Chapter 26

Chapter 026

A slow wind swept across the wide training grounds.

The walls and floor, clawed with sword marks both large and small, had almost no undamaged spots left.

They were the result of two weeks of lessons.

“Haa...... Haa.......”

I struggled to draw in breaths that had risen all the way to my chin.

In contrast, Gordon, who stood before me, was perfectly fine without shedding a single drop of sweat.

“You handle Parrying truly well.”

As I panted while leaning on my sword, Gordon spoke in a tone that sounded slightly fed up.

“Your sense of timing is truly excellent.”

“......Is that not because I practiced?”

“That is not the kind of art one can acquire through practice.”

After putting away his sword, he praised my Parrying skill without reservation.

“To succeed at Parrying, you must release powerful Mysticism in an extremely short amount of time. And you must do it while matching the time required for the preparatory movement and the enemy’s attack speed as well. Without innate sense, one cannot even attempt it.”

“Is...... that so?”

“Yes. It may be called a technique, but in truth, it is closer to an acrobatic feat. It is difficult even for someone highly skilled.”

“What about you, Captain?”

“I think I could manage it once or twice by chance, but I cannot respond to every attack the way you do, Lord Isran.”

In other words, even he could not do it the way I did.

If there was one thing I had learned during the lessons, it was that Gordon never said empty words.

If that man said he could not do it, then it truly meant he could not. Honestly, that was unexpected.

The level Gordon revealed about himself was 6-star.

An Aura user, and a knight who had briefly gone as far as the seventh floor, had said he could not do it.

‘So there was a reason Parrying became obsolete.’

If even someone of this level said he could not do it, then it was correct to assume that almost no one could.

I had thought I had become able to do it through practice.

Being told it was an innate talent made me feel strangely complicated.

“However, when it comes to ‘that other power,’ I am honestly skeptical.”

By “that other power,” he meant my Unique Ability.

By now, I had fully learned that this was “the ability to possess me with Ishara’s power,” but Gordon did not give this Unique Ability a very favorable evaluation.

“It is powerful, but it is far too much for Lord Isran to handle.”

“You mean my body cannot keep up with the ability?”

“Exactly.”

I swallowed a bitter smile.

This power was certainly strong. The problem was that it was too strong.

So strong that simply using it for a brief moment placed an enormous burden on my body.

“With basic manifestation, one minute. In the case of Aura, 0.4 seconds is the limit. At this rate, rather than being practical in battle, it may instead worsen the situation.”

With my current pure skill, a fight with Gordon itself could not be established, but at least I could fight him again and again until my stamina ran out.

On the other hand, if I used my Unique Ability, my skill itself rose to the point where I could briefly exchange blows with Gordon.

Despite having only one skill, the absurd event of being able to fight a 6-star adventurer became possible, but after one minute, I would inevitably become unable to fight.

In the case of Aura, it was 0.4 seconds.

After that, no matter what I did, I would lose consciousness and be unable to stand again.

“Without Potions, Sedatives, and a companion to untangle your twisted Mana...... to be honest, you will almost certainly die.”

“I suppose so. There is no way an enemy who sees me collapse would just leave me alone.”

“Yes. Personally, I would advise sealing it away until you reach an appropriate level, but.......”

He spoke in a firm tone.

“If a situation comes where you must use it, you must settle everything within the time limit.”

“.......”

“If not, focus on that counterattack. It seemed quite powerful even to me.”

The 「Counterattack」 skill I had obtained through Introduction to Victory Studies.

The counterattack, where I deflected an attack with Parrying and thrust in an enhanced strike through the opening created by it, was the only technique that made Gordon defend properly.

Well, even that stopped working after two or three more attempts, but he seemed to have given it bonus points because it was my own power, which I could use without much burden.

“In any case, this concludes what I can teach you. Rest well and prepare for the expedition.”

“Thank you for everything.”

I stood on trembling legs and bowed.

Honestly, I had learned a lot while receiving lessons from him.

He had not taught me a secret art like Flash Lightning Thunder Sword, but he had filled in the basics and experience I lacked.

More than anything, it was good that I had been able to use Counterattack as much as I wanted.

As he turned away, he spoke.

“I hope to see you next time ‘below.’”

“......Yes.”

“Then.”

Gordon left like that.

He was a cool man from beginning to end.

***

The next day, as promised, I met Persica at the cafe in the plaza.

“You are late.”

“I arrived on time.”

“I told you to move thirty minutes early.”

Why should I do something you do not do either?

Instead of answering, I responded by giving her the middle finger.

Seeing her tilt her head, she did not seem to know it was an insult.

“Oh, this must be the person Miss Persica mentioned.”

