Chapter 5 – The training arc went weird

Almost a year ago.

I look at my grandchildren who are almost of age, training with their parents and each other. I certainly didn't train any of my children, their mothers always were concerned I would break them. I accepted without a hint of regret, as training the youngsters was just a waste of time for me. I'm the champion of the clan, after all, so the better I feel, the better for the clan. Others could teach, others who are much better suited for that simple task.

Now I ask myself if there was something else to it. Maybe I could start teaching now. It would make my old days much more bearable. Still, these children and teens look like twigs. Maybe it's time to train a new champion? Even though only the strongest clan member can be in that position, is there even someone who may become stronger than me?

If I just die, then the next strongest person becomes the champion either way. So what does it matter if I train them? Though it would strengthen the clan... what is the point?

A legacy? But in the end, everyone returns to the dirt. Also, what kind of legacy can someone like me build in the little time I have left? There is nothing personal, not even much of a desire, it's just me throwing a tantrum.

Because I'm old and old men always throw tantrums. We're bored, we wish to return to old times, to shape the world, to be in the middle of everything. It's just that one day you find yourself at the sideline.

Well, I am still the champion. In a sense, the younger people should come to me, asking me to train them, asking to challenge me! I'm an important person in this clan!

So why isn't anyone asking? And why did I start to care about things I had no interest in before?

―○●○―

It's morning and I stretch my very unbroken arms. [Dormurnal] has an unexpected upside, as my semi-conscious state during sleep allowed me to not wake up during the night, as rain drops assaulted the roof like gamers a game store on release days. Even the occasional thunder didn't interrupt my sleep, so I'm probably now better rested than before.

“Ah, you're awake?” Jii-san says as he puts away a carving knife and a piece of wood. I don't even know what he exactly hopes to accomplish with this, but I do know that he tried to sneak away while I was asleep, went away for maybe three hours, then returned with the tools and carved during the time.

“You really don't sleep, huh?” I guess, that's a [Skill] and having it may be useful.

“Maybe once every two weeks. It's just a matter of endurance.” I need to learn that skill and keep it when I return home so that I can game all night without any repercussions. “Let's start training!”

It's still raining, so I'm not motivated—well, physical exercise in general takes a lot of my fire—but it's in the end not a good excuse. “Phew... alright.” I stand up and grab my armor from the table.

“You won't need it.” Ah, barbarians are topless, after all.

“Do I need to remove my shirt as well?”

“Why not, will become wet anyway and chafe your nipples. Very annoying.”

“Phew...” He got a point, but I hate showing my upper body. Mind you, as a [Ranger] I have nothing to be ashamed about, but I also don't need to advertise it.

I put my equipment into my backpack, shoulder it, and follow Jii-san, who brings me to a meadow. “Alright, lad. Show me your body.”

I guess I need to turn around? I lift my arms so that my body looks like a cross, then turn around myself. “So?”

“No, your real body. I know heroes can change your body-shape, and Ara-kun told me you're fat.”

A bitter taste travels to my mouth as I snap. “For her, everyone is fat!”

“Show me then.” Jii-san's face is hard as a rock, same as his voice. He's serious.

“If our goal is a class-up, then going [Pikeman] would make more sense!”

“I have no idea what you're talking about, but I see if someone is just making excuses. If you want to learn how to fight barbarians, I'm your best bet. And I need to know what is below all that hero-crap.”

This old fart! Still, he has a point, but I really want to hit him right now! Still, I select the [Student]-class, the muscles shrink and my belly bloats, having it overshadow my waistline that much does make me feel uncomfortable. “Satisfi-”

“Kahahahaha! Wow, you're so fat! What are you, a trader!? Move, fatty! Move! Let's run a bit!” He pushes me from behind and it feels like I'm hurled forwards.

“It's futile!” I scream while running: “My body doesn't work like a normal person's! I can't burn fat! And even if I build muscles, when I change class--”

“Less talk, more running, fatty! Run! Run! Run!”

