Chapter 7: Looking for a Teacher
A large cemetery is an excellent training ground for Ren. But that is only if he can find a good teacher. For this purpose, Ren and Luna walked around the vast cemetery from corner to corner.
"......This row doesn't seem to have one either."
But so far, the deceased that Ren seeks has not been found.
"Is it no good? There was a spirit though?"
"Because what I'm looking for is someone who's really good with swords or magic."
It has to be someone who was good with swords or magic before their death.
"How are you going to find out? Do you ask them one by one?"
"If it's a famous person, I thought there would be a certain inscription on the tombstone. That's what I was looking at."
"Did you find one?"
"I couldn't find anything like that. I guess it wasn't that easy."
The letters engraved on the gravestone do not always indicate their identity before their death. On the contrary, there were far more words of condolence. He tried to search it blindly but found it impossible.
"Can't you find it?"
"Let's come again at night. Spirits are easier to see at night than during the day."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Spirits show up because they want to be noticed. That's why I can't find hidden spirits. But that's not possible at night. It's hard to disappear completely. So you can't see hidden spirits during the day. ”
This is not the norm for necromancers. It is possible to see it only because of Ren's ability to perceive better than others. However, Ren, who was born with it, didn't think it was anything special.
"So?"
“Actually, I had planned to find a candidate during the daytime and ask him or her if he or she stayed in this world. Since I couldn't do that, I had to ask them one by one after all. But, you know, some people are just so vain about that sort of thing."
"Are spirits showing off?"
Luna is surprised to hear that the spirits show off.
“Yes. It is not unusual for them to boast about their life. And they also make their stories exaggerated when they do."
"...Like people."
"That's how it is."
"So, let's start over."
"Yeah. Let's go back to our room for now."
The daytime search for a teacher ended like this. The daylight has completely gone and Ren and Luna are walking in the cemetery again. But they are not just walking around in the dark and asking the spirits as they had been doing during the day. This is a cemetery. Since this is a cemetery that is managed, there is actually a list of those buried here.
He borrowed it from Babaa and got a reasonable idea of where they were buried. But even so, it was not easy.
"No, this person is no longer in this world."
"No way"
Even if they knew the graves of those who made their names with swords and magic, it would be meaningless if they did not remain as spirits in this world.
"They should be pleased."
"Yes, I suppose so."
In the first place, it would be strange to leave behind regrets and remain in this world.
"The rest is... the one who was a knight. But he's a common knight."
"...There was an even more amazing person right ahead."
"That person died more than 200 years ago. That's no good."
"Why not?"
"Just because someone is a spirit doesn't mean they can stay in this world forever. At most, they can stay in this world for a hundred years. After that time, the thoughts they left behind will disappear, and they will either ascend to heaven naturally or disappear like dust.”
"...But that person"
"Eh?"
The place where Luna pointed to was a man of mature age standing there, dressed as a warrior. The place is the gravestone of a person who died two hundred years ago.
“Is it different in another world?”
"Maybe."
"……But"
Ren has already met many dead people in this world. The feeling was the same as in the original world.
"It's calling you"
"Certainly……"
The spirit is indeed beckoning to Ren. However, he had never met a spirit that behaved in such a way.
"Okay, let's go"
"Hey, wait! Luna!"
Unaware of Ren's concern, Luna runs toward the spirit. Then, Ren could not leave her alone. Without letting his guard down, he approached the spirit.
(Who are you guys!?)
Suddenly, a loud voice echoes in his head.
(I would ask the same)
(Me? I'm Alexis Selm, the 8th Knight Commander of the Church.)
(No. Didn't you die over 200 years ago?)
(Has it already been that long?)
(...Are you a human spirit?)
(Hmm?)
(As far as I know, human spirits cannot live in this world beyond 100 years. If you were to stay in this world beyond that, it would be......)
(Would be?)
(A monster that has lost human reason.)
(Monster?)
(Don't you get it? In this world, is it closer to a demon? Or an evil spirit?)
