Volume 6 Chapter 11-2 The Gate Of Ascetic Practice
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Mr. Escalion stripped off his clothes and jumped straight into the largest bath. Even though no one else was there, he was a rude old man.
I took a brass washbasin from my magic bag, carefully poured hot water, and soaked in a smaller, more distant bath.
The bath is made of pure white marble—luxurious, but I’d probably hurt myself if I slipped and hit my head. It’s stepped inside, and the center is deep enough that I can’t stand.
It’s not too hot, but the sensation of tiny bubbles popping, like carbonated water, feels nice on my sore muscles. Just soaking in it, I feel my body recovering quickly.
”Does this hot water have healing powers?”
”It’s better than that. It’s a special hot spring blessed by a War God. The more you push your body, the stronger you can become.”
Some say it’s better not to use healing magic when training.
When injured muscles heal, they grow thicker through something called super recovery. If you use rewind-type healing magic, your strength probably won’t increase.
It’s probably water that boosts cell activity. Great for training, but soaking too long might speed up aging.
Instantly healing wounds means life is fast-forwarded that much.
I think I’ve soaked enough. I’ve also saved face with the old man, so no need to stay longer.
”Thank you for training me today. Even though it was short, I feel much stronger.”
My gratitude is genuine. I don’t understand Mr. Escalion’s purpose, but it’s clear I’ve gained something too.
”What are you saying, kid? I haven’t taught you anything yet. I won’t let my disciple escape after finding him. I’ll definitely make you my successor in my secret technique.”
Listening carefully, it seems the old man wants to pass on the sword technique he’s perfected over his lifetime.
It’s easy to copy skills with a memory crystal, but his techniques aren’t that simple.
”I’m getting old, you know. I’m not afraid of dying, but I want to leave some proof of my existence in this world. Of course, not just to anyone. If it means giving it to a villain, I’d rather take it to the grave.”
Proof of existence… In a world where death is near, I understand that feeling.
”Do you not have any children?”
”If they don’t have the right skill, they can’t use my techniques. At the very end of my life, you showed up. I felt lucky.”
If he says that, I’m weak too. I’d like to fulfill Mr. Escalion’s wish if possible, but I can’t leave the village relocation unattended. I think Mr. Mauro (Shea’s father) and the others might handle it on their own, though…
”But I really don’t have time.”
When I said that, Mr. Escalion grinned.
”The good thing about this training ground is you can do a year’s worth of training in one day.”
What, a different space where time flows differently? Well, different spaces usually have different time flows.
A year in one day means more than 300 times faster—more amazing than the boss room in the Valley of Trials.
It doesn’t compare to Uno’s sleeping place, though.
”But what about food?”
I’ve stored a lot of food in my magic bag for emergencies, but a year’s worth is questionable. If it includes the old man’s portion, it definitely won’t be enough. He seems to eat a lot.
”Hmm, enduring hunger is also training. Besides, even if you get hungry, soaking in this hot spring somehow makes it go away.”
Like offsetting hunger with healing?
”If you soak too much, will it shorten your lifespan?”
”Are you worried about your lifespan at such a young age? Don’t worry, it seems to extend your lifespan. I look like this, but I’m easily over a hundred years old.”
This hot water seems to keep your body in its best condition. When you get a little fat, it even washes away the excess. It’s a cheat hot spring.
* * *
”It’s been a while, Count Escalion.”
Just as I was about to enjoy the hot spring, a naked dwarf suddenly appeared in front of me!
He’s slapping Mr. Escalion’s back friendly. They seem to know each other.
Since he’s here, this dwarf must know how to use the teleportation gate. Could this facility belong to the dwarves, and Mr. Escalion is using it without permission?
”No, I’m just Escalion… really.”
He’s trying to cover up being called Count. Maybe he didn’t want me to know his status?
A Count is quite high-ranking among the nobility.
”You usually get angry when people don’t address you properly, so what’s this about?”
”Well, I just don’t fit in with court life. I ran away.”
He’s trying to laugh it off, but he seems a bit down. Everyone has their own issues.
”So, what are you going to do with this boy?”
”He’s got potential, so I’m taking him on as a disciple.”
