Volume 1 Chapter 31
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”You seem pretty confident this time, Hirosawa Kanade…”
”I am,” I replied. “Truth be told, I’ve actually got a little bit of confidence now.”
”That’s good to hear,” said the instructor. “Besides, you reached a pretty decent spot during your last attempt.”
I had walked into my previous trial for the Phase One challenge¹ with nothing but Physical Augmentation and Defense Enhancement. Because I couldn’t land a single effective blow on the instructor, I wasn’t deemed to have enough offensive capability to pass, even though I had managed to hold my ground without being taken down.
A month had passed since that failure, and I had clearly grown during that time. I had the n**ips pressure point I discovered, and then there was the other one I found thanks to Mana. With these two new pressure points in my repertoire, I felt I had a real shot at breaking through the trial for this Phase One challenge.
”Shall we begin then?” the instructor asked.
”Yes! Please, let’s do this!” I shouted. “And I’ll be using a sword this time!”
”I see,” the instructor replied, looking a bit puzzled.
The trial allowed for either armed or unarmed combat. In my case, since I didn’t have a close-combat Job² or any weapon-based skills, there wasn’t much point in holding a sword. During the last trial, I had challenged the instructor unarmed, so it was only natural for them to find this strange. However, I had my reasons for choosing the blade this time.
”Here I come!”
”Right! Come at me!”
The instructor started on the defensive. I lunged forward, swinging the sword with everything I had. Whistle! Whistle!
”Are you trying to make up for low power with all-out attacks? It’s an interesting idea, but your stamina won’t hold out that way,” the instructor muttered.
Their assessment was reasonable, but I had no intention of stopping the assault. I gripped the sword with both hands and kept swinging with all my might.
”I’m surprised,” they admitted, their expression shifting. “I see. By pushing your physical conditioning to the limit, you’re trying to bridge the power gap with raw volume.”
They looked genuinely shocked, but their words were only half-right. It was true that I could keep up this high-intensity attack, but it wasn’t because of traditional training. The effect of the n**ips pressure point was essentially ‘Stamina Enhancement.’ With it active, I could maintain a maximum-effort offensive for quite a while.
”If you truly have the stamina for this, I suppose I could admit you have offense equivalent to Phase One,” the instructor shouted. “But if you can’t keep that up while under fire, it’s all meaningless! Haaah!”
The period of one-sided offense ended there. The instructor began their counter-attack. A month ago, these sharp strikes were the kind I would have had to just tank with my body.
(Ugh, they’re incredibly fast! But… I can see it! I can hear it! I can feel it!)
Now, I was able to clearly track their attacks, which had been a blur before. Now, I could hear the subtle catch in their breath that signaling a strike. Now, I could sense their presence moving through the air.
”Haah! Urgh… Phew! Haaah!”
I was able to launch counterattacks even while dodging their strikes. Of course, they parried them easily, but they didn’t hide their surprised expression.
(It’s working! The lip pressure point I found with Mana is actually working!)
I’d discovered it by chance during that intense kiss with Mana. By nibbling a specific part of the lips together, it unlocked an effect I called ‘Perception Enhancement.’ My eyesight and dynamic vision were pushed far beyond their normal limits. I could hear faint sounds and smell things I usually couldn’t. Most importantly, I could feel someone’s intent. It was useful for many things, but in combat, it was a literal life-saver.
I anticipated the instructor’s next move and stepped inside the arc of their blade, slipping past the steel.
”Haaaaaaaaah!”
I swung my sword with vigor. They hurriedly leapt back, and while they dodged the meat of the strike, the tip of my blade sliced through their clothes. A thin tear appeared, revealing a flash of flawless white skin and a well-shaped navel.
I almost got distracted, but I forced myself to stay in the zone.
”Amazing,” they said, tossing their sword aside. “You move like someone who actually has a melee Job. I’ll grant that your offense is sufficient. Now, for the final check! Withstand this, Hirosawa Kanade!”
The sword hit the ground with a clatter. A split second later, they vanished. Then, they were right in front of me. Their sharp eyes pierced mine, and an absolute shockwave of force exploded in my gut.
Crack! The scenery turned into a blur as I was launched backward. I had just enough time to realize I was flying before I crashed into the ground. I rolled several times, but my body felt fine. I scrambled back to my feet and took a stance.
”Are you okay, Hirosawa Kanade?!” the instructor shouted, rushing over. “I’m sorry! You were moving so well I accidentally put too much power into that hit! Are you hurt?!”
They looked uncharacteristically flustered. The trial was clearly over; they had no intent to continue fighting. I relaxed my stance.
”I’ve been training my defense too, so I’m fine!”
”I see… That’s a relief,” they said, taking a breath. “Alright, Hirosawa Kanade! Given the power, defense, and tenacity you showed today, I officially recognize you as ready for the Phase One challenge! But remember-your offense is still technically inferior to most. The monsters in Phase One won’t go down easily.”
”Yes!”
”And those monsters are actually trying to kill you. You don’t have the power to end fights instantly yet. If your spirit wavers, you’re dead. Don’t forget that!”
”I understand! Thank you so much!”
I bowed deeply to the instructor. And just like that, I had finally earned the right to enter the ‘Phase One Dungeon.’
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And so, I finally managed to “graduate” from Phase Zero. Next time, I’ll be diving straight into Phase One. I’m looking forward to your continued support through ratings and bookmarks!
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Summary:
Hirosawa Kanade undergoes a re-test for the Phase One dungeon entrance. Utilizing new ‘Pressure Points’ found through interactions with Mana, he demonstrates enhanced stamina and perception. Despite a heavy hit from the instructor, he passes the trial, ‘graduating’ from Phase Zero.
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Trivia:
- Kanade previously failed this trial due to a lack of offensive output.
- Pressure points are activated through specific physical actions, such as ‘nibbling’ on lips.
- The instructor is surprised by Kanade’s growth, nearly causing accidental injury due to overestimation.
- Phase One monsters are explicitly stated to be lethal, unlike training combat
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Character Insight:
Kanade shows high tactical adaptability by using a sword solely to leverage his stamina buff, despite having no weapon skills. The instructor shows a professional yet slightly clumsy protective streak.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The term ‘Phase Zero Graduation’ is a common internet slang pun for losing one’s virginity, used here to mark his departure from the beginner level.
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Hirosawa Kanade – A quiet, cute male student at the National Third Dungeon Academy with Phase Zero power levels, he wields the Unique Job [Vital Point Practitioner] and cheat skills centered on pressure points, including Physical Augmentation and Defense Enhancement, making him a stealthy yet formidable combatant who manipulates vital points with precision.
• Kanade – Small‑statured academy student with Unique Job [Vital Point Practitioner] (Tenketsu). He manipulates pressure points for defense and augmentation, has a cheat skill that removes his refractory period, and uses touch to grant powerful buffs. Infatuated with Mana, protective of her trust, close to Minami, and trains to unlock Phase One despite feeling inadequate.
• Mana – A beautiful Class President-type girl and one of the Four Heavenly Kings, wielding the Sage job with elite close-quarters martial arts prowess; she sports a long black ponytail, glasses, and neat attire with bracers and leg guards. Partnered with Kanade, she undergoes his treatments to counteract his aphrodisiac side-effects, demonstrating fierce loyalty and remarkable growth since her mock battle debut—now in Phase One, she balances refined discipline with heightened physical ability.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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