There were people already seated in the cafe.

There were three people in total.

They were the party members for this boss expedition.

“My name is Pellon. Haha, this is a little embarrassing to introduce myself.”

The man with an enormous build was Pellon.

He was 2-star, a pure Tank who used only a shield without a weapon.

His main area of activity was the second floor, and his main Trait was Magic Power.

“I am Serien! Wow~ The person they said would be joining us is incredibly handsome, is he not?”

The woman wearing a bow was Serien Watson.

She was a 2-star Ranger, and an adventurer who operated on the second floor together with Pellon.

Her main Trait was also Magic Power.

After Serien’s introduction ended, everyone’s gaze turned toward the man sitting at the edge.

“Zzzzz.......”

A man sleeping soundly with a magic book covering his face.

Persica, her expression twisting sharply, struck the chair with a thud.

“Ahem! Uh...... What were we talking about?”

“Self-introductions.”

“Ah...... I am Bernard. I belong to the Capella Observatory, and my main attribute is fire.”

Bernard Cellone. This one was a Mage, no less.

Since he was a Mage, his Trait was naturally Magic Power, and his level was that of a 4-star Mage who operated on the third floor.

Honestly, I had never imagined they would bring a Mage along, so I was extremely surprised.

These people had tremendous pride, so they would rather die than join a party below the third floor.

‘And even the Observatory.’

The Observatory was an old Relic in the dungeon, and now functioned as an organization of elite Mages.

It was commonly called the Magic Tower, and one was located on the royal capital of the surface floor, with others on the third and fifth floors of the dungeon.

Among them, the Capella Observatory was the one on the third floor, and it specialized in elemental and alchemical magic.

“He owes me a bit. I told him I would reduce his debt if he did this one job.”

“.......”

I see. I wondered how she had brought him along, but it seemed she had lent him money before.

“He may look like this, but his skills are decent, so you can relax.”

“Wow...... Is it not a bit too much to say that to someone’s face?”

“Do not come close. You smell like an old man.”

“.......”

Persica, whose entire face had twisted in disgust, pulled her chair back.

Well...... His shaggy hair, unkempt beard, hollow eyes, and shabby clothes. Even to me, he looked a little unreliable.

As for me, I did not care as long as he fulfilled his role properly.

Now, everyone’s gaze gathered on me.

“I am Isran. I am a swordsman, and as you can see, an apprentice. I look forward to working with you.”

Persica seemed to have already spoken about me, because no one picked a fight over the fact that I was an apprentice.

Bernard, who had been watching quietly, opened his mouth.

“Hmm...... I do not feel any Magic Power from you at all. You do not seem to be from the temple either, so what is your Trait?”

“Mysticism.”

At that, exclamations popped up from here and there.

“A Mysticism Trait...... This is my first time seeing one.”

“So there really are people who use Mysticism......?”

“.......”

Their reactions were lukewarm.

Since it was treated as the most minor Trait, they probably found it unreliable.

Mysticism users had been treated this way even in the game, so I did not feel particularly hurt by it now.

Tap, tap.

Bernard, the very one who had asked, was smoking a cigarette as if he had no interest.

Unfortunately, Ebla was lenient toward smoking, so smoking indoors was also legal.

Persica seemed somewhat uncomfortable...... but perhaps because the other party was a Mage, she seemed to be tolerating it.

‘Seeing how he has no manners installed, he really is a Mage.’

He had been so compliant that I had wondered if he was just wearing a Mage skin.

Seeing him proudly hold a cigarette in his mouth without caring what others thought, I felt reassured that he seemed to be a proper Mage after all.

“Cough, cough.......”

However, my body had no immunity to cigarette smoke, so I kept coughing.

Of course, that Mage bastard paid no attention.

Since it was only a brief meeting anyway, I was also trying to endure it, but.......Shing-At the same time as I coughed, Ishara was drawn and sliced the cigarette Bernard had been holding in his mouth cleanly in two.

“Uwah! W-What......?”

Sounds of people gasping in shock came from every direction.

Ishara pointed her blade at the space between Bernard’s eyebrows as if giving a warning, then smoothly returned to her scabbard a moment later.

“.......”

“.......”

The atmosphere had been magnificently ruined.

While I hesitated over whether I should explain, Persica, who seemed amused, giggled and opened her mouth first.

“His sword is a little unusual. If you smoke one more time, it will probably leave a hole in your head, so you had better be careful.”

“No.......”

Once Persica acknowledged first that it was a special sword, the gazes directed at me changed.

From a guy who used some strange Trait, to a guy who seemed to have something going on.

‘......So she was not enduring it, but deliberately letting him smoke.’

