Copy Skills with Affinity! - Chapter 21

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Natty

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Copy Skills with Affinity! ◈

Chapter 21: Training

──────

“... This is a strange feeling too.”

Aiden looked around the bleak landscape, which had no background at all.

Meyer, sitting across from him with his chin propped lazily in one hand, chuckled.

“Everyone says that the first time.”

A space manifested from someone’s mind was called a Mindscape, and the place Meyer and Aiden had entered was one such space.

Aiden looked uneasily at the bracelet around his wrist.

< Item Info >

[ Soul Connector ] [ Rare ]

[ A bracelet that holds the supreme soul, the Dawn Knight. It allows entry into < Mindscape >, a unique space that those who have reached a certain stage can open. Within this space, you can interact directly with spirits. ]

... That effect was probably why this was possible.

The bracelet itself was merely an old relic with no effect, but the simple fact that it contained Meyer’s soul had somehow loaded it with all sorts of effects.

‘Just what kind of monster is he?’

When Aiden gave Meyer a look that conveyed that thought, Meyer, still craning his neck, looked him up and down.

Aiden instinctively shrank under that probing gaze.

He had not noticed it as clearly when he encountered Meyer in spirit form, but seeing Meyer face-to-face made him certain that he was no ordinary human.

Aiden knew one word that aptly described the person before him.

‘... A predator.’

People who seemed to exist in a different realm, as if they belonged to a different species.

Noel and Katia were the only others who gave him a similar feeling.

But compared to even those two, Meyer’s presence was distinctly...

‘... Scary.’

Unlike Noel and Katia, who usually hid that sort of presence out of consideration for him, Meyer had no intention of concealing anything.

Just being in front of him made him feel small. His pressure was especially overwhelming, even compared to those two.

‘Should I be glad I’m learning how to fight from someone like this...?’

The condition Aiden had offered before was that he would reach the stage Meyer had failed to attain.

This was one step toward that goal. Every night, he would receive one-on-one instruction in the Mindscape that unfolded in Aiden’s dreams.

Since it was a world built inside someone’s mind, no matter what happened, it would not affect the real world.

“About that condition you offered. Let me ask a few things before we begin.”

Aiden’s expression turned serious at Meyer’s words.

“Let’s be honest. You’ve got nothing going for you.”

“...”

“I know you can handle multiple abilities, but set that aside for now. You’ve never fought directly before, have you? Give me a kitchen knife, and I could kill you ten times in three seconds.”

Meyer certainly had no talent for empty flattery.

“And more seriously, you don’t look like you even want to do this.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You don’t welcome fighting itself. You’re the sort who runs at the first sign of trouble, aren’t you?”

Good grief.

“Do ghosts gain mind-reading abilities or something?”

“I established more than half the ability manipulation methods on this continent, you snot-nosed brat. Do you think I’ve only taken one or two disciples? I can tell just by looking.”

Aiden did know that.

Even now, the Dawn Knight was a hero of continental renown, and most of those heroic tales had actually been toned down.

... Which was why Meyer’s evaluation, after examining Aiden from head to toe, came as quite a surprise.

“... How does someone like you even have abilities like these?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve seen plenty of people use multiple abilities, but you’re the first person I’ve seen blend abilities together. How did you do it? Did you con the gods or something?”

“... Is that really such a big deal?”

“Is that really such a big deal? Is that really such a big deal...? You damn-”

Meyer clearly swallowed a string of curses before continuing with a deep sigh.

“Abilities are the gods’ exclusive domain. How does it make sense for them to blend together? It’s more absurd that no one around you has caused a commotion already. No, seriously...”

“... I did hear that His Majesty the Emperor has been diligently concealing information about me.”

“The fact that it can be suppressed like that makes no sense either. It only proves that this era’s understanding of abilities goes no further than that. If you had been born in my time, you might have been captured alive and dissected by now.”

... Even hearing that, Aiden was not sure what made it so impressive.

At least he understood that he was fortunate not to have been born in Meyer’s era.

Aiden scratched his head.

Well. He had never imagined receiving such high praise out of nowhere.

“Fine. With this alone, you won’t lack power wherever you go. You can learn ability manipulation much later.”

“I can learn it later?”

