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　The leaves of the broad-leafed trees in the mountains have fallen and the footsteps of winter have become more familiar.

　About a month has passed since I began receiving instruction from Mr. Zeol on body enhancement magic, and I finally received permission to practice on my own.

　It was also permission to use body enhancement magic.

“Listen, Nyango. At first, move slowly while using Body Enhancement magic. If you suddenly move with all your might, you will hurt your muscles and joints. The degree of strengthening you can do is fixed, and you can adjust the amount of force by your body’s movements.” (Zeol)

“I understand.” (Nyango)

　I had thought that the Body Enhancement magic would adjust the degree of enhancement by adjusting the amount of magical elements flowing through the body, but it seems that the percentage that can be enhanced is constant.

　In other words, it seems that it’s just a matter of flipping a switch to strengthen or not strengthen.

　The speed of movement is adjusted according to muscle strength.

　For example, a person who is able to strengthen themselves twice as much must move with 75% more force to move with 50% more force than his original strength.

“It is good that there’s strengthening, but it seems kind of useless…” (Nyango)

“Many have tried adjusting the degree of Body Enhancement magic but have concluded that it is easier to adjust with muscle power than it is to do so. Well, you can try, but if you add to that the use of attribute magic, you’ll have your hands full adjusting the magic and you won’t be able to move.” (Zeol)

　Certainly, in my case, since I am considering using it in combination with attribute magic, it would be better to limit it to switching “on” or “off”.

“Then I should try running without any Body Enhancement first.” (Zeol)

　The place where we are now is on the riverbank that runs through the village, and here I can run as fast as I can without getting in the way.

　The first thing I tried was to run without using any Body Enhancement magic, but since I had been doing muscle training in addition to magic training, I was definitely faster than I had been in spring.

“Well, you can move quite a bit, huh? Then, next time use Body Enhancement and try running. Try with about twenty percent of your strength at first.” (Zeol)

“Twenty percent…” (Nyango)

　I thought that about twenty percent was quite restrained, but that’s probably to mitigate the danger of bodily injury.

　Taking a deep breath to calm myself down, I fill my blood veins with magic elements and let them circulate.

　I took a step forward with a light jog, but I felt so uncomfortable that I stopped after not even five steps.

　The hairs on my body stood on end, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

“How is it, amazing, huh?” (Zeol)

　Mr. Zeol asked with a grin, and it was all I could do to reply with a nod.

　I was jogging lightly, really lightly, but the increase in speed felt almost as fast as if I had been running at full speed.

“You’ve been quiet so far, but the way you circulate your magic element is quite different from a common user. There doesn’t seem to be any worry about it running out of control, and more importantly, the magic element flows so densely that I was looking forward to seeing what would happen… but you seem to have gotten more than what you expected.” (Zeol)

　Probably due to the way I am conscious of the flow down to my capillaries, it seems that my physical capabilities have been greatly enhanced compared to others.

　However, even if I could strengthen myself five times over, I have a feeling that my muscles and ligaments would break down.

“It’s a reward for persistence in basic training. Don’t be swayed by the exceptional power you’ve acquired, and continue to steadily train the basics.” (Zeol)

“I agree. If I mess up my body will surely pay for it.” (Nyango)

　I resume my light jogging using Body Enhancement magic.

　My speed increases unbelievably with unbelievably less effort.

　With about thirty percent less force, I was able to run at a speed that exceeded my bare minimum full speed, and I feel like my muscles are less fatigued.

　However, I do feel a degree of magical fatigue, so it seems difficult to continue strengthening for long periods of time.

　Then, when I ran at about fifty percent of my normal strength, the backs of my thighs screamed with a tingling sensation.

　I immediately slowed down, so I don’t think it was serious, but if I ran at full speed using Body Enhancement, my body would surely break down.

