Side: Prim
After Mother’s healer registration was complete, Safia was forcefully taken away by a guild staff member, who claimed she had a lot of work to do.
She looked reluctant to leave, but I hope she does her best without overexerting herself, as healer work often directly involves people’s lives.
“Now I’m a healer too. I’m still a novice, and it’s difficult to be stationed at the guild, so for now, I’ll focus on learning healing magic.”
Mother wanted to be stationed at the Healer’s Guild, but everything isn’t settled yet. Yamato and I stopped her with all our might, and Safia agreed, so Mother reluctantly gave in.
I think she can be stationed there eventually, but with Saches Trennel and Patriot Pride still around, and Retisencia’s agents nearby, she needs to stay quietly at Marquis Frederica’s mansion until those things are dealt with.
By the way, this is Mother’s Healer’s License.
Apricot Hydrangea
36 years old
Lv. 32
Beastkin – Foxy
Healer’s Guild: Amister Kingdom – Feel
Healer’s Rank: G-T
They say you can’t get promoted to the next Healer’s rank without passing an exam.
Being able to use the magic of the corresponding rank is a given, but you also need knowledge about the situations in which to use magic, how to use it effectively, and what happens in specific scenarios.
Just hearing about it gives me a headache, but it’s common knowledge for healers, and Mother said she studied that much. So, once she can use healing magic, she’ll take the exam.
I plan to help her with what I can.
But before that, there’s something I absolutely have to do.
“Prim, can I ask you something?”
I was thinking that, but Yamato spoke first, so I swallowed the words that had already reached my throat.
“W-What is it?”
“I challenge you to a duel. Fight me.”
“Sure… what!?”
Wait, hold on.
If Yamato is challenging me to a duel… does that mean what I think it means?
“Oh my, this is a pleasant development. What will you do, Prim?”
Mother, please be quiet for a moment!
“Even if you glare at me like that, it’s no use if you wag your tail so much?”
It was only when she said it that I noticed my tail was wagging more wildly than ever before.
Hey!
Stop it, my tail!
“Ah, well, um…”
He noticed!
He definitely noticed!
But that’s okay!
I’m so happy that Yamato feels the same way about me!
But why did he say that in front of Mother?!
No, I was about to say the same thing!
“If I win against Prim in front of Apricot-san, I thought I could get Apricot-san’s approval too.”
He was thinking that far ahead…
My tail is wagging even more violently than before, but I don’t care anymore.
However, I can feel Yamato’s determination to win against me.
He’s trying to win against me and fulfill my ideal.
If that’s the case, I’ll face him with all my might.
“Alright. The Order’s Guild training grounds will be fine, won’t they?”
The Hunter’s Guild also has training grounds, but since most of the space, both above and below ground, is occupied by appraisal rooms, they are quite narrow.
Normally, the size would be sufficient, but it’s too small for us to fight in.
On the other hand, at the Order’s Guild, combat training is part of their operations, and Orders sometimes gather there, so the training grounds are quite spacious.
Of course, the permission of the Order’s Master is required, but I think that will probably be fine.
“We can’t go outside, so it’s fine.”
“Magic and Engraving Magic are forbidden except for Physicalizing. Weapons will be wooden swords and wooden spears, is that okay?”
“Of course. I wasn’t planning on using Engraving Magic either, nor Engraving Tools.”
He won’t even use Engraving Tools; he’s really going to try and win against me with his own strength.
But that’s similar to me, who can’t use Feather-Woven Magic, so the conditions are even.
In reality, there’s a level difference, but as a member of the Winged Tribe, I’ve overcome level differences with Yamato many times before, so I think it will be equal on that front as well.
“Is it agreed that the first one to land a valid hit wins?”
“Yes. Also, since the weapons are likely to break, let’s allow hand-to-hand combat.”
Wooden swords and spears without Mana Rings will break immediately if struck directly.
It would be even worse with blunted weapons, so there aren’t many other options.
If we used Mana Rings, even blunted weapons would be somewhat usable, but with our magic power, we’d be able to cut people normally.
In that case, hand-to-hand combat is unavoidable.
“Alright. Then, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
It might sound ominous to an outsider, but we are both completely serious.
Perhaps because of that, we arrived at the Order’s Guild training room without exchanging further words.
But strangely, I didn’t feel awkward.
I wanted to feel Yamato’s strength firsthand, and more importantly, this duel was initiated by Yamato to win me over.
We both knew we were attracted to each other, and that alone was enough, but I still want to surrender myself to a man stronger than me.
So, Yamato, I won’t hold anything back.
Side: Apricot
Today is a good day.
I’ve been living without hardship at Marquis Frederica’s mansion, but I’ve never been this happy.
I felt the same way when I married my husband and when Prim was born, but this feeling might be even stronger.
I never imagined someone stronger than Prim would appear, so I’m truly happy that Yamato-kun challenged Prim to a duel.
Challenging Prim to a duel means Yamato-kun is attracted to Prim, and it’s as good as saying he won’t return to his original world.
Prim’s tail was wagging more furiously than I’ve ever seen it, so it’s undeniable that they’re in love, they just didn’t realize it.
But that’s precisely why both Prim and Yamato have decided to fight with all their might.
Many people have challenged Prim to a duel, but I’ve never worried.
I’ve seen even High Class individuals with higher levels than Prim fall to their knees before Prim’s Physicalizing, Mana Ring, and Feather-Woven Magic.
But today, for the first time, I feel a sense of worry.
Prim has also evolved into High Class and even created new Feather-Woven Magic with Yamato’s advice.
Her level has also increased to 54 in these few days, so I think it would be difficult for even a P-rank Hunter to defeat Prim. I thought perhaps only the Grand Hunter’s Master, who has evolved into Ancient Class, might be able to win.
