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 72: Fire Resistance

Episode 72: Fire Resistance

—After returning from the potion shop to the inn, I had dinner. And without even taking a breath of rest, I headed to the edge of town.

I had already told the landlady that I’d be back by morning. So there was no need for concern on that end.

In my hand was the small fire-starting magic tool I had just purchased. It fit snugly in my palm. And when infused with magic, it sparked and produced flame—the very first step toward conquering the volcanic zone.

I stood at the lakeside and took a deep breath. Night had completely fallen. The moonlight shimmered across the water’s surface. While the occasional breeze brushed coolly against my cheeks.

Here, even if the fire went out of control, I could put it out with the lake water. It was the perfect place to train.

I readied the tool and channeled magic through my fingertip. The next instant, a small red light flared—and from it, fire was born.

《MP: 99%》

The heat clung to my face. It made me narrow my eyes instinctively. Though small, the fire’s heat was searing on the skin.

The magic tool only created flame—controlling it depended entirely on the user’s magic and skill.

I brought the fire close to my arm. I let the heat strike my skin. A sharp pain ran through me instantly. Thanks to “Indomitable” and “Pain Tolerance”, it wasn’t hard to suppress the reflex to pull away.

(“Fire Resistance”… not even a trace of it yet.)

When a skill awakens, a distinct discomfort runs through the body. But right now, there was nothing—only heat and pain. My arm’s skin was reddening.

《HP: 87%》

《MP: 98%》

In just a few minutes, my HP had begun dropping at an alarming rate. Without “Fire Resistance”, this wasn’t surprising.

My MP, on the other hand, was decreasing only very slowly—so a few magic recovery potions should be enough.

《Status: Burn》

《HP: 64%》

《MP: 97%》

(…As expected, ‘Burn’ status.)

‘Burn’—an abnormal status triggered by fire-element attacks.

It steadily drains HP over time. It’s troublesome enough that it’s recommended to drink a status recovery potion immediately.

Unlike poison, which causes damage with each step, burn drains HP even while standing still.

But—

(I just need to manage my HP for now. Once I gain “Fire Resistance”, the effects of ‘Burn’ will also weaken.)

The effects of “Fire Resistance” aren’t just resistance to fire damage—they also reduce the penalty from ‘Burn’.

I brought the flame closer. Inhale for four beats, exhale for six. My heartbeat—I calmed it, keeping awareness every two beats.

Not leaning too far into the pain, but not ignoring it either—balancing it.

The fire struck rhythmically at the surface of my skin. HP ticked downward in steady intervals. Then, I felt it—a thin membrane-like sensation stretched across my skin.

《HP: 38%》

《MP: 93%》

《Skill Fire Resistance Acquired》

《Skill: Fire Resistance Lv.1》

The burning sensation dulled slightly. The pain no longer dominated my responses—it stopped just before it could overwhelm me.

Heat and pain were still there. But they no longer dictated my actions—as though the order of priorities within me had been reshuffled.

(Good… but this is just the start.)

I was satisfied at gaining “Fire Resistance”. But it was only Lv.1—the effect still weak.

I glanced at the moon. Not yet at its peak overhead. There was still time. And plenty of potions.

I drank one to restore my HP. The ‘Burn’ status, however, I left alone. If I cured it now, I’d just get burned again during training. That would be a pointless waste.

The night deepened. The small flame cast on the lake stretched my shadow long and thin.

The silence wasn’t the weight of solitude. It was the empty space needed for thought. How much silence one could secure—that determined the quality of training.

My mind flicked back to past training.

“Poison Resistance”, “Physical Resistance”,”Indomitable”, “Pain Tolerance”, “Constant Activity”. The experience of tempering those skills was supporting me even now.

(Maintain calm. Against fire, let the heart be water…)

The words weren’t like me. But they surfaced anyway as I stared into the flame.

Time passed like that—HP decreased from fire and burns. It restored again and again with potions.

When the moon was just about to pass directly overhead, discomfort stirred again, deep inside me.

This time, not on the surface, but in the joints of muscle and bone—the pathways of strength themselves began to accept the heat. Seconds later, a new display appeared.

《Skill Level-Up Confirmed》

《Skill: Fire Resistance Lv.1 → Lv.2》

As the notice vanished, the sharpness of heat softened again. Fire remained fire. But now it wasn’t just “an external force pressing in.” My breathing, heartbeat, the tautness of muscle—they began to sync. They found a rhythm with the flame.

(…This is far enough.)

I could push further. But pushing and progressing are not the same. Ending training is also a technique. Tonight’s goal was to prepare a body capable of enduring fire. That much was achieved.

《Status: Burn》

《HP: 36%》

《MP: 53%》

I took a potion, wetting my throat. Leaving ‘Burn’ unchecked would be dangerous—since it would keep draining HP—so this time I also drank a status recovery potion.

Once I confirmed the abnormal status was gone, I pulled back my hand. I snuffed the flame in one breath.

I knelt at the lake’s edge and submerged my arm. With my HP restored, the burns had already healed—but perhaps this was more for peace of mind.

After a while, I lifted my arm and rotated my wrist. Movement was fine. There was some tightness when clenching. But nothing that would hinder battle.

The night wind brushed against damp skin. The faint scent of smoke mixed with the lake’s air—an easy sign of how far I had progressed.

The night loosened quietly—and at its edge, I felt a faint pulse in my chest. Neither heat nor pain. If I put it into words: the red breath of fire. It breathed beyond a dry rocky surface. Distant, yet vividly real.

(…As I thought, it was different.)

The moment I gained “Fire Resistance” and leveled it to 2, the change was clear compared to the first time. I could even feel with certainty that the HP drain from ‘Burn’ had slowed.

I stood, brushed the dirt from my clothes, and began walking back toward town. In those volcanic zones, whether or not you had at least Lv.1 “Fire Resistance” decided whether you could even operate there.

I could have departed right after reaching Lv.1. But unfortunately, the monsters there also wield fire-element attacks.

Lv.2 would make battles somewhat easier. For true readiness, Lv.5 or higher was preferable. But—I had “Indomitable” and “Pain Tolerance”.

What would normally make others scream in agony was, to me, nothing but material for testing.

My heart didn’t waver. Even when pain struck bone, my awareness remained sharp. Waiting for safety was slower—touching the limits was faster. And by doing so, the chance of obtaining my target item rose dramatically.

“…Ha.”

A laugh slipped out unintentionally. …I might pretend to be cautious. But in the end, I always end up seeking the extreme.

Original Author’s Comment:

――――――――――――

Thank you very much for reading up to this point!!

At last, Alphonse has acquired “Fire Resistance”. From here, he steps into yet another strengthening phase…!!

I’d be happy if you look forward to it…!!

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