Chapter 2: I felt that I was growing, but some things remained the same

At the same time, deep in the mountains, about an hour and a half by horseback from Elendil. There was a place where cliffs and steep, spiky rocks stood out on the mountain face.

There were two knights and a boy.

The battle against the monsters they were facing was about to end.

(I have to decide soon. —-!)

Ren thought strongly in his heart.

The boy, who turned 14 years old one step ahead of Licia, is a boy who inherited his mother Mireille’s gentle face and his father Roy’s fearless features, and his neutral appearance sometimes attracts the attention of female students.

Now, he was full of will, with his high spirits flowing in his face thinking he’ll definitely end it! He was full of determination.

“Ren-dono!”

“He’s flying upwards!”

“Yes! I know!”

Hearing the voices of the knights in jet-black armor, Ren ran up the rock face.

The rock face is marked by sharp slopes that could easily pierce a person’s body if he or she were to step off and fall. However, Ren moved his feet without fear and followed the monster as it flew upward, caressing the steep slope.

“Ren-dono! No way—-“

“I’m going to finish the fight!”

The monster he was chasing was a monstrous bird with two pairs of huge wings flapping.

(I won’t let you get away, …… “Shirin Kurai!”)

As Ren looked up at the monstrous bird, he thought back to this morning.

There had been a messenger inquiring about Lessard Clausel in the morning. The messenger sent by Radius came to the Clausel residence and left several messages to ask for Ren’s cooperation.

I can still recall the words vividly.

“A powerful monster flew into a remote area. Although the information hasn’t yet been made public, some adventurers were wounded last night. However, I would like to check out the situation myself before I ask the military or adventurers to take him down. Since it has only been a short time since the uproar at the Grand Clock Tower, I want to be as quick as possible.”

The word was to ask Ren to lend a hand because of the possibility that the demon cult might be involved.

He wanted to take whatever steps he could as soon as possible, although the current situation was not particularly dangerous, so he called on Ren after breakfast and called him to his office before he went to the academy.

Ren responded to his concerns without hesitation.

『I have received word from His Highness the Third Prince』

“I understand. Then, I will go there and check it to be sure.』

After answering immediately, Ren told Licia that he would be late for the academy and left her after leaving the mansion. He thought about leaving Licia at the mansion just in case, but the Academy would be safer.

As soon as Ren leaves the mansion, someone calls out to him from the shadows. A young knight, whom Ren had met several times at the Lion’s Holy Sanctuary, was lurking in plain clothes.

He says that he has already prepared horses and other equipment.

Riding his horse as soon as he left Elendil, Ren headed for the tent that Radius had prepared for him.

“Radius.”

“Thank you for coming. I’ll give you the materials now. Please confirm them』

The material Ren received contained information on a monster named “Shinrin Kurai”.

The guild’s index ranks it in the lower C ranks.

It’s a powerful monster that doesn’t usually live in this area.

『It is said to be so named because it has an extremely voracious appetite and can devour entire forests』

Radius continued with a light explanation.

『It is a monster that doesn’t usually appear this close to the capital. If we can defeat it, I would like to analyze it and see if there is anything suspicious. Of course, I don’t want to rely on Ren alone. I will attach two knights from the Lion’s Holy Sanctuary. I will also deploy separate units in various other places』

In general, it’s said that at least five adult knights are needed against a D-rank monster. Although it is impossible to say for sure because the strength of the moonsters differs even within the same D rank, Ren had heard that at least that many people are needed at the time for the Thief Wolfen.

Then, what about the C rank?

Of course, it’s a different story if you are a powerful knight or adventurer.

『It’s a monster of a reasonably high rank, but can we fight it?』

In the case of Ren and the knights of the Lion’s Holy Sanctuary, it is a different story.

With a handful of elite knights and a swordsman who can surpass them, there is no need to be afraid.

“This is my first time with a monster in this rank range, but it won’t be a problem.”

Although Radius had expected this answer, he shuddered at Ren’s encouraging reply. He had become a great swordsman, and his voice, which had become even stronger after that summer, showed no signs of hesitation.

