Chapter 90

〈 Episode 90 〉Training

“Our tribe is located quite far north, but the original territory of the Orcs is in the center of this continent. When I say center, it includes deserts and grasslands, so the Orcs have quite different lifestyles depending on where they live across this vast land. Naturally, the way they use Spell also differs depending on the natural environment. Northern Sorcerers like me mainly use fire and Wind Magic, while desert Orc Sorcerers bury their enemies with sand and Wind Magic. You probably know why that is, right?”

“Because it’s best not to defy nature with Spell.”

Walter nodded at Asha’s answer.

“That’s right. If Magic twists and distorts the surroundings, Spell accelerates changes that could naturally occur and spreads those changes. Of course, if you reach a certain level, it’s possible to reverse phenomena, but the efficiency is so terrible that it’s not a very wise method. That’s why each Sorcerer has their favorite Spell ingrained in their body, giving them a different aura depending on where they live. For example, what Spell do you mainly use, Asha?”

“I usually enhance my body with Wind Magic, and I’ve used fire sometimes too. Oh, and a little water when healing…”

He nodded at her words.

“Right. Earth, and if you go into detail, rocks and sand, or lightning, light. Spell can be used for a variety of purposes as it invokes the natural phenomena around us, but the Spell we actually use is inevitably limited. It’s not just the surrounding nature, but it’s also difficult to use unfamiliar Spell in urgent situations. That’s why Sorcerers carry their own unique aura.”

“I see… Then Sorcerers from different regions would have different auras.”

“That’s right. Once you get used to seeing it, you’ll be able to tell where a Sorcerer comes from just by looking at them. But conversely, if an enemy is skilled enough to recognize a Sorcerer’s aura, they’ll be revealing their techniques from the start. It’s like showing all your cards before you even begin.”

“Ah…”

Asha broke out in a cold sweat at Walter’s words. Humans and monsters hadn’t been able to recognize her aura, so it hadn’t been a problem, but hearing from Walter the reason why Georg had discovered her this time, she realized that she could have faced a major crisis.

It was true that Asha’s Spell power had increased as the level of her Spell skill in the Status Window rose as she used Spell, but she didn’t know these detailed techniques. Walter continued speaking as if he understood her words.

“Of course, I should have taught you how to hide your aura first, but I regret that the period of instruction wasn’t long enough to teach you that back then. But now that I’m back, I’ll teach you as much as I can. So, would you like to learn right now?”

“Yes!”

Asha nodded firmly at the thought of making up for her weaknesses and learning something new.

“Haa…”

Asha put her hand to her temple, feeling a throbbing in her head.

‘It’s difficult…’

She had become somewhat accustomed to hiding her aura when not using Spell, but it was still difficult not to reveal the aura of Spell while enhancing her body. Asha was struggling with a method that was completely different from the way she had been using Spell until now.

“It’s quite hard, isn’t it?”

“Yes…”

Walter smiled at Asha’s answer.

“Still, you’re learning quickly for that much. It’s not easy enough to learn in a day. And not only our Orcs, but also skilled mages can sense Spell well enough, so it’s good to learn it properly. Especially since mages and Sorcerers don’t get along very well, so it’s best to be careful.”

Asha tilted her head, not remembering meeting many mages while living in this world.

“Mages and Sorcerers don’t get along? I haven’t met any mages…”

“Perhaps it’s because the way they handle abilities is incompatible, but it’s usually hard to have a good conversation when they meet.”

Asha, hearing his words, remembered that Walter’s bookshelf was lined with Magic books.

“But why are there Magic books in your study?”

“I’ve lived a long time, so I’ve researched this and that. It took quite a bit of time to research, but it was helpful in its own way. If there’s anything about Magic that I need to tell you later, I’ll let you know.”

“Yes!”

At that moment, something suddenly pounced on Asha from behind without any warning.

“Hiyat!”

Startled by the sensation of something touching her from behind, she soon realized that the weight clinging to her body was familiar.

“Lucy?”

“Yep!”

Asha, turning her daughter who was clinging to her slightly to face her, saw Lucy smiling playfully.

“Lucy, what have you been up to?”

“I’ve completely learned what I used to do! Look, watch…”

Lucy took a stance and punched the air.

“Eup!”

Asha, feeling an unidentifiable sense of threat from the mere punch, stepped back. At the same time, the obsidian necklace around Lucy’s neck shone, and Lucy disappeared without a trace. Startled, she looked around and found Lucy waving from the opposite side of the clearing. Walter, who had been watching the two mothers and daughters with interest, widened his eyes when he saw Lucy move through space.

“Lucy’s done something again. I wondered what she was doing since yesterday…”

“Um, Walter. That’s not normal, is it?”

