Volume 1 Chapter 19 (1/2)

Currently we are inside the beginner dungeon for adventurers level 20 and below. Our goal today isn’t to raise our levels but to train. Although we are at level 20, it is important not to neglect the strength that a person can obtain from training. I was capable of demonstrating power equivalent to an average adventurer despite my lower status when I was at my peak.

[mmmmmm. I wanted to participate too. The tournament. Hmph] (Til)

Til was complaining with an envious face.

[Don’t say that. You have a class suited for long-range battles. If you were to enter a ring 20 metres wide you wouldn’t allow be able to utilize your strengths to the fullest.] (Youya)

[But I’ve been getting better at other weapons too such as knives and other stuff.] (Til)

At the moment, Til was juggling three knives which she usually kept hidden on her body. She caught the knives between her fingers and threw them towards a tree, sticking them into the same tree. Although Spirit Archers didn’t typically use knives for battles, Til was already a master at handling knives.

[I’ll admit that Til is very skilled as a fighter. And I’ve always thought it was strange that you do not seem like an amateur at all. It’s as if you have learnt martial arts before.] (Youya)

Phil was skilled with a bow from the start, however aside from that she was average. For me, I have been scavenging and hunting in the mountains since I was young and my physical strength is higher than an average person, however it wasn’t anything exceptional. However, in Til’s case there is evidence to believe that she has been doing properly training. That wouldn’t be the case if one led a normal life.

[Because the art of a bow comes naturally to all elves, everyone had learnt how to use one. In addition, I have always been dreaming about being an adventurer, so I trained under the wing of the village’s number one warrior. However, one day he said that he had to leave the village, and apologised to me as he had only trained me for a short time. As a result, I only have the fundamentals of the fundamentals drilled into me.] (Til)

[So that’s it.] (Youya)

I’ve met that number one warrior from her village. We fought together once as brothers in arms. If it’s him, then I’m convinced. Just having the fundamentals seperates the novice from an amateur.

[But even if you learn how to handle a knife or have good stamina. That is different from having a job that synergize with knives. You don’t have the status correction that comes from having an actual job and a class benefit. A Spirit Archer that eats a blow from a wooden blade in close quarter combat is still dangerous. I can’t approve of it. If someday there is a tournament that suits Til, I’ll be sure to let you attend.] (Youya)

I put a piece of Panam fruit into my mouth.

Although Til has many complaints about the situation, she is still taking her training seriously. If she continues to work hard at her current pace, she will be able to defend herself even without needing Luna to protect her.

Now then, I wonder how Luna is doing.

[Luna. Looks like your yokonagi is able to land critical hits as well now.] (Youya)

[Uhn. This is the second one!] (Luna)

Among the nine types of slashes, Luna’s second choice is Yokonagi. It is a good choice considering Luna’s small stature. Yokonagi is a downward slash with a small movement and there aren’t many situations where this could be used. However, one effective use of the Yokonagi slash is to utilise it after the stab where it’s short range and range of motion can be beneficial. More than anything, it is an easier for Luna to land critical hits than a stab as it was a slashing movement.

[Now then. Let’s move on to sparring practice. I’ll be using a wooden sword while you will use a dagger. For the next thirty minutes, I’ll only be defending myself and I won’t counter or attempt an attack. If you land a single hit on me within the time limit, you will win the match.] (Youya)

[The rules are too lenient towards Luna! At least counter Luna’s attacks.] (Luna)

[You’ll understand once we start the match. Let’s see.. If you win the match, I’ll grant you one request. ] (Youya)

[!! Really!?] (Luna)

[Only if it’s within my power of course.But yeah. Any request.] (Youya)

[Alright! Luna will try her best and win!] (Luna)

Luna became motivated instantly and her fluffy fox tail swung back and forth.

I’m suddenly afraid of what she will request of me. But I guess it’s much more fun this way now that the stakes are higher.

.

.

Thirty minutes have passed.

Luna’s body gave way and she fell onto the ground, losing her grip on her dagger. She had attacked me for the entire thirty minutes without letting up so it isn’t unexpected.

[Was the match too easy? Should I revise the rules again?] (Youya)

[Youya is strong! Even though Luna is faster.] (Luna)

Based on our basic status, my stats are slightly higher than Luna’s. However, with the class stat corrections, Luna’s speed got a huge boost and her overall status is better. However, she won’t be able to beat me using just pure speed. I have spent decades battling monsters and people who were far stronger and faster than I was. She’ll need more than just speed to beat me. If anything, she needs to come up with a strategy in order to land a hit.

[If you want to defeat me, you must be sure to watch my movements. Watch how I receive your blows and pace myself in battle. How I breath. My footwork. And think about how you can interrupt it. These are the skills that Luna doesn’t have. Once you start noticing these things, you will begin to become more familiar with my battle style and eventually, you will be able to push through. We’ll do this spar session everyday at the inn for thirty minutes.] (Youya)

[Youya. If it isn’t today, will Luna still get a reward for winning?] (Luna)

[Of course. There won’t be any tension if there isn’t a prize to be won. However, I will place a deadline. The deadline is one month. If you don’t win within the month, the prize wil be forfeit.] (Youya)

Without the strength to stand up, Luna’s eyes started shining while she was laying on the ground. She opened my mouth and drank a stamina potion before proceeding to her own training.

Somehow she feels more motivated than before.

[By the way, what do you plan on asking for if you do win?] (Youya)

Luna paused for a moment before puffing up her cheeks and turning away. Glancing at her neck, it looks like she’s red down to her neck.

[it’s a secret.] (Luna)

That was a boring answer. But I’m sure Luna wouldn’t ask for anything unreasonable. If she is able to land a single blow on me in this next month, I plan to fulfill her request to the best of my ability.