How to Live As a Returnee Munchkin Swordsman

36 – Beast Stalker (3)

“There are three main elements that can define a hero. destiny, inevitability, coincidence. Of course, classification methods vary according to scholars’ research methods, but a general and concise definition is as follows. Some argue that only these three factors determine a hero.”

Tristan Hero Academy, Truth Hall.

In this place, called ‘Integrated Classroom Building’, ＜Introduction to Hero Studies＞, a required liberal arts course for cadets, was in full swing.

Originally, the liberal arts course is a lecture that each department has one, and it is an area where there is no problem in graduating even if you do not take the name of ‘cultural arts’… Only ＜Introduction to Hero Studies＞ is different.

＜Introduction to Hero Studies＞ is a lecture that deals with the basic common sense and action guidelines that should be learned as a hero.

It is a common compulsory subject that all cadets who have entered the military academy must take.

So, the place of the lecture was Jinri-gwan, and the instructor in charge also belonged to the special department.

“I will not bother to explain further about fate. It’s because I’ve explained enough in the previous times. What we will dig deep into today is the part about inevitability and coincidence.”

After the instructor of the Department of Special Education finished talking, he took out a crystal ball from his bosom.

The magic tool most commonly used by heroes.

It was a ‘multipurpose crystal ball’ that injected magical power to activate special effects.

The instructor lightly injects magical energy into the crystal ball, and soon bright light flows from the crystal ball.

The effect inherent in this crystal ball was ‘light’.

“As you can see, the ability to inject magic power into a crystal ball or utilize magic power in various ways. We call this ＜basic mana control＞. It’s a very common but important ability. “It is an ‘inevitability’ that a wizard hero can acquire when he or she takes the first crossroads to become an Apprentice Wizard, and it is an ‘accident’ that cadets from other departments can obtain it only by successfully completing liberal arts courses.”

The difference between necessity and coincidence is simple.

Inevitability is the ability that is naturally ‘belonged to’ the moment the fork in the road is blossomed, and coincidence is the ability that can only be obtained by ‘acquiring’ it through ceaseless efforts.

Therefore, some inevitability can be obtained by chance through training and practice, but there are quite a lot of inevitability that can never be obtained no matter how hard one tries.

In most cases, the inevitability attributed to the third or higher crossroads was like that.

The instructor who was lecturing hit the crystal ball.

“In other words, it means that there is no need to be discouraged just because you have acquired ordinary inevitability at the first crossroads. In any case, the higher the crossroads bloom, the stronger the inevitability becomes, and the level can vary depending on the students’ efforts.”

One cadet, who had been listening intently in the front seat, raised his hand.

＜Introduction to Hero Studies＞ was a free Q&A course during the lecture.

“Then, both coincidence and inevitability are registered only for magic or magic-related abilities?”

“It’s not like that. Martial arts that deal with effects that are applied naturally even if they are not specially used, specific skills, or sword techniques are also registered. Some scholars call it application necessity, usage contingency… Well, it is sometimes distinguished in this way.”

Examples include ＜Tristan Fencing＞, which is the representative coincidence of the Faculty of Swordsmanship, and ＜Basic Fire Magic＞ of the Faculty of Magic.

After a short answer, the instructor of the Department of Special Education spoke again.

“Sometimes, if a hero has blossomed at a rare and outstanding crossroads, a very strong level of inevitability will appear. For example, ＜Genius Swordsman＞, the first crossroads of ＜Prosecutor＞, which is said to have bloomed only 5 people on the continent. It is famous for having the strongest first-order necessity ＜flexible absorption power＞ attributed to it.”

＜Flexible Absorbing Power＞ is an inevitability in which sword-related accidental learning power rises dramatically.

No matter what swordsmanship he uses, he can easily learn it, and he can raise his growth rate faster than anyone else.

The first inevitability boasting truly overwhelming performance.

It was the ultimate necessity that countless swordsman heroes wanted to obtain.

“Therefore, heroes who have blossomed at this crossroads are often recognized for their talents from the first round. Rare yet strong is the same as being chosen after all.”

“I… Instructor?”

Then all of a sudden

The eager cadet who asked the question earlier raised his hand again.

The instructor of the Department of Special Education allowed the question with a chin gesture.

“Please speak.”

“Then, the only fate or crossroads on the continent, is the inevitability of belonging too great?”

The inevitability that only five people have is this much, so what about the power of inevitability that only one has?

A question that stems from pure curiosity.

In response, the instructor slowly tapped the crystal ball with his finger.

“Um, well. The exact details will only be known after scholars’ research is conducted, but… .”

And, for a moment, his eyes lit up.

“yes. Until now, the ‘only necessity’ in the history of the continent has always shown only overwhelming performance.”

* * *

A sudden new fate.

I was taken aback for a moment, then shook my head and came to my senses.

Then, slowly, I looked back at my destiny.

“You are a hero who has been chosen for the fate of ＜Wizard＞.”

*The first crossroads ＜Apprentice Mage＞

-Inevitability: ＜Basic Magic Control＞

“You are a hero who has been chosen for the fate of ＜Swordsman＞.”

