I - the wizard Magnus - had returned to the royal capital of Rakstad.
　I accompanied Ray to visit the workshop of Bazelph, the mystic smith.

I've already got what you asked for.

　The dwarf, who has a craftsman's disposition and dislikes talking for nothing, said that as soon as he saw my face.
　Ray, who has been gazing curiously into the workshop, jolts at that and stiffens up.
　With a nervous look on his face, he bows his head as hard as he can to Bazelfr.

'Ma, Magnus told me!　I heard that you have forged a weapon for me!
I get paid for it. Then you're a customer. Don't be afraid.

　Bazelfr spat bitterly with a buzzed look on his face.
　The bigoted dwarf's attitude dismayed Ray, "Aww. He thinks he's offended.
　But the facts are the opposite. I've been around long enough to know. Bazelfr liked the polite, good-looking young man and said what he thought he was going to say.
　It's just.

Magnus. Is this monk really such a good warrior?

　Bazelph saw Ray's timid demeanor and seemed uneasy about it.

'Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't have special ordered a replacement like that.''
Well, I see.
There isn't a more powerful vanguard in all of Rakstad.
That's quite something. Then let's have you master it.

　Me and Bazelph looked at each other and giggled.

'Soooo, all Magnus has told me is that it's a great sword, but it's a decent sword, right?

　Ray asks, looking hunched over.

'Of course it's a decent sword,'
Yes. If there's someone who knows how to use it, it's a matchless sword.
Isn't that a slightly different nuance?

　We ignored Ray's frightened protests and proceeded to the back of the workshop.

'Here, boy. This one. Take it as you will.
It's a true rank S equipment, surpassing my Sword of Blue Thunder.

　Bazelph pointed to the sword that was on display there.
　I've never seen one before, so I looked at it sullenly.

　It was a so-called large sword, wide and long in blade length.
　From the hilt head to the scabbard, it is a jet-black make up.
　It is said that a true sword has dignity, and this one has an ominous, bewitching air about it.
　The most distinctive feature of the sword is the creature-like eyes on the scabbard.

That's the name of the Black Claymore.
There's some kind of scurrying going on.
This is what happened to me when I forged it from the compound Magnus provided me.
'Don't make it sound like an impossibility!　It's crazy to think about it!
There's nothing wrong with that, Ray. This is what the accursed armor looks like.
'First of all, there's something wrong with the premise of being cursed!
'I don't know what you have to complain about with such a magnificent sword. I thank you, Bazelph.
What. I'm happy to do my job.

　Ray's scream was expected of us, but it was just love at first sight.

That's why, Ray. I'm going to try it out right away. That's the saga of the warrior race, isn't it?
'You can't just decide!　Don't order me around!
'I'm sorry about that, but that's the thing, Ray. It's a fact that this sword is so good, and it's impossible to ask for more right now, isn't it?
Ggggghhh..... I understand.....
You want me to go along for the ride?　As a producer, I want to see it through.
Yes, be my guest.

　Ray shouted in desperation and reached for the cursed greatsword with a torn attitude.

'It's nettling like some kind of creature... ugh!
Patience, Ray.
Yes. A man is an enduring creature.
Just because you two are other people doesn't mean you can't do whatever you want!
Why don't you just pull it out?
Yeah. You can pretend all you want, if you want.
'I understand!　You can just pull it out and swing it!　It doesn't matter now!
[Gikekekekekekekekekekekekekekeke]
''The sword laughed ahhhhhh!

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　I accompanied Ray and Bazelfr as they leapt through the Towngate to Crowhill, Grand Duchy of Luxun.
　Ray has mastered some important skills. I was able to purchase a new armor suitable for him now.
　It was time to kill the boss monsters around Crow Hill and resume my leveling up.
　According to the plan in my head, I plan to level up to 25 here.
　After that, it's time to head to Kilomitsu, the frontline of the battle against the Magellanic General.

"However, if we miss the first step, that's where we'll end up.
"Yes, Magnus!

　Ray replies to my words with authority.
　Bazelluf squints his eyes and squeezes his beard, as if to say, "The young man should be.
"We were on board the Narsai, and the three of us were on our way to our destination.

　Crow Hill is a hilly area with the Morm Mountains to the east and the Brint Mountains to the west.
　We were moving through the mountains of Morme.
On the Narsai, the most advanced of all the hovering carpets, we were able to make our way through a series of trackless roads.
　Soon after, we arrived at our destination cave.

"This is where the Firedrake lives.
Yes, yes, Magnus!
This is a far cry from the Earth Drake you fought before, isn't it?
I understand.

　With a strong face, Ray stroked the scabbard as if to confirm the feel of the Black Claymore, which he had hated so much.

"In terms of level conversion, how much is it?
Earth is 13, fire is 22.
"I'm 20 now, so there's a two difference.... I'm 20 now, so there's a two-two difference... The difference was three during the Manticore tournament, so it's still an easier opponent to play than that time, isn't it?
I'll think about it. As long as the conditions are the same as they were then.
What...?
I said "trial run"?　This time I want you to fight on your own.
'Eeeeeeeeeeee!'

