Chapter 226
Chapter 226
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Chapter 5-2. Rest
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After finishing a simple meal of toast and milk, Arhil left for the guild hall first. Watching her dash off with her head bowed in embarrassment, she seemed much improved compared to yesterday.
Sure enough.
Her odd behavior lately had been due to pent-up lust. Her footsteps were light as she ran, and though her face was flushed from shame, she no longer showed that dazed look from before.
'Hmm.'
Judah considered following her to the guild hall but figured there probably weren't that many patients left anyway, so it might not be necessary. As he stepped out the door, he spotted Via sitting on the flower bed across the street. She raised a hand in a light greeting.
At first, the once icily distant elf greeting him so casually brought a small spark of joy. He waved back enthusiastically in response.
"Long time no see."
They hadn't crossed paths much lately. She nodded with a faint smile as she walked over.
"I suppose so. Have you been well? Oh, I heard something interesting today."
"?"
"An elf who lives nearby mentioned it in passing. Apparently, something huge happened last night. Some even said they couldn't sleep properly because of it. Heh."
"…Pardon?"
"It's fine. I'm not planning to say anything about it. Oh, after hearing that, I figured you might need this, so I got it for you."
"……."
Via handed over the rolled-up parchment she was holding. The moment Judah took it, he knew without explanation that it was a magic scroll. He didn't even need to untie the string. The question was what kind of magic it held. When he checked the item's description and saw the name, he could only hang his head.
[Magic Scroll - Cleanse]
Cleanse, my ass. It was a scroll they actually needed, but receiving it just made him sigh. He'd jokingly told Arhil the neighbors might hear her moans, and it turned out the whole area had indeed overheard.
"No need to be so embarrassed. Just be more careful next time. Make sure to close the door, that's all."
Judah gave a wry smile at Via's teasing words and stowed the scroll in his <Bag>.
"Mm! I'll keep that in mind. So, what brings the Sword Saint here today?"
"I've prepared some recompense for the favor you did me, in my own way."
Recompense?
Judah tilted his head at her unexpected words. What valuable item from the elf forest could it be…?
The World Tree's sap was too precious to give away, useful now and in the future. The [World Tree Staff of the Elf Queen] was just a set piece, not a drop item, and useless to him since it was for mages. Most of Via's swords were slender rapiers, not suited to his greatsword and dagger style.
"What is it? What's this about?"
"Training."
"…?"
"More precisely, I'll spar with you—the one you all praise as the Sword Saint. I considered giving you an elven treasure, but I can't without the queen's permission. And what I have isn't all that great, so it wouldn't really count as proper repayment."
Via shrugged dismissively.
"That leaves teaching you as the Sword Saint. I think this is the most valuable thing I can offer you."
"Why's that?"
"Hmm… why, indeed. As the owner of a Spirit Sword, do you think it's easy to find someone willing to spar with you at full strength? Even if you do, would they agree easily? They'd suspect ulterior motives and refuse. Sparring with a Spirit Sword owner means a moment's lapse could cost your head."
"……."
"But I'm different. I can spar with you and even teach you. Believe it or not, a century ago, humans considered me their master. Opportunities like this don't come often."
"True. You look young, but you're quite old."
"Wait, that comment… it feels kinda offensive?"
Via's eyes sharpened. Ignoring her question, Judah pressed on.
"No need to overthink it. If the Sword Saint offers to teach me, I'll gladly accept. When and where do we start?"
She stared at him with a displeased look before letting out a smirk.
"Today. Who knows when you'll leave the forest? Better to start ASAP. Follow me for the spot."
The place Via led him to was a clearing in the woods between Roenggrim and the World Tree's city.
"Here."
It seemed she trained here regularly—not just Via, but her disciples were waiting too. At the entrance to the clearing stood sword racks with several blades, plus cabinets for towels and water.
Via received her disciples' greetings.
Judah drew stares from them.
As they headed to the center. Via picked up one of the slender rapiers from the rack—likely her usual one. The swords there were plain and well-worn but fine spirit sword-worthy blades.
"Alright, shall we begin?"
Standing in the middle of the clearing, she drew her sword from its sheath and pointed it at Judah. In the soccer-field-sized space, Judah drew his bastard sword and a standard dagger in his left hand. No fragments. Instead, he activated his few skills.
"Come at me."
Judah didn't hold back, charging her to test his new left-hand sword proficiency from becoming a spirit sword owner. He unleashed his techniques freely. She blocked everything.
"During sparring, use minimal mana on the spirit sword."
"Lower your stance—your right side's exposed. Dropping the sword tip might cover the gap better."
"You're slow. Rise faster."
"Your form looks off. You throw daggers too? Then throw it. It's fine. You won't injure me, so don't worry about that. Go all out!"
She was confident, her Sword Saint title well-earned. Her perfect blocks even tempted him to try a fragment. But even without one, he'd never imagined being this helpless.
One thing was clear: sparring with her was immensely helpful.
Knowing how to use skills wasn't enough for combos. She parried or dodged to let his chains flow, rapidly building his proficiency.
He rarely tired, but an hour with her drained his stamina. Via, unfazed, told him to rest in the corner and called her disciple for back-to-back spars.
During his break, he finally checked her status window for the first time.
Things had been busy, and the world felt so real he'd put it off—until now.
──────────────────────
「Status Window」
[Name: Via]
[Title: One Praised by All]
[True Name: Guardian of the Elves]
[Level: 89]
[Job: Sword Saint (S)]
[Race: Elf]
[Strength: 90 (S) / Potential S]
[Vitality: 89 (A) / Potential A]
[Agility: 97 (S) / Potential SS]
[Mana: 85 (A) / Potential S]
[Magic Resistance: 84 (A) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 71 (B) / Potential A]
[Concentration: 80 (A) / Potential A] ◀ Special
[Knowledge: 68 (B) / Potential A] ◀ Special
[Luck: 77 (B) / Potential A] ◀ Special
[Favorability: 30 (Interested)]
[Trust: 70 (Trusts)]
「Traits 7/9」
[Guardian of the Elves] - Rank: S
[World Tree's Blessing] - Rank: A
[Mana Amplification] - Rank: A
[Sword Saint] - Rank: S
[War God] - Rank: S
[Noble Oath] - Rank: A
[Swordsmanship Correction] - Rank: A
「Skills 7/9」
[Body Acceleration, Reinforcement] - Rank: A
[Myriad Sword] - Rank: S
[Guardian's Swordsmanship] - Rank: A
[Spirit Contract - Wind] - Rank: A
[Spirit Contract - Fire] - Rank: S
[Eye of Truth] - Rank: B
[Fusion Swordsmanship] - Rank: B
──────────────────────
"Whoa."
Incredible.
Most traits and skills were A-rank or higher, and she had nine slots each—nine out of a max ten. And she even had [War God], one of the best traits.
'No wonder I can't win.'
He'd beaten two fellow spirit sword owners so far. But Via was on another level. Even with a fragment, victory wasn't guaranteed. If he attacked with death on the line, maybe he'd take an arm—but not wise. No reason to fight her now anyway.
Planning to leave the elf forest after the festival, he'd squeeze every drop from these spars until then. Waiting his turn, Judah watched Via and her disciple intently.
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Wow, switched to cable internet. Should be faster now, right?
2) Mekucha? I didn't answer because it was my own question. I had no idea what it meant. Actually searched it after posting—oh man.
3) Training skipped.