Chapter 48 Hiroya’s Flaws and Weapons to Develop
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hmm… that’s true. I feel bad for answering a question with another question, but…”
Elberhardt leans forward and looks into my eyes.
”What do you think your current flaw is?”
”My physique and stamina.”
I answered immediately.
”Yeah. You can’t put too much strain on a body that’s still growing. There’s a limit to training.”
”That’s right.”
”For example, my body can handle about 15. The standard in this world is 12. If you push it before that, there’s a risk of growth issues. That’s why the guild’s rule is ‘adventurer registration starts at age 12.’ You understand that, right?”
”Yes.”
That’s right. I’ve been training while using ‘Physical Boost’ to add strain, but at a certain point, my master told me to stop. “You can’t push it too hard since you’re still growing. It could harm your body.”
* * *
”You’ve probably trained up to the limit of your body, right? I know you’re smart. You can probably see that line.”
Elberhardt smirks.
”With your current body, you can’t fully utilize one of your strengths, ‘Physical Boost.’ You can only use about half of it.”
As expected, since he has experienced the same struggles as me, his guess is spot on.
”Well, as your body grows, the tolerance for training load will definitely increase. But, we don’t have the luxury of time to wait. The ideal situation would be to train steadily until you’re 12. That way, you would definitely become stronger. Normally, I should be recommending that to you…”
A hint of anguish appears on Elberhardt’s face.
”I want you to understand that making you stronger quickly is a tough decision…”
* * *
”Now, for the next question. Your answer to this will probably be ‘the only thing I can advise you on.’”
His eyes look at me again. This time, his gaze is piercing.
”Your physical ability is at its current limit. Plus, you can’t use your powerful ‘Physical Boost’ to its full extent. That’s the flaw you’re facing right now. So…”
Elberhardt’s face comes closer.
”What is the remaining weapon you have?”
Receiving his piercing gaze, my strengths instantly come to mind.
”My swordsmanship… ‘Ancient Iai: Obu Muso Style’.”
”Bravo!”
Elberhardt leans back on the sofa, crossing his arms as he says, “That’s correct.”
”I knew you were a smart kid… well, maybe that’s not something to say to a 23-year-old.”
”But, that sword technique… I mastered it to the highest level of ‘Menkyokai-den (Mastery)’ during my previous life. My master taught me various battle situations, and beyond that…”
Elberhardt interrupts my words, raising his index finger.
”I also have a deep understanding of Eastern swordsmanship from Japan… or rather, from this world. There are various ‘forms,’ and mastering them completely allows you to execute techniques accurately and win against your opponent. If that’s what ‘mastery’ means…”
After taking a breath, he continues speaking.
”That’s not the highest level or the strongest, you know.”
I felt like I had been hit on the head!
The knowledge of ‘Obu Muso Style’ completely fed back into my current body. There’s no doubt about it. My skills have reached the level of mastery.
But…
”──Fighting is a ‘living thing.’ If you only rely on fixed forms and techniques, you’ll eventually be unable to adapt…”
”Hmm. Am I thinking too negatively?”
Elberhardt makes a slightly troubled face.
”This is something I want Kazumi to hear too.”
Saying that, he shifts his gaze to Kazumi.
”I hear you’ve mastered the basic fire magic to its limit, but advanced magic is still tough due to your magical power, right?”
”Yes. Right now, I’m thinking of learning basic magic from other elements too.”
Even though she was suddenly called upon, Kazumi answers firmly.
”Your basic fire magic still has more potential.”
”Eh… is that true, Rena?”
Kazumi asks Rena, who is sitting next to her.
”Um, I think I understand what he means.”
”?”
”Maybe it’s about using magic efficiently. How to use a small amount of magical power to create a big effect… or something like that.”
”Just as expected from Lady Rena. That’s it.”
Elberhardt smiles at Rena. His way of addressing her shows a lot of respect, which makes me smile too.
”When it comes to the level of magic, it’s just about the size of the effect. After that, you just need to practice using magic and refine your skills. You also need to experiment a lot. What magic to use in what situation? And how to reduce the amount of magical power consumed? ‘How to achieve the maximum effect with the least magical power’ is actually one of the goals for a magician.”
Listening to Elberhardt explain to Kazumi, I felt like I had reached an answer.
”Fighting is a ‘living thing.’ That’s why, by adapting to it and gaining various experiences, ‘my Obu Muso Style’ becomes stronger and more complete…”
At my muttering, Elberhardt smiled.
”You’ve reached the right answer. Yes. By adapting to various fights, your sword skills will continue to grow. Remember, ‘mastery’ is just the starting line.”
* * *
”To put it simply, after a long roundabout way, the answer to Hiroya’s question is ‘just gain practical experience.’ By accumulating that experience, even you guys can break through your limits. No, there are no limits to begin with.”
Elberhardt seemed like a teacher. He was guiding us to reach the answer ourselves.
”By the way, since I kept dragging you around, did you miss lunch?”
Elberhardt stands up from the sofa.
”Also, there’s no way I can keep the other two waiting outside the door forever. Besides, I have to get back to my duties, but I’ve reserved a table for you in the guild’s second-floor dining hall. Take your time and enjoy your meal.”
With that, he opened the door,
”I’m sorry for the wait. It’s all good now.”
He calls out to Liz and Martina.
”If you ever need anything, feel free to come to the royal castle. I’ll do my best to help you.”
Elberhardt waved his hand and walked toward the guild’s entrance.
I bowed deeply to his back. He was another teacher who showed me ‘the path I should aim for,’ different from Master Müller.
* * *
”I’m going to get stronger.”
After finishing my meal in the guild’s dining hall, I declared my determination again amidst the noise of the adventurers.
”I’m going to conquer the Goblin Forest dungeon. To protect everyone.”
”Yeah. I want to see you all grow stronger. It makes me happy to support you from the side.”
Liz grinned and took a swig of her beer.
”Rena is the guardian of you guys, so Rena is watching to see if you’re doing well.”
Rena smiled too.
”I’m going to stay with everyone no matter what. I dedicate everything to you all.”
Martina looked around at everyone and finally said to me,
”I’m going to get stronger so I can always be by Hiroya’s side.”
Kazumi next to me grabbed my arm tightly.
”Alright! Let’s toast to our new determination!”
Liz raised her beer, and we raised our mugs of less sweet fruit juice to toast.
”We’re going to get stronger!”
”””We’re going to get stronger!”””
Amidst the noise, our determination echoed.
Currency Rates
10 small copper coins → 1 copper coin (about 10 yen)
10 copper coins → 1 small silver coin (about 100 yen)
10 small silver coins → 1 silver coin (about 1,000 yen)
10 silver coins → 1 small gold coin (about 10,000 yen)
10 small gold coins → 1 gold coin (about 100,000 yen)
10 gold coins → 1 large gold coin (about 1,000,000 yen)
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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