When leveling up a game Character, it’s better to decide on a direction first.
Are you going for a Swordmaster, a Mage, or perhaps something else altogether?
If you’re going for a Swordmaster, what kind of sword will you be wielding? If it’s a Mage, what attributes and types of magic will you mainly work with?
Of course, it’s totally fine not to decide. How you play is up to individual freedom, after all.
For me, though, I preferred deciding early on.
Thanks to that, I had all sorts of leveling methods etched in my mind.
Sometimes I wondered if it would’ve been better to study this knowledge instead, but considering this became my major and profession, I guess it’s a good thing after all.
Anyway, this meant I didn’t feel too burdened when it came to teaching Lilith.
Even though I’ve never directly played a Saintess, I had played enough light-attribute focused characters in similar roles.
Regular classes like Paladin or Cleric were simple, and even if I specialized in light attributes for a class as mismatched as an Assassin, it didn’t hinder the storyline progression. I mean, nothing beats light attributes when dealing with the Demon Race.
What’s important is that during that gameplay, there were light-attribute fighters like Lilith as well.
While I couldn’t share practical battle tips, I could definitely relay leveling knowledge since I had tried the concept before.
Just as I finished organizing my thoughts, we finally arrived at our destination.
Earlier, when a dozen or so players crowded the area, I couldn’t feel the size of the training ground, but it turned out to be more spacious than I expected.
But hey… it was just spacious, nothing particularly special.
Even though it was the advanced class, special equipment or environmental factors weren’t important for freshmen who were still learning the basics.
Maybe around the time they were transitioning to their second year, magical engineering elements would be added, but for now, it was just a simple playground.
“It didn’t feel this wide before, but now that we’re here, it really does!”
Lilith echoed my thoughts as she followed me in.
Not that impressions of the training ground mattered much, so I decided to get straight to the point.
“Let’s just dive in. We’re not gonna use any weapons, right?”
“Ah, yeah. I’m not great at infusing magic into weapons.”
Ah, what? So it wasn’t just a barehanded combat concept?
I didn’t know this because it was glossed over in the lore books. I assumed it was just some random quirk since she hadn’t mentioned it…
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I promise to help you better!
“Guess that’s just your limitation. Well, eventually it’ll all become similar whether you wrap it on a weapon or your body, so don’t sweat it too much.”
“Really? I mean, I never particularly cared, but if you say so…”
Is she too trusting? Is her trust level just influenced by her theoretical knowledge?
I guess there’s nothing wrong with her believing me. That works out fine.
“…Let’s move.”
With Lilith in tow, I walked toward the center of the training ground. She looked a bit tense as she followed me.
“Why are you so tense? I’m not gonna teach you much, anyway.”
After all, combat is real-life, and her combat sense should grow on its own.
I just needed to teach her some basic tricks and create material for future bragging rights.
But that didn’t mean I’d be slack in my teaching either.
“List all the spells you can use.”
“All of them?”
“Yeah, I need to know how to help you use them in battle.”
Nods Lilith, seemingly understanding, started to list out her techniques one by one… and to my surprise, way more popped out than I anticipated.
Honestly, I thought it would only be ten or so, but after hearing them all, the count was drastically different.
Thirty-one?! Is this the Saintess bonus? Of course, just having a lot doesn’t mean it’s good, but it’s a hundred times better than nothing.
“Wow, you have a lot. As long as you can use them according to the situation, you won’t be outdone even with lower stats.”
“What good is having so many if I can’t use them properly?”
As Lilith reminisced about her traumatic experiences in battle from the previous days, she grumbled, yet if you flip that around, it means she made it into the advanced class purely because of stats despite not being able to use them effectively.
Such a statement would incite jealousy from those in the lower and intermediate classes, but I decided to pretend I didn’t hear.
Whether they had a variety of skills or high stats, all I saw in first-year students were just hatchlings.
“What should we try first?”
Upon Lilith’s inquiry, I thought for a moment, then demonstrated various techniques.
It would take quite some time to see all thirty skills she knew, but it was a necessary process.
“Ah, that’s a bit different from what I know.”
“What do you mean? Isn’t that how that technique is supposed to be?”
“Yeah, but… hmm, no, I think I got confused just now.”
Now that reality has replaced the gameplay, understanding how techniques were executed becomes essential for any actions taken.
In the game, hits on allies were impossible, so I spammed my techniques, but here, one must be cautious not to sweep allies away if one isn’t careful.
Thus, I browsed through the techniques, noting a few things to pay attention to, but thankfully, she could still utilize the knowledge she had.
“That was the last one.”
“Good job.”
“I’m already feeling a bit exhausted. Is this okay?”
“Today we’re starting with the basics, so it should be fine.”
