Damned System

Chapter 89. The Beginning of Change (5)

I loosened my slightly frozen expression and turned to look at her while continuing my thoughts.

“I heard that other temple priests have been visiting while I was away…”

“Ah.”

What was she trying to say?

‘As expected, it doesn’t seem like a simple matter.’

Recalling the conversation I had with Chandler, I asked.

“We decided to officially contact each temple to control the priests’ visits… Let me know if you’re in a difficult position.”

Chandler had said Rashar had reasons, but her stance might be different.

So, if Rashar felt uncomfortable, I planned to understand her situation.

“I can just change my accommodation.”

“What are you saying… Protecting you is also my duty! It shouldn’t be difficult for me!”

In a situation where I couldn’t control others’ actions, leaving seemed right not to cause problems.

That’s why I suggested it, but Rashar’s reaction was quite intense.

“I’m not mentioning this because I’m in a tough spot!”

“…”

“I don’t know in detail why they are coming after you, and there are limitations on what I can do, so I was just wondering…”

I was listening carefully to her rambling speech when I tilted my head.

“Well, what I’m saying is if I knew the reason, I could perhaps mediate more actively…”

Rashar seemed genuinely clueless as to why other temples were seeking me out.

‘What? Isn’t it because of the Mark of the Alliance?’

If that’s the reason, there’s a reason Rashar wouldn’t know…

‘There isn’t a god on this side to relay the news.’

The ones from Palao don’t know I have the Mark of the Alliance.

“Hm… This is just my guess.”

Those who need to know are already aware, and there seemed no reason to hide it from Rashar, who was on the same ship with me.

“There’s this reward from Senoa called the Mark of the Alliance, you see?”

I explained lightheartedly.

“It’s something that allows you to use all the Seven Gods’ authorities, regardless of temple…”

Yet, I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Confirming whether it was indeed significant was unnecessary.

Her eyes doubled in size and her mouth gaped open.

Rashar exhibited a reaction close to astonishment.

Seeing that, there was no need to ask.

“It’s significant, isn’t it?”

It was a moment when the reason other temples kept seeking me became clear.

It made it hard to discern whether what Senoa gave me was a gift or a curse.

‘Did she deliberately give it to harass me with other temples?’

It seemed possible if one were to complicate matters maliciously.

‘But that seems like too much of a stretch.’

Clicking my tongue internally, I looked again at Rashar, who had been silent for a while.

She remained in that gaping state.

“Hey, hey!”

I clapped my hands in front of her eyes.

Startled, Rashar regained her senses.

But as she still appeared flustered, I firmly declared.

“I have no intention of transferring.”

Being used and dying at the hands of someone else was not acceptable.

Though I would do my utmost to avoid death, should it be unavoidable, I wished to meet fate at the end of my own choices.

If such a tragic outcome were my responsibility, at least it wouldn’t be unjust.

Of course, that wasn’t what I told Rashar.

While I did have a friendly relationship with her, I did not trust and rely on her enough to share all my thoughts.

“By the way, why did you come to the training hall at this hour? Was it because of those priests?”

Instead of revealing my inner thoughts, I steered the conversation elsewhere.

“Ah! I was so out of it… I came to give you this.”

Hurriedly, she fumbled around her chest and pulled something out.

It was a small gold ornament, roughly the size of a fingertip.

‘Palao…’

An ornament shaped in the form of the now-familiar emblem of Palao.

A message appeared as I accepted it.

「Acquiring the Mark of the Palao Temple.」

「Affiliation has been added.」

The gold ornament in my hand disappeared, and a new symbol appeared above my head.

‘Originally, this should have proceeded right after the entrance test ended.’

But it seemed the Order of Palao’s preparations weren’t complete, enabling it only now.

Staring at the symbol above, I frowned slightly.

Having to walk around with the emblem of Palao on my head…

‘It’s like a total attention-grabber.’

The thought of stepping outside the house like this felt slightly daunting.

‘It stands out too much.’

The symbol didn’t disappear even with the use of Invisibility.

It seemed I would have to reluctantly embrace self-isolation for a while.

Briefly clicking my tongue internally, I asked about the peculiar situation I encountered earlier.

“By the way, was that earlier thing a core? Why is having it beneficial?”

Rashar nodded and began to explain.

“It mainly facilitates the materialization of mana. After all, it uses accumulated mana already molded once into shape.”

Immediately, the blue mana enveloping her hand assumed a transparent, glass-like solid form.

Comparing it to the haze or mist stages of mana I used, the difference was evident.

“When the form becomes distinct like this, it strengthens the interference.”

“Interference?”

“Well… The natural order dictates that a tree branch cannot pierce a rock. But with mana, you can defy causality and achieve what you desire.”

It implied that one could cut a rock with wood.

“We call it interference.”

“Ah.”

The explanation reminded me of the causality system mentioned by the Damned System and Ahel’s definition of mana.

In the realm where gods and the system operated, authority was the price for defying causality.

To defy nature’s causality, mana had to be used as the price within its sub-domain.

The basic framework was the same, though the type of power used as the price differed.

“On average, how long does it take to form a core?”

“It varies based on one’s proficiency in handling mana.”

“What about the quickest success stories?”

“Given its subjective nature… Hmm, it took me about two weeks.”

“Two weeks…”

Reflecting on the earlier experience, I didn’t feel competent enough to succeed that swiftly.

Thus, I decided to set a goal aligned with the difficulty I sensed.

