Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Beginner Training (3)
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I tossed and turned through the night without sleeping a wink, and before I knew it, the sun was beginning to rise. The blisters had gone down a bit compared to yesterday, but the poison's effects were still going strong...
As I stared out the window at the sunrise, I heard some movement in the courtyard. Glancing over, I saw Alensia already up, dressed in light workout clothes, loosening up with a single sword in hand.
Since I had nothing better to do anyway, I headed out to the courtyard too, leaving my armor on but just grabbing my sword.
The moment I stepped outside, she noticed me and called out.
"Looks like you didn't sleep well."
"Yeah, well... it was the itching."
I'd been using my skill nonstop because of the itching, so yeah, it was true that the itching kept me up.
"Sorry about that. I didn't consider sleep. No one's ever lasted until bedtime fighting off the poison before, so it didn't cross my mind."
"It's... fine for one night. But how long does this poison last?"
It felt like it might drag on too long. My mana might run low too.
"Usually a day or two. There's some variation, but with the blisters going down, your symptoms should clear up by tonight."
"Hm... you sure?"
"Of course. Didn't I say it's used for torture? You can trust the effects."
Trust the effects because it's for torture? What kind of logic is that?
I guess she means it's been tested in real use.
"Any chance you'd like to learn some swordplay from me?"
"!! Absolutely!"
An unexpected offer. Labyrinth instructors aren't swordsmanship guild teachers to begin with. They only teach Labyrinth knowledge. I'd hoped to pick up bits by watching a frontline fighter like her and mimicking from the sidelines... but actual instruction?
"I saw you swing a sword briefly yesterday. Good handwork, but your technique was raw. Got a [Dexterity] skill or something? Anyway, since you trusted my training, I can at least teach you the basics."
"I'd be honored."
Skills like [Swordsmanship] level up faster when learned from someone with a high skill level. And Alensia was an advanced adventurer. Her sword skills wouldn't pale against the guild instructors.
"Looking forward to it."
"If you're low on strength, deflect. With a double-edged sword like yours, trying to block with weak force will just cut your own blade. Dodge instead. Don't half-ass a block."
"No need to leave a hand free. If you're not dual-wielding, grab a shield or off-hand weapon. Or grip with both hands. Once your swordplay improves, you can free up a hand, but beginners? Shield up. In the Labyrinth, that's a shield or torch."
"No need to swing so wide. Aim to thrust. Enemies die to precise moves, and it's great in tight spaces. Save big swings for when you need power, but keep your arms closer to your body."
Every tip was worth paying the swordsmanship guild for. And not just swordplay—she wove in Labyrinth specifics, explaining when to use each move, true to her Labyrinth Guild instructor role.
It was valuable enough to make me forget yesterday's poison. Hell, I'd take another dose.
...Assuming I had [Sensory Block].
While receiving guidance from an overwhelmingly skilled swordsman, you have internalized it to some extent. Skill [Swordsmanship lv.1] has been created.
[Swordsmanship lv.1]: Provides correction to sword handling.
In just over an hour of instruction, I'd gained [Swordsmanship]. And without [Lust Absorption]'s help this time, which made it even sweeter.
"Skill acquired already? Quick learner... Definitely got something like [Dexterity]. That'll make picking up other hand-based skills easier too. Training it separately is another story, though."
This speed was thanks to [Heavenly Touch]. I'd thought it was good, but hearing Gram and now an advanced adventurer like Alensia praise it had me revising my estimate upward.
And I got it from one massage!
"Now that you've got the skill, that's enough for today. Clean up and prep for the Labyrinth. Keep up, and I'll check your swordplay through the rest of training."
"Appreciate it."
With that, sword training ended, and we headed for breakfast.
For the record, breakfast was so bad I used [Sensory Block] on my taste buds instead of itching—and it still broke through.
Next time, I'm cooking.
Before entering the Labyrinth, we stopped in the commercial district to learn how to pick expedition gear on a beginner budget. Magic tools were pricey, so basics it was.
Flint, rations, leather waterskin, torches, rope, some oil, bottom-tier potions...
Advanced adventurers could get lightweight enchanted bags, but we minimized weight instead.
"We'll camp in the Labyrinth tonight."
Figured the haul wasn't for one day. Yeah, camping ahead, and often in future training.
