Chapter 5 - Magic and

SwordsmanshipPart 1
I'm 5 years old now.
On my birthday, my house held a small [Link] country didn't have the custom of celebrating
birthdays every year.
However, the norm was that after you reach certain ages, your family
members would give you some gifts.
Those certain age points are 5, 10, and 15 years old.
It's easy to understand this norm since you become an adult when you turn 15
years old.
To celebrate that, Paul gave me a pair of swords.
Two swords.
One is a real sword that's too heavy for a 5 year old child. The other is a short
wooden sword.
The real sword was forged and sharpened.
It's not meant for a child to use it.
[In a boy's heart, there must be a sword to protect the people important to
him-----]
I grin lightly while ignoring his long speech.
Even though Paul is very passionate about his speech, he was cut off by
Zenith with a [Too long] at the end.
Therefore, he had to end it with [Therefore, you need to put this away
carefully and use it only in times of need.]
Paul probably wanted me to have the resolution and self-awareness to use a
sword.
I received a book from Zenith.
[Because Rudeus seems to like books.]
The book that was given to me is a plant encyclopedia.
I couldn't resist letting out a [Woah.]
In this world, books are expensive. Even though there is a technique to makepaper, there isn't any
way to print on them, so most books are hand written.
The encyclopedia is very thick, and there are also illustrations accompanied
with it to make it easy to understand.
I can't tell how much was spent on this.
[Thanks, mum. I always wanted this.]
And I got hugged tightly after saying that.
I received a staff from Roxy.
A rod around 30 cm in height with a small ruby-colored stone adorned in
front of it. The overall appearance is very modest.
[I created this a few days ago. I forgot about it because Rudeus knew how to
use magic from the very beginning. Usually the teacher will make the staff
personally to allow students to use elementary rank magic. I'm terribly sorry
about it.]
There seems to be such a standard.
Roxy hates to be called Shishou, but she didn't want to ignore this standard.
[Yes, Shishou, I will take good care of it.]
Roxy shows a bitter expression after hearing what I said.
The second day, I started practicing real sword techniques.
Basically, the primary training is to swing the sword and have a proper
stance.
Examples include practicing the form and striking the wooden dummies in
the courtyard, or having dad as the opponent while learning footwork and
shifting my body weight properly.
It is a pleasant feeling to start from the basics.
In this world, sword techniques are highly viewed.
Even in books, heroes are primarily seen using swords as weapons. Thoughthey also used axes and
maces, these people belonged to the rare parties.
Nobody uses a spear because the previously mentioned Supard race uses
tridents. Spears are weapons of the evil demons, a common knowledge. Even
the books have evil demons appearing there as a indiscriminate monster who
kills off and devours both parties, regardless of friend or foe.
Because of such a background, the sword techniques are much more involved
here than in the previous world.
If you become an expert, you can break boulders with a swing of the sword
and even strike down opponents far off in the distance with a sword flash.
In fact, Paul could break boulders.
I continued to praise him constantly to try and understand how the logic
works, letting him demonstrate repeatedly. Paul looked delighted when his
young, but capable of advanced ranked magic, son is happily applauding and
praising him.
Except no matter the times I saw it, I couldn't understand the logic behind it.
Since I didn't understand it, I requested him to explain it......
[Bam on the ground and swoosh one time!! That sort of feeling.]
[Like this!?]
[You silly fool! You're booming the ground and kablaming one time, right!!
You must bam on the ground and swoosh one time! Do it more gently!]
That kind of feeling.
Based on my conjecture, this world's sword techniques contain mana.
Compared to magic spells which could be seen with the eyes, sword
techniques are specialized to enhance the physical body, and the metallic
components in the sword itself reinforces this aspect. Otherwise, how do you
cut the boulder before you even finish that high speed movement? Is that
even possible?
But Paul isn't conscious of using [Link] he can't explain it to me.
But if it can be replicated, perhaps it can be used as boost magic for physical
body reinforcement.
I'll work [Link] 2
In this world, there are 3 mainstream styles of sword techniques.
--------- One of them is the Sword-God style.
The sword technique acts like offense is the greatest defense. It is a style that
places emphasis on striking faster than the opponent.