There was. And there is now.

“I’m sorry, but that’s all I have to say.”

With a cold voice, Ren swung his iron magic sword into the air and released a sword pressure.

Shinrin Kurai was knocked unsteady in the air and saw Ren approaching, kicking vigorously at the mountainside.

“Gaaaaaah! Grrrrrrrraaaaaa!”

Shinrin Kurai let out an ear-piercing cry and forced his wings to flap.

The purple electricity that covered the surface of the wings was released at Ren, making a noise.

But Ren didn’t even feel threatened. With a swing of his iron magic sword, he drowned everything out with his war technique, Star-Killing Hoshizogi.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t let a monster who threatens people get away.”

Shinrin Kurai wrenches his strength against Ren’s sentence, but when he unleashes another spell on the approaching Ren to no avail, he finally confronts Ren with wings, beak, and other attacks that allow him to use his own strength.

“Gruuuu!”

Naturally, it, too, boasted a power that didn’t live up to its reputation. As the hand at the tip of the wing passed right next to Ren, the wind pressure and other factors caused a cut on Ren’s arm. However, the attack was again dodged by Ren, and on the contrary, a large part of the wing was cut off by the iron magic sword.

“………..!!??”

“I don’t intend to lose either!”

“Gee ……aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!』

Shinrin Kurai’s attack with his last ounce of strength was caustic even for the grown-up Ren.

All of the physical strength that neither that Thief Wolfen nor the steel-eating gargoyle could possess brought Ren a new experience.

Every time the giant wings moved, wind pressure danced around, and the claws at hand at the end of them aimed at Ren.

Shinrin Kurai, realizing that he couldn’t escape with Ren on his trail, used all the attacks he could muster to knock Ren away, sending him crashing into the mountainside, where his body was gouged out.

Still, he couldn’t think of escaping. For some reason, he thought that Ren, who was deep in the dust cloud, wouldn’t let him escape.

“Gruuuaaaa!!!!!』

That is why, in order to finish him off, he rushed forward even though he was unable to keep his balance due to his clipped wings.

Wrap in purple electricity, he pointed the tip of his sharp beak at the rock face where Ren had collided.

—- But it didn’t come true.

A momentary flash of sword light shines far above the knights’ heads, and at the same time, Shinrin Kurai comes to a halt in midair. Just before it fell according to gravity, its chest, neck, beak, and head were sliced open in a single vertical movement, and it fell down, spraying fresh green body fluid.

The knights at the fall site saw Ren behind the cloud of dust.

Ren stood on the gouged rock face, propping up his iron sword and smiling.

“…… phew.”

Looking Down, the two knights were waiting and the corpse of Shirin Kurai had fallen beside them.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

A short time later, Ren and Radius were on their way to the academy on the magic train.

“I’ve told you many times, you’re being too reckless.”

Radius said to Ren on the way to the imperial capital.

The advantage of this place is that the nobles also use the private rooms, so they don’t have to worry about anything when they talk.

“Huh? What?”

“So why do you think I sent knights with you! Even a C-rank won’t be able to defeat you, Ren! But I sent two knights with you to make sure you wouldn’t get hurt!”

“I’m sorry. I was just trying so hard not to let it escape.”

“Haa, that’s enough. I’m glad it didn’t turn out to be a big deal.”

The two knights who were by Ren’s side did quite a bit of work before Shirin Kurai took flight.

Hence, the story goes that Shinrin Kurai was forced to fly and distance himself from the situation when he realized that he was sure to lose, but Ren, who didn’t want it to be able to escape, forced himself.

(And the magic sword of flame consumes a lot of energy.)

As Ren was thinking this, there was a knock at the door of the private room where they were.

Outside the glass window in the door, the knight’s figure could be seen.

“It seems like he has something for me, so I’ll be stepping out for a while.”

“Hmm, good.”

The knight outside called for Radius, leaving Ren alone in the guest room.

There he checks the proficiency gained, which is also the result of today’s battle.