This is hell! This reminds me of the training in the castle, back when I was freshly summoned! Back then, I had way less SP, so today I will be able to do much more exercise, but why do I need to train in the one body that doesn't provide me any advantage in combat!?

I can only cling to the hope that there is a master plan there, something Jii-san knows that I don't, but watching him: “Kahahaha! See those flabs shaking! Your tits also! Faster!” By the way, the flabbing kinda hurts!

If running would be the only thing we train... When we arrive at the forest I saved the turd in, Jii-san asks me to lift branches and rocks, asks me to uproot stumps—I totally can't do that—and even to lift the tree Stale threw at me—which of course is also impossible.

Jii-san always leads by example, which makes it so infuriating! He just ask of me the same things he, someone five times my age –as overpowered as he may be–, does!

After lifting comes climbing—which I can do without a problem as a [Ranger]—but while I know the motions, my [Student]-body just doesn't follow them as well.

Now we go swimming in the river where I met these other farmers! And on the way back, Jii-san just jumps over it after taking a run up, I mean, what the fuck! And everything during the fucking rain!

Therefore it's very understandable that I'm royally pissed after two hours of exercise, wheezing and gasping, having pain in my legs, arms, and chest, almost giving up at every moment, even though I still can push my hero-body.

Yet it's the same as back with Meldorn and the other hunters. I want something from him, so I have to stay quiet. If I complain, it's because I can't handle my decision to get myself trained by Jii-san.

Nonetheless, I need a serious talk with him later.

“Fatty, hit me.” Jii-san braces himself.

Thank you! I take all of my power into the punch, but it feels wrong on so many levels. It's like my belly is taking away the force I'm trying to gather into my fist. Again: I know the motions, but my body doesn't follow.

Though I don't think much about it, hitting Jii-san is like hitting a wall. No, a wall is softer! At least my hand isn't broken, which I can only say for sure because Rine just broke it yesterday! “...ahhhhhhhh...” I may not want to complain, but softly sounding my discomfort and pain is allowed.

“Alright, take your spear.” He lifts a peeled stick from the ground. “Try to stab me with it.”

It's not like I don't know how to fight as a [Student]. Sadly, the curse made me fight in this class several times already, and my first lessons were also as a [Student]. Time for some repayments! Even if I can't hurt him, I can probably get past his defense!

I start with a thrust, or at least that's my intention, but Jii-san blocks the spear before I was even moving. It's not like I wound up my motion, I just thought ‘let's start with that attack to ensure my reach’ and he went before I acted upon it!

With a flick of my wrist, I free the spear. I have like three good attack angles now, but suddenly Jii-san puts the end of his stick on my biceps, which hinders all three of them!

Less thinking, more attacking! Quicker! Quicker! Stronger! Ignore him, just destroy!

…

… …

Seriously! Why can't I even make one attack!

“Ah, now I will try my best to make light slaps. Try to block them.”

After ten seconds, I'm bruised all over, unable to successfully block even a single attack. Jii-san isn't even fast, but sometimes he uses force and breaks the block, hitting the flesh under it, sometimes he makes small adjustments to hit my fingers instead, sometimes he breaks off his attack and attacks from a better angle, and sometimes he just uses an opening I created by trying to anticipate his next move.

“Come on, you're usually fighting unarmed! Why are you so good with spears!?”

“I can use almost every weapon. I often switch them, because they break so quickly. That's also why I often fight without any weapons.” You quickly break your weapons!? “Alright, fatty. Get back into whatever form you like.”

I swap to [Pikeman], eager to show the difference between my classes, and take a stance.

But Jii-san relaxes, and shrugs his shoulders: “Kenta-kun,” he starts, and I wonder why he uses my name now, “I got to say, that you have nothing that makes a warrior. Neither the body, nor the experience, nor the instinct.”

“That's because I was a [Student]! Try me now!”

“No need. I fought against many heroes. And whenever I fought one, they lost. Badly. And I always had the feeling it's because they're just a bunch of piss-ants deep down.”

“WHAT!?”

“Wanna beat the shit out of me to prove me wrong?”

