The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

 As Marcosias disappeared into the depths of the abyss, the holes that had been opened by the dispersing spirit elements all closed.

Confirming this, I felt all the strength drain from my body.

"Ruruk!"

Elenora supported me as I was about to fall.

It's embarrassing to have a little girl lend me her shoulder, but my legs were wobbling.

Man, I'm exhausted.

Unlike using magic power, such a strong Ideation Method skill requires connecting to and manipulating the spirit veins, consuming enormous amounts of stamina and concentration. In short, it's like being completely worn out after running a full marathon.

I could stand if I put on a brave face with all my might, but having just slain a powerful enemy, I'd like to rest a little. Look, even Elenora is pampering me. It feels nice to be held.

"Kid! Are you alright?"

Just as Elenora was supporting me, Zamza emerged from the forest.

Oh, he came back?

I had asked him to prepare the horse, but... I guess he got worried after too much time passed. His sword is still drawn and lowered, and there are leaves stuck to his head, so he must have hurried back.

Zamza came close, sighed in relief seeing we were safe, and then looked a bit surprised when he saw Elenora.

Come to think of it, he didn't know Elenora was a sheep-folk, did he? Now that she's not using perception inhibition, he can see her true form.

"I'm sorry, Zamza-san. For making you worry."

"No... It seems my worry was unnecessary. I'm relieved."

Zamza smiled as he sheathed his sword.

"I caught a glimpse, but to think you'd completely annihilate that Celestial Wolf... Kid, if you had such a trump card, you should have told me."

"I'm sorry. To be honest, I was half-doubtful if it would work myself."

In reality, "Word Soul" was almost completely ineffective and repelled.

It was a final gamble whether "Lore Manifestation" would work on an A-rank monster. I was prepared to die if it didn't work, and that's why I'm now unable to stand due to the relief and physical exhaustion.

"In any case, it wasn't just the little miss who was extraordinary. For you to be A-rank equivalent at that age, kid, it seems I've gotten acquainted with quite the incredible party."

"Haha... Oh, that's right. I'm Ruruk. Thank you so much for your help this time. Without you, Zamza-san, I couldn't have saved Elenora."

"Don't mention it. A man's gotta make it in time when a woman's in danger, no matter what."

Zamza grinned and held out his fist.

I smiled back and bumped my fist against his.

"Well then, let's head back, you two. Here, little miss, I'll carry Ruruk, so let me have him."

"Mm... no."

For some reason, Elenora refused Zamza's kind offer.

The frail Elenora was barely managing to support my body, yet she shook her head vigorously.

"Elenora, we won't be able to climb the slope like this. Let's accept his help."

"Mm-mm."

"What's wrong? It's rare for you to be so stubborn."

She's always stubborn about food, but I'll keep that to myself.

Elenora is trying her best to walk while supporting me, but it's at an extremely slow pace.

At this speed, night will fall before we get back.

"Elenora."

"Mm!"

The little girl shook her head firmly.

Zamza scratched his head and said,

"Ah~ This is troublesome... Well, I understand the little miss's feelings, but at this rate, it'll be tough on Ruruk too, right? Isn't that so, Ruruk?"

"That's right. Elenora, I appreciate your feelings, but could you let Zamza-san take over? My shoulders and legs are hurting."

"...Mm, understood."

She looked dissatisfied, but finally agreed.

Zamza easily picked me up and looked back as he walked.

"But to think all the Wolves and Garms would completely disappear... It's a shame there's no proof of Marcosias's subjugation, but... well, the threat is gone. We should at least report this to the guild."

"About that..."

"I know. I won't mention you or the little miss. Let's say an incredibly strong mage who was passing by took care of it."

"Thank you very much."

He's really perceptive.

Even if we spread the word that we defeated Marcosias, we have no proof or track record. Even if people believed us, the disadvantages would likely outweigh the benefits.

And there's also Elenora's situation. As we learned this time, even without considering that she's a sheep-folk, Elenora seems to be popular among monsters. Not in a good way, though.

We don't want to stand out until we've built up our strength properly.

Zamza, who understood all this without us having to explain, was truly a godsend for us.

As we climbed the animal trail, I stared intently at Zamza's face.

While his rugged appearance couldn't be called handsome, his eyes were straightforward.

I hope to become an adult like him.

"What's wrong, Ruruk? Fallen for me?"

"Well, if I were a woman, I might have."

"Hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

We laughed together, exchanging jokes.

