New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Mindset

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I came to the back alley following a job advertisement. There, I saw a sight so nostalgic that I nearly shed tears. It was the magic tool workshop of Azarigrad. It was identical. Back in that town, it had been destroyed by the two members of the Holy Knight Order, but seeing it recreated like this, I was overwhelmed with memories of those days. Without hesitation, I opened that door.

“Gnome-sama!” (Jack)

Beyond the grandly opened door was the glorious days of adventure in Azarigrad. Everything I did was a new experience, the fun of hunting in the labyrinth, the painful yet rewarding battles alongside my comrades. And the memories with my mentor, who improved my right arm.

—Now, those glorious days are revived!

“Hya…!” (Gnome)

Revived…?

No, what was reflected before my eyes was not such a refreshing scene of youthful memories. What was there was something glorious in a different sense. A small naked body. Slightly earth-toned, sensuous skin from her dwarf heritage. A pure, unblemished, beautiful body shining before my eyes. Despite having a childlike physique, she was in the middle of taking off the underwear (bra) from her chest right in front of me.

Not that she had large hills worth covering, yet the silk fabric, which served to conceal, slightly slipped, and she was holding it up with her arm to keep it from falling. Her cheeks flushed red, her eyes opened unbelievably wide—there stood Gnome-sama. She was so shocked that her mouth flapped open and closed. She wasn’t even wearing her signature blacksmith goggles, so her short, crimson hair unusually hung over her eyes.

On top of that, she wasn’t wearing anything below. To put it simply, she was completely naked. Not even wearing panties. The only thing she had on was the bra she was pressing against her chest with her hands.

Uwoooohhh!! Eye candy has comeeee!!

“Y-You bastard…!” (Gnome)

After a brief moment of shock, Gnome-sama’s eyes sharpened with a glare, and she started throwing all sorts of junk lying around at me without hesitation.

“Where the hell do you find an idiot who barges into someone’s house uninvited?! You lowlife! Pervert! Blockhead!!” (Gnome)

“N-No, but isn’t it also weird for you to be changing clothes in a place like that, Gnome-sama?!” (Jack)

“Shut up! I’ll change wherever I damn well please! Do not take a sage’s nakedness lightly! Die right now! Atone by dying!” (Gnome)

“At least lock the door!” (Jack)

“It was locked! You’re the one who broke it down, you moron! Die for the lock too!” (Gnome)

No way. I was so overwhelmed with nostalgia that I don’t remember at all. Is my strength enough to unconsciously break a locked door? Have I grown stronger than I realized after passing my growth phase?

Gnome-sama, blinded by rage, hurled large magic tools (boxes, disks, and so on) at me that didn’t seem like they could be lifted with just one hand.

“Wahhh!! I’m sorry! I’ll die right now! Please forgive me!” (Jack)

While guarding with both arms, I rushed out of the workshop and immediately shut the door.

I really messed up. Even I think I was too careless. Since Gnome-sama had always had a boss-like presence, I wasn’t on guard in that way.

Lately, this kind of thing has been happening a lot. Is my adolescent phase summoning luck (lucky perv moments)? Rinalee’s panties, Gnome-sama’s half-nakedness. It’s mostly young-looking girls. I should be more careful.

 

—

 

Dressed in work clothes, Gnome-sama opened the front door and let me in. I thought she would turn me away at the door, so this was still better. But she was clearly in a bad mood. Her face was still slightly red. I was made to sit on a leather sofa placed beside the magic tool workshop.

“So? What is it, all of a sudden…” (Gnome)

Well, of course, after she had been seen completely naked. I came to discuss work, but now my chances of getting hired seemed to have dropped significantly. At times like this, I should start with small talk to improve her mood.

“Gnome-sama, I’m relieved to see you doing well.” (Jack)

“Well, yeah.” (Gnome)

“Looking at your body too, you seem to be in good health…” (Jack)

“Huh?! What did you just say?!” (Gnome)

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant.” (Jack)

This is bad. The scene from earlier is burned into my mind and won’t leave. Gnome-sama may be a spirit, but she was originally a woman of the dwarf race. That’s right, a woman. What I saw just now was a woman’s naked body. No, don’t be conscious of it. Absolutely don’t be conscious of it!