Walter waved his hand as if to say, ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

“Are you even asking? Well, Lucy hasn’t been ordinary from the start. You’ll have to step up your game, Asha?”

“Ugh… I guess so.”

Asha smiled as she hugged Lucy, who had run back to her. Asha was too used to her daughter to be surprised by Lucy doing something like this now.

Asha checked her Status Window after a long time.

[Character Name: Asha]

Strength: 38

Agility: 23

Durability: 30

Stamina: 32

Mana: 25

Skills: Weaponry LV.8, Mana Utilization LV.4, Intercourse LV.8, Hospitality LV.6, Sprint LV.6, Pain Reduction LV.7, Stat Enhancement LV.6, Stealth LV.4, First Aid LV.3, Trade LV.4, Search LV.5, Cradle of the Species LV.1, Spell LV.6, Masochistic Tendency LV.2, Cooking LV.3

Asha nodded as she looked at the skills.

“Mana was 24, but it’s already gone up. If I learn from Walter, my Spell level will definitely go up too.”

Because she could know her current situation with these quantified values, Asha could continue to work hard without losing motivation. She suddenly felt playful.

‘I haven’t completely mastered it yet, but can I surprise Georg with this much?’

Georg was always reliable and serious, but she also wanted to see him flustered or surprised. After having dinner with Lucy, Asha headed back to Georg’s house.

Gathering her aura and using her Stealth skill, Asha sneaked into Georg’s house. This time, she infiltrated the house through a slightly open window and moved towards the sound.

‘It’s the kitchen. Hasn’t he had dinner yet?’

Asha, infiltrating the kitchen, found Georg making something on the shelf. He didn’t seem to know that Asha had entered yet.

‘It was worth learning. Now…’

Asha, going behind Georg to pounce on him, suddenly lost her balance and her head headed towards the shelf with the momentum of the pounce.

“Kyaa! Hiyak!”

Closing her eyes tightly at the wooden shelf that came into view, she screamed again as her head suddenly rushed with blood.

‘It doesn’t hurt…?’

Asha, carefully opening her eyes again, met the eyes of the upside-down Georg, who was looking at her with a slightly pathetic expression.

‘No, it’s not that Georg is upside down, it’s that I am…’

Asha realized that he was holding her ankles and lifting her upside down. Speechless, she laughed sheepishly while dangling from Georg’s hand. Asha’s hair was stretched out long to the floor, and her skirt was turned upside down, revealing her panties.

“Ehehe…”

“You seem to be getting more playful these days, Asha.”

Georg shook Asha upside down.

“Hyat! Hit! I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

Asha screamed and surrendered to the feeling of riding a roller coaster upside down. Georg shook her a few more times to completely take her soul out, then set her upright again. Asha, staggering from the dizziness, roughly straightened her messy hair.

“Ugh, ugh… There’s no way I would have suddenly fallen when it’s not slippery.”

“I tripped you. Neglecting your Self-Preservation by focusing only on the goal is not a good habit, Asha.”

“Ah, hahaha… Did you already know? I even hid my aura this time!”

Georg shook his head at her protest.

“From the start, Orc hunters are skilled in stealth and tracking. You still have a long way to go, Asha.”

Asha sighed, realizing that there was no hope from the beginning.

“Hmph… I really have a long way to go.”

“But what brings you here?”

“Um, do you find it annoying if I come too often?”

Georg smiled wryly as Asha looked at him.

“After running away like that this morning, wouldn’t I think you’d come a little later?”

“Ah, that’s because I remembered Lucy crying and running into the house last time… I went today and she’s doing well. I’m glad.”

“Come to think of it, did you learn how to hide Spell from the old man?”

Asha nodded at Georg’s question.

“Yeah, I’ll be staying here for a while, so I have to learn diligently from Walter.”

Georg narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment at her words.

“Georg?”

“Asha, would you like to learn from me for a little while before I leave in the morning? Your movements seem to have improved a lot.”

“Huh? Yes! I’d love to!”

Asha’s expression brightened at Georg’s suggestion. Although she had been training on her own or sparring with Lucy, Asha could get advice on Mana manipulation from Justitia, but she had never had a proper opportunity to learn about Weaponry.

‘Spell has become more powerful as its level has increased, but I couldn’t know the detailed operation method even with the Status Window. If I learn from Georg, I’ll be able to know more accurately about Weaponry too!’

Asha shouted to Georg while she was at it.

“Georg, let’s have sex!”

“You seem to have thrown away your shyness, Asha.”

“I couldn’t even touch you yesterday, but today will be different!”

“We’ll see…”

Anyway, Georg, who never refuses sex when it’s offered, headed to the bedroom with Asha again today.