The next day after the party. I started working on the defenses for the lizard village. From what I've heard. The lizard men have been attacked by the pirates several times. If they attack again. They're in for a big surprise. The village doesn't have enough wood. It is very difficult to make anything strong without that or dirt. So I started getting dirt but it was taking too long. I went back to through the portal to collect some wood in a void satchel.

I could only carry a few dozen planks of wood. That won't be enough. So I make a few trips. I let some of the lizard men help me. They are amazed at the portals when we use them. It is better they learn about them and get accustomed to using them. When they see a few of the pirates, they almost attack them. I have to explain they are slaves for now. This further confuses the lizard men with me. Why would a human enslave other humans but work hard to win over lizard men?

We get enough wood to build two towers on each end of the beach. One side already has a rock formation so it is extra fortified. I also add a mana cannon to the top part of the cliffs, overlooking the lizard village. Stationing three lizard men for protection of the village should now completely overwhelm the defenses of the entire village before. Lance approaches me once we're finished. Apparently that test of courage boosted him to unlocking his forth class. He picked warrior to further compliment his tanking nature. He immediately gets to work on leveling it through training.

I send a few more lizard men through the portals by themselves to collect some weapons and armor for them. Most aren't accustomed to equipment, so letting them get used to it before fighting will be a good idea. The lizard men are an unusually large type of humanoid, so their new gear will have to be custom made for them. We're going to take a few weeks off here. It will let us get closer to our new allies and allow me time to re-purpose the ship we captured. I was originally going to use it as a trap ship to lure in other pirates. With our new troops another boat will be needed… Maybe it can serve as both of those things though…

I'll have to think of a different propulsion method for this ship then. With giant wheels on the sides of the ship. The fact that we are enemies would be a dead giveaway. I don't know any way though to keep the speed without relying on a visible method… Perhaps I could gut the ship and add an internal paddle wheel… No, that would take up too much space, leaving no room for troops… I'll have to think of something later.

I can't think of anything for the entire beginning of that day… Most of the lizard men our now armored and have equipment. This factor improves their survivability. I'll teach them a few classes today… Which ones though. Aegis chimes in. He hasn't really spoken in awhile. At least anything worth mentioning.

“Besides the automatons. You have no real ground troops who can fight in melee. Some warriors would make a great addition to your army.”

“Yea, I had the same thought. It rounds out the army again. The only thing we're missing after this is a stealth unit to preform night attacks. The few gnoll thieves I had before have all been incorporated into other troop units.”

“Hmm.. Perhaps you should try to gain the group of ninjas as your ally before you head in for the assault on the main base.”

“That's a pretty great idea. Murine folk live a long time. Tezuna might still be alive. He was by far the strongest member in the army... Back when I was the captain of the army we're about to fight.”

“That… Just sounds weird… You're a weird person Kite.”

I laugh internally. Some of the lizard men are looking at me like I'm crazy because I was making faces while talking with Aegis. I still can't get used to talking with people inside my head. I gather up the lizard men. They all seem confused by what has been going on. None of them have complained about my help though.

“I'm going to teach you all some classes to help with your fighting. Think of it as a gift for helping me fight against the pirates.”

The lizard chief speaks up.

“We don't need any gifts to help fight against the people who've been terrorizing us. If the cost for teaching us is too much. Please don't.”

“It isn't that bad. The cost can be recovered in a matter of days. We'll have to spread out how much I teach you though. So I can only teach everyone one class a day. If any of you wish to learn a job or different classes then the ones I'm teaching. You might want to get out of ear shot of my teachings.”

I teach them all warrior to start. Which other class should I teach tomorrow… Fighter or berserker most likely… Maybe I should teach both. I would like to let them pick two of their classes like my other troops… I don't know whether I should teach anyone else the dragon bloodline class. Or even if I can… Only my generals know about my special class... If any of them ask for it, I'll try to teach them.

The next day, I teach them all barbarian. Most of them didn't have it so teaching the remainder who didn't the class helped even the classes again. All of them should have two classes. I can't do much because of the huge strain on fatigue points from teaching.

I'll lead the troops in an exercise in water combat. We haven't had to fight while in water yet. But that won't stop us from needing too if our boats get sunk. Each of the lizard men pair off and start sparring. First waist deep, then they get progressively further out. Finally to the point where their feet are no longer touching. The lizard men are definitely the best swimming troops in my army now.

My generals get in on the combat. Pairing off in their normal fighting groups. I group with Sock. His training partner still is preoccupied with fatherly life. It would be too unfair for me to use magic… As I could just cast water walking and kick him in the head… Or use freezing dragon breath to instantly win the fight… And all my other attacks I can also do... With my improved water affinity I'm already at an advantage… So we quickly end our session after I beat him soundly a few times. This allows me to watch the fights.

Leon and Nargzar's fight is fairly even. Both are out of their element with this type of fighting. Nargzar's kurasi kama loses most of it's range. It wouldn't work well in water so he is just holding the bladechucks in his hands like he would two swords. Leon's weapon has the advantage in this fight. He is clearly going to win and does each fight. Zergnar and Lance on the other hand…

Both are doing exceptionally well in the water… Zergnar is using his halberd's ax head to paddle to attack... BUT LANCE IS GLIDING THROUGH IT WITH EASE. How!? What is he doing? I don't see his weapon… He's using it as a propulsion system! That's brilliant! I think I might have found a solution to my ships problem. If I can make a few drill type mechanisms to power the pirate ship. It would be a completely unnoticeable propulsion system. At least unnoticeable from a far distance. I'll start working on a solution right now.