——

Ren Ashton.

[Job] Ashton family, eldest son

[Skill] ・Summoning Magic Sword (Level 1: 0/0)

・Summoning Magic Sword (Level 5: 3129/5000)

Level 1: Able to summon [one] magic sword.

Level 2: While summoning the bracelet, the user gains the effect of [Physical Ability UP (Small)].

Level 3: May summon 【Two Swords】.

Level 4: Gain [Physical Ability UP (Medium)] while summoning the bracelet.

Level 5: Unlocks the evolution of the magic sword.

Level 6: Gain the effect of [Physical Ability UP (Large)] while summoning the bracelet.

Level 7: ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊.

[Mastered Magic Swords].

∙ Magic Sword of the Great Tree (Level 3: 1328/2000)

• Allows attacks of about natural magic (medium).
• The range of attack effect expands as the level increases.

Iron Magic Sword (Level 3: 4253/4500)

• The sword’s sharpness increases as its level increases.

Thieves’ Magic Sword (Level 1: 0/3)

• Randomly steals items from the target with a certain probability.

Shield Magic Sword (Level 2: 0/5)

• Places a barrier of magical power around the attacker. The effect increases with the level of the sword.
• The effect range can be extended.

Magic Sword of Flame (Level 1: 1/1)

• The fire is the wrath of the dragon, the power of power.

——

Seeing this, Ren reconfirms that his speed of gaining proficiency had slowed down due to the fact that he had been a student taking exams until recently. It’s also related to the fact that he has spent more time studying as an exam student since about the year before last, and that he has less opportunity to hunt out of town as he did when he was in Clausel.

Instead, since he started honing his sword at the Lion’s Holy Sanctuary, his sword skills have grown beyond comparison to what they were before. Since he has also been able to acquire war skills, he has actually grown considerably.

In addition, and this has been particularly noticeable since the time he recently defeated Asval, unlike when he was defeating weak monsters such as Little Boar, there’s now often a difference in the proficiency level gained by the magic sword summoning technique and the magic sword itself. He felt that before, it was a one-to-one gain, but sometimes it’s not constant, with one side gaining more or the other more.

Ren, on the other hand, felt that this was more natural, so he was able to accept this information with an open mind.

“Well, is that how it is?”

Ren was proud of the fact that he had become a master swordsman of the hard sword technique as an invisible result of the battle, and he decided to grow in various aspects from now on.

Radius returned and twisted his head to look at Ren, who sighed shortly after.

“Hmm? Something wrong?”

“No, nothing. And what about you?”

“The knights had been communicating with the guild before they left, and now that they had finished compiling the information, they had come to report to me.”

“What do you mean, communicating with the guild?”

Radius returned to sit down opposite Ren.

He had several sheets of paper in his hand and, crossing his legs, he touched the first one.

“Since yesterday’s injured person was an adventurer, we couldn’t help but report it to the guild. It’s a hassle, but we told them how we handled it and so on.”

“Well, I thought it was your authority to keep it a secret.”

“I told you that the injured person was an adventurer. The guild hadn’t announced it, but it was just before they put up the wanted list.”

The focus, however, was that Ren had subjugated it before it was put up.

“So I’m going to ask you to sign some papers. I’ll take care of the rest on my own.”

“What do you mean sign?”

“The fact that it was just before the arrangement was put up means that the reward money and other items had been approved by the guild. In other words, you, who almost single-handedly took down the monster, is entitled to all sorts of rewards.”

“I see. But—-“

“I’ll start by saying that the other knights are on official business and therefore have no right to receive the money. I’ll give them a good allowance instead, so don’t worry about it.”

“That’s great. I was imagining what I was going to say.”

“It’s you of all people. I can understand what you’re thinking about.”

Radius lays the documents on the table between them and asks Ren to check them. Among the documents, in addition to those related to the guild, there was one in Radius’ name.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a personal thank you from me. If I move the money directly, it will be difficult to deal with it, so I would like to have the goods of the Arne velde Trading Company wholesaled to the village of Clausel and to your village as well. Is that all right with you?”

