Did Isabella figure out that my past life and current life are different? Honestly, even if she did, it wouldn't matter, but the thought of my secret being discovered sent shivers down my spine. However, Isabella's next words allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief.
"I was wondering if you were from another continent. I've only heard rumors, but they say humans from the Eastern Continent have an incredible ability to absorb mana."
"Oh, come to think of it, if you go back to the stories of my ancestors, there are some mysterious tales like that."
I nodded slyly at Isabella's off-the-mark guess. The Eastern Continent is known as a place far to the east, different from the Nas Continent where I am. In fact, it was part of a project that the developers of <Paradiso> ambitiously prepared for five years. If I hadn't died in my previous life, a massive update would have been underway by now. I had even prepared posts and selected guilds to collaborate with... But since I'm dead, what's the point of talking about it?
Anyway, Isabella's guess was different from what I expected. That was a relief.
"At first, I was just following you around because I was upset about losing my spiritual eye! But being around you, I got a bit curious. It seems like you're growing faster than I thought."
Of course, it's fast. The methods I use are packed with so much knowledge and tricks! If growth were slow even with these methods, then there would be something wrong with the body, not with me.
"So?" I asked in a blunt tone. I didn't think Isabella was a particularly bad spirit, but I couldn't ignore the fact that she was still a spirit.
"I just thought we could have a more friendly chat now. Honestly, I'm a bit bored. You're the only one who can see me, after all. You took my spiritual eye."
Isabella's face, which was close to mine with a mischievous look, puffed up. Her appearance was that of a plump person, but she still had a face that seemed like it would have been pretty in her prime, just like I was back in the day. I thought to myself that maybe she should join me in dieting, but she's a spirit. You can't lose the weight of a soul.
"I'm open to conversation. But the spiritual eye is mine. I'm not giving it back. You can take it when I die."
"Fine, I don't care about the spiritual eye. It's not my only ability anyway. Consider it a wedding gift to the person who will be my husband."
"What?" Husband? Where did that come from all of a sudden?
I tilted my head at her sudden bombshell declaration.
"At first, you looked like a human pig, and you were so chubby that it was unpleasant to look at! But the more weight you lost, the more decent you seemed."
"Could it be that the reason you were staring at me while I slept was...?"
"Well, the more I watched, the more I grew fond of you, and I thought, 'Wouldn't this man be a good match for the soul of a maiden ghost like me?'"
I was once again surprised by Isabella's audacity to talk about such a serious matter so casually. She drove her point home.
"You gave me your first kiss, didn't you? And you took mine as well."
"Oh..."
It was all good until I used a trick to get the spiritual eye, but now I feel like I'm firmly hooked!
"I won't bother you to return the spiritual eye anymore, my love."
Smooch!
Isabella whispered into my ear, and the sound of her lips made me shiver all over. If this is the karma for getting the spiritual eye through trickery, do I have to carry it for the rest of my life?
"Sigh."
My mind was a mess.
An hour later.
[Through a week of training, you have fully mastered the training method with your body.]
[Please give an official name to the so-called 'Bug Training Method.']
While I was focused on my training in a meditative pose, a system message appeared. I had initially thought of it as the Bug Training Method because I couldn't think of a proper name, but now it seemed like it would be officially registered in the system.
'Since this training method will be the foundation of my existence from now on, it should have a name that symbolizes myself, right?'
After some thought, I came up with a name.
'The Solo Bug Exploiting Player.'
There seemed to be no better name to symbolize myself. There's no need for a training method to have a name like a training method or a cultivation method. After all, it's not something that will be revealed to others, just a training method visible in my own unique system window.
That's how I named it.
The Solo Bug Exploiting Player!
It's the name that will become my identity.
"Ha! Haah! Ha!"
Even from a considerable distance, Lena's spirited shouts reached Jared's ears. Jared was heading to the training ground where Lena was receiving guidance from Rakis. While walking for the training method, Jared kept rubbing his stomach and felt something strange, so he turned around.
Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.
Then he saw a group of maids moving under the head maid's instructions, all rubbing their stomachs with both hands. Among them, one maid suddenly blushed, raised her hand, and, upon receiving the head maid's permission, rushed to the restroom. Jared guessed it was probably an urgent call of nature.
'Why has my training method suddenly become the number one cure for constipation?'
Jared chuckled. It was no longer strange to see this scene frequently in the mansion. Since the lord was setting an example by rubbing his stomach every day, the maids and servants were following suit. The only problem was that this was spreading by word of mouth throughout the entire territory. It was said that the lord had a refreshing bowel movement with this method – and among women, it was gaining sensational popularity – and that he had lost a lot of weight!
'Well, if it creates a reaction that unites the people of the territory, then it's a good thing, right?'
It was a bit odd, but Jared thought it was meaningful and smiled. Meanwhile, he quietly entered the training ground. As always, Rakis was guiding Lena with a stern expression, and Lena was focused on her training, wearing a sleeveless cotton T-shirt.
'The lord is here!'
Lena's eyes shook when she saw Jared. He was the one who saved her from being sold into slavery and helped her escape the life of an orphan to learn swordsmanship in earnest. Lena had never forgotten her gratitude towards Jared.
