Chapter 23
A precise, honed thrust gouged into the wraith's core.
I quickly drew my staff back and thrust at the one sneaking up behind me.
The wraith behind me didn't dissipate; it was sent flying backward.
I quickly turned around and struck its core again.
The wraith behind me vanished in a puff of smoke.
“I'd say about seventy percent.”
I was finally getting the movements fairly accurate.
It had been about three months since I challenged the third floor.
I continued training against wraiths, incorporating the Death Knight's movements.
The moment I defeated a wraith that emerged through the wall, euphoria surged through me.
【Name】Noah
【Rank】III
【Magic Power】S
【Skill】Appraisal Life Magic Mana Control Magic Imbuement High-Speed Thinking Observation Staffsmanship
【Magic】Heal Cure Enhance Life Steal Resurrection Calm
“I've ranked up...”
As if to confirm it, I traced the Death Knight's movements.
My feet, shoulders, and even my center of gravity moved just as I'd imagined.
“Haha! This is incredible.”
A smile spread across my face.
I swung my staff, and it stopped precisely where I wanted it to.
Then, without any preliminary movement, I thrust.
My whole body moved smoothly in unison, and I could even feel the tip of the staff.
—So this is the effect of ranking up.
I gathered the magic stones and descended the spiral staircase.
I slowly pushed open the door densely carved with reliefs.
I passed through a corridor lined with magnificent pillars.
I cast 'Enhance' on myself and my staff.
Then I stepped into the hall where the Death Knight stood.
The Death Knight in the center took its stance and stepped forward.
I closed the distance, keeping a vague eye on its whole body.
—It's coming.
The Death Knight's attack—the one I hadn't even been able to perceive last time.
Despite the complete lack of a tell, I could feel its attack deep within my body.
I turned my body to the right to dodge its downward slash, thrusting at its throat at the same time.
The Death Knight caught my staff with the hilt.
Letting the force that knocked my staff upward carry it around, I aimed for its solar plexus.
The Death Knight turned sideways to evade, then immediately thrust.
I dodged by tilting my head, but my cheek was cut open.
—It's still a step ahead of me.
No, the Death Knight's movements were perfectly optimized for a sword.
There was no way I could win by imitating them with a staff.
In that case, I'd optimize my movements for a staff.
—I would discover the way of the staff.
The Death Knight closed in.
I could read its movements.
Just outside sword range—half a step short.
I slid the staff through my hands and thrust to spoil its advance.
The Death Knight's movements stopped.
Switching the ends of my staff, I stepped in and struck the side of its head.
It dodged by stepping half a pace back.
I slid the staff through my hands again and thrust at its throat.
A metallic clang rang out, and the Death Knight recoiled.
I stepped back to observe, but it showed no sign of damage.
The Death Knight slashed down from above.
—I can see it.
As I dodged, I struck its wrist.
At the same time, I wedged my staff between its arms and twisted it upward.
I locked its wrist.
Then I twisted the staff and threw the Death Knight to the ground.
The Death Knight stumbled forward.
Its stance was badly broken.
Its flank was wide open.
I thrust my staff down into that opening.
I felt something hard shatter.
The armor crumbled, leaving only a heap of parts and a shattered magic stone.
I took deep, labored breaths.
I picked up the shattered magic stone from between the armor pieces.
—I won.
It was still by a hair.
I still had to rely on the lantern's light.
Even so, this was my first victory.
I shoved the fragments of the magic stone into my pocket and left the dungeon.
I set my staff and lantern on the sacristy counter.
“You're unusually tired. Don't tell me you fought a Death Knight again?”
Baldo furrowed his brow.
“Yes. I won this time.”
I took the fragments of the magic stone from my pocket and set them on the counter.
Baldo looked shocked and asked cautiously,
“Don't tell me you fought it without using magic?”
“Yes. I practiced.”
When I answered, Baldo looked up at the heavens.
“Listen, normally you immobilize it with something like Light Bind or Sanctuary, then purify it with magic.”
Baldo scratched his head and sighed.
“Even holy knights don't fight one-on-one. And you...”
“Thank you for worrying about me, Baldo-san. But I'm fine. I know how to handle it now.”
I said, taking the medal from inside my robe.
“Well, it'd be tactless to lecture someone carrying that.”
Baldo said, shrugging.
At the offering station, I turned in the leather pouch of magic stones along with the fragments I'd had in my pocket.
The priest weighed them together on the scales and entered them in the ledger.
I entered the dining hall.
The menu was black bread and soup.
Today, there was also a slice of cheese.
As I looked for an empty seat, I spotted a familiar face.
It was Klaus, one of my fellow trainees.
【Name】Klaus Eberhardt
【Rank】II
【Magic Power】B
【Skill】Holy Magic
【Magic】Heal Sanctuary
His rank had increased, but exhaustion was clearly etched on his face.
Perhaps, unlike Kyle, he hadn't learned any magic that seemed useful for attacking.
I sat beside him and quietly channeled 'Heal' into him.
Life Magic's 'Heal' could not only heal injuries, but also relieve fatigue.
Klaus raised his head in surprise, then looked at me and smiled with relief.
Talking during meals was strictly forbidden.
As we listened to the Bible being read aloud, we ate quietly side by side.