If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

Axel.

Wiz Magic Item Shop.

Truman glanced at the signboard standing outside the shop, then stepped forward and pushed open the door of the old but not dilapidated magic item shop.

Ring ring—

"Welcome! ...Ah, it's Truman, long time no see!"

"Excuse me, Wiz."

He was greeted by the proprietress of the magic item shop—no, she should be called the most beautiful and kind-hearted proprietress in the entire Axel starting village.

He had long brown hair with a single tuft of hair on top, and was about 20 years old. His large almond-shaped eyes, cherry-like lips, and somewhat pale skin created a striking contrast.

The long, dark purple dress was trimmed with gold lace, with the same design on the cuffs and hem. Her figure was curvaceous, and her broad chest was accentuated by several leather-like braces, making her particularly eye-catching.

But for some reason, he always had a weak aura about him, giving people the feeling that he was easy to bully.

Unfortunately, his true identity was a lich.

"What are you looking to buy today?"

"...No, I just came to sit for a while. Is that not allowed?"

"Welcome! Please wait a moment while I prepare some tea!"

Wiz ran happily towards the back room.

She opened a magic item shop in Axel, originally intending for her adventurer companions to come back and play whenever they were tired. However, many adventurers in Axel also come to visit from time to time.

The purpose was simply to please the eye.

Truman wouldn't deny that he was just as ill-intentioned; in fact, he was far more wicked than the adventurers.

For example, "Hey, you don't want your identity as a Demon King's army officer to be exposed, do you?" or "Don't underestimate my intelligence network. Your duty in the Demon King's army is to maintain the barrier around the Demon King's castle. If you want to claim your innocence, go tell the prosecutor!"...

Such threatening words.

Of course, it wasn't because he coveted Wiz's beauty, but because he coveted her skill—the [Touch of Absorption] on the adventurer card was something he learned through various exchanges of benefits.

That's one of the advantages of being an adventurer.

You can learn any skill, even the lich's.

Soon after, Wiz brought over some tea.

"enjoy your meal."

"Thanks."

Truman picked up his teacup and took a sip. It was just dishwater with only one tea leaf, barely even qualifying as coarse tea, but for some reason, after drinking it, he felt calmer and also had a strong urge to confide in someone.

"Wiz, actually..."

He told Wiz about his affair with Frilian and the others, and Wiz said nothing, just listened silently. The lich girl was truly a good confidante.

half an hour.

After listening to the story, Wiz said, "I see. Truman felt he shouldn't waste his time there, so he left. But after leaving, he felt uneasy, so he came to find me."

"...I guess so."

Truman felt a little ashamed, but he still admitted it. However, as if he was unwilling to admit defeat, he said, "And when it comes to teaching magic, I think Wiz is better at it."

That's true.

Perhaps it's because worlds are different. Although Frilian has learned a wide variety of complex magic, her strength can only be considered average, while Wiz is the true Lich King.

"Indeed, that's how you see it, Truman... but there are differences."

"difference?"

"yes!"

Wiz thought for a moment, then asked a question, "Truman, do you know how long it takes on average for novice adventurers in Axel to leave this town?"

"About 5 years?"

I do know something about Truman.

He used to tease Duster on purpose, always boasting about his strength but unwilling to leave the starting village. In fact, besides the Nightmare Shop that everyone loved, it was also because the other members of his team were very weak.

"That's right. Whether it's a regular job or a high-level job, you need to reach level 20 or higher to leave Axel, and that usually takes about 5 years."

Level 30 is considered a pro.

But this only applies to Axel.

In the world of Konosuba, where monsters roam freely and individual strength is ridiculously high, level 30 is nothing more than a filler character on the front lines of the capital... When Kazuma Sato and his group went to the capital, the minimum requirement for entering the battlefield was level 30.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Truman, do you know how long it took me to leave Axel?... One year, just one year."

"Are you trying to say I'm weak? If you're going to cause trouble, I'm ready! My magic is powerful, so just bear with it!"

"That's not what I meant, please calm down!"

Wiz is very strong, really very strong.

She was known for her ruthless style during her early adventures and was called the Ice Witch of the Super Fighting School. Later, when her teammates were cursed, she made a deal with the demon Barnir and was transformed into an undead.

After that, she stormed into the Demon King's castle alone, forcibly forcing the Demon King to sign a contract with her that he would not harm civilians, while also serving as an officer responsible for maintaining the Demon King's castle's barrier.

Honestly.

Sometimes one can't help but wonder if Wiz is actually the real hero?

That's why Truman came looking for her.

"What does Navitz mean?"

"Actually, I'm not good at teaching. If what Truman said is true, that 500-year-old elf lady actually has a deeper understanding of magic. It's true that her strength might be a little weaker than mine, but when it comes to teaching ability, I'm far behind..."

Truman understood what she meant.

Many top students are actually very capable and can get high scores in every exam, but when asked to teach others, they stammer and can't explain clearly. Therefore, top students and teachers are two different things.

Wiz was suggesting that if you want to build a solid foundation, you should go to Frilian, who will provide you with more in-depth and attentive instruction.

Also.

Spending five years building a foundation is not a waste of time; many adventurers have gone through this process...

Truman suddenly realized.

"Wiz, you called me stupid!?"

"Huh!? No, that's not true!"

No, that's exactly what Wiz meant; otherwise, she wouldn't have used herself as an example. Subconsciously, she must have felt that Truman was no different from other adventurers.

Are you unhappy?

Definitely! After all, that's what they said!

But we must face it squarely.

Those who cannot face their own shortcomings cannot move forward. After all, those who achieve great things are the fools who keep moving forward, while the wise who remain stagnant are not.

"Phew... I got it."

Truman slowly exhaled, finished his tea in one gulp, stood up, and said, "Thank you, Wiz. I feel much better now thanks to your guidance. I will think about this matter carefully."

After saying that, he turned and left.

"yes……?"

Wiz tilted her head, watching Truman walk out of the magic item shop, feeling both confused and enlightened. She seemed to understand what her friend, Grand Duke Banir of Hell, who was also a cadre in the Demon King's army, had once said.

—The answer is already in my heart the moment the coin is tossed.

Truman was just missing a certain factor; someone gave him a push from behind.