The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 24: Accumulation

Episode 24: Accumulation

――Eventually, the mock battle came to a close.

Perhaps thanks to the “Constant Activity” skill, the fatigue in my body faded quickly.

Even so, the afterglow of the fight remained within me. It was still radiating heat.

On the other hand, Gilius scooped away a drop of sweat from his arm.

Then, with his arms still folded, he stared at me and let out a small, wry smile.

“So… seriously? It’s only been a week since we last fought… right?”

Gilius continued. He lifted his shoulders slightly as he spoke.

“I thought your moves during the first lesson were already, like, ‘almost complete’… But now you’re saying you’re relearning and moving on to the next stage. Isn’t that just weird, no matter how you look at it?”

In the depths of his eyes, there was unmistakable interest. A probing gaze—

It felt like he wanted to test something.

“Well, there are still a lot of areas that lack precision. So while I still can, I want to accumulate more movement.”

“For real…”

Gilius, for some reason, tilted his head back and looked up.

Setting that aside, the mock battle with Gilius had indeed given me a lot.

If I can make use of this, the path to Level 2 will come into view.

Thinking that, I couldn’t help but let the corner of my mouth rise slightly.

(There’s still more ahead… This feeling—it really is fun.)

◆

While savoring the lingering sensation, I slowly walked toward the inn.

The aftertaste of the battle remained pleasantly throughout my body.

The faint numbness in my palms. The afterimage of my swung sword.

My body was slowly settling down. It still carried a quiet sense of elation.

(So this is the feeling of “accumulation”…)

Real combat with monsters, and today’s mock battle.

The experience I had built up allowed me to cross one horizon.

Beyond that, another vast expanse stretches on.

It felt like I had seen through everything.

But even so, I sensed a faint instability behind it.

(Not yet.)

I was aware of slight discomfort too.

Near the end of the battle, there was a brief moment when my focus almost wavered.

It was just an instant—but at times, that alone can lead to fatal consequences.

An enemy’s slight feint, multiple lines of sight, the collapse of one’s stance.

(If there’s a gap in my thinking, my “reading” will be distorted.)

I could read it now. But in the future, what if enemies faster, sharper, and more complex appeared?

(The deeper the battle of reading becomes, the more important the stability of the “mind” itself becomes.)

Maintaining concentration.

—Even if something happens that shakes your mental state, you need a core to keep your reading intact.

A technique that brings even mental disturbance under control.

Just as one trains the body and refines forms,

I deeply felt the need to strengthen the core of the mind as well.

Thinking that, the corner of my mouth rose gently.

(I still have endless things to learn.)

I slowly left the guild. And looking up at the sky dyed orange by the setting sun, I made my way back toward the inn.

◆

Evening sunlight filtered through the cobblestone streets. It cast long shadows of the people passing by.

From nearby stalls wafted the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread. It stirred a faint sense of nostalgia in my chest.

Children’s laughter echoed. And on a street-corner bench, an old minstrel played a small flute.

The melody was simple. But somehow, it pierced the heart.

(…There’s “life” in this world too.)

For someone like me who had been chasing only the sounds of swords and monster roars, this scenery felt quiet and warm.

Yet at the same time, I now felt even this could be used for battle.

I was becoming aware of how my mind was automatically connecting everything to combat.

That’s exactly the kind of person I am.

—Carving that kind of scene into my heart, I returned to the inn.

When I returned, in the dining hall where dinner was being served, a few adventurer-like people were having their meals.

There, Linea was busily wiping tables.

Noticing me, she froze in place and gave a small, hesitant bow.

“G-Good evening… Um, were you training again today…?”

“Yeah. I wanted to get a better feel for things, even if just a little.”

“Ah, ha… haa, that’s amazing…”

After a brief silence, Linea suddenly said, “Ah, right. I need to deliver plates.”

And she hurriedly walked away. She was looking a bit flustered.

(It’s been about a week since I started staying at this inn.)

I quietly took a seat. I then brought bread and soup to my mouth.

I could feel myself slowly getting used to the daily life of this world.

(But the road ahead is still long.)

Just how much learning and battle lies ahead—

The thought of it thrilled me.

◆

After finishing my meal, I returned to my room and sat in a chair by the window.

A small candle was lit on the table. Its soft light swayed on the room’s walls.

(…“Swordsmanship: Lv.2.” With this, I finally feel like I can see the “foundation.”)

The mock battle with Gilius—

I carefully replayed each and every move in my mind.

The timing of footwork, the angle of dodging, the rhythm of breathing—

If I organize all this now, it should lead to progress next time.

(The “reading” in swordsmanship is powerful. But it places a burden on the mind. I can manage it now, but—I need a countermeasure for when I’m “unsettled.”)

What if, in the middle of that fight, an enemy suddenly interfered or appeared from behind?

What if I were attacked from three directions at once?

Or, if something else unexpected happened?

(I still “waver.”)

A mind that can hold its ground and continue fighting even in the most extreme situations—that’s not something you gain overnight.

But… precisely because of that—

(Training alone isn’t enough. There are things you can only sharpen in “real” battles.)

Yes, next, I must once again challenge actual combat.

Because I’m certain—my answer for the “sword” lies beyond that.

Original Author’s Comment:

――――――――――――

Thank you so much for reading all the way here!

It’s always encouraging to know there are readers like you…!

If you don’t mind, giving a ★ or follow would be a great help for my future creations!

I hope for your continued support!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)