The sound of wooden swords striking against one another echoed throughout the training yard.
Ray stepped backward, adjusting his footing as Marcus approached him.
"Again."
Ray raised his wooden sword.
This time, he didn't immediately move. His eyes followed Marcus's posture, paying attention to the position of his shoulders and the distribution of his weight.
Marcus made the first move.
A simple horizontal strike.
Ray shifted his stance and blocked it.
The impact pushed his wooden sword slightly to the side, but he managed to maintain his balance.
"Better."
Marcus withdrew his sword.
"Your reactions have improved considerably. You're also beginning to understand how to adjust your movements depending on your opponent."
Ray lowered his weapon.
"I've been practicing."
"That much is obvious."
Marcus examined him for a moment.
"When you first arrived here, you could barely maintain a proper stance. Now you're already capable of performing several fundamental techniques without much correction."
He paused before continuing.
"You have an unusual talent for learning swordsmanship. I wasn't exaggerating when I called you a genius."
Ray remained quiet for a moment.
"I still have a lot to learn."
"Of course you do. Don't misunderstand me. Your comprehension is exceptional, but your body still needs training. Understanding a technique doesn't automatically mean you can execute it perfectly."
"I understand."
Marcus nodded.
"Keep attending the lessons. If you continue at this pace, we can move beyond the basic exercises soon."
Ray thanked him.
After several days of consistent training, he had become considerably more comfortable with the wooden sword. His movements were no longer as stiff, and he could perform basic combinations with reasonable coordination.
He wasn't particularly strong, nor could he claim to be an experienced swordsman.
Nevertheless, his progress was noticeable.
After finishing his lesson, Ray returned the wooden sword and left the training yard.
He had another matter to attend to.
His adventurer registration.
Ray arrived at the Adventurers Guild shortly before noon.
The reception area was relatively busy. Several adventurers were discussing their assignments, while others were waiting to submit completed requests.
He approached the counter.
"Good afternoon. I'd like to accept some requests."
The receptionist looked up.
"Certainly. You're F-rank, correct?"
Ray presented his identification card.
She checked the information before returning it.
"Since you're still F-rank, remember that you need to complete around four to five quests each month to maintain your registration. Higher ranks are given longer periods of inactivity, but beginners are expected to remain relatively active."
"I remember."
"Good. Are you looking for anything in particular?"
"Nothing specific. Preferably simple gathering or collection requests."
The receptionist nodded and retrieved several papers.
"Then these should be suitable."
Ray examined the available assignments.
There were requests for medicinal herbs, firewood, and a few other common materials. Most were intended for beginners and didn't require traveling particularly far from Bellford.
He selected several.
The first was a medicinal herb collection request.
The second involved gathering dry branches and firewood for a local merchant.
The third required collecting a specific type of wild plant used in basic medicine.
There was also a request to deliver a small package to a nearby workshop.
Ray checked the locations and rewards before accepting them.
"These should be fine."
"Very well. Remember to have each completed request recorded before accepting too many assignments."
"I will."
He placed the papers inside his bag and left the guild.
He intended to complete the easier requests first.
There was no reason to make things unnecessarily difficult.
The first assignment took him to the outskirts of Bellford.
The medicinal herbs were relatively common, and he already had some familiarity with their appearance from his previous gathering experience.
He spent a little time collecting the required quantity before returning to the guild.
After the receptionist verified the plants, she recorded the completion and handed him his reward.
The next request involved gathering firewood.
Ray visited the designated area, collected the required amount, and transported it to the merchant who had submitted the request.
It was somewhat tiring, but nothing particularly troublesome.
The third assignment took longer.
He needed to collect a particular wild plant that grew near the edges of cultivated land. The location wasn't far away, although finding enough of the correct variety required some patience.
His observation ability proved useful again.
He carefully examined the differences between similar plants, comparing their leaves and stems with the illustration provided by the guild.
By the time he returned to Bellford, the afternoon was already passing.
He submitted the final materials and collected his reward.
Three completed requests.
Ray checked his remaining assignments.
One delivery request remained, but he decided to complete it the following morning.
He returned home, prepared dinner, and spent some time practicing mana circulation before going to bed.
It had been a relatively ordinary day.
Still, he was beginning to understand how adventurers earned their living.
Most low-ranking assignments weren't particularly exciting. They involved gathering, delivering, assisting, or collecting materials that ordinary residents needed.
It was simple work, but it served a purpose.
The following morning, Ray completed the remaining delivery request.
It involved transporting a small package from the guild to a local workshop.
The distance was short, and the recipient confirmed its arrival without any issues.
After returning to the guild, Ray received his reward.
That left him with one final assignment he had selected the previous day.
He approached the receptionist.
"Excuse me. I'd like to ask about this request."
He placed a paper on the counter.
The receptionist examined it.
"Slime extermination?"
"Yes."
"Ten slimes, correct?"
Ray nodded.
The receptionist explained that several slimes had been spotted near a small clearing outside Bellford. They had been interfering with people collecting materials in the area.