“More accurately, I need to study you first. This is new to me too. There’s not much I can teach you right away.”

... That was another situation he had never expected.

Still.

“... Is there anything else?”

Since he needed to raise his stats as quickly as possible, he had no choice but to press Meyer.

♠ Main Quest

◈ Act 1, < Imperial Capital Rift >

▶ Chapter 1 will begin soon!

▶ A related event will begin soon. (D-4)

... The problem was that the Main Quest was drawing close again.

The need to grow stronger as quickly as possible, by any means necessary, tightened around him by the moment.

“Hmm...”

At that request, Meyer scratched his chin and stared at him.

“There is a way. It’s not like there’s no way at all.”

“Really?”

Aiden smiled brightly, and Meyer nodded lightly in return.

“First, how about we die a few times? Nice and easy.”

Then Meyer swept a hand horizontally through the air. It was a casual movement, requiring no effort at all.

And then...

... Aiden’s neck, caught in the hand’s path, was severed completely.

His severed head flew into the air. His body collapsed to the ground. Blood burst forth like a fountain. His vision went black. He died-

“-?!”

Then.

When he blinked, the sensations vanished in an instant.

Aiden gasped as he checked his body. His neck was still perfectly attached.

But.

‘... Just now.’

He had definitely died once.

The sensation of his neck being cut off and his head rolling across the ground was vivid.

“It’s a false sensation. Dying in the Mindscape does nothing to your real body. You can come back like that.”

Those words fell casually on Aiden as he broke out in a cold sweat.

“What was that supposed to-”

“Honestly, you haven’t even reached the starting line yet. Getting used to extreme situations where blood and flesh fly is the priority.”

Meyer spoke warmly while loosening up, as though patiently explaining things to a beginner.

His voice carried the gentle air of a teacher guiding a student step by step, but his next words did not.

“Then you’ll have to keep dying while you fight.”

“...”

“You need to get used to fighting itself first. We should quickly arm that mind of yours, softened by peace.”

“... Wait, Senior. Is that rea-”

“Theory and technical instruction can wait. This seems like the most efficient method for now...”

Meyer continued with a broad smile.

... By now, however.

That friendly smile looked more like a demon’s smile to Aiden.

“... Survive by any means necessary, junior.”

The moment that sentence ended.

Aiden’s second death swallowed him whole.

▣

“... Aiden.”

At the sudden voice, Aiden sprang upright.

“Are you all right...?”

Noel studied his face as she spoke carefully.

His face was gaunt. His complexion was pale, and he seemed distracted all day.

Of course, he could not bring himself to say that Meyer had tormented him all night and left him like this.

“If you are unwell, please return to your bedroom. There is no need for you to remain in the office...”

“... I’m fine.”

His body truly was fine.

It was just that the memories of being cut to pieces by Meyer all night were so horrific.

‘... That damn asshole.’

With that thought, Aiden glared at the window floating before him.

-System Log

▶ You have engaged in an intense battle. New combat experience has accumulated.

▶ Build combat experience and learn techniques from various schools!

▶ When you learn techniques from 2 more schools, the “Combat Path” category will be unlocked.

He had died at least fifteen times in one night, but perhaps because of that, a new ability had been unlocked.

‘This is definitely...’

It was a concept separate from skills.

Skills generally produced effects through direct use, while Combat Paths were abilities born from the totality of a character’s accumulated experience.

It was like the difference between an active skill used directly and a passive skill that remained active at all times.

It meant there was one more category of skills he could copy, something that should have been a cause for celebration.

Normally, it would have been.

‘It feels like I’m dying...’

Noel had been the first to voice her concern, after all.

Ever since they returned from the banquet, things had somehow been awkward between them, and neither had been able to say much.

“...”

Aiden watched Lady Noel as she twisted her lips slightly, then fell silent.

The moment he cut her off by saying he was fine, she turned her gaze away instead of adding anything else.

As if she did not want to continue speaking with him any longer.

How should he put it?

Lately, it felt like she did not want their contact to continue beyond a certain point.

-Quest Info

◈ Fake Marriage

- You have been chosen as Lady Noel’s spouse. Maintain the contract with your partner until the end!

- A related event will occur soon. (D-?)

Looking at that message together with her sudden change in attitude, it was clear that something had shifted in her heart.

