Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Dwarf Training
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In [Devil Fantasy], the Aldeon School's public image was like this.
A 'mysterious school' whose dealings no one could quite figure out.
In truth, Aldeon was packed with enigmatic scholars who defied categorization, and endless rumors—impossible to verify—poured out nonstop.
Rumors like a legion commander-level demon being sealed in the Aldeon Magic Tower, or the school's scholars having contracted with demons...
Most of them negative, tied to 'demons.'
But from what I'd looked into myself.
'Demons, my ass.'
They were all baseless gossip.
'How the hell could guys specializing in light magic contract with demons?'
Aldeon's magic was all about the 'light attribute.'
They stood at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from demons.
...I had no idea how they ended up with this image, but anyway.
The fact that Aldeon was opening its Magic Tower was huge news for me.
'I can learn light magic.'
Light attributes held absolute dominance over demons, who mostly operated in the dark.
It was the one type of magic directly influenced by the holy power stat, too.
For me, planning to hoard holy power like crazy, it was absolutely essential.
Sure, I'd originally planned to pick it up around mid-build.
"Learning it early can't hurt."
Rustle.
Standing before the Aldeon Magic Tower, I pulled a circular wooden token from my pocket.
An ID badge I'd bought from a broker.
It was imprinted with the identity of a commoner named 'Yoo Hanes' who had died unnoticed in District 6.
I'd chosen it because it matched my age and was close to my real name.
I pressed the ID badge straight into the tower's barrier.
It touched the barrier and flashed brightly.
Flash-!
"Done."
This signaled my intent to enter the Aldeon Magic Tower.
They'd probably contact me soon to attend.
I turned on my heel right away.
With the tower opening for the first time in a century, tons of people must have applied.
Aldeon wouldn't take them all as disciples.
It meant fierce competition.
Time was short.
No clue what process they'd use to select disciples, so I had mountains of prep to do.
***
The next morning.
I slung on the bag stuffed with everything I'd bought yesterday and headed to the bustling streets.
To fix my most urgent issue: this frail body of mine.
"There has to be at least one around here..."
District 6's commercial hub was lined with all sorts of shops.
I focused on the 'training halls,' and soon spotted the one I wanted among the many.
Without hesitation, I pushed open the door.
Ding-.
"...Who might you be?"
The owner inside eyed me suspiciously.
I scanned him first.
Short and stocky build, bushy rust-red beard, matching eyes, and bulging muscles.
That rugged, manly vibe confirmed he was the race I was after.
"Looks like I came to the right place. I'd like to train my body here."
"So... you're a customer?"
The owner asked in disbelief.
Fair enough.
How often did customers show up at a dusty place like this?
Especially a human one.
"Yes, that's right."
"...Well, I'll be. This is a surprise. Why train here of all places? Human-run halls are everywhere nearby. Even some barbarian ones."
Why here?
"Isn't it obvious?"
The reasons were endless.
Cheaper prices than elsewhere, one-on-one coaching since no other customers, intensive short-term regimens...
But above all.
"Aren't dwarves the best at body training?"
The pinnacle of training halls weren't run by humans or barbarians—they were dwarven ones.
Barbarians were born with great bodies innately, but dwarves forged theirs through acquired effort.
Purely in training methods, dwarves outclassed barbarians.
'And no one knows that better than me.'
Back when I'd turned my lacking swordsman character's body around at a no-hype dwarf hall, achieving the 108th accomplishment [Perfect Body].
I still couldn't forget that rush.
"Hah... hahaha!"
The dwarf owner burst into hearty laughter.
True to their straightforward nature, his suspicions were already gone.
"You've got an eye for quality! Damn right! Us dwarves are the true experts in body training! Barbarians don't even compare! Hahaha!"
He was thrilled.
After laughing his fill, he finally nodded.
"Alright. Anyone who knows dwarven greatness deserves our training methods! But... this place isn't empty for nothing."
His face turned dead serious.
"It'll be brutal. You might even want to die. Half-hearted resolve will make you quit for sure. Still want in?"
His voice was low and grave.
Yeah, he was warning me to think it over carefully.
But come on.
I'd been threatened with having my heart ripped out by a silver-haired knight.
I was a wanted man in Asteron now, too.
Me, dodging hardship?
'No way in hell.'
There were no shortcuts in [Devil Fantasy].
Easy paths only led to sluggish growth.
"This is exactly what I hoped for."
This grueling road.
This was the path I wanted.
***
The reason I'd come to a training hall despite choosing mage was simple.
I'd confirmed in the game multiple times: a character's physical specs affected magic power.
'...If my body had been better in that fight with the redhead, I wouldn't have needed holy water.'
My transformation magic alone probably would've sufficed.
Like that, the same spell hit harder with better physical stats.