After testing out some different types of drills. I settle on a short drill tip with spread out wings. Mimicking those of a paddle. The blades are slightly bent to help catch the water better. I attach the whole thing to a stick. Holding onto the stick and powering it in the water, it goes faster than the speed of my ships. Propelling me through the water. Making smaller versions for my troops and larger versions for my ships will help increase the speed we travel at. As well as the capabilities of water fighting of my troops. This new invention will be called propeller sticks.

I decide to design a special one just for myself. While I have improved water affinity. I think I can make a faster version of the propeller stick with my magic. I hollow it out. Casting jet stream through the center of it while activating the propeller blades increases the speed by almost 50%. I can move almost as fast as flying through the air while in water. There still might be ways to improve this…

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Leaf is still here. She called out to me, which is unlike her. Maybe she's gotten over her shyness towards me now. She asks a few questions about what I've been making. We talk for a few minutes then she starts to talk about what she really wanted to.

“I think I've picked which class I should learn...”

“Oh? Which one do you think?”

“Well, I want to learn white mage… It doesn't exactly suit my other classes… I just… I want something to remember Kattie by… It feels like I've been forgetting about her more and more. We were in a group together for so long. She meant so much to us. To just forget about her is...”

“I understand. Of course I'll teach you white mage… You don't have to justify it to me. I… I feel the same way you do. She was such a big part of my life before I moved to Shienta. Without her, I doubt I could have left my village when I did… I owe so much to her...”

Leaf learns white mage. I teach her regenerate as well. It doesn't really suit her… But I understand. It will also help her stay alive... What I said about Kattie, I meant every single word. I would most likely still be at my village when the bandits attacked it. Or I would have died making it to Shienta. So many things could have gone differently without her.

I was weak… I still am weak… You can't save everyone… Just trying to lower the number of casualties is all I can do. We're using the remaining time on this island to continue to train. Normally one or two people stick out for each new race I get… This time it's four. These guys love battle. Four have non stop been fighting.

They are all brothers. Their father is the village chief… So I just killed their brother, or half brother. I guess the village chief was very strong in his younger days. It makes sense that he would have many children seeing as his race loves the strong more than anything else. I've been… Asked once already… I told them humans tend to stick with one mate.

I've already fought with one of the brothers. The small one that was the fastest in the tribe. His name was Fast like wind… All their names are similar to his. Swift like water, Strong like bull and Tough like steel. I haven't learned if any had secret skills yet or there names… I figured out a problem I might have been creating for myself. When they learn and level up their classes. I'll ask them again in a few weeks.

I'll need to make them specialty weapons once they get the rest of their classes. I teach them berserker. They all have four classes now. All the lizard men do, with one open spot each. I'll let them divide up and pick their last class tomorrow.

After teaching the lizard men the class they all wish to learn. I head back to the fortress and call a meeting. I ask the crowd there if anyone has gotten any new skills. Three step forwards.

Archery passive skill upgraded Dual shot--> Triple shot- Shoot three arrows at once

Secret Spellthief passive skill Magic damage reduction- Permanently decrease the damage taken from magic attacks

Secret Witch doctor skill Sacrificial doll- Make a doll that will take one attack that would kill the person it is attached to

...THAT DOLL! What a strong skill!… I can only make one doll. I need to take something of value of the person in order to make it. A strand of hair would work. They also need to hold onto the doll in order for it to work… If the doll is injured in any way, the person will feel it though. Not take any damage but the pain could cause them to fall over in the middle of a fight. So it could end badly if not used correctly. The benefits outweigh the risks though.

I...I know it's selfish… I know… I don't care though. I'll do anything to guarantee Leaf's safety. I ask the troops I'm traveling with for their secret skills… Lance steps forward. Also another person… Trice steps forward with him… I guess they've both decided they can teach me their skills now.

Secret Dragoon skill gained Lancet- Fling a spear with more force than an arrow

 Blue mage skill gained Acid production- Can produce acid the will burn the skin of people who come in contact with it

Blue mage skill upgraded Poison spit- can now spit a new type of acid as well as other poisons

Blue mage passive skill gained Assimilation- Able to more easily learn languages, cultural traits of other races

Blue mage passive skill upgraded Assimilation--> Osmosis- Passively learn languages, cultural traits of other races (Learned because of master of learning)

Blue mage skill Repulsion- Use a burst of air to force opponents away

Blue mage skill upgraded Repulsion--> Wind wall- Form a wall of wind that will continually block and force opponents away (Learned because of elementalist)

Blue mage skill Scan- Check the monster to see if you can learn anything from it

Blue mage skill Flash- Forms a bright light in an attempt to blind an enemy

Blue mage skill Healing breeze- Heals allies that come in contact with it

Blue mage skill upgraded Healing breeze--> White wind- Forms a giant gust of wind that heals those who come in contact with it (Learned because of elementalist)

...Well… I guess she did have over a year to gain blue mage skills… But still… WHAT THE DEATH GOD! That was a lot of skills I just learned… Sometimes I forget how amazing my friends are… Safe to say, I'm over the fact that she didn't tell me she had this many skills.