Chapter – 35
My Physical Strength had slightly increased, but I hadn’t gained any experience in Weapon Skills at all. Even with the Blessing of Rapid Growth, this level of progress clearly meant I was going about it the wrong way.
I wondered if I could just buy a sword skill from the Cash Shop and learn it, but that wasn’t the solution either. Every combat skill had an awakening requirement attached.
[“The Architect of the Tower of Trials” comments that Aura is fundamentally a physical discipline, and the body can only be trained honestly through practice.]
“I get that I need to train my body, but… I don’t know how to do it…”
It was clear that I had to approach it like exercise, and I had already steeled my resolve when purchasing the Aura Package. The problem was, I had no clue what to actually do on my own.
[“The Language that Builds Worlds” says that awakening Aura requires Weapon Skills that match your tendencies, Mental Techniques that match your constitution, and correct forms and footwork. Without an expert, it’s extremely difficult.]
Hearing the Language’s advice, I felt certain.
“Ugh… self-study is impossible. I need a teacher.”
What should I do? Should I sneak into Prinz’s class to observe the rogue-style swordsmanship, or is there maybe a home training video in the Cash Shop?
[“The Language that Builds Worlds” says there’s probably no need to worry too much.]
Huh? What did that mean? I was confused.
<Oh my, a teacher is needed?>
“Mommy!”
A voice suddenly rang out, and I jumped in surprise. My cross necklace began shining brilliantly.
The light coalesced into the figure of a blonde beauty.
[<System> The hero-class saint’s persona, “Agnes of the Holy Sword,” reappears.]
A semi-transparent figure appeared, greeting me warmly.
<Hi, I’m Agnes. You might know me as one of the heroes of the Sacrifice Festival who stopped the Dungeon Burst.>
“Uh… are you a friend of Cardinal Catley?”
<Oh my, you know Catley? How is he? He must be an old lady by now. Is she healthy?>
“Yes. She’s well.”
I answered, still bewildered.
<We can talk about friends later. Let’s get to the main point. I can help you. Although I was canonized as a saint for stopping the catastrophe, that wasn’t my real job when I was alive.>
“Oh? What was your real job?”
<I was the top instructor of the Sanctuary’s Training Corps.>
…My shoulders instinctively shuddered.
Agnes continued cheerfully.
<It’s rare for me to get a spot in the Hall of Saints, and I don’t want to reincarnate just yet. You seem to have incredible potential, so I’ll help you.>
“How did you know about my potential?”
<I could sense your Divine Advent. Aren’t you a reincarnation of a legendary saint? Don’t you remember?>
My Divine Power Transfer Package, “Soul of a Legendary Saint,” seemed to have increased my value. I didn’t bother denying it.
<So, what’s the name of the legendary saint candidate who awakened me?>
“My name is Ailet Rodeline.”
<Good, Ailet cadet. Then let’s not waste time…>
Suddenly, her sweet and kind expression vanished. A chilling smile appeared on her lips.
<Training begins.>
Agnes was thrilled to learn that this was the Gillette territory.
<The Gillette family, known for their swordsmanship, has a special training facility.>
“Really? I’ve never heard of it.”
<Hah, no wonder the swordsmanship line supposedly ended with the second generation. Don’t worry, I know. Catley invited me a few times after she got married, so I’ve seen it.>
She led me to a secluded windproof forest. In the middle of what felt like a forest was a training ground.
It was the size of a small gym but packed with equipment: log stepping stones, tightropes, monkey bars, climbing walls, zip lines—all connected to form a running course.
‘…Is this… an ironman-style obstacle course?’
The Architect immediately invalidated my assessment.
[“The Architect of the Tower of Trials” remarks that it’s basically a kid-friendly gym aside from the pool.]
A kid-friendly gym?! I wasn’t that age anymore! My body recoiled automatically, but there was no refund for the Aura Package, and the trainer was full of enthusiasm.
<Good! It hasn’t been maintained much, but it’s usable.>
“Wait, what about a safety inspection…?”
<The goal is one lap in 20 minutes! Go, Ailet cadet, start!>
“Eek!”
Agnes’ figure disappeared, and the cross pendant pulled me forward with physical force. I started running.
