Today, I finished all the remaining training. Although it was something I experienced, it was truly trivial compared to the training I received from Aunt.
'Physical training, weapon training, self-defense training in close combat, etc. I understand the level of your training. It's so trivial it makes me want to cum.'
Alpa, who was carried to the infirmary earlier, showed no sign of coming out.
I poked him as gently as possible. How can he be so dramatic about something like this?
'It was only possible because Alpa had just become a Runner Mid-stage.'
Actually, even a single rank difference among those with Force Heart is quite significant.
Superficially, it might seem like the difference between Iron and Bronze, but aren't there many dividing factors even within that?
'I want to become a Challenger soon.'
"Oh no, what happened to my son? Ugh!"
Midway through, Alpa's mother arrived and made a fuss.
Even at a glance, her firm waist, pelvis, and hip line, barely covered by her two-piece outfit, were a work of art.
'She was called a mushroom connoisseur, wasn't she? I want her to appraise my mushroom soon.'
You're for later. For now, there are many women I want to screw immediately.
We all gathered. We waited for the Guard Captain to come and finish things quickly.
Everyone whispered about me.
"Even so, I can't believe Alpa, who's been at the academy for a year, got thrashed."
"Didn't he just go there to play? He lost to him?"
"Just looking at his counter timing, Lucian isn't someone to be taken lightly."
"Bullshit, he just got lucky. I would've done the same in that situation."
The reactions were fifty-fifty. It didn't matter.
If there were 100 bastards who looked at me like shit, I'd changed half of them for the better.
The stance of the Vane Severing Sword Style center of gravity is to the back, and the sword is held diagonally, ready to cut at any moment.
It had the advantage of being able to incorporate martial arts depending on the situation.
'Moreover, since I have a lean physique, I'm more flexible than a bulky muscle boy.'
This is surprisingly significant. The opponent has to keep leaning their upper body. If they lean their upper body? It becomes easier to aim for their face or neck.
'The days I trained to get used to this sword style were hell.'
I chuckled. Soon, the Guard Captain arrived, finished the day's duties, and made an announcement.
"Today, there is a Hero Candidate who showed particularly outstanding performance. The Acting Lord herself mentioned him!"
The one called out here was practically getting into the Lady of the Manor's good graces.
Amidst the murmuring, the Guard Captain, trembling his beard like a bandit leader, shouted,
"It is Lucian Vane!"
Applause poured from everyone. Of course, while their hands clapped, their eyes revealed all sorts of emotions.
I didn't care. I just nodded my head.
"You trained well today, and showed a particularly splendid performance in the sparring match. The Acting Lord has entrusted you with a mission that might be a trial."
Before entering the Lady of the Manor's line, there was a kind of test.
If I passed this, I might receive great trust, and perhaps even sponsorship funds.
Everyone tensed and listened intently. The Guard Captain unfolded a parchment. Surely, it wasn't asking me to catch a dragon, right? Right?
"She asked you to catch the Necro Slime that recently appeared in the swamp!"
The surroundings stirred.
"Wow, that's a bit tough, isn't it?"
Everyone reacted like this. I replied calmly.
"Yes, I understand."
The day at the training ground ended. I clicked my tongue as I headed home.
'Necro Slime, a fearsome creature that wields power through corpses.'
Normally, it's just a regular slime, but when it controls a corpse, it becomes quite ferocious.
Because it borrows and exhibits some of the corpse's specs.
Here's one thing:there's a terrain penalty.
When you go to snowy fields or swamps, penalties like decreased movement speed or decreased body temperature are often applied.
Solving this penalty was the priority. Swamps, in particular, had many movement restrictions, so I had to be careful.
'Let's go to the blacksmith.'
I had 10 gold in my possession.
With that much, even if I couldn't buy a legendary sword like Excalibur, I might be able to buy an item that removes terrain penalties.
When I went to the blacksmith, a burly giant boasting bulging muscles was hammering a sword on an anvil.
The giant looked at me and chuckled.
"Hah, now even kid comes. What are you? Want some candy?"
"Mister, do you have anything useful for the swamp?"
"You mean boots that remove penalties? Are you running an errand?"
"That, and I also need a countermeasure so I don't melt from slimes."
I'm used to sarcastic reactions by now. As I continued to speak, ignoring him, the blacksmith finished his work and approached.
He looked even bigger up close. The smell of sweat was no joke.
"Kid, do you have the skill to catch a slime? And money? Puhahaha!"
I immediately took out the pouch with my remaining money and shook it.
Just in case, I showed him the inside. The blacksmith's mocking expression instantly changed.
"C-cough...!"
Of course. Imagine someone you thought was just a kid or a rookie swordsman suddenly showing you hold coins.
Even I would be surprised.
As I stared silently, the blacksmith clasped his hands together. He became respectful.
"Uh, um, just a moment. No, please wait!"
The blacksmith went into the smithy and began rummaging frantically.
In the end, what changes people's attitudes is power or money. It would be the same everywhere.
The blacksmith soon brought something to me. Iron-reinforced boots were visible first.
"This should do it."
「[Pioneer's Iron Boots]
Rarity: Noble
*Unique Passive 'Pioneering Spirit': Not affected by terrain penalties.
*Unique Passive 'Hard as Rock': Durable, does not corrode or break easily.