“Okay! If that’s the case, then I’ll be happy.”

Ren continued to look at other documents.

There are many documents, but the main ones are the reward for the accomplishment of the request, an estimate of the cost of the sale of the materials of the shinrin kurai, and the permission for the payment of those costs.

Of course, the magic stone wasn’t included in the calculation because Ren crushed it after absorbing its power.

It was decided that the castle would purchase all of the shirin kurai materials.

Radius would examine the corpse afterwards to see if there were any demon cult involvement. The amount is based on the guild’s assessment, but even so, the overall sum is far too high.

“I was surprised to get more than I thought I would.”

“If you’ve already paid your tuition fee, then, as usual, why don’t you use it for the village?”

“That’s true, but lately my father and mother have been telling me to use the money for myself.”

“Then save it. You will be able to use it someday.”

Ren decided to do so and signed the papers.

But in addition to the documents related to the sale, there were other documents that required Ren’s signature. He wondered what they were for, and found out that they were related to his guild rank.

“It looks like my guild rank is going up.”

“I suppose. I think you had taken on a number of jobs at the guild before you enrolled, right? As I recall, Ulysses asked you to do some of them.”

“Yes. The job of escorting a merchant who knows Ulysses-sama, for example.”

“I’ve heard that you had been doing a lot of work on defeating other monsters.”

So, it is not something that requires Ren’s signature. It is, after all, a report, and all it says is that Ren’s guild rank is now this one.

At the end of the report, it says

“The following person is recognized as rank B.”

That’s how it was written.

Ren, who was tired of the entrance examinations, had been ranked C in the previous winter, as he had often taken on work at the guild for a change of pace. This time, he was promoted to the rank of B, despite his student status.

“You’re a student and yet you’re ranked B. Fufu… I’ve never heard of that before.”

Ren gathered up his papers and handed them back to Radius, who was smiling happily.

“I think I’ve had enough in terms of rank.”

Ren straightened his back. A bandage could be seen on his hand peeking out from the sleeve of his shirt. It was a scar from a cut he had received in the previous battle that had been lightly treated with a potion and wrapped in a bandage just in case.

(I think I can join the afternoon class from the middle of the day.)

Looking at the view of the Imperial City from the window, Ren began to think about what his afternoon class was about—-.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Upon arriving at the academy, Ren headed for the classroom where afternoon classes were being held.

This afternoon was dedicated to herbology.

“The distillation and alchemy kilns are very important in herbology. You all know that these two are essential for potion refining』

In the herbology classroom at the Imperial Military Academy, Ren stood in front of the classroom entrance. As Ren stood in front of the entrance of the classroom, he could hear the voice of the instructor talking from inside.

After taking a deep breath, Ren quietly opens the door and enters the room.

In that place, where he could see shelves lined with numerous test tubes and several medicinal herbs still planted in pots, an elderly, gentlemanly faculty member first looked at Ren. About 30 students from the special class followed.

“I’m sorry, I’m late.”

“I know you’re late because you had something to do. Now, please take your seat.”

Ren was grateful to hear the teacher’s voice and walked through the classroom to sit next to Licia.

Licia gave Ren a pensive look and secretly reached for Ren’s arm to roll up the sleeve. When she noticed that it was bandaged, she smiled cutely and said.

“I’ll have you tell me later, okay?”

“…… Yes.”

Licia, who was assured, and Ren, who had given up.

Licia’s strong will to listen slowly later because she was in the middle of a class now was very evident.

“Let’s get back to the topic. Why distillation and alchemy kilns are essential for potion refining. —-“

The teacher chose Ren, who had been the valedictorian at the entrance ceremony, from among the students who had participated in this class.

“Ashton, I’m sorry to interrupt your recent arrival, but I have a question for you. Do you know why we use a distillation kiln for refining potions?”

Ren stood up from his seat and said without hesitation.

“─ In order to separate the water content of the herb from the herb itself.”