　Ray is surprised and amazed.

　I predicted that he would protest directly.
They'll be screaming "it's impossible" and "it's impossible".
　But I'm not going to listen to those words.
I used the strategy book to look through all the boss monsters around Crow Hill to find the right one.
　Two levels off, not an easy monster to swat at by any means.
　But I knew Ray would be able to pull it off.

　Then--.

''I understand. You've been thinking about this for Magnus, haven't you?　Then I'll do it.

　Although Ray was trembling, he surprisingly did not say no.
　He showed this boy's unique profile, which is suitable for such an expression - a belly clenching in fear.

''Hm........''

　And I observe his profile.
　Has he changed a bit after being apart for a while?
　The events that took place in the meantime have kept each other informed.

　Did the persecution he received at the royal palace instill guts in Ray?
　Have you learned what honor is by becoming a Knight of Beatrixine?
　Or is it the fact that you've lumped all of this together with Eldora's kindred spirits?
　If that's the case, then the travesty of dealing with that little guy was meaningful.
　No - whatever it is, it means that he came back with more growth than I expected.
　That's why I can't underestimate this boy!

'The Fire Drake, as its name implies, is an aggressive monster with a powerful flame breath.
Yes!
On the other hand, he is notoriously lax in his defense. Particularly in terms of status, and partly because of my tribal tendencies to lose my temper and lose control.
I see, so we should plan our fights to hit that spot.
The Weakest attribute is ice, and it can pass through almost anything. We're vulnerable to wind and earth, as well as to light.
But given the name, the fire attribute has a resistance to it, doesn't it?
'Exactly. But it's the only one that has resistance. Surprisingly, it can even pass through the dark attribute.
I understand!

　We talked about this as we went deeper into the cave.

"Huh. You guys, what a pompous bunch you are, you look like you've been partying together for years.

　Bazelph, who was following behind him, marveled at the smallness of the situation.

　That part, well, it's probably a big part of Ray's natural or innate temperament.
　Although Eldora and the others had twisted his mind a bit and forced him not to give orders.
　Rey is essentially a virtue of honesty, which is a bit rare.

　The cave inhabited by Firedrake was substantial in width and ceiling height, but not too deep.　Soon we reached the deepest part of the cave, which was now a square.

　There the Firedrake was huddled and asleep.

　Its wings had degenerated and disappeared, and in their place were thicker limbs, with the appearance of a dragon.
　Its scales were crimson in color.
　The length of the body alone, not including the tail, is no less than twenty meters.

''I'm going!''

　Ray dared to stand up to such a monster.

　Hearing his footsteps, or perhaps smelling them, the Fire Drake woke up.
　With sleepy eyes, he wagged his tail to wickedly get rid of Ray.

　In the past, Rey was beaten by this one shot against a level 13 Earth Drake.
　However, the current Rey was already looking different.

''Iron Wall!

　Use the knight's skill you've acquired to catch them head on.
　Damage ... almost zero!
　It would be a provocation if he dared to take it without dodging.
　In fact, Fire Drake's eyes burned bright red and he was furious.
　''Ray!　Don't do anything you wouldn't regret!

　The Fire Drake lost himself in anger and attacked the little creature in front of him with a great swing, hoping to crush it like a winged insect this time.
　With those clawed fangs, Ray this time agilely and calmly evades, evades, evades!
　That's how he quickly saw through the Fire Drake's attack pattern and went on the offensive at once.

''Ah un rena!''

　He imitates my spell, concentrates on it, and activates Qigong.
　He also pulls out his cursed greatsword at last!

[Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh...!

　The Black Claymore, sheathed, let out a muffled roar like a living thing.
　The black sword blade appeared.

　A tremendous demonic spirit. The uncommon sharpness that would make you realize at a glance.
　But this is a double-edged magic sword that steals its owner's HP and MP with each swing.

　Rei has mastered it.

　In the past, Eugene used a skill called "Armament Awakening".
　It is a powerful tool that draws out the essence of any armor and increases the effectiveness of magical armor in particular.
It is a foul skill that only the brave can learn at level 19.

　And Ray, the Warrior of Light, learned to purify his armor at level 19.
　The advantages of the cursed armor were retained, but only the cursed effect was counteracted, another unique skill that was foul.

　The Black Claymore unleashed a divine light in Ray's hand.
　The sword's blade, which was supposed to be black, glittered brightly.

Shine Blade!

　With that sword, Ray slashes into the Fire Drake.
　With just a single blow, he carves a long laceration that will exceed two meters.
　Firedrake shakes his huge body and writhes in agony!

Okay, Ray...
Did you see, Magnus? That boy is really good with my magic sword. Ha-ha-ha, good!　Most of all, the magic sword I struck is good!

　I quietly, Bazelfr loudly praises.
　No longer do we see, unfailingly, how Ray will soon seize the victory in our eyes!