Because there were several comments about Keel's gender.
I know that Keel is a girl, but none of the characters know. At some point Keel's father told her something that led her to believe that she was a boy. She doesn't even know what the difference between boys and girls is, other than having some ideas on gender norms. There was a line in the LN that suggested that "Nice Guy" (Reichnott) was aware, but he chose not to say anything. Even after growing due to leveling, people didn't notice Keel was a girl until seeing her wearing only chest-bindings and a loincloth, even then Raphtalia had to check to make sure.

If you check chapter 36 where Keel was introduced you will notice that Endou was unsure about Keel's gender until considering that Talia had referred to Keel as a boy. Because this is first person it uses male pronouns when referring to Keel, same as the LN until the reveal.
I am currently unsure if or how Keel's gender will be revealed in this fic.


Chapter 57: Back to Training

We met up with Reichnott after he finished his meeting with the queen and told him about Keel's decision to join us. The way he always smiled made it difficult to judge his reaction, but he seemed happy that Keel could move forwards with his life. Afterwards we found out from the queen that she had sent requests to various combat specialists that she hoped could act as instructors, but so far had yet to hear back from any. She did say that Eclair would likely be returning that night or the next morning, and would be able to help with sword training. Before everything with the church went down, Eclair was one of the best swordsmen in the country, now she was the best one that we could trust. Of course Seb and Talia had already benefited from spending time with her, but Ren and the other heroes' parties could use the help too.

So, I decided to spend the rest of the day training Keel, while Seb and Talia would spar in the courtyard and see how the knights train. I also left a clone to watch Therese. I had Keel get on Blake and we went to the same forest where I had trained Seb and Talia. Keel was not used to traveling at high speeds. It only took about 20 minutes rather than the hours of walking the first time. To compensate for Keel's low level, I had him wear the dog kigurumi, which Ren didn't want back, and cast Aura on him. He was rather resistant to the idea of wearing it, but when I pointed out that he needed to get strong fast so he could catch up to the rest of us, he relented. I then had him fight some of the weaker monsters in the area using various weapons that I had gotten as drops to see what kind fits him best and what sort of fighting style he should go for. It seemed that he was on the faster side, and showed potential with daggers and claw weapons. By the end of the day he was level 23 and able to handle some of the stronger monsters in the area without needing to be healed afterwards. Though, part of that was because Blake went and fought some even stronger monsters nearby.

Seb and Talia's sparing match became quite a spectacle and apparently the knights started betting on who would win. At the same time, to satisfy Therese, my clone started making a new accessory using one of her gems and some silver I got from the queen. I was a bit worried about how it would come out without bonuses from my shield, but working slow and meticulously meant I could probably do the finishing work myself without problem and Therese would be kept occupied.

At the end of the day we returned to the castle for dinner. Keel, who was growing from raising his level, ate as much as Blake, then fell asleep on the spot. Luckily he was still in the kigurumi so we just tossed him into a bed. I also checked in with the queen and she informed me that the other heroes had gone to do their own things after arriving.

The next morning we told that the queen wanted to meet with me. Seb and Talia were already awake and getting ready to join the soldiers for morning drills, while Keel and Therese were still fast asleep. I woke them up and had them go with Seb and Talia, after having Therese cast her translation spell. It wears off after she goes to sleep, so she needs to use my shield to cast it each morning. Then I left to meet with the queen. Side note, Blake was sleeping in Melty's room, and I wouldn't be surprised if that meant Melty was sleeping naked in Blake's feathers… again.

When I reached the throne room I found that the queen was waiting and looked like she hadn't slept last night.

"You wished to speak to me, your majesty?"

"Ah, thank you for coming. You will recall that I said I would be looking for combat advisors to assist in the training exercises."

"Of course."

"I sent correspondence to a number of individuals, and one of them has decided to participate. This warrior is well advanced in age, having fought in a war for Melromarc long ago. I believe that if you train with this fighter you'll find it a great contribution to your efforts."

"A war veteran? One that we can trust I hope."

"There should be nothing to worry about there. This person is the sole remaining practitioner of the Hengen Muso Style. There is a famous legend about this combat style. They say that it was once able to solve a problem that, theoretically, was only able to be solved by a true hero."

