The Sword of the Hero is ready.
The strength of the Hero has also become sufficient.
Handling Magical Power has also become more skillful.
Now, all that remains is to confirm whether the Hero can capture malevolent spirits.
Thus…
“Alright, it’s time for hunting training.”
It’s time to teach the Hero the weight of taking life from another being.
“Uh… What is this…?”
“Don’t you see? It’s a Slime.”
I kicked the Slime fidgeting at my feet once again.
This world’s foundation of life: the Slime.
Some Slimes have evolved into various forms and turned into the creatures we know today, but some still remain as Slime.
Well, since they don’t feel the need to change, they multiply in numbers instead of undergoing Mutation.
Thanks to them, decomposing waste and garbage while residing at the bottom of the ecological Pyramid, they are precious beings that keep the Environment clean.
“But I understand it’s a Slime… Why…?”
“We must practice harming living beings, no?”
After all, starting with something huge like a Monster would naturally cause resistance.
We should start small and work our way up.
And with Slimes, even a Child could stomp on them and kill them—they’re the weakest existence.
Even for a Hero with a kind Heart, this shouldn’t be too difficult.
Honestly, aside from me who created them directly, nobody really considers Slimes as actual living beings anyway.
“Alright, give it a try.”
Once again, I nudged the Slime toward the Hero with my foot, and the Hero hesitated briefly before swinging their Sword.
Pwak!
The squishy body of the Slime shattered instantly.
Hmph. Since Slimes are so weak they die just by stepping on them, this level of force should be easy enough.
“The job of a Hero… is to take other lives, huh.”
“That’s right. To cut down ferocious Monsters and save others.”
Still, even for a benevolent Hero, it must not be easy, huh?
But they must get used to it. When facing other Monsters, hesitation cannot exist.
“If one death can save ten… there must be no hesitation. If I hesitate, dozens or hundreds of lives will vanish.”
“That’s correct. Though it’s not an easy task, prepare yourself.”
At my words, the Hero nodded firmly with a determined expression.
Hmm. It’s fortunate that the Hero isn’t merely good-hearted.
If such kindness can lead to saving others, then it will surely serve as motivation.
That’s why I brought several Monsters alive to serve as Experience Points for the Hero.
From ordinary horned Rabbits to Flaming Wild Dogs cloaked in fire and lightning, shadow-covered Cows, to massive worms churning up the Ground.
Gradually getting accustomed to killing living beings, the Hero started showing signs of fatigue.
“Are you alright?”
“Huff… Yes… I’m fine…”
The Hero took deep breaths, their shoulders heaving. Clearly, pushing them continuously wasn’t easy.
“Well then, let’s call it a day.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Tch. Check your own Condition first. You’re clearly not in top shape. How do you plan to fight in this state?”
“But…”
I shook my head and said,
“Enough stubbornness. Can you protect others if you can’t even assess your own state? If you collapse without understanding your limits, who will protect others? Go wash up and rest.”
At my reprimand, the Hero bowed silently without saying anything, and I flicked my finger lightly to send them back to their Room.
They seemed a bit dissatisfied, but what can you do? They looked visibly exhausted.
By the way…
“Of all the Monsters, this Sandworm was quite hard-won. And yet, it got sliced in two…”
I marveled at the vertically split Sandworm.
Though I thought it might be somewhat dangerous… the Hero’s skills seem stronger than I anticipated.
With this, I doubt they’ll fall to Monsters due to lack of skill.
“Wow! A human cutting down a giant worm! Is that person even human?”
“Sylphid, you came.”
“Yes. Mother. I’ve tormented that wandering Second Prince of the Arcad Kingdom as instructed.”
Sylphid replied cheerfully. Throwing him into the middle of a storm as I asked, she looked incredibly satisfied.
“Daring to lust after my mother! He deserved to die a thousand times! I gave him a proper punishment!”
“Watching humans flail helplessly in the storm was speechless. Plus, you didn’t harm any other humans—quite impressive control.”
“Hehe! That’s centuries of practice for you!”
At Sylphid’s words, I smiled faintly.
“As thanks for helping me… I owe you a gift.”
“Mother! Are you giving my scales back? Not necessary though!”
“Not the scales. Those I’ll never return. Don’t act greedy, you.”
“You? Greedy? Oh come on…”
“It’s weaker than scales but… the Engraving of Flesh magic.”
I taught Sylphid the Avatar magic.
“A magic to create a Human Body that you can use like your own. Of course, it won’t match Dragon’s Divine Body, but it has enough power for you to explore this World.”
“Though disappointing without the scales, this is more than enough. Thank you, Mother!”
“It’s only fair since you found those Monsters for me.”
While I trained the Hero, Sylphid used Wind Spirits to inform me of dangerous Monsters’ locations.
She informed me of Monsters so strong that Humans couldn’t handle them, preventing them from harming people.
One of those was this Sandworm.
“In the scorching Desert, it was causing chaos. Even Ifrit decided to rise and deal with it personally.”
“Really? The usually unmoving Ifrit? Hmm… They must’ve been quite angry.”
“Something about a village at the edge of the Desert being attacked. Turns out Ifrit was watching over it.”
Ah, so Ifrit was guarding Babel, the city of Mages.
You pesky thing…
“Mother?”
“Hmm?”
Before I knew it, Sylphid had already manifested her Avatar form in front of me. Impressive application speed.
“Are you planning to do something with such a powerful human? Do you intend to conquer all humans using this Hero?”
Sylphid’s expression was oddly excited.
“Would I do such a thing? I simply want this child to defeat Monsters that normal humans can’t handle.”
“Why go through all this trouble? You could easily destroy Monsters just by touching them.”
Well, if I wanted to, I would’ve done it long ago.
“There might be fragments of Erebus inside those Monsters. Too tiny for me to detect, so I’m having this child do the job for me.”
Automatic hunting is the best!
Though setting it up is a bit annoying.
“Ah… Got it. If that’s the case, I’ll remember that.”
If you say you understand, then you understand.
“I’ll be off now. I want to travel around the Human Lands myself.”
“Do so. But if you learn of any other Monsters, don’t forget to let me know. Next time, I might send the Hero directly.”
“Got it! The Wind Spirits are working hard to find them! See you later, Mother!”
With that, Sylphid enveloped herself in wind and floated away.
Let’s see… Who hasn’t learned the Avatar magic yet? Tethys, perhaps?
I should visit her sometime soon. She’s isolated in the middle of the Sea, so I rarely go unless I decide to.
Alright, shall I check on the Hero?
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
[I’ll be going on a short journey.]
In the Hero’s room lay a slightly crooked note.
Did this kid sulk and run away because they were scolded? Storming off during adolescence despite having passed that phase?
Their body may be nearly Adult, but their mindset is still a Child. Ugh… Tch tch.
Still, I can easily track where they went. I can follow the Sword of the Hero anytime.
But… let’s just watch for now. I’m curious why they broke through the ceiling and left.
Anyway, I planned to send them out sooner or later. Consider this an early departure.
They’ve grown strong enough to be called the best among Humans, so they shouldn’t be in danger from minor things. With all the survival skills I’ve taught them, they should manage fine.
So, I began observing the Hero from afar, tracking their location.
Alright, what will this child find at the end of their Journey? Will they discard their kind but weak self and be reborn as a stronger version of themselves?
Or will they become disillusioned with the harsh realities of this world?
With great interest, I began watching over the Hero.
Of course, I’m prepared to rush to their aid should any problems arise.