"Mm..."

Behind us, Elenora followed with a disgruntled expression.

It was about three hours later when we arrived at the town of Freia.

The west gate was already open, and it seemed the monster in the north had been successfully subjugated.

According to Marcosias's story, it was a giant, so Roze must have taken care of it.

Zamza explained the situation to the gate guards. The soldiers looked dubious, but immediately sent a scout running towards the ravine.

I wanted to rest somewhere, but meeting up with Roze was the priority. We headed to the Adventurers' Guild.

"Ruruk! Elenora!"

As expected, Roze was waiting at the Adventurers' Guild.

She probably hadn't heard that we had gone to the ravine with Zamza. Although she could have easily found out by asking the gate guards, one thing I've learned on this journey is that this Mystic King is surprisingly shy around strangers. She seems to have a hard time approaching unfamiliar people to ask questions.

What an unexpectedly cute master.

Even with these slightly airheaded tendencies, our master was clearly worried.

As Elenora and I dismounted from the horse, her usual haughty attitude was nowhere to be seen, and she spread her arms wide with a relieved expression—

"Ruruk-kun! Elenora-chan!"

The receptionist who burst out from behind her hugged us, leaving Roze frozen with her arms still spread, her face twitching. Pfft.

"Geez! I told you to hide in the basement, didn't I?"

The receptionist seemed to have been quite worried too.

As she hugged us tightly, I honestly enjoyed the soft sensation.

Ah, the perks of being a kid.

"I'm sorry, we just went out for a bit."

"Going to such a dangerous ravine with that attitude, I won't let you take any more quests!"

Oh, so she knew.

Ah, of course. Zamza had said he'd inform the Adventurers' Guild too.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. Master, I'm sorry too."

"...It's fine. You'll tell me the details, won't you?"

"Of course."

Finally released from the receptionist's arms (though I wouldn't have minded staying like that a bit longer), we were allowed to use the guild's first aid room as a special exception.

After entering and locking the door, Roze cast a soundproofing spell on the room.

Elenora and I sat on the bed, while Roze took a chair.

"So, what was the opponent?"

"Marcosias and his subordinates."

"...And you defeated them?"

"Yes."

As I nodded straightforwardly, Roze pressed her forehead as if she had a headache.

"Sigh... I won't ask how. Your Ideation Method seems to be something even I can't fully understand. More importantly, how was it? Your impressions of fighting a superior opponent for the first time?"

"We couldn't even scratch them. None of my techniques except 'Lore Manifestation', nor Elenora's magic."

"Mm... frustrating."

If "Lore Manifestation" hadn't worked, we would have undoubtedly died.

Even Elenora's magic could only inflict scratch damage at best.

"So, do you see your challenges now?"

"Yes. I need techniques with higher attack power for single targets, and techniques that can also be used for defense."

"I need... more power."

"Is that all?"

"No. I think the reason neither Elenora's nor my attacks worked against Marcosias was because of the huge level difference. We need to polish our techniques, but we also need to raise our levels."

"Mm."

This was also the conclusion we reached after discussing it on horseback on the way back.

As we learned from the veteran adventurer Zamza, levels don't just change your stats. Even with the same defense or attack power, the damage you deal to opponents changes, and it also affects status effect attacks and defenses.

Especially in dungeons, there are times when status effects from traps don't work due to level differences. That's why normal adventurers should be more conscious of their level than their stat values.

As expected of Zamza-san. I respect him.

"That's why we'd like to request training to raise our levels as well."

Hearing this, Roze's expression softened.

"You pass. Now, wait a moment."

Roze took out two pieces of paper from her item box and performed "Threshold Compilation."

Our statuses were transcribed onto the papers.

――――――――――

[Name] Ruruk Muuteru

[Race] Human

[Level] 19

[Health] 320(+690)

[Mana] 0(+0)

[Strength] 210(+510)

[Endurance] 290(+310)

[Agility] 320(+750)

[Intelligence] 340(+670)

[Luck] 101

[Physical Arts Proficiency] 350

[Magic Arts Proficiency] 0

[Mystic Arts Proficiency] 4320

[Possessed Skills]

≪{Passive}≫

"Numerology 7: Autonomous Adjustment"

"Incapacitation Resistance"

"Calm and Collected"

≪{Active}≫

"Quasi-Spirit Summoning"

"Familiar Summoning"

"Equipment Summoning"

"Transcription"

"Color Change"

"Solidification"

"Melting"

"Threshold Compilation"

"Blade Reversal"

"Phantasm"

"Word Soul"

"Legend Manifestation"

――――――――――

Oh, my level has risen to 19!

