The Ability to Shift Anything is Convenient, Even in Another World!

"Why is that?"

"The Phantom Combat Technique is a form of Body Art designed to disable opponents in quick succession, relying mainly on speed. In exchange, it sacrifices raw power. However, with precise strikes to an enemy’s balance, it can effectively immobilize them."

"On top of that, mastering it requires focus and dedication. You need to understand your opponent’s blind spots and know exactly how to disrupt their balance to neutralize them quickly."

Soru listened in silence. Aeden, worried that she might have unintentionally provoked him, tried to shift the conversation to something else.

"Perhaps I could teach you the Dwarven Imperial Body Combat instead. It emphasizes power and would definitely help you injure your opponents. Normally, only those serving the royal families are allowed to practice it, but I could make an exception—"

"Just teach me the Phantom Combat Technique," Soru interrupted, his tone firm.

Aeden fell silent. Not wanting to push him further, she quickly nodded.

"I-I can teach you right now, sir, but may I ask you something first?"

Soru gave a small nod, signaling her to continue. Aeden's expression turned serious as she met his gaze.

"Why do you want to learn this technique? Considering how powerful you are, such menial techniques should be useless to you."

Soru stared at her blankly while Aeden waited for his answer.

"It looks humane," he finally said. "Since it disables an opponent without causing serious harm, it would be... convenient for me."

And it’s also quite entertaining to watch.

Aeden remained quiet for a moment. An awkward smile spread across her face.

Yesterday, you were ready to crush us to death, and now you’re talking about being ‘humane’? What a strange person he is!

"A-Alright, I’ll teach you. If you’re this eager to learn, then there’s no harm in passing down its legacy."

Völun, watching from the side, leaned in and whispered to Aeden, his voice uncertain.

"H-Hey, are you sure about this? Do you really want to teach that kid?"

Without hesitation, Aeden shoved his face away.

"You’re in no position to question my decisions."

As the two bickered, Soru's thoughts drifted to Reika’s teachings from before.

Just then, Aeden and Völun were caught off guard when Soru suddenly bowed in front of them.

"Thank you."

They stared at him in stunned silence. Aeden, after a brief pause, smiled and gently patted his shoulder. As Soru raised his head to look at her, she spoke softly.

"It's fine. You don’t have to do that. Just saying ‘thank you’ is enough for me."

Maybe he’s not as bad as we thought. He might actually be kindhearted… though his face still kind of ticks me off.

"When will you start teaching me?"

Aeden shook her head.

"Now’s not the right time. We’re still exhausted from training. Maybe later? That way, I can teach you properly."

Without another word, Soru simply nodded and returned to where he had been sitting. Aeden and Völun adjusted their gear and picked up their weapons.

"I’m heading to the river to wash up," Aeden said.

"Count me in! Let’s go together, then," Völun chimed in.

"Are you mad? Bathing together when we're opposite genders is off-limits!"

"Fine, fine! I was just hoping, you know..." Völun muttered under his breath.

SMACK!

Aeden struck him on the back of the head.

"You lunatic! So you really wanted to bathe with me!?"

"Ow! I was just joking! I’ll go to the other side where we won’t see each other’s—ugh, never mind!"

Realizing he was just teasing, Aeden huffed and stomped off. Völun, grinning, ran after her.

Left alone, Soru stood up and made his way toward the settlement.

As he walked along the dirt path, he observed the villagers. Children laughed and played together, their cheerful smiles brightening the scene.

Further ahead, he spotted Reika and Alguis in conversation. Without altering his pace, he approached them.

At that moment, Reika noticed him. Their eyes met, and the moment he arrived, she immediately stepped in front of him.

"Next time you do something outrageous, consider the situation first. Jumping to conclusions isn’t always the right choice, you know."

Soru met her gaze but remained silent.

Sensing the tension, Alguis quickly stepped between them.

"I-It’s alright, Miss Reika. Sir Soru only acted to protect you. His actions were understandable..."

Reika sighed and shook her head. Meanwhile, Soru found a wooden stool under the nearby table and sat down.

"I will," he finally said.

Hearing his response, Reika let out a small sigh, her irritation fading. She sat back down and resumed her conversation with Alguis.

"Where were we?" she asked.

"You asked me about the Ardrom Kingdom," Alguis reminded her.

"Oh, right. So… what would happen if the King of Ardrom found out about the villagers' situation?"

Alguis stroked his beard in thought.

"Hm… I’m not sure how the King would react, but he might take action once he learns that the villagers relocated illegally without his approval."

"Would they be safe? What if the King decides to imprison them for what they’ve done?"

"I don't think that's the case," Alguis said. "I'm not sure how much this village's wheat production matters to the kingdom, but if it's one of their main suppliers, the king won't just sit idly by and let his subjects abandon their duty."

"Then they're in danger!" Reika exclaimed. "I saw their wheat fields—they're vast! Your assumption must be right!"

"But they've already chosen to abandon the kingdom and settle here. Even if we warned them about the consequences, I doubt they’d be willing to return."

Reika watched the villagers with a troubled expression. Alguis, noticing her concern, gently patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Miss Reika. It was our actions that put them in this situation. As compensation, we'll do everything we can to protect them from the kingdom's threats."

Reika sighed.

"Thank you, Mister Alguis. I'm sure they'll feel reassured knowing someone as strong as you is looking out for them."

"You’re welcome, Miss Reika. If you wish, I can formally take responsibility for their protection. After all, I am your servant now."

"Hold on... I already told you that our status remains the same. I only asked for your help to strengthen myself, nothing more."