“No, that’s not it… uh, right. You’ve reopened the workshop!” (Jack)

“Well, yeah.” (Gnome)

“And already making so many magic tools…” (Jack)

“Hah?! What did you just say?!” (Gnome)

“This topic is no good either.” (Jack)

Looking around, the magic tools that had been thrown at me earlier were scattered everywhere.

No matter what, the conversation keeps circling back to that. The more I think, the less I can say anything.

“…” (Jack)

“Enough with the roundabout talk. So, what do you want from me in the end?” (Gnome)

There’s no choice—I’ll just speak straight.

“Actually, I saw the part-time job recruitment for this workshop.” (Jack)

I showed Gnome-sama the job listing I got from the Adventurer Guild. It said “Mechanicker” recruitment, but I didn’t really understand the job details. I just thought it’d be easy to work here since I know her.

“Ah, that.” (Gnome)

Gnome-sama’s reaction was more indifferent than I expected.

I have a bad feeling about this. This pattern is similar to when my 10-year-old self got rejected from joining Liberta. My intuition is ringing alarms. Or is she just in a bad mood?

“Hey, Lost. You’re not seriously thinking about working here, are you?” (Gnome)

“Eh…? Is that no good?” (Jack)

Gnome-sama scratched her head with an exasperated look.

“Why do you want to work here?” (Gnome)

“Right now, I want to earn money to support Alfred and Lindsay… my family that I live with.” (Jack)

“And?” (Gnome)

“And… that’s it.” (Jack)

“Rejected!” (Gnome)

She slammed both hands on the table in front of her and intimidated me with that rejection notice.

“Please.” (Jack)

“No. It’s written right here, isn’t it? If you don’t have a man’s romance, there’s no discussion.” (Gnome)

Gnome-sama tapped the job listing with her finger.

That’s just one of those phrases you always see in job postings, right? Like “Anyone with motivation is welcome”. I doubt anyone actually applies just because they see that kind of wording. Besides, Gnome-sama always says “romance” as a catchphrase. I didn’t think she actually took it seriously.

“But I like magic tools. I buy them often, and I think I could come up with some interesting ones too.” (Jack)

I’m not giving up yet. This job is convenient in many ways. I can work during the time between picking up and dropping off Rinalee.

“Haa…” (Gnome)

Gnome-sama let out a sigh after looking at my serious gaze with a troubled expression.

Isn’t this the “I’m giving in to your passion” moment?

“No.” (Gnome)

So, it’s still a no.

“Lost, do you really want to make magic tools? Is that what you want to do?” (Gnome)

Uhh…? What’s with that wording? What I want to do? I like magic tools, but it’s not like I seriously want to become a magic tool maker. Maybe Gnome-sama sees right through me.

“I said this back in Azarigrad too, but…” (Gnome)

Which part? There were tons of things Gnome-sama taught me back on that continent. So many that I can’t remember them all. A lot of it was about my mindset and attitude, I think.

“I don’t feel any desire from you. You’re always just doing things for someone else, constantly being dragged around. You don’t have anything of your own. And you think someone like that can come up with interesting magic tools? Ha, what a joke.” (Gnome)

“Is doing things for others such a bad thing?” (Jack)

“It’s not bad. But a person without their own self is empty. Hollow inside.” (Gnome)

“Empty…” (Jack)

A hollow, empty person. When I first had Gnome-sama examine my right arm, she said something similar, didn’t she? I’m always just being pushed around by those around me. That’s how I’ve lived, exhausting myself.

—Jack, I want you to do more of what Jack wants to do. (Lindsay)

Lindsay’s words resurfaced. When was it? No, it was always. She was always saying it. Not just Lindsay. Everyone had been telling me that.

“Magic tools made for others are boring! ‘I want this!’ ‘I want that!’ That kind of mass of desires creates ideals! That is a man’s romance!” (Gnome-sama)

“Ideals… is it…?” (Jack)

“That’s right, ideals! So, do you have ideals? How about it?” (Gnome-sama)

My ideal… what was it? I feel like there was something I had always cherished.

“I want this, I want to do this, I want to become like this… how about it?” (Jack)

I want to become like this. That’s right, I wanted to become something. Tossed around by various incidents, there was something I had forgotten.

 

—

 

In the trade center of the Kingdom of Elindroa, Barwitch. In this city that had fully developed as a commercial town, a child was crouching alone in an alleyway. Beaten by the rain, stomach empty.
With a face that had seen the despair of this world. Having not eaten for days, looking completely haggard, on the verge of death. However, the fighting spirit dwelling in those eyes… was as if possessed by something, gazing into the distance.

