Chapter 85

In other words, for the people of this world, Xiu Er's departure and return were separated for less than a second.

But he didn't think he would come back, so theoretically, it was like saying goodbye forever.

All good things must come to an end; parting is a phenomenon that occurs everywhere in the world.

However, it's probably a bit too early to start thinking about this now, since there's still 5% that hasn't been fully analyzed, right?

Xiu Er quietly flipped through the book on his lap, because the analysis progress was already over 90%, and most of the "data" could be searched.

And so, accompanied by the Codex of the Whispers, Xiu Er once again spent an ordinary night.

Episode 62: A Request from an Acquaintance

With one month to go before the test begins, "Xiu Er," who was lingering in Visaster due to the Commander Unit's arrangements, also carried out the most basic command—"collection."

While carrying out the "mission," also collect as much Magic as possible from this world.

This was the instruction that Xiu Er gave to this Doppelganger.

If you're looking for a place to obtain a large number of target objects, then the library of this Magic city is the place to be, as it contains almost all the Magic in the world.

And because Sariel had already informed her subordinates, Xiu Er's operations in the city proceeded very smoothly.

Moreover, due to his unique abilities, Xiu Er could truly reach a point where he didn't need to rest for 24 hours a day, which led to some rumors circulating about him during this time.

This also caught the attention of an "acquaintance".

"So you were here."

"[Confirmed] According to statistics, this machine has stayed here for a total of 254 hours and 48 minutes."

Regardless of whether the time in the other world is 24 hours or not, that's how his system works.

The task of recording has actually been completed, because Xiu Er himself had already completed a complete record of the Sariel collection in the past.

The Doppelganger sent to the future only needs to fill in the gaps.

"[Inquiry] What brings you here?"

Xiu Er's eyes swept over the three people in front of him, taking in their expressions and movements.

According to the data on file, unless there is a specific reason, Frieren would not actively seek her out.

However, it could also be related to "teaching".

Their only purpose in coming to Visaster was to "pass the Level 1 Magic User exam," and he happened to be the one who had "taught" Takuson and Volumen.

If simply giving the Magic to Volumen counts as "teaching"... then does that mean Frieren would also count?

Looking at Xiu Er, who was calculating their "purpose," Frieren had an expression that suggested she was already used to it.

"I would like to ask you to help teach them."

After saying that, she looked at Hutalk and Frieren beside her, and her meaning was clear: Frieren wanted Xiu Er to help take care of her two companions, as if she were enrolling them in a tutoring class.

"..."

"What are their opinions?"

"Please take good care of me, Xiu Er."

"I have no objection."

"See, they agreed."

Frieren's request was actually not troublesome and would not hinder Xiu Er's next plan. Moreover, it came from an "acquaintance," so the final result was a foregone conclusion.

"Request approved"

It's just teaching people, right? I've done that before. I just need to follow the teaching plan in the records.

Afterwards, before leaving, Frieren and her group arranged a date for the start of training with the other party.

As he was leaving, Xiu Er called out to Frieren and asked her for the Magic artifacts he had borrowed years ago, which were originally a backup plan Xiu Er had prepared to protect the Spirit Village from the invasion of the Demon.

However, due to the subsequent attack on the Demon King's Castle by Xiu Er, the Demon almost disappeared, and no more Demon would set foot in the Spirit Village. As a result, this backup plan no longer had the opportunity to be used.

Frieren had no complaints about this, because it was originally the other party's property, and the other party had said that he would come back to "reclaim" it. She had always kept it with her and kept it safe.

You mean that thing?

After saying that, Frieren opened her suitcase, which she always carried with her, and after rummaging through it, she took out the golden sphere.

"Anyway, you 'lent' it to me saying it was for protection, and I haven't used it all these years, so I'm returning it to you."

"[Confirmed] Transaction completed, contract effective."

After receiving the item, Xiu Er scanned it as a routine procedure, and after confirming that it was correct, he threw it into the "Storage Space".

"Then, goodbye."

"..."

Without paying attention to whether the other party responded, Frieren, who knew Xiu Er's "personality," turned around and left with her two companions.

"I never imagined I'd be trained by the legendary 'Battle Maniac'! I'm actually looking forward to it."

On the way back, Hutalk finally couldn't help but exclaim that he had to admire Frieren's "connections" to have that legendary warrior's teacher mentor him.

"Um..."

Upon hearing this, Frieren's expression became somewhat unsettled, a detail that was also noticed by Frieren, who was standing nearby.

"Lady Frieren, is something on your mind?"

Well, I do have something to say.