‘I just can’t figure out what...’

He truly had no idea what she was thinking.

As he continued looking at Noel, she let out a deep sigh and removed her uniform cap.

‘Oops.’

Had he stared too openly? He flinched, wondering if she would get angry, but Noel spoke calmly.

“Aiden.”

“Yes?”

“If there is anything else I can do to help, please tell me. You have not looked well since this morning.”

“...”

“If it is difficult for you to speak about, I can wait, but...”

... No.

He really could not understand her.

She avoided contact with him most of the time, but at moments like this, she calmly offered to help him as if nothing were wrong.

‘Well, then.’

There was something he could ask for right away.

“You would like me to teach you swordsmanship?”

Noel’s eyes widened at his request.

“Teaching you swordsmanship itself would not be difficult. What brought this on? You have never cared much for techniques like that.”

“... Because I want to live.”

“...”

Noel looked at him as though that was not something anyone would say, but it was the best excuse Aiden could come up with.

From now on, Meyer would beat him senseless every night. Should he not at least have some means of resisting...?

‘And more than that...’

The words used to describe Noel in the game included Lionheart, the Empire’s greatest knight, and Sword Master.

She might not be a monster who could conquer the world with swordsmanship alone like Meyer, who had severed Aiden’s neck dozens of times the previous night, but her swordsmanship was among the best even among superhumans.

Now that he had met the requirements for unlocking the Combat Path category, there was no reason to turn down the chance to learn from her.

“...”

As he organized those thoughts, Aiden saw Noel rub her forehead.

She seemed to be thinking deeply about his proposal.

“... Um, Aiden.”

“Yes?”

“When you say swordsmanship instruction, do you mean receiving one-on-one guidance?”

“... Pardon?”

“... I mean, would it be conducted with only the two of us?”

“...”

Well.

Aiden had never really thought about that.

“... Is that important?”

“It is.”

“...”

“It is an important factor.”

Noel emphasized it twice, as though it truly mattered, and Aiden scratched his cheek.

“... If it matters that much, shall we do it one-on-one?”

“...”

This time, Noel pressed her lips together and glared at him.

What was this about?

“... You are quite enthusiastic.”

“...”

“I do not mind, at least.”

“... Yes, well...?”

What was she trying to say?

As Aiden blinked at that question, someone kicked open the office door.

“What’s this, what’s this, what’s this? Sounds like a fun conversation.”

Noel’s expression hardened.

Aiden and Noel spent most of their time in the office nearly alone, and others respected that arrangement enough not to enter carelessly.

Even Stella, who served as Lady Noel’s adjutant, strictly observed that boundary.

Which meant there was only one person who would casually swing open the door without even knocking.

“... Your Highness. Aiden and I are speaking right now. Would you withdraw?”

“Come on, you are discussing someone I serve as adjutant. How can you leave me out?”

Katia answered with a beaming smile, and Noel’s brow sharply furrowed.

Her expression had only hardened before, but now it was downright fierce.

‘... I guess their resentment has not completely faded.’

There were still old feelings between them.

The atmosphere between them was subtle enough for Aiden to become certain of it at once.

“... Aiden asked me, not Your Highness. This has nothing to do with you-”

“Sure, but few people can match me when it comes to handling divinity. Wouldn’t he be more interested in wielding noble power than outdated swordsmanship?”

Noel’s expression became even fiercer.

She placed both arms on the desk and rested her chin on them.

The look on her face was as serious as the one she showed before a battle.

“Princess, I would think you should be grateful that I did not take you to court over the trouble you caused earlier.”

“... Hmm?”

“I would appreciate it if you refrained from meddling in our affairs whenever possible. I cannot let Aiden be dragged into exhausting trouble for no reason.”

“...”

Katia smiled at those words.

But her eyes did not smile at all.

The intent behind that expression was enough to send a chill down Aiden’s spine as he watched from beside them.

“You cannot even decide how to act, yet you want to keep him all to yourself?”

“... What did you say?”

“Nothing?”

At Katia’s reply, delivered with a tilt of her head, sparks flew in Noel’s eyes.

“... Fine.”

Noel rose from her seat with a low growl.

“If you are going to be that arrogant, then you must be confident that you can help Aiden.”

“Hmm?”