Unthinkable Training Methods
An unthinkable training method... or should I call it cultivation? I decided to consult with Iana's party members one by one. The first one would be...
"Luna, you're up."
Luna, the party's archer and elf. I chose to start with her.
"Hmmm~ Lord, sorry to say this, but isn't that gonna be tough?"
Luna tilted her head. Her eyes held more curiosity than doubt.
"You're a swordsman like Iana, right, Lord?"
"Well, yeah, for now."
I hadn't really settled on a specific weapon. Sword, spear, shield, gun, even a pickaxe—I was the type to use whatever was needed. But if I had to pick my specialty, it was the sword. Close-quarters swordsmanship.
"I'm an elf, though? I don't think a human like you can teach me archery."
"I think the same."
"Huh?"
"How am I supposed to teach archery to an elf?"
I knew how to shoot a bow, but I wasn't an expert. It'd be ridiculous for a newbie like me to lecture an elf on it.
"I'm not planning to teach you archery directly anyway."
"Then?"
"Telling you the path to get stronger doesn't mean I'm gonna train you hands-on."
The reason I could say this so confidently? I had the EX-grade growth assistance skill, Sage's Signpost.
Searching for optimal evolution path... Search complete.
Solution: 'Moon Stone'. As an elf and excellent archer, Luna possesses a powerful attack called Moonlight Arrow. However, the 'Moon Stone' required for it is so rare that she can't use it freely. Resolving this will make her much stronger.
The elf's pride, Moonlight Arrow, was Luna's ultimate move.
It saved Iana from danger multiple times in the novel too.
The reason she only used that amazing technique in critical moments? The 'Moon Stone' was so rare and expensive that her uses were limited.
I figured that's why the elf Luna was so money-obsessed. Though... she did veer off into shopping sprees sometimes.
"Luna, you can use Moonlight Arrow, right?"
"Huh? How does a human like you know that?"
"Don't underestimate a noble's information network. I've heard of the elves' pride, Moon Arrow."
"Hmmm."
It wasn't super famous, but it wasn't some secret the elves hid either. No big deal if I knew.
"If you could use it freely, you'd get way stronger, right?"
"...You humans don't get it, Lord. Moonlight Arrow isn't something you can just practice to spam."
"I know. Moon Stone. Specifically, its 'lunar property' and the 'amplification' from it are the key."
"What? You know more than I thought."
Luna looked at me like she couldn't believe I'd say that even knowing.
"Those Moon Stones are super rare and pricey. You gonna cover the cost from the territory?"
"Even I can't swing that."
I couldn't invest that much in just Luna. Plus, it wouldn't solve the root problem.
"But you don't have to buy real Moon Stones."
"What do you mean...?"
"Alchemy. You can make them with that."
This was a fantasy world, so magic and alchemy were highly advanced. Apply it right, and you could even create ores.
"Hmm... interesting idea. Making a sacred Moon Stone with alchemy? An elf like me never even dreamed of it."
"Right?"
"But it's impossible."
Luna shook her head regretfully.
"Alchemy isn't all-powerful. You know this, Lord? Making gold with alchemy..."
"Yeah, impossible."
You could make it using mana, that supernatural energy. The issue was duration.
"Even if you alchemy gold, it doesn't hold form for a minute."
You could create it, but it collapsed instantly. That's why alchemically made minerals for trade were legally banned.
"Same with Moon Stones. Even if you make one, it'll vanish quick. Property-wise, probably faster than gold."
"Doesn't matter."
"Huh?"
To the blinking elf who looked confused, I pointed out the obvious.
"You're shooting it as an arrow right after making it anyway. Who cares if it collapses?"
"Ah..."
Luna let out a quiet sigh.
It was an idea no elf—no one in this world—had ever thought of.
"...Impressive. Emphasizing mana purity is elf doctrine, so alchemy like that is taboo. The elders would've flipped."
"You don't strike me as the type to care about that."
"Ouch, judging an elf by looks? But spot on♥"
Luna chuckled.
If she strictly followed tradition and rules, she wouldn't be out adventuring like this.
"So, Lord's saying: transmute a Moon Stone mid-battle and shoot it right away?"
"Then the quick-collapse downside vanishes."
"Yeah... You only need the Moon Stone's property. The elf ritual amplifies it anyway."
Of course, downsides remained. Alchemy versions were way weaker than real ones. This wouldn't fully replicate Moonlight Arrow. And mid-battle transmutation needed serious skill and technique.
