Chapter 413 Toya, Do Your Best. Part 1
ATTATTIN: Let’s get this out of the way, 3 chapters of Toya’s desperation. So we can move on to the main story.
I wake up before Jade does. For the past few days, I’ve been going back to the drawing board and swinging my sword. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this serious with my sword. This is one of the reasons why I sleep so well at night.
Jade wakes up as I get out of bed and get ready for the day.
[You’re early.] Jade
[Oh, the Gate of Trials has begun. Moreover, I don’t have much time before the deadline.] Toya
The deadline is until the end of the Gate of Trials. By then, I have to pass the test of old man Xelo.
[Can you do it?] Jade
[It’s not, <Can you do it?> but <You’re going to do it>.] Toya
[That’s right. Because if the adventurer gives up, that’s where it ends.] Jade
[It’s nothing compared to being surrounded by monsters and not being able to escape. If you want, I can take over your challenge of the Gate of Trials once I pass the test.] Toya
Jade was asked by the old man Xelo to challenge the Gate of Trials. He was also recognized by the blacksmith himself. I feel a little frustrated.
[That’s right. If Toya can pass Xelo-san’s test, I’ll ask him for it. But you’ll have to pass it by today or tomorrow.] Jade
It’s rare for Jade to make a joke.
Or maybe he’s just saying that to motivate me.
[Are you sure you want to say that? I’ll play an active role and you won’t have your turn, Jade.] Toya
[That would make things a lot easier for me.] Jade
[Don’t forget what you just said.] Toya
Damn it, I’m definitely going to pass old man Xelo’s test and earn Jade’s respect.
When I went downstairs, I saw Mel and Senia already eating breakfast.
[Good morning, both of you.] Jade
[You’re already eating?] Toya
We sat down at the same table as Mel and Senia and ordered breakfast.
[Are you training today, Toya?] Mel
[Yeah, ’cause I think I know a few things now, thanks to Missy. I want to swing my sword before I forget those things.] Toya
[She’s really are amazing, isn’t she? That Yuna-chan, she’s so good with magic and weapons for someone with such a small body.] Mel
[She’s incredible.] Senia
Mel and Senia were right, she is an incredible girl. I’ve met a lot of adventurers in my life. Even the best wizards need to practice their magic. Mel also said that she was still a beginner when she was at the Bear Missy’s age. At that age, she can use so much magic and is skilled with weapons. I can only say that’s amazing. When I was her age, I don’t remember practicing earnestly. But I’ve been wielding a sword since I decided to become an adventurer. Still, I’m nowhere near the Bear Missy. If I could see the old me, I’d tell him to practice diligently.
[Maybe she’s just a genius of a girl.] Toya
[It’s not just that. Yuna is accustomed to fighting real battles. From what I’ve seen of her fighting, she’s had quite a few real battles.] Jade
Jade answers my little monologue.
]That’s right. Yuna-chan doesn’t seem to be afraid of monsters, even when she fights them up close and personal. Generally, people get scared of monsters when they encounter them. When I was Yuna-chan’s age, I used to be afraid of monsters when I saw them.] Mel
[But it’s not that long since Yuna became an adventurer, right?] Senia
When we first met Missy, she had just become Rank D. A few days before that, she had come to town and slaughtered an adventurer who picked a fight with her, which led to rumors among the adventurers about the Bear Missy.
At first, I thought it was a joke and laughed about it. But then, I kept hearing rumors about the Bear Missy. Rumors of her slaying goblins, orcs, and tiger wolves even with her small figure.
And when I heard the story of how she finally defeated the Black Viper by herself, I couldn’t believe it. But I passed it off as something like because she had a lot of magical power and talent. However, Missy, she’s also excellent at handling knives and swords. And at her age, she was way better than me.
[Where and what did Yuna-chan do before she became an adventurer? She definitely had to learn how to handle magic and weapons somewhere at some point, right?] Mel
[Maybe she’s from the land of the bears.] Senia
Senia said something stupid. What’s a land of the bears? When I thought of it, I imagined all of the people living there were dressed up as bears like Missy. I definitely don’t want to go to such a place.
[So, Jade will be at Xero-san’s place again today, right?] Mel
[Yeah, I have a few things to ask about the Gate of Trials.] Jade
After breakfast, Jade and Mel head to the old man Xelo’s place. While Senia and I went out of the city.
[You don’t have to follow me, you know.] Toya
[Jade and Mel told me to keep an eye on Toya to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.] Senia
Senia is foolishly following me due to the words of Jade and Mel.
[So, where are you going today?] Senia
[To the river in the nearby forest.] Toya
I asked the adventurer’s guild about the terrain in the area, hoping to find a good place to practice. Then I found out that there was an area with a small river.
Senia and I walked up to the river. There are trees and shade all around us. There are no people around, and it’s a good place to swing a sword.
I pulled the sword out of its scabbard and started swinging it. When I swung it as I want, the sword felt lighter. It’s a subtle sensation, but it’s there. The sensation of swinging through is different. Before I forget the feeling, I picked up a couple of thick branches that has fallen nearby and stuck them between the stones. I prepare several of them. I took a deep breath, walked between the wooden sticks, and swung my sword.