Chapter 87

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

After buying nine books on magic and other subjects, I went to the land I had purchased, and construction had already begun.

Toya and Natsumi, along with Naoto, engaged in a mock battle with multiple opponents.

Haruka and Yuki received wooden swords from a carpenter and received training from Toya and Natsumi.

I had been reading the basic magic book for quite some time, and after closing it with a thud and taking a deep breath, I stretched to relax my body.

My posture hadn't been very good, so my body had become a bit stiff. I rotated my shoulders and neck to relieve the tension.

"There's nothing particularly new here. ... But there was some useful information."

The basic magic book contained fundamental information about magic in general and things that are good to know when studying. The content wasn't particularly difficult.

Most of it was a systematic presentation of things I had already understood intuitively, but there were a few points that caught my attention.

One of them was that "you won't faint from using magic."

To be precise, "theoretically, you could faint, but in reality, it's almost impossible."

For example, it's not impossible to "run until you faint," but most people would stop and rest before that happens.

The same applies to using magic. If your magic power decreases to a level where it affects your consciousness, you naturally won't be able to use more magic, and even if you're in the middle of casting a spell, the magic will fail and be interrupted.

Magic is completed by the caster pouring in magic power, and it doesn't automatically drain magic power.

As an exception, magical items created by alchemists can automatically draw magic power, but only if the target has an abundant supply. Ordinary magical items cannot overdraw from someone with low magic power.

Therefore, it's almost impossible to lose consciousness due to a lack of magic power.

"It's a relief that there's no risk of fainting, but there's still no way to measure magic power."

According to the book, "it's crucial for a magician to know their own magic power. For frequently used spells, you need to know how many times you can use them in normal conditions and how long it takes to recover after using all your magic power. Without this knowledge, you might make unexpected mistakes in battle."

However, it was reassuring to learn that training can increase magic power. I had felt that my spells had become more powerful and frequent through training, but I wasn't sure if it was due to increased magic power or just getting better at handling it.

"Well, I've finished reading... but it looks like their training will continue for a while."

It seems that Haruka and Natsumi are training separately with Yuki and Toya. Toya is teaching sword techniques, and Natsumi is teaching short sword techniques.

Hmm, short sword techniques look pretty cool. If Yuki wore a black outfit, she might look like a small, quick ninja. If her agility improves through body enhancement, it might not be impossible. Yuki has skills like "Invisibility," "Stealth," "Throwing," and "Evasion," which fit the ninja profile. But a sexy kunoichi is probably out of the question.

"I'll try training in 'Iron Wall' too."

I had been practicing it, but compared to "Strength Enhancement," it was harder to grasp the concept on my own.

For "Strength Enhancement," I could train by trying to lift my body with magic power while holding onto the bed. For "Iron Wall," it was harder to do on my own.

I tried to imagine a magic barrier and hit my own hands and feet, but I couldn't really get the feel of it.

The hand trying to hit and the consciousness trying to repel it were conflicting and confusing.

"It would be best if someone could help... but I'll try using magic to attack myself."

I can't use attack magic indoors, but here it should be fine.

With magic, there's a short interval between the moment of attack and impact, so I don't need to think about both attack and defense at the same time. I just need to focus on defense at the moment of impact.

"I'll make it just a bit hot... if I mess up, it should only cause a light burn."

Normally, I'd refuse such training, but in this world, healing magic exists. A burn can be easily healed.

I'll practice by shooting a very weak "Fire Arrow" at some grass first, then at myself.

If it burns instantly, that's bad. I'll adjust it to the level where the green grass turns yellow.

After a few practice shots, I rolled up my pants and went for it.

"---!"

It's hot! But not unbearable. It feels like a drop of hot water.

I repeated the process, chanting "barrier, barrier" in my mind, and after a while, my leg turned red.

Finally...

"Ah!!!"

It's not hot anymore! The "Fire Arrow" I shot was blocked and disappeared.

"Yay!!!"

I shouted in joy, and Haruka and the others approached with puzzled expressions.

"Naoto, what are you doing---? What are you really doing!?"

Seeing my red leg, Haruka rushed over and quickly healed me.

"Ouch, sorry. It was actually quite painful."

The characteristic stinging pain of a burn gradually subsided.

"What's going on? Did you suddenly start self-harming...?"

"Hehehe, I finally got 'Iron Wall'... but I didn't! It's different!"

Checking my status, I was shocked. The "Iron Wall" skill I thought I had obtained was missing! Instead, there was a "Magic Barrier" skill!

"What happened?"

"I was trying to get 'Iron Wall'... but I didn't. It's different!"

I was disappointed, but Yuki was excited.

"Wow, there's a 'Magic Barrier' skill!? I have to copy it right away!"