I wondered why she had stayed quiet, and it seemed she had predicted Ishara would react and intended to use it to seize the initiative.

Since I would have ended up isolated on my own at this rate, she had prevented that in advance with a little shock therapy.

It did not seem to be particularly for my sake, but rather to prevent it from interfering with teamwork.

In any case, after our introductions ended, we headed properly toward the dungeon.

“Ugh...... It is cramped!”

Persica being utterly disgusted after riding the plaza-side Lift Platform was a bonus.

As if trying hard to forget the Lift Platform that, according to her own statement, was suffocatingly cramped, she turned sharply toward me and spoke.

“Isran. What did you do with the Mana Stones you earned last time?”

“Armor repairs and various things. I saved what was left.”

Back then, Aragos’s venom had destroyed my left arm guard.

I replaced that part and repaired the other areas where small amounts of venom had splattered.

Of course, I also prepared consumables like Potions.

I had thought about absorbing the rest, but it was not urgent yet, so I saved them.

With first-floor Mana Stones, it was hard to expect any dramatic change anyway.

“Armor? Hmm.......”

Her narrowed eyes looked me up and down.

Since mine seemed extremely cheap compared to hers, she appeared uncertain.

“What?”

“No. I suppose this is how it is for commoners.”

What was this? Why was she suddenly picking a fight?

I immediately curled my finger and brought it toward Persica.

There was something Gordon had told me to do whenever she acted like this.

“What is thi-”

A forehead flick to the philtrum.

Flick!

“Kyaak!!”

In that instant, I heard people across the Lift Platform gasp.

Persica blinked her wide eyes.

She looked as though she could not understand what had just happened to her.

“Y-You...... D-Did you just dare...... What did you......?”

“Gordon told me to do this whenever you say nonsense.”

Apparently, Gordon already used this method on her regularly, and judging by her reaction, it was definitely effective.

How many chances would this young lady have had to receive a philtrum flick from a commoner?

Look at that.

She looked as if she had encountered something beyond comprehension, which was extremely funny to see.

“By the way, if you try to get back at me, I will tell Gordon.”

There was no need to worry about future consequences.

Our Brother Gordon had said he would take responsibility.

“Y-You insane commoner bastard!”

Perhaps Persica knew that too, because she could only charge at me blindly with her face flushed red in anger.

Of course, there was no way that would work on me.

When I grabbed her and made it impossible for her to move, Persica struggled and screamed.

“Let go! I said let go, you damned commoner brat!!”

“Oh my...... Your way of speaking to someone who was once your teacher is quite harsh.......”

“Will you not let go!? Let go of this right n- Kya! You...... You hit me again......!”

Of course I would not let her go.

I did not release her until she wore herself out and collapsed on her own.

“W-What on earth is this.......”

A commoner was openly treating a noble young lady as an equal, so the people’s expressions turned strange.

Every one of them had bewildered faces, as though they had seen something incomprehensible.

I felt like there was even a hint of awe in them.

“Hah. This is quite amusing.”

I do not need your approval, you Mage bastard.

***

Beyond the bushes on the first floor.

There was someone watching the Lift Platform that had just descended.

“Is it truly all right to send them off like that, Captain?”

A knight who had come along with Gordon, who was watching them while hiding his presence, expressed his concern.

“It is fine. Leave them be.”

“But...... You know what has been happening recently on the first floor.”

Recently, from immediately after the Selection Grounds ended, the number of casualties occurring on the first floor had sharply increased.

At first, they had thought it was due to monsters, but as the damage continued, it was revealed that these were intentional “attacks.”

Judging by the timing, there was only one thing they were aiming for.

Someone was targeting Apprentice Adventurers.

“Targeting apprentices is a serious crime. If they are people who would do such a thing without hesitation, then surely.......”

“It must be the Downfall Order.”

The Downfall Order.

Unlike the Golden Order, which served the Golden Rule, it was a heretical group that worshiped Downfall itself, which had driven the world into destruction.

This organization, founded by a Possessor at some point, had inflicted damage both large and small on Ebla for a long time.

The reason the White Night Knights had moved was also to quickly track down those who had begun their activities.

“The fact that those bastards, who have been quiet for over one hundred years, have started moving means there must surely be something. As expected, we should step in.......”

“Enough.”

Gordon stopped the words that followed.

“We simply do what we have to do. Focus on the investigation.”

“Do you trust the young lady?”

“I trust both the young lady and that boy.”

A boy who was treating Persica, who was shouting at him, as though she were a younger sibling.

Gordon recalled the unbelievable things that being had shown during the two weeks they had trained together.

A smile formed on his lips.

“Because that one is a monster.”