Chapter 41: Training – 3

Black Sea.

The name of a technique that suddenly came to mind.

It used a different character than Dark Moon, but.

I instinctively knew this was right.

A sword technique that cuts through darkness.

I had no idea why it was called Black Sea, though.

…This is strange.

This swordsmanship felt incredibly odd.

Dark Moon and Black Sea.

The moment I acquired both techniques, I realized.

This was something akin to an arrangement made for someone.

But why?

I had no idea why this swordsmanship had come to me.

And yet, simply accepting it without question felt unsettling.

Either way.

The sword strike that seemed to cut through darkness missed Burkan.

Partly because I had altered its trajectory.

And partly because Burkan had reacted to my swordplay.

That was close.

As I said before, this was a friendly spar.

Attempting a lethal strike on my opponent could be a problem.

More importantly.

That guy seems to have a high status.

He might even be on par with Rishiel, or perhaps above her.

Until now, I had tested various elven sword techniques.

But Rishiel’s swordsmanship suited me the best.

And when I practiced it, I awakened Dark Moon.

Whoosh!

Even though my attack had missed.

The technique, Black Sea, had still wounded Burkan.

The swordsmanship Rishiel had taught me, Dark Moon, poured out darkness.

And when I observed Burkan’s swordsmanship.

The technique I gained was Black Sea.

If Dark Moon was a technique that unleashed darkness.

Then Black Sea was a sword style that cut through darkness.

What is this?

Why did the swordsmanship of orcs and elves feel so similar, yet so fundamentally different?

It was as if they were positioned at exact opposites.

Or more precisely.

No, am I overthinking this?

It was too ridiculous a thought.

Would something like that even be possible?

No, rather than focusing on that right now.

“Kahaha!”

Burkan, who was looking at me with an expression like he was having the time of his life, seemed far more dangerous at the moment.

“Kahahaha! What—what the hell did you just do!?”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb! You started with human swordsmanship, then switched to those pointy-eared bastards’ style, and then to our orc swordsmanship! How the hell did you do that?! Actually—never mind, I don’t care about that!”

Burkan pointed his sword at me and grinned.

“I am one of the orc warriors destined to rise. In your people’s terms, I am a Sword Hero Candidate.”

A Sword Hero Candidate?

I looked at Burkan.

This was the second time I had met someone with that title.

But… I don’t feel anything special.

I had met Erme.

I had seen Celly.

And with them, I felt something strange—like my Gift was resonating with theirs.

But there’s also Rozanté.

Rozanté, who had the abilities of a potential Saintess Candidate.

Yet, my Gift didn’t resonate with hers.

I only knew she was a candidate because the system message told me.

So maybe—hers was still growing, or something was hidden.

I narrowed my eyes at Burkan.

But he didn’t give me that same special feeling.

“You must be the hidden Sword Hero Candidate that the Empire is trying so hard to keep secret.”

“…?”

The Empire is keeping a Sword Hero Candidate hidden?

What was that supposed to mean?

As I gave him a questioning look, Burkan’s face twisted in disbelief.

“What? The Empire’s standards have fallen this much…?”

He casually insulted the Empire before wiping the expression from his face.

“No, that’s not the point right now. I’ve met you, and you challenged me to a duel.”

Burkan adjusted his stance.

The pressure increased.

The moment Burkan changed his stance, I felt as if my body had become heavier.

This is…

Aura.

Before I realized it, Rishiel was beside me, arms crossed, watching the scene.

A guy who uses aura, huh.

Well, orcs do worship aura.

They have the highest rate of manifesting it.

Even so.

Rishiel narrowed her eyes at Burkan and spoke.

Manifesting aura means he’s a warrior with outstanding talent.

Someone like me.

Like Rishiel, huh.

If that was the case, I should be able to handle it.

Back then, I was vastly different.

Rishiel hadn’t used her full strength either, but now.

Well, I know a lot more now.

I moved past my thoughts about Rishiel and focused on Burkan.

I could use aura too.

Just a little, but enough to push back someone who was unleashing theirs.

The moment I let it out—

“Oh?”

A spark cracked through the air as something unseen burst around me.

A force different from mana.

Something that instilled pressure in an opponent.

Burkan’s previously wild momentum slightly shrank back.

“Impressive aura. Your control over it is quite remarkable as well.”

“I can handle the basics.”

“…….”

Both Burkan and Rishiel gave me dumbfounded expressions.

Did I say something wrong?

I really just know the basics, though.

Unbelievable.

Rishiel pressed her fingers to her forehead as if she had a headache.

Burkan looked at me with a strange expression before speaking.

“You might really become a true Hero.”

“I’m not even a Hero Candidate.”

Unfortunately.

“…Are all humans blind, or what? Then again, why don’t you just join us orcs?”

Don’t go!

Rishiel shrieked, almost like she was having a seizure.

Rather than following those crude orcs, we elves can treat you far better!

Elves, huh…?

D-Don’t worry! Whatever you’re worried about, once I regain my body, I can fix everything for you!

I wasn’t exactly interested in becoming an elf, though.

If anything, the orcs seemed more likable.

“You have the potential to lead our orcs, to unite the beastkin and those pointy-eared bastards under one great chieftain!”

“…I’m not really into that kind of thing.”

“You have no desire for honor? That makes me want you even more!”

Burkan bared his teeth in a wide grin.