"Really? Other than using skills there aren't many things I've seen that a hero can do but a skilled high level adventurer couldn't." The only ones that come to are plant modification and raising filolial queens.

"According to the legend, this style commands a power commensurate with that of the seven star heroes. Actually, it seems the warrior had been training on one of the outlying islands in Cal Mira, unable to return to the main island in time to offer us assistance during the last wave, and so asked when the next wave would arrive. I informed the warrior of our current efforts."

"I assume that means they will arrive sometime today then."

"Yes, quite soon. As it happens, they boarded the same ship used to transport the two prisoners. I expect them to arrive just after noon."

"Did you tell the other heroes?"

"I sent for them but received no response. Sir Amaki has left to hunt monsters, Sir Kawasumi is still asleep, and Sir Kitamura has gone to take his morning bath. Sir Amaki said he would be back before noon."

Sigh. At least Motoyasu is awake and getting ready for the day, but Itsuki should be used to getting up early by now. And why would Ren go hunting instead of staying to train? Does he know somewhere with monsters that give more exp than the island bosses do after getting close to level 80?

"Also, Eclair returned earlier. She is likely at the training grounds."

"That's good. Most of my party is there now."

A soldier came bursting into the room. "The combat advisor has arrived!"

"Guess they got here sooner than expected."

"Yes, sir! It seems the combat advisor traveled through the night to get here!" The soldier gave a salute before bowing.

"And where is she?" (Queen)

"Actually… she went straight to the training grounds."

The queen and I hurried to the training grounds, but when we got there we found an old lady facing off against both Seb and Talia at the same time. They were unarmed, but she was still not only taking them on but apparently doing so with ease. On the other hand, they seemed like they were actually having trouble keeping up with her. It took a moment to realize that this was the same old lady who I had once helped give medicine to and then met again during the third wave. I knew she was good, but to take both of those two on at once was pretty incredible, one of my clones might be able to do it, but that's with stats that are far higher than anyone who isn't getting some sort of buff from a legendary weapon.

Eclair was on the ground, where she apparently fell during her own match with the old lady. Keel and Therese were on the sidelines looking terrified as if they might be challenged next.

"Shadow Saint! It's been a while!" She not only noticed me, but the old woman looked at me, seeming to ignore her opponents. Then she got Seb with an elbow jab when he tried to take advantage of what appeared to be her momentary distraction and he was down for the count. Talia soon followed as she tried to restrain her, but the old lady was just too fast for her.

"So, I take it you are the combat advisor the queen called in."

"Yes, I am. After you saved my life, good saint, I dedicated that life to helping this world."

"I heard you were training on Cal Mira too, and after seeing you take those two down like child's play I have to wonder just how high a level you are."

"I am now at level 95. I had planned to reach out to you, shadow saint, once I reached the leveling limit of 100. But if my services may be of use now, I will happily offer them."

Whatever Hengen Muso style is, I need to learn it. Even with a 15 level advantage, they should have higher stats from my shield's boosts, so being able to handle those two that easily would take a seriously powerful technique. And to get that high when it was supposed to be almost impossible to get past level 80 on the islands is impressive in its own right.

"I wish I'd been able to stick around longer after the third wave. I get the feeling that we could learn a lot from you."

"Perhaps, but from what I saw you already have a few energy techniques of your own."

"You said something about that during the wave, but I'm not quite sure what you mean by it."

"Oh? You were able to activate your energy for such a boost of power and even use it as a means of turning magic into a physical manifestation without knowing what it was?"

"Those are abilities I gained through training as an assassin in the world I was summoned from. The only time I've heard of energy techniques before today was when you mentioned it during the wave."

"Energy techniques from another world… Even if you never learned the fundamentals, having experience with them should make it easier for you to learn. Though, as your abilities are enhanced by the energy you are given by your legendary weapon, it would normally be harder to manipulate your own energy."

So my assassin skills are actually energy techniques? That might explain the way my clones work a bit differently here, but it leaves the question as to what energy is. She also said that [Abyss Lord] was an energy technique to boost my stats. But saying that I'm being enhanced by my weapon… does she mean how it boosts my defense and cuts my attack? Energy that enhances stats…

"Just to be clear, this energy you're talking about is something separate from magic and SP, right?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what SP is, but energy is separate from magic and the skills used by heroes. In fact, once you learn the techniques of Hengen Muso Style, then you will be able to apply those techniques to your skills."