Having wasted quite a bit of time doing technique demonstrations, I only planned on teaching her the fundamentals.
“Actually, you should treat close-quarters combat as deadly serious. You get that, right? When you rush in to punch someone, you first need to understand what weapon they have.”
“…Don’t mess with me.”
Nods I could tell Lilith was thinking of the time she tried to sneak up on Harold and got hit by a hammer, shooting back like a pinball.
Well, what are you gonna do if you glare at me? Want to fight me again?
“So what should I do?”
“Nothing impressive. The weaknesses of close combat can also be its strengths.”
I had Lilith demonstrate one specific spell again.
A simple signature technique for those using light attributes: ‘Light.’
Typically used to gain visibility in dark places, this technique would be especially efficient for opponents using their sight.
“Just shove that right in front of your face.”
“Wait, what?”
BAM!
Eye-dazzle! Hitting anyone leaves them applauding, a peak in bad manners.
Still, it’s an incredibly effective technique.
“‘Light’ has a narrow range but takes virtually no time to cast, so using it close will temporarily blind you.”
“How is that not sneaky?”
“Sneaky? What are you on about? This technique is only useful for those close-combat fighters like you.”
In the game, it was merely a dazzling burst of light around a character that lit up the surroundings, but checking earlier, it didn’t work like that.
I don’t know the exact mechanics, but it felt as if a flash occurred at the casting point, radiating wave-like light magic outward, brightening the area.
Because of that, even if you keep a slight distance, avoiding eye-dazzles is a cinch.
“Just use it frequently. The familiarity with Light magic should affect other light attribute spells, too.”
“…Got it.”
Though she sounded a bit reluctant, she seemed willing to comply.
Yeah, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for a rookie to listen to the experienced player, so let’s give it a shot.
“Is that all for today?”
“Nope. You can’t even use that yet.”
“Geez… I said don’t mess with me.”
But I couldn’t just leave it there after sharing only that.
Given Lilith’s current state, getting close to the advanced class students was out of the question.
In truth, that dazzling light was just a stepping stone for this teaching moment.
Maybe it would be quicker if I showed her first.
“Stand there and try to stop me from coming.”
I recalled the motions from the fighters in the game one by one.
How they moved and how they lunged. Remembering the timings for dodging each motion, I felt I had the motions themselves somewhat stored in my brain.
Sure, I couldn’t make it as fluid as seasoned pros, but given her impressive physicality, similar imitation would be well within her capabilities.
“I’m coming!”
WHOOSH!
With a powerful push off the ground, I rushed towards Lilith.
She instinctively activated a spell to respond.
“Wait, no…!”
The spell she activated in that moment? A crazed Holy Arrow in a straight shot? If I had continued my charge, I’d surely be in for a world of hurt.
But did I evade it? That nightmarish attack sliced through the air and only created a hole in the ground.
Before I knew it, my fist had stopped just inches from Lilith’s side, and she stared at me, bewildered.
“Even without that strange technique, I’m still no match for you.”
I was starting to feel somewhat melancholic, but honestly, I didn’t need to feel that way at all.
I mean, look at the difference in agility stats. It’s no surprise she couldn’t evade.
What mattered was whether she realized anything from that moment.
“Got it?”
Lilith pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Yeah. I need to stop thinking only about my own line of sight.”
During the massive brawl, in her hurry to charge in, she hadn’t recognized the view from the receiving end of an attack.
Just recognizing that basic aspect of PVP was enough for her growth.
“Exactly. Now what should you do?”
“…Avoiding line of sight and sneaking in. Then using Light to blind them.”
Right. You figured that out quickly, but why were you so reckless in that earlier brawl?
“Just keep that in mind for now and review today’s combat scenarios.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
As Lilith said that, she continued casting Light spells.
Already she was starting to build proficiency. I felt moved, almost like I might cry.
“Let’s wrap up here for today… Do you have any specific goals?”
“Goals?”
“Right. You need a goal to have some motivation.”
“Hmm… then…”
Lilith pondered briefly before pointing at the dagger hanging from my waist.
“I’ll aim to make you draw that weapon!”
“Oooh…”
What on earth did she think of me that her goal was merely to make me draw a sword…
I hadn’t even thought of making that dagger my weapon in the first place…
Whatever, I guess I’ll learn some swordsmanship.
“Give it your all. I see talent in you.”
“Don’t flatter me.”
Despite still doubting her abilities, Lilith would likely realize it on her own later.
Without correcting her, I stepped outside.
On the way back to the Gisaengsa… I felt like I had forgotten something.
“………Ah, right! The Student Council!”
I abruptly turned my body and started to run.
“Hey? Where are you going all of a sudden?!”
“Sorry! Something just came to mind! You go ahead!”
Leaving Lilith behind at that spot, I sprinted away like a madman.
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