“ What’s wrong? Did you hurt yourself?” (Zeol)

“Just a little tingly…” (Nyango)

“Well, I guess that’s it for today. Before you go to sleep at night, do some basic training to get the magic element flowing. When you’re strengthening your body, you’ll also be strengthening your recovery, so you’ll heal faster.” (Zeol)

“I see. I’ll give it a try.” (Nyango)

　I knew that it would strengthen my muscles, but it was good news is that it will also strengthen my recovery.

　In this world, there are so-called healing potions, but they are made by people who can use light attribute magic, and they are very expensive because they are made by applying healing magic to ordinary wound medicines for a long period of time.

　The higher-grade potions that can stop bleeding or close wounds are the kinds that high-ranking adventurers carry for insurance purposes and are beyond the reach of a country boy like me.

　If I can heal many times faster, it might be a good alternative to potions.

“Mr. Zeol, if I used Body Enhancement magic on a regular basis, would it strengthen me physically as well?” (Nyango)

“That would be difficult. From the looks of it, you’re so highly enhanced that you can’t move at your full strength with the enhancements applied. That would make it impossible for you to train yourself physically.” (Zeol)

“I see, the only way is to train steadily in a state where you don’t use Body Enhancement. …Huh? If I strengthen my body, the power I can produce when I use Boyd Enhancement will be further enhanced… so it seems like I have everything no matter which direction I go…” (Nyango)

“Hahahahaha! That’s true. Well, still, the more you train your body, the higher your breaking point will be, it’s not a waste. I can only tell you so much. The rest, you’ll have to try things on your own.” (Zeol)

“Thank you very much. For now, I’ll give it a try while taking care not to damage my body.” (Nyango)

　I was taught the basics of Body Enhancement magic, but it seems that from here on out I will have to consult with my own body and determine its limits.

　In my case, I have to challenge the combined use of attribute magic, and I still have a lot of problems to solve.

“Nyango, I’m going into the mountains along with others in a week to thin out the monsters. You have to go with us.” (Zeol)

“Eh, but I don’t have any means of attack.” (Nyango)

“It’s okay, I won’t tell you to defeat monsters, so don’t worry. However, you’d better brush up on your escaping skills.” (Zeol)

“I understand.” (Nyango)

　Around the village of Atsuka, from the end of autumn to the beginning of spring, there are times when the village is invaded by monsters that are in need of food.

　Goblins, in particular, are numerous, and if left unchecked, they will swarm into the village, possibly hurting the villagers.

　Therefore, there is a village hunt in the mountains to reduce the population of monsters around this time of year, before the full-blown winter.

　It is the large-bodied race who goes to the subjugation party, led by Mr. Zeol.

　Even if they encounter a goblin horde, if the larger-bodied race outnumbers them, there is a good chance that they will be able to defeat them without suffering any injury.

　In the unlikely event that large monsters such as orcs should appear, I heard that Mr. Zeol would be the one to deal with them.

　The reason why I was invited by Zeol this time is probably that he recognized me as a full-fledged escapist, but if possible, I would also like to be recognized for my attacks.

　For now, I will support them with [Thumbing] and [Shield], but I will think about whether I can use more aggressive attribute magic in the remaining week.

　Besides, if they subjugate the goblins, I may have a chance to eat their hearts.

　Since they will definitely take out the magic stone, they will have to make an incision to the area around the heart.

　However, I am not sure how much I need to eat to get the effect, and since it is forbidden to eat the raw meat of monsters, I don’t know what the adults around me would say if they find me.

　But I still want to try this method so that I can use strong magic, even though I have a small body.

“Ah, Horacio, is he keeping up with the training? No news means he’s fine… Well, I’m talking about the situation in a world where letters can be easily delivered… Do your best, Horacio. You’ll definitely become a knight. You promised.” (Nyango)

　Imagining Horacio who would be doing his best in the distant Royal Capital, I headed home along the riverbank at dusk.

　I see, it seems that strengthening the body also enhances recovery, and the pain in the back of my thigh that I had hurt earlier had already subsided.

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