v1c19 (1/2)

Volume 1 Chapter 19 – The Demon Lord and the Hero.

The following day, we started our journey back to the city. I was walking joining Dawn’s Battleaxe party. Before the departure I was caught by Elizabeth. “Because you’re my pupil, you have to follow your master!” is what she said. Having received the instructors permission, I was walking behind Elizabeth, but that’s not the reason I wanted to. It’s the chance to get experience! is what I thought, however because we were returning through the same route we came, the monsters were already completely exterminated. Even if they appear the leading party, Wings of Twilight, ends up defeating them. There was time to spare, but keeping in mind we were marching even Elizabeth didn’t talk to me too much. In the middle of a break she came looking if there was anything troubling me. Looks like she’s very happy to have acquired a pupil.

Seems like she’s already a veteran, being an adventurer for 4 years. She became an adventurer at 14 and she’s 17 years old now. She already has gone through quite a lot of scenes of carnage. Even when fighting the dragon she didn’t have a sliver of fear. It appears her goal is becoming an S rank adventurer. When I asked if S rank is such a big thing, she replied with a “Are you stupid?!”. In other words, a hero. Vast riches and prestige. Becoming a n.o.ble and receiving territory, promoted to serve the country. It’s the aspiration of everybody. After becoming an adventurer, if you’re not aiming for that, what else are you doing? “But it’s a dangerous job, isn’t it?” is what I was thinking but couldn’t say. She might get angry again.

Right now my priorities are:

1.- Survive for 20 years.

2.- Create my harem.

3.- Prevent the destruction of the world.

These three points. Being an adventurer or being a S rank is inconsequential. If the world is destroyed, surviving or having a harem couldn’t be possible is what I thought, but I think I’ll be able to manage somehow. If I make free use of the cheats I think I can survive at least. When push comes to shove, it’s okay if I abandon just about everything and run away. For the time being it’s earning skills points while ensuring my safety however much. I wonder if there isn’t a hunting ground where metallic, quick to run away monsters appear. [TL Note: A reference to the metal slimes and liquid metal slimes from Dragon Quest ] Anyways, currently I want to refuse any dragon subjugation, being dangerous work. That I earnestly wish.

Doing throwing knife practice during the midday break, Elizabeth came to tell me she’d show me something interesting.

“This knife, will it be okay even if I broke it?”

I have 20 throwing knives. Elizabeth turns towards the nearest tree, prepares the knife, packs it with magic power and throws it. From me, who possess throwing technique, it didn’t look unskilled, however it hit the tree and the blade sank down to the handle.

“?!”

No matter how you look at that now, the knife didn’t have the momentum to pierce the tree down to the base of the blade. Looking at me surprised, Elizabeth felt satisfied. I show her I can extract the knife stuck to the tree. The blade became ragged.

“That just now was a Wind Magic Sword. As you see, if you do it to a normal weapon, it’ll break just like that. However, it becomes a trump card for a mage weak at close combat.”

Because I have fencing level 4, close combat is one of my strong points, but that now looks like I can use.

“Is it possible with fire magic?”

“I think you could. Show me how you do it without throwing it. That way is due form.”

I charge Magic Power into the knife with the damaged blade. Be clad in flames, cut! It completely cut the tree like b.u.t.ter and the remaining cut end was burnt. The blade was even more ragged, however this is good. I can use it!

“That’s sloppy. If you charge it with Magic Power like that, if is a normal size sword you’d run out of Magic Power in the blink of an eye.”

This time carefully in order not to put in too much magic power. I swing the knife. With a ‘Crack’ the knife breaks. This is with only 3 swings?

“The metals you can use magic sword with are Mythril and Hihiirokane, Orichalc.u.m is somewhat famous too. However they’re really expensive. A small knife might be upwards of ten thousand, I think. If you’re gonna do it prepare a disposable weapon, ok?”

Magic Blade? What a technique overflowing with a taste of chuunibyou! Without fail, let’s practice until I master it. [TL Note: For those that don’t know what chuunibyou means. /define.php?term=Chuunibyou ]

“As expected from master. It’s a magnificent magic.”

Elizabeth has a self-satisfied look as if saying “That’s right, that’s right.”

We arrive at the camp site uneventfully. After dinner it’s magic lecture with master Elizabeth.

Without knowing why, Kreuk and Silver are mingling with us. Looks like they want to be taught magic. Elizabeth said she doesn’t mind so we’re learning wind magic together. Wind magic doesn’t differ from the other kinds of magic. The point is the mental image. Soon, I reach the point where I’m able to use wind magic. It’s a soft wind faster than air from a fan, still for now it’s a success.

“Uhahaha. Look, this is wind magic!”

Kreuk and Silver are agreeing with a ‘uh-huh’ while I blow them with a soft wind. In no way I’m making light of my friends that are having troubles, I’m just kindly showing them the wind magic.

“Hey, Masaru you’re not the one to talk. That power isn’t even enough to kill a mosquito.”

Certainly. Water magic was that way too, however raising it to a practical level is difficult.

“I want to learn Fly, though.”

I tried to state my wish to master.

“That, its level is a bit high, you know? Learn Air Hammer first.”

Is that the wind version of Water Ball?　First Elizabeth performs it for me. The target is my body. She first hit the tree, however I didn’t quite understand since the wind wasn’t visible. When I told Elizabeth that, she said it’s better if it’s tested on my body.

“Mind you? Could you absolutely go easy on me? Really, please.

“It’s alright, leave it to me.”

Elizabeth is grinning and doesn’t sound very convincing. She starts casting.

“Air Hammer!”

A heavy impact comes to my abdomen. Suddenly I’m on my knees involuntarily moaning. It hurts even with the armor… Did she really go easy on me?! Why do the women of this world, while teaching me magic, each and every time they have to torment my body? Just in case, I use a [Heal (small)].

“If I had been serious it wouldn’t have ended only with that. You would be blown off and cracked your ribcage, ok?”

This magic is more brutal than I thought. Because it can’t be seen, it can’t be avoided.