When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 36 Enchantment Magic

Upon reaching the East Gate of Milchronde, the first thing I noticed was the back of a guard. They stood in front of the gate, holding a long spear-shaped artifact in one hand, ensuring no suspicious individuals entered. There seemed to be two more guards in the adjacent guard room; one was engaged in paperwork, while the other sat in a chair, dozing off.

(…Looks like quite a task.)

Slipping through the gate guarded by these sentinels, I ventured outside the town. Exiting the town usually didn’t elicit any remarks, but when entering, the guards would scrutinize you. Last time, returning late at night, I ended up being questioned by the guards.

To avoid a repeat, I decided to finish my training a bit earlier today. With these thoughts, I headed towards the lone cedar tree along the outer wall of the town. Soon, the solitary standing tree came into view, and I reached my usual training spot.

After glancing around cautiously, I extended my right hand to the sword hilt on my back.

“All right, let’s get started. First…”

I gripped the hilt of the Rusty Sword, drew it with a swift motion.

Looking down at the familiar, rust-covered blade, I silently chanted within myself.

(…Evolution.)

In an instant, as if a creature were breaking out of an eggshell, the rust on the artifact fell away. Gradually revealing the ominous form hidden within, a dark aura enveloped my entire body.

A shiver ran through me, and my entire body felt lighter, as if my blood circulation had accelerated. It was evidence that the blessings from the artifact had circulated to every corner of my body.

Name: Cursed Magic Sword

Rank: S

Level: –

Attack Power: 500

Blessings: Strength +500, Endurance +500, Agility +500, Magic Power +500, Vitality +500

Magic: [Black Flame Hellflare], [Dark Thunder Cry]

Skills: [Sacred Treasure Synthesis]

Durability: 500/500

With this, the evolution of the Cursed Magic Sword is complete. It also serves as the signal to begin my training.

By the way, when evolving the Cursed Magic Sword, I used to verbally chant “Evolution” each time, but as I continued my training, it became unnecessary. Generally, the activation conditions for skills can be understood by examining the skill details. For instance, equipping the artifact with both hands, gripping tightly, or holding one’s breath without moving…

On the other hand, for magic, the only known activation method has always been to chant the spell name. However, skills, as mentioned earlier, have clearly established activation conditions.

Now, the skill residing in this Rusty Sword is the ‘Evolution’ skill…

Evolution – Unleash the true form of the artifact

- Activated by harboring strong fighting spirit

It is detailed in this way.

Until now, it wasn’t clear what exactly it meant to ‘harbor fighting spirit,’ so I used to chant “evolution” every time to activate the skill. By stating it clearly, I was mentally switching gears.

However, after a bit of training, I became able to harbor fighting spirit without verbally chanting “evolution.” Fighting spirit essentially refers to the will to fight, win, and defeat. By strongly holding onto that intention, the Evolution skill is triggered.

Just like the intense determination to win against the Black Wolf Demon when I fought it for the first time evolved the Rusty Sword into the Cursed Magic Sword.

Conversely, when devolving the Cursed Magic Sword back into the Rusty Sword, it’s as simple as losing the fighting spirit. This is easier for me, and I had already mastered it without the need for additional training.

I might be better at putting my focus on not fighting rather than fighting. A rather embarrassing confession.

Also, as a side note, swiftly changing the fighting spirit allows me to practice a technique of instantly switching between the Rusty Sword and the Cursed Magic Sword. This is quite challenging, so it will likely take a considerable amount of time until I can use it perfectly.

Anyway, as I draw the Cursed Magic Sword, I cast my eyes upon its ominous form once again. Now, I reflect once more on what I must do.

First and foremost, what I need to focus on in my training is overcoming the curse. The artifact of my Cursed Magic Sword is somehow cursed from the start. Due to this curse, while equipped with the Magic sword, my stamina is significantly depleted, and I quickly become exhausted. Fatigue weakens my will to fight, causing the artifact to revert to the Rusty Sword. In the worst case, I might even lose consciousness.

Under these conditions, fighting becomes impossible.

Therefore, enduring the pain of the curse and conquering it is imperative.

“Today, I might be able to push myself enough…”

Considering my current physical condition, I murmur such thoughts. Starting in my current perfect state, I estimate that I can probably endure wielding the magic sword for about ten minutes.

When I first started using the Cursed Magic Sword, the limit was at most three minutes. However, through repeated training, the duration gradually extended.

Enduring the curse continuously seems to have accustomed my body to it. Though it’s only a slight improvement, the results of my training are beginning to show.

If I continue using the Cursed Magic Sword and gradually get accustomed to the curse, I might eventually be able to maintain the evolved state for an hour or even two.

The ideal scenario would be to maintain it throughout the day, but for now, the goal is to grip the magic sword for even a second longer.

