Wolves of Hader

Chapter 40

Second week since my return.

For the entire two weeks, I had been implementing the skills of each class.

This was because I needed to be able to demonstrate the skills myself in order to register them.

The skill tests were finished, and only the final checks remained.

Since it would be disastrous if the skills I had managed to register developed slowly or were hard to cast, I devoted a lot of effort to this phase.

Was the path of magic power precise?

Was the power output as intended?

Was there potential for growth?

Could it be combined with other techniques?

Does it create synergy with other specialties?

Using these five questions as a basis, I built up the skill system.

The soldiers' bodies were already as trained as they could be.

Since they all knew at least basic sword technique, all they needed was a small amount of magic power.

"Young master. This is Russell."

"Come in."

Russell entered the cliff cave training ground. He had a parchment in his hand.

"Looks like the selection is done."

"Yes. These are the best of the soldiers, carefully chosen. I looked at their character first—they are all sturdy, young soldiers."

"Did you bring them?"

"Yes. I'll let them all in."

Big young men began to enter the cave. Clearly nervous, not knowing why they had been called.

There were seven of them—all around my age.

"I wanted to make it up to ten, but there weren't enough qualified soldiers."

"Seven is actually just right."

Facing the assembly of my house's best elites, I had worries. Should I form them from soldiers with different specialties, or stick to just one specialty?

In the end, I decided to compose all of them as Berserkers. This was because I could provide other specialty skills myself, and they were to be the select team I would personally lead.

So, I selected big, agile soldiers with patience and good character who were about my age.

These seven were now standing in front of me.

Russell continued.

"These seven swore by the same oath as knights and pledged to become warriors of House Hader, vowing to stand with House Hader and Young Master Roger under any circumstances."

"Donnie."

"Yes."

Donnie stepped forward.

The seven were startled, swallowing hard. It was the Donnie they knew, but he was holding a massive sword in one hand.

A lightweight greatsword crafted by two master artisans.

It was far more beautiful and enormous compared to the practice greatsword Donnie had used before, boasting a blend of red and blue.

Hidden within the broad blade was a Divine ore with amplification properties, and two red stones were set into the guard; stones that increased flame attribute and attack speed.

Furthermore, he was clad in pitch-black armor with a cloak draped over his shoulders.

The armor had enhancement stones that boosted strength and speed, and the cloak provided a shield effect.

The ring he wore was even engraved with 'Fear'.

Donnie had already registered eight Berserker skills.

Just registering them didn't make sword technique flow naturally, so Donnie had spent the entire week practicing those skills.

That was the Donnie who now stood before the seven.

An overwhelming presence.

A surge of magic power like crashing waves.

The power of the 'Fear' engraving in the ring.

The Fear engraving, leveraging the prestige of elementals, was more effective than expected.

The seven unconsciously hunched their shoulders.

Who would believe this giant was one of my followers?

"Donnie is the captain of this special unit. Once they have mastered all the Berserker sword techniques, Donnie will train them."

"I will follow your command."

As Donnie left, the seven followed him out.

They seemed more wary of Donnie than me—perhaps because I always concealed my magic power, whereas Donnie intentionally revealed his.

I spoke to Russell.

"Did you also select for the soldiers' aptitudes and specialties?"

"Some specialties are a bit short on numbers, but it should be fine as long as we recruit those who fit the roles."

"There were the most assault soldiers, right?"

"Yes. Here's the specialty distribution."

I looked at the parchment Russell offered.

Certainly, most were combat troops.

Assault – Warrior. 40 people.

Frontline fighters using swords or hammers.

Defense – Defender. 30 people.

Specialized in defense, using shields and spears.

Support – Archer. 10 people.

Providing ranged assault support.

Auxiliary – Buffer. 4 people.

Healing and increasing combat power for the squad.

"We're quite short on auxiliaries."

"That's partly because soldiers don't really know about support and auxiliary specialties. To be honest, even I doubt soldiers could heal wounds like priests."

"Not every squad needs an auxiliary. You can assign one auxiliary to every ten assault soldiers. We can increase the number of auxiliaries over time."

"I understand."

Once soldiers understand what a Buffer actually does, there will definitely be more wanting to apply.

Basic magic assault, healing injuries, boosting combat power, weakening enemy attacks, forming shields, and so on.

It's likely every squad will fight to have one.

"Tomorrow morning, gather all the soldiers. I'll endow them with low-rank spirit stones from Ta-iki and let them absorb a bit of magic power. Russell, you should also merge with the elemental today."

"What should I do?"

"You are the guardian of House Hader. You'll summon a shield of light and a vast barrier."

"A shield of light... I can hardly believe it."

"You'll see for yourself."

I immediately headed for the secret workshop.

The two master artisans welcomed me.

"You're here, young master."

"Come in."

"You've worked hard."

"We really could use some Dran assistants. Making all this equipment by ourselves—we'll never do it again."

Urald grumbled.

He had a point; they had made so many things that even the underground warehouse was packed full.

Magic crystals containing skills were piled up in huge numbers.

Equipment imbued with various effects and weapon prototypes were hanging on display.

They had crafted greatswords for my direct elite troops, and weapons for those at ranks of captain and above.

All had amplification properties thanks to Divine ores.

Other general equipment was being steadily produced by the blacksmiths, who were residents of the fortress.

"Oh, how did the extraction of magic power go?"

"Do you really plan to distribute magic power to the soldiers?"

"It's not like I'm giving them a lot."

"It feels like a waste of magic stones."

"The Racrill vein is vast. If we give magic power to soldiers and take them on expeditions, the gains will be much greater. Can I see the extract?"

