CH 10

[A One and Only Skill-Deriving Constitution]

When we humans were born in this world, we were bestowed a skill by the Goddess.

It was like a talent that asserted control on our lives, and normally, every person only received one skill each.

However, it was said that there were rare cases where people were bestowed with multiple skills.

Of course, the Goddess was an impartial being, thus she gave everyone a possibility.

That was the possibility for humans to ‘derive’ their skill with some kind of impetus.

For example, yes——like in my case.

“It sure has increased a lot before I knew it,” I muttered to myself, looking at the skill column of my status.

Starting with the first skill that I had 《Substitute》, the skills were connected by lines like tree branches.

Previously, only 《Phoenix》 skill was displayed, but it seemed that as a result of me acquiring new skills, the display of the skill column itself had changed.

Probably, the Goddess had made it to be so from the very beginning.

That was the one called the ‘Goddess of Creation’ for you.

Well, it seemed that no one had ever seen her before, though.

Anyway, the matter was the new skills I had learned.

Apart from 《Substitute》, 《Immortality》, and 《Phoenix》, there was another line extending from 《Substitute》; it was extending to 《Impersonation》, which then extended to《False Sword Saint》.

The detailed explanation was like this:

[Skill——《Impersonation》: Imitate skills from the damage accumulated in the past]

[Skill——《False Sword Saint》: Able to master all sword techniques to high level]

They were most likely the reason why I could handle the sword techniques that Elma had learned.

My efforts of enduring pains from an early age had paid off, it seemed.

I didn’t want to remember too much, but it sure was painful…

Whoops, no no.

Since I had become free, I had to think about more enjoyable things.

But, enjoyable things, huh… I looked at the skill column again.

Aside from 《Phoenix》, skills shouldn’t be this easily derived normally, but perhaps, I had some unique constitution?

If that was the case, while now 《Impersonation》 imitate skills only from my own experience, perhaps, it’d be able to read the damage from others and imitate their skills eventually.

In other words, there was a possibility that I’d be able to wield weapons other than swords.

Well, in the end, I was only speaking of the possibility, but when I thought so, a dream came to my mind.

A dream of becoming an immortal adventurer who could instantly switch all to all combat techniques, including bare-fists.

“God, that’d be freakin’ cool…”

“——Adventurer-sama from Rafla weapon shop, it’s about time for your turn.”

“Ah, yes.” I went to the arena while my heart pounding at the infinite possibilities sleeping within me.

◇ ◇

Like that, I welcomed the second round.

My opponent was a man wielding dual swords attributed weapons.

Moreover, they were water-attributed weapons, which counter me who had fire attribute.

“You did brilliantly on the first round. But unfortunately for you, my dual swords are water-attributed. You can’t win against me with your fire attribute.”

“I wonder about that? I won’t know if I don’t try it, right?”

“No, your defeat has already been predetermined! Obediently admit your defeat! ——Mail Storm!” Boom! Kicking off the ground, the man rushed over to attack while being cladded in water stream.

Certainly, his attribute countered mine.

It made sense that water was resistant to fire, and it was also true that unless there was a great difference in power, my chance of winning was slim.

But.

“Since you wield dual swords, I’ll also fight you with dual swords!”

――Blaze blaze!

“Wha-!? This firepower!?”

The flame slashes I launched in a cross instantly evaporated the water stream surrounding the guy.

“Guh!? I won’t be going down with just this much!?” The man was desperately stopping the flames——slow.

“——Hah!?”

I instantly went around behind the man and held the Magic Blade-Sword Hinokaguzuchi that had returned to single-edged longsword-form low.

“My bad. My flame is special.”

――Slash!

“Gaha!?”

The flame blade flashed——and the man dropped the dual swords from his hands and collapsed to the ground.

Although I only struck him with the back of the sword, it was sufficient.

He wouldn’t be able to get up for a while.

“And also,” I said to the man who had already fainted. “My swordsmanship is special as well. After all, it originated from a saintess.”

◇ ◇

“Thank you for your hard work, Exa-san!”

“Un. Thanks, Fio-chan.” Fio-chan welcomed me with a big smile when I returned to the audience seats.

Geez, even if it was just to see this smile, I felt that all that effort was worth it.

I had this thought with Tia-chan back then too, but little sisters sure were cute…

Well, they weren’t my actual little sisters, though.

“Thanks for your hard work. I’m glad you’re safe, above all.”

“No no, it, too, thanks to the weapon Leia-san forged.” I smiled.

Then, Leia-san looked down at my waist and said, “——Magic Blade-Sword Hinokaguzuchi. For you to be able to master such an absurd weapon, you’re really are an amazing man.”

“Ahaha, thank you for the praise. I’ve already promised you I’d definitely get the overall victory, after all.”

“Yeah. I also believe that you can get it if it’s you. But…”

“?”

Leia-san suddenly shifted her gaze to the center of the arena with a serious expression.

The ones who were there were a man wielding a morning star at a speed that couldn’t be followed by the eye and a woman holding a purple spear gracefully.

――Saintess Arcadia.

I later learned that she was one of the saintesses and that she had the 《God Spear》 skill.