It’s been about a month since Mera was born. She still can’t fly, but her form has been becoming sharper recently.
Despite being a Firebird, Mera loves bathing, so after meals, we’d let her bathe in the river that flows near the town.
“Brrr. It’s cold!”
As soon as they arrived at the river, the students quickly took off their shoes and stepped into the water. The river, flowing down from the mountains, had a refreshing chill to it. However, even though it was right next to the village, it was still outside the city walls. It would be wise for at least one of us to stay alert, so I sat down on a large rock by the riverbank and watched the students play.
Kimijima chased after Mera, who would have wandered deeper into the water if left alone. She rolled up her skirt above her knees to avoid getting wet, her slender white legs splashing in the water.
“Don’t stare at other women but me so intently…”
I struggled to resist the urge to look at Kimijima.
……Still, it had been a while since I’d seen children playing so innocently. Back in Japan, they would still be in the midst of their adolescence. But here, suddenly thrown into this other world, they were treated as adults, as if they had undergone a coming-of-age ceremony, before they could fully enjoy their teenage years.
This village might be a rural place with nothing much to offer, but it felt like a surprisingly good spot.
When we returned, the two of them were still happily chatting and drinking. The atmosphere seemed pleasant. Judging by the number of canteens lying around, it wasn’t just one drink. We kept our distance and headed into the village.
The next morning, as we were having breakfast in the dining hall, Spells and Mainui arrived.
Spells, whose eyes looked a bit sleepy, probably from drinking too much the previous night, sat down at our table with a plate of only vegetables.
“Yesterday, I discussed future plans with Regress,” Spells said.
“With Regress?” I asked.
“Yes. Well, he’s someone we can trust. So, the three of you will be trained by me and Mainui.”
I see, the two from the Federation will train the students. ……Wait, what about me? Just as I thought that, Kimijima asked.
“Um, what about sensei?”
Spells grinned and replied,
“Shigeto will be left to Regress.”
“Can’t I stay with sensei too?” Kimijima asked.
“Regress has asked Shigeto to venture into the deeper areas. If he runs out of magic after five draws, it’s most efficient to have him face higher-level monsters.”
“I see…… I guess I’ll have to wait……”
“Once you’ve climbed a few more ranks, then maybe. I’m sorry, but for now, you’d just be in the way.”
“……Okay.”
Kimijima fell silent, unable to argue with Spells’s words.
Seeing this, Spells softened his tone and spoke to her like a kind old man.
“But it won’t be long. We’ll have you all trained up soon enough. Once you reach the four-digit ranking, you’ll be strong enough to handle the higher-level monster zones. Just be patient until then.”
“Okay.”
“Besides, if Shigeto is in danger of being targeted by Disaster, it’s better to raise his level as much as possible.”
I see… so I’m heading into the deeper areas again. Even if I run out of magic, Regress will handle it. That’s reassuring. Hearing that Spells and the others were focusing on training Sakuragi, I felt a bit of urgency myself.
Nishina and Sakuragi seemed to agree with this plan. When it came to magic, it was best to leave it to Spells, who held the title of Sage. Mainui was also a fairly famous knight.
Then Stroman handed me the portable rations that had kept me going during those days. The case was slightly different, but it was likely the same kind of thing.
……So that means…
“Are we staying overnight?”
“In the deeper areas, it takes days just to move around.”
“……I see.”
So, back to the days of camping and portable rations…… But if I don’t get stronger, not only myself but also the students around me will be in danger.
“Even if that Disaster comes, we still have plenty of time.”
“Do you really think they’ll come?”
“I don’t know, but there are plenty of ambitious people out there.”
“……You’re right.”
“When such upheavals occur, the beginning is crucial. If word spreads that this Ten’i was strong, it will discourage those who would recklessly risk their lives.”
The beginning, huh? I’ll have to toughen up my heart as well.
Since we were going to raise our steps today, I was already prepared. After finishing our meal, we headed to the town gate and set off from there.
At the gate, Miree was talking to Regress. When she noticed us, she hurried over.
“Shigeto-san. I heard about the plan.”
“Ah, yes. Regress and I are going to raise our steps——”
“Regress told me to come along……”
“Huh? But……”
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I looked at Regress, flustered by the sudden request, and he just smiled as usual.
