Learning that Xyros was a complete novice who had never been in combat before, Takemikazuchi quickly formulated a rough plan for the upcoming training.
First things first: getting familiar with the weapon.
Starting with developing a feel for the sword, building control through repeated practice of the proper gripping stance.
Then came strength training for the core and upper body.
Endless repetitions of the basic sword techniques, slashing, cutting, thrusting, stabbing, lifting, parrying until each movement was etched into Xyros's muscle memory.
Having been entrusted by Hestia, Takemikazuchi took the instruction very seriously.
Only after Xyros could run through the entire training routine without any technical errors did he finally wrap things up, offering a reminder:
"Stick to this method."
"Once you reach the point where it becomes second nature, things will get much simpler."
"At the very least, you should be able to handle common Dungeon monsters like Goblins and Kobolds. As for actual combat technique… that's not something I can teach."
"That's something you'll have to learn through real battles."
Could he really take on enhanced versions of Goblins and Kobolds?
Xyros wasn't so sure. In the Souls-like system, even the most ordinary monsters could wreck a protagonist's day, let alone him.
If he wanted to make things easier in the Dungeon…
he'd probably need to accumulate enough soul fragments, draw the right character card, and gain some abilities before the difficulty would start to drop.
As the basic swordsmanship training came to an end, Takemikazuchi dropped his serious instructor demeanor and lightly clapped Xyros on the shoulder.
"Any other questions?"
"My head gets it, alright."
Xyros's expression was grave. "I'm just not sure if my body will remember any of it when I'm actually face-to-face with a monster…"
"Anyway, thank you very much, Lord Takemikazuchi."
"Glad to help."
Takemikazuchi accepted Xyros's gratitude as a matter of course, adding before they parted:
"Since you've just received your Falna and become an adventurer, I'd recommend heading into the Dungeon as soon as possible. That's the fastest way to raise your stats."
"I've taught you all I can for now."
"Learning proper martial arts would take at least six months."
Six months.
Even if the DanMachi storyline hadn't fully unfolded yet, Xyros didn't have that kind of time. He'd be better off focusing on figuring out his cheat ability.
With a Souls-like system, as long as he could survive, his future growth potential wouldn't be bad.
Watching Takemikazuchi's retreating figure, he steadied himself and looked down at the short sword in his hand. What he needed to do next was simple.
"Alright."
"Time for my favorite part."
If this were a game, Xyros would think he didn't even need to practice, he'd already have it in the bag. But this was reality, and time felt like the one thing he didn't have enough of.
Tomorrow, he would be entering the Dungeon.
No stats. No mechanics.
Just sweat and effort.
While Xyros continued training in the courtyard, Hestia had her own worries.
Borrowing an advance on her wages from her best friend Hephaestus to rent the dorm room came with a price: starting tomorrow, she had to work every day.
For Hestia, that was definitely a challenge.
But knowing she could help Xyros in other ways gave her a steady stream of motivation, even if that help was limited to improving their daily life.
Standing by the second-floor window of the dorm, the goddess watched the young figure in the courtyard repeating his training endlessly. Despite the trees partially blocking the view, she could see his clothes were completely soaked through with sweat.
"It's really tough…"
"But it's something he has to go through."
Takemikazuchi answered Hestia calmly. He didn't know the secrets Xyros carried, but the fact that she'd entrusted him with this task…
…said a lot about how much Xyros meant to her.
Takemikazuchi could see it, Xyros was training seriously. Through nonstop repetition, the basic swordsmanship techniques were gradually shifting from awkward to smooth.
He couldn't help but have a good impression of a young man willing to put in the effort.
"But compared to my own children, Xyros's Dungeon exploration will indeed be much harder. He can only rely on himself."
"But I think…"
"Xyros is pretty lucky, you know. There aren't many kids whose goddess goes this far for them."
"To be honest, I'm the one who's not doing enough as their deity…"
The goddess fell into an uncharacteristic silence.
She didn't linger in the room any longer. With evening approaching, the next thing to handle was dinner for herself and Xyros.
Given their tight financial situation, popular restaurants like the "Hostess of Fertility" were definitely not Hestia's first choice.
Following Takemikazuchi's recommendation, she found a relatively affordable place popular among ordinary adventurers for its portion sizes and flavor, and packed up dinner.
Carbs for energy.
Vegetables for vitamins, and some explosively caloric fried pork cutlets.
By the time Hestia returned to the dorms with dinner, the slender young boy was still training in the courtyard, having moved to an open area with better lighting.
She raised the lunchbox in her hand, her voice as cheerful as she could make it.
"Xyros! I think that's enough training for today!"
"I brought dinner back. You should eat it while it's hot."
"Okay."
Xyros didn't refuse. His body had returned to its prime adolescent state, and with the boost from the goddess's Falna, he was noticeably more resilient.
That resilience, however, only extended to energy reserves.
As a carbon-based lifeform, expending energy inevitably led to hunger.
Feeling his shirt soaked with sweat and now dried stiff he added, "But before dinner, I should probably hit the baths first."
"I'll wait for you."
Hestia thought about many things.
She even prepared her words, ready to suggest that Xyros slow down his Dungeon exploration and ask Takemikazuchi to help him build a more solid foundation first.
But when she saw the relaxed look on the young man's face after he returned from washing up, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to say any of it.
Xyros's gaze swept over the generous dinner laid out on the table.
Stir-fried noodles with chicken, fried pork cutlet, a vegetable and fruit salad for a medieval setting, this was a pretty impressive standard.
The key point was that all of it came from his gorgeous goddess, prepared just for him.
The price for this was probably Hestia having to work during the day at the fried potato stall, or at Hephaestus's shop, just to make ends meet.
'Is my life in DanMachi starting with mooching off a beautiful goddess?'
If she were just some rich goddess, Xyros wouldn't have any mental hang-ups.
But their current stable life was built on his goddess going out to work. That alone made it hard for him to accept her sacrifices without feeling guilty.
Besides he'd transmigrated into a fantasy world with supernatural powers.
Xyros figured the first thing to do was understand his "Souls protagonist" cheat ability. Turning to the girl beside him, he said:
"Lady Hestia."
"I'm planning to head into the Dungeon's upper floors tomorrow to check things out. According to the Guild staff, even if monsters like Goblins and Kobolds mutate…"
"I should be able to handle them."
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You can read up to Chapter 15 for free on [email protected]/lost_moon.