(What do you mean by calling me a demon!)
Alexis is angry at being called a demon. This is also a surprise to Ren. It is rare for a spirit to reveal so much emotion. Many spirits have lost their emotional waves. Only evil spirits have strong emotions.
(I just can't find the right words. But 200 years? After all, another world is different.)
(...Are you saying that you're from another world?)
(Yes)
(A hero)
Alexis knew about the existence of the Hero.
(I don't intend to be.)
(Hmm?)
(I'm not going to be a hero)
(...But you want power. It seems that you reacted to that thought.)
(I want to be strong. But that's to protect myself and my friends.)
(Friends…… I see, a friend from another world, huh?)
(No. Luna is the only friend I have for now.)
(...That girl is a spirit, right?)
Luna is his only friend. This explanation of Ren's is puzzling to Alexis.
(Yes)
(A contracted spirit, right?)
(Contract? Ah, is that so?)
A contract with a spirit. He learned it in class, but Ren didn't realize that he had done it.
(Don't tell me you didn't know?)
(No, I thought we were just regular friends. Ah, so you had a contract because......?)
(Fufu. After all, Ren is wonderful)
Luna smiles happily after hearing Ren's words.
(So?)
(Both humans and elves try to use spirits. But I can't feel that feeling from Ren. That's why I like it.)
(...Yes. I certainly don't have that kind of awareness.)
(That's why I like it.)
(No, that's too much praise)
Ren is embarrassed after being told many times by Luna that she likes it.
(Don't, don't ignore me!!)
Alexis' emotions exploded at Ren and Luna, who were about to abandon the others and enter their own world.
"...Luna! Get back!"
"Eh! Ah, yeah!"
The Alexis in front of him was no longer the Alexis he had been a moment ago. The expression of rage does not look like that of a human being. His whole body is dyed red, and he looks like a red devil.
"As I thought, it's a kind of monster."
Ren has seen such evil spirits several times.
"Rude! That's rude, I can't forgive you!"
Alexis pulled out the sword at his waist in an instant and swung it at Ren.
"Wha! Guaah!"
Ren quickly blocked it. However, the sword that he thought he had blocked was slammed squarely into his body.
(......What's with the sword?)
In the hand of Ren who fell to the ground, he was holding a shining white sword that shouldn't have been there before.
(...An anti-spirit sword. But... how can a spirit deal physical damage!?)
A spirit is a spirit. A battle with the spirit becomes a battle with the soul. What looks like a sword cut is an act that directly damages the soul. But now, Ren certainly received a shock to the physical body.
(I do not know such a thing. I attack with a sword. A sword cuts people.)
(I don't understand. There is no physical sword. So it cannot be prevented. In that case...)
(You give up?)
(...No way)
Ren, who had been lying on the ground, had leaped toward Alexis, keeping a low posture. The white shining sword is now held in both hands.
(Only attack!)
(Hoh!)
(Don't show any gap!)
Ren enters Alexis' bosom and the sword swung at once. However, Alexis had moved backward before the sword could reach him. From that pause, Alexis' sword swung.
"So fast!"
Ren panicked and took a step backward, but Alexis' sword reached Ren's body faster than that.
"Ugh..."
The only saving grace for Ren is the fact that it is a sword, but it can't cut. The damage from the sword that struck him was so great that he almost fainted in an instant.
(...Did you endure it?)
"Don't bully Ren!"
It was Luna who cut in there. Standing in front of Ren that is about to collapse, she is glaring at the spirit.
(Spirit girl. You are still young.)
"So what?"
(You shouldn't have the strength to fight yet)
"...Luna will still protect Ren!"
(That's good. But... I can't be defeated by someone with no power!)
Alexis' sword swings mercilessly at Luna. But the sword did not reach Luna. Ren, who jumped in between the sword and Luna, prevented it.
After receiving a third direct hit from the sword, Ren was indeed unable to remain conscious. He collapsed to the ground as it was and stopped moving.
“Ren… Ren! Reeenn!"