――――… want to become.

Wishing so, gazing into the distance. Even if it’s far now, someday I will reach it. That strong gaze was saying so.

 

—

 

I remembered. What I had been aiming for until now.

“Well… I said some harsh things, but I think I understand the person called Lost. And I, knowing that, am telling you that the production side doesn’t suit you. Take it positively.” (Gnome)

“Yes!” (Jack)

“Hmm? You’ve suddenly gotten quite a lively spirit, haven’t you?” (Gnome)

“Gnome-sama, thank you very much!” (Jack)

I stood up, straightened my back, and properly expressed my gratitude.

“Oh? What’s this, like a fish in water?” (Gnome)

“No, I just remembered what I want to do, or rather, what I want to become.” (Jack)

“That’s a good thing. When you’re young, aim high with your ideals!” (Gnome)

Hearing the word “young” from a little girl feels strange, but I’m already used to Gnome-sama’s old-man-like lectures.

Turning on my heels, I decided to leave the magic tool workshop.

I want to become a warrior. An ideal warrior from the stories. That was my origin. The story of the lone warrior that I reread many times in the Aldridge library. The protagonist of “Highlander’s Inferno”, which Medna-san told me about. This is not the time to be doing a part-time job.

I was just wasting time. Even though there are so many things I need to do… Honing my tactics. Whether it’s some military unit or a knight order, it doesn’t matter. Throw myself into battle. That is my ideal.

Gnome-sama, you’re amazing. You even corrected my career path. A sage should be like this. Even though there was the mishap of seeing her naked, she was still undoubtedly someone I respected.

It’s the mindset.

The dazed heart had been properly realigned.

 

—

 

The magic school was completely silent. At that time, it seemed that there were no magic training exercises in any of the classes, so everyone was inside the school building. While waiting for Rinalee to leave school, I leaned my back against a tree in the grove at the edge of the schoolyard.

As always, I took out my lute and decided to practice playing until she came out.

I’ve gotten quite used to handling the lute. It’s about time I challenged myself with a difficult song. Since it’s a rare chance, “Highlander’s Inferno”, which Medna-san taught me, would be nice. That song expressed in music exactly what my ideal self was. Next time, I’ll buy the sheet music and practice.

Earlier, Gnome-sama hit me on the back, and my hesitation disappeared. Thinking back, I joined Liberta to study combat. Then I met the performance troupe, got my body magically modified by a goddess, solved a kidnapping case… That year passed in an instant.

Even when I drifted to the Riverda Continent, I kept helping my comrades and stopping the magic guild’s conspiracies until I ended up becoming just a “case solver guy”. From now on, I must not forget my ideal.

Of course, I haven’t forgotten about the living expenses for the Liberta family. But now that I’ve decided I want to become a warrior, I want to do work related to that. It’s time to start looking for a job again.

 

—

 

I created a sword from the soil of the schoolyard, pulling out its hilt that sprouted from the ground. I stared at it intently.

The accuracy hasn’t dropped. Even though it’s made of earth, the sharpness should still be good.
Now, it’s about swordsmanship. During this free time while waiting for Rinalee… I’ll use this time not just for practicing the instrument but also for sword training.

With that in mind, I decided to practice some basic swings for a while.

My swordsmanship is the same as what Tristan taught me. Let’s return to the basics and start with basic swings.

First, the upper stance. With the sword tip facing upwards, grip the hilt with both hands.
Keep your sides tight, and position it at chest height. When bringing it down, do it all at once. Use your wrist snap to avoid the blade wobbling. This is the stance for a power attack that focuses on one strike. Swing 50 times with this. One swing, one soul.

Next, the middle stance. The sides remain tight, and the blade is aimed horizontally. Step firmly forward with your feet, and when swinging, extend your arms as much as possible. Throw the horizontally placed blade forward. Extend the sword as if you’re throwing it far ahead. The middle stance is for range attacks. Since the reach is wide, it can also serve as a means of keeping enemies at a distance. Swing 50 times with this. One swing, one soul.

Finally, the low stance. The position is at the waist. Lower the sword tip towards the ground. Unlike the other stances, there’s no need to tense up. Set the stance as loose as possible, and its purpose is to counter enemy attacks. It’s stronger in defense and countering. Compared to the downward swings, it’s less powerful and consumes more stamina. That’s why the last part of the swings is the toughest. Swing 50 times. Imagine the enemy’s attack and sweep it away with that feeling.

