For the next four days, Leya adhered strictly to a three-point routine.
In the mornings, she went to the Magic Association, where, under Edwin’s tutelage, she learned ice magic at an astonishing pace.
At noon, she returned to the tavern, chatting idly with Erica and sharing meals. While improving their relationship was ideal, she didn’t force it.
Afternoons were dedicated to learning swordsmanship as Artoria! Yes, Leya had devised this method of sword training, mirroring Emilia’s approach to magic.
However, the learning process proved unexpectedly arduous. Despite having summarized the essence of the [Unbreaking Steel Sword Art] during her transformation, Leya found herself unable to grasp its true principles when practicing in her own body. It felt like merely tracing a cat from a tiger, lacking true understanding.
Leya’s practice and Artoria’s execution were, in essence, two entirely different sword arts. Though similar in form, Leya’s lacked the profound artistic conception, imposing aura, and tactile feel of the genuine [Unbreaking Steel Sword Art]. To illustrate, the difference was akin to that between ancient Tai Chi and the casual practice of elderly folks in the park.
In Leya’s hands, it was nothing more than a flashy display.
Though frustrated, she reasoned that some practice was better than none. Thus, Leya persevered, treating it as a form of physical conditioning.
Conversely, Leya’s afternoon sword practice became Erica’s most cherished time of the day.
Leya consistently noticed Erica, her small head propped up, watching her practice with unwavering focus.
‘Though, I wonder if she’s truly interested in my sword practice, or if she simply enjoys seeing me in my Artoria state…’
Evenings were then reserved for Leya’s magic studies.
With Emilia’s exceptional learning ability, coupled with Leya’s innate 100% affinity for all magic attributes, her progress each day was akin to riding a rocket, advancing by leaps and bounds.
In stark contrast to her swordsmanship, Leya could now skillfully employ any Lv1 small and even some medium-tier ice spells. She was diligently practicing her very first Lv1 large-scale spell: [Frozen Annihilation Array]!
It was amusing to recall the first night of magic lessons. Leya, transformed into Emilia, had inadvertently given Erica, fresh from a bath, quite a fright, leading to a truly comical misunderstanding.
Erica had mistaken Leya for an envoy sent to return her to the elf tribe. She had repeatedly shaken her head, pleading with Leya not to take her back, leaving Leya utterly speechless.
Only after repeated explanations did Erica calm down, pouting slightly as she looked at Leya. She then uttered, “If I had a choice, I’d still prefer to see Sister Leya transform into Sister Artoria.”
This left Leya deeply embarrassed. After all, a subconscious trace of Emilia’s personality persisted during the transformation, making Leya in that state particularly sensitive to such remarks. Thus, hearing someone say they didn’t want to see her in her current form was understandably disheartening.
Despite Leya’s best efforts to suppress it, a lingering sadness still pricked at her heart.
****
It was already the dawn of the fifth day.
Seven o’clock in the morning.
“A-wuh…”
Yawning, Leya reluctantly dragged herself out of bed.
This wasn’t due to any newfound diligence, nor a commitment to rise early for studies as she had in her previous life.
Instead, it was the system’s [Ding-a-ling-ling-ling-ling-ling-ling—] that had startled her awake, a sound that exploded in her mind like a subwoofer. Frankly, Leya never wanted to experience that sensation again.
“Clothes… my clothes…”
In her previous life, Leya had been accustomed to sleeping nude. Now, though… that was still an option.
*Cough, cough, cough…* However, with Erica sleeping in the bed beside her these past few days, it wasn’t exactly appropriate. *Hehe…* So, Leya had temporarily forgone her habit.
Instead, she now slept in a bra every night. Though regrettably, Leya currently only had an A-cup, her future aspirations were…
*Er… cough, cough.* Never mind, never mind. Best not to dwell on such improper thoughts.
“It feels a bit dirty again…”
Leya retrieved her white dress and white stockings from the hanger, gazing unhappily at the dark stains marring them.
Unlike most girls, Leya had possessed only this single outfit since her transmigration. Even her undergarments… *cough, cough,* had been washed and worn repeatedly, now resembling a pleated skirt.
“Hey, System, are these clothes replaceable?”
System: “…………” [Wait until you’re dressed before I speak, lest I get beaten. Hmm!]
“Ugh… what a stingy system… *Sigh!* It feels a bit wasteful to just throw them away.”
After all, these clothes had accompanied her on her journey across the land for nearly half a month, her very first outfit. The sentimental value was immense; she absolutely couldn’t discard them!
Of course, all of this depended on her being able to buy new clothes first.
Having made up her mind, Leya no longer fretted. She quickly dressed herself, her method direct and unrefined: simply grabbing the dress and pulling it on. Yet, after so many days of practice, *hehe…* her speed was considerably faster than the first time.