Normally, I wouldn’t think Yamato-kun, a High Human at level 59 and a G-rank Hunter, could win, but he’s also the person who gave Prim the opportunity to grow.
It could be said that the Extreme Flame Wing was born precisely because of Yamato-kun’s advice.
Since he’s going to fight Yamato-kun, who is the reason for Prim’s growth, with all his might, I can’t help but worry, no matter how much Prim has grown.
“Prim, do you have a chance of winning?”
“No. But Yamato wants a straightforward fight, and so do I. Therefore, regardless of the outcome, I will simply give it my all.”
In the past, Prim, while taking duels seriously, always seemed bored beforehand.
This might be because there was no one who could move Prim’s heart, and it might also be because many people challenged the then-young lady Prim, seeking the power and wealth of the ducal family.
However, Yamato-kun has no interest in such things from the start.
Because he is purely attracted to Prim, he is challenging her earnestly.
That’s why Prim has such a good expression on her face right now.
I wish Prim would win, but in my heart, I’m also cheering for Yamato-kun.
As a mother, I might be failing.
“Are you ready?”
Standing in the center is the Order’s Master.
He is a High Human male and has agreed to officiate this duel.
I never thought the Order’s Master would agree, but the Order’s Guild has also been helped by these two, and I suppose it was decided that someone else wouldn’t be able to officiate.
By the way, the Order’s Master is level 47.
There’s also the Sub-Order Master, a female High Ogre, a subordinated High Human, and the Order’s Master’s sister who guided me around the city of Feel. The children I met at Prada Village are also here.
The Sub-Order Master is level 45, and the High Human is level 43, so they are likely acting as witnesses. As for the others, it’s probably different.
I have something I want to ask Prim, but their presence here suggests they know about the two’s relationship, and perhaps they do, which would give them the right to be present.
“Anytime.”
“Alright.”
As the two moved to the center and raised their weapons, the Order’s Master sharply lowered the hand he had raised.
“Then, begin!”
The moment the signal was given, I knew they both used Physicalizing with all their might.
“It’s… amazing…”
“High Class at over level 50 has this much magic power…?”
Raus-kun and Rebecca-chan, was it?
It’s no wonder they’re surprised; I’ve never felt such incredible magic power before.
“They’re not moving…?”
“Why is that?”
“I think it’s because the weapons are made of wood. I heard that magic other than Physicalizing is forbidden, so the weapons would shatter to pieces the moment they clash. So, they’re probably waiting for each other’s openings.”
That Undine over there is Flam-chan, and the Order’s Master’s sister is Meena-chan.
Rosemary-san is explaining, and as expected of a Sub-Order Master, she understands their intentions.
I don’t know anything about combat, so it helps a lot.
How long has it been since they took their stance and haven’t moved an inch?
It feels like more than an hour, but it might not have even been a minute.
It’s tiring just watching…
In terms of sheer magic power, Yamato-kun, with his higher level, likely has more. However, Prim, as a member of the Winged Tribe, can overcome a slight level difference.
Perhaps because their magic powers are in equilibrium, I feel an immense pressure.
Meena-chan, Flam-chan, Raus-kun, Rebecca-chan, the officiating Order’s Master, and Rosemary-san and Gram-san, who are acting as witnesses, are all sweating profusely, and I probably am too.
If it weren’t Prim fighting, I might have run away.
But my beloved daughter is fighting with all her might in response to the feelings of the man she loves, so I, her mother, cannot run away.
No matter the outcome, I have a duty to see this duel to its end.
So, fight hard, Prim.
Please win, Yamato-kun.
Side: Meena
The sight of you two, Yamato-san and Prim-san, who are probably among the top in High Class, facing each other with all their might is truly incredible.
Not only are your magic powers in equilibrium, but you can’t find an opening in each other and can’t even move an inch… I’ve never seen a match like this.
Although Rebecca-chan egged me on at the Magic Silver Inn last night, we decided on the order, starting with me and then whoever came after meeting Yamato-san and spending so much time with him, but I never expected we’d be having a duel at the Order’s Guild training grounds today.
After meeting him a few times, I’ve realized that Yamato-san’s feelings are undeniably directed towards Prim-san.
However, Prim-san hasn’t noticed, and Yamato-san hasn’t noticed Prim-san’s feelings either.
Perhaps that’s why Prim-san decided not to move, but it seems Yamato-san felt the same way.
It’s frustrating, but they are a well-matched couple, so I can congratulate them wholeheartedly.
Even so, Prim-san gave me a chance.
Although we decided on the order, Prim-san acknowledged me.
That’s why we are not allowed to move or run away from here.
If I run away now, I will lose my qualification.
You all won’t say anything like that, but I can’t accept it myself.
This is my duty, my responsibility, as someone who fell in love with Yamato-san at first sight.
No matter what form it takes, I will not move until the decision is made.
So please win, Yamato-san.
Side: Flam
The first time I met the two of them was in my hometown, Prada Village.
At that time, we only spoke a little, and they just taught me how to use magic. I only thought I’d thank them if I ever went to Feel again.
However, after coming to Feel, I was taken hostage twice, on the same day, by similar people, using similar methods.
It was Yamato-san who saved me then.
At that moment, my heart pounded, and I was bewildered by this new feeling.
That night, my younger sister Rebecca made me realize.
This is love.
However, both of you were also in love with Yamato-san, and from what I’ve heard, Yamato-san’s feelings seem to be directed towards Prim-san.
However, this is Helios Orb.
With a high female population, polygamy, regardless of social status, has long been common, and remains so today.
Even if Yamato-san’s feelings are directed towards Prim-san, or if there are others who love Yamato-san, it will