Chapter 35

Chapter 35

I gained some experience points in Strong Body, but Weapon Mastery remained stagnant, no matter what I tried. There had to be something I was doing wrong if progress was this slow despite having the Blessing of Extreme Growth.

I thought maybe I could make a breakthrough by buying some swordsmanship skills from the cash shop, but that wasn’t the case either. All battle skills had specific ability awakenings that were required for purchase.

⟬The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering chides you, saying that a person’s aura was fundamentally based on their physical body and that bodies could only be strengthened through honest training.⟭

But I don’t know what that honest training involves...? I knew I needed to approach this like it was exercise. I’d already made up my mind on that when I purchased the aura package. But the problem was, I had no idea where to begin.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World says that awakening an aura requires proper weapon mastery with a weapon that suits the user’s disposition, as well as mental training methods befitting of the user’s psyche. Once those criteria have been met, one must train in accordance with proper movement and techniques for many years before being able to awaken an aura. Doing so without a professional trainer would be extremely difficult.⟭

Lord Voice’s advice convinced me.

“Ugh. Self-study is not going to be enough. I need a teacher.”

What do I do now? Did I need to start attending the delinquent son’s swordsmanship classes? Or maybe I needed to find some home exercise videos in the item shop.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World says it looks like you won’t have to worry about it too much.⟭

Hm? What did he mean by that? I looked up quizzically when a voice echoed in my head.

“Oh dear, are you looking for a teacher?”

“Oh my god!” I yelped in surprise at the voice, when my cross pendant started to shine. The rays of light began to blend and soon took on the shape of a beautiful blonde woman.

⟬«System» The spirit of the heroic saint [Agnes of the Whip Sword] has awoken.⟭

Spirit of the saint? Agnes?

The woman’s spectral body cheerfully greeted me. «Hello, my name’s Agnes. You might recognize me as one of the heroes who defended against the Dungeon Burst on the Day of Sacrifice.»

“Oh, um, are you Cardinal Cartelaya’s friend?”

«Oh, do you know Cartelaya? How is she faring? She’s probably an old granny by now. Is she doing all right?»

“Ah, yes. She’s doing fine.” I was still trying to gather my thoughts as I nodded and replied in a daze.

«We can catch up on the small talk later. Let’s cut to the chase,» the saint said bluntly. «I can help you. I somehow got caught up in this whole saint business when I prevented a calamity, but that wasn’t my actual full-time job.»

“What was your full-time job, then?”

«People knew me as the Vatican’s number one genius drill instructor from hell.»

I couldn’t find the words to respond, but my shoulders instinctively shivered at her description.

Agnes cheerfully continued her story. «I mean, after all, I have a place in the Hall of Saints. It would’ve been such a shame to reincarnate so soon. You seem to have tremendous potential, so I’ll help you out.»

“How do you know about my potential?”

«I could feel the Divine Advent. Aren’t you the reincarnation of the legendary saint? Did you lose your memories during the process?»

My valuation seems to have risen significantly thanks to the Divine Power Job Advancement package [Soul of a Legendary Saint]. I didn’t deny her assumption about me.

«Okay, okay. Now what is our little legendary saint candidate’s name?»

“Ailette Rodeline.”

«Alright, Cadet Rodeline. Then without further ado...» Her kind, pleasant expression suddenly vanished. She grinned with a frightening smile. «Let’s begin training.»

Agnes was very pleased when she heard we were in Gilette Castle.

«Gilette Castle is specially equipped with all sorts of training equipment. Very befitting for a family of expert swordsmen.»

“Really? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

«Ha, I heard rumors that their lineage of swordsmen had ended. They must not be training properly. Don’t worry. I know the way. Cartelaya invited me over a couple of times after she got married.»

I followed Agnes’s directions into a remote corner behind a windbreak. I might as well have been in the middle of nowhere. The training grounds were in the center of the forest, taking up an area about the size of a small gym. Despite its size, various training equipment crowded the space.

There were apparatuses like log balance beams, tightropes, steel suspension bridges, climbing walls, zip lines, and many other contraptions. They were all connected to form a giant race track.

I-is this a triathlon obstacle course? Lord Architect, who was particularly passionate about physical training, shook their head and rebutted my assessment of the place.

⟬The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering says this place is basically a children’s playground. All that it needed was a ball pit for the babies to play in.⟭

I-I’m too old to play in playgrounds! My body began to shrink and cower away from the arena, but the aura package could not be returned and my trainer seemed to be getting more fired up by the minute.

«Splendid! It’s a little old and banged up, but this will still do nicely.»

“Wait, what about some safety checks—”

«I’ll give you 20 minutes per lap! Cadet Ailette, let’s move it!»

“Ack!”

Agnes’s translucent form disappeared the moment before I felt the cross pendant pull me forward. I was still bewildered but started running nonetheless. I thought I was doing okay up until I had to pass over the vaults and scale the wall bars.

At least it’s a lot easier to hang onto things with a child’s body! By the time I made it up the climbing wall, I’d already fallen into the muddy water about five times while trying to cross the log bridge and barely made it up the steep cliff. I wriggled my way up and finally stood before the zip line. I was so overwhelmed, it brought tears to my eyes.

“L-look, please, I can’t... high places...ah!”

I pushed on, forced to use every last bit of muscle in my body, every last ounce of strength I had in me. It was more physical effort than I had ever made in either of my lifetimes. By the end of the track, I was gasping for breath. My first lap had taken forty-two minutes.

