Chapter 88

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

Naoto obtained the [Magic Barrier] during independent training. Haruka and Yuki also obtained [Swordsmanship] and [Dagger Techniques].

Furthermore, Naoto, with Toya's help, obtained [Iron Wall].

After that, Toya, under Naoto's Spartan training, obtained the [Magic Barrier] by evening.

"Ugh, I had a rough time."

"Well, I toughened up and worked hard for Toya's sake."

Back in the inn room, Toya lay on the bed, grumbling. I expressed my regret.

Haruka had already healed her minor burns, and Toya had successfully obtained the [Magic Barrier]. What more could he complain about?

"Did you feel like I was attacking you with glee?"

"It's just your imagination. — I got bored after a few times."

"Hey!?"

The first few times, I can't deny that I felt a bit vengeful for being hit continuously. But after that, it was just a routine.

"Using magic at a non-injurious power level is quite nerve-wracking. If used normally, it could blow off a leg."

"..."

"Toya could have learned it faster if he had."

"I couldn't help it. I didn't understand magic power well."

"If you could learn it, it means you grasped it, right?"

"It's more like... sheer determination!"

That's vague, Toya.

Since you succeeded, it doesn't matter, I guess...

"Use that determination to learn [Iron Wall] as well."

I stood up, took out a wooden branch I had brought back, and smacked Toya's butt.

"Ouch! Is the training continuing? We already achieved something today, right?"

"Can you say that after seeing Haruka and Natsumi?"

"... Yeah, you're right... I'll try harder."

By the time Naoto learned [Iron Wall] and Toya learned [Magic Barrier], Haruka and Natsumi had already mastered [Magic Barrier], [Iron Wall], and [Strength Enhancement].

Yuki also quickly copied and learned [Magic Barrier] from Haruka.

In other words, Toya was the only one who hadn't learned [Iron Wall] and [Strength Enhancement].

"Did they learn it easily because they understood magic power?"

"That's a possibility. I don't know if it was easy or not. Haruka and Natsumi can use healing magic, after all."

When we finished training and returned, I had bruises all over my body, and Toya's legs were burned, but the three of them had no injuries at all.

However, the fact that they had no injuries doesn't mean the training was easy. Given the amount of time, it's likely they went through rigorous training.

"Toya, your goal is to learn [Iron Wall] by dinner time. You've probably got the hang of it, right?"

"Hmm, it's not impossible, time-wise?"

We usually have a few hours to spare before we finish our outdoor training and go to dinner. Considering the time it took Toya to learn [Magic Barrier], it should be doable.

I took out a fire magic spellbook, sat on the bed, and raised the wooden branch.

"There's no need to hold back on the butt, right?"

There's a reason for hitting the butt when disciplining children.

Hitting other parts, especially the head, can cause serious injury even with a light tap.

But hitting the butt is almost risk-free. It might be painful to sit, but it won't be life-threatening.

"Wait, wait! Go easy, will you?"

As Toya tried to get up, I planted my foot on his back, pinning him down.

Normally, he could easily push me off, but his position made it difficult. I have [Strength Enhancement], and Toya doesn't. That's the difference.

"Didn't you say you'd try harder? The pain will make you more determined, right?"

When I tilted my head in confusion, Toya waved his hands, making excuses.

"Put yourself in my position! I'll have to ask Haruka or Natsumi to heal my butt!"

"Fair enough... try harder."

I smiled and brought the branch down.

◇ ◇ ◇

Toya surprisingly obtained [Iron Wall] quite easily.

It took less time than it did for me. Pain must be effective, it seems.

I was a bit bothered by Toya's resentful gaze as he rubbed his sore butt, but since it worked out, it's all good, right?

"There's no way it's all good! It was really painful!?"

"Then go to the next room and get healed."

"That's... I'll do it at dinner."

It would be awkward to visit the women's room and ask, "Can you heal my butt?" At dinner, it might be a bit better... I would go to Natsumi, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask Haruka.

"Was it that painful? I only meant to give you a light tap."

"It was more painful than that. Even a light tap hurts after dozens of times."

"Hmm, did I misjudge the force? — Should I ask Haruka to heal you?"

Maybe [Strength Enhancement] was at work? But it shouldn't be that bad through clothing.

"... No, it's fine. It's not unbearable."

Toya thought for a moment and shook his head.

Then, he turned to me with a sly smile.

"By the way, Naoto, aren't you curious about the red-light district?"

"Out of the blue. Are you starting lewd talk because Haruka and the others aren't here?"

"No, it's just that we hardly ever get to be alone."

Toya is right. Until we joined Yuki and the others, I shared a room with Haruka, and after that, we usually gathered in this room. So, we didn't have many opportunities to talk like this.

"Aren't you curious, Naoto? As a healthy man?"

"Well, I can't deny it."

This inn doesn't have it, but in this world, it's quite common for inn maids to serve customers. Well, saying "in this world" is a bit odd. In our original world, it was also common in the past.

"Then, don't you want to go?"

"I can't say I have no interest at all."

I'm a man, after all.

"Be straightforward! Then—"

I raised my hand to interrupt Toya.

"But, Toya, what will you tell Haruka to get the money? 'I want to go to a brothel, so give me money'?"

For now, Haruka manages most of the money, except for a small allowance.

We plan to divide the party funds and personal funds after building a house, but with the current allowance, it's probably not enough to go to a decent brothel.

"Making up an excuse... would be problematic."

"You're right."

Lying is not good.

Trust is important in such situations, and it's easy to get caught.

"Should we secretly go hunting?"

"That's... no, that's not right!"

Hunting a boar or two could cover our expenses, but that's not the issue.

"Didn't Haruka tell you not to go to such places? Have you forgotten?"

"..."

When we first arrived, Haruka warned us, "Don't go to those places because of the risk of sexually transmitted diseases." If we went and got sick, what would happen?

"There are high-level light magic spells and healing spells, but how would you ask for them?"

"... Even Naoto would find it hard to ask, right?"

"Hard to ask! Even if she eventually heals you, you'd be in her debt for life."

If I got hemorrhoids and had to show Haruka the affected area for treatment, it would be embarrassing, but I would probably ask, and she would probably heal me.

But if I went to a brothel despite being warned and got a sexually transmitted disease, and had to show Haruka the affected area for treatment, what would I do? Haruka wouldn't easily forgive me, and she might even resort to dubious treatments.

"Without full intercourse, just touching...?"

This guy is saying even more ridiculous things?

"Hey, Toya, think calmly. Do you really want to go that far?"

"Um... that far? Thinking calmly, I've never been there, and I don't have any connections, so I'm just a bit curious, that's all?"

Toya, who had been pondering for a while, answered casually.

In Japan, it was a place I couldn't easily go to due to age and atmosphere, but here, it's more open, so he's curious.

However, our women have a Japanese mindset, and the risk of alienating them isn't worth going to a brothel.

"If you can't hold back, take care of it yourself. I'll pretend not to see."

"No, rather, I'd prefer you to keep watch. They come in easily."

"That's true."

"Still, this isn't a serious topic, is it?"

"Hmm. 'Silence is golden.'"

I said this offhandedly, but Toya firmly shook his head.

"No, that's completely different."