"A tanto that can be wielded with both hands. The blade length is about this much."

I'd already thought about what kind of weapon suited me by last night.

One-handed weapons are problematic because they don't allow for sufficient power, so they're not ideal. Besides, since I fight by blending into the shadows, carrying a shield doesn't make much sense. So, I should primarily use two-handed weapons and fight using unconventional tactics.

Therefore, a single-edged sword that can also be wielded with both hands depending on the situation.

I'm envisioning a blade length equivalent to the distance from elbow to fingertip—around 30 to 40 centimeters.

Since it's short, I'd like it heavier and thicker, within a range I can handle.

Naturally, this choice also considers viewer appeal.

Viewers want to see me get hurt.

Yet he shouldn't be interested in buying long-range weapons like spears or bows, nor in strengthening his armor for a stable, defensive fight.

A tanto, however, requires closing the distance to within one step and one slash, making it inherently high-risk.

But he knows that well enough.

If he doesn't take risks like that, he couldn't possibly achieve the kind of return—first place in viewership.

"Are you going to curve the blade?"

"No, I think it'll mostly be used for stabbing, so I'll keep it straight."

It's a tanto, after all. Adding a curve would only reduce its strength.

Honestly, I'd prefer durability.

"Hmm. Let me feel it a bit."

My father pats my body repeatedly.

He's probably checking the muscle tone.

What difference could that possibly make, though?"Try swinging this one."

I was handed one of the swords hanging on the wall.

It looks like it's been sharpened, but it's a rather crude broadsword.

It feels quite heavy—probably too heavy for me to handle easily. Besides, I've never wielded a long sword before, so I'll just be mimicking what I see.

It's a bit embarrassing to be swinging a sword in public, but maybe that's just how things are in this kind of fantasy world.

After about three minutes of swinging, my father said, "That's good enough."

"You're around Rank 9. As a swordsman, you've got real potential from here on out."

"You can tell that just by looking? Rank (Level ) "

"It's mostly a gut feeling. Based on your natural muscle mass, you shouldn't be able to swing that sword that far."

"I see."

In my case, I think my actual rank is even lower since I have "Physical Strength Up Level 1."

"Hikaru is a spirit mage, a skilled one."

Since my sword swings weren't very impressive, Refrea steps in to cover for me.

"Hm. So the short blade is for self-defense?"

It's not strictly for self-defense, but explaining my fighting style in words might be difficult.

"Maybe it'd be faster to just show you. Refrea, what do you think? Is it alright to demonstrate?"

"As a mage, your combat style isn't that unusual, so it should be fine. But since we're in the domain of the Fire Great Spirit, showing dark magic might be tricky."

"It'll be dim enough indoors, so it should be okay."

After giving my father a brief explanation, I decided to demonstrate in practice.

"Then, I'm going in. Darkness Fog."

The overflowing darkness swallows even the furnace's glow, filling everything with blackness.

I approach my father, gently touching the back of his neck.

"Like this," I release the darkness.

"W-what... what is this? Can you really wield such powerful spirit magic within the domain of the Great Spirit? Lifa, you've really found something amazing."

"I'm amazed too. Hikaru... you're truly incredible."

Being praised like this makes me feel awkward.

It's true, it's hard to use in the city, but even so, it still has about one-tenth the effect inside a dungeon.

"Anyway, I get it. If you're fighting like that, a weapon capable of delivering a single decisive blow would be better. With your reach, you're not suited for prolonged combat, so make sure you understand that much at least."

"Of course," it turned

out to be just after he'd finished a major job, so the short sword was promptly made. The price was thirty silver coins—ten paid upfront, with the remaining twenty to be paid upon completion. Earning twenty silver

coins wouldn't be easy, but worst case, I could always sell the mantis spirit stone. It was said to be worth around ten silver coins by itself. "But is thirty

silver coins really enough? At the general shop on the main street, even a set of spears cost twelve silver coins." "Ah, those shops that

sell everything are overcharging. They mark up the goods they buy from blacksmiths by double." "I see... So the short sword I

ordered would be worth around sixty silver

coins at those overpriced shops?"

Thanks to Reflair, I managed to make a good purchase.

After leaving the blacksmith's shop, I decided to grab a bite to eat, following Reflair's suggestion.

"The realm of the Fire Great Spirit has lots of delicious restaurants! After all, cooking is all about heat!"

"The place we visited yesterday was tasty too, but I'm really looking forward to this one."

Apparently, in the Fire Great Spirit's domain, fire power is simply stronger overall.

Fire spirit gear is commonly available, but here it's said to produce twice the heat, so fires happen quite often. It seems fairly dangerous, but maybe my values differ from someone from Earth.

I probably shouldn't be eating right now, but this could definitely boost viewership. If I were back on Earth watching this, I'd surely be curious about food in another world.

Being pulled along by Reflair’s excited energy, I enter a moderately sized shop.

It’s a cluttered place with a half-open terrace, and even though it’s still early morning, more than half the seats are already taken.

Glancing at other customers’ tables, they seem to have ordered something resembling a hearty yakisoba piled high with ingredients.

"Looks delicious. Oh, I’ll treat you. You introduced me to the blacksmith, after all."

"Really? Are you sure? Yay! Oh, please, let’s order!"

Since I’d barely eaten breakfast, this was just perfect.

I decide to get some flour as a souvenir too, and place an order for takeaway.

After a little while, the yakisoba arrives at the table, and just as we’re about to dig in—something strange happens.

"…Isn’t the feeling of spirit energy… off somehow?"

"Feelings? I don't feel anything at all...""No, this

feeling... it's similar to when the Dark Lord appeared before..." This town is

generally saturated with spirit energy. That dense energy is flowing into the labyrinth, but something about its intensity has changed since just now. Since even

Refleia, another spirit mage, doesn't sense it, maybe it's just my imagination. "Hikaru! Wait—what

?""Huh? Oh my god! What's that?" Since the

shop faces the main street, the comings and goings of people

are clearly visible. Beyond the crowd's murmurs, heat haze shimmers in the

air, as if a campfire procession were marching down the street. "Fire?

Some kind of performance?"