「Emulate the spirit of the pioneer. You can achieve anything.」」
The specs weren't bad. It didn't make me move faster or fly, but.
This was useful in its own way. It was exactly what I needed right now.
"Good, I'll take these."
I handed over the entire money pouch. The blacksmith, receiving it, rummaged through the pouch as if he couldn't believe it.
"A young boy with 10 gold, huh, well...."
I put on the boots and walked around. They weren't particularly heavy, nor did they strain my body.
It was the result of the training I received from Aunt. Others didn't know, but my body had a lean muscle physique.
However, I couldn't walk around shirtless, so I had no choice but to keep receiving this kind of disregard. Don't worry, I'll become a Hero before anyone else and turn their sneers into cheers.
"Wait."
As I was about to leave, the blacksmith called me back.
I asked what he wanted.
"Yes?"
"To take 10 gold from you. Is there anything else you need?"
"A legendary sword Excalibur, or a beyblade, or a legendary car that uses charges."
"What the hell are you talking about? There's no such thing! Even if there were, think about the price!"
"Just kidding."
I said to the blacksmith, who sighed and shook his head.
"Can you give me a sword? One that doesn't corrode easily."
"You really intend to go catch slimes, don't you? I happen to have something suitable."
The blacksmith held out a longsword. It was the one he had just been making.
I picked it up and checked its specs.
「[Southern Steel Sword]
Rarity: Mass-produced
*Unique Passive 'Hardness': Possesses more decent durability.
「A steel sword made without compromise from Southern steel.」」
This is strange. Originally, the South was famous for beer and food, not steel, and the North was famous for metals and jewels.
The blacksmith crossed his arms and proudly exclaimed,
"It's made of Southern steel, no less. You know, right? North for wood, South for steel!"
"I know very well. Can I really have it?"
"Of course! I hope for good business in the future. Hahahaha!"
I laughed watching the blacksmith, who didn't hide his greed. It's good to be honest.
I replied appropriately and went home. As soon as I arrived home, Aunt made a fuss.
"Son, you're home? Oh, you're armed? Oh my, boots too. The sword suits you too!"
"I bought them with the reward money."
Sorry, Aunt. When I get my next paycheck, I should buy you underwear or something, but.
If someone like me, with a fire attribute, were to do that, I'd have to buy you underwear, put it on you myself, and then screw you.
"But why these iron boots...?"
"I received a mission. To catch a Necro Slime."
Aunt immediately worried. She's the world's greatest worrywart, as always.
"Ugh, to give such a mission right from the start! But still, my son, you must be trusted, huh? It'll be difficult!"
"I plan to do well. Oh, I'm hungry...!"
"Hurry and wash up, let's eat, dear!"
I immediately went up to my room and washed. Ah, this is it, this is it.
After a tough day, coming home, and having dinner greeted by Aunt, who's practically my wife.
By the way, I can't just screw her for no reason. What should I do?
After washing up and coming down, I smelled delicious food. I went to the kitchen and ate ravenously.
Aunt looked at me with satisfaction, then poked my arm.
"Hehe, son. You seem to have gained muscles!"
"It's the age for it, I guess."
I had them from the start, but they weren't visible. This was also due to my lean Physique.
"You're going on the mission right away tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, I know where it is too. I'll do great!"
I wanted to show confidence, even in front of Aunt. I have to show her the process of her only son becoming a man.
This will all be build-up for incestuous sex!
Aunt let out a short sigh. Even that sigh was so alluring it colored the surrounding atmosphere.
I looked at her face. She seemed worried, yet she was smiling as if trying not to hide her joy. I wish that smile was directed solely at me.
"To think the day would come when my son receives a mission from the Lady of the Manor."
"Haha, it's basic if I want to become a Hero!"
"Still! To think such a day would come. I'm truly touched! Of course, I also worry that my son might suddenly leave."
Aunt's eyes quickly reddened. She always worries too much.
I would leave here someday, but that would be after I'd had all the women here.
"Aunt, where would your son go?"
"Looking at your gear earlier, I felt a little regretful. I should have prepared it for you."
"The reward money wasn't that much."
To be precise, it was because most of the reward money was spent on big sis Angela, but.
As I gave a suitable excuse, Aunt pouted.
"If you complete this mission well and come back...."
And she smiled brightly. Her face slightly flushed.
"Aunt will give you a present!"
Thump-thump.
My heart thumped without me realizing it. Did Aunt just say she would break the aunt-son(nephew) relationship and allow me closer?
No, calm down.
"Ooh, a present? I'm curious what it is!"
"I'll tell you when you come back! Hehe, if you're lucky, I might even give you a hidden present? Fufu♥"
Aunt even gave a suggestive eye-smile. Aunt, who always worries about me and tries to embrace me like a rabbit.
But when she acts like this, she's undeniably a fox herself.
'Look at this foxy bitch. An aunt making such an eye-smile?'
One that anyone would be captivated by?! But outwardly, I responded.
"Yes, I'll look forward to it. Aunt!"
"My son, I believe you'll do even better in the future. Fighting!"
"Fighting!"
I finished my meal. As I went up to my room to rest, I heard a voice.
'#$@*?#$.....'
It was Isis.
"Huh?! Goddess, where are you?"
'Ah, right. Thank you for the encouragement.''
I smiled and answered confidently. As if that was even a question.