The next day.

Having completed the pet search quest, I was heading straight to the Adventurers' Guild.

After yesterday's mock battle, I decided to refrain from fighting monsters until my muscle soreness goes away.

However, even so, it is only natural that there will be things that need to come first.

So, for a while, I thought about earning money by gathering herbs and taking on quests other than combat.

Thinking that, I came to the guild, but for some reason, the adventurers inside the guild were in an uproar.

I wonder if something happened?

As I pondered this question, one of the adventurers noticed me.

"Yuuri?"

"Walter."

It was two days ago that Walter, the senior who taught me the basics of being an adventurer, was there.

After exchanging greetings, I asked what had happened.

Then,

"Apparently, the [Deadly Great Forest] has been acting strange these past few days."

Speaking of the Deadly Great Forest, it's the place where I first defeated a slime.

"What do you mean by strange?"

"It seems that the frequency of powerful monsters that are supposed to inhabit the depths of the forest, appearing, has been increasing. It appears that D-rank parties are frequently encountering C-rank monsters, and C-rank parties are encountering B-rank monsters."

"Isn't that a bad idea?"

If I am forced to fight monsters stronger than myself, it wouldn't be surprising if I were to lose my life at any moment.

Walter nodded in response to my question, which I had thrown out, thinking so.

"That's why there's such a commotion. From what I've heard, there were no sightings near the entrance at least... but maybe the incident from a few days ago was related to this."

"...?"

The incident the other day? Did something happen?

The slime I fought was just an ordinary low-level monster, so it must be different...

To my puzzled reaction to his unexpected words, Walter continues.

"Defeating it like we did back then is a rare occurrence. As evidence, many adventurers choose to retreat despite being injured."

...Hmm.

I don't really understand, but based on the current statement, it seems that Walter also encountered a similar situation and succeeded in defeating a stronger opponent does that sound about right?

As expected of a seasoned adventurer.

As I once again feel a sense of respect, Walter is looking at me with a serious gaze.

"Anyway, be careful when stepping into the forest... though, it might be unnecessary worry for you."

"That's right."

If Walter's story is correct, it seems that powerful monsters won't appear near the entrance.

It probably doesn't matter to me, since I have no plans to explore the depths of the forest.

And then, at that moment.

Once again, the guild begins to buzz with activity.

However, the source of the occurrence was not here but near the door.

"Hey, could that possibly be the [Four Symbols of the Fine Weather]...?"

"Ah, it's the 'Sage of Blue'."

"Still, it's unusual to see her alone. She's always seen in the guild with her party members..."

...The "Sage of Blue"?

As I turned my gaze, thinking that the word sounded familiar, I saw a blue-haired girl in a robe walking briskly.

It's definitely Monica.

She comes straight towards me.

"Hey, Yuuri."

"Good morning, Monica."

Huh, is it already noon? I exchange greetings for now.

Then,

"Hey, hey, who the heck is that? Talking so casually with the sage."

"That new guy who came the other day, right? You know, the one who supposedly has no magical power."

"What on earth is their relationship...?"

I can hear conversations like that here and there.

As expected of an S-rank adventurer. She seems to be quite a celebrity.

And it wasn't just the people around who were surprised.

"H-hey, Yuuri. Why are you and Monica getting so chummy?"

"Hmm?"

Even Walter asked me that.

As I pondered how to respond, Monica continued to gaze at Walter.

"Long time no see, Walter."

"Ah, ah."

Apparently, the two of them seem to know each other.

Does that mean, could it be...

"Wasn't Walter known for training newcomers? Did you perhaps teach Monica various things like you did with me?"

"Don't be ridiculous! These guys are on a whole different level. By the time they started operating in this town, they were already at A-rank level."

"Hmm."

Then, I guess I just became acquainted while working together in the same guild.

Pull, pull.

While I was thinking about such things, before I knew it, Monica had grabbed my sleeve and was pulling it repeatedly.

"Yuuri, it's already time for your appointment. Alicia is waiting."

"Yeah, I guess it's about time to go."

"Even Alicia's name comes up. I don't know what's going on, but well, it's you after all..."

"?"

It seems that Walter has come to a conclusion about our relationship.

The details are unclear, but I'm glad he seems to be satisfied.

After that, I reported the completion of the request and exchanged the medicinal herbs for money, then followed Monica to the activity base of the [Four Symbols of the Fine Weather] party.

◇◇◇

For a while after that, the days of intense training continued.

Accept quests at the guild, sometimes gather herbs, and engage in mock battles with Alicia.

The pain from the muscle soreness gradually diminished, and I felt my skills being honed through delicate movements.

During the mock battles, it was always Monica who was watching.

She usually seems to be devoted to her studies of magic, but for some reason, she was extremely interested in our battle.

One day like that.

Suddenly, Monica said this.

"I also want to teach Yuuri something."

The thing is.

In the first place, the initial reason this special training started was that I helped Monica.

However, they expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation where they, the main culprits, were unable to give anything back.

However, the real problem was figuring out what I could do to earn Monica's gratitude.

As for the sword, I'm satisfied with just the mock battles with Alicia, and besides, Monica can't even use a sword.

After pondering for a while, Monica clapped her hands and said.

"That's right, then I'll teach you how to sense it."

"Sense?"

"Yeah. If you had known this, it would have been really convenient. You could have noticed immediately if monsters appeared nearby."

"...Hmm."

I also thought that it certainly seemed convenient.

