Chapter 142
An unexpected notification announced that my agility stat had increased by 0.3.
Even as I stood dumbfounded, my mind quickly began to process the information.
I opened the information window to verify if what it said was true.
[Agility: 44.3]
My stat had indeed increased.
My reaction was one of disbelief. 'Crazy... Fleur family's secret technique... Isn't this an overpowered skill?'
Swearing, which I normally refrain from, spontaneously slipped out in awe of the skill's fraudulent nature.
As I've mentioned before, it's impossible for players to increase their stats through training.
While leveling up grants a benefit of increasing all stats by 1, players also get 10pts to distribute freely each time they level up.
'Not to mention there are artifacts and hidden pieces that can also increase stats.'
If training could increase stats as well, it would obviously break the game's balance.
Therefore, it was deemed impossible for players to increase their stats through training, a notion everyone took for granted.
But that wasn't the case.
It was possible. We just hadn't discovered the method until now.
'Of course, it's not like the creator didn't care about penalties... I mean, balance.'
I opened my pocket watch to check the time. 5:13 PM.
I had started training alone around 3 PM, which means I had been swinging my sword for almost 2 hours.
'Swinging my sword like a madman for 2 hours for a 0.3 stat increase. It's technically free stat gain, but I can't say it's efficient.'
Spending that time building relationships with main characters or acquiring hidden pieces would be more efficient.
The [Fleur Family Style] is undoubtedly a good skill, but whether it's worth the significant time investment is questionable.
However, 'Considering the potential for growth of this skill... it's not just a matter of efficiency.'
First, there's the matter of the 'compatibility rate'.
34.3% compatibility rate, indicating significant concentration.
What if the compatibility rate could reach 50% or 80%?
'The stat increase might be higher than 0.3.'
No, it's certain. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such statements.
I immediately started experimenting.
I executed the Fleur family's secret techniques in order, from the first to the fifth.
The difference this time was...
Sloppily.
I swung lazily. Where I should have swung straight and strong, I did so diagonally and weakly.
After about 10 minutes of this, I stopped the movements. Then,
[Your execution of the Fleur family's swordsmanship is unbelievably poor. There is no concentration whatsoever.]
[Compatibility rate 2.8%]
As expected. Not even a 0.1 increase in stats, let alone 0.3.
In other words, the compatibility rate determines whether stats increase and by how much.
'What if I achieve a 100% compatibility rate?'
Not a decimal, but a whole number. It's highly likely that 1 stat would increase.
And there's more.
'If the skill's grade increases as well... The efficiency might improve even further.'
Currently, my [Fleur Family Style] is grade C.
If the skill's grade were to increase, I might receive additional benefits.
'Maybe it requires less time to invest, or the stats increase more, or there's a margin for error in the movements?'
It could be all three.
As these thoughts crossed my mind, I involuntarily clenched my fist.
It was an astonishing discovery. The more I used the secret technique, the stronger I became.
'Just as Lucia said... the Fleur family's swordsmanship was a secret technique for training.'
A technique intended to forge a person into a solid sword, a perfect sword, perhaps?
Wait, that means everything Lérang and his ancestors did up until now...
Was not honing a sword but rather beating an opponent with raw steel.
Suddenly, I remembered using the Fleur family's secret technique against Demon Bineus.
Bludgeoning Bineus's back with blunt steel. Hence, the damage wasn't effective.
'...I've been doing something utterly nonsensical up to now.'
Despite the major and minor incidents, I had uncovered the hidden secret and hidden piece of the Fleur family's secret technique.
But, there's still something that doesn't quite add up.
'When I used it as [Divine Imitation], it certainly functioned as swordsmanship.'
Whether it was countering Lérang's secret technique, drawing in the surroundings, or ultimately, the fifth secret technique that claimed a life.
Meaning, it could somewhat function as an attack.
This was the crux of my confusion.
If it was a training secret technique, such functionality shouldn't be possible.
'That reminds me... This is a skill obtained as a hidden piece of a hidden piece.'
From Lérang's past, through [Divine Imitation] to truly understanding the [Fleur Family Style] and receiving the five secret techniques.
My instincts as a seasoned player were kicking in.
I had a hunch that there was still something hidden within the [Fleur Family Style] skill.
*
It was the third day under Lucia's guidance.
I was focused on increasing my compatibility rate as much as possible when,
"Hee, hee..."
From a corner of the training area, Rezé's groan was heard, and then she collapsed to the side.
Not only that, but her body was shaking violently, and sweat poured down her body like rain.
Luna rushed over with a water bottle in hand.
She wasn't panicking. She knew why this was happening.
'Mana depletion symptoms.'
The body shaking and sweating profusely.
Typical symptoms of mana depletion, which Rezé had been experiencing for three days now.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, ye... Ju, just need to rest a bi, bit, and I'll be, be fine..."
Rezé took the water bottle with trembling hands.
What Lucia had taught Rezé was simple.
To deplete mana until symptoms of mana depletion appeared.
Then, spend time meditating while observing nature.
It sounded easy, but Luna's explanation suggested otherwise.
'She said it felt like muscle spasms were occurring all over her body.'
Once or twice in the morning, three or four times in the afternoon.