“Kch!”

“Thought so. Well, there was the one, who was probably a soldier in his former world. Wow, that was the worst piss-ant of them all.” Now I'm confused. “I'm pretty stupid, so I can't put it into words, but I want to train the real you every day as well. For the rest of the noon, let's beat you up!”

Eh?

―○●○―

I seriously need a shield. I swing [Friedensbote], going through my form and stances in ever increasing speed. This isn't training, this is just an exercise to compose myself. The loss against Grekk shouldn't be shocking, but I'm somewhat aggrieved about it.

Grekk once defeated Instructor, which means he's very strong. Instructor can handle me without a problem, and he held so much back when we fought previously, I know it. That is the problem: I'm still not good enough to fight any of them, even though Dear and the rest count on me.

How can I beat air? If I can't, I won't be able to defeat Grekk, and from what he said, even other barbarians may become a problem.

Since meeting Dear, there were several cases where I made a mistake or wasn't good enough. Back then against the Fourbirds, I dropped my guard, and even though that incident married me to Dear, the fight counts as a failure.

Whenever I'm surprised, I can only trade blows. But if I get such a blow, it really affects my combat-capabilities. Sometimes I can't even trade blows, but am overwhelmed. Like when that monster threw a wall at me. Then my body becomes rigid, instead of leaping away.

That's why I want to learn how to block those attacks, which means I need a shield. A buckler or maybe a small shield, so it won't be in the way, exactly how Instructor does it. He never taught me to use one, though.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Yet Dear thinks that heroes can learn new abilities more easily, but without a shield, I can't try. Which means, I have to find another way.

Let's ask Ara! She can throw her spells at me, and then I can find out how to deal with them! If I can block a [Tidal Wave], then I may block air as well!

Ah, she's doing push-ups because I told her. Same as Kyou! I'm basically in the midst of the lesson! Why did I start to compose myself again? Ah right, last night! ...by the Four, was that a disaster! “Finish up, next up it's knife fighting!” I can ask her later.

“Oh no!” “Mercy!” Strange, they seemed to be more eager an hour ago?

“Both of you at the same time.”

“Katarine-san, may I make a suggestion?”

“Sure!”

“How about you try to not evade and hit us while we try to stab you? If you overcome your reflexes, then your sex acts with Ken-kun may work out better.”

“...that hurts... Also, why would it help you if I don't give some minor resistance?”

“It would certainly cut the time and MPs needed to heal the bruises.”

“Come on, we lost so much time because of Instructor already.”

“There is a limit of improvement by being beaten up one-sidedly, Katarine-san.”

“Hm... so what if you fight against each other using the training knives then? I could heal for a change.”

Without any word, they face each other with their blunt wood knives. These were made by Grekk during the night, he really tried his best, even though Kyou did some work on them afterward so that they're smoother.

Hm... Ara jumps around Kyou, probably looking for an opening. She should really lead with a kick—wait, this is a knife fight!

Then my alfr friend jumps into my human one, and after a while, both of them are rolling on the ground, pulling at each other's clothes. This doesn't look like a clean fight, especially in this rain with all the mud. Though this may be actually better at this point?

After the post-exercise [Heal], Ara makes a new suggestion: “We should also add knife-throwing, as this may be more in line with my [Acrobat]-class.”

“I don't really know about knife-throwing. Do we have throwing knives?”

“No, but this farm has a small smithy, so I assume someone can use it. Therefore it makes sense to ask the farmers.”

“Not now, let's do it after magic training. Also Ara, I wanted to ask you something, but I can't remember what exactly.” The knife-fight more or less occupied a lot of my thoughts, after all.

“Maybe later, Rine-chan,” Kyou reassures me while wiping her face, probably to get the feeling to have at least some dryness on her. “First, I want to push my [Herbal Weapons] more. After thinking it through during the night, it seems to be the best way to progress, though [Divine Magic] also has a lot left to grow. Any ideas on how to train them?”