“Thank you. Gentlemen, what he answered was the basics of making potions. You have probably learned this in your examinations. But in this class, I want you to learn something more advanced—-“

The instructor laughed like a good-natured old man.

“By the way, Ashton, how can we enhance the efficacy of isolated components?”

“It depends on the constituents extracted from the herb.”

“Do you know what methods are available?”

“I know of several. For example, —-“

The teacher who had asked the question rubbed his white beard and laughed as he was told more than he had expected from the first year of the course.

“Good. Ashton seems to have learned enough.”

Then the bell rings.

Hearing the signal that class is over, the teacher says, “Well,”

“That’s enough for today. Everyone remember to review and be ready for the next time.”

With these words, he left the classroom.

Licia and Ren followed the other students as they left one by one.

“Ren, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Ren knew that after school was the time for questioning.

Radius also told him he could talk to Licia and Fiona, so he is going to do the same.

“At any rate, I’m surprised you knew that much.”

“I had heard about it from Old Lady Rigg, the medicine woman in the village. She told me a lot of things.”

“Fufu, so that’s why. I was surprised.”

Ren, who chuckled and faked it, leaves this classroom with Licia.

Then, as soon as they left the classroom, several female students approached Ren and praised him for his response to the previous lesson.

Since some of the female students were nobles, Ren tried to be as polite as possible.

“How do you usually study?”

“Yes! I’d like to know if you don’t mind!”

As soon as Ren told her how he studied, he looked at her, not wanting to keep Licia waiting too long.

“Excuse me. I think it’s time for us to go.”

“I’m sorry for stopping you for so long.”

“I’m sorry, Clausel-san.”

“No, don’t worry about it. We’ll be going then.”

The two who had separated from the girls earlier walked around the school building with their textbooks in their hands.

They went to an empty classroom in secret, and Licia instructed Ren to roll up his sleeves.

“I’ll fix you up, just sit still.”

Licia puts her hand on Ren’s arm and heals the wound with sacred magic. The cut that had been hidden by the bandages was enveloped in a glow, and the slight heat and pain Ren was feeling quickly disappeared.

Thinking back, it has been a long time since he had sacred magic used on him in this way. He hadn’t had the opportunity to be injured even during the final examinations for the special class.

“Licia-sama’s Sacred Magic has become much stronger than before, hasn’t it?”

“Fufu, I guess so.”

It’s especially noticeable since last summer.

I wonder how far she will grow at a speed so rapidly.

“How’s your scar? Does it hurt anymore?”

“I’m fine. On the contrary, I feel better than I did this morning.”

“Don’t say weird things anymore. Just because I’m going to heal you doesn’t mean you can do anything reckless, okay?”

They laughed at each other.

Then, before talking about what Ren had done, they listened to the voices of the students coming from outside the open window.

Licia, at the sight of the students bustling around after class.

“Hey, hey. Don’t you think it’s a little interesting that you and I go to this academy together?”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“Well, you know, about Viscount Givens……”

“Ah…. Now that you mention it… I had refused his invitation, but now I’m going to school with you, Licia-sama.”

“I know..right?”

Licia smiled happily and looked up at Ren.

“But we’ve been together almost as long as I can remember. It’s natural that many things happen.”

It was true that many months had passed since they had met.

The two realized that the time had flown by so quickly, and they smiled at each other as they always do.

Afterwards, he told Licia as well as Fiona about what had happened this morning and they were surprised by many things, but they weren’t angry with him, they were just curious about what he was doing.

They were proud of him when they heard his story.

They may have praised him, but there was no way they were going to complain and it was out of the question.

They couldn’t get him out of their minds until they asked Ren about it, which I guess is the fate of the one who is in love with him.

———-

Author note:

Regarding the “physical ability UP” area of the magic sword summoning technique, I would like to adjust the wording of “while summoning the magic sword” to “while summoning the bracelet” in accordance with the book version. …… The effect is always active even if the magic sword is summoned and hidden in the room, so we have made a small change to simply say that the bracelet is being summoned.

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