Hearing Amys voice made Mag recover from his amazement quickly. He put the sword away and smiled.

Is that a sword? asked Amy.

Yes. He had thought he might have to work at using the sword every night, but Mag Alexs extremely hard training had saved him the trouble of practicinghis body remembered how to swing a sword.

All he needed to do was get used to this new sword quickly, and then he could make the most of the Thirteen Swordplay Forms.

Now that he had got all the skills and experience down, the only thing standing between him and being a high-tier knight was his weak body.

I just need to make more money to buy strength from the system,Mag thought.Its the easiest way to get stronger.

Where did you get it? Amy asked, staring at the glimmering sword.

Up there, Mag said, pointing up.

That was a cool slash! Can you teach me, Father? Amy asked, expectant.

You want to learn how to use a sword?

Im more than qualified to teach her that, but studying magic is already taking up much of her time. It would be cruel to have such a little kid learn many things at one time.

Amy nodded solemnly. Yes, Father! She stared at the sword with longing. I want to be able to cut a tree in half too. Then I can protect you, Father.

Looking at Amys expectant face, Mag smiled. All right. Ill teach you a little every day. But you have to promise me you wont tell anyone about this.

Not even my two masters?

No. And you cant tell Miya, either. Its our little secret. You can tell them when the time is right, and Im sure they will be amazed.It wont hurt her to become stronger. No one will dare to bully her again.

She wont bully other children, I hope. If they were hurt by her, they would have it coming.

Amy nodded. Okay. I promise.

Thats my good girl, Mag said, stroking her hair. Ugly Duckling was resting its head on Amys feet. Mag poured some water for the two little things, hung the bottle at his waist, and put the cat in the bag.

Meow, meow. Ugly Duckling looked around curiously, and found a comfortable position to lie in.

Amy extended her arms. Im also very tired, Father. Could you carry me on your back?

Mag smiled. Sure. I guess chasing butterflies is tiring. He crouched down. Hop on.

Amy hopped on Mags back and threw her arms around his neck. Lets go! she cried in delight.

Lets go! Mag echoed, standing up, sword in hand, and strode towards their destination. The girl on his back wasnt heavy at allshe was only about 9kilograms1. Mag walked as she talked beside his ear.

The Valley of Thorns was around three miles away from the gate. The road Mag was walking along was two meters wide, full of cracks, grooves, and footprints, some of which were bigger than those of elephantstrolls, probably.

Now and then, an adventurer on a horse rode past them. Everyone couldnt refrain from looking at such a strange adventurer and his girl.

Half an hour later, Mag found himself looking at the immense valley between two mountains. The two sides were almost vertical at the mouth, which was only about three meters wide, and they were blanketed by thornsblack and thick.

The mouth was like the toothless mouth of a beast, constantly devouring adventurers.

Mag went towards the west slope with Amy. Most people would have chosen the valley or the east slope because a large part of the thorn bushes on the west slope had been destroyed by a big fire years before. Not many magical beasts wandered around that part nowadays.

That was why Mag had picked this placebetter safe than sorry. He had plenty of time to find a fire chicken.

Let me down, Father. Im too heavy, Amy said with a loving voice.

Mag smiled. Dont worry, sweetheart. Youre not heavy at all. I can carry you forever. The land here was very fertile, so new thorn bushes had already grown quite big. He would never let the thorns get his daughter.

Thanks to the sharp sword, Mag cut his way onto the mountain easily with Amy on his back

He had been very wary, but he hadnt spotted a single beast, let alone a fire chickennot even when he reached the hot spring.

The spring lay in a small clearing, about two meters in diameter and half a meter deep, ringed by stonesmaybe the spring had been formed that way from the beginning, or maybe someone had put the stones there to make it look like a tub.

Beside the hot spring stood a huge boulder about as tall as a human, burned blackcourtesy of that big fire.

The temperature here was a dozen degrees Celsius higher. The ground felt hotter as if a volcano were nearby.

The spring was steaming, tempting Mag to jump in.

Wow, a steaming spring! Amy exclaimed with excitement. Father, can I play with the water?

Mag smiled. Let me see if its not too hot. He put Amy down.Maybe I can wash my tired feet here.

Mag reached out his hand to touch the water.

Suddenly, a loud crow sounded and a fire chicken flapped onto the boulder.