We talk some more on what to improve, but it only shows how little we actually know about [Divine Magic], the only magic I can currently use. With Pontiff Kassus, Kyou was able to learn [Rejuvenate], but it seems that this spell won't help us in the upcoming battle, which means that me learning it now would be time squandered.

So in the end, I continue the training to become a wizard. I can do the exercises on my own, which leaves more time for Ara and Kyou time to train the one magic they share, despite not being one that Kyou named, [Spirit Magic].

Wizard von Rotfeld did teach me an exercise I can do with the rain. I feel into the area, like I feel into the Void, whenever I use [Divine Magic]. I try to fixate on a drop on my hand with my gaze and will, and then I have to think of it as very gooey, so that it becomes syrupy, which in return will repel other raindrops.

This is one of the first spells of [Transmutation] wizard apprentices learn.

It hurts a bit to think back to Instructor's party-members, as this time was bought at Dear's expenses and health. On the other hand, that's exactly why I should make sure to use these lessons!

...it works! “IT WORKS!”

“What worked, Katarine-san?” Ara comes to me, leaving Kyou-san staring in the grass. The alfr's voice begins to wonder: “There is no sign of a flame? What did you do?”

“Here, Ara!” I show her my droplet... ah, it's away now. Then I need to make another one. Gooey! I move it around the rain, showing how some water repels the rest.

“Is that [Transmutation]? That's unexpected. Did you come to this idea by yourself?”

“No, von Rotfeld taught me.”

“The one who messed up most of his spells? The one, who you burnt into a crisp?”

“...yes, and I feel bad about that.”

“This would mean that you took lessons from him while you were with him?”

“Yes?”

“I see. There is only one thing to say about it...” Ara takes a deep breath, before lashing out: “TRAITOR! WHY!? WE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL!”

What? I'm a traitor? “He was offering the training to me, and while he was with the enemy at that time, he wasn't hostile, and I never intend to use this knowledge against any of you.”

“Katarine-san... teaching you to become a [Wizard] without being one myself was an experiment. And you boycotted it, you trampled it under foot, you betrayed me and my expectations for what? I thought we were friends and that you would care about me and my experiments!”

“I'm sorry, I didn't think that we would even meet again-”

“So you never intended to keep all your promises?”

“I promised so much!?” I can't even think of one promise right now I made.

“To think that I even chased you, risking my life, even challenging Gottfried to take you back! There was no doubt, only my care for you! And you? What did you do!?”

“Sorry!” Tears run down my cheeks. How heartbroken must Ara feel, even though I can't see it because her body works differently from a human's. Still, this doesn't mean that she doesn't feel like I would!

“Arako?” Kyou puts her hands gently on Ara's cheeks from behind, the ears between index and middle finger: “That's enough, don't you think?”

“Will you grab my ears and twist them, if I disagree?”

“Don't be silly, Arako. Asking questions you already know the answers for.”

“Katarine-san,” Ara says in a dry voice: “I may feel a bit hurt, because of my experiment. No, that's not it, I feel devastated.” Kyou? Why are your fingers enclosing Ara's ears? “But teasing you until you teared up may have been too much.”

Kyou removes her hands and holds her head again: “Also Rine-chan, please be more cautious about your volume.”

“Sorry...”

“Please, hold your tears. I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed that I can't figure out the next steps for me on my own.”

“Then train with the grass and trees. If you could learn [Entangle] it would be a great asset.”

“...I hate to say it, but it makes sense. If I can hold enemies with my spells, I can use my [Herbal Weapons] better, or even use my knife.”

“Not as cook though, as your control over [Spirit Magic] is only halfway as decent as a [Herbalist].”

“My classes are just so mismatched.”

“Don't worry, Kyou,” I assure her: “You'll work it out and then it's gonna be great!”

“Thank you, Rine-chan.”

“Katarine-san,” Ara turns her eyes to me: “Could you check if you can choose the [Wizard]-class now?”

“Ah, sure!” I totally forgot that! Let me see, I need to open the status... there, my classes. I have several listed there, like [Soldier], [Priest] or [Trader], but the class I'm looking for is also there. Let's... what is it called? Select it? Equip it? Don it?

