Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Revil
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"Incredible...!"
Honestly speaking, ever since being transferred to this other world, I'd spent two years in the small town near where I first arrived, so even when people called it a backwater or whatever, it hadn't really hit home for me.
I'd sometimes seen traveling merchants or outsiders shaking their heads at the state of the town, but coming from a modern 21st-century city, I figured rural or urban, it was all the same to me.
But...
'Streetlights? Actual streetlights? And those are all magic tools? The roads are this clean too?'
The city of Revil, where I'd just set foot for the first time, was different.
True to its reputation as a major city, the scale was on another level entirely. The streets were spotless, lined with grand, imposing buildings.
'And those people over there... mages?'
Mages, who were rare sights back in my old town, appeared here and there as I walked the streets.
The markets buzzed with energy, and well-equipped guards patrolled the roads, keeping the peace.
Watching it all made me suddenly regret wasting two years rotting away in the sticks.
Shaking off the regret, I headed straight to the Adventurer's Guild first. I handed over my adventurer's plate and went through the process to switch my affiliation.
"All done. You can now take requests here in Revil. E-rank requests are on the second floor!"
The staff here was leagues more friendly than the ones at my old branch. They handled the paperwork smoothly and even answered a few questions about the city.
Thanks to that, I learned about nearby forges for gear, general stores, and suitable requests in the area. Then I asked the question burning in my mind.
"Um, I heard this city has a library..."
"A library...?"
The receptionist, who had been promptly answering typical adventurer questions, looked a bit flustered, clearly not expecting an E-rank to ask about the library.
"Y-yes. If you head to the central district, there's a library built by Count Leonar, the lord of this city."
'Perfect.'
There were plenty of reasons, but Jacob's words about Revil having a library full of information had been the decisive factor in moving here from my old town.
For one, I was dying to know more about the changes in my body, and I still knew next to nothing about this world.
'I've picked up bits and pieces from tavern talk while adventuring, but I don't even know the basic history or geography.'
This was the perfect chance to hit the library and study up on history, terrain, and such.
Bonus points if I could learn about the changes in my body too.
And one more thing.
"Also... is there a place around here where I could learn the sword?"
"The sword... you say?"
"Yes. Sword preferably, but if not, somewhere teaching other weapon arts or combat skills would be great."
Just a few days ago, I'd barely survived a run-in with those Evil God Cultists. And on the way here, I'd fought off bandits targeting me.
This world was like that. A place where your life could end at any moment without warning.
Luck had kept me alive for two years somehow... but there was no guarantee it would hold forever.
'I need to get stronger.'
It was a thought I'd harbored before, but nearly dying to those bandits had solidified it.
And... even aside from that.
'Honestly, it was kind of fun.'
Ever since my body changed, I'd felt this strange surge of power, and crushing those five bandits single-handedly had sparked a thrill for combat in me.
Was my personality shifting? Or had my true nature been suppressed until I had the strength to let it out? Either way, a desire to grow stronger and dive into fiercer battles was budding inside me.
"Of course! There are plenty of places. Let me see..."
The receptionist, who'd been a bit thrown by my library question but dug through some maps anyway, smoothly introduced several options to my more familiar query.
"The simplest way is to enlist in the army..."
"...Pass."
I shot down the first suggestion without a second thought.
Damn. Enlistment. I never thought I'd hear that nightmare word in this world too.
"Otherwise, you could join one of the clans."
"Clans?"
"Yes. You heard about them when you registered as an adventurer, right?"
I... vaguely remembered something? It had been two years since I registered, so details were fuzzy.
Basically like 'guilds' in Earth's games.
Groups of adventurers taking on high-risk requests as a clan, or claiming ownership of certain 'dungeons'...
"There are several clans active in Revil, always recruiting new members. If you join one, you should get basic combat training!"
"Hm..."
A clan... not a bad idea in theory, but would any take a fresh E-rank transplant like me?
And honestly, 'basic' training from a clan probably wouldn't satisfy me.
I wanted something more substantial... advanced swordsmanship maybe...
Magic would be ideal, but that's a pipe dream.
"If that's not your style... there are dojos run by retired adventurers or former knights."
"Dojos?"
"Yes. You pay tuition and learn their style of combat. Some famous ones are even taught by retired A-rank adventurers!"
"Oh?"
The final option hit the spot.
It cost money—unlike the others—but in exchange, you'd learn from real pros.
"Any recommendations?"
