Character: Rudeus Greyrat Health: 250 Mana: 1000000 Strength: 90 Status: [God-Caressed Cheeks] [God-Gushing Tear Glands] Emotion points: 885965
Recently, I had finally confirmed something:
My total mana seemed unable to grow any further after reaching one million.
Although I could now just barely cast some God Rank spells, a single God Rank summoning spell required more than ten million mana.
Was there really nothing I could do?
After opening the system shop and searching for "mana growth," I immediately got results:
Emperor Rank mana capacity expansion potion. Price: 100 million. Effect: Temporarily increases maximum mana by 1000% for 2 hours. God Rank mana capacity expansion potion. Price: 1 billion. Effect: Temporarily increases maximum mana by 10000% for 2 hours.
Well, that was just like the system.
Besides, I didn't really need a God Rank summon anyway. It wasn't that I didn't want to summon one; I just didn't think it was necessary.
Starting today, I would finally begin real swordsmanship training in the afternoons.
But mornings were still reserved for Roxy's magic lessons.
She told Rudeus that today she would teach me the last advanced wind spell.
As usual, she took Rudeus on Caravaggio to that familiar little plain.
They passed through rolling fields of wheat, and the view suddenly opened up. The little plain, small enough to see from one end to the other, lay quietly before them.
Roxy swung down from the horse and stretched lazily before bending over to lift me safely from the saddle.
"Rudeus, let's begin today's lesson."
"This is the last advanced wind spell I can teach you."
"Its name is-Wind Wall!"
With that, Roxy struck a spirited, particularly proud pose. She raised her staff high in one hand and drove its tip hard into the ground.
"Is it just a wall made of wind, teacher?"
"It's more than that. This isn't an ordinary wind barrier. It can lift anything into the air. Even a person standing on it can ride the wind up~"
"Oh? Really, teacher? That sounds amazing!"
Seeing how confident she was, Rudeus decided to play along and flatter his little teacher a bit.
"Mm-hmm~ Now, watch me!"
"Keep your eyes wide open and pay close attention to every detail!"
Roxy gripped her staff with both hands. I could clearly feel her pouring a steady stream of mana into it.
A moment later, she softly began the lengthy incantation:
"O ruler of storm winds that howl through the heavens, ancient wind spirit who commands the currents in all directions. With my mana as the pact and the breath of heaven and earth as the foundation, summon the drifting clouds and gather the air, draw forth the fierce winds and give them form-[Wind Wall]!"
**Whoosh-**the wind roared!
A violent current suddenly swept upward from the ground. Invisible winds intertwined into a wall, like clusters of transparent flames blazing with an imposing force.
"Rudeus, try attacking it with a ranged spell," Roxy called out to him.
"Understood, teacher!"
Rudeus nodded and raised his hand, forming an Ice Lance spell with the bare minimum of mana.
"Ice Lance-!"
He raised his little staff and poured mana into it. A long, slender, sharp Ice Lance shot straight toward the Wind Wall.
But only the tip of the Ice Lance pierced shallowly into the surface before the violent wind pressure sent it flying. It dissolved in midair.
"Wow! The attack bounced right off! That's so strong!"
Rudeus put on a show of amazement, waving his arms as he heaped on exaggerated praise.
Seeing me act that way, Roxy gave a smug little huff.
Her small nose tilted up slightly as she folded her arms and gazed skyward at a forty-five-degree angle, looking every bit the haughty princess who thought herself above everyone else.
Sure enough, she couldn't hide her true nature. Roxy really couldn't handle praise.
"All right, Rudeus, I explained the essentials to you yesterday. Now it's your turn to cast it~"
"Got it, teacher!"
Rudeus immediately raised his staff and prepared to cast.
Roxy stepped aside and stood shoulder to shoulder with Rudeus.
I supposed she thought I would cast the spell forward and that she could see it more clearly from my side.
A sly smile crept onto Rudeus's lips as he glanced at Roxy beside him.
Today, she was wearing her usual neat, belted robe. Her long, slender, snow-white legs were completely uncovered, and her skirt swayed gently as she moved. Her graceful figure made one's heart flutter.
"OK, here I go!"
Rudeus took a deep breath, steadily poured mana into his staff, and slowly recited the incantation:
"O ruler of storm winds that howl through the heavens, ancient wind spirit who commands the currents in all directions. With my mana as the pact and the breath of heaven and earth as the foundation, summon the drifting clouds and gather the air, draw forth the fierce winds and give them form-[Wind Wall]!"