Whatever it is, I do exactly that and I feel power leaving my body. This is like with [Tailor], it's like I lose some muscle mass, for whatever reason.

Oh well, that's what it means to be a hero. “How do I look?”

“May I?” Ara takes my arm and begins kneading it: “This is even less muscle mass than [Tailor]? Must be because you're a native hero, which may confuse the hero-system and therefore it starts with a new body in general, though it may be because muscles do hinder certain forms of magic?”

“Why would that be, though?”

“Because---” Ara blinks two times: “Did you just follow my mumbling?”

“I think?”

“Katarine-san, imagine you need to feed a crowd. Each of them gets half a loaf of bread, and there are six hundred and twelve people in total. How many loaves do you need to prepare?”

“I don't know what this has to do with this, but... If each gets half a loaf, this means that one loaf is enough for two, so three hundred and six?”

“Katarine-san, you did some basic fractions without an auxiliary device. Congratulations.”

“...I did!?”

“This shows your superior [Intelligence]-stat and how it affects your mathematical capabilities.” Her voice makes it clear that Ara seems to be very proud of me.

What I don't understand is that strange warmth in Kyou's eyes when she looks at me.

“So I'm smart now?” This would mean that I might be able to speak with Dear at eye-level now!

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves, as 'being smart' is more than a singular talent, which many people accomplish during their childhood.”

“Hm...” Does she imply something? “Being smart is deep.”

“Yes, it is. It certainly is.”

Kyou places a hand on my shoulder, despite the height difference: “Rine-chan, you just had other interests, and if it weren't for school, I would be much worse in math myself.” Hm... this seems to imply something as well, probably related to what Ara just said?

Ah well, maybe they are making fun of me, and while I would not like it, we got better things to do. “I will practice my new spells!” I look at the status, and I already have several spells learned.

image [https://kentusauthor.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image.png]

The four I think are the most helpful ones are [Burndrill], [Heatwave], [Firegrenades], and [Blastburn]. All of them sound strong, after all!

Understandably, Ara and Kyou are interested as well, though Kyou brings up a good point: “Rine-chan? Maybe we should use them somewhere else? Some of your new spells sound like they would burn everything here to the ground.”

“Oh, you're right.”

“In your case, practicing the spells now is well advised, but also not a showcase of their full potential,” Ara-san adds.

“What do you mean?”

“[Elemental Magic] is subjected to environmental conditions, and as it's currently raining, the humidity of the air will literally dampen the flames you produce and the temperature doesn't support your fire spells either.”

“?” I need a moment, as Ara does use complicated terms and wording. “So... because all of my [Elemental Magic]-spells are fire, they work best when it's hot and dry?”

“Exactly. On another note, I feel disappointed to not need to explain it to you in layman's words, your higher [Intelligence] may make the conversation smoother, but in the long-term, it may hurt our relationship.”

“Oh. I'm... sorry?”

“You better be.”

“That's stupid,” Kyou comments in this exchange while letting out a small sigh. “Arako, don't be sulky and stay on topic: Will the spells be useless in this weather?”

“No, they will be slightly less destructive and cost more MP.”

“So let's just find an open space, no?”

Following Kyou's suggestion, we look around, but there is no such thing as an open space, as the farmers are busy building their palisade, taking care of their livestock, or something else. Therefore we end up quite far away, still somewhat in sight, but it may become difficult to intervene in time if an attack happens at this point. “Don't worry!” I say, “as long as we're visible from the sky, all is good!” We have our animal buddies to warn us, after all.

“We just have to make it quick,” Ara says flippantly, dismissing the bitterness of the situation. “First, let me tell you about the spells I know of due to my research.” Ah right, Ara does know a lot of skills and spells that she never learned herself. “[Soften] is a spell that makes objects softer, yet there is another quirk to it, which will prove very useful in the upcoming battle.”

“Which is?”

“It does counter certain [Toughness]-skills, like [Iron Defense], which happened to be one of the skills one of the barbarians Ken-kun and I encountered used.”