She was barely hanging on, thanks to being told it was okay to meditate inside a box, but how long the fragile Rezé could endure was uncertain.
Crack.
Rezé, crouched inside the box, began to sob.
Had Rezé reached her limit? She shed tears as small as chicken droppings.
"Rezé..."
Luna's gaze towards Rezé conveyed it all.
She was considering removing Rezé from the party.
'This is problematic.'
I had thought her to be a fairly useful archer until the mid-game, and if she could uncover the secret of [Timid Struggle], she might have stayed with us until the end...
'But Luna seems happy.'
The second friend and one of the only two friends Luna has.
If I let her go like this, weakening Luna's force is almost a given.
I would have to deal with Luna's hysteria for a while.
"I, I can't become strong. Be, becoming strong is... a privilege for the... for the strong. I've been... we, weak since I was born."
No, Rezé has become strong, and she will continue to become stronger.
She just hasn't realized it yet.
"I wa, want to go back. I'm only a hindrance... Just like I th, thought..."
I can't let it end like this.
For Luna's sake, and for Rezé, who always considers herself inferior.
"Rezé... I've been thinking, and indeed you are..."
Just when Luna was about to suggest Rezé leave,
I interrupted her. "That might be true. Birthright is something that can't be ignored."
Birthright.
It's an important issue in our world, but even more so in this one.
An era where 'class' exists.
Different birth environments, different levels of support.
The higher you aim, the more painfully aware you become of this truth.
Rezé is a noble, but no different from a commoner, a third-rate noble at best.
Perhaps her timid nature is also because she became aware of the differences in birthright.
"But do you know? There is exactly one thing that's given equally to everyone."
"What, what is it?"
"Time."
Kings, nobles, commoners, serfs, even animals.
The 24 hours a day given equally to everyone.
How you use that time makes the difference and can overcome the birthright.
"If you want to change, strive for it. That will make you strong and change your life."
The hidden pieces I possess and the strength that doesn't match my age are also the results of my efforts.
Plunging into an endless game.
And plunging in again.
And again, foolishly.
That's how I've become as strong as I am now.
What I thought was a futile effort has made me who I am today.
"...Should I?"
"Yes?"
"Ca, can I really... Is it po, possible for me?"
Of course, it is.
"Keke, of course, but it will take a long time."
Rezé, who was staring intently at me,
Murmured as she settled into a posture inside the box.
"I'll, I'll try."
Rezé entered meditation with her eyes closed.
Thump.
Luna nudged me with her elbow, even showing a strange smile.
"What? I thought you didn't like her?"
"Keke, I never said that."
"Hmm~ Just so you know, don't set your sights on my friend. I won't let her go easily."
Set my sights on her? Sorry, but Rezé is not my type at all.
Because she has an even frailer build than Luna.
"Keke, that won't happen. Luna is much more attractive, after all."
Whack!
My back stung. Luna had suddenly smacked me on the back.
"Don't fall for me. There's no cure for it. But, I'll let it slide today. I'm in a good mood."
Was it a misunderstanding?
A bright smile was hanging on Luna's lips as she passed by me.
*
But contrary to Rezé's firm resolve,
"I f, feel like I'm going to die..."
It was already the tenth day under Lucia's personal guidance.
Rezé's demise seemed imminent due to the grueling training.
But the training couldn't be stopped.
The mysterious skill that Lucia was teaching Rezé had not been acquired yet.
"Keke, Miss Rezé. People don't die that easily. Please, get up."
"I m, might become the first, you know?"
Indeed, Rezé was nearing her limit.
The idiot hair on top of her head.
The idiot bent hair proved that.
But,
"What an incredible achievement."
"...Yes?"
"Keke, to die from training too hard. It would be an honor for the family. I'll make sure to choose a nice tombstone for you. So, don't worry."
"Hee, hee..."
Sob sob.
The long bangs hanging like curtains. Behind them, her eyes slightly filled with moisture.
Maybe it was that sight. Luna approached, scratching her head.
"Let's take a break."
"Keke, trying to desert again? It's only been ten days since the last time."
"What do you mean by desert again? Honestly, you're pretty worn out too."
Luna was right. I was almost as exhausted as Rezé.
Not only was the training menu Lucia proposed intense, but also my personal training to increase stats played a big part.
Proving this, the compatibility rate that had reached 47% had recently dropped to 29%.
Meaning the efficiency was gradually decreasing.
But,
'It's better than not doing anything and resting.'
Slowly, but I'm still steadily increasing by 0.2~0.3 stats.
With 11 days left until Lucia leaves the academy,
I had no plans to stop training unless the compatibility rate fell below 20%.
"If there was a valid reason, maybe."
"A valid reason?"
"Yes, a reason we have no choice but to rest. I'm strictly adhering to our 'promise' after all."
Train diligently or be removed from the party.
It was one of the promises we made.
"Keke, so Miss Luna must do the same, right?"
"Hmm..."
Luna pondered with her head in her hands.
Since she cherishes promises with friends as if they were pinky swears.
'Well, there isn't really a promise that could get us out of this situation.'
As I was about to wipe off sweat and return to training,
"There is!"
"Yes?"
"The restaurant! You promised to take me to a restaurant!"
Now that I think about it, there was that damned promise because of the omelette rice.
--TL Notes--
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