It must be thanks to defeating Marcosias. My stats still show high agility, but with low HP and endurance, I guess what I need first in terms of techniques is something defensive.

I wonder if I should have asked Meresurosu to teach me effect bestowal techniques.

Well, there's no use regretting it now.

More importantly, let's look at Elenora's...

――――――――――

[Name] Elenora

[Race] Sheep-person

[Level] 20

[Health] 340(+670)

[Mana] 1040(+5800)

[Strength] 80(+110)

[Endurance] 230(+690)

[Agility] 90(+110)

[Intelligence] 310(+930)

[Luck] 777

[Physical Arts Proficiency] 140

[Magic Arts Proficiency] 3050

[Mystic Arts Proficiency] 40

[Possessed Skills]

"All Magic Aptitude"

"Magic Resistance (Medium)"

"Incapacitation Nullification"

"Healing Breath"

"Song of Flora"

"Sage's Ear"

――――――――――

As expected of a magic specialist. Her magic power bonus stats exceed 5000. Moreover, her skills like petrification immunity and paralysis immunity have been integrated into "Incapacitation Immunity." Since she seemed to have been put to sleep when she was kidnapped earlier, maybe she gained this resistance as her level increased. Either way, I think it's a cheat-like growth.

I mean, with this, shouldn't she be able to use advanced magic now? ... But since advanced magic is mostly tactical-class stuff, and Elenora can already achieve similar power with intermediate magic, prioritizing single-target magic with high penetrating power is probably better.

Oh, that reminds me.

"Master, do you know about the 'seed of the Demon King'? Marcosias called Elenora that."

"Yes. It refers to the 'All Magic Aptitude' skill. The Demon King is the ruling existence that governs magic. Without this, you can't even obtain Demon King skills in the first place."

"Demon King skills? What are those?"

"There are several, but the most representative one is 'Magic Nullification'."

Huh, what a cheat.

I mean, things like Demon King and Mystic King aren't just titles humans give, huh.

There are actually skills that earn those titles. I never knew that.

"Well, it's not commonly known. The Demon King wouldn't go around broadcasting it either."

"Does that mean you also have something like 'Mystical Arts Nullification', Master?"

"Of course I do. I am the Mystic King, after all."

Wow.

Setting aside the immortality, nullifying mystical arts is too much of a cheat. I mean, it probably doesn't matter to most people in this world, but for me, it's like an opponent I could never beat anyway now has an ability that makes them even more unbeatable.

Really, I'm glad she's on our side.

"...But did Marcosias really say 'seed of the Demon King'?"

"Ah, yes. Apparently, he had been protecting Elenora's hometown for a long time, and that was his purpose - to obtain the seed of the Demon King."

"I see... But that's strange. Marcosias shouldn't have an appraisal skill. That's a holy attribute skill. Marcosias's aptitudes are lightning and wind, so he shouldn't have it. I wonder how he knew Elenora had the seed of the Demon King skill..."

"Ah, that's right. It is strange indeed."

Which means, someone else must have told Marcosias about Elenora?

It's unlikely to be a coincidence, and if so, that person must have been trying to use Marcosias to create Fenrir.

Although it failed this time, there might still be a possibility that Elenora will be targeted again.

Hmm... this doesn't sit well with me.

"Don't look so worried. I'll keep an eye out as much as I can."

"Yes... I'll try to think of some good skills I can create too."

Like a skill that can immediately locate her if she's kidnapped, or maybe even a skill that can warp to a companion's location.

As I said this while thinking, Roze looked surprised.

"...As I thought, your way of thinking is fundamentally different."

"What do you mean?"

"For ordinary people, new techniques or skills are thought to be bestowed by the gods. They're seen as gifts from the gods as a result of talent and daily effort. So while people set goals to acquire existing skills and work towards them, they don't think about developing skills... But for you, skills are something to be newly created."

Ah, I see.

In this world where gods actually exist, skills are perceived as gifts from the gods.

In games and manga, skills are infinite, and depending on the setting, they can be created. So our fundamental understanding is different.

"That explains why your skills increase at an abnormal rate. I'm looking forward to what you'll come up with, apprentice."

Saying this, Roze smiled amusedly.