After breakfast, Tris took Rin to the adventurers' guild classroom as planned.
Then, he spent his morning reading books at the guild's tavern, sipping fruit juice and snacking.
"Yo, Tris. Long time no see."
Suddenly, someone called out to him. It was Coris, a C-rank adventurer who had accompanied him on his very first hunting mission and had since become quite close to him.
Today, she was as lively and energetic as ever.
Coris: "Haven't seen you at the guild lately. Busy with something?"
Tris: "Well, my main focus right now is studying. An adventurer's work is just for gaining experience, not for earning money."
Coris: "Ah, right. You're so mature that I forget sometimes. At your age, it's better to focus on learning. Especially for a Mage—there's so much to study."
Tris: "Exactly. Learning a new magic can take a lot of time. I remember your team has a Mage too, so you must know that well."
Coris: "Yes, Mira dives headfirst into it whenever she finds new magic to learn. She even skips meals and sleep. Are all Mages like that, Tris?"
Tris: "I don't know about others, but I keep a routine—three meals a day, enough sleep. A healthy body keeps the mind sharp for studying."
Coris: "True, true. I've told her that before, but she never listens."
After saying that, Coris leaned closer and whispered, "Lately, you should stay in town and not wander around."
Tris lowered his voice: "What's going on?"
Coris: "The guild's secretly mobilizing a large group of C-rank adventurers, including me. The mission hasn't been announced yet, but with this lineup, it's likely a powerful Magical Beast or something similar. Better stay safe and avoid hunting outside for now."
Tris: "Thanks for telling me. But isn't this confidential?"
Coris: "It's not public, but not so secret that no one can know. With so many people involved, word spreads anyway. The core details of the mission are still undisclosed."
Tris: "How many C-ranks are being mobilized?"
Coris: "Ten."
Tris: "That's half the C-ranks in town."
Coris: "Exactly. That's why I suspect a strong Magical Beast—probably B-rank."
Tris: "Ten C-ranks wouldn't be enough for a B-rank, right? There must be B-ranks joining too." Coris: "Yes. I heard the deputy guild master, Sir Erik, will lead the mission."
Tris: "Any idea when it starts?"
Coris: "Just vague info—within the next few days. Participants must stay in town awaiting orders."
Tris: "Don't you need to prepare gear?"
Coris: "Of course. My teammates are coming now. We'll shop and maintain our weapons together."
Soon after, three female adventurers entered the tavern. They spotted Coris and walked over.
The most striking was Liv, a tall, muscular woman carrying a large shield and a mace at her waist.
Beside her was Kate, slim and agile, armed with a bow and quiver, plus twin daggers at her thighs.
Following them was Mira, the short girl in a green robe holding a long staff—the Mage Coris had mentioned, skilled in both Water and Wind magic.
All three were C-rank adventurers in Coris's team.
Liv: "Yo Tris, long time no see. You don't mind us taking Coris with us, do you?"
Tris: "Hello, Liv. Don't worry about me, just take Coris. Have fun shopping."
Kate: "Looks like Coris already told you. Be careful."
Tris: "Yes. You all take care during the mission, too."
Liv then slung an arm around Coris and pulled her along.
Before leaving, the group waved cheerfully at Tris.
Mira even gave a polite bow before following.
'They're as full of energy as always,' Tris thought, smiling as he waved back.
Alone again, he pondered the special mission Coris had mentioned. 'Seems I should pay closer attention. I have a feeling it won't just be about one or two simple Magical Beasts.'
...
At noon, Tris picked Rin up and asked about class: "How was the lesson this morning?"
Rin: "It was mainly about extracting magic crystals from certain Magical Beasts. I think I've memorized the process."
Tris: "Good. Later, when we hunt, you can practice."
Rin: "I can come along too?"
Tris: "After you learn basic self-defense first."
Rin: "I'll study hard this afternoon."
Tris: "Alright, let's eat."
At the mention of food, Rin nodded eagerly and followed Tris.
...
In the afternoon, as planned, Tris began teaching Rin the basics of combat skills.
They went to a private training ground rented from the guild.
There, trainees could borrow weapons—swords, spears, maces, bows, crossbows, throwing knives, etc.—and practice with dummies, wooden posts, and targets.
Seeing the shiny weapons, Rin asked:
"Do I have to pick one weapon to use?"
Tris: "That comes later. First, you must learn to fight with your own body."
Rin: "Fight with my body?"
Tris: "For a Warrior, the body itself is the strongest weapon. Weapons only enhance it. The foundation is knowing how to use your body. But to fully make use of that foundation, we need to employ combat techniques, also known as combat skills.
The first and most basic is using spiritual energy to directly strengthen the body."
Rin: "Didn't you say I have too little spiritual energy to learn magic?"
Tris: "This is different. It doesn't require much.
Magic always releases energy outside the body, even enhancement magics.
Warrior techniques mostly use energy inside the body, consuming far less.
That's why you can start right away.
Learning this will also help you later with magic, especially in controlling and channeling energy."
Rin: "So what's the difference between using spiritual energy to strengthen the body and using magic for the same?"
Tris: "There are many methods.
The common one is simple—anyone who can use spiritual energy can do it.
But some advanced techniques require strong bodily control, which most Mages struggle with. They rely on magic instead, which demands mental focus.
Also, magic can enhance others, so Mages can support teammates from behind."
Rin: "I see. So today we'll learn the common method of using spiritual energy to strengthen the body?"
Tris paused before answering: "Perhaps."
Rin: "??"