*The first crossroads ＜Genius Swordsman＞

-Inevitability: ＜Flexible absorbency＞

*Second crossroad ＜Sword Demon of the battlefield＞

-Inevitability: ＜Indomitable Body＞

*The third crossroads ＜Sword Master＞

-Inevitability: ＜Magical power at the tip of the sword＞

*The fourth crossroads ＜Gale Knight＞

-Inevitability: ＜Steps of Fallen Leaves＞

*The 5th crossroads ＜Understanding the Sword＞

-Inevitability: ＜Sword of Resonance＞

「You are the hero chosen for the fate of ＜The Chaser＞.」

*The first crossroads ＜Beast Chaser＞

-Inevitability: ＜Magic Stone Absorption＞

A total of 3 fates and 7 crossroads.

There is no connection to each other, but there are destinies with their own reasons.

In particular, in ＜Prosecutor＞, who gained enlightenment through his return, he has reached the 5th crossroads.

However, only this newly blossomed destiny seemed to have nothing to do with me.

‘The space that used to be a question mark has been filled.’

As I watch carefully, a singularity catches my eye.

＜The Chaser＞’s fate and the first fork in the ＜Monster Chaser＞ was information originally registered as ＜???＞ to me at the time of my return.

‘It’s similar to the time of the resonance swordsman.’

The 5th inevitability ＜Sword of Resonance＞.

This inevitability, which was in the state of a question mark at the time of my return, was awakened and registered anew when I used the treasured sword Galid.

It was the same with ＜Beast Chaser＞.

The moment he hunted the demon for the first time after returning and tried to obtain the magic stone of the demon.

Destiny and crossroads naturally bloomed.

As the name suggests, it means a fork in the road that is closely related to the Witchbeast.

However, the name of the fate was somewhat unfamiliar.

“ray.”

Fortunately, there was a walking encyclopedia next to me.

At my call, Ray looks at me with cold eyes.

“You have very gloomy eyes and voice, Mr. Edgar.”

“… “It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Tell me.”

“Did the Continent have the fate of being a pursuer?”

Let’s get to the main point right away, Ray is deep in thought.

It was a fate so unfamiliar that even she, who knew nothing about fate, could not answer right away.

Soon, Ray shook his head.

“It’s like hearing it for the first time.”

“Isn’t it? If you don’t know, it’s really the first time on the continent.”

“Has anyone ever blossomed into such a fate?”

“hmm. I just blossomed.”

“… yes?”

For a moment, Ray blinks and stares at me.

ah.

Was it too bombastic?

But what can I do, it’s true.

“It just bloomed. “A new destiny as a pursuer.”

“What the hell is that… .”

“Three destinies have already blossomed. “Perhaps the pioneer of destiny you mentioned earlier could be referring to me.”

“no no… wait for a sec. “Please wait a moment, Edgar.”

Ray stutters uncharacteristically.

Then he made eye contact with me with a puzzled look in his eyes.

“That fact… “Why are you telling me so easily?”

“hmm?”

“It would be a surprise if the continent found out, or even if the kingdom found out. This might bother you, Edgar. But why… .”

therefore-.

It meant why he was so easily revealing the fact of the flowering of destiny, which was expected for the first time on the continent.

At that moment, I tilted my head.

“ray. Are you going to tell others about my new bloom?”

“… Not at all. I am a butler obliged to keep Edgar’s secret.”

“Isn’t that what happened?”

I smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

“I think I’ve already said it. I will believe in you, and I hope you believe in me too. I was just comfortable talking to anyone I could talk to.”

“… … .”

Of course, I said it out of the blue, but… In any case, Ray wasn’t the one to tell about this anywhere, and even if he did, it wouldn’t change anything.

If he had intended to hide his power in the first place, he wouldn’t have captured the Witchbeast in the first place.

Leaving Ray, who was so speechless, behind.

I focused on my new destiny again.

‘Absorb the magic stone… .’

The first crossroads of ＜The Chaser＞, ＜The Beast Chaser＞.

And at that crossroads, the inevitability ＜Magic Stone Absorption＞ with an unusual name.

I checked the information that I had been putting off for a while.

「The shadow of the approaching inevitable!」

“You are a hero who inevitably possesses ＜Magic Stone Absorption＞. This inevitability belongs to ＜The Chaser＞, the first fork in fate, ＜Beast Chaser＞.”

「＜Magic Stone Absorption＞ is inevitable to evolve the hero by absorbing some of the energy contained in the Magic Stone. When absorbed, magic power increases and physical abilities are strengthened. The degree varies depending on the magic stone’s hierarchy, and only the magic stone of the monster that participated in the battle can be absorbed.」

‘… hmm?’

Its performance was much better than I thought.

The ability to absorb tier magic stones and enhance one’s magical powers and physical abilities.

You’ll have to check that much yourself, but looking at the sentence alone, it was by no means light.

continent’s first destiny.

It was not only rare, but also powerful.

‘This, maybe…’ .’

and.

A thought flashed through my mind.

To fully recover the physical condition before returning.

Perhaps, that time may come much sooner than expected.

“Ray, is there a famous demon beast restaurant nearby?”

“… … yes?”

From then on, our exciting plan to hunt demonic beasts began.