And right before entering, the message I'd been waiting for popped up.
You overcame the poison fused with Labyrinth mana without an antidote! Achievement effect: Acquired skill [Poison Resistance lv.1].
[Poison Resistance lv.1]: Grants slight resistance to all poisons.
With [Swordsmanship] earlier, that's two skills in one day. Felt like finally getting payback for three years of stagnation.
Honestly, hearing only one success story ever had shaken my trust a bit, but it worked—I got [Poison Resistance].
Alensia was thrilled, naturally.
"More people getting [Poison Resistance] through 'resistance training'! Proves the method works again. Labyrinth Guild won't discipline me for teaching it anymore!"
Uh... sorry, future trainees!
But hey, you get [Poison Resistance]! Cheers!
True to her word about checking my swordplay, today's training was packed. Amid Labyrinth lessons, she gave constant tips.
No level up yet, but I felt my swordplay improving. By training's end, it might even level.
It got tougher, but manageable. The real strain was elsewhere.
'To train poison resistance, you gotta ingest poison. Barely enduring without antidote gives way more skill EXP!'
At this rate, was it resistance training or just poison love? She kept pushing toxins on me. I passed on agony or diarrhea ones—[Sensory Block] couldn't handle those.
But milder ones, blockable with [Sensory Block]? Down the hatch. One sense at a time, single-symptom only.
Itching like yesterday, tongue-numbing, hallucinogenic...
The hallucinogen was wild. Hallucinations are perceived non-reality, so I tried blocking 'hallucinations'—poof, gone.
Who classifies hallucinations as a sense? Whatever, skill says so.
Skills have weirder quirks anyway.
Tried a stronger one to test—[Sensory Block] failed. Gulped antidote, stuck to weak stuff. Big win: learned skill nuance. Alensia gawked—"Hallucinations and auditory too?!"—but no sharing skill secrets.
Labyrinth lore, sword tips, poison chugging—camp time snuck up. Time blurs in there; she recommended a watch. Later.
"I'll take first watch."
"Pardon?"
We pitched a small tent in a decent spot, lit a fire, prepped to sleep—then that out-of-nowhere line.
"Camping in the Labyrinth means watch duty. Other adventurers or monsters could show."
"No, I know watch is needed, but..."
I'd pulled guard duty in the army back home. What I meant was...
"Don't we rotate?"
"Yes. But Ian, you barely slept from poison yesterday. Training tired you out too. I'll watch; you rest."
Sweet offer. I'd pulled an all-nighter, looped poison-antidote, stayed tense through lessons—exhausted.
Still, leaving her solo? Army taught me how brutal solo watch is, and instructing's draining too. Plus...
"Not like you, instructor. Your thoroughness so far had me expecting watch duty."
Goblin sparring, poison for resistance, carrying my own gear—realistic training. Watch as exception?
"Skipping watch defeats camping's purpose. If resting, we'd just leave."
Exactly—better efficiency outside if babying me.
She nodded thoughtfully, convinced.
"Fair. We'll rotate then."
I'd half-suggested bailing, but I'd committed to real training from the start. Watch happens in Labyrinths; no dodging.
Plus, impress her, get more sword lessons?
"I'll take first then; you sleep..."
"No, I'll go first."
Ah, I prefer first watch—easier to crash after. First Labyrinth camp, I might not sleep anyway. Did she like first shift too? Army flashbacks hit.
I blurted,
"Any reason for first watch?"
"...Not really big."
Probably can't sleep yet, or late watch drags the day. Minor stuff.
"Elves... are weak to sleep."
"Weak to sleep?"
"Yeah. Long-lived, right? Makes us laid-back mostly. Not all, but... we sleep a lot traditionally. Lingers—elves crash deep, hard to wake."
News to me. No elf encounters yet.
"But you rose early."
"Habit-breaking helps some... otherwise, too deep—even shaking barely works."
"Uh... dangerous, no?"
"Old stories: party with elf gets assaulted mid-sleep. Elves sense malice though—wake for impure intent. So, I take first. If you wake me later, might not stir."
...That's it? Like those unbudgeable army guys.
"Got it. I'll sleep first—wake me in time."
"Four hours."
Tucked "Elves weak to sleep" in my notes, crawled into the tent, and crashed.
How weak exactly to warrant that warning...? Now I'm curious.