(Don't make a fuss! He's just unconscious!)
"Hmm?"
(If I wanted to, I could cut the kid in half with my first move.)
"And?"
(I'm just testing him. See if he's worthy of my teaching.)
"So?"
(Well, his skills are terrible. He's like an amateur. But his spirit is good. Above all, I like his unbreakable heart.)
“Then, did Ren pass?”
(Yeah. It's up to the kid how far he can learn, but I'll teach him everything I can.)
"Yay!"
Luna is happy to know that he has found a teacher in swordsmanship.
(That will also start tomorrow. I guess that's it for today.)
"Okay... how should I carry Ren?"
"I prepared a cart. You can carry him with this."
"Ah"
A voice suddenly called. Babaa was standing in the direction of the voice.
"But it surprises me that he is with a spirit."
"Um"
“I'll let you stay here, it's no trouble. Now, you take the boy back to his room."
"Yes"
Luna and Babaa. The two of them put Ren on the cart, after which Luna pushed the cart alone and headed home. Babaa stayed behind.
"But I didn't expect you to wake up."
She's talking to Alexis. The two of them knew each other.
(You are still alive?)
"Of course. It's only been thirty years since we last met."
(For me, it's short, but for those who live, it's not a short time.)
"Well... the church seems to have changed in those thirty years."
(Is it so?)
"They can't tell the difference between a hero and a champion, let alone an ordinary man and a hero."
(Are you talking about that boy?)
If it comes to who Babaa is talking about, he can't think of anyone other than Ren.
"That's right. I had nothing to offer, so I wanted him to succeed me as a necromancer."
(Not wrong.)
You can have a conversation with a spirit. He has talent as a necromancer. And it's not a talent that everyone has.
"He surpasses me as a necromancer."
(Hmm. Is that so?)
"You know what I'm talking about. And with a spirit. I'm sure that's what the spirit wanted."
She doesn't know much about spirits. Even so, it is impossible for the spirit to get into a contract with an ordinary person.
(It seems so. He didn't seem to understand the contract.)
"From now on, the kid will head for another possibility. We can't say it's not a hero."
(...What are you going to do?)
"Nothing. If the kid is a champion, the current church can't handle him. If he's not a champion, they'll let him go. Nothing will change."
(Is the current church useless?)
The official name of the church is the Church of the Holy Heroes. Babaa says that the church can't handle the champion. That means it is no longer the original Church of the Holy Heroes.
"If you take a closer look, you can see it. The current church has forgotten its duty. The idea that sacrifices are inevitable for the sake of peace. They take human life lightly, judging human life by its quantity. Such a church is not a church.”
(......Is that what happened?)
That was not the case in the church when Alexis was alive. Alexis realized that two hundred years is a long time.
"It's a shame."
(What if that kid was a champion?)
"I don't know. The world might change. But I can't decide if it's for the better or for the worse."
(Light and Darkness. I could see two opposite sides, albeit slightly)
"It's the same for me. It's just a little bit."
(Toward the light or toward the dark.)
Even if you have the qualities of a champion, it is not always used in the right way. Alexis thought.
"......It might be a mistake to think that way."
Babaa rejected the idea.
(Hmm. What is that?)
"The world is right if it embraces both light and darkness."
(That...... would make him more than a champion, it would make him a savior.)
Accept light and darkness, justice and evil, merit and sin. It seems like accepting everything in the world. It is not something that is done by mere humans.
"......I agree. I feel sorry for the kid if we expect that much from him. Anyway, I want him to be free to do as he pleases. For some reason, I thought so at first sight."
(Is that so? Then, let's just think about making him stronger.)
"Please do so. Then... I'll see you soon tomorrow. It feels strange."
(Ah, me too. Well then)
"Yeah"
And in the cemetery that is no longer popular, only the spirits standing here and there are left behind. That is always the case, but tonight the cemetery was a bit noisy. The noise is also a noise that ordinary people don't hear.
◇◇◇
The next day at sunset.