“Sensei. Miree can handle three people just fine.”
“N-no, that’s not the issue……”
“I’ll be fine. I’m a priestess at the Sky Temple, after all.”
With that, I couldn’t refuse. Regress had invited her. I couldn’t just——.
“W-wait, I’m coming too!”
“Huh? Kimijima?”
This time, Kimijima insisted on coming with us. I panicked and looked at her, noticing her glancing repeatedly at Miree.
……I see.
As I hesitated, Miree approached Kimijima.
“Yuzuki-san. It’s okay. I’ll return Shigeto-san safely to you.”
“Miree-san…… return him……”
“Hehe. Have confidence. Shigeto-san’s feelings are directed toward you.”
“Eh……”
The conversation was taking a strange turn. Should I even be here? Miree looked at me with a mischievous smile.
“Right?”
“Uh……”
“Is that true?”
“W-well…… uh…… I mean, it’s fine.”
“……Okay!”
I wasn’t sure if that was the right response, but Kimijima’s face brightened.
“Also, this. The timing is a bit off, but……”
I handed Kimijima the naginata. She seemed to realize immediately that it was the same one we had picked up during our escape.
“When did you…… Thank you.”
Kimijima gripped the naginata tightly.
The three students boarded the beast-drawn cart, and I climbed onto Regress’s Genuin. I was a bit nervous at first, but the back was wide and comfortable. Miree and I could sit easily.
We moved slowly ahead of the cart, as we were traveling together for part of the way. When we reached the unpaved section of the road, the workers who were repairing the path and the students got off the cart.
“……Alright, make sure you listen to Spells and Mainui.”
“I understand.”
“Don’t push yourselves too hard. Your lives are the most important.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Alright…… Kimijima. Take care of everyone.”
“Sensei, be careful too.”
“Yeah……”
Seeing Kimijima’s slightly teary eyes made my heart waver. If I were allowed, I’d want to get closer and hug her. I took a deep breath and suppressed the urge.
……But at this point, I just had to trust everyone.
As I finished my farewell, Regress urged Genuin forward.
And so, my step-raising training camp began.
“So, ……Seitai, the spirit magic is light-based, right?”
“It’s Miki. Light magic, yes—”
“Ah, sorry. I’ve been having trouble remembering names lately. Miki. Miki. Miki…… Yeah, yeah.”
“Miki Miki is fine too.”
“M-Miki Miki?”
“Hahahaha.”
While Shigeto headed into the deeper areas with Regress to raise their rank, the remaining three began their training under Spells and Mainui.
Spells wanted to see how Sakuragi fought using the magic she currently had. Naturally, as a teacher, it was important to first understand the student’s abilities.
Then, since it would be inefficient for all three to train together, Mainui took Nishina to a slightly separate area.
Sakuragi, following Spells’s instructions, demonstrated his new technique, “Magnifying Glass.” Although magnifying glasses existed in this world, even Spells, known as a Sage, had never seen one used as an image for light magic.
“Well, I’ll be……”
“How is it? Hehehe.”
“Hmm…… But considering the nature of light magic, which excels in attack speed, creating a magnifying glass before attacking…… Hmm.”
“Eh? Is it no good?”
“Not necessarily. It seems to have attack power, so it’s fine as it is……”
Unlike the confident Sakuragi, Spells was troubled after seeing the attack. In magic theory, using light magic, which is known for its speed, in a way that requires charging is generally considered a bad move. However, it couldn’t be dismissed entirely as a way to compensate for the attribute’s tendency to have weaker power in exchange for speed.
For now, Sakuragi would continue using the magic and work on increasing its deployment speed.
“Yuzuki, your magic is plant-based, right?”
“Yes.”
“Have you been using it for attacks?”
“No, not really…… I’ve been practicing remote control of distant trees, but……”
“Was that Regress’s idea?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Hmm……”
Spells crossed his arms and thought for a moment before speaking.
“Remote control of plant magic isn’t theoretically impossible. But it’s a bit early for that stage.”
“Early?”
“Yes. You need to get more accustomed to magic first and grasp its deeper intricacies. Regress might be able to do such things intuitively, but it’s better to take it step by step.”
“……I understand.”
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