In the [Time-Space Interval], since I was the only one in the completely white space, I hadn't trained to sense the presence around me.

If I can make up for that part, I will be able to grow even more.

However, there is one major problem here.

"Then, could you teach me?"

"Understood. First, spread your magical power thinly around you—"

"...I don't have any magical power."

"Ah."

It collapsed in an instant.

Yes, because Monica was an excellent magician, she only knew methods that used magical power for everything she did.

"I'm sorry, Yuuri, I got a bit ahead of myself."

"It can't be helped. Don't worry about it."

Honestly, since I had some expectations at one point, I do feel somewhat disappointed.

Did my feelings show on my face? Monica shook her head back and forth.

"No. Having made the proposal, retreating here would hurt my pride as a magician."

"Is there any other way?"

"Of course."

Monica puffed out her small chest with confidence.

In front of me, who was expecting some kind of ultra C, Monica grabbed Tio's shoulder, who happened to be there today.

"Well then, it's up to you, Tio."

"...Could you explain from the beginning what the hell is going on?"

Tio held her head in disbelief.

I barely managed to swallow the retort "So you're relying on others there!" that almost slipped out of my mouth, and decided to listen to Monica's explanation.

According to Monica, Tio is a genius with exceptional talent among the elf tribe.

It is said that the elf tribe, due to their unique characteristics, can use various techniques that are not widely known.

Among them, there is also "Presence Detection" that doesn't use magical power, and Tio seems to be a master at it.

A great opportunity has come around again.

Not wanting to miss this opportunity, I immediately bowed my head to Tio.

"Please, Tio. Can you teach me how to do that?"

"...Haa, it can't be helped."

After a brief pause, Tio nodded with a sigh.

"Are you going to teach me?"

"Well, I did cause you some trouble by using 'Truth Detection' on you, so if this is an apology... But, the 'Presence Detection' I use is specifically tailored to the characteristics of the elf race. There's no guarantee you can master it, but is that still okay with you?"

"Of course, I owe you one!"

"Wait...!?"

Overwhelmed with joy, I couldn't help but take Tio's hand and express my gratitude.

Then, for some reason, her face suddenly turns bright red up to her ears in an instant.

"C-can you let go of me!?"

She immediately brushed my hand away in a flustered manner.

Suddenly grabbing a woman's hand might have been rude.

As I reflect on that, Monica whispers the reason as she is sitting next to me.

"Tio was raised in a village of elves where only women lived, so she's not good with men."

"...I see, I'm sorry."

"H-Huh!? What are you talking about, Monica!? There's no way an S-rank adventurer like me has anything I'm bad at! You don't have to apologize either! ...But instead of apologizing, could you keep a certain distance from me!? That's the condition for me to teach you!"

It's clearly a facade.

It seems that Monica's words are true.

While I thought I should be careful about the sense of distance, this is how I ended up learning the tips for "Presence Detection" from Tio.

As soon as the special training began, Tio started speaking about the precautions in a serious tone.

"Just so you know, don't think you can master it overnight. Even I, after training since I was young, took over ten years to get it right."

"Is it going to take that long...?"

"Yes. The presence detection we use is precisely about measuring the boundary between oneself and others. To make that possible, one must first correctly understand oneself."

After such an introduction, Tio specifically taught me the method.

Nevertheless, the method itself is simple, and its content is close to meditation and contemplation.

In a state of deep concentration, by continuously facing oneself, one can establish a complete self and come to recognize everything else as foreign.

That is the initial stage.

That said, since it is the most important process, reaching that point is said to be almost equivalent to having mastered it.

Under Tio's guidance, I decided to give it a try.

Confronting oneself and deeply understanding one's essence―

(Huh? This is...)

―At that moment, I felt a strange sensation.

I wonder why. It feels so familiar.

It was as if I could unconsciously grasp myself, like a motion I had repeated countless times before.

I see, this is―

(Isn't this exactly what I've been doing for a thousand years in the [Time-Space Interval]?)

There was no one else there but me.

In the midst of all that, the only way to continue training was to face myself relentlessly.

Therefore, it seems that I have somehow come to know myself.

In the unexpected situation, I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

Upon seeing that, Tio, perhaps misunderstanding that my concentration had broken, approached me with a smug expression.

"Oh, it seems like you're struggling. But don't get discouraged. I was able to master it in ten years because I'm a genius, but for an average elf, it would take twenty to thirty years to learn this advanced technique—"

"I did it!"

"―Huh? What did you just say?"

"Yeah, so I said I understood myself. I want to move on to the next stage."

"Wait, wait a minute. There's no way you could master it in such a short time, right? Fine, then I'll personally check if you've really mastered it!"

Since it is a technique that has been passed down among the elf tribe since ancient times, it seems that Tio also knows how to measure the stages of mastery.

After that, I ended up trying that method—

"No... no way. Have you really already surpassed the initial stage...? Or rather, this level of skill feels like it's already beyond me..."

―It seems I have successfully proven it to be true.

That said, this is still just the initial stage.

After this, I was going to learn more practical methods from Tio.

"Impossible, impossible, impossible. This kind of thing shouldn't happen in reality..."

"Don't worry about it, Tio."

Well, since she seemed quite down, it took quite a while for her to actually go through with it.

I thought I should do something to thank Monica and Alicia (who joined later) for helping to comfort Tio.

Spending about ten days in intense training like that.

At last, the final training day had arrived.

Chapter 20: Rumors and Presence Detection