“Phew……” (Jack)

Swinging with focus on each strike gets quite tiring. But repeating this is the training that will allow me to release steady sword strikes in actual combat. Up until here, it’s Tristan-style swordsmanship training. From here on, it’s my own style.

For me, weapons aren’t something to equip. They’re something that is created from anywhere, either just before a battle or during the battle itself. By combining the mental extraction skill with swordsmanship and martial arts, I can display various sword techniques. For example, a sword made of earth generated from the ground.

If I were to pull it out by hand every time, it would be a waste of time. So, by kicking the hilt with my foot, I can immediately bring the sword to my hands and swiftly shift into battle stance. Kicking up the duplicate sword, quickly grabbing it, I perform a downward swing.

Further, this is an application. By kicking the sword sprouting from the ground, I can directly throw it at the enemy. This can be used as a ranged attack, useful when facing archers or mages. Also, in close combat, when fighting multiple enemies and lacking arms, this can be useful. This requires control over the kick.

And from here, it enters the realm of acrobatics. I create countless swords with both hands and feet, kicking them up to make them float in the air, and using hand chops, elbows, knees, and heels to juggle them. I call it “Sword Juggling” by my own. This is perfect for practicing throwing control. If the conditions are right, it can even be used in actual combat. Since I carry many swords, I can either grab them and slash, or throw them. This requires advanced skill, so it’s not very practical though.

However, today I was in good form. The sword kicks were going well, and I kept juggling 4 or 5 swords rotating in the air, occasionally hitting the swords that fell down with my elbow and throwing them. I was getting into it.

Today, I’m doing great!

Excited, I used the trees around me as targets and struck the swords dancing in the air. With a light sound, “Tosun, tosun,” the earth swords stabbed into the trees, and after a moment, they crumbled into dirt and fell. That light sound was so pleasant, it felt like music.

*Tosun, boroboro.*

T*osun, tosun, boroboroboro.*

With a rhythmic and light step, I threw the sword. Then the last one, spinning in a curve, fell in front of me. I hit the pommel with a roundhouse kick, and forcefully drove the sword into the target tree. The sword pierced with a clean sound, “Ston!”

It’s done!

“Hi―――!” (Patrick)

At the same time, someone’s strained voice.

“Hi?” (Jack)

When I directed my attention to the last tree, there was a boy trembling in fear, shaking his body. The replica sword turned back into just a lump of earth and crumbled away. Next to it, the student had tears in his eyes.

“Ah… aah… wa wa wa…” (Patrick)

Upon closer inspection, it was Patrick-kun, the boy I had knocked out earlier during this morning’s lecture.

It’s my second encounter with him today. Why does he always appear just when I’m doing something dangerous?

“…Uh… Patrick-kun, was it? Are you alright after this morning?” (Jack)

“Waah! Wuhyaaahh!!” (Patrick)

As I approached and called out to him, he screamed and ran off.

I’ve never heard his normal voice, only his screams.

“O, oi…” (Jack)

Patrick-kun ran off at full speed toward the dormitory.

Could it be that to him, I looked like I was threatening him? With my trick sword juggling and the sudden sword attacks. It’s no wonder he’d be frightened if he saw such a threat. I just can’t seem to get along with him. I knocked him out this morning, and if things had gone a little differently, I could have hurt him. There are those people with whom you just don’t get along. Today must have been the worst luck day for him.

…Sorry, Patrick-kun.

“Onii-chan, what are you doing?” (Rinalee)

And then, just as if on cue, Rinalee appeared. She had a small backpack on her back, as if she was all set to go home. She must have definitely heard his scream.

“Are you bullying weak things?” (Rinalee)

“That’s not it! Look, Patrick-kun hit his head this morning, right? That’s why his behavior’s a bit off. I was just worried and tried to talk to him.” (Jack)

“Fuun…” (Rinalee)

Her emerald-green eyes glared at me.

Please don’t look at me like that with those eyes, the same as Lindsey’s. Even so, this child and I still seem to be getting further apart. That left a bad aftertaste… I thought the same during the parent-teacher conference, but I really want to repair my relationship with this kid soon. Otherwise, the daily drop-offs will be hard on me.

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