That's why I was training my body.
For more powerful, efficient magic.
But even knowing that...
"Huff...! Huff...!"
This pain was unbearable.
"Where'd that fiery look from earlier go? You look like a dead fish now."
"...Who're you mocking?"
"Means buck up."
The owner, who'd introduced himself as Barundel, smirked and pressed down lightly on my back.
I was doing push-ups right then.
Just two fingers pressing down, but it felt like my arms would snap.
Oblivious, Barundel kept chatting.
"With that pitiful strength, what training are you even doing? We haven't even started real dwarven methods!"
"Huff, huff...!"
His nagging spurred me to grit my teeth and push up, but willpower had its limits.
Soon enough, I collapsed flat.
"...Ugh, how many was that?"
"Tsk tsk, five. And it's dropping each time."
Felt like gaslighting.
'Of course it drops the longer you go, you old coot!'
The retort rose to my lips, but I lacked the breath to spit it out.
And anyway, my body being pathetic was fact.
'Just seven...'
Even my out-of-shape real-world self could've done fifteen easily.
But now, even at peak condition, seven was my limit.
...No surprise from a body starved for so long.
Whatever. It was better than expected.
This wouldn't cut it, so I decided to use my ace in the hole.
"...Hand me my bag, please."
"Hm? Bag?"
Barundel waddled over and fetched it.
Thud!
It hit the ground with a heavy thump.
"This it? Heavier than it looks."
"Yeah, that's the one."
With trembling hands, I struggled to open it.
Soon, glittering items appeared inside.
"Hm? What's all this...?"
"Stuff to help me out."
The bag was packed with colorful glass vials.
Potions I'd cherry-picked from the general store for their utility.
I'd figured my weak ass wouldn't last long.
Pop!
I uncorked a green-liquid potion and chugged it.
Gulp, gulp.
Weird sensation.
I could pinpoint exactly where it slid down my throat.
And even before finishing half, the effects kicked in.
"...Oh."
Like clouds parting, my fatigue-clouded mind cleared.
'Damn, potent stuff.'
Wanted to down more, but I capped it.
Gotta ration the pricey ones.
Pop!
Next was a red potion.
Packed with vitality, it healed wounds and restored the body.
Downed half, felt it seep into my muscles.
The needle-like ache all over vanished clean.
'Expensive really is better.'
But I wasn't done.
Pop! Pop! Pop...!
I downed them one after another.
[Muscle Growth Accelerator Potion], [Regeneration Boost Potion], [Vitality Potion], and so on...
Only when my gut felt ready to burst did I stand.
Then declared confidently.
"Let's go again."
"...Potions have limits. Keep this up, and it'll wreck your body for sure."
"But I'll grow fast in the short term. That's fine by me."
Worry fading from his face, Barundel let out a hollow chuckle.
"...Hah, are you insane?"
Insane...
Not wrong.
I'd do anything to get stronger.
I was a growth-obsessed maniac.
***
Meanwhile, in a conference room shrouded in barrier magic on all sides.
Grim-faced elders sat around a circular stone table.
"Elder, applicants to enter the Aldeon Magic Tower have already surpassed three hundred."
"...Is that so. The announcement's ripple effect is bigger than expected."
"It means Aldeon's fame hasn't died yet. There must be plenty of talented ones among them. Why not expand the school while we're at it?"
Dershion, the Aldeon School's 1st Elder and future Tower Lord, sank deep into thought.
'...Light is a power that can't be given to everyone.'
Light weakens in brightness and strengthens in deep shadow.
Many wanting into the Aldeon Magic Tower was good, but enlightenment couldn't be shared with all.
Especially since.
"That goes against Aldeon's will."
Aldeon hadn't opened the tower to grow its numbers.
Solely to witness true 'light.'
That's why they'd unsealed it after a century.
And that process didn't need hordes.
Just ten.
Even then, if one standout talent appeared, the other nine were unnecessary.
The 7th Elder who'd suggested it bowed his head in shame.
"...I got carried away. To forget Aldeon's will over something this minor... shameful."
"Don't blame yourself. I was excited too."
Breaking the solemn air was the 2nd Elder, opposite Dershion.
"So, Dershion. What'll you do with them?"
"What else? You know there's only one way. Aldeon needs exactly ten talents."
"...Picking just ten from this crowd? Expect backlash."
"We're stretched thin supporting current scholars already. Especially now—we must be cautious. I thought you'd get that."
"...I do."
"Good."
Dershion scanned the other elders sternly.
"Elders, doubt not the path you walk. We march toward the light."
"Quite right."
"For Aldeon's light..."
"For Aldeon's light."
"It's truly near now."
If all went to plan.
If one talent alone embraced the light.
"...Our will shall be realized."
At last, Aldeon would behold 'light.'