The following day.
To the surprise of no one, I cooked and ate ramen before heading to the instructional course.
Jenna was waiting for me. We did some warm-up exercises together before starting our running routine. Jenna was running on the track as usual.
After lightly perspiring from the run, we were about to start the endurance training when Jenna suddenly spoke up with a determined expression on her face.
"Excuse me, Oppa!"
"What's going on here?"
"I'm in your hands!"
"Did you eat something bad again?"
"You said you'd survive if I start training with you. So I think I should do it even more seriously! From now on, I'm going to be in your hands!"
Jenna bowed her head.
"Noted."
"You said you lived alone until recently, didn't you?"
"Yes?"
"Are you lying?"
"No! I, Jenna Shirai, swear that I've been living alone! I haven't even held hands with a person!"
I laughed and said, "Relax. Don't strain your shoulders. I won't try anything funny like that."
"Yes!"
"As long as you don't dwell on unnecessary things like now and just focus on your tasks, you won't die. So don't worry too much."
"Thank you for your kind words!"
"I said don't strain your shoulders. It's annoying. I'm not a pro. If we lay out such a progressive relationship, it'll just bother you."
"Even if it bothers me, I'm okay with laying out a progressive relationship! Oppa, please consider me as your Number 1 subordinate!"
[Who said you're Loki's Number 1 subordinate!]
Here it comes.
Iselle shouted with a childish expression on her face.
[I'm the Number 1 subordinate! You're out!]
"What are you doing here?!"
"Why are you near Loki? Like a smooth operator. Do you have any idea who this person is? He's not like a humble girl like you. Shot in the arm god, the Expert of Ugh! Ugh!"
I covered Iselle's mouth and dragged her outside the instructional course.
I let go of her hand at a corner of the square.
"Why are you like this? Don't show off to that kind of woman!"
"You're mistaken. I'm not the expert here. Don't make statements like 'I came from Earth' or 'I'm Loki'. Got it? If you don't wait by listening to me, I won't talk to you."
"Anyway..."
"Can we move on? Or do you have any objections?"
"Okay, okay."
When we returned to the instructional course, Jenna was glaring at Iselle with a stern look.
"Anyway, Loki... I mean, Han, I'm your Number 1 subordinate, remember!"
After giving Jenna a stern look, Iselle vanished.
"I shouldn't have said anything to her."
My early attempts to bond.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Just ignore her. She's just a fool."
"And strictly speaking, my Number 1 subordinate would be Seris."
"In Niflheimr, I have subordinates who can be considered close to me, up to Number 5. They are level 99 with various ultimate skills and have the 5 Heavenly Artifacts I meticulously made."
"I'll probably meet them as I climb the tower."
We continued with our training routine.
While doing push-ups, I checked my stats, which had been upgraded through fusion.
[Hann Israt () Lv. 7 (Exp 13/50)]
[Class: Novice]
[Strength: 19/19]
[Intelligence: 13/13]
[Endurance: 18/18]
[Dexterity: 18/18]
[Abilities: Low-Level Swordsmanship (Lv.3), Pain Resistance (Lv.1), Self-control (Lv.1)]
My strength increased by 2, endurance by 2, and dexterity by 2, resulting in a total stat increase of 6. However, my intelligence decreased by 1, so the overall growth value is 5. Considering that the base growth value for a 1-star is 4, this is a significant improvement. The efficiency of leveling up has increased by 20%.
Additionally, I acquired the self-control ability that I desired.
Indeed, fusion turned out to be the most efficient method of growth.
Now it's the perfect time to examine Jenna.
[Jenna Shirai () Lv. 5 (Exp 22/40)]
[Class: Novice]
[Strength: 16/16]
[Intelligence: 13/13]
[Endurance: 15/15]
[Dexterity: 19/19]
[Abilities: Low-Level Archery (Lv.4), Eye of the Hawk (Lv.1)]
A typical archer type.
In the previous fusion, she even gained the Eye of the Hawk ability, which enhances vision.
As her level and rank increase, she can progress from an archer to a marksman, and eventually to a sniper.
Endurance training is complete.
As my level increased, the training gradually became easier. I discussed with Jenna that we would increase the intensity starting from tomorrow. We would wear weights and run or reduce the fingers used for push-ups. As the level of the instructional course rises, more diverse methods will open up.
After lunch, we regrouped at the instructional course.
That's when something unexpected happened.
In a corner of the instructional course, a young man with short hair stood with a determined expression.
It was Aaron. He rarely even showed up in the square, let alone the instructional course. Aaron came up to me eagerly.
"Excuse me!"
"What's going on here? I'm busy."
"Let me join you as well!"
"Join us?"
"I want to fight too. I want to be of help to you. So, please show me how to fight!"
Aaron bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry. I was a fool. I was just causing trouble. But now, the situation will be different. Just one time, please, believe me!"
"How can I trust you?"
"Well, if you want, I'll even bow. Please..."
Seems like you've woken up.
Jenna hit me with her elbow.
I smiled.
"Hey."
"Y-Yes?"
"Have you ever fought a monster?"
Aaron shook his head reluctantly.
"Before coming here, I didn't even know whether such things existed, let alone fight them."
"It's a matter of determination. The determination to fight even if it means dying, no, the determination to fight and survive."
I quickly threw a spear from the weapon pocket.
"What's this?!"
"It's a spear."
"S-stick"
"I'm not an expert either, but I heard it's the easiest weapon to master. Give it a try. Do you know the principle of balance?"
"What's the principle of balance?"
"Short range, mid-range, long range."
Jenna thought for a moment and clapped.
"Ah! Short range, sword! Mid-range, spear! Long range, bow! These three make up the principle of balance, right?"
"Indeed. When three inexperienced people form a party, it's one of the most efficient strategies."
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