Chapter 28: The Birth of a Magic Swordsman (Laugh)

After wrapping up the meeting, I barely managed to keep my excited steps under control as I returned to my nest—Class 3, Year 3.

Lying down on the makeshift bed.

Pushing all the various issues to the back of my mind for now.

Time to choose my skill! Hey now!!

I just realized—seems like I can delay skill processing whenever I want. They've thought ahead so I don’t have to awkwardly leave my seat during conversations. Really considerate, huh.

While you're at it, how about handing me a super-ultra-cheat skill?

So, Phantom, come on.

—Please select your reward from the achievement “Terminator.”

Ah, right, that one did exist.

The achievement unlocked when clearing "Zombies" with the "Song of the Reaper."

――1. Level Ball

――2. Skill Ball (Hand-to-Hand Combat)

――3. Skill Ball (Magic)

Skill Ball, huh.

I can't really picture what kind of effect it has, but...

――The "Level Ball" grants the effect of instantly advancing to the next level upon breaking.

――The "Skill Ball (Combat Technique)" grants the effect of obtaining the skills《Combat Technique (Strong)》and《Ultimate Move I》for five minutes upon breaking.

――The "Skill Ball (Magic)" grants the effect of obtaining the skills《Fire Magic V》,《Water Magic V》, and《Thunder Magic IV》for five minutes upon breaking.

……Huh?

Hnnnnn?

I could've sworn I just heard something that couldn't be ignored.

"Erm... uh... what was that?"

――"Level Ball" has...

"That's fine! Just the last one!"

――"Skill Ball (Magic)" grants the ability to use Fire Magic V, Water Magic V, and Thunder Magic IV for five minutes upon breaking.

"...ma"

Magic... like this...?

"Wha... Wait, wait, wait—um, like, magic? There's magic? You know, like, 'Fire'—a big burst of flames?"

Hyoucho's reply comes silence.

Before I even realized it, I was already leaping off the bed and wandering dazedly around the classroom.

I’ve certainly been amazed countless times before by the power of skills.

It’s clear that skills have the potential to summon all sorts of miracles.

But now, suddenly, the word “magic” has appeared—something so thrilling.

To be honest,

Whenever I play a game where I can freely choose my skills, I always end up making a magic swordsman.

Yes, yes. I understand what you're getting at.

In most games, magic swordsmen aren't considered very strong.

Magic is inferior to that of a mage.

Swordplay is outclassed by a warrior.

They're a jack of all trades, master of none.

That's the "typical" role of a magic swordsman.

Of course it is.

For example, if you only have ten points of resources to allocate between "physical attack power" and "magic attack power," raising a character as a magic swordsman inevitably makes them mediocre in both.

In such cases, allocating all ten points to just one of the two usually results in higher overall combat power.

Even so.

Even knowing this.

I still feel infinite romance in the magic swordsman.

Well, I guess I just prefer strategies where I target the opponent's weakness from among various options.

Smirking confidently as I face the pig monster that Hibiya mentioned

A whole roasted pig, ready in an instant when I chant "Fire."

"…Huh. Shall we make tonight a pork cutlet party, shall we?"

Fake it till you make it!

Whoa! Awesome! Too awesome!

Once that's decided, the matter is settled.

Given that the existence of combat skills is explicitly stated in "Skill Doll," it is not difficult to imagine that magical skills can also be acquired independently.

Now, how to obtain a magic skill, though.

I calm my trembling hands and pull out a random notebook and writing utensils.

We began making rough predictions about the skill tree based on the skills we've acquired so far.

☆【Swordsmanship】Skills already confirmed.

《Swordsmanship (Beginner)》,《Swordsmanship (Intermediate)》,《Swordsmanship (Advanced)》

《Auto Maintenance》,《Super Maintenance》,《Perfect Maintenance》

★【Swordsmanship】Skills predicted to be obtainable in the future.

Unknown.

☆【Combat Techniques】Skills already confirmed.

《Combat Techniques (Beginner)》

★【Combat Techniques】Skills predicted to be obtainable in the future.

《Combat Techniques (Intermediate)》,《Combat Techniques (Advanced)》

《Special Move I》,《Special Move II》~

※ This prediction is based on the effect of the "Skill Ball (Combat Techniques)" teaching the ability to learn《Special Move I》. If《Special Move I》exists,《Special Move II》likely does too—perhaps even more await.

☆【Hunger Resistance】— Skills already confirmed.

《Hunger Resistance (Weak)》

★【Hunger Resistance】— Skills predicted to be obtainable in the future.

《Hunger Resistance (Medium)》,《Hunger Resistance (Strong)》

☆【Healing】— Skills already confirmed.

《Natural Healing (Weak)》,《Natural Healing (Medium)》,《Natural Healing (Strong)》

《Skin Reinforcement》

Skills predicted to be obtainable in the future under the 【Healing】 category.

Unknown.

With a level of dedication unlike anything I've shown in school classes, I filled out my notebook.

"If that's the case..."

While pondering, I try to predict which of these might be linked to magical abilities.

Scene keying time.

Tch tch tch tch tch tch tch tch tch.

Cheeeeen!

With that, my future strategy is decided.

Of course, I don't have concrete proof.

I might end up picking the wrong skill by mistake.

But no matter which skill I acquire, it won't necessarily be useless.

There's no such thing as a poorly usable skill.

There are only players who misuse them. (by me)

"Give me the 'Level Doll.'"

——Then, I'll issue the item.

Suddenly, something like a golden glass orb flies into my hand.

I set it aside for now and move on to the next step.

