ATTATTIN: Let’s get this out of the way, 3 chapters of Toya’s desperation. So we can move on to the main story.
I wake up before Jade does. For the past few days, I’ve been going back to the drawing board and swinging my sword. It’s been a long ti since I’ve been this serious with my sword. This is one of the reasons why I sleep so well at night.
Jade wakes up as I get out of bed and get ready for the day.
[You’re early.] Jade
[Oh, the Gate of Trials has begun. Moreover, I don’t have much ti before the deadline.] Toya
The deadline is until the end of the Gate of Trials. By then, I have to pass the test of old man Xelo.
[Can you do it?] Jade
[It’s not, but .] Toya
[That’s right. Because if the adventurer gives up, that’s where it ends.] Jade
[It’s nothing compared to being surrounded by monsters and not being able to escape. If you want, I can take over your challenge of the Gate of Trials once I pass the test.] Toya
Jade was asked by the old man Xelo to challenge the Gate of Trials. He was also recognized by the blacksmith himself. I feel a little frustrated.
[That’s right. If Toya can pass Xelo-san’s test, I’ll ask him for it. But you’ll have to pass it by today or tomorrow.] Jade
It’s rare for Jade to make a joke.
Or maybe he’s just saying that to motivate .
[Are you sure you want to say that? I’ll play an active role and you won’t have your turn, Jade.] Toya
[That would make things a lot easier for .] Jade
[Don’t forget what you just said.] Toya
Damn it, I’m definitely going to pass old man Xelo’s test and earn Jade’s respect.
When I went downstairs, I saw l and Senia already eating breakfast.
[Good morning, both of you.] Jade
[You’re already eating?] Toya
We sat down at the sa table as l and Senia and ordered breakfast.
[Are you training today, Toya?] l
[Yeah, ’cause I think I know a few things now, thanks to Missy. I want to swing my sword before I forget those things.] Toya
[She’s really are amazing, isn’t she? That Yuna-chan, she’s so good with magic and weapons for soone with such a small body.] l
[She’s incredible.] Senia
l and Senia were right, she is an incredible girl. I’ve t a lot of adventurers in my life. Even the best wizards need to practice their magic. l also said that she was still a beginner when she was at the Bear Missy’s age. At that age, she can use so much magic and is skilled with weapons. I can only say that’s amazing. When I was her age, I don’t rember practicing earnestly. But I’ve been wielding a sword since I decided to beco an adventurer. Still, I’m nowhere near the Bear Missy. If I could see the old , I’d tell him to practice diligently.
[Maybe she’s just a genius of a girl.] Toya
[It’s not just that. Yuna is accustod to fighting real battles. From what I’ve seen of her fighting, she’s had quite a few real battles.] Jade
Jade answers my little monologue.
]That’s right. Yuna-chan doesn’t seem to be afraid of monsters, even when she fights them up close and personal. Generally, people get scared of monsters when they encounter them. When I was Yuna-chan’s age, I used to be afraid of monsters when I saw them.] l
[But it’s not that long since Yuna beca an adventurer, right?] Senia
When we first t Missy, she had just beco Rank D. A few days before that, she had co to town and slaughtered an adventurer who picked a fight with her, which led to rumors among the adventurers about the Bear Missy.
At first, I thought it was a joke and laughed about it. But then, I kept hearing rumors about the Bear Missy. Rumors of her slaying goblins, orcs, and tiger wolves even with her small figure.
And when I heard the story of how she finally defeated the Black Viper by herself, I couldn’t believe it. But I passed it off as sothing like because she had a lot of magical power and talent. However, Missy, she’s also excellent at handling knives and swords. And at her age, she was way better than .
[Where and what did Yuna-chan do before she beca an adventurer? She definitely had to learn how to handle magic and weapons sowhere at so point, right?] l
[Maybe she’s from the land of the bears.] Senia
Senia said sothing stupid. What’s a land of the bears? When I thought of it, I imagined all of the people living there were dressed up as bears like Missy. I definitely don’t want to go to such a place.
[So, Jade will be at Xero-san’s place again today, right?] l
[Yeah, I have a few things to ask about the Gate of Trials.] Jade
After breakfast, Jade and l head to the old man Xelo’s place. While Senia and I went out of the city.
[You don’t have to follow , you know.] Toya
[Jade and l told to keep an eye on Toya to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.] Senia
Senia is foolishly following due to the words of Jade and l.
[So, where are you going today?] Senia
[To the river in the nearby forest.] Toya
I asked the adventurer’s guild about the terrain in the area, hoping to find a good place to practice. Then I found out that there was an area with a small river.
Senia and I walked up to the river. There are trees and shade all around us. There are no people around, and it’s a good place to swing a sword.
I pulled the sword out of its scabbard and started swinging it. When I swung it as I want, the sword felt lighter. It’s a subtle sensation, but it’s there. The sensation of swinging through is different. Before I forget the feeling, I picked up a couple of thick branches that has fallen nearby and stuck them between the stones. I prepare several of them. I took a deep breath, walked between the wooden sticks, and swung my sword.
The first stick was cut cleanly, and the second one was cut as well, but the third and fourth sticks bounced off each other. This is because I am not good at backswings. The angle of the blade is bad.