I get a bit nervous since they’re talking about me.
The naked dwarf gets into the bathtub next to Mr.
Escalion and stretches out happily. It seems like his regular spot, and the water depth is just right for him.
Who is this dwarf? He seems to use this hot spring regularly.
”This boy is also an important disciple of us dwarves.
Don’t teach him anything vulgar.”
Does that mean I’m Mr. Zenom’s disciple? How does this dwarf know that? It’s probably like the elf’s blessing—I have some sort of mark on me.
It’s an invasion of privacy, but it saves introductions and is convenient.
”Um, I don’t know who you are, but do you know my master?”
”Of course. If you’re Zenom’s disciple, you’re like my grandchild. I’ll take good care of you, so don’t worry.”
His bearded smile is quite funny, like a capybara in a hot spring.
Is he older than Mr. Zenom? It’s hard to tell with dwarves—they all look like rugged old men with beards.
”Boy, just call me Grandpa Gino.”
Mr. Gino said that, then produced a silver coin from nowhere and floated it in the air like a magic trick.
The silver coin began to glow red hot. Is it heating magic? The melted silver turned into a pink glowing ball.
The molten metal changed shape like slime, and in an instant, a small statue of a winged maiden was created.
When the statue dropped into the hot water, there was a burst of steam. That’s dangerous.
Cooling heated metal is a crucial secret art for a blacksmith. Is it okay to be this careless?
”As a token of our meeting, please accept this.”
The small silver figurine floated up from the hot water and bowed politely in front of me. It was dressed in intricate armor and wore a splendid helmet. It looked just like a Valkyrie with wings.
What did Mr. Gino just do? Assuming he took the silver coin from a magic bag, he must have used telekinesis to float it. I understand that much.
Did he heat and melt it with magic while it floated, then shape it with telekinesis? While shaping it, did he inscribe a spell to turn it into a golem? It’s not something a human could do.
Wait a minute—where did he get that spell from? Could he have memorized it perfectly?
He showed me as if it was nothing, but it’s a parade of advanced techniques. I recorded the whole thing with my Editor skill, so I’ll review it later. It’s a treasure trove.
If I can heat metal while floating it with telekinesis, I wouldn’t need a crucible or furnace. Air is poor at conducting heat.
If I can control molten metal freely, I might create special alloys or shapes.
There’s a chance I could make alloys only possible in zero gravity.
The tiny silver golem itself is amazing. There are no seams at the joints, yet it moves its arms and legs normally. Metal usually breaks from bending like that… doesn’t it suffer from fatigue?
No, that’s impressive, but the most astonishing part is it moves on its own.
Maybe I was overconfident, thinking I could do anything once I mastered basic magic tools.
The world is vast, with heights far above the clouds.
Still, I want to reach them someday.
”Hmm. You have a good eye. When you see craftsmanship, that’s what a dwarf is—someone who wants to show off skilled techniques. Your heart is more dwarf than dwarf. I’ve decided, you’ll become my direct disciple.”
I got lost in admiration, but it seems Mr. Gino took a liking to me.
”Greedy people first think about how much a silver statue can sell for. That so-called Hero from another world, who I gave a little attention to, they suspected I swapped it. What rude folks.”
Ah, I see. Normally, you’d suspect a trick. I didn’t think of that.
”Even though it’s so tiny, it has good proportions.”
Old man Escalion is looking at it seriously, checking the silver golem’s limbs. Could he just be a lecherous old man?
”You… can only think of those kinds of ideas. I certainly wouldn’t want to make you my disciple.”
”I wouldn’t want to be a dwarf’s disciple anyway. I found this first. I’m not giving him to you.”
”Zenom’s disciple is my disciple. I won’t give him to you.”
The two look foolish, but they’re outstanding individuals.
Somewhere inside, I’m seriously considering becoming their disciple. I can get a year’s worth of training in one day. Maybe a few days wouldn’t be a problem?
Even pretending to be a lord, I think I lack too much.
Training and reevaluating myself might be good.
The reason I thought about the Valley of Trials was to postpone things.
I thought spending years in love with the girls might help me brace myself.
If I get scolded by these two, maybe I can gain confidence.
After all, they’re overflowing with it.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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