But.
Even adding it all up, the advantages overwhelm.
Moonlight Arrow, the elf's trump card. Even downgraded, using it like a regular shot? Luna, who'd wielded it as an adventurer, knew its value best.
The golden-haired elf flashed me a bright smile.
"...Not bad, Lord. An impudent, genius idea no elf could dream of in a lifetime."
I shrugged lightly.
"Uh, hold on. I don't know alchemy well. Knowing the method doesn't mean I can do it."
"That's what you'll learn now."
Thud!
I plopped the books I'd prepared onto the desk. The weight made the desk—and floor—shake a bit.
"This is basic alchemy terms, this is fundamentals, transmutation methods, combat applications. Picked only the practical stuff. Grateful, right?"
"H-huh?"
Luna froze stiff at the towering stack.
Each was thick; piled up, it was taller than her.
"N-no way, you don't mean...?"
Her eyes darted up and down the book tower frantically.
The ever-relaxed elf's lips trembled.
Luna desperately denied reality, but alas, reality is always cruel.
"Aim to master in 3 weeks if possible. Start with transmutation. Combat use comes later."
Back to reality, Luna shook her head frantically.
"N-no way, impossible! Reading these is one thing, but learning alchemy?"
She looked half-ready to cry. No, her eyes were already glistening.
"I'm not smart like those two, and I hate studying! Force me, and I still can't!"
"Penalty fee."
Twitch!
Her body froze at the magic words.
"I explained the contract, you signed, took the advance. Back out now? You know what happens..."
"B-but I didn't think you'd make me study..."
"I'm assigning what's needed. Sue me or pay up quietly."
I grinned at the money-loving yet worldly-naive elf.
"If you can afford it, that is."
Luna trembled in horror, finally realizing what she'd stepped into.
Of course, like most things in life, realization comes too late.
"Y-you liar! Scammer! Dwarf! Dickhead! Disgrace to nobles! Trash!"
"Yeah, yeah. Vent all you want. Not listening."
"Iana was right! Shouldn't trust guys like you!"
"You were badmouthing me behind my back?"
But correct★ Even in my past life, juniors called me bastard, shithead, asshole instructor, heartless prick.
"Perfect, your friend Jenis is a magic genius. Ask her if you're stuck."
"That's not the issue! When do I memorize all this thick crap?!"
"Thorough preview and review on alchemy. Easy."
Why that look? Isn't studying always like that? Got into Korea University that way.
"Anyway, fighting. Work hard and become the universe's first alchemy elf."
No use complaining; Luna was already my elf slave.
Well, not a slave—more like livestock. Just a difference in calling.
Wrapped up "peacefully" with Luna. Curses flew from behind, but elves don't know curses, so fine.
Golden elf done; next, genius mage girl.
This one's way simpler than Luna.
"Run."
"Pardon?"
"See that training ground? Just keep running laps there."
"H-how long?"
"All day. Slow down's fine; stopping's not."
Jenis's face soured instantly. Exercise was one of her top hates.
"I'm a mage. Shouldn't training be magic training?"
"No, your problem's stamina."
Used to be irrelevant. Iana tanked upfront; she just fired spells.
But now you're hitting gates?
Monsters pop from behind or sides. Mage chilling in back firing spells? Goblin survival mode that day.
"The moment you're attacked mid-cast will come. Build a body that can evade solo."
"Ughhh."
"Ideally, grab monsters barehanded with magic buffs. Tough for you, though."
"No mage does that! We're scholars!"
"In a novel I know, a professor called Battle Mage smashed a lich's pot."
"That's a novel!"
And this is a romance fantasy. Nah, I don't expect that far.
"Just think of building a sturdy body. Iana can't babysit forever."
"Ugh."
She grumbled but accepted and started running.
Joking aside, stamina's essential. In gates, even mages must protect themselves.
"Finally, Iana."
"Yes! Anything's fine for me!"
Iana's eyes sparkled at me, unlike the others. Eager for whatever training.
"Heard you gave Luna some mind-blowing method! Same for me?"
"Hmm, yeah."
I nodded at Iana.
"Ten thousand frontal slashes on the straw dummy."
"A-and then?"
"Ten thousand horizontal slashes. Then ten thousand thrusts."
Iana's face grew complicated, but it was all necessary.
They were my personnel for a comfy retirement, after all.