Chapter 7

Chapter 3: The Village

Misa taught me a few useful everyday phrases through body language: “I’m sorry,” “Gently,” “Stop,” “It hurts,” “Forgive me,” “Save me”…

I also learned three or four meaningless curses, but as a virtuous and civilized person from Earth, I doubted I’d ever use them.

[Name] Misa

[Level] 6

[Blessing] Accuracy F

[Curse] –

Misa’s status window, which started appearing after she completely submitted to me. Are divine blessings common? She casually had an F-rank blessing.

[Accuracy]

▶ The probability of hitting a target in any way greatly increases!

▶ The probability decreases as the target moves in any way.

“So there are blessings like this.” I thought she was a master archer with prodigious talent, but it was just the effect of a blessing? It wasn’t for nothing that Misa used a crossbow. Just then,

” … □..” “What? Huh?”

Her status window, which had just been visible, vaguely disappeared. “Misa, thank you.”

I never did find out why she attacked me, but as an apology, she gave me her crossbow and clothes. “Hmm… these are women’s clothes, so it’s a bit uncomfortable to move in.”

A certain god respects the outcast’s hobby. “No, I don’t!”

This was because Gary’s and Cole’s men’s armor was too large and heavy for me to wear.

Misa’s slender armor, however, though it pinched here and there, wasn’t impossible for me to wear. “Still, it feels… a bit strange.” I stuffed my Earth school uniform, which was practically an advertisement for ‘alien,’ into Gary’s travel backpack. Then, I put on Misa’s leather clothes over my underwear instead of the uniform.

What would I look like in fantasy native clothes?

It’s a shame there’s no mirror. A certain god bursts into unrestrained laughter. “…Is it that ridiculous?”

I can imagine.

If a novice wears flashy clothes, the disparity is quite significant.

Jingle! Every time I saw the bulging money pouch the three mercenaries had collected, my heart swelled with abundance. “Now, shall we go to the village~”

The language barrier was no longer a concern.

Money is a more universal language than any body language.

Princess Ethena, late for her first class due to overindulgence.

She’s been showing various unsettling aspects one after another, but she’s an exceptional mage from the Arkmazing Magic Kingdom, so much so that she gave up a political marriage.

In a word, a genius.

“I’m so sorry! I’ll work extra hard to make up for being late! Um… so first, I should explain what magic is, right? A long, long time ago, there was no magic on the continent of Fantasia, or so they say.”

Magic!

A transcendental power called the flower of fantasy.

Princess Ethena demonstrated simple magic and explained it engagingly, but the heroes had absolutely no interest in theoretical topics like the history of magic.

Only practical application! Utility!

And some heroes whispered amongst themselves, as if they knew everything.

“I’ve read about it in novels. If you apply calculus to magic, you can become a great mage in an instant.” “Hehe. I’ve kept my virginity until now knowing a day like this would come.” “How pathetic. Magic is chemistry. I’ll show you the first atomic bomb magic in fantasy.”

The heroes began to show off or assert their individual fantasy knowledge.

“Be quiet. You’re disturbing your friends who are trying to concentrate on the lesson.”

Class president Yoo Bo-ra chided them, but it only backfired. “Tsk, tsk. The class president is a model student, so she knows too little about fantasy.” “Knowing the history of magic doesn’t make you a great mage.” “Magic is talent. You have to be familiar with Mana.”

Far from quieting down, the heroes became even more arrogant due to the class president’s interference. On Earth, Class President Yoo Bo-ra was a near-perfect model student, but in the fantasy world, they were confident they were superior.

That’s when it happened.

Clap, clap!

Princess Ethena, who had stopped her theoretical explanation, clapped to draw attention. “I don’t like unnecessary theories either. Talent is the best! That’s why I explained at least the Founder of Magic, even if it was boring.”

“Founder of Magic…?”

“Did she talk about that?”

“I didn’t hear it either…” Princess Ethena, emphasizing talent just like the heroes’ logic. She reiterated. “Magic is a field where talent is very important. This talent is determined by innate bloodline and acquired mentorship.” “Talent?” “Virginity?”

“Bloodline…?”

The heroes, feeling a slight deviation from their fantasy knowledge, rolled their eyes left and right.

We’re chosen heroes, aren’t we? Weren’t we beings overflowing with talent?

Princess Ethena spoke to the confused heroes.

“I am Ethena Arkmazing. I am a direct descendant of Zion Arkmazing, the 12th disciple and 3rd husband of the Founder. So I possess both bloodline and mentorship.”

“Oh!”

“Aha!”

So, what about us?

Princess Ethena, receiving the heroes’ questioning gazes, replied. “Those of you who find bloodline difficult will form a mentorship with me. Acquired talent is determined by the master’s ability, and by becoming my disciples, you heroes will gain high potential. Isn’t it easy?” “Wow…”

“Amazing…” A wizard whose skill is determined by bloodline and mentorship.

Isn’t that too absurd?

The hero who harbored resentment against this characteristic of magic was Class President Yoo Bo-ra.

“Princess Ethena. I apologize for interrupting your important explanation, but I have a question.”

“Yes! Speak!” “Can someone who has neither bloodline nor mentorship become a mage?” This was a question everyone was curious about. But for the heroes who had already secured ‘excellent mentorship,’ it was a problem they didn’t need to worry about. Princess Ethena widened her eyes, showing a slightly surprised expression.

“It’s possible.” “That is…?” “I was planning to explain it later, but first, I’ll show you. Hero Yoo Bo-ra?” “Yes.” “From now on, I will form a master-disciple relationship with Hero Yoo Bo-ra.”

Woosh~

A circular magic circle with geometric patterns appeared beneath the princess’s feet.