A certain kill that's swifter than swift.
If you fail to hit the opponent, then just "hit away" until you do.
If you compare it with the original world, it's like the style from the Satsuma
prefecture.
[1]
------------- The second is the Water-God style.
This style is the complete opposite of the Sword-God style.
A defensive style that builds its foundation upon parrying and countering.
As the style primarily focuses on defense, moments where one takes the
initiative to attack are rare.
When you reach the saint rank, you can counter any kind of attack.
Any kind of attack ------ Including magic and projectiles.
It is a necessary style for classes like the palace knights or nobles, where the
goal is to protect someone.
--------------- The third one is the North-God style.
Rather than saying the style uses sword techniques, it is better to describe it
as a way of fighting.
No special techniques. Merely react based on the situation.
According to Paul, even though it's based on reactions, it also relies on feints
and usage of one's [Link] really is something fantastical.
It gives off Jackie Chan vibes.
[2]
The North-God style also includes the healing of wounds and being able to
battle when afflicted with disabilities. Therefore, it is popular among
mercenaries and adventurers.
These 3 styles are called the 3 Major Styles, and there are people in this
world who use all 3 styles.
A swordsman who hopes to become an expert in every style and swing the
sword until death.
But that type is rarely seen.
If you want to quickly become strong, it is common to just start off with the
strong points of each style.
Paul primarily uses the Sword-God style, but he's also capable of using the
Water-God and the North-God style.
If you only rely on the Sword-God Style or the Water-God style, you will
find it to be insufficient when you roam the outside world.
Just to add on, the sword techniques are also ranked.
Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced, Saint, King, Emperor, God.
And each style already has "God" in their names.
Even if a elementary ranked Water-God style swordsman can also use Water-
God ranked magic.
Also, you usually call a swordsman "Water-God" or "Water-Saint." For a
magician, you need to add that it's ranked, like "Water-God ranked" or
"Water-Saint ranked".
For example, Roxy is a [Water-Saint ranked magician.]Part 3
I have to learn 2 styles: the Sword-God style and the Water-God style.
The offensive Sword-God and the defensive Water-God.
[But dad, based on what you said, isn't the North-God style the most
balanced?]
[Don't be foolish. That's just using a sword to fight. It's not a technique.]
[I see.]
The treatment is that bad for the North-God style?
Or is it just that Paul detests it?
Well, even though he hates it, Paul still has an advanced rank in the North-
God style.
[Rudeus, you have the talent for magic, but there are no drawbacks in
learning sword techniques. Become a magician who can avoid the Sword-
God style's attacks.]
[Like a..... magic swordsman?]
[Hm? A magic swordsman is a swordsman who uses magic. In your case, it's
the opposite right?]
What's the difference?
Even if it's based on a warrior or magician profession, a magic swordsman is
still a magic swordsman.
No matter what, learning the sword techniques well can be applied to magic
itself.
The problem is that Paul unconsciously strengthens his body, so he can't
teach [Link] like I need to learn it myself, but can I really learn it just by training
the body alone?
[.............. Actually, you do hate the sword techniques right?]
Paul asks me with an unsettled expression as I lapse into deep thought.
Because I am praised as gifted with magic after all.
Paul is agonizing over whether I'm willing to learn sword techniques.
But don't get me wrong. I don't hate learning sword techniques. I just like
learning from Roxy more than having two stinking males in the courtyard
drenched in perspiration.
I'm an indoor type.
Even though this isn't a question that I like.
Since I already decided to live in this world seriously, I'll put my effort in
whether its sword techniques or magic.
[No, I hope to have sword skills on the same level as my magic.]
Paul becomes moved by my words, nods happily, and picks up the wooden
sword.
[Good, then we will start right now. Attack me!!]
He's such a straightforward guy.
Magic techniques or sword techniques. I'm not sure what I should have as my
primary focus in the end.
Honestly it doesn't matter.
[Yes, dad!!]
But it's good to be filial to my parents early.
Back in the past, I was still bothering my parents when they died.
If I treated my parents better, my siblings wouldn't have chased me out of thehouse.
So I need to treat them with importance.