The first obstacles—vaults, monkey bars, tightropes—were fine.
‘Being light like a child helps me hang easily!’
But when I crossed the log stepping stones, I nearly fell into the mud five times. By the time I climbed the steep wall to the zip line, I was nearly in tears.
“I-I… I don’t like heights… aaah!”
Every obstacle forced me to use every muscle from head to toe.
The first lap took 42 minutes.
<Too slow, Ailet cadet! Hurry up! One more lap!>
“Ugh.”
Hearing her whip-like voice, I got back up. But Agnes wasn’t all shouts; she praised me after each section: “Good!”, “Well done!”, “Excellent!”
I had never received this much praise in my life…
[“The Balancing Critic” wonders if you’re being trained like a pet.]
W-What?!
While hanging on the monkey bars, struggling across the tightrope, she reminisced.
<Being back as an instructor brings back memories.>
“Ugh…!”
<After making them do about ten laps, most kids cried. A few stubborn ones glared at me in frustration, and I’d say: “If you’re frustrated, become stronger! I’ll always spar with you outside the Sanctuary ranks!”>
“Ugh… I’ll remember that… ugh…”
<Very good! That perseverance! One more lap for that spirit!>
“Ugh…!”
After completing three laps, the sunset painted the sky red.
Plop.
“C-can’t… go on… can’t get up… Dad… Brother…”
I called out to my family. But this wasn’t a childcare story. Reality hit me hard.
[“The Scales that Judge Souls” teases that your stamina is already F-rank.]
[“The Balancing Critic” remarks that S-rank stats were too overpowered, so stamina should be nerfed more.]
[“The Architect of the Tower of Trials” wonders if anyone could climb his Tower of Trials like this.]
These annoying gods… so unfair.
[“The Language that Builds Worlds” scolds everyone to be quiet.]
[The Language also looks at my mud-covered state with pity.]
“Th-thank you, Language… you’re the only one I can rely on…”
Shivering slightly in the wet clothes, I sniffled.
[“The Language that Builds Worlds” can’t handle the frustration and makes an impulsive purchase.]
Huh? Impulsive purchase?
[<System> ‘The Language that Builds Worlds’ gifts you 30 packs of Divine Ginseng Extract.]
[<Item> Divine Ginseng Extract
Essence extracted from millennial ginseng from Eden Farm. Instantly boosts stamina and dramatically enhances muscle regeneration for 2 hours.
Note: Training while under its effect yields a week’s worth of exercise in 2 hours.]
…Wow, incredible.
[“The Scales that Judge Souls” is amazed that a deity spent a month’s salary on a believer.]
[“The Balancing Critic” is shocked that the director’s monthly wage is that low.]
[“The Architect of the Tower of Trials” considers changing jobs because civil servants are underpaid.]
I gratefully accepted the ginseng extract. Without hesitation, I tore open a pack and drank it all.
“Waaah!”
My body, which had felt like soggy cotton, instantly felt light as air.
Ah, no time to marvel. I called Agnes back from my necklace.
“Instructor! Coach Agnes!”
<Why are you calling?>
Her voice was gentle, probably because she was “off duty.”
“I want to continue training!”
<Huh? You were barely alive just now? You have grit. Alright, five more laps!>
“Yes!”
Two hours’ worth of effort would be like a week. Not a second could be wasted. I ran energetically under the moonlight.
When the two hours ended…
[<System> Congratulations! Physical Strength Lv.7 achieved.]
With the Divine Ginseng Extract and the Blessing of Rapid Growth, my body had become immensely robust.
Agnes muttered, slightly stunned.
<…You really completed a 20-minute lap in one day? Is this possible?>
“Hehe.”
<Be honest. Did you eat something while I wasn’t looking?>
Uh-oh. The top instructor had sharp eyes.
“Actually, a god gave me something…”
<Wait… you even received a relic from a god?>
“Yes.”
It wasn’t exactly “strict order and righteousness,” but I’d reveal the full details later.
<Phew… so the legend isn’t exaggerated.>
Agnes, full of energy, shouted.
<Good, Ailet cadet! From tomorrow, ten laps every day!>
“Yes!”