Ren dragged his aching body to Alexis' tomb. Unlike yesterday, his figure is visible even from a distance. It must be waiting for him.
"...It looks like he's waiting."
"He's going to teach you the sword."
"I've heard of that, but... according to the common sense of the original world, it's an evil spirit."
(Stop messing around and come quickly!)
A voice suddenly rings in his head. It's the yelling voice of Alexis.
"...A normal spirit wouldn't be this energetic."
"Yes"
According to Ren's knowledge, a spirit that remains in this world for 200 years should have no reason left. However, that is not the case with Alexis. Although he wondered about this, he forced himself to convince himself that it was different in the other world, and Ren hurried to Alexis' place.
There is no teacher better than him to learn the sword. That kind of thinking is stronger.
(Fuu. You finally came.)
(Sorry I made you wait)
(Is there a sense of waiting I am feeling?)
(...Then, complaints?)
Finally coming is the line of those who have waited.
(Is that your attitude toward your master?)
(...Are you really going to teach me how to use the sword?)
Alexis called himself a master. Hearing that, Ren again asked if he would really be his teacher.
(Yes, I will. From now on, you can call me master.)
(Thank you. Master, what should I do first?)
(Impatient)
(Free time is scarce, especially for the living)
It will be four years until he graduates from school. During that time, Ren must learn to live in this world. For Ren, it's only four years.
(Fumu… but it’s not like we should just do things blindly.)
(I understand that)
(I have already thought about the training content for the time being. I will say it now, so record it or memorize it.)
(...I don't have paper, so I'll memorize it)
(First of all, you are a complete amateur in my eyes.)
(Yes)
(But your movements aren't bad. To be honest, I don't understand)
(Movement... I feel like my body has become lighter since I came to this world.)
Improvement of basic physical strength after coming to this world. Ren felt this.
(Blessing?)
(I don't remember getting one)
(What did you say?)
Alexis showed a surprised reaction to Ren's words.
(I ended the ritual without doing anything. To be more precise, I pretended to receive it.)
(Why?)
Alexis does not understand why he did not receive the blessing. Especially since he was a former church knight.
(Somehow. If I dare say the reason, I feel that the blessings given are just a frame)
(That's... but your body is still light?)
He has not received any benefits. Then the question becomes, why does his body feel light?
(I feel so)
(Fumu. Is that what being a person from another world is like before the blessing? This is not something to think about now. Let's get back to the topic.)
(Yes)
(Even if I teach you how to use the sword, your basic stamina is not enough. Did you feel like you were able to get some clues from last night's fight?)
(...It's like I can't get my hands and feet around it.)
He couldn't block the sword at all. He doesn't even know why. Last night's battle was a crushing defeat.
(That's right. Even with that, I am taking it easy on you. In other words, you don't have the qualifications to match my sword yet.)
(Yes)
(First of all, thorough basic training. Physical strength in general, how to handle a sword.)
(Specifically?)
(I'll tell you that from now on. First of all, you must train your body without my guidance. So do it in the daytime.)
(Yes)
(First, do a hundred laps around the cemetery.)
(Yes?)
Alexis suddenly said something that made Ren doubt his ears. Alexis doesn't really hear it, though.
(Run along the wall surrounding the cemetery)
(Run. One hundred laps?)
(Yes. After that, next)
(Wait!)
Ren couldn't stand to wait for Alexis to continue ahead.
(What?)
(After that, you mean the next part, right?)
(What are you asking? Isn't that obvious?)
(Isn't a lap here about two kilometers?)
(So what?)
(By all means... it's impossible)
(What?)
(Is 200 kilometers the distance a person can run in a day?)
Even marathoners don't run that far. That is what Alexis is asking him to run in a day, and that too every day. Ren is willing to train as hard as he can, but he knows this is impossible no matter how hard he tries.
(You can run, right?)
(......Uh, how many hours is that?)
(Oh you got it wrong)
(Wrong?)
(Honestly, I don't think you can run 100 laps either)
(What)
Ren was a little relieved when he thought that it would be less than 200 kilometers.
