After killing the Noble Vampires, we obtained the "Cursed Cross" as a loot (drop item).

''Is it safe to have this...?
I'll be fine as long as I don't have it on, but if you're worried, I can put it in my Magic Tool Bag III, okay?
Are you sure?　Then Magnus-san, please. Sh, but I wonder if there's any use for this or something...
A composite item of sorts. Give them to the alchemist and he'll create a cursed item for you.
Heh..... I wonder if there's a use for that too...?

　I twisted my head.

　But Magnus is really knowledgeable. It's as if there's nothing that he doesn't know.
　I've learned a lot by being with him.
　Since it's a good time to be here, I'll ask you a few more questions while I'm at it...?

'Magnus told me beforehand that Noble Vampires might turn into bats, but at first I couldn't handle it at all.... On the contrary, I was in a panic. On the contrary, I was in a panic.... That would disqualify me from being the Warrior of Light, wouldn't it?
''I'm not qualified to judge whether I've passed or been disqualified, but....... Yes, in theory, of course you should be able to handle it, of course.

　Yeah, I know.
　Magnus was able to handle it well, right?

But when you're at level 10 or lower, the bosses are only as strong or as fast as their strength or speed, but after level 11, they start to have more and more obscene special abilities, which makes them extremely difficult to deal with. It's extremely difficult to deal with on the first try.
'Really?　So the Orc kings I've killed with Eldora and the others, could it be that they were under level 11?
The Oak King is level 8. Do you remember what else you fought against?
Yes, sir.

　I list the names of all the boss monsters I've killed in my adventures with Eldora and the others.

They're all below level 10.
Oh, I knew it...

　I've fought a lot of guys I thought were strong, but I've never fought someone who surprised me like this Noble Vampire, and I wondered if........

''Holy shit, what am I going to do now........''

　I'm going to talk to Magnus and go take out the Elder Salamander next, but that guy seems to be level 13 too, and I'm sure he has some nasty special ability that will surprise me again.......

You can't blame them for panicking to some extent, Ray.
'But Magnus was a calm one, and...'
This time. But I've done my due diligence beforehand and I've still been taken by surprise more than once.
Even Magnus?
Yeah. That's why they're the boss monsters. A nasty, nasty enemy of humanity.
Nah, I see...
Foundations, humans are such poor creatures. Is it silly to feel inferior to them, especially in battle?
... yes. .... okay. But that's just the way it is, you know?　Isn't it true that Magnus was able to keep his cool this time?

　If I don't learn from that, I don't think I'll ever grow any further.

It's just a matter of getting used to it. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can do this.
Oh, I see...

　Okay!
　Let's fight a lot more, have more reflections like we're doing now, and be more responsive!
　Let's keep things steady and not be in a hurry!
　It was just too much of a bug for a clumsy person like me to try to be strong in one fell swoop.

　Magnus also told me.

What's important is that you don't be afraid to try. The important thing is to try, and if you can't beat them, run. That's what I'm thinking. Oh, and it's important to keep your head on straight. Didn't Ray just take a deep breath?　That was impressive.
Really?　Didn't it occur to you to come and get me right away?
I don't think so. I'd rather be unprepared for a double disaster in the mountains than have someone try to pull a double whammy on me.

　Magnus tapped me on the shoulder.
　He told me to keep up the good work.
　I nodded widely.

　And then.

One last thing I'd like to know.
You can ask me as many questions as you want without saying one, but what is it?
'When we were fighting, Magnus' fists were cloaked in light, weren't they?　And he was casting some kind of spell.
Do you mind?
That's bound to happen. I was beating up a vampire who was supposed to be hard to physically attack, but I was beating up a vampire with bokoskas.

　I looked curious, and Magnus gave me a wry smile, but didn't waste any time telling me. However, he prefaced it by saying, "It's going to take a little longer.

How much do you know about the Martial Artists, Ray?
To be honest, it's only very general... I imagine it's an avant-garde position that doesn't require any other weapons, and fights with bare hands, hitting and kicking.
Hmm. So that's the perception we have here in Luxen, too?
Isn't it true?

　I thought back.
　While I was fighting the Noble Vampires, Magnus had told me that he was a "real martial artist".
　He said he was a 'real martial artist'.

'Far to the east of this Grand Duchy of Luxun, farther and farther east beyond the Paihu Mountains, is the martial artist's holy city of Wuliu.
Oh, I've heard that much before.

　It's so well known that even I know about it.

"The martial artists who study at our school are fundamentally different from the martial artists we see every day. They learn a lot of different and powerful 'skills', and this Qigong is one of them. Qigong is one of them.

　Magnus said, and once again let the light shine in his fist.

It's a skill that adds mental power to your fighting damage and also gives you the life attribute. Like the Shine Blade you used, its characteristics are the same as those of a magical armor, which is why it was effective against vampires.
''Wuliu's martial artists are able to learn such strong skills!　So you're a real martial artist...
By the way, what would you do if I told you that you had a good chance of learning it too?
What?

　I was surprised and astonished by these unexpected words.

It seems that the Light Warrior is a very special occupation and that each of you can't be lumped together.
That's right. Eldora, Teresa and Rudd have very different abilities.
The Narsai - the scholar friend of mine told me that they are: 'an ironclad vanguard type with a particularly high growth in strength and hardness, as well as the ability to use recovery and defensive magic,' and 'a type with a particularly high growth in speed and dexterity, with a variety of skills ranging from banditry to production jobs. There's an all-around midshipman type that can learn to use magic and sacred power, and an all-around rearguard type that can use almost any kind of magic as well as a bow.
'Yes, yes!　Eldora, Teresa and Rudd were that type of person. But I was the clumsiest and could only use a sword...
The remaining one is said to be an all-round vanguard who 'has particularly good growth in vitality and mental strength and can see and learn the skills of various vanguard positions.'
What?

　The unexpected words again made me cringe.

　See........remember..........?

That's why. I'm sure Ray can learn my Qigong and other skills that real martial artists use, right?
Is it....?
'I don't know. I'm a narcissist's recipient, too. My curiosity is tingling, or rather, I'd like to try it, but...
Me too!　I want to see if I can really learn it too!
'Huh. We're in agreement.

　Magnus grinned wryly, and I smiled as I caught on.
　Yes, I couldn't help but feel my cheeks loosen up.
　I couldn't stay or stand with the thought of the path opening up all at once, or rather, the feeling that I was seeing a great hope!

Come on!　We can't wait to try it out!
'Well, wait. We need to reassure the villagers that the noble vampire threat has passed, first.
Ah.....

　I was all about myself, and I turned bright red and ashamed.
　In fact, Magnus is a great guy.
　I wonder if I will be able to become such a great person in five years.
　I'm not sure.

Anyway, I understand. You should check out this place first before leaving the mansion, right?
'I agree. And who knows who might be trapped or forced to work.
Yeah, yeah!
I've been checking. He's not here.
Work fast?
I'm a supermaid!
Well, that's great, Chocolat...
'And while I'm at it, I've been checking for anything with a gold medal!
Isn't that now a break-in?

　I tsked as hard as I could, but Chocolat didn't take offense, saying something like, "Teehee.
　Instead, Magnus said with a shout.

'It's very likely that it was originally village property. We're going to bring it back.'
'If you say so, Master Magnus, I agree. Shobon.

　Me and Magnus also left the storage room, following Chocolat as he turned and trotted along.