While spirited about this, I furrow my brows at the self-proclaimed “ten minutes.”

“From three minutes to ten minutes…huh.”

Honestly, it’s not an extraordinary improvement. Although doubling the duration is commendable, the areas where adventurers like us operate are always within the dangerous zones where peril lurks.

Fighting for just ten minutes in such an environment is far from reassuring. Moreover, considering this duration is achieved while being “still,” it’s safe to assume it would be even shorter during combat.

I need to continue my training even more and overcome the curse. It seems I’ll have to endure this hardship for a little while longer.

Anyway…

(Now, should I engage in training on “that side” as well?)

I straighten my posture and once again firmly grasp the Cursed Magic Sword in my right hand. I focus on the sword. While overcoming the curse is undoubtedly the top priority in my training, just enduring the curse passively feels somewhat wasteful of time. As I ponder how to make the most of this frustrating time, I come up with another training that can be done concurrently, even while enduring the curse.

So, alongside the efforts to overcome the curse, I decide to pursue another form of training that I can do on my own. This additional training is…

“Enchant with the spell ―― Black Flame Hellflare!”

In an instant, a jet-black blaze engulfs the blade of the magic sword with a resounding “whoosh,” illuminating the dark shadows around with a bright light. This is one of the enchantment spells residing in the artifact ― Black Flame Hellflare.

Given the originally high attack power of the artifact, this spell significantly boosts its firepower. It feels like even I, the wielder, can sense the tremendous power, to the point where there seems to be nothing that cannot be cut.

However…

“From here on… even further…!”

I intensify my focus on the magic sword in my right hand and carefully move my lips.

“Enchant… Magic chant… Dark Thunder Cry!”

Crackling sounds reverberate as dark thunderbolts race over the black flames.

Powerful lightning, rivaling Black Flame Hellflare.

I can feel the artifact’s attack power rising dramatically.

However, in the next moment…

“Snap!”

With a sudden burst, the demonic sword in my hand flares up.

“Whoa!”

Thrown off balance by the unexpected burst, I inadvertently end up sitting on the ground.

“Ouch,” I mutter while inspecting the demonic sword in my right hand. Both the previously enveloping black flame and the dark lightning have vanished cleanly.

As I observe the now silent and calm sword, I furrow my brows.

“Hmm, not going well… ‘Dual Enchant Magic.'”

Dual enchantment magic, the layering of enchantments ― “Dual Enchant Magic.”

I attempted to layer the Black Flame Hellflare obtained from the Black Wolf Demon and the Dark Thunder Cry acquired from the Black Cat Demon, but unfortunately, it didn’t work as expected.

Magics residing in artifacts can be broadly categorized into two types. Firstly, there are enchantment spells for weapon-type artifacts, like the one I’m using, Black Flame Hellflare. These spells provide special effects to the artifact. The second type is elemental magic for catalyst-type artifacts, such as Amethyst’s Purple Lightning. These magics cause supernatural phenomena to occur.

When people refer to typical magic, it usually falls into the latter category, elemental magic. There are various elemental magics, and one catalyst-type artifact may house three or four of them. Therefore, owners of catalyst-type artifacts often combine these magics, earning them the title of “mages.”

However, enchantment spells for weapon-type artifacts are generally considered to be limited to “one spell only.” Weapon-type artifacts are primarily designed for direct combat with the artifact itself, making the possibility of housing enchantment spells extremely low.

However, it’s said that there are rare cases where weapon-type artifacts appear to house two or more enchantment spells. In the past, there was an individual among their wielders who attempted to use two enchantment spells simultaneously. It was a groundbreaking experiment, taking quite a bit of time to master, but the person successfully layered the enchantment spells. The technique was named “Dual Enchant Magic” and has been passed down through generations.

If possible, I would like to learn this “Dual Enchant Magic” as well. My Cursed Magic Sword is a bit special, currently hosting two enchantment spells thanks to the skill “Sacred Treasure Synthesis.” However…

(If it goes well, I thought I could further boost the attack power of the Cursed Magic Sword, but it’s indeed incredibly difficult.)

I find it challenging to grasp the sensation.

Maintaining two enchantment spells simultaneously is much harder than I thought.

No matter how much I concentrate, the enchantment spells burst like this, canceling each other out.

Is there some trick or technique? All I know is that it’s possible, but I can’t quite figure out how.

(Well, honestly, I don’t think there’s a need to increase the artifact’s attack power any further.)

The attack power of the Cursed Magic Sword is already extraordinary, and a single enchantment spell alone displays tremendous power.

Probably enough to cut through any opponent.

So, you might think there’s no need for a dual enchantment, but that would be like giving up the potential to become even stronger.

If there’s even a slight possibility of getting stronger, I want to reach for it.

In a sense, this is just “aspiration.”

Since I’ve decided to become stronger, I don’t want to cut corners.