"Sure! They collaborate with our guild to advertise to adventurers, so..."
When I picked the third option and asked, the receptionist pulled out several sheets like she'd been waiting.
'Let's see... dojo run by a former royal knight... one operated by ten retired B-rank adventurers...'
I thanked her and scanned the papers.
But none quite clicked.
'Tch... this one's pure basics, this too pricey. And this... damn, women only?'
The decent ones had restrictions or insane prices.
I had 20 gold from that 'bounty,' so I could afford a fancy one if desperate...
'But no idea how long I'd train, so splurging blindly... plus, it's blood money. Feels weird blowing it.'
As I pondered settling for something middling, one sheet caught my eye.
'...Huh?'
It looked older, more worn than the others.
Drawn in like by some spell, I read it and double-checked with the receptionist.
"...Um, is this info on here legit?"
"Oh, that's still around? Yes, it is. Caused quite a stir about a year ago. An active A-rank adventurer suddenly retired and started seeking disciples."
Unlike dojos by the aged or injured, this was run by a prime A-rank adventurer.
And if the flyer was true, it taught swordsmanship—the exact thing I wanted.
Plus...
"The conditions are unique, right? Only accepts those with talent that catches their eye..."
"Yeah..."
"Everyone from adventurers to squires who joined knight orders flocked there, but got turned away. Made it famous."
The flyer specified only exceptional talent need apply.
And per the receptionist, this dojo had some notoriety.
"Even now, new adventurers occasionally try their luck..."
As she kept explaining, I recalled my fight with the bandits.
'Talent... talent, huh...'
My body's enhanced performance since the change, and how I'd instinctively sliced a crossbow bolt mid-fight.
'...Couldn't that count as talent?'
The old me would've ignored a talent-exclusive dojo.
But after feeling my changes firsthand, something stirred in me.
"...I'll go with this one."
"Whoa... Good luck!"
The receptionist looked like she had plenty to say but quickly composed herself with pro-level cheer.
After all, top names had been rejected for a year straight. An unremarkable E-rank challenging it must look laughable.
'Whatever. If it works, great.'
I wasn't seriously expecting to become disciple to this retired A-rank.
Still. You never know.
.
.
.
.
Wandering the unfamiliar streets, I found the address on the flyer: a mansion in a quiet neighborhood.
More rich person's home than sword dojo, it made me shrink back a bit as I timidly approached the entrance.
'This the place? Looks like it...'
Hesitating at the un-dojo-like vibe, voices drifted from the entrance.
"Rejected."
"What? Why! Look at this body! Even the knights called my build blessed...!"
At the entrance, a bald, muscle-bound man protested to someone.
But the figure before him cut him off coldly and shooed him away.
"Damn it...! All that disciple talk was bullshit! Talent my ass!!"
The man stormed off after repeated rejections, and the one who'd dismissed him spotted me.
"You?"
"Uh... is this the dojo that teaches swordsmanship? Only to those with talent that catches your eye...?"
I stated my purpose, staring a bit dazedly.
I mean...
'A woman?'
I'd heard retired A-rank adventurer, but no details on who. A tall beauty stood before me.
Not expecting a woman, I was thrown.
Her body bore scars from a harsh life, perfectly toned. Her light, mobility-focused clothes drew the eye awkwardly.
And... and...
'This is a sword dojo, right?'
With breasts like that, swinging a sword must be tough...?
"Hm. Want to learn the sword?"
"Y-yes."
My gaze nearly slipped to her prominent chest through the light outfit, but I forced it to her eyes, tensing up.
She eyed me with disinterest.
Then, suddenly.
-Chill!!!
"...!!!"
A shiver ran down my spine. Instinctively, my hand went to my sword hilt.
'What the hell was that?'
"Ho?"
Like the bandits' gazes before, but several times stronger—a bizarre sensation.
My senses sharpened, mind razor-focused, heart pounding wildly.
Her once-lazy eyes lit with interest, appraising me head to toe.
"Good. Come in."
As she turned and entered, the sensation vanished like mist.
The lingering echo left my palms sweaty as I stared tensely at the entrance.
'Should I really go in...?'
Felt like walking into the tiger's maw voluntarily.
Unsettling and scary, yet a strange excitement bubbled up.
'That woman... she's the real deal.'
She seemed the source. The thrill of learning sword from her.
"...Screw it."
Waffling between fear and anticipation, I squeezed my eyes shut and followed her in.
At least from that guy's convo, it teaches swordsmanship! Yeah!