It was a relatively common request.
"Slimes are generally considered weak monsters, but don't underestimate them. Their bodies can absorb physical impacts to some extent, and their movements can be difficult to predict."
"Are they dangerous?"
"Not particularly, provided you know how to handle them. Just avoid letting them get too close."
Ray listened carefully.
"Understood."
The receptionist handed him the request paper.
"Make sure you bring back proof of completion. The guild will accept the cores."
Ray nodded and left.
He had no particular expectations.
It was simply another F-rank assignment.
The clearing was located a short distance outside Bellford.
Ray followed the directions provided by the guild and eventually arrived at the designated area.
The surroundings were relatively open, with scattered trees and patches of grass.
He spotted the first slime near a damp patch of ground.
It was a small, translucent creature with a slightly bluish body. Its shape shifted slowly as it moved across the grass.
Ray approached cautiously.
He had brought a simple weapon provided through his own preparations, along with a small container for the cores.
The slime noticed him and began moving in his direction.
Ray watched its movements before acting.
It wasn't particularly fast.
After keeping a safe distance and using his weapon to deal with it, the creature collapsed into a motionless mass.
A small core remained within its body.
Ray retrieved it and placed it inside his container.
That was easier than expected.
He continued through the clearing.
The remaining slimes were scattered around the area. Some were near tree roots, while others were moving through the grass.
He dealt with them one by one, taking care not to approach carelessly.
By the time he had collected the tenth core, the clearing was quiet again.
Ray counted them to make sure.
Ten.
He crouched beside the remains of the last slime.
That was when he noticed something unusual.
The creature's body hadn't completely disappeared.
A portion of its translucent material remained on the ground, slowly losing its shape.
Ray examined it.
He had initially assumed that slime bodies were simply biological material with little practical value beyond their cores.
However, something about the way the remaining substance responded to his mana caught his attention.
He extended his hand and carefully released a small amount of mana.
The material reacted.
It didn't repel the mana.
Instead, it seemed to absorb and distribute it throughout its structure.
Ray withdrew his hand.
Then he tried again.
This time, he paid closer attention to the sensation.
The mana spread through the substance with surprising ease.
Interesting.
He examined the material more closely.
Its structure was flexible, yet it maintained its shape even when lightly compressed.
He picked up a small portion and carefully tested how it responded to different amounts of mana.
The result was unusual.
The material became slightly firmer when mana passed through it.
Not brittle.
Not rigid.
Just noticeably more resistant to deformation.
Ray stared at it.
Could this material be used to make equipment?
The idea came to him gradually.
If the slime material could conduct mana efficiently while retaining its flexibility, it might be suitable for clothing or other equipment.
A sword was another possibility.
He wasn't certain whether it could withstand repeated impacts, but the material's ability to distribute mana made it worth investigating.
Perhaps I could make a robe or a simple weapon out of it.
He looked at the remaining material.
It was only a theory.
He would need to experiment before reaching any conclusions.
Ray carefully collected the usable slime material along with the ten cores.
Then he returned to Bellford.
After submitting the ten cores, Ray received confirmation that his final request had been completed.
The receptionist recorded the assignment and handed him his reward.
"That's all ten. Congratulations on completing the request."
"Thank you."
"Be careful when handling slime remains. Some varieties can irritate the skin, so make sure you clean your hands properly."
"I will."
Ray left the guild.
However, rather than returning home immediately, he stopped by a small shop that sold basic crafting materials.
He asked the shopkeeper about slime remains.
The shopkeeper seemed mildly surprised by the question.
"Slime material? It's not particularly valuable. Some people use it for cheap adhesives or simple household materials, but most adventurers don't bother collecting it."
"Does it have any particular properties?"
"Depends on the slime. Most of the common varieties are soft and flexible. They're not especially durable."
Ray considered that information.
"What about their ability to conduct mana?"
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow.
"Conduct mana? I've heard that some slime varieties respond well to magical energy, but ordinary ones aren't particularly useful for serious equipment."
Ray nodded.
He didn't press the matter.
The shopkeeper's answer was useful, but it didn't completely explain what he had observed.
Perhaps the material's properties depended on the amount of mana introduced into it.
Or perhaps there was something unusual about the way his own mana interacted with it.
He would have to investigate.
After returning home, Ray placed the collected material on a clean work surface.
He spent the rest of the afternoon examining it.
Over the next few days, Ray devoted some of his free time to experimenting with the slime material.
He began with small quantities.
First, he tested its flexibility.
Then its resistance to pressure.
Afterward, he introduced controlled amounts of mana and observed how its properties changed.
The results were consistent enough to interest him.
The material conducted mana unusually well.
When mana was distributed throughout it, the substance became considerably firmer while retaining some flexibility.
It also seemed to maintain the mana within its structure for a short period after he stopped supplying it.
Ray recorded his observations.
He didn't have proper equipment to measure its exact properties, so most of his conclusions were based on repeated comparisons.
Still, the possibilities were interesting.