To do a proper slash, not only power but also speed and angle are important. In terms of power and speed, it could be compared to Jade and Senia. If that’s the case, then the angle is bad? It’s not a problem if I just want to cut one, but to cut all of it, I’ll need to figure it out.
And it should be done while actively moving. But it’s no good if I fail while moving. Jade, Senia, and Bear Missy can do that as normal as breathing. They can damage the opponent in any situation. If I can’t do that much, then I can’t handle a Mithril sword.
I wielded my sword in silence, I set up the wooden sticks and practiced slashing.
As I silently swinging my sword, Senia calls out to .
[Toya, it’s lunchti. I’m hungry.] Senia
[Is it that ti already?] Toya
[It’s ready. Co and eat.] Senia
While I was swinging my sword, Senia was preparing lunch for us. I wet my towel in the river and wiped my face and body. The water was cool and refreshing. After wiping off the sweat, I head towards Senia. Then I saw Senia already eating a piece of bread by herself.
[And you’re already eating. You could have waited a bit.] Toya
[You’re too slow, I’ll eat your portion if you don’t hurry, Toya.] Senia
I sat down in front of Senia and grabbed a piece of bread. I am famished and it was delicious.
[It’s not fun to watch, right? You can go back.] Toya
[It’s okay, I was sleeping.] Senia
[You were sleeping?!] Toya
I’ve known Senia for a long ti, but sotis I don’t know what she’s thinking. However, the trees shade her from the sun’s rays. This might be the best place to take a nap while listening to the sound of the river.
After I finished my lunch, I resud my practice. Then I heard the sound of happy children’s voices. The voices gradually get closer and closer. I heard the sound of stepping on a nearby branch, and three dwarven brats appeared from behind a tree.
[Hey, niichan, what are you doing here?] Dwarven Kid 1
[As you can see, I’m practicing with my sword. What are you guys doing here?] Toya
[There are no monsters here, so it’s our playground. While we were playing, we heard soone over here, so we ca to check it out and found you and neechan over there.] Dwarven Kid 1
[Niichan, are you an adventurer?] Dwarven Kid 2
[Yeah, I am an adventurer.] Toya
When I said that, the dwarven kids looked happy.
[That’s cool.] Dwarven Kid 3
[Have you ever defeated a monster before?] Dwarven Kid 2
[Yeah, of course.] Toya
[Wow.] Dwarven Kid 3
[Let see your sword.] Dwarven Kid 1
[ too.] Dwarven Kid 3
One of the kids tries to touch the sword I’m holding. I quickly lift my sword.
[It’s dangerous to try and touch it so suddenly.] Toya
[I’m sorry.] Dwarven Kid 3
The kid apologized honestly. I lowered the sword that I had raised above my head and held it out to the kid, who looked like he wanted to see it.
[Can I?] Dwarven Kid 3
[Only for a bit. It’s heavy, so be careful.] Toya
He grasped the sword that I presented to him with both hands.
[Oh, it’s so cool. I’d like to make a sword like that soday.] Dwarven Kid 1
That’s a child of the dwarves for you. They desire to make, not use.
[Are you guys aiming to be blacksmiths?] Toya
[Yes! That’s right. I’m going to beco a great blacksmith and make a lot of cool swords.] Dwarven Kid 1
[Yeah, good luck with that.] Toya
[If I ever make a cool sword, niichan, buy one from .] Dwarven Kid 2
[My sword, too!] Dwarven Kid 3
[What’s this? Is it because I’m cool?] Toya
Apparently, to a kid, I look cool. A cool-looking guy deserves a cool-looking sword.
[No, it’s not. My father told to take good care of my custors. He said a blacksmith who runs away from his custors is a third-rate blacksmith.] Dwarven Kid 2
[Oh, I see. Then I’ll have to beco a good blacksmith so that my custors won’t run away.] Dwarven Kid 3
No adventurer wants to buy a weapon from a third-rate blacksmith. If you’re going to trust your life to them, then buy a weapon from a good blacksmith.
[Niichan, do you mind if I watch you practice?] Dwarven Kid 1
[It’s okay, but it’s not interesting.] Toya
[It’s fine.] Dwarven Kid 1
The kids went to Senia’s side.
I made sure the kids were away, then I swung my sword. Over and over again. Each ti, I hear the happy voices of the kids. And when I cut down a branch, they cheered for .
[Niichan, that’s aweso.] Dwarven Kid 1
[The weapon is good.] Dwarven Kid 2
[I think that’s where you say my skill is good.] Toya
[Eh?~] Dwarven Kid 3
Damn it, I gave them permission to watch, but it’s hard to train like this.
But I’m slowly getting a feel for it. I thrust the blunt sword, made by old man Xelo’s son, into the ground.
Taking a deep breath, I readied my Mithril sword.
At that mont, Senia shouts!
[Toya! Behind you!] Senia
I turned around and saw a large beast there.
Author’s Note:
Funny, it didn’t end in one episode.
But the next one should be the end of the Toya chapter, I think?
※It`s great that my computer doesn`t freeze up. I miss the days when my computer used to freeze several tis a day.
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