As for whether she still felt any shame while dressing? Well, the first time is awkward, the second time is familiar. Having reached this point, Leya wasn’t one to care about such trivial details.
After all, the current Leya…
Standing before the mirror…
“Absolutely perfect! *Hehe…* Sure enough, I am youthful, beautiful, and vibrant every single day! *Ugh—* I can’t take it, I can’t take it, I’m going to get a nosebleed from my own beauty again… Tissues… where are the tissues!—”
…had become quite the narcissist.
****
Unlike Leya, Erica usually slept until she woke naturally. Thus, Leya didn’t have the heart to rouse her. Instead, as usual, she ordered enough food, placed it on the table, and quietly departed the tavern alone.
Following her pre-planned routine, Leya began walking towards the Magic Association.
The journey was now familiar; compared to her initial awkwardness, Leya now moved like a true local.
The distance wasn’t far, roughly two kilometers from the tavern, a walk of about fifteen minutes. So, even though she could hail an [Otherworldly Taxi Carriage], Leya resisted.
Naturally, this was to uphold her excellent virtues of diligence and frugality. It certainly wasn’t because carriages always felt bumpy on the streets. I’m serious, truly not!
“Big brother, please, just let us through, please be accommodating…”
However…
“No. These are the rules. Everyone who wishes to enter the Magic Association must pay an entrance fee of one silver coin!”
Today, the Magic Association seemed rather boisterous.
“But, but we never heard of such a rule before…”
“Oh, really? So, you’re implying we’re trying to trick you all, are you!?”
At the entrance of the Magic Association, within the guardhouse.
Several arrogant guards stood with hands on their hips, their eyes wide and menacing, sneering at a few slender, shabbily dressed youths by the door.
“This…” The leading youth, who had an iron sword strapped to his back, looked visibly distressed.
“Tsk! A bunch of paupers, utterly useless adventurers! You want to come to our Magic Association without money? Scram! Get out of here, or I’ll break your dog legs!—”
Finally, after confirming that the youths carried little money, the head guard revealed his sharp, ugly fangs, snarling viciously at them.
“You…” The youth’s face instantly flushed crimson with anger. He pointed at the guard, but his voice lacked conviction, clearly fearing something and unable to continue.
“Captain! They’re going too far! We should just fight them!”
One red-haired team member, carrying a bow and arrows, couldn’t bear to watch his captain’s apparent cowardice any longer. He instantly flared up, looking ready to charge into battle.
“Oh ho! Good! You blind fools, daring to cause trouble on Magic Association grounds, haha—In that case, don’t blame us… Brothers, move in! Break their dog legs and make them crawl back to the Adventurer’s Guild!”
“Ooh—Charge!— ” The other guards immediately echoed, raising their weapons menacingly and preparing to rush forward.
“It’s over…”
It was over.
Everything was lost!
The adventurer youth’s captain, seeing the situation, suddenly went weak in the knees, almost collapsing.
Only he and the archer, Gilbert, were Lv2 here. The other two, a man and a woman, were merely Lv1.
In contrast, there were six opponents, all veterans retired from the battlefield. Their combat experience was undeniable, and crucially, they were all Lv2 warriors!
*Sigh…* He had merely wanted to try his luck, to see if he could find a mage to assist his team in completing *that mission*.
But why… why had things turned out this way?
“Heh heh…” With a pale, dry laugh, the captain gave up all resistance.
Ah… this world… why, why was it always so unfair to them?
“Captain!—” The archer Gilbert roared.
“Fight, Captain!” Giles, who was playfully called ‘Meat Shield,’ also shouted anxiously.
“Captain…” Finally, Angela, the sixteen-year-old female member of the team, recently expelled from the Magic Academy and usually solemn-faced, softly called out.
“Haha!—Die, you Adventurer’s Guild trash!” A guard sneered, swinging his blade at Captain Thorne.
Seeing this, the other team members finally reacted, rushing forward to try and block the attack.
Even though… they were facing a group of charging Lv2 warriors!
*Swoosh—*
A magical whoosh pierced the air!
Everyone looked towards the sound, only to see a rapidly approaching ice cone!
*Clang—*
The ice cone struck the attacking guard’s blade without missing, forcing the sword to deflect from the powerful impact.
“Who, who is it! Who dares to ambush me— ”
The interrupted guard roared furiously.
Everyone present was momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events, their gazes turning towards the source of the ice cone, not far from the entrance.
“It’s me. What? Are you not convinced?”
Standing proudly in the center of the street.
Leya maintained her right hand outstretched, still in the posture of having just cast a spell.
With an incredibly confident, yet utterly provocative smile, she declared, “If you’re not convinced, come and fight me!”