As I performed the tutorials for various skills I had acquired so far, I felt that this tutorial concept was somewhat different from a typical game tutorial.
The tutorials I know teach you how to take your first steps. It’s like introducing the concepts of addition and subtraction in math—something like that might make it easier to understand.
However, the tutorials provided by Armaadi often proceed on the premise that you already have a certain level of foundation.
Take, for example, the tutorial for Master of Shields that I experienced first.
It helped improve how to use the shield better, based on the assumption that I already handled it reasonably well; it didn’t feel like it started by explaining each function from the beginning.
The other tutorials were similar.
In the case of the Iron Wall tutorial, it proceeded on the assumption that I could make judgments before the Iron Wall voiced its opinion.
And for Holy Arts, it was set up so that if you couldn’t properly wield divinity, you couldn’t clear it.
It was clear why there were prerequisites.
If I couldn’t surpass those prerequisites, it was evident I wouldn’t be able to clear the tutorial.
A tutorial that requires a certain level of familiarity with the skill—it’s more like an advanced course than a tutorial, isn’t it?
That said, I’m not particularly dissatisfied.
In fact, I’m so grateful that I find myself thinking about it repeatedly.
There are many things I learned while performing the tutorials.
The process of carrying out the tutorials was quite enjoyable.
The highlight was undoubtedly when I proceeded with the tutorial for Holy Arts.
That tutorial involved fighting against a young paladin, and the opponent’s techniques were so good that it was fun to use my head.
What I particularly liked was the entertaining reaction the paladin showed when provoked.
Eventually, I could hardly tell if I was doing the mesugaki skill tutorial or the Holy Arts tutorial!
The old man told me to stop when I got a bit carried away, but if that hadn’t been the case, I might have purposely kept him alive to toy with him.
Well. Regardless, as I diligently performed the tutorials, I eventually reached the end.
I had finished all the skill tutorials except for Fear Overcoming and Heroic Spirit, for which I hadn’t met the prerequisites.
Though I didn’t feel tired at all, what could I do? Now there was nothing left I could do.
Ah. Speaking of which, the mesugaki skill is still a skill, right? So, wouldn’t it be eligible for a tutorial?
“I want to do the mesugaki skill tutorial.”
Sitting in practice mode, I mumbled this out of curiosity, and a window appeared before me.
[‘Mesugaki’ Tutorial]
[Prerequisites: 1. Acquired the necklace containing a miracle (Achieved!) 2. ??? (Not Achieved)]
So, there’s a tutorial for this too. It seems even skills that emerged in the mode are still considered skills.
But why is the prerequisite for the mesugaki skill the acquisition of a necklace?
What does that have to do with the mesugaki skill?
I tilted my head in confusion, but no answers came. I knew nothing about the necklace.
Anyway, it seems I can’t execute the tutorial right now.
Ugh. Just how long will it take for my body to adapt to divinity?
Now that I’ve done everything I can, can’t I wake up soon?
I’m itching to test what I learned during the tutorial in reality.
“Grandfather. Grandfather.”
“What is it?”
“What kind of changes occur during the process of adapting to divinity that it takes so long?”
By my sense of time, it felt like half a day had already passed, yet why hasn’t the change finished?
What kind of significant change could be happening that takes this long?
“Well, it differs from person to person, but the young ones grow, and the older ones rejuvenate. They change according to their physical peak. When the rank rises...”
‘...Growth?!’
Though the old man spoke for a while, only that one word echoed in my ears.
Growth.
The body changes according to its physical peak.
Does that mean I can finally break free from this childlike existence?
Will I finally be able to stop looking up at everyone I meet?!
I had worried that I might never grow taller, but finally! I’m going to grow!
How tall will I be? Considering my current height, there should be a noticeable change.
5 centimeters? Or maybe 10 centimeters?
Ugh. This is troubling. If I suddenly grow 10 centimeters, it would be hard to adapt.
My perspective would change drastically, and I might have to relearn how to walk.
And if I grow that much, my arm length and hand size will also change, so I’d have to learn how to wield the mace differently.
I’d have to get all new clothes too.
Ah. Seriously, thinking about it, it sounds like nothing but trouble, doesn’t it?
Maybe it’d be better if I didn’t grow at all.
Heh heh. Heh heh heh.
“Hey girl, just in case, but don’t get your hopes up too high. As I said before, everyone experiences different changes.”
“Aw, come on, grandfather. I know all that. Don’t worry about me.”
I have a conscience too.
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I’m not expecting 10 centimeters.
But at least 8 centimeters.
No, even 5 centimeters would be fine.
Surely, I can compromise and grow at least 3 centimeters, right?
“...Regardless of what happens later, don’t say anything to yourself.”
“I won’t say anything. Don’t worry too much.”
That night, when Lucy suddenly collapsed, Feiby was still standing by Lucy’s side.
Her condition was still good. Perhaps due to the extensive training she had undergone, her body was recovering rapidly.