"Argh, you're going to easily learn the skill I suffered to get!"

I glared at the smiling Yuki. Skill copying seemed a bit unfair, but it's effective when party members learn new useful skills. Of course, it helps if they're willing to teach.

"But, you'll still need to endure some pain, right? Even if it's less intense, Yuki will still feel it."

"Right. So, the strength of the magic I use on Yuki is up to me, right?"

"Wait! Naoto, are you going to leave marks on my soft skin!? You'll have to take responsibility!"

Yuki hugged herself and said something ridiculous, and I smiled.

"Don't worry. Haruka's healing magic is strong. Right?"

"Sure, I'll heal you, but don't overdo it."

"Mean! Why don't you just stop!?"

Holding Haruka's hand, Yuki protested, but in reality, I'll only use the level of magic I used on myself. I'm not sadistic, so I don't enjoy hurting girls.

But, some pain is probably necessary for the training to work, so I can't make it any weaker. Yuki should be able to learn it faster than me, so she'll have to endure it.

"By the way, can Yuki and Haruka use short swords now?"

"Yes, we got 'Swordsmanship Lv.1' and 'Short Sword Technique Lv.1.'"

"Even Haruka? I thought Yuki would quickly copy 'Swordsmanship Lv.1'... Should I learn swordsmanship too?"

If I can get 'Swordsmanship Lv.1' in the same amount of time, it would be useful. In tight spaces, swords are more practical than spears.

Even if I don't have the same talent as Yuki and Haruka, I should be able to learn it in half a day.

"Sure, I can teach you if you want."

"Alright, I'll ask you soon. Right now, I want to focus on 'Iron Wall.'"

Learning 'Magic Barrier' was a bit of a mistake.

"'Iron Wall.' If I mimic Naoto's training, should I just keep hitting you?"

"Right, you have the experience, so let's try it."

"Alright, leave it to me!"

Toya, holding a wooden sword, I added:

"I'll help you later, too."

"Ha ha ha, that would be a big help."

Toya, with a dry laugh, put down the wooden sword and picked up a branch from a nearby bush.

A wise decision. If it hurts too much, I might hit too hard when I help.

"Let's train separately, shall we?"

"Right. 'Strength Enhancement,' 'Iron Wall,' and 'Magic Barrier' are important skills for survival."

"Sure, I'll give you a good training session!"

The women moved a bit away and started their training.

"Should I just hit you randomly?"

"Yeah, but don't hit my head."

"I know."

Toya, walking around me happily, started hitting me with the branch. I focused on repelling the hits with magic.

I'm not sure what was different from when I got 'Magic Barrier,' but I had no other choice.

"Hey, Naoto, your eyes are scary."

"Don't worry, I'm just focusing."

It's a bit annoying to be hit casually, but I don't hate Toya.

After a while, the pain from being hit felt much lighter, and I immediately checked my status.

"---!"

I made a fist and raised it in triumph, and Toya stopped, eyes wide.

"Huh? Did you get it already?"

"Yeah. Maybe because I learned 'Magic Barrier'? The magic manipulation for body enhancement might be similar."

The status screen showed "Iron Wall Lv.1" shining brightly.

It took about half the time compared to before.

Of course, I had tried various methods to learn 'Iron Wall' before, so that might have influenced it.

"Seriously? Then, let's switch roles?"

"Sure. You can try 'Magic Barrier' and 'Iron Wall' on your own, but which one first?"

"'Iron Wall' can be done indoors, so let's start with 'Magic Barrier.'"

"Alright, show me your arm or leg."

I grinned, and Toya reluctantly rolled up his pants.

Burns can be healed, but burned clothes can't. I can't hit him through his clothes.

"Here I go."

"Alright, I'm ready!"

"Go ahead."

I aimed the 'Fire Arrow' at Toya's exposed leg, being careful with the power... but the pain from earlier made it a bit harder to control.

"Hot!! You! Did you really do this!?"

Toya jumped up and looked at me in disbelief.

"More or less?"

It might have been a bit stronger, but not that much. Hitting the inside of his thigh was just a coincidence.

"More softly! More softly!"

"Alright."

This time, I focused more and aimed for his knee. The skin is thicker there, so it might be better.

"Hot! But I can endure!"

"Good. I'll keep going. Try to get 'Magic Barrier'!"

"Any advice?!"

"Don't think. Feel. The magic!"

"Sounds deep, but it's not! I don't understand this magic!"

I ignored Toya's protests and continued the attacks.

I can't really explain what magic is, so I can only give vague advice.

Just keep enduring, Toya. I'm cheering for you.

The training continued until evening, and by the time Toya finally got 'Magic Barrier,' his legs were almost completely red.