**Whoosh-**a fierce wind burst forth!
The current swept straight up from beneath my feet, instantly carrying the unsuspecting Roxy beside me into the air as well.
...(Out of ideas)
Roxy was overcome with shame and anger. She was red from her neck to the tips of her ears, and her eyes were slightly red as she cried out tearfully:
"Ru... Rudeus!! Stop the spell, now!!"
"Oh, oh, oh... Yes, teacher!"
Rudeus hurriedly drew back his mana and slowly dispelled the Wind Wall.
Roxy landed in a fluster, pressing down hard on her disheveled skirt.
The view disappeared.
Her hair was tousled by the wind, and tears glistened in her eyes as she glared at Rudeus, cheeks puffed in anger.
"Rudeus! How could you cast the spell right under your feet?!"
"That was so dangerous!... Sob, sob..."
"Sorry, teacher!"
"I... it was my first time..."
"My first time using this spell..."
"So I couldn't control the strength properly. I... I'll take responsibility for you, teacher!"
"Responsibility? How are you going to do that?"
"I... I'll marry you someday, teacher!"
Roxy's eyes flew wide. Her already flushed cheeks turned so red they looked ready to bleed.
Rudeus had actually proposed to her. He looked so adorable that she couldn't resist.
She straightened her disheveled clothes a little, then walked over and bent down in front of Rudeus.
She gently pinched my cheek, her voice tender but tinged with helplessness:
"I'm happy you'd say that, Rudeus. But you should only confess like that to someone you truly love."
"But I really do love you, teacher~"
"Then wait until you're older and say it to me again~"
That afternoon, in the open space in front of their house.
Two figures stood facing each other. On a stone bench nearby sat Zenith, a gentle, beautiful young woman with blond hair, and Roxy, a pretty young woman with blue hair. They watched quietly with smiles on their faces.
Rudeus gripped his wooden sword and lunged forward, charging straight at the man before him-Paul.
But Paul merely stood where he was and swung his sword with one hand, seemingly without effort, casually knocking my attack aside.
"Rudeus, my boy~ I told you to eat more meat at lunch, but you wouldn't listen. Your sword strikes are so weak, people will think I've been starving you~"
"Old man! You said you'd only use a tenth of your strength! I saw the veins bulging on your arm just now!"
Paul scratched his head, looking a little guilty, and gave an awkward chuckle.
"Ahaha~ You must've eaten too much and gotten all confused. You saw wrong, that's all~"
Rudeus was at a loss for words, utterly helpless.
"Anata, don't go too far with the training," Zenith said gently, though her voice carried a hint of warning that left no room for argument.
Hearing that, Paul turned to his wife, scratching his head and giving her an ingratiating, sheepish grin.
Now! The perfect chance for a sneak attack!
Taking advantage of his distraction, Rudeus charged forward again and swung his wooden sword hard at Paul's waist!
Smack!
With a crisp sound, Rudeus's wooden sword was knocked from his hand, leaving only a numb, dull ache in his palm.
"Hehe~ Rudeus, my boy, trying to sneak up on me? You've got a long way to go! Hahaha!"
Paul pressed a hand on my head and laughed loudly, immensely pleased with himself.
Roxy, watching from the side, couldn't help giggling too.
Damn it! He actually made me embarrass myself in front of Roxy! This is beyond what any man can endure!
Out of the corner of his eye, Rudeus spotted the wooden sword lying on the ground not far behind Paul.
-I've got it!
He quietly activated Object Manipulation. Invisible mana drew the wooden sword silently into the air.
Now!
Magic Sword Style secret art-
[Mystic Heaven Steel Fierce Thrust]!!!
Rudeus controlled the wooden sword, thrusting it upward with precision at the most vulnerable part of Paul's backside.
There was a faint ripping sound. Paul suddenly froze, then clutched his butt and howled in pain, rolling all over the ground.
Roxy laughed even harder, and Zenith couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing out loud too.
"Ru... deus, you actually cheated and used magic..."
"No, I didn't. I didn't say a single incantation. The wind obviously blew that sword up."
"Come on! Don't you even think before you lie?!"
"I'm walking the path of a magic swordsman. Isn't it perfectly normal to use a little magic to help?"
"..."
Paul was at a loss for words. He buried his face against the ground and gave up arguing.
And so, amid this absurd farce, today's practical swordsmanship training came to a happy and successful end.