The exhausted divinity was also replenishing quickly, so she would soon regain her usual warmth.
So, judging by her physical condition, it wouldn’t be strange whenever she woke up.
“Why hasn’t she woken up?”
Even as Feiby murmured this absentmindedly, no one was there to answer her. The only ones present in this room were Feiby and Lucy, who was deeply asleep.
“I heard from the Apostle of the Artistic Order that the phenomenon the noble lady is experiencing is not something to be overly concerned about.”
The Apostle of the Artistic Order, Frete, appeared a few hours after Lucy collapsed and immediately sought out Lucy.
Since she was the one who led this plan, she wanted to explain things in Lucy’s presence.
‘The noble lady collapsed?!’
However, that was impossible. By that time, Lucy was still in a deep sleep.
At first, Frete was taken aback, examining Lucy, who was peacefully breathing with her eyes closed, but her surprise quickly turned into relief.
‘So, it seems her divinity rank has risen.’
‘Her divinity rank has risen?’
The one who questioned Frete’s relief was Johan.
He looked at her with a confused expression, as if he couldn’t comprehend her words.
‘Yes. I’m certain. I’ve experienced it myself, and I’ve cared for someone whose rank increased. It can’t be a misunderstanding.’
Johan wasn’t unfamiliar with the phenomenon of a rise in divinity rank.
It was a rare occurrence among those who worshipped gods.
It was when a god bestowed more love upon their follower to help them draw closer.
Surely, anyone who worships a god has imagined this at least once.
‘The noble lady is a follower of the deity, but...’
Nonetheless, the reason Johan harbored doubts was simple.
Throughout the history of the Church of the Deity, there had been no cases of followers experiencing a rise in divinity rank.
‘What does that have to do with it? Lady Alrn can simply become the first case.’
‘...That’s true, but...’
‘In any case, she will wake up in time, so I will return to Burrow territory to handle matters and come back when she wakes up.’
While this conversation unfolded, Feiby, who had been beside them, absorbed all of Frete and Johan’s dialogue.
“But I just can’t wait peacefully.”
Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to wait calmly for Lucy to wake up.
Having lived as a saintess, she had never seen anyone experience a rise in divinity rank.
She didn’t know what might happen during the process of this rise.
She also worried that something might go wrong with the noble lady.
And she wondered if the Apostle of the Artistic Order had made a wrong judgment.
Thus, as she looked at Lucy, who couldn’t awaken, Feiby couldn’t quell her anxious heart.
“I know the great deity loves the noble lady, so there’s no way anything could go wrong with her. But if I think something could go wrong, then I...”
Feiby trailed off, letting out a long sigh, then gazed at Lucy, who was peacefully sleeping.
This was the first time she had seen Lucy lying in bed, not just slumped over her desk during academy classes.
Even when they had gone on a field trip to the forest, she had always volunteered to keep watch.
She remembered thinking back then how could she entrust the vigilance to such incompetent people.
In fact, back then, the noble lady had chosen to sacrifice herself, trying to act strong for their sake.
Recalling the past, Feiby suddenly realized her eyelids were drooping.
Having risen early in the morning and overcome countless dangers, it was only natural for her to feel fatigued.
Under normal circumstances, she would return to her room to prepare for sleep, but instead, Feiby slapped her cheeks.
She wanted to stay by Lucy’s side until she woke up.
If something went wrong, she wanted to be there to help Lucy.
And she wanted to greet her with a smile when she awakened from her long slumber.
However, despite her efforts, Feiby’s head kept drooping lower.
Her exhausted body was gradually succumbing to sleep.
No! Feiby. You can’t fall asleep.
After slapping her cheeks several times, she found herself dozing off and eventually fell into a faint sleep.
The moment she awakened again was when she heard rustling near her ear.
Having fallen into such a deep sleep that she didn’t even realize she had dozed off, she slowly opened her eyes and realized a blanket was draped over her shoulders.
Huh? What’s this?
Unable to pull herself out of sleep, she blankly glanced around and quickly shot up upon seeing the empty bed.
Did I... did I fall asleep?!
When did that happen!?
When did I fall asleep?!
No, now is not the time to worry about that!
Where did the noble lady go?!
If she’s not in the bed, it must mean!
“Hmm. So this is how it goes?”
The moment she turned her head quickly toward the source of the voice, Feiby froze.
Sharp and vivid red eyes.
A smile that is irritating yet impossible to hate.
Skin as clean and white as snow falling in winter.
Long, flowing red hair.
A petite figure for her age.
All the characteristics of the person who spoke were undoubtedly reminiscent of Lucy.
But there was one thing that confused Feiby—the atmosphere she exuded.
The alluring aura that drew attention was something Lucy hadn’t possessed before.
“Honestly, you really are a pathetic perverted lolicon deity. Is this appearance supposed to fit your perverted tastes? Ugh—so disgusting.”
...
It seems she really is the noble lady.