I kept f swords, and after f two more on-rank swords, I checked the system to get an idea of hooints I o level up.

  [321]

  'It's slower than I expected. How long would it take if I didn't have the "Accelerated Growth" skill?'

  Well... It makes sehat it would be difficult to increase my rank. The system would be utterly unbanced if I could rank up too quickly.

  Based on my calcutions, I'll rank up to G in about a week—if I fe several swords daily.

  "These swords are good, but they're not parable to the first one," Mikari said while analyzing the two swords I had fed. We were ing lunch together, as it was midday.

  Nina brought my lunch.

  "That sword is an exception. Sometimes I mao create something like it, but most of my swords are on swords. At least for now."

  "How long do you think it will take to reach a level where every sword you make is strong like that one?" Mikari asked.

  "Maybe a month? I have no idea."

  "A month is a very short time. Isn't that an exaggeration? If, in a month, you're making multiple swords like that, you could have your own workshop."

  "That's my goal for now. To have my own workshop and start selling my swords."

  "You o work hard!" Mikari said enthusiastically. "I'll keep watg you over the few days—I'm so excited about your progress!"

  "Are you sure you o do that? You said I don't need a trainer. You could go back to your work and leave me."

  "What? Don't you like my pany?" Mikari pouted.

  "Holy, having you here is better than those two idiots. Speaking of them, I wonder what happeo them."

  "Who?"

  "Balnan and Luck. You don't know them?"

  "I think I know someone named Luck. I saw him this m. He looked pretty sad. But as for this Balnan guy, I don't recall him."

  "He's an arrogant jerk who thinks he's better thaually is."

  ####

  Nightfall.

  By the time night came, I had mae four more swords, all of them of on rank. Mikari seemed pleased, even though they weren't refined-rank swords.

  "They may not be as good as that one, but these are high-quality swords. Good work."

  "Thank you."

  "Are you going te one more, or are you done for the day?"

  "Hephaestus is about to arrive. Besides, I'm exhausted." I was utterly drenched i, and my hands were trembling. All I wanted was to return to my room and sleep. I'd think about f more swords tomorrow.

  But, thinking back, ever since I arrived here, all I've done is fe swords.

  I hadn't ied with other characters ioo the dungeon, or evehe house.

  'Well, I want to evolve quickly, so I o work hard.'

  After training for a month, I'll think about other things.

  I reach a satisfactory rank in a month—high enough to get my workshop and start f ons to sell. Doing so will help build my reputation within Familia and Orario.

  Then, Hephaestus ehe training room.

  As she stepped through the door, Mikari grabbed the refined-rank sword I had fed and ran toward her.

  "Goddess, look at this!" Mikari's eyes sparkled with excitement.

  "What is it?"

  "It's one of the swords your boyfriend fed! It's incredible! I've never seen a sword like this—you o try it!"

  "Stop calling him 'your boyfriend.' Call him by his name."

  "ht. Eryk fed this sword. Take a look."

  "I've never seen you this excited before. Is it really that amazing?"

  "I don't know how he fed a sword like this. It has an ability you activate by saying 'Quick Ssh.' Try it!"

  "..." Hephaestus looked at the sword, then at me.

  "It's true. Try it out. But be careful."

  "Careful?"

  "Yes. The ability makes your attack much faster—it could be dangerous. My arm still hurts from earlier," Mikari said, rubbing her arm.

  "The attacreased my speed by 200% or more. My arm moved so fast that my body couldn't keep up," Mikari said with a bitter smile. "But if it's you, you should be fine."

  "Let's see."

  Unlike Mikari and me, Hephaestus didn't use a training dummy. She decided to swing the sword in the air instead. "Should I say 'Quick Ssh'?" Hephaestus asked again, and I nodded.

  She prepared herself. Her stance erfect as Mikari's.

  Hephaestus looked straight ahead with a serious expression and said, "Quick Ssh." Then, she swung the sword.

  Her strike was even faster than Mikari's, produg a stronger shockwave. Hephaestus widened her eyes and then examihe bde. "What kind of terrifying ability is this? No one react to an attack like this."

  Hearing Hephaestus, I cluded:

  This system is truly overpowered.

  This is a refined-rank sword, and its ability is only at level one. Yet, it's incredibly powerful in the eyes of Hephaestus and Mikari.

  I do have the power to ge this world entirely.

  'I'm gettied.'

  "How did you create something like this?"

  Knowing I couldn't lie to a god, I didn't know how to respond.

  Should I tell her about the system?

  "I'll expihing ter," I said.

  I didn't want to discuss it here since Mikari would hear about it. When we were alone, I'd crify everything.

  I hope it isn't a foolish decision.

  ParodyGirl