Chapter 24

“Belva. Can we melt these metals and make something out of them?”

“Huh? Where did all this come from?”

“From the knights.”

It was a bit of a hassle tracking down each scattered one. In the process, I learned how the invaders return to their own dimension.

It’s similar to tying a rope around your body and jumping into the sea. You request a return, and you can’t leave until someone pulls you up. You have to keep waiting.

Even though my body wasn’t in great shape, I managed to read the dimensional power waves around me and successfully severed them.

Well…

It wasn’t actually that hard. Dimensional travel is a much more complex technology than I thought. Even a little interference could break the connection.

When the connection was severed, the knights panicked unexpectedly and showed me an opening. My mediocre swordsmanship was enough to handle them.

It took an hour to find and deal with all the knights.

In the end, was the old man’s sacrifice in vain?

No. At least it left a big impression on me.

Of course, the reason wasn’t his spirit of sacrifice, but the proactiveness of his choice. The bold decision to give up his life. Even though there was still a chance to live, he chose to sacrifice himself. It was something I couldn’t do. That’s why my thinking wasn’t flexible. I should have considered that such a choice could be made.

Certainly, as time goes on, it becomes harder to think in a general way. I was aware of the master-disciple relationship, but I never thought it would lead to sacrifice. I need to reflect.

The ones I have to deal with aren’t just screeching monsters but also intelligent beings. If I don’t understand their emotions, I can’t exploit their weaknesses.

Imagine if someone took Miho or the demon kids hostage and threatened me. How would I react? Of course, I wouldn’t be too shaken. I might feel a bit sorry, but I’d ignore it and charge at the hostage-taker. That’s because I don’t consider taking hostages to be very effective.

But that’s not right. I should also be able to make the decision to take hostages when necessary. Even if it’s a method that wouldn’t work on me.

“Therefore, starting today, I will create a harmonious daily atmosphere.”

“Wow…”

Belva, who heard my words, let out an exclamation with a shocked face. You know it too. How big of a discovery this is.

I’m glad I can eliminate what could have been a weakness in the future. That day, for the first time, I gathered Miho, the demon kids, and even Belva to have a meal together.

*

[It was supposed to be the Primitive Dimension… but the connections keep breaking… What’s going on… I think an explanation is needed…]

A voice like scraping metal. Someone pointed to the warp portal at those words. Among the dozens of darkened gems in front, one gem flickered irregularly.

[The connection hasn’t been severed yet.]

[There’s only one knight left alive.]

[He’s having trouble returning, but if we can rescue him and get information, we will surely succeed.]

*

“What are you doing?”

I’m not sure if it’s going well. I gathered my dimensional power and stood up. How much time has passed? About an hour, I guess.

I’m intentionally recreating the waves the knights made when they requested a return. I’m just sending a signal, so I can’t move to that dimension. But if it succeeds, maybe they’ll send a rescue team.

I still feel a bit unsatisfied. There was more to extract from the knights. If they send a rescue team, I hope they send another knight squad or an assassin squad. So I can learn.

I finished today’s signal sending and returned to the academy. Now I can see a fairly deep moat. I plan to connect a river here to supply water. Seeing the steady progress makes me feel good.

“Have you been working hard?”

“Same as always. But my skills are gradually improving.”

When I went inside, I saw the demon kids sparring with swords. Including Miho, there were four of them fighting.

1v1 is good, but enemies don’t always come in singles. You need the ability to recognize and guard against multiple enemies at once.

…That was the purpose of this training, but looking at the situation, it’s Miho versus the demon kids. A scene I see all the time. And I can roughly predict what will happen next.

Before the kids exchanged glances and charged, Miho moved a step faster and threw a wooden sword. It was a move possible because she’s not a swordsman.

“Eek!”

The kid who lost the timing deflected the flying wooden sword and emitted black flames. Judging by the ability, it’s Airos. It’s hard to remember their names when I keep calling them demon kids.

Among the kids, the wind is Setan, fire is Airos, and earth is Draud. What’s interesting is that their personalities match their attributes. Maybe there’s some connection. Anyway, I can’t just watch. This is a wooden building.

