True: Caught in a Summoning Spell – Isn't a Storage Specialist the Strongest?! - chapter 3

Chapter 3: Training Begins

Training began in earnest the following day. Mornings were dedicated to group lectures, while afternoons were reserved for practical training. Though we were technically split up, the Hero trio seemed to stick together for their sessions.

The first lecture covered a topic of utmost importance: the “Demon World Gate.”

The Demon World Gate, it turns out, is located in the Northern Desert beyond the Northern Kingdoms. My first thought was, “If you know where it is, why not just destroy it already?” Unfortunately, the gate is completely impervious to all forms of attack—both physical and magical—when closed.

Currently, the gate is slowly accumulating magical energy. Once this energy reaches a critical level, the gate will open, unleashing a horde of monsters from another realm.

However, once the gate is open, it becomes vulnerable, albeit slightly. At this point, if the Hero performs a special attack with the Holy Sword, the gate’s stored magical energy will dissipate, forcing it to close and preventing any further monster invasions. Even then, the gate itself cannot be destroyed—not even with the Holy Sword.

The Holy Sword, they say, was a divine gift to the kingdom’s first queen from a goddess. It’s like a celestial endorsement of their monarchy or something. Sounds laughable, but apparently, previous Heroes have indeed closed the gate using this sword, so its legitimacy as a divine weapon is undeniable.

To make it easier for the Hero to deal with the gate, a fortress is currently under construction nearby. The summoning of the Hero—and us—took place two years ahead of the gate’s expected opening to allow time for training and strengthening.

The two-year timeline is just an estimate based on the gate’s current rate of magical energy accumulation. It could open sooner or later than predicted.

Historically, the gate has opened approximately every hundred years. The last occurrence was 98 years ago. Back then, the summoned Hero party managed to close the gate relatively easily. When I asked what became of that party, I was told they went missing after sealing the gate. No accurate records remain, so their fate is unknown.

Yeah, sure. That sounds totally believable.

In addition to the gate, we covered general knowledge about this world, including geography and history. Predictably, the Hero trio struggled with these lectures. If they had turned out to be geniuses, I’d have been even more demoralized. Thankfully, they were exactly as they appeared, which, while a cynical thought, brought me some relief.

Oh, and PA—something I had been curious about—stands for “Protection Aura.” It absorbs damage received during battle. Once your PA runs out, damage affects your body directly, leading to injuries, bleeding, and a decrease in various stats. Unlike injuries or stat reductions, PA regenerates naturally. The key to victory, then, lies in winning before your PA is depleted.

Our training facility, the Tempela Palace, is situated by Tempela Lake, two weeks south of the royal capital by carriage. Originally a summer retreat for the royal family, it was repurposed for Hero summoning and training.

One lecture introduced us to basic magic. In this world, everyone can use magic to some extent. Magic involves channeling the mana within your body, reciting a specific incantation, and triggering its effects.

Apparently, there’s a distinction between “magic” and “sorcery,” though I didn’t grasp the details. The gist seems to be that sorcery is a simplified form of magic, while magic, on its own, is far more unwieldy. The analogy I settled on is that sorcery is like an app, and magic is the programming framework that powers the app. Both fields have their own dedicated scholars.

“Gather, o mana! Ignite swiftly—Fire!”

Suppressing my embarrassment, I chanted the overly dramatic incantation several times. When a tiny flame, no bigger than a matchstick, flickered to life at my fingertip, I was overwhelmed with awe. Meanwhile, the Hero trio were spewing flames from their hands like gas burners, scorching the ceiling and nearly causing a massive fire. Thanks to their antics, the lecture was cut short. What a hassle.

Afternoons were designated for practical training, but since I lacked the skills to wield weapons or cast significant spells, this time became my unofficial free period. Not wanting to be completely idle, I reviewed the morning’s material or read through simple magic manuals they lent me. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t produce anything beyond the tiny flame trick.

And so, my mundane training in this fantastical world began.