The blessing from the goddess doesn't only grant a profession.
There's another blessing that comes even before the profession—one you're given the moment you're born.
It's called a "Divine Protection."
Divine Protection is like a mysterious aura that constantly covers our entire bodies.
If you look very closely, you can faintly see it.
Its effect is to protect the body and take damage in your place.
However, each time it does so, the protection gets consumed.
As long as this exists, you almost never die even if you fight with real swords.
I asked them.
"So, if I land even one hit, I win, right?"
"Hey, are you seriously doing this?"
"I've been saying that from the start."
"Tch. Fine then. I'll show you the difference between professions."
The smaller, more agile-looking of the two stepped forward.
I don't really know his name.
Since his hair is curly, I'll call him Curly for convenience.
"What? You're not both coming at me together?"
"Huh? How full of yourself are you?"
Curly twisted his face in annoyance and drew the sword at his waist.
"For someone like you, one of me is more than enough!"
Well, can't be helped.
I drew my sword too.
Curly closed the distance.
"Take this, take this, take this!"
*Clang clang clang clang clang clang!*
"Haha! What's wrong!? You were talking big, but you're just defending!"
*Clang clang clang clang clang clang!*
"...If you only guard, you'll never win!"
*Clang clang clang clang clang clang!*
"Time to finish you off!"
*Clang clang clang clang clang clang!*
"...W-Wait a sec!"
Curly jumped back and put some distance between us.
"Why the hell are you blocking my sword so easily!? I'm a [Swordsman] with
"No, your swordplay is actually pretty good."
"Why are you judging me from on high like that!?"
I've been holding a sword longer than him, so I don't think it's that strange to say.
"What are you messing around for? Just hurry up and beat the [Unemployed] already!"
The one who butted in was the other boy.
Taller than Curly and a bit chubby, so he probably moves slowly.
I'll call him Chubby.
"Then you help too!"
"Fine, whatever. It's getting annoying, so we'll both go at once."
Looks like they're coming at me together this time.
Just what I wanted.
Curly and Chubby attacked from both sides.
*Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!*
"Hm, two at once is a bit tough."
Since I only have one sword, I can't handle simultaneous attacks head-on.
So I maneuvered carefully to disrupt their timing.
"F-Fuck you!"
"A mere [Unemployed]…!"
They're desperately trying to land a hit on me but keep missing, which is making them really frustrated.
Because of that, even though it's a two-on-one, they're not coordinating at all.
In fact, their shoulders bump into each other, throwing off their balance—they're actually getting in each other's way.
I see.
It doesn't help with teamwork or coordination in group fights.
*Clang!*
"Whoa, that was close!? What the hell are you doing!?"
"You're the one standing there!"
Chubby's swing nearly hit Curly, and they finally started arguing.
I took advantage of the opening and went on the attack.
"Ow!?"
"Gah!?"
I struck Curly's right wrist, then followed through and slashed at Chubby's neck.
Of course, thanks to Divine Protection, it didn't actually cut.
"My win."
"N-No way! That doesn't count!"
"Yeah! You used a cheap timing!"
Would you really say the same thing on a battlefield?
"There's no way us [Swordsmen] could lose to an [Unemployed]!"
"Next time won't go like that!"
Hmm, they're still up for more.
That's perfect for me.
This is way better training than facing Mom.
"You should stop there. If you're [Swordsmen], don't embarrass yourselves any further."
Suddenly a third voice cut in.
I looked toward the sound and saw a boy about our age.
He had striking flame-red hair and a refined, almost androgynous face that stood out.
"Who the hell are you!?"
"H-Hey… isn't that…?"
Curly tried to snap at him, but Chubby noticed something and stopped him.
"I'm a [Swordsman] too. But I'm one year ahead of you lot."
So he's a year older.
"You're the son of [Sword Princess] Fara, aren't you?"
"Yeah, so?"
He seems to know who I am.
Well, Mom is famous. Dad and sis too, actually.
…Though to be precise, Mom isn't [Sword Princess] anymore.
[Sword Princess] is one of the [Advanced Jobs], but it's considered among the very top tier, sometimes called a [Supreme Job].
She's undeniably the town's number-one sword fighter.
Even though she's not in the vigilante group, whenever a large monster appears near town, they often ask her to help subjugate it.
"Next, fight me."
"Oh? You wanted a turn too?"
"Don't get cocky just because you beat two weaklings. I'll show a real [Swordsman]'s power to an [Unemployed] like you."
Hmm?
He's showing a lot of open hostility.