“···Ah.”

Swinging the sword, the flames were extinguished.

Only then did Airos seem to realize and stepped back hesitantly.

Setan was already far away.

Draud… stood silently, unmoving.

Looking at Airos, who was bowing his head deeply, Miho curled her red lips into a smirk, sticking out her tongue slightly.

Seems like she knew this would happen from the start.

Cunning, isn’t she?

And she probably knew I wouldn’t scold her too harshly.

Crafty, but not a bad kid.

“Airos.”

“···Yes.”

Tears welled up in his eyes.

Through his thin, translucent ash-gray hair, his eyes were red.

I placed my hand on his head.

So thick, no worries about balding.

“Help Belva with meal prep. For a week.”

At my words, tears finally spilled from Airos’ eyes.

He looked like his world had collapsed.

“Huh.”

Behind me, Belva clicked her tongue in disbelief.

But it’s understandable.

Cooking with Belva is one of the punishments at the Academy.

Belva has almost no sense of taste, so she can’t season food properly.

You have to keep tasting her food until it’s just right, and it’s not uncommon to gag during the process.

It’s strange because she follows the recipe exactly.

Anyway, Setan chuckled as he watched Airos slump down in despair.

Miho was the same.

Draud just stayed silent.

So silent.

No idea what he’s thinking. He’s a mysterious guy.

“I’ll be back, so guard the house well. Don’t wreck it.”

“Okay.”

I went outside to start searching for intelligent entities.

This is also part of my daily routine.

Honestly, in a place where intelligent entities that last 24 hours are extremely rare, finding one randomly is almost impossible.

But you never know.

Some intelligent entities might have talents that let them survive longer.

Right?

[It’s optimistic, but there’s a possibility.]

Well. I don’t have high expectations.

It’s just a habit.

Now, unless it’s a large species, killing them doesn’t change my stats much.

I’ve gained everything I can from this area.

Every day, I absorb Dimension Power in the Ice Field, but I haven’t even absorbed a speck yet.

Something needs to change.

So lately, I’ve been sending out signals with a pounding heart.

Who will come?

It feels like opening a random box.

Unless I risk my life against a large species, the enemies they send are the only real opponents.

If they’re reading my mind, I hope they send a group of assassins who can use stealth.

If I can hide my presence better than now.

So, if I can approach a large species without being detected.

It’s really worth a try.

I think I can catch it.

Whoosh-

Then, I felt someone’s gaze from a point not too far away.

I must have warned them that I’d kill them if they looked again, but after two failures, they must be getting desperate.

Instead of chasing it away, I moved naturally.

As if I hadn’t noticed.

As if I hadn’t noticed at all.

[Now, that guy is over there…!]

Shh. I know, so be quiet.

This is an opportunity.

A chance to pick the type of opponent I want.

Staggering as I walked, I bent my knees and placed my hands on the ground.

Timing it right, I converted the Magic Power inside me into an aura.

My body isn’t strong enough to withstand the aura.

With a sharp pain, I felt my internal organs rupturing.

“Ugh, ugh-”

Thud.

A chunk of blood spilled from my mouth.

Even I look really hurt.

Now, they’ll be curious.

Where I got hurt like this.

What method is effective against me.

When I signaled Belva internally, she spat out an appropriate line.

[Are you okay?! Could it be the wounds from that time-]

“Unbelievable, a knight who knows how to use stealth. That guy must still be alive. We need to be careful.”

Hmm. Hmm.

The acting was a bit awkward.

I need to practice separately.

Anyway, interpreting my words, it means I’m a weakling who couldn’t even detect a knight’s stealth and took a fatal wound.

Plus, by mentioning that he’s still alive, it explains the signal I sent.

It also gives them a reason to come rescue a survivor.

Except for the bad acting, the message itself was perfect.

As expected, the gaze quickly disappeared.

They clearly intended to strike quickly before my wounds healed.

I wiped the pale expression off my face and dusted myself off.

My injuries were already healed.

Condition: top-notch.

Weapon status: optimal.

Body and mind: refreshed.

Everything,

is going according to plan.

[Ah······.]