«You’re late, Cadet Ailette! Try to pick up the pace! One more lap!»

“Ughhh.”

I listened to Agnes’s sharp but supportive words and pulled myself back to my feet. Her coaching style was not just yelling and screaming. She would also compliment me by saying things like “Good job!” or “Excellent!” or “Amazing!” and other words of encouragement to help me get through the course.

This was the first time in my life that I had received so much praise.

⟬The Critic for Balance says you should probably make sure you’re not getting conditioned by her.⟭

I-is that what this is! As I struggled to hang on for dear life on the suspension bridge, Agnes began to reminisce about old memories.

«Returning as a drill instructor takes me way back.»

“Uh, humph!” I tried to respond but could do little more than pant at her.

«Normally, most of the cadets would get on their knees and beg me to stop after about 10 laps or so. But a few of the kids with real guts glared at me, as if saying ‘Bring it on.’ And I’d always tell them...»

“Huh?” I wheezed questioningly.

«If you’re mad at me, then get stronger! I, your drill instructor, will accept any challenges outside the Vatican walls with no repercussions!»

“Ugh... T-those words!” I panted. “I’ll remember them. Huff, hah... Hyah!”

«Very good! You’ve got some moxie! I like that! And while we’re at it, one more lap after this one!»

“Hnng...!”

I tried to groan in displeasure but it came out like a feeble whimper.

By the time I had finished my third lap, the sun was falling below the horizon. I plopped down onto the dirt. “N-no more. I can’t. Hrff, huff, haah...”

«Good work, Cadet Ailette! We’ll leave it at that since this is your first session. This now concludes today’s training!»

I panted heavily, my breath still ragged, as I trudged toward the grassy field next to the course. Collapsing onto the soft grass, I sprawled out and gazed upwards, my eyes fixed on the early evening sky ablaze with hues of fiery red, painted by the setting sun.

I’d fallen into the muddy water multiple times when I crossed the suspension bridge, soaking my clothes completely. I felt grimy from top to bottom. The taste of dirt lingered in my mouth, yet I was so drained that I lacked the strength to do anything about it.

“Is there anyone... anyone out there... I can’t get up... Dad... Prinz...”

I called out to my family. Of course, my cries only reaffirmed the fact that this was by no means a cushy childcare fantasy. Oh, the horror.

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls teases you, asking if you’re already tired because your stamina is F-class.⟭

⟬The Critic for Balance notes that since she was OP in more ways than one to begin with, it’s probably not a bad idea to nerf her physical abilities even more.⟭

⟬The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering shakes their head in disapproval, saying how do you expect to go up their Skyscraper of Suffering like this.⟭

These gods could be so spiteful sometimes. How disheartening.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World swoops in and tells everyone to shut up.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World looks at your mud-caked clothes and feels pity.⟭

T-thank you, Lord Voice... You’re the best… Maybe it was the cold water soaking my clothes, but I began to sniffle as the chill of the evening crept in.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World is so upset that he makes an impulse purchase.⟭

Hm? An impulse purchase?

⟬«System» The Voice that Shapes the World has gifted you the skill [30 Packs of Divine Ginseng Extract].⟭

⟬«Item» The [Divine Ginseng Extract]

The essence of ginseng produced and extracted in the farmlands of Eden. Consumption will drastically improve muscle regeneration for 2 hours.

Note: Busting your butt off during 2 hours of training can produce 2 weeks’ worth of results.⟭

Whoa. This is pretty amazing.

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls exclaims in surprise, asking The Voice that Shapes the World how could they spend their entire month’s pay for a follower.⟭

⟬The Critic for Balance is more surprised at the fact that the department head’s monthly paycheck is only that much.⟭

⟬The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering says government workers get paid peanuts and vows to look into other jobs.⟭

I expressed my gratitude to Lord Voice and took one of the packets out. I ripped it open and took a long swig of the extract.

“Whoa!”

My body felt so light all of a sudden. I’d been feeling like a wet rag before, but now I felt like I could fly. Oops, there’s no time to waste. I called out to Agnes, who returned back into her necklace after the training was over.

“Drill instructor! Drill Instructor Agnes!”

«What is it?» Her voice was much softer, probably because she was off duty.

“I want to train more!”

«Hm? Weren’t you dying just a few minutes ago? I guess you have some grit in you. Alright then! Five more laps!»

“Yes, ma’am!”

The system description said two weeks’ worth of training crammed into two hours. I couldn’t waste one second of it. I began sprinting around the course in the moonlight.

And about two hours later...

⟬«System» Congratulations! You’ve attained Strong Body Lv.7⟭

The Divine Ginseng Extract and Blessing of Extreme Growth. Thanks to a combination of these two buffs, my body became extremely durable.

Agnes seemed to be in a daze. «She really passed the twenty-minute mark in one day. Is that even possible?»

I chuckled to myself.

«C’mon. Tell me the truth. You took something while I wasn’t looking, right?»

I flinched at her sharp deductions. She was indeed the number one genius drill instructor of the Vatican—she caught onto my doping.

“Actually, the god I worship gave me something.”

«What? You even get holy items from your god?»

“Yup.”

My god wasn’t the Strict Order and Goodness, but I’ll reveal that when the time comes.

«Hmm, okay. I guess they don’t call you legendary for no reason.» Agnes didn’t seem to have any issues with the situation. «Alright, Cadet Ailette! We’re going to maintain this pace and run ten laps every day starting tomorrow!»

“Yes, ma’am!”