills.

People are often expected to fulfill roles based on their appearance.

For example, if a middle-aged man dressed in a suit were to act like a child and beg for candy, he would just seem odd, but if a young girl did it, it would be acceptable.

Conversely, in a situation where a "responsible person" is needed to handle a complaint, an older man would be more appropriate.

In school, Natsumi and Haruka, who were a bit stricter, and Yuki, who acted as a buffer between them and the classmates, fulfilled their roles well. When boys approached their group, they usually started by talking to Yuki.

"Let's leave it to Yuki and start our own training. How about a mock battle with multiple opponents, Toya?"

"Sounds good. We have the wooden sword, so let's use it with the iron rod. Two spears might be too much, though."

"Actually, we should get proper training weapons soon. Even with healing magic, it's dangerous."

Yeah, that's true. We haven't done mock battles very often, but for training that involves multiple opponents, mock battles are necessary. There's always a risk of accidents.

By the way, in our previous combat training, we used the butt of the spear. Toya's sword can cause bruises or, at worst, broken bones, but the spear tip can actually cut.

"Let's use what we have today. I'll use the wooden sword, so Naoto, please use the iron rod."

"Alright, I'll beat Toya up!"

"Wait, I'm going to get beaten up?"

"If you don't like it, try your best to defend. That's the point of the training."

"Sure, I'll try... but the grass is really in the way, isn't it?"

Toya complained as he looked around, trying to get into position. The grass had grown tall from being neglected, and there were even some shrubs.

"Considering we might fight in a forest, it's not so bad. Let's include it in the training."

With that, I got into position with the iron rod and encouraged Toya.

"Alright, let's do it!"

"Alright!"

With that, I and Natsuki attacked Toya. Natsuki mainly engaged in combat with Toya, while I moved around and occasionally joined in.

I don't have the [Staff] skill, and Natsuki doesn't have the [Swordsmanship] skill, but Toya is doing a pretty good job of defending... Natsuki, you're handling the sword quite well. Did you do some kendo before?

We continued the attack for about 30 minutes. We switched roles with Natsuki a few times, and I got more used to handling the iron rod. My attacks started to hit Toya's sword and shield more often.

Of course, I try to stop just before hitting, but I don't have the skill, so I end up hitting him quite a bit.

I can hear Toya complaining, "Not 'quite a bit'! It's 'a lot'!" but it's his fault for being unable to defend against two level 3 attacks without skills. Yeah, that's right.

"Hold on! Naoto, your attacks are getting faster!"

"Really! I don't! Feel that way! Keep it up!"

He still has the energy to talk. Natsuki's attacks also seem to have intensified a bit.

We'll keep attacking until you drop your sword. I exchanged a glance with Natsuki and continued the attack for another two minutes.

Toya suddenly jumped back and raised his hand.

"Wait! Give me a break!"

He dropped his sword and fell to the ground, letting out a loud sigh.

It must have been tough to keep moving and focusing for over 30 minutes.

Natsuki and I took turns and adjusted the intensity, but Toya had to defend alone.

"You guys, your movements aren't amateurish!"

Lying on the ground, Toya pointed at us with a finger. I shrugged.

"No, we're not amateurs."

"That's not what I mean. It doesn't seem like you don't have skills."

"I've handled swords a bit before."

"I can handle the iron rod as an extension of the spear. ...Oh, I got [Strength Enhancement]. And [Staff] too."

That explains why the iron rod started feeling lighter halfway through.

"[Staff] is a generous skill! And you even got [Strength Enhancement] so easily!"

Well, Toya got [Staff] easily and even reached level 2. Maybe a level 1 weapon-related skill can be obtained if you can handle a staff to some extent.

However, [Strength Enhancement] is a bit different.

"No, I've been working on [Strength Enhancement] since yesterday."

I've been circulating magic power in my body and trying to grasp the flow of magic power, as Yuki explained yesterday. I didn't have the time to focus on it during the battle with the orc or the mock battle, but it seems to have worked out.

"Oh? I also got [Swordsmanship]. It's different from [Swordsmanship]."

Natsuki checked her status and tilted her head in surprise.

Using a wooden sword, it would normally be [Swordsmanship], but maybe Natsuki's handling is different from a sword. Indeed, a sword that is used to strike and a sword that is used to cut are handled differently, so it makes sense that [Swordsmanship] and [Swordsmanship] are separate.

"Skills are a bit unpredictable. Some are easy to get, others are hard."

Is this the will of the evil god?

Skills don't immediately notify you with a "ding" when they increase or level up, so you might not notice right away...

Oh, looking closely, [Spear] is now level 3! Great!

"Skills that are easy to get are probably extensions of existing skills or things you could do in your original world. Natsuki, you did a bit of kendo, right?"

"Yeah, just a little."

Natsuki nodded in response to Toya's words.

Other skills that were relatively easy to get include Natsuki's [Sewing]. It makes sense since she could sew in her original world.

Skills are probably displayed because you can do something, not the other way around.

Maybe it's when you consciously use them.

"Break time?"

"Got some nice wooden swords. Look!"

While we were talking, Haruka and the others came back with short wooden swords and called out to us.

Yuki showed us the wooden swords with a smile. They were well-made, even though a simple stick would have been fine for practice.

"We're taking a break. Toya is exhausted. Since we have these, let's start training Haruka and Yuki?"

"Sounds good. Once they have the basics, they can train on their own. What about you, Naoto?"

If Toya and Natsuki are training Haruka and Yuki, I won't have anyone to spar with. I could do solo training, but...

"I'll read some magic books for a while."

"Alright, let's start."

With that, I moved away from Haruka and the others, who were getting into position with their wooden swords, and sat down where our belongings were. I took out a magic book from the magic bag.

I chose the basic magic book. Unlike the others, this one should be read by everyone except Toya, but we only bought one.

It's better if I read it first to save trouble. Buying two would be a waste.

The basic magic book we bought is a bit worn, but it's still readable.

I gently opened the book and started reading from the beginning.