Alguis chuckled. "That’s fine. Even if our statuses are different, being your follower… doesn’t sound so bad. It’s my personal choice, so you don’t need to worry about it. I don’t mind being a subordinate to a human, considering that I’m just a dwarf in a foreign land now."

Reika realized that arguing further would be pointless. With a resigned sigh, she relented.

"Fine. Do whatever you want, Mister Alguis."

Alguis smiled and gently patted her head.

"If you’d like, I could treat you like a daughter. How does that sound?"

Reika's face flushed with embarrassment.

"I-I would prefer if you reconsidered that. It’s a bit... much."

"Hm, alright. Just a master-subordinate relationship, then."

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.

"Wait! Does this mean I have a junior now!?"

Veylir had appeared out of nowhere, startling Alguis, who hadn’t noticed his approach.

"Reika, is that familiar the one who healed me before...?"

"Familiar!? How dare you compare me to such a lowly lifeform? I am—UHHHKKK?!"

Veylir suddenly felt the collar around her neck tighten. She struggled, gasping in pain, as if it might snap her neck in half.

"Pardon her rude behavior," Reika said calmly. "I forgot to mention—I had a subject before you, Mister Alguis. This one here was my first subject, the dragon Veylir."

Hearing the name, Alguis paused. Reika, deciding the punishment was enough, loosened Veylir’s collar, letting her breathe again.

"Veylir… Why does that name sound familiar? Have I heard it somewhere before…?"

"Hmph! Allow me to enlighten you, plebeian!" Veylir huffed. "I am the Wildfire Dragon Veylir, one of the Six Calamity Dragons!"

Alguis's mind reeled as realization hit him.

Those dark red scales, its majestic wings, and fierce eyes… There's no mistaking it…!

He shot to his feet in shock.

"Y-Y-You're the Wildfire Dragon Veylir!?"

"Hmph!" Veylir responded smugly.

"B-But… the Wildfire Dragon from legend was a massive beast! How did—"

"What you're seeing right now isn't her physical body but her soul body. She purposely shrank it to conserve her soul power," Reika explained to Alguis.

"Soul body?" Alguis frowned. "But being separated from your physical body should sever its connection to your soul… Unless—!"

"Her physical body is long gone."

Alguis froze. "Long gone...? Wait! You mean her physical body perished!? But how!? Who could possibly be strong enough to slay one of the most powerful monsters on this continent?!"

"It was Master Soru who slew my physical body," Veylir said casually. "Despite being human, killing a dragon was effortless for him."

Alguis turned to Soru, and a chill ran down his spine. He instinctively stepped back, trying to process what he had just learned.

A human who can slay a dragon… and one who can tame a dragon…!

Reika noticed his pale complexion and grew concerned.

"Are you alright, Mister Alguis?"

Are they…?

"Miss Reika, are the two of you perhaps… Extremity Beings?"

"Extremity Beings...?" Reika repeated, puzzled.

"You're exaggerating, dwarf," Veylir scoffed. "Neither of them possesses Extremity's Reiatsu. It’s true that Master Reika’s soul is stronger than the average human’s, but the gap between her and an Extremity Being is simply too vast. As for Master Soru… his soul power is close to nonexistent. Being an Extremity Being is impossible for him."

"How could that be...! Only Extremity Beings have the strength to contend with the likes of you!" Alguis exclaimed.

"The world is full of uncertainties and wonders, dwarf," Veylir replied. "I've lived on this continent for centuries, yet even their existence baffles me."

"Hey... Would you mind explaining what these Extremity Beings and Extremity's Reiatsu are? I’m completely lost here!" Reika asked, clearly confused.

Veylir turned to her and began to explain.

"All beings in this world, whether dragons or humans, are bound by the passage of time. No matter how long you live, even thousands of years, you will eventually face the inevitable—death."

"But Extremity Beings are an exception. Having evolved beyond the limits of mortality, they can achieve lifespans spanning tens or even hundreds of thousands of years. With immeasurable power, they are hailed as some of the strongest entities on this continent, rivaling even the Six Calamity Dragons."

"Extremity's Reiatsu, on the other hand, is the soul aura emitted by these beings. Their evolution isn't limited to their physical bodies—their souls evolve as well."

"Their soul power is vastly superior to lower lifeforms. Those sensitive to soul energy can identify Extremity Beings just from the Reiatsu they emit."

Reika stood in stunned silence.

"To think such individuals exist in this world... We'd better not provoke them!"

Soru, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke. "Why did you assume we were Extremity Beings?"

"I apologize for the misunderstanding," Alguis admitted. "But as far as I know, only an Extremity Being is capable of defeating a Calamity Dragon alone. And now, with someone like you appearing... the power balance of this continent will be shaken!"

"If we assume that Master Soru has strength comparable to an Extremity Being, then yes, the continent’s balance would change. Since Reika wasn’t the one who slew me, Soru is the only variable close to an Extremity Being—no, at least a pseudo-Extremity Being," Veylir remarked.

"But if he chooses to remain neutral and keeps a low profile, the balance should remain intact," she added.

Despite his unease, Alguis cautiously approached Soru, concern evident on his face.

"Mister Soru, I know you're powerful, but I strongly advise you to keep a low profile. The last thing you want is to attract the attention of those individuals, the Extremity Beings..."

"Don't worry. I have no intention of interfering in this continent’s strife," Soru replied calmly.

Hearing Soru’s assurance, Alguis let out a deep sigh and sat back.

"I just hope no one’s taken notice of all the commotion we’ve caused these past few days..."