(If you run with all your strength, you won't last that long.)
(Yes? What now?)
However, the words that made him doubt his ears again reached him.
(If you run with all your might)
(Impossible)
(Don't say impossible! I'm telling you to run with all your strength until you collapse. Even if you collapse and you're about to die and you won't be able to move a single step. Once you get to that point, the day is over.)
(I see... the point is that it's just ridiculously spartan.)
The goal is not to finish running, but to challenge the limits. If this is the case, Ren will have no complaints.
(Spartan?)
(Otherworldly language for being harsh to the point of death)
(Oh, yes. Do it until you collapse.)
(Yes)
(When you're done running)
However, Alexis is trying to continue beyond that limit.
(Even though I collapsed?)
(Wouldn't you wake up if you splash yourself with water?)
(Yes... I see.)
(Next is strength. There should be a spare tombstone. Carry it and make fifty laps vertically in the cemetery. You don't have to run.)
(Fifty laps… until I fall?)
(If you're about to die and won't be able to pick yourself up. If that happens, it's done.)
(……Yes)
(Next)
(Next……)
Thinking that the training would continue, even Ren, who had a certain level of resolution, turned pale.
(Stretching out, I guess.)
(Yes?)
The words that came out of Alexis' mouth were unexpected.
(If your joints and muscles aren't soft, you won't be strong.)
(Haa)
(Don't make fun of it. For example, how far can you turn your shoulders now? Can you turn from directly above to directly below without any discomfort? If you can't do that, then you have a blind spot for your sword, and your sword swing will be disordered.)
(...I see. When you say it like that, I understand what is important)
(Do that until the sun goes down, as long as time permits)
(Only those three?)
(You can't do even those three, can you? )
For the time being, Alexis seems to know that he is saying something unreasonable.
(Well, yeah)
(I don't think you can do it from the beginning. But I want you to be able to do it. Look, every day, you must be able to do better than the day before. If you can't do that, I will stop teaching you.)
What Alexis wants is to make progress, even if it's just a little bit at a time.
(...Understood. I'll do my best.)
Even though he knows it is not an easy thing to do, he has to say this to Ren.
(After dark, for the time being, it's sword handling. This is something I need to teach you carefully at first. Don't swing it on your own.)
(Eh? Why?)
(I don't want you to develop strange habits. I won't allow you to practice on your own until you have a solid foundation.)
(I understand)
(For the time being, this is what you are doing now. If you work hard and build up your strength, the next training will begin soon.)
(Yes)
(Okay, then)
(Can you give me a minute?)
A voice echoing in his head suddenly cut in. In other words, another spirit spoke.
(Wha, who are you!?)
Alexis shows his surprise.
Ren immediately recognized the owner of that voice. Before they knew it, a spirit was approaching the three of them. However, this spirit also had a slightly different atmosphere. He looks like a human. However, even though he is a spirit, he has a strange presence.
(……You are?)
(I want to run to become your teacher.)
The one who appeared was a candidate for a teacher.
(Teacher? But my teacher is Master Alexis.)
(For the sword, isn't it? What I teach is magic. Are you looking for a magic teacher, too?)
(I was looking for it. But you are?)
Ren was definitely looking. However, none of the people on the list that caught his attention should have remained in this world.
(Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Rudolf Beowolf.)
(No way!?)
Upon hearing the name of the spirit that appeared, Alexis was intensely surprised.
(That's absurd. Are you really you?)
(That's a strange expression, but it's true that I am Rudolf Beowulf.)
(...That's, um)
(Yes, that's enough. I want to forget what happened before my death. No, I lied about wanting to forget. But now I have finally found the present. So, enough of the past.)
(Yes……)
(Um)
Alexis uses honorifics. As for Ren, He's very curious about who it is.
(Ah, I'm sorry. In other words, since I'm still here as a spirit, I have a desire. I want you to fulfill that desire.)
(What is that desire?)
(I want you to inherit the magic that I have mastered)
(......Is it called [unique magic]?)
