'This world is full of crazy bastards...'
I let out a sigh as I recalled the fight with those bandits from before.
The words their leader had sputtered while begging for his life still echoed in my head.
Real Kailin was one thing, but why were there so many people in this world who refused to take responsibility?
'Forget it. Just forget.'
Thinking about it again only made me angry, but wasting energy on trash like that was a loss in itself.
I decided not to dwell on it—might as well save my rage—and quickened my pace.
Time to hurry back to the church.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The church greeted me with its familiar white walls and the warm glow of candlelight.
As I stepped inside, Levia was there holding the baby, welcoming me with open arms.
"Brother. You're back."
She greeted me with a bright smile.
I caught my breath and nodded.
"Yes. I'm back. The child's doing well, I hope?"
"Of course. She was very good—nice and quiet the whole time."
Levia showed me the baby cradled in her arms.
The little one was sleeping soundly in her small cradle. No problems, thankfully.
I checked her face and felt a wave of relief. The tension in my chest eased a bit.
"Thank you. For watching her like this."
"It's nothing."
Levia nodded with a smile.
I took the baby back and handed her another gold coin.
It was part of the loot from wiping out those bandits.
"An offering."
"Thank you. I'll use it for the church and to help those in need."
"Yes, please do."
Levia accepted the coin without hesitation.
She seemed quietly pleased but didn't show it as she took the gold.
In truth, she was quite keen on money.
Of course, not for personal greed—for keeping the church running smoothly.
Just as I was about to leave with the baby in my arms...
"Brother, I heard a bit about your situation. I have a friend at the Magic Tower."
"Ah... Is that so?"
"Yes. It sounds like a tough spot, but hang in there. For the child's sake, at least."
"...Yes."
She seemed to know what had happened.
A contact at the Magic Tower? Probably that girl who joins the Hero Party as their mage.
The encouragement was nice, but it didn't sit entirely well with me.
Maybe because I'd shown such an unsightly side to my favorite character.
A bit of gloom settled in, but then...
Levia said something unexpected.
"And if watching the child is too hard, I could help out a little."
"Huh...? Really? Would that be okay?"
"Of course. I've cared for plenty of babies since I started as a nun when I was young."
Levia offered to look after the baby.
I couldn't just brush that off.
I was desperate for someone reliable to watch her, and no one fit the bill better.
Besides, Levia was strong.
She'd become the Hero Party's saintess later on.
A classic healer, not one to flaunt overwhelming combat prowess alone, but she had enough power to protect herself and the baby if things got dicey.
"In that case... I'll make generous offerings."
I gladly accepted her offer.
I asked her to please do it.
"I'd be happy to."
Levia smiled sweetly in response.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'Things are working out nicely, for once?'
It really felt like a good start.
When Kailin dumped the baby on me and left, I'd been completely at a loss.
Now I'd found someone to watch her, and I'd gained the power to protect myself.
A solid beginning, no doubt.
'Though it's not exactly a great situation overall.'
That said, problems abounded if I thought about it.
"Hah!!!"
After handing the baby back to Levia, I headed up the mountain.
I found a massive boulder and swung my sword at it.
Clang!
The boulder didn't split.
It only had a small nick.
I could only sigh at the sight.
"Am I still not drawing out the Spirit Sword's true power?"
Not that I could complain after handling those bandits, but I wasn't satisfied.
The Spirit Sword's power wasn't supposed to be this weak.
If the protagonist used Mana Release with it, the blast would cover a wide area with devastating force.
Even without Mana Release, he could've sliced through a boulder like this.
The fact that I couldn't? That was on me.
"What a shame."
Of course, this was still a huge boon.
But a shortfall was a shortfall.
It wasn't nearly enough to help the protagonist's story.
From the moment I'd claimed the Spirit Sword, I had to support him.
Which gave me a headache.
[You do know, don't you? It's quite fascinating... You seem so ordinary, yet so utterly unique.]
And then, a voice rang out again.
It was the spirit inside the sword, the one that had spoken to me before.
The Spirit Sword's tone was as dry as ever, but laced with dissatisfaction.
[To be honest, this is troubling.]
"What's so troubling?"
[If you keep wielding me like this, my reputation will tank.]
I stared blankly at the Spirit Sword's words.
Reputation? What on earth was this sword talking about?
It didn't click at first, but her explanation made it clearer.
[Humans might not get it, but this is a big deal for me. If you use me in your pathetic state, others will think I'm just some mediocre blade. I can't stand for that.]
"...Is it really that important?"
[Extremely. More than my life. It's a sword's very reason for being.]
Honor meant that much to her?
It didn't resonate deeply with me, but plenty of humans valued honor above life.
Maybe she was cut from the same cloth.
That explained her words.
But wasn't this a bit rude?
She was skirting around it, but basically saying, "I don't want you wielding me."
'Now I get why she spoke up—why things deviated from the original.'
I finally understood.
The Spirit Sword had been surprised I cleared the dungeon, but actually worried.
She'd held back before, unsure, but the bandit fight confirmed it.
She couldn't stand by while a no-talent like me held her—her reputation was on the line.
Still, I couldn't accommodate her.
"Even so, I can't just hand you over. I need you."
I needed this Spirit Sword.
I was desperate too.
I couldn't just say "fair enough" and pass her to the protagonist.
This blade was my lifeline right now.
[No, you don't need to hand me over. Not at all.]
"Huh?"
[You earned me fairly by passing the trial. Luck or whatever—you're my master now.]
She'd accept me as her wielder, at least.
I'd been acknowledged as her master, somehow.
So what was the issue?
"What are you getting at?"
I urged her to get to the point.
[So become my disciple.]
"Huh?"
[Become my disciple, and I'll teach you the basics.]
"Uh... um..."
Disciple, out of nowhere?
It was abrupt.
I needed a moment to process.
[You wanted to get strong, right? That's why you took me. You've got a newborn— what's there to hesitate about?]
She had a point.
No real dilemma here.
It was an incredibly tempting offer.
I just kept getting stronger.
No reason to turn down a mentor in this situation.
And she was a spirit, no less.
Far better than private lessons from your average knight.
"I'll do it."
[Wise choice.]
I agreed, and just like that, a master-disciple bond formed between me and the Spirit Sword.
[Let's begin your first training right away.]
Time for real training.
The Spirit Sword issued the command like she'd been waiting.
[Try mountain climbing with the duck walk.]
"Huh?"
It sounded ridiculous.
[Didn't you hear? Duck walk up the mountain.]
"...You really mean it?"
I felt a twinge of resistance.
[Yes. Follow my instructions. If it doesn't work, complain all you want.]
"Fine. Let's try it."
I'd give it a shot, as she said.
If it flopped, I could gripe later.
With that, I started duck-walking up the mountain.
"Huff... huff... I'm dying here. This actually works?"
[Of course. Swordsmanship starts with the lower body. No matter how strong your arms, if your legs fail, it's meaningless. Yours are sorely lacking.]
About three hours in, my trembling legs finally gave out.
I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.
"Huff... huff... I'm seriously dying."
[Hm... Good enough for now? Let me restore you.]
She had this ability too?
The Spirit Sword channeled mana into me.
A warm sensation spread, replenishing my stamina.
[Your legs are decent now. Want to try slicing that boulder again?]
"Slice the boulder?"
[Yes.]
My shaky legs obeyed again.
As I stood, the Spirit Sword pointed to the boulder.
She wanted proof of the training's results—like before, but better.
I approached slowly.
"Hah!!!"
I swung down with full force, just like earlier.
The gash in the boulder was much deeper now.
Clear results.