As she said this, a helpless expression appeared on Frieren's face.

"Did I say something strange?"

Seeing this, Hutalk was also a little curious as to why Frieren was in this state.

Do you think your body is strong or not?

"Frieren suddenly asked."

Although he didn't know the significance of Frieren's sudden question, Hutalk did not refuse to answer it.

"Why are you suddenly asking this? That's strange. I feel that my body is quite strong."

He looked at his muscles, recalled his recent experiences, and finally came to a conclusion—his body was indeed quite strong.

"Well, because in my memory, that guy's training methods are really not something that ordinary people can endure."

As she recalled the training process she had learned from Takuson himself, Frieren's expression grew increasingly helpless, and she also believed that the warrior trained by Azer would definitely be able to endure it.

This is not something that an ordinary person can handle.

Upon hearing this, Hutalk, who had just become enthusiastic, was instantly doused with cold water by Frieren.

"Um, is it too late to refuse now?"

"Don't worry, I believe Xiu Er knows what he's doing."

"Ugh—"

Time passed quickly, and during this period, after completing his record, Xiu Er never visited the library again.

There is only one week left before the assessment begins.

As agreed, Xiu Er had begun training Frieren and Hutalk two weeks prior.

Or to be more precise, it was training specifically for Hutalk.

Because based on the way Xiu Er himself educated Volumen back then (meaning he simply gave her a bunch of Magic books to learn on her own), this Doppelganger treated Frieren in the same way as Volumen.

Frieren was skeptical, but after Frieren volunteered to join in, offering to tutor her, she said nothing more.

"Lady Frieren, 'tutoring' shouldn't be my only reason, right?"

Although Frieren did diligently tutor Frieren, the latter spent most of her time with the books provided by Xiu Er.

The purpose is obvious.

"Yes, your guess is correct. I did come here for her books."

"Why? Aren't Lady Frieren and Xiu Er friends?" Frieren asked curiously. "Shouldn't you just ask them for it directly?"

After listening, Frieren closed the book and looked out at the night sky, as if she were avoiding the question.

Frieren was puzzled. Was this such a difficult question to answer?

Although she really wanted to ask that question, she also saw that Frieren looked very reluctant to answer it.

Ah, seeing that Frieren already had a very embarrassed expression, she was even more curious now.

Episode 63 Training

While Frieren and Frieren were enjoying a peaceful time, Hutalk, who was receiving one-on-one tutoring, was having a much harder time.

Pound!!!

Despite the loud clang of metal clashing, a red figure flew into the air and then crashed heavily to the ground.

"Cough! Hah—!"

The sharp pain in his back made Hutalk gasp.

Despite the excruciating pain, he held tightly to his weapon; a true warrior cannot easily let his weapon slip from his grasp.

It wasn't until training actually began that Hutalk finally understood why Frieren had suddenly asked him if his body was strong.

Fortunately, his body was indeed as he had imagined, exceptionally durable. Putting aside other aspects, Xiu Er also affirmed this point of "durability".

However, in specific terms, Hutalk is still not as strong as Takuson.

Xiu Er analyzed the data he had collected and compared it with the records of Takuson.

This process was the brief rest he gave the red-haired youth.

However, this is bound to be an unfair comparison.

After all, what Takuson went through was far more painful than Hutalk went through.

Because "Xiu Er" copied Xiu Er's own combat training methods from the records.

Real combat is the best way to improve skills, and deathmatch is the best way to unleash an individual's full potential. Driven by the instinct for survival, people can often do things far beyond their normal state. This is Xiu Er's view.

This is also why Xiu Er threw young Takuson alone into the Dungeon to fight Monster back then.

However, since the "Virtual Combat Arena" module, which is specifically used for training, only exists on the main body, and because of Xiu Er's intervention, the current Dungeon is as rare as the Demon.

There's still no news about Aura, who was previously sent on a "mission," and the strength of the Monster is below average.

Therefore, in the end, "Xiu Er" concluded that the best solution was for him to personally confront Hutalk.

Unfortunately, although this Doppelganger possessed the authority of Zafkiel, the power of the bullets did not include the ability to rewind time and bring the dead back to life.

Although there are similar Magic that can achieve the same effect, he cannot guarantee that he can restore Hutalk to his original state 100% because it is Doppelganger.

Therefore, the option of "deathmatch" was abandoned, and the only option was to train in a way that did not endanger lives.

Fortunately, controlling one's own exertion is not too difficult for this Doppelganger.

As a result, Hutalk faced even more brutal training than his previous mentors.

"Ugh—I really feel like I'm about to fall apart."