A magic that has a strong feeling of staying in this world. It's definitely something special.
(That's right. But if you train it, anyone can use it, so it's strange that it's called unique.)
(Anyone? But if so)
If it's that kind of magic, Ren doesn't understand why he would want to stay in this world as a spirit.
(However, there are conditions)
(Condition?)
(First of all, don't be bound by common sense. If you think that magic is like this and that, it is impossible.)
(Oh, is that so?)
This explanation made Ren understand why. People in this world are bound by this common sense. That's why there is no one to inherit it.
(Also, it's good to be able to control mana. This is a good thing if you train it, but there are strengths and weaknesses. Anyway, you need to acquire perfection.)
(Um, I don't have such a talent.)
Ren never used magic before. He doesn't think he meets Rudolph's requirements.
(You do)
(Eh?)
(I wanted to teach you magic because I saw the battle last night. The sword you used. It's a magic sword.)
(...No way? But that was from when I was in my original world)
Magic shouldn't exist in the original world. That's what Ren thought.
(Spirit?)
(Eh?)
(Oh, sorry. That word came to mind)
(Did you read what I was thinking?)
(That's why I'm sorry. I'm a little sensitive. When I connect like this, I can see one's thoughts that they don't put into words.)
(Haa……)
Ren also sometimes has some idea of what the spirits are thinking. But he doesn't think he can read the words that come into their head. It is the same with the spirits he has encountered so far. In other words, Rudolph is not normal.
(Would you describe it as a spirit in your original world?)
(I think that the spirit is a mental body. A being with no substance, just a mind?)
(I see. I understand a little. You can shape that mental body. Even though you are a living person.)
(Yes)
(But in this world, it exists as mana. There is no doubt that I recognized it as mana.)
(……That's?)
The mental body in the original world is the same as the mana in this world. In that case, Ren would already be able to handle magic freely.
(It's not easy to keep mana in the form of a sword. Well, Alexis? He can do it, too.)
(Not because he is a spirit?)
(Wasn't he able to do it from the beginning? That's what the attack was yesterday. You perceived it as a physical attack, but you were wrong. Your sword didn't prevent it because your sword didn't go far enough to stop it.)
(......The sword was cut?)
(Correct. It's a magic sword, so it returns to its original shape. That's why you didn't understand.)
(I see……)
Ren understands why he couldn't defend against Alexis' sword. He was simply immature.
(Still, it's still a big deal because you can do it without much training. Magic is imagination. If you doubt it, it will never come true.)
(Magic is imagination...)
(Well, what do you think? Will you inherit my magic?)
(Um...)
(Take it. I know a man who is equal to him in magic, but I do not know anyone who is better. Perhaps no one in my time can match him.)
When Ren was a little puzzled by Rudolph's mysteriousness, Alexis suggested that he become his apprentice. Moreover, his evaluation of Rudolph is quite high.
(...I understand. If you're okay with me)
In that case, there is no option to refuse.
(Let's stop that tone too)
(...I understand. I don't know how much I can respond, but I will do what I can.)
(Alright. Then, I have to think about my training.)
(Ah……)
Master Rudolf's words made Ren realize a problem.
(What's wrong?)
(Following Master Alexis' training earlier)
Ren doesn't think he can do it all.
(Ah, I don't mind. I'm the opposite. First of all, I'll teach you how to control mana thoroughly, step by step. Once I've taught it, it's up to you to polish it. You can do it while running at full power. You can do that. You have to become like that. If that happens, you might be able to run even 100 laps.)
(...Understood. Then Master Alexis and Master Rudolph. I look forward to working with you from now on.)
(Yeah) (Good)
Thus, two spirits were found as Ren's mentors. He can say that there is no better mentor than them. It will be a little while before Ren will know who they are.
Ren, who is happy that he seems to have found the best teachers, does not realize that there is still a problem. He trains on his own during the day and follows his master at night. He has no time to sleep. This is something he will realize the next day.
thanks for the chapter
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