"Here it is."

Wundbark pulled away the cloth covering a long table.

Rows of glass jars filled with muddy water lined up on the table, along with ten bottles of red liquid made from melted firestone.

They produced the extract by grinding magic stones into fine powder, dissolving them in water, and boiling them for a long time.

You couldn't just boil it—you also had to use Wundbark's edible extraction powder.

"The magic power turned out greater than expected."

"We put fifty magic crystals in there. Of course the output is great. It usually takes relentless effort to gain magic power, so storing it this way is almost cheating. Thanks to the elementals."

"House Hader must be unique."

"It's really you, young master, who's unique."

I gave the two artisans my respect with a smile.

Urald could have managed on his own, but with Wundbark's help, they had accomplished far more than expected.

"Now, shall we check the sword?"

"Can I look forward to it?"

"Of course—it's your sword."

Wundbark brought out a huge sword wrapped in a white cloth.

The blade was slightly taller than me and looked quite heavy, but Wundbark supported it easily in both hands.

Thunk—

When he set it on the table, it made a heavy sound. Wundbark proudly unwrapped it.

"Oh!"

An involuntary exclamation escaped me.

A blood-red blade.

Aura flickering on its surface!

The fiery red aura alone marked it as a magic sword. I could sense its formidable presence and intimidating force.

One edge was sharp, the other dull. The red and blue symbols engraved on the blade were inlaid with fire-element ore and Divine ore.

Moreover, there were five differently colored enhancement stones embedded in the guard.

Lightweight. Increase in attack power. Flame attribute. Attack speed boost. Blessing of the elemental.

They packed everything possible into this sword from the materials they collected.

Blessing of the elemental was a unique trait, just like divinity, that gave excellent resistance to darkness and granted healing power.

That power radiated as authority.

Donnie and Urald's elementals didn't hold this trait or presence.

I suppose the greater the magic power possessed, the stronger the elemental's shared power.

"Give it a try."

At Urald's words, I lifted the sword.

It was a bit heavy with one hand, but felt light with two. Honestly, it was so heavy it might split a horse in two.

"No one will be able to lift this without the permission of your elemental, young master. There's not a sword this big on any continent, nor another magic sword with so much imbued in it."

"Can I swing it once?"

"Of course."

I turned with the greatsword in my hands.

I swung it with both hands.

Whoosh—whiiing—

With its actual weight, you could hear the sound as it cut through the air.

I'd been a Berserker in the early stages, but I wondered if I could ever catch up to the guildmaster's level.

'Leap Slam!'

Shoo—

Kukukung—!

I soared nearly seven paces and smashed the greatsword down.

The ground shattered and vibrated, and flames erupted due to its fire property.

"Phew... Feels great."

When I looked back, Urald and Wundbark's jaws had dropped. Wundbark's pupils were dilated in shock.

They looked at me as if to say, what on earth was that?

"Did I shock you by smashing the ground?"

"So you just... flew from here to there?"

"Of course. You saw it."

"That's your sword technique, young master?"

"Yes, isn't it cool?"

Wundbark said, looking dumbfounded.

"So, so soldiers can do that too?"

"With higher magic power and proficiency, it's not impossible. We can add even more effects. The sword could unleash lightning on hit, or stun enemies."

"Amazing."

"Bellen and Lok will probably overwhelm all the soldiers. They'll unleash the latent powers and abilities of the Elin. You've done great—let's have a hearty meal tonight."

"Y-yeah."

I left the workshop.

Finally, tomorrow.

Warriors will be born in House Hader.

/ / /

From the morning, the entire barracks was buzzing.

The soldiers drank a mysterious liquid and writhed on the bunks in the barracks.

Those who recovered entered the headquarters immediately after.

Those who entered the headquarters were given low-rank spirit stones and skills. Most soldiers didn't understand how things were working.

Those who acquired skills were supplied with basic equipment.

The eleven soldiers who'd endured life and death with me since the western territory days became captains and were also given accessories with continuous effects.

The entire barracks became rowdy after that.

Having heard Russell's explanation, many soldiers took the initiative to start skill practice.

After seeing Donnie's demonstration, they were greatly motivated.

Donnie separately trained the seven Berserker elites under my direct command.

Bellen and Lok, who had received basic magic and Archer skills, conducted their own training.

As the day wore on and evening approached, something surprising happened.

Bellen and Lok became skilled at casting their skills, and now some regular soldiers began to do the same.

This marked the onset of a training whirlwind.

As proficiency increased, physical stats did too. With growing strength and speed, the power of their skills was becoming apparent.

On top of that, I used both carrot and stick.

While training was in full swing.

Russell stepped forth.

"Tomorrow morning! Any soldier who has gained magic power and skills from our house but fails to meet the required standards will have to leave the fortress! We do not need anyone who doesn't wish to become a warrior of House Hader! However!"

Russell's voice rang out thunderously.

"For those who skillfully utilize their techniques, we will award three additional skills and extra magic power! Regular gear will be supplied, as well as the status of House Hader apprentice knight!"

Of course, it was a knight of our house alone.

Perhaps because that word "knight" was used.

The soldiers stopped eating and sleeping—they did nothing but train.

Since most of them came from humble origins, becoming a knight was a dream.

It wasn't competition among the soldiers.

It was something they could gain through their own efforts.

It was a chance to change their lives—and it would be fun to see themselves improve day by day.

Even if they collapsed from exhaustion—not a single soldier gave up. Russell never selected anyone likely to do so in the first place.

So a week passed.

Then a fortnight.