He considered making a simple protective garment.
A robe would be relatively straightforward compared with more complicated equipment, and it would allow him to test how the material behaved when covering a larger surface.
The sword idea was more difficult.
He wasn't a blacksmith, and he didn't have the necessary tools to forge a conventional weapon.
However, the slime material could potentially be shaped into a solid form by circulating mana through it.
It was worth trying.
Ray spent the next several evenings working on the two items.
The process was more difficult than he initially expected.
Maintaining an even distribution of mana required concentration, and the material sometimes lost its shape when he released too much mana at once.
He made several mistakes before finding a method that worked.
Eventually, he managed to shape the material into a simple robe.
It was plain, without any decorations or complicated designs.
He then worked on a second piece.
A sword.
It took longer, especially when trying to maintain a consistent shape along its length.
The result wasn't particularly elaborate, but it was recognizable as a simple sword.
Ray placed both creations on the table.
He examined them carefully.
The robe was flexible, and the sword maintained its shape.
Neither looked particularly impressive.
But they were functional enough for an initial experiment.
Then something unexpected happened.
Ray had been examining the robe when he noticed a change.
A faint golden color began spreading across its surface.
He leaned closer.
The transformation continued until the entire garment had taken on a soft golden sheen.
The sword followed shortly afterward.
Its previously translucent surface gradually became golden as well.
Ray stared at the two objects.
"...What?"
He picked up the robe.
Its texture seemed to have changed.
It was smoother than before, yet considerably firmer when he applied pressure.
He examined the sword.
Its surface had also become more refined, with a uniform golden appearance.
He attempted to introduce mana into both objects.
The response was immediate.
The mana flowed through them with remarkable ease.
Ray's expression remained composed, although his curiosity had increased considerably.
Why did they turn golden?
He had expected the material to become firmer after being infused with mana.
He hadn't expected a complete change in appearance.
He tried examining the robe more carefully, but couldn't find an obvious explanation.
The golden color didn't appear to be a surface coating.
It seemed to be part of the material itself.
He placed both objects on the table and continued experimenting.
There was another unusual property.
When he picked up the robe and tried it on, the garment gradually adjusted itself to his body.
The sleeves shortened slightly.
The length changed.
Even the overall fit became more suitable for his frame.
Ray looked down.
It fit him perfectly.
He removed it and placed it on the table.
Then he tried the sword.
Its handle seemed to adjust to the size of his hand, making it easier to grip.
He examined both items again.
Automatic adjustment?
He couldn't explain that either.
He had never heard of ordinary slime material behaving this way.
Perhaps the mana transformation had altered its properties more drastically than he expected.
Or perhaps his own mana was responsible for the change.
He made a mental note to investigate further.
Ray decided to test the equipment.
He first examined his usual mana circulation and physical performance without wearing either item.
He performed several simple movements and carefully noted how much effort they required.
Then he put on the robe.
The difference was noticeable.
His mana circulation felt smoother, and maintaining a consistent flow seemed easier.
He also felt that his movements required slightly less effort.
Next, he picked up the golden sword.
The sensation was different from holding an ordinary wooden practice weapon.
The sword felt unusually responsive to his mana.
When he circulated mana through it, the material seemed to reinforce itself.
Ray spent some time testing its weight, balance, and responsiveness.
After several comparisons, he began estimating the overall difference.
It wasn't a precise measurement, and he couldn't separate every individual improvement, but the combined effect was considerably greater than he had anticipated.
Based on his observations, he estimated that wearing the robe and using the sword together could increase his overall combat performance by approximately seventy percent compared with his previous baseline.
He paused.
That was a substantial improvement.
However, he wasn't certain whether the increase came entirely from the equipment.
The smoother mana circulation, improved responsiveness, and reduced physical resistance might all be contributing factors.
He would need more controlled tests to determine the exact effect.
Still, the result was impressive.
Ray looked at the golden robe resting on his shoulders.
Then he examined the sword in his hand.
He had only intended to experiment with a cheap monster material.
Yet somehow, he had created something far more interesting.
His gaze settled on the golden surface.
*Why does my mana turn it gold?*
He tried introducing a small amount of mana into a remaining piece of ordinary slime material.
Nothing happened.
It remained translucent.
He tried again, circulating his mana more carefully.
This time, the material began to change.
A faint golden hue appeared.
Ray withdrew his hand.
The color remained.
He stared at it for several seconds.
So it wasn't simply the slime material itself.
His mana was involved in the transformation.
But why?
Was it a reaction to his mana quality? Was it related to his unusual observation ability? Or was there something about his mana control that he hadn't discovered yet?
He didn't know.
And for once, he found himself genuinely interested in an experiment that had produced more questions than answers.
Ray placed the remaining material inside a container.
He would continue testing it over the following days.
For now, he had two new pieces of equipment and an unusual mystery to investigate.
He looked at the golden sword once more.
It was certainly an unexpected result.
(Chapter End.)
(AN: So how do you think of the story so far?)