“Aha.” This doesn't sound strong at all, but maybe it's useful?

“Second, there is [Ignite], but you know it by now.” Ara uses it to start our campfires, after all. “Third, there is [Heatwave], which isn't of direct offensive nature, but raises the temperature in front of you rapidly.”

“Oh, so it isn't an attack spell?”

“I would put it into such a category, but it's less damaging than straining for the enemy. I don't know about the other spells, and I'm surprised you didn't learn spells like [Fire Pillar], [Flaming Sphere], or [Ember Arrows], which are some basic damage oriented spells for fire magic. I assume from their names that your three other spells will work as such, though.”

“Alright, let's see...” As a hero, I need the intent to use the spell and call out its name, if I remember correctly. Unlike with my [Divine Magic], I don't need to open myself to the Vastness, as my body will do everything on its own. I look at a spot, then I choose my spell, and my fist moves forward into a corkscrew punch: “[Burndrill]!”

A ray of twisted fire shoots out of my fist, drilling itself into the ground, leaving a steaming, circular hole deep enough that I can't see its bottom from this angle. “As expected.” Ara moves to the hole and looks into it: “I need to make a proper depth test when it cools down, but for now I can say that this spell certainly would be lethal for a person who doesn't have access to superior armor or [Toughness]-skills. Next one?”

“Let's see... [Firegrenades]!” This time, I feel hotness in my hand and I throw it, several small blazing balls fly through the air, and the moment they hit the ground, they explode in a fiery explosion, leaving scorched spots the size of a man behind. “Wow, that's awesome!”

“Hm... I still have some questions about it, but for a non-chant spell, this is quite some area you cover. But as you throw those balls, how well can you aim them? Can you leave some in your hand? How much damage do they do on an alfr body?”

“I don't know?”

“These questions will be answered later then, as this is also an MP-intensive spell, even if we account for the rain and there are still two spells left.”

I guess it is? I barely use my MP in battle, so using it five times seems to be enough. Oh, but what if I want to heal someone after that? As MP recover slowly I need to be mindful about them.

“Here we go...” I wanted to say [Blastburn], but instead I begin to arrange syllables, creating a small melody. Am I chanting? It's weird how it flows off my tongue without hesitation, but I feel how something changes in the area before me, like I was putting things into place. The moment all is arranged: “[Blastburn]!”

It started with a single blast of flame in the middle, but causes three more blast, then nine, then twenty-seven, and then more, the chained explosions grow rapidly, their appearance may start after each other, but they start before the prior one even stopped, and within five seconds, an area bigger than the farmer's main house is full of fire blasts that explode from the middle to the border, back, and crisscross, which dies out after ten more seconds.

There is no grass left, the ground looks scorched and dry, and I even sweat from the heat that this spell produced, though the cold of the rain creeps right back into my body.

The steam growing from the ground dissipates, leaving a bit of scorched land behind. That was me?

“Well,” Ara cuts through the moment of silence and shock: “At least I can finally say goodbye to my spot as the offensive spellcaster, as Katarine-san is undoubtedly more qualified for that position.”

“Oh, so you want to go to the front instead?” Kyou asks while raising her eyebrow.

“No, I will fill the position Ken-kun refers to as 'Piker' from this moment on.”

“What does a 'Piker' do?” I ask, as it somehow doesn't sound helpful, but maybe I'm wrong about it.

“A piker is carried by the rest of the party and grabs XP and treasure without doing anything. That's my dream role and with Grekkun bolstering the front and Katarine-san as a powerful offensive caster, I can finally fulfill my aspiration.”

“No you won't!” Kyou scolds the white-haired girl without hesitation.

Maybe I'm at fault? Is it because I took something from Ara that more or less settled her role in the party? Or is she honest, after all, as she tends to be a bit of a... well, the opposite of a hardworker. Is that a softworker? Or a softunemployed?

Wow, that last one sounds intellectual. It certainly looks like I got smarter, after all. I have to converse with Dear soon!

I wonder what he's doing.