Vol 1 Chapter 11 – The First Believer【Vol 1: The Hero Awakens】 

That day, after defeating the Orc Leader, several weeks had passed.

My strange master-disciple relationship with Lilia had completely settled into our daily routine.

During the day, we swung swords in the dojo, and at night, we studied monster knowledge in lectures.

That cycle repeated.

At first glance, they were plain and monotonous days, but each one was steadily making me and her stronger.

“Wrong, Fuyuya! Your step-in is half a step too soft! You won’t put your weight behind the sword like that!”

“Like this!”

“Yes! Always maintain that stance!”

Clang!

The dry sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the dojo.

Lilia’s guidance was as precise as ever.

Thanks to her, my sword skills had improved to the point where even an amateur could notice.

My level had also risen to 15 through steady monster hunting, and my stats were unrecognizable from when I started.

――――――――――――――――――――

Status

Name: Hiiragi Fuyuya

Race: Human

Level: 15

HP: 250 / 250

MP: 80 / 80

Strength: 45

Endurance: 40

Agility: 50

Magic Power: 22

Dexterity: 35

Luck: 13

Skills

Unique Skill: 【Edit】

――――――――――――――――――――

(Nice, nice. Growing steadily.)

Of course, I couldn’t show these stats to Lilia or Master Glen.

My growth rate was clearly abnormal.

It was all thanks to efficient leveling based on perfect game knowledge and having the best master in Lilia.

“Haa… haa… That’s it for today’s training!”

“…Yeah. Thanks.”

In contrast to me, drenched in sweat, Lilia sheathed her wooden sword with a cool expression.

(Her stamina is still way above mine… As expected from a heroine.)

I collapsed onto the floor and reached for the water bottle mounted on the wall.

“Here, Fuyuya. Towel.”

“Mm, thanks.”

I took the offered towel and wiped my sweat.

That’s when I noticed her gaze fixed on my arm.

“…Amazing, Fuyuya. Your arms have gotten so thick.”

“Really? I can’t tell myself.”

“Yeah. They’re completely different from when you first arrived. …You’ve really developed a swordsman’s arms.”

She said it with a hint of joy and just a touch of shyness.

Her words warmed my chest a little.

It felt genuinely good to have my efforts recognized like this.

“…You’ve gotten stronger too, you know.”

“Huh?”

“The monster knowledge I taught you—you’re using it properly. With that goblin pack the other day, you spotted the leader first and took it down.”

“Ah… yeah. That’s because you explained it so well, Fuyuya.”

“Mutual, huh.”

We looked at each other and laughed.

The peaceful atmosphere was broken by Master Glen’s voice from the dojo entrance.

“Hey, you two! Time for lectures!”

“Yes!”

We replied and headed to the lecture room at the back of the dojo.

Now it was my turn to be the master.

“Listen, Lilia. Today we’re covering how to defeat skeletons.”

“Skeletal monsters… They’re hard, and blades don’t go through easily.”

“Yeah. But if you know their weakness, there’s no easier enemy to take down.”

I drew a simple human skeleton diagram on the prepared blackboard with chalk.

(…Forgive my terrible drawing skills.)

“Skeletons—the most fragile spot is the neck bones… right at the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae. Strike there accurately, and you can one-shot even high-level skeletons.”

“The base of the neck…

But hitting such a precise pinpoint…”

“That’s why practice is key. Skeletons have monotonous movements, so once you read their wind-up, landing a counter is simple. Specifically, the moment they raise their sword, they always step their right foot half a step forward. Slip into their guard at that timing and thrust upward from below.”

I demonstrated the movements with the wooden sword as I explained.

Everything I said came from攻略 info in Arks Ende.

Monster weaknesses, attack patterns, efficient material gathering methods.

All of it was far more specific and practical than anything considered common sense in this world.

Lilia listened to my lecture with sparkling eyes.

The notes she occasionally jotted down had already filled several notebooks.

She looked just like a child absorbed in a hero’s tale.

(…My hero-sama…)

Ever since the battle with the Orc Leader, the way Lilia looked at me held unmistakable respect… and absolute trust.

I was the mysterious wandering swordsman who had saved her, her father, and the dojo itself.

To her, I was no longer just a training partner or master—I had become something special.

This was the moment she became my first believer.

After the lecture, on the way back from the dojo.

Lilia walked beside me, looking just a little reluctant to part.

“…You’re really knowledgeable, Fuyuya.”

“Well, yeah. I’ve been through a lot.”

“That… ‘a lot’—can I ask about it?”

“…Someday. When the time comes that I can talk about it.”

I said that and looked up at the sunset sky.

I could never tell her that I’d lost everything to NTR and been sent to this world.

Lilia looked a little lonely at my words, but quickly forced a smile.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll wait.”

Her earnestness stung my chest a bit.

(She’s really a good girl…)

At the parting point, she suddenly remembered something and called out to me.

“Ah, right, Fuyuya!”

“Hm?”

“Could you come to tomorrow’s training a little earlier? I want you to see the new form first.”

“…Yeah, got it.”

“Really!? Yay! I’ll be waiting!”

She waved with a full smile and ran into her house.

Watching her back, I muttered quietly to myself.

(Got myself a good companion.)

(Lilia’s sword talent is the real deal. Combined with my knowledge, she’ll become insanely strong. Plus, with her here, the village’s defense will improve, and I’ll feel safe even after I leave on my journey.)

I gazed at the approaching night darkness and pictured the training ahead.

My time in this village wouldn’t last much longer.

If the original story held true, the heroines waiting ahead and the harsh fate to come—

To face them all, I had to become much stronger.

(First, I should decide on the next destination…)

With the game’s world map in my mind, I began walking the night road alone.