Inferior Magic Swordsman: Using the Skill Board to Become the Strongest

“I want to tell you that we succeeded in collecting Persimo.” (Toru)

“Hmm. Congratulations.” (Lilly)

“Thank you. On the way there, I met two shadowy wraiths. One was a swordsman and the other a shieldbearer.” (Toru)

“…” (Lily)

　Lily gasped. She probably knew them. I wonder who those wraiths were…

“While I was purifying the wraiths, I received a message. ‘Take care of that naive magic idiot.'” (Toru)

“……I see.” (Lily)

“Oh, and ‘make sure you cover your stomach when you go to bed,’ ‘don’t just eat what you like, but eat what you don’t like too, or you won’t grow up,’ ‘go to bed as soon as night falls so you don’t switch your days and nights around,’ ‘get up in the morning and get some exercise,’ and so on–” (Toru)

“So long! How overprotective!?” (Lily)

“Hahaha. They’re really good people.” (Toru)

“……Uhuh.” (Lily)

“‘Live free.'” (Toru)

“……” (Lily)

“These were their last words before they ascended to heaven.” (Toru)

“I see……” (Lily)

“And here is my gift to you.” (Toru)

　The first thing that I did was to take a look at the items that I had stored in my [Inventory] and presented them to Lily.

“This is…” (Lily)

“It’s a Persimo.” (Toru)

　Lily, who had been staring at the Persimo, stood up unsteadily and walked into the house. She quickly turned back to the garden, and in her arms was a large number of magic books.

(What is she going to do?) (Toru)

　While I was wondering. I kept watching, she brought out the magic books one after another from inside the house.

　Suddenly, Lily lit a fire in the pile of magic books.

“Eh!? What are you doing Lily!” (Toru)

“I’m free.” (Lily)

“Free…?” (Toru)

　In my eyes, it just looks like she’s despairing.

I tried to extinguish the fire with [Water Magic], but the area around the fire quickly turned to ash. Apparently, it was a [Fire Magic] that specialized in burning.

　As I watched, Lily chanted a spell again.

　The remaining ashes floated up.

　As the ashes were on their way to the sky, Lily cast her magic for the third time. The ashes transformed into small yellow-green glowing butterflies and soared into the air.

　I was mesmerized by this fantastic sight.

“I will open a magic bookstore, and my friends will come there. We will have a cup of tea together and talk about our next adventure. I have been dreaming of such a dream for a long time. Ever since that day a hundred years ago…

　But the unfulfilled dream is over. Everyone’s soul has returned to the stars. Then there is only one path I can take.” (Lily)

“Where to?” (Toru)

“—Mastering the art of magic.” (Lily)

　As if declaring to someone who was not here, she stuck her nose, which had turned a little red at the top, up in the air.

“That—” (Toru)

　That’s a very good goal.

　Just as I was about to call out to Lily, I heard a voice saying,

“I’m sorry to disturb you at this late hour of the night.” (Voice)

“”—!?”” (Lily & Toru)

~3rd Person Perspective~

　Suddenly, they heard a voice from a corner of the garden, and they both gasped.

　Neither Toru nor Lily are ordinary people. They are high-level adventurers.

　If someone were to enter the property, they would be able to detect it on sight.

　Nevertheless, both were unable to perceive even the slightest sign of the person until the person raised their voice.

　That was not the only reason Toru was surprised. The person who appeared was Luka, the woman who had brought the disaster to Finlis.

　Toru immediately summoned his [Magic Sword]. Next to him, Lily was raising her mana.

“Oh, scary, scary. You look like you’re about to slay me right away! But you should be careful. If you accidentally drop this, I don’t know what will happen.” (Amy)

“Uh…” (Toru)

　Toru groaned when he saw the object Luka held up.

　The outside of the lamp looks a little bit luxurious. But the atmosphere oozing from the lamp is unusual. It’s as if countless dead people have been boiled down and condensed, and it’s really disgusting.

“What is that……” (Toru)

　Beside me, Lily’s lips trembled.

　Whatever she sees, her face has turned pale.

“This is a vessel for the soul. It is already in standby mode. If you give it even the slightest shock, a calamity will be released.” (Amy)

““…”” (Toru & Lily)

　That is not a threat. In fact, the power felt from the soul vessel is extraordinary. They can’t even imagine what will happen if they make a careless move.

“… what are you here for?” (Lily)

“Tonight, first of all, I’ve come to repay my debt to Toru.” (Amy)

“Debt?” (Toru)

“Yes. Then, please take this.” (Amy)

　Luka put his finger in the vessel of the soul. She moved her fingertips as if plucking something and pulled it out. A white haze was caught in her finger.

“************!!” (Amy)

“—Ugh!” (Toru)

Strong thoughts flowed in from the haze through the [Magic Sword].

　A voiceless scream. Feelings of despair. Strong resentment.

　That haze was definitely a human soul.

　Luka smiled wide.

“Then, I would like to ask you to leave the stage for a moment.” (Amy)

　Mana concentrated on Luka’s fingertips.

　The soul swelled up—and popped easily.

　A moment later, Toru’s vision was completely swallowed by the darkness.