The reason she was training so hard in swordsmanship now was because she wanted to live up to Jared's expectations, who believed in her and provided her with a good teacher.
"Lena, focus!"
Thud!
"Ah!"
In the moment her concentration wavered, Lena dropped the wooden sword she was holding when Rakis lightly tapped her wrist with his wooden sword. At that moment, Jared and Lena's eyes met, and they exchanged a gentle smile.
"Sir Rakis, thank you for your hard work in guiding her. Lena, are you learning diligently under your teacher?"
"I'm sorry, my lord. I'm still lacking..."
Lena wiped her sweat and lowered her head in regret.
"Go over there and practice hitting the wooden dummy. Your mind is ahead of you, but your body isn't following at all."
"Yes, teacher."
"One hour. Begin."
"Begin!"
At Rakis's instruction, Lena ran to the wooden dummy without a word and diligently practiced her swordsmanship. Then Rakis quietly approached Jared and spoke in a low voice.
"My lord, I don't know if I should say this, but..."
"Feel free to speak."
"Lena's progress is faster than expected. Really fast. It's amazing how you saw her talent at a glance... She has incredible talent."
Rakis's eyes were filled with sincerity. He had taught swordsmanship to countless people before, but he had never seen a student achieve such rapid progress as Lena.
It had only been a week since he started teaching Lena swordsmanship and defense techniques, yet she had achieved what would take others at least six months. Her understanding was quick, and her body's reaction speed was even faster. Just a moment ago, Rakis had to concentrate with all his might to find an opening.
If Rakis had been even slightly relaxed, his attack would have been blocked by the sword Lena reflexively raised.
"Is she that amazing?"
"At this rate, I think I won't have anything left to teach her within a month. It's been quite a while since she exploited my openings during practical training."
Jared's eyes changed at Rakis's words. Of course, for a promising talent, such rapid growth was expected. They absorb and learn everything like a sponge. But for Rakis, who was at least a C-rank warrior, to say his teaching period would be limited to a month was surprising.
Jared checked Lena's stats with his spiritual eye out of curiosity.
[Lena – Lv. 5]
[Strength: 13]
[Stamina: 13]
[Mana: 0]
[Intelligence: 5]
[Agility: 10]
[Charm: 5]
[Physical Defense: 2]
[Magic Defense: 0]
[Special Traits: Tenacious Endurance S / Extreme Will E / Weakness Analysis F]
[General Traits: Training, Perseverance, Focus]
'Her level went up by 3 already. Her strength, stamina, and agility increased accordingly. Her Extreme Will trait's evaluation went up a level. Oh? She developed a new special trait called Weakness Analysis?'
In just a week, her level increased by 3, and she gained a new special trait. Considering that many NPCs in <Paradiso> lived their entire lives without a single special trait, this was a remarkable change!
'Her determination and desire to learn from Rakis awakened her dormant traits. She's truly a born swordsman. If she learns defensive techniques as well, she'll become a highly competent tank!'
Jared's face brightened. He was grateful for the connection with her and the ability he had, the spiritual eye. It was a blessing.
Sensing Jared's satisfaction, Rakis cautiously added, "For now, I can continue teaching her, but in the future, she'll need a good teacher. She's too talented for me to nurture on my own. I request that you find her a good teacher, my lord."
Acknowledging his own limitations, Rakis was clearly not an ordinary person. Jared was very grateful for Rakis's honest words.
"Understood. I'll find a good teacher for her. I already have some candidates in mind, and I'll put it into action soon. Until then, I hope you'll pass on all your knowledge and skills to Lena."
"Of course, my lord. If it's your order, I'd jump into a fire. I'm not afraid of hell."
"Thank you. Then I'll leave Lena in your capable hands."
"Yes, my lord."
Just as Jared was about to turn away, Lena, who had been practicing with the wooden dummy, rushed over to him urgently.
Rakis sensed that she had something she really wanted to say to Jared and didn't stop her.
"Lena, I was going to quietly leave so as not to disturb you."
"My lord! I have something I must tell you!"
Beads of sweat were rolling down Lena's forehead. Upon closer inspection, her body was covered in scars. They were all honorable scars from training, but they were also proof of her enduring the rigorous process.
"Go ahead. I'm curious to hear what you have to say."
Jared's words were sincere. In the game, she was just an NPC known as a promising talent, programmed to say soulless lines. But here, it was reality. Lena was a living, breathing being with a beating heart. Jared's heart pounded with excitement.
"I'll prove it! As someone chosen by you, my lord, I'll prove that I can become a great swordsman! Please watch over me and have high expectations. Push me so I don't get complacent!"
Lena's enthusiasm was sky-high, almost reaching the heavens. Rakis, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but chuckle. At that moment, Jared felt a surge of emotion. It had been a long time since he heard such determined and passionate words from someone.
Jared embraced Lena tightly. Lena, in his arms, also held onto his waist firmly, not letting go for a while.
"Prove it. Show me that my eyes weren't wrong. I believe in you, Lena."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
"Look at these two, look at them. It's sickening," Isabella remarked from the side, but Jared accepted Lena's determination.
And he thought, 'Let's find a good teacher for her as soon as possible. I'll be the first to secure a talented mentor.'
The goal and purpose were clear. Now, it was time to take action.