Woosh~

Then, a similar magic circle appeared beneath Yoo Bo-ra’s feet. “I recognize you as Ethena Arkmazing’s first disciple, Hero Yoo Bo-ra. Swear on magic.” “…..I swear? Ah!” The magic circle was absorbed into Yoo Bo-ra’s shadow and disappeared. Clap, clap, clap!

Princess Ethena clapped with a bright smile. “Congratulations, Hero Yoo Bo-ra! From today, you are a full-fledged mage. Oh! I forgot to tell you in advance, but the earlier a disciple joins, the more talent they inherit.” “How can we tell what that talent is?”

“Look at your status window.”

“…Ah!”

[Name] Yoo Bo-ra

[Level] 1

[Blessing] Hero F, Magic C

[Curse] –

[Share] 1.65

A blessing of magic!

Wasn’t the talent Princess Ethena had been explaining this whole time referring to the grade of this blessing? She gained a C-grade Magic blessing simply by becoming the disciple of an excellent mage.

“Hero Yoo Bo-ra. Do you understand why talent is important?”

“Yes.”

Yoo Bo-ra, having read the detailed description of the blessing, realized.

[Magic]

▶ Bestows dreams and hopes upon you, the most precious in the world!

▶ You can pass on your dreams and hopes to your descendants and disciples.

Without a parent or master who possessed a Magic blessing, no matter how hard one tried, they could not become a mage.

Fwoosh! Princess Ethena created a small flame above her right hand and said. “The Founder, who became the God of Magic, left blessings to make it easier for descendants and students to learn magic. That is the magic common mages use, White Magic. And…”

Fwoosh.

Trailing off, she created an identical flame in her left hand. But its size was much smaller than the flame in her right hand, and… “The princess’s hand?!” “Gah! What is that?!” The heroes watching were all horrified. Because Princess Ethena’s beautiful left hand, which had been perfectly fine moments ago, began to turn black and rot.

Snap, crackle.

Eventually, even her fingernails fell out.

But the girl, sweating cold from the pain, pushed on with the lesson. “Ugh! The right hand is White Magic. The left hand is Black Magic… Ow?!” “Princess! Have you already forgotten His Majesty’s strict order never to use Black Magic?!” The older lady-in-waiting, serving the princess, reprimanded her with blazing eyes. “I was just trying to help the heroes understand a little…”

“Ah, yes. I see. I shall report this to Her Majesty the Queen…”

“I was wrong! So please, don’t tell Mother!”

Princess Ethena, who had been serious moments ago, rubbed her side where the maid had pinched her and pleaded profusely.

[Healing]

[Divine Law]

Her terribly disfigured left hand was quickly healed by a priest who had been waiting nearby.

“I-I’m sorry.” Hero Yoo Bo-ra, who assumed the situation had escalated because of her, bowed her head deeply and apologized. Princess Ethena smiled brightly and waved her hand dismissively. “It’s alright. I’m satisfied just knowing that you understand the dangers of Black Magic.”

“What exactly is Black Magic…?”

“Black Magic is absolutely not bad!! To make a fire, you need dry kindling, right? My left hand just played the role of that kindling.”

“Ah…”

“Natural magic. That is the essence of Black Magic.”

Burly swordsman Gary, less-burly swordsman Cole, and generous archer Misa!

After sharing a bloody parting with these three unique mercenaries, I headed towards a human village.

Was it due to frequent gnoll incursions? The village, surrounded by high wooden palisades, was as sturdy as a fortress, and the inspection at its sole entrance was thorough. “Still, it’s about money.” With money, I passed inspection; with money, I built trust; with money, I conversed; with money, I rented an inn room; with money, I even made friends!

Pretty cool, huh?

A certain god is uncomfortable. “I’m also uncomfortable because I’m showering. Outcast God, what’s your gender? Male? Female? Neutral? Androgynous?” A certain god becomes even more uncomfortable. “I’ll keep it male to protect my dignity.”

Scrub, scrub. I, who had hoped for a steamy hot bath, was wiping my naked body with a wet cloth. It felt like forcibly scrubbing off grime from un-soaked skin.

This was how commoners in the fantasy world bathed. Though there was no bathtub as I’d expected, I wasn’t in a position to complain. If I didn’t thoroughly wash off the gnoll blood clinging to my body, I wouldn’t be able to stay in the village. “What should I do next…?” Having been chased by gnolls, I had achieved my primary goal of finding a safe human settlement. Of course, the answer is set: kill the goddess. I’m sorry to my parents, who must be looking for their missing son, but it seems it will take quite a while to get revenge on the goddess and return to Earth.

But how do I get revenge?

To defeat a transcendental being, I first need to get stronger, but there’s no sign of me getting stronger. “Still Level 1…”

At this rate, I can’t even roam freely in the fantasy world, let alone get revenge on the wicked goddess. Am I being too impatient? Did I think it would be as easy as a game where levels go up quickly?

A certain god feels uneasy. “What are you uneasy about?”

A certain god states it’s a secret. “Stop with the ‘states’ already… hmm?” I heard voices from outside the door. This is an inn with many guests coming and going, so that’s natural, but the problem was that I understood those words perfectly. Just like the gnoll language. “Is this the room?” “□□□□□□.”

“Thank you. You may go about your business. From here, I, the village chief, will handle it.”

“□.

□.”

Knock, knock.

The footsteps of the innkeeper faded, and then a knock was heard.

As a test, I spoke towards the locked door.

“I’m showering, please wait a moment.”

“Hmm? You couldn’t speak earlier… Ahem. Alright.”

As expected!

I put on Misa’s leather clothes and gripped the Blue Cutter tightly. Perfect battle stance! The reason was extremely simple.

[Hero]

▷ The language of hostile races is automatically translated.

▷ Experience gained from hunting and achievements is greatly reduced!

The guest outside the door was a ‘hostile race.’