‘2 months, at most 3 months to complete it.’

Spending more time than that would mean giving up more.

“K, there’s no need to rush.”

Meanwhile, Rashar was comforting me with a worried expression.

It seemed she had misinterpreted my expression as one of anxiety.

‘I’m not anxious.’

I was merely pondering how to optimize the time spent efficiently.

Perhaps aiming to elevate my mood, Rashar murmured hesitantly.

“Is there anything else you need? I’d be happy to offer it. You can view it as a token of gratitude for saving my subordinates before…”

“Help?”

As soon as Rashar mentioned it, something came to mind.

Yet, it didn’t come out of my mouth readily.

It felt like receiving too much by any standard.

‘A guy should have some shame.’

I was already relying on her for my basic needs.

Of course, it was the logical choice, so I accepted it, but it didn’t feel as though I weren’t indebted.

However, asking for more at this point didn’t sit right with me.

Sorrowfully, I was in no position to refuse what was being offered.

If receiving initial support could accelerate my growth, then accepting was the wisest course.

The apprehension I felt wouldn’t necessarily save my life.

Fortunately, there were clear ways to repay Rashar, who belonged to the same temple.

‘Temple points.’

I could actively contribute to the temple’s operations, thereby helping Rashar.

‘So, I suppose I’ll take it.’

Despite the displeasure of accruing new debts, what I was about to say had already been decided.

“Could you introduce a teacher to me?”

“A teacher?”

“I wish to receive proper training.”

Facing monsters like those who pursued Rashar and her party, I would be just a snack.

My rank might continue to rise, but mastering physical skills was a separate issue.

My experience in a dojo back on Earth felt inadequate.

Though I learned spear techniques, their practical application remained wanting.

Martial arts were a set of knowledge largely obsolete in modern society.

Unused knowledge eventually tends to fade.

‘That’s why preserving antiquity is difficult.’

Moreover, the spear techniques or dagger skills on Earth hadn’t evolved through mana influence.

‘However, over here, individuals wield swords and spears empowered by mana.’

Its practicality would be unparalleled compared to modern martial arts.

“I can’t afford to die. I must become stronger, no matter the cost.”

Rashar nodded readily.

Expressing it as a glorious honor to be able to repay a debt.

Then she inquired with a few questions.

“Do you often use the sword?”

“Considering the frequency, yes, but I aim to learn the spear properly.”

“Hmm… Understood. Could you give it a few days? The temple matters aren’t fully settled yet…”

“No harm in waiting if you can secure one.”

“Thank you for understanding. Though I wouldn’t call it a substitute… How about sparring with me in the meantime?”

There could only be benefits from exchanging with someone of practical experience and certainly no detriment.

“I’d like that.”

The conversation, lighter by then, continued into the dinner time.

Discussing temple management and establishing rules for handling future arrivals of players.

It was quite a meaningful dialogue time.

Up until then, I harbored a fair bit of anticipation.

One could even say I felt somewhat excited.

Facing a sparring session with someone far superior to me was nearly a first.

‘Even the masters at the dojo were skilled.’

At that point, my mana level had already surpassed the 1,000 threshold.

Though facing the instructors, I had never felt it was tough or that I was powerless.

Despite lacking in skills, I had a physical edge to more than compensate.

But things would be different with Rashar.

She might possess better physical abilities than me.

Training with her would indeed benefit my skill improvement.

* * *

Once the visiting priests ceased their visits to Rashar’s mansion, my days turned truly peaceful.

Yet, amid this tranquility, the sparring with Rashar brought me new dilemmas.

Slap.

Phew.

I rubbed my neck where Rashar’s sword had nicked it and sighed.

It was already the third sparring session.

Each thrust of her sword seemed to inevitably meet with my body.

‘I presumed I had gathered ample experience.’

A huge misconception.

I wielded a spear, while Rashar wielded a sword.

Starting from the moment when we stood holding different weapons, the sparring felt utterly one-sided.

Her sword had struck my vital spots dozens of times already.

Were it not a spar, I would have perished a long time ago.

‘This is insane.’

Despite having learned spear techniques, being capable of thrusting and striking, that was all.

I could only wield it, not wield it effectively.

‘I could swing and thrust according to the spear’s inherent purpose, but it lacks practical effect.’

The situation wouldn’t differ if it were a sword.

Being shorter in reach, a sword had fewer variables, but even wielding it wouldn’t suffice.

Perhaps, even armed with a sword, I would still fail to reach Rashar.

‘It’s not even a level to draw comparisons.’

According to the exchange of words when we started this training, there existed a massive gap between Rashar and me.

The gap I mentioned referred to the physical time devoted to honing skills.

– You started learning swordplay when?

– I believe I was about three years old or so…

– I never thought of not wanting to wield it. Becoming a knight is a destiny for those born with vast mana.

In this world, mana is tied to one’s future.

Demi-humans born with attribute mana usually become mages, and those born with vast 1st rank mana become knights.

Falling into the latter category, Rashar mentioned she had lived as a knight before becoming an apostle.

The comparison to her seemed apologetic, even from the start.

‘It’s only natural for there to be a skill gap.’

While I was aware of that, it didn’t mean it felt good.

‘Ultimately, I truly despise falling behind others.’

Weighing the stark skill gap, I silently clicked my tongue, just then.

“Still not getting it?”

With a strange smile, Rashar posed a peculiar question.

Damned System