Volume 2 - CH 28

Several days passed.

We were harvesting the wheat and fruits before replanting the seeds. Also, we made a training facility in the centre of the village; albeit more of a patch of dirt that had been single mindedly commandeered for training purposes.

Rather than doing anything new, we focused more on building our foundations. …We never know when the werewolves from the north might come to attack after all. In the off chance something does happen, it would probably be best for us to strengthen our current war potential rather than doing new things.

I turned towards the werewolves wielding the new iron swords I’d made for them and swung my sword towards them. “Wrong, you aren’t concentrating on your magic power enough. Next!”

After dealing with the single werewolf coming at me with their sword, I called to my next training partner. This one was a goblin. The goblin’s magic power swelled. It was water attribute magic. Probably the water sword art.

I could tell that the goblin was getting better at concentrating. I shot a magic attack at them in an attempt to break that. The goblin flowed their magic power through their whole body to maintain their focus.

The training we were doing currently was to teach each of them how to adequately understand their magic power, and to use it, maintain it, and strengthen it. Of course raising their stats was important, but the raising their technical ability was also very important.

It’s just that the effect is a lot greater if we focus on training in the attribute that suits each individual best, rather than recklessly trying to train without an attribute. I had tried throwing the goblin off with magic, but they managed to slip through.

Then then approached me in an instant and slashed their sword at me. I slashed my own sword and blocked them. Our blades were locked together. I had to focus on not injuring them; I was also training myself in that aspect. Compared to the goblins and the werewolves, my status was overwhelmingly higher.

Normally it would be impossible for me to lose to them. …However I’d be done in if I were to lose my focus for a moment. Your growth is tied to situations where your life is at risk after all. I swung my sword to brush the goblin’s body away, causing the goblin to tumble across the ground.

“Good focus there. You should be able to control your magic power and strengthen it if you keep on like that.”

“Okay!” In this manner, I called for the next goblin. I thought to myself as I swung my sword. I could already tell that my stats go up even from this kind of training. Even though I was training the goblins and werewolves, it was causing my own status to rise.

…It’s certainly pretty convenient being able to train at twice the speed of other people.

I trained my own magic control along with my opponents. …Each of the goblins and werewolves have different attributes that they’re good with. So this is also training for me to swap out the magic inside my body.

I took a very short breather and whipped the sweat off my forehead. Moving without rest like this really builds up my body’s fatigue.

…I’d already made all the goblins and werewolves’ swords out of iron. Conversely, Livia and Orphe’s swords had gotten a bit better after I strengthened them with bestowal magic. Those two have done a lot for the village, so everyone agreed that it was fair.

“Ahh, shoot! Crest, you’re way too strong…”

“Of course he is… I mean, I do we even know if Livia and Orphe could beat him if they fought together?”

“Look, don’t whine about it. Just get stronger so you can play an active roll in the next fight, then maybe we’ll be given nice weapons.”

Everyone seemed to be happily discussing the weapons. Looks like my reward tactic was a success.

…I based it off the way they do things in a country in the upper world. In the upper world, things like territory would be granted in exchange for meritorious work. So I was planning on giving weapons as a reward to motivate everyone in case we go to war with the northern werewolves. …Well, everyone’s life depends on it so it would be an issue if they weren’t motivated. Never know what will happen after all.

Looks like the weapons were becoming a pretty big reward for the monsters. …I just don’t know how long the monsters will have to fight against each other. They’re fine with weapons for now, but what should I do going forward?

I repelled the sword a werewolf had swung at me. He was on the weaker side among the werewolves, so I called out to him. “In order to protect those who are important to us, Orphe, Livia… and even I need to possess the power to do so!”

The werewolf stood up and nodded. “Yes! Since you have saved us werewolves, I wish to become your sword lord Crest!”

“…N, no I was speaking more about Orphe and Livia…” Enough about me. I plan on moving to a more background role at some point… Following after the werewolf, the goblins, and the other werewolves stood up in succession and raised their voices.

“Me too! I’ll get strong enough to be able to protect you!”

“Same here!”

“Please train us harder!”

…They’re more enthusiastic than I expected them to be. I’m not some kind of drill sergeant from hell. Rather an instructor like that is actually pretty bad at it.

“Well then, could I ask you to coach me next?” said Orphe who should have been out leading other monsters out hunting. He came over with an oddly determined smile as he drew his sword from his hip.

“You’re back then Orphe?”

“Yeah. I’ve kept at practicing my magic power manipulation for these past few days. I’d like to see the fruits of that.” …Well he’s brimming with motivation. I drew my sword as well and took a deep breath.

“Come!”

“…Haa!” As soon as I spoke, Orphe kicked off the ground. He shortened the distance between us in an instant. His attribute is fire. As he launched his sword at me with incredible speed, I dodged out of the way.

…Looks like he’s gotten pretty familiar with fire attribute magic power. I gave the magic power flowing in Orphe’s body a feel.

The balance of his magic was a little all over the place, but I could tell it was flowing through his body a lot better.

I watched the path of his movements and proceeded to move into a gap that opened up.

“Wha-!?” I knocked Orphe’s sword away from him and gave him a smile. Orphe looked surprised for a moment before quickly switching to a happy smile. “…Guess I’m still no match for you, huh.”

“Still, you’re getting a lot better. You should be fine if you keep practicing like this.”

“I see, thanks.” Once my fight with Orphe concluded, I looked to my surroundings.

“Yeah, Crest is so strong…”

“…Seriously. Wait, we can’t just stay surprised by him!”

“Yeah! We need to at least become strong enough to fight without relying on Crest’s strength!”

“Please face me next Crest!” …Guess I can’t rest any time soon.