Two weeks have passed since our world journey began.
Our trip has been going fairly smoothly.
Just as Jisrare-san predicted, after about a week, we left the elf forest and entered the human realm.
And there——
「Oh. So, this is where the elf realm ends. If we take one more step from here—— hmm?」
「Is something wrong?」
「I am not sure… I feel a bit uneasy. Is it because we left the forest? Somehow, I feel restless…」
「『Cure』」
「Ah, I feel a bit calmer now…」
——something like that happened, and I was treated.
Another time, when I woke up in the morning——
「Something feels off… I think I am not feeling well——」
「『Cure』」
「It seems I got sick from getting used to sleeping outdoors, and developed a fever… but it is gone now. Thank you」
——I was treated like that as well.
And at another time, while we were traveling, I carelessly——
「Ki!? 」
「Ouch!」
「『Heal』」
「I accidentally fell off Hezrat-kun… ah, thank you」
——I was treated like that, and we continued our journey.
-0-
…Looking back on it, maybe it has not been such a smooth journey after all.
Small problems kept happening one after another, and it feels like we just pushed through them by forcefully treating everything…
Well, she fixes everything completely every time, so I am grateful to Jisrare-san.
I am still a bit bothered by how she never listens until the end, but I can only be thankful that she heals everything instantly and perfectly.
By the way, it is free. She will not accept any payment for 『Cure』 or 『Heal』.
As expected, Jisrare-san refuses to take money from a traveling companion. That, too, makes me feel a bit uneasy…
Anyway, today marks two weeks of our journey.
According to the plan, we should be arriving at Kirk Village soon——
-0-
「Good morning, Jisrare-san」
「『Cure』」
「…No, I am already fine, you know?」
For about a week now, perhaps because I had been feeling unwell and restless after leaving the forest, every time I greeted Jisrare-san in the morning, she would cast 『Cure』 on me without question.
「It has already been a week since we left the forest. I should be fine by now」
「I see. That is good. If anything happens, rely on me」
「Thank you」
This 『restless after leaving the forest』 phenomenon seems to happen to all elves.
Elves naturally have forest-related traits such as 『Forest-Only GPS』 and 『Forest Walking』, but the moment they step out of the forest, those abilities are lost.
That sense of loss creates a feeling similar to suddenly being lost, which makes them feel uneasy and restless.
That said, it has already been a week since we left the forest. I have mostly gotten used to it. I am used to it enough that I no longer need to have recovery magic cast on me first thing in the morning.
「Then, I will do a bit of training」
「You really work hard every day」
「Not at all, it is just a bit of morning exercise」
Now then, time to start my daily routine, sword training.
When I was in the village, I used to practice almost every morning with my father. For me, sword training has become something like a morning routine.
So even during this journey, I decided to at least practice my swings.
Alright then, I raised my wooden sword and prepared to swing from above——
「Want some help?」
「Huh? Help?」
While absentmindedly watching me and pouring Jisrare-water into the pot, Jisrare-san suddenly said that.
「Shall I help with your sword training?」
「Um, does that mean… practicing swings together?」
「Swings? No. Not that. Let’s fight. A mock battle」
「A mock battle?」
A mock battle… I see.
Since the idea of crossing swords with Jisrare-san had never occurred to me, when she said 『help』, I ended up thinking she might just practice swings together with me.
But a mock battle?
「Would a wooden sword be better? If possible, could you lend me one?」
「Ah, but the only sword suitable for training is this one…」
The only training wooden sword is the one I am currently holding.
「What was that one again? The magic sword Balmung?」
「…Yes, it is the magic sword Balmung」
When someone calmly asks 『the magic sword Balmung?』 like that, it feels a bit embarrassing…
「I thought you had two wooden swords, Alec」
「Ah, you mean the World Tree sword. It is technically a wooden sword, but I do not think it is something that should be used for training…」
At this point, I am not even sure if it should still be called a wooden sword.
It is scary to point it at someone during training, and just as scary to have it pointed at me.
「I see. Then… this should do」
「…………」
After glancing around, Jisrare-san picked up a fairly long stick that had fallen nearby.
Then, holding the stick, she faced me directly.
…Wait, you are not seriously planning to fight with that, are you?
「Alright, let’s begin」
「Uh…」
…No, no, Jisrare-san. That is going a bit too far, even for you.
Is that not underestimating me a little too much?
To challenge me, the son of a Sword Saint, wielding the magic sword Balmung, with nothing but a random stick…
Sorry, but I do have my pride.
——I will get a bit serious now, alright?
◇
I got completely beaten…
Jisrare-san, equipped with a stick, absolutely destroyed me, the son of a Sword Saint, equipped with the magic sword Balmung…
…Well, to be honest, I had a feeling this would happen.
The moment I said something like 『I will get a bit serious now, alright?』, I could already feel the flag of a crushing defeat being raised…
「It shows that you train every day. You were not bad, Alec」
「I see…」
Is that really so… I was completely toyed with by just a stick…
「I will train with you again tomorrow」
「Ah, I see. Thank you…」
That is… yes, I am grateful. I really am.
But… for now, I should make another wooden sword. I need to do it quickly.
That is the top priority. Getting beaten up every day by just a stick is not good for my pride.
I will make a new wooden sword… and give it a name like a holy sword or a magic sword.
If I get beaten by a holy sword, then at least my pride might survive somehow…
next chapter: Hero of the Forest
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