“Then… I shall now collapse. Carry me to an inn room.”

THUD!

…Huh?

He fell backward.

When I stepped closer to check, his eyes were rolled back, and foam was spilling from his mouth.

Is this serious?

Just in case, I grabbed a potion from my Hidden Space and split it—half was poured over his wounds, half into his mouth.

I wasn’t entirely sure, but I had heard this method boosted a potion’s effects.

Did he really just pass out now, after taking that sword strike head-on?

Looks like it.

That’s incredibly tough.

Rishiel stared at him with exasperation, though there was a hint of admiration in her voice.

That level of toughness is part of his racial traits, but still, it’s enviable.

He must have inherited a lot from his lineage.

…

Rishiel looked at Burkan with envy, but I was staring at him for a different reason.

…This guy looks like someone important.

Do I really have to drag him to an inn room?

I was caught in that dilemma.

“It looks like you have a problem. Would you like some help?”

It was Lucia.

Lucia.

The woman known as the Execution Princess, a lady as crimson as blood itself.

The system had defined her as a Villainess, and she always carried a peculiar umbrella.

Her appearance was so mesmerizing that for a brief moment, I even thought,
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to just let her be obsessed with me.

“It is something I could use help with.”

“Oh, you just need this person taken to an inn? Don’t worry. I’ll have a servant handle it.”

“Then, I’d appreciate it.”

“If you’re grateful, could you spare me some time?”

She extended a hand toward me, asking shyly.

It was an obvious invitation for a date.

…I do have some things I want to figure out.

I nodded.

“Good. If you had refused, I would’ve had to go eat alone at the restaurant. That would’ve been so lonely.”

“You could have just canceled it.”

“Canceling on the same day requires a fee. Since that would’ve been a waste of money, I would’ve gone alone regardless.”

Lucia smiled, clearly in a good mood.

“Maxwell, take care of this.”

“Understood.”

A presence flickered, and a man appeared.

He looked to be over 80 years old, dressed in a classic butler’s uniform, wearing a monocle over one eye.

A thief.

I instinctively recognized him as someone like me.

What kind of ability was that?

He had emerged from the shadows in an instant.

“Curious, are you?”

“You did just leap out of the shadows. It seems like a unique Gift…”

“You figured out that much already? But beyond that, it’s a secret. Maxwell is a very important butler to our family, after all.”

I looked at Maxwell.

He stood before me with refined, precise movements.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a thief this skilled before…

…Interesting.

He was strong.

But strangely, he felt like someone I could handle.

Thieves relied on every trick imaginable.

And I was the one who stood at the pinnacle of that path, with Thief’s Pinnacle (S).

Which meant…

I might actually be able to take him on.

“I’m a little jealous.”

“Huh?”

“No, nothing. The restaurant reservation time is approaching, so shall we go?”

Lucia grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

The place she brought me to was incredibly luxurious.

Every building in the area exuded wealth, and the people walking around looked well-dressed and refined.

They all seemed to be upper-class or richer.

Everyone here looks so relaxed.

The neighborhood I lived in had a certain rotting feeling to it.

But here, I saw a child trip, and immediately, an adult helped them up.

I guess having money really does make life more comfortable.

After briefly taking in the atmosphere, we stepped inside the restaurant.

The interior was elegant and vintage in style.

From the entrance alone, it was clear that this was an establishment meant exclusively for the upper class.

“What do you think?”

“It’s nice.”

“…You seem like you were raised in wealth.”

“I’m a commoner.”

“I don’t discriminate based on status. Whether you’re a slave, a commoner, or a noble, as long as you have ability, The Cradle allows anyone to climb to the top.”

Lucia said that, then made a face like she had said something she shouldn’t have.

You?

A commoner?

I guess I do have a bit of a refined look.

Probably because I had grown up in comfort.

I had put a lot of effort into customizing my appearance, after all.

We ate together.

Some ridiculously expensive steak that cost several gold coins, paired with an even more absurdly priced wine worth over ten gold coins.

…It’s good, but…

The more I thought about the money, the less I could enjoy the taste.

This was indulgence at its peak.

Delicious, sure, but not that delicious.

Still, since someone else was paying, I at least pretended to enjoy it.

But something felt off.

Lucia looked a little sulky.

You are truly…

Rishiel had a look of resignation on her face.

What did I even do?

After we finished, we returned to the inn’s courtyard.

“I had a great time today.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

Lucia trailed off, pausing with a thoughtful expression.

I wondered what she was debating when, suddenly, she casually asked,

“Would you be interested in sparring with me?”

“No, not at all.”

Did she think I was some kind of battle maniac?

At my blunt response, Lucia trembled slightly.

Ah.

That was a mistake.

I shouldn’t have reacted like that…

She did buy me dinner, after all.

If I get another chance, I should treat her a little better.

With that, I said my goodbyes and headed inside the inn.

The first thing I saw was Erme.

She was grinning more than usual, her expression practically glowing with excitement.

“You’re craftier than I thought.”

“What?”

“Hehe, you don’t have to hide anything from me. But more importantly—food… wait, you probably already ate. How about a drink instead?”

“Sure, why not.”

Erme and I started drinking.

At some point, Lucia spotted us and joined our table.

And then, the next morning.

“What the hell is this?”

Lucia and Erme were hugging me in bed.

Thankfully, it seemed like nothing major had happened.