"So you're saying I could use energy to make my skills stronger?"

"Yes, there is a legend among practitioners of the Hengen Muso Style to that effect."

"Is there a way to tell if the energy someone has suddenly changed?"

"You can get a feel for it once you use it long enough."

"Ok, I learned a special support spell on Cal Mira, can you tell me if this it affects energy?" I then cast Aura on Talia, who was still recovering from being taken down by the old lady.

"Oh, my! It seems that the spell you have just cast has stimulated her energy!"

I was right! Aura boosts stats through manipulating energy and the same applies to when I become the Lord. I'll have to learn more to figure out the specifics, but this information may be key to getting stronger. The energy I felt when I was crafting accessories while using Aura was probably the same kind she was talking about as well. It would serve to explain how I managed to make them such high quality. Hell, that might actually qualify as an energy technique in and of itself. Calm down, no point in getting ahead of myself.

"So, we got a bit focused on the energy stuff, but just what is Hengen Muso Style?"

"The Hengen Muso Style was first developed so that weak fighters could hold their own against enemies far superior to them in strength. It focuses on manipulating energy to even the field or even turn an opponent's strength into a weakness."

"Turning their strength into a weakness? Do you mean like how large monsters tend to have trouble hitting smaller targets?" (Seb)

"No it's a bit different. The first form of the Hengen Muso Style is a good example of it. Shadow Saint, would you be willing to spar with me to demonstrate?"

"Sure, but if you really can turn strength into weakness, I may be in trouble."

"A perfect response for one with high stats but knows that there is more to combat. As for my weapon, I will use a tree branch." The old lady walked over to a nearby tree and broke one off.

"Does your style normally use such improvised weapons? If I recall, during the wave you were using a farm tool."

"The Hengen Muso Style can work with any weapon or even none at all. One just needs to be able to apply the techniques to their preferred way of fighting. Now, Here I come."

She charged me, thrusting the branch like a fencer. I could have dodged, but I doubt that would make for much of a demonstration, so I angled my shield to deflect the blow. There was a loud clang, and even though most of the force should have been deflected, vibrations started moving through the shield and into my arm, accompanied by an odd feeling. The vibrations continued to spread and upon reaching my chest it felt like Shea punched me without holding back.

"Master Endou!"

""Sir Endou!""

"Don't die, my god!"

I didn't notice when I fell to the ground, or when I coughed up blood. I did notice when Therese casting a healing spell. It got me healed enough to finish the job myself and I was quite grateful.

"I'm sorry it did that much, shadow saint. I held back, but the technique uses the strength of the target's defense against them. You weren't kidding about it being able to cause you trouble."

"What was that and how can I make sure it never happens again?" I propped myself up on my arms.

"As I said before, it is the first form of the Hengen Muso Style. It's called 'point.' It was originally developed for use against opponents in stiff armor with high defenses. It seemed to be an appropriate form to use with you, shadow saint. But it maybe a bit too effective against you. That attack works by sending energy at the enemy's interior. It uses the enemy's rigidity and strength against them. The simplest way to repel this sort of attack is to purposefully create a softness and then to use that softness to reject the destructive force."

"So I need to get it out before it can do damage. Hopefully I don't run into anyone else who can do that sort of thing before I am able to." I got up, still feeling a bit off.

"Umm… actually, L'Arc has a skill with a similar effect." (Therese)

"He does?"

"Yes, my god, it's called Protection Break and deals damage proportional to the target's defense. Not that I would allow him to strike you."

We continued to talk to the old lady about what she would be teaching us until breakfast was ready. Apparently she could tell how capable someone was of learning her style just by getting a good look at them. Seb and Talia both had the "potential for discipleship" but Therese didn't. I wonder if it has something to do with her being a Jewel or the world she's from. Keel was shaking in his kigurumi when she approached him, totally afraid of her. She also said that it would normally take about a month training in the mountains for a talented individual to master the techniques, and around ten years for a normal person. We could get to and from the mountains easily enough with portal skills, but getting the other heroes to agree to training that long would be a challenge.


AN: The downside to having higher stats, Hengen Muso hurts more.