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 25: The Next Goal

Episode 25: The Next Goal

Morning training grounds, in the early morning where some darkness still lingers.

In the reserved training area I had booked in advance, only the sound of swords swinging echoed.

(Not bad.)

I could feel the sensations I gained from the mock battle with Gilius being etched into my body.

“Swordsmanship: Lv.2.”

The precision of the technique, footwork, blade movement—each and every part was clearly becoming more refined.

But…

(That alone isn’t enough.)

In the midst of battle, at the moment when even the slightest “distortion” arose—a moment of hesitation was born. And my reactions dulled.

That wasn’t an issue of technique.

(A disturbance of the mind, huh.)

Even though I was supposed to be focused on the opponent’s movements, there were moments when I got distracted.

If that had been the real thing…?

No matter how polished the form is, if the mind wavers, everything collapses.

I keenly felt that through my fight with Gilius.

Multiple gazes, fluctuating distances, subtle hesitation—

Even a small crack in the mind can throw off the accuracy of reading the opponent.

It didn’t lead to a fatal mistake. But that “distortion” definitely existed.

“Phew…”

I stopped the sword and calmly regulated my breathing.

My body was fine. In fact, I was in good shape.

Even so, once my reading accuracy passed a certain threshold, instability would suddenly increase.

(If it’s only about physical control, the limit is far off. But “mind games” are different.)

Reading not just the opponent’s actions, but their intentions—

The more complex the exchange of readings becomes, the more the hesitation increases.

The moment you hesitate, judgment dulls, and reactions slow.

(In other words, it’s mental stability itself. That’s what I’m currently lacking.)

A core that doesn’t shake no matter what kind of provocation comes.

Without that, more advanced reading won’t be possible.

And that might be exactly what this world’s skill system demands as the “next condition.”

(…”Indomitable,” huh.)

The “Indomitable” skill.

Its effect is said to reduce the impact of status abnormalities related to mental interference.

However, that’s just in the game.

In reality, it might become something entirely different.

The same applies to the currently active “Constant Activity” skill.

It’s not just about becoming less fatigued—

So I assume the “Indomitable” skill would also have some equivalent, tangible effect.

(At first, I only wanted it to strengthen the “Constant Activity” skill. But if it also relates to “Swordsmanship” skill, then that’s a different story.)

“Swordsmanship: Lv.3”—

What lies beyond that? I couldn’t help but want to know.

If I could get the “Indomitable” skill, I could strengthen the “Constant Activity” skill and push the “Swordsmanship” skill further.

…Combat skills have a system where “hidden effects” are added depending on the level.

These don’t appear on the status screen or skill list—

The user has to “feel” them and only then do they become meaningful.

Like in games, when you think: “Huh? I feel like I’ve gotten a lot stronger.”

That’s when you notice the change.

For example, in the case of the “Swordsmanship” skill that I just leveled up—

The hidden effect gained at Lv.2 is:

“+10% damage dealt with swords.”

A minor adjustment. But it’s something that clearly makes a difference in combat power.

And the hidden effect of the next goal, “Swordsmanship: Lv.3,” is:

“Attribute Specialization.”

Normally, swords have a hard time against monsters—

such as those with hardened outer shells or attribute resistances—

but now the swords will penetrate better.

The ability to “reduce resistance” means the range of battle strategies expands greatly.

It’s not just a matter of numbers, but something like synergy between skills—

It’s something that deserves higher priority.

A core that resists not only accumulated fatigue but also mental strain—

With that, the technique of “reading” will deepen even further.

(So I’ve seen the next stage of growth, huh.)

A slight smile formed on my lips.

Being able to visualize the growth system like this was genuinely satisfying.

The intertwining of skills—

Each affecting the other.

A system where one skill equals one effect might be simple and fine. But I preferred this one much more.

If I can obtain many skills from now on, I’ll have more things to experiment with.

It makes battles all the more enjoyable.

With that in mind, I couldn’t help but want to move immediately.

(The item to acquire the “Indomitable” skill—“Crystal of Murky Will.” But the monster in question is in a land quite far from here.)

“Somnid Beast.”

The monster resides in a location very far away from here.

Even with a wagon, it would take at least a week.

Proper preparation is needed, of course.

But before that, I’d also need to take mental interference countermeasures and obtain necessary skills—

It’s not something that can be done in a day or two.

Thinking what should I do…, I left the training grounds.

◆

After finishing my morning training and a light breakfast at the inn, I returned to the guild as usual.

Opening the door, I was greeted by the lively voices of adventurers waiting for the morning request reception.

“Good morning, Alphonse-san. You’re early again today.”

“Good morning. Well, it’s become kind of a routine.”

The usual receptionist smiled from behind the counter with her usual gentle expression.

But behind that expression, I felt a slight sense of hesitation.

“…Actually, there’s something the Guild Master would like to talk to you about.”

“A talk?”

“Yes. The official schedule hasn’t been set yet. But she would like to have a meeting with you soon.”

A meeting, huh.

There was clearly some “intent” behind it.

It was already apparent from the way Irina treated me during the interview that she wasn’t just observing me casually.

“What’s the reason?”

“I haven’t been told the details either. But… recently, the Principality of Lustea’s Public Academy has sent a new research request. I believe it might be related.”

(The Principality of Lustea… the Academy, huh.)

It’s likely connected to the request that was recently posted on the bulletin board.

Strengthening magic skills, acquiring new skill items—

It certainly had its appeal.

But right now, my top priority is acquiring the “Indomitable” skill.

But—

(I thought it was something I could set aside for now…)

My thoughts were interrupted.

What suddenly resurfaced was a vague memory fragment from the game era.

“Silent Soak Stone.”

A heavy, gray stone that could occasionally be picked up in the Lustea Principality mining area.

If sold, it would fetch a few copper coins. But honestly, it wasn’t worth carrying around.

(It was a byproduct you’d get while mining. Most players in the game would immediately sell it off.)

But behind that, I remembered fragmented data from the analysis files.

Collect a certain number of Silent Soak Stones and deliver them to a specific person in the Academy’s research building—

There was an implementation planned to convert them into the Crystal of Murky Will.

An unimplemented hidden feature.

It never made it into official implementation and remained just a setting that existed.

(Crystal of Murky Will, huh.)

That’s exactly the item I had set my sights on to acquire the “Indomitable” skill.

(…Information I had looked into on a whim back then. I never thought it would become meaningful now.)

If that specification is alive in this world too—

then this opportunity is actually a chance.

Even if it’s an outwardly ordinary exploration request, there’s a high chance I’ll encounter the Silent Soak Stone.

(It’s definitely worth doing.)

Even if my expectations miss the mark, an Academy investigation would still present chances to touch upon magic skills or new skills.

“I understand. Please let her know I accept.”

“Understood. The Guild Master also seems to be preparing for the explanation.”

With a light bow, I left the counter.

(This is an opportunity.)

Acquiring the “Indomitable” skill, strengthening magic skills, acquiring new skills—

Of course, fighting itself is important.

But exploring these growth paths is also equally a part of battle for me.

Grabbing the opportunity in front of me—

That was how I enjoyed this world.

Original Author’s Comment:

――――――――――――

Thank you for reading this far!!

Likes and follows really encourage me…!!!

Please continue to follow Alphonse’s story in the next chapter!

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