――Please select the skill you wish to acquire.

――1. [Advanced Swordsmanship]

――2. [Perfect Maintenance]

――3. [Basic Martial Arts]

――4. [Weak Hunger Resistance]

――5. [Strong Natural Healing]

――6. [Skin Reinforcement]

Hmm.

For now, I don't intend to take it, but I'll check the status of the skill《Advanced Swordsmanship》.

――Acquiring《Advanced Swordsmanship》will instantly grant you the same level of skill as if you had spent an amount of time training in the sword dojo equal to your entire life so far.

Eighteen years, that’s how long my life has been...

Since《Intermediate Swordsmanship》took ten years, this should be about right.

However.

As previously mentioned, this time my focus is not on swordsmanship skills.

I've come to realize that it's time to start thinking long-term if I'm to survive in this end-of-the-world scenario.

I sincerely hope that a wonderful future lies ahead...!

"Using《Hunger Resistance (Weak)》"

— Please select the skill you'd like to acquire.

— 1.《Swordsmanship (Advanced)》

— 2.《Perfect Maintenance》

— 3.《Combat Technique (Beginner)》

――4.《Hunger Resistance (Moderate)》

――5.《Choose Magic Skill》

――6.《Natural Healing (Strong)》

――7.《Skin Reinforcement》

"Oho wwww"

This is wwww

I couldn't help but shout out, pardon my rudeness wwww

Even I, who normally never let grass grow, am making an exception today wwww

...cough.

I chose the skill "Hunger Resistance" simply through elimination.

Skills related to 【Swordsmanship】 and 【Combat Techniques】 naturally seemed like complete opposites to magic, and upon reflection, I also found skills related to 【Healing】 suspicious.

That left me with "Hunger Resistance"—a skill I'd never paid attention to before.

I recall initially guessing that the skills derived from this 【Hunger Resistance】 might be related to 【Survival】.

Following that logic, I thought there might be abilities like creating fire, generating water, or producing electricity.

But I never expected things to unfold exactly as I had imagined.

Though I had some confidence, I can only attribute this to sheer luck.

"Selecting my magic skill now♪"

― Please select the magic skill you wish to acquire.

― 1.《Fire Magic I》

― 2.《Water Magic I》

...Hmm.

So this is what the first option looks like.

From what I saw earlier, there seems to be《Lightning Magic》as well... but likely, mastering it requires some other condition.

For now, let me check the effects of the magic.

――《Fire Magic I》 allows you to use magic by reciting any spell.

――《Water Magic I》 allows you to use magic by reciting any spell.

Hmm.

I wish I could at least know how powerful these spells are.

Unfortunately, it seems I’ll have to wait until I actually obtain the magic to see its effects.

"Then, I’ll try《Fire Magic I》."

――Then, I'll apply the skill effect.

"Wait a minute!"

I immediately call out to Mirage.

"Double push...!"

The "Level Ball" I just acquired—when else would I use it if not now?

Let's save precious items for the final boss in the game world only.

I grab what looks like a golden glass orb and slam it onto the floor.

At the same time, a soft white mist rose up and enveloped me.

——Congratulations! Your level has increased!

——Then, let's take a look...

"With the *Fire Magic II* skill!"

Even with a hungry tone, the phantom voice calmly responds.

——Now applying the skill effect.

...Hmm.

...Hmm-hmm.

Hmm-hmm-hmm?

Unlike with *Sword Techniques*, I don’t feel any dramatic change.

It's hard to explain, but it's like a new shelf has been installed in my mind—something where I can store new things.

Hmm.

For now, I quietly mutter to myself.

"《Fire Magic I》"

And look at that.

A flame, roughly the heat of a lighter, is flickering at the tip of my index finger.

"Whoa..."

It's incredible. The fact that the output is lower than expected isn't a problem at all.

Truly genuine.

Not magic tricks or anything like that.

This is magic, existing right before my eyes in reality.

For a while, I played around by turning the flame on and off, even running through the classroom with it lit.

As a result, I discovered something.

It seems that magic activates when specific keywords—essentially, incantations—are spoken.

And those keywords can be freely chosen.

For now, I've decided to name the fire-based magic spell "Fire."

Now, moving on.

"Fire Magic II"

As I recite the spell, a fist-sized fireball materializes on the palm of my hand.

"Wa... w-wa...?"

I panic slightly. I don't know how to handle it properly. If I accidentally drop it, it might just become a small flame. But holding it like this, my hand might burn.

Reluctantly, I extend my hand outside the window and gently release it toward the ground.

Huuu... boom.

The fire vanished the moment it touched the ground.

Ah, wait—looks like the ground's burned.

Hmm. This might be a bit too dangerous for indoor use. Let's practice it secretly sometime when no one's watching.

For now, I'll name the second-level fire magic "Fireball."

"...Phew."

Still buzzing with excitement, I suddenly hear a knock on the door.

The trio of Rintaro-kun, Ritsuko-san, and Asuka, once invited in.

I was thinking it's about time for dinner. It's just the usual canned food, but would you like to eat together?

Yes, I'd be happy to.

That's when I tried to follow everyone and leave the room.

Hayato suddenly sniffed the air, snorting softly.

"Senpai, did you light a fire in your room or something?"

"...Eve, what's wrong?"

"Yeah, I thought I smelled a faint burnt odor for a second."

"Is it Kyonsei?"

"Good, if it's not. Anyway, let's get to eating already! I'm dying for that shrimp pilaf! Don't make me wait, okay?"

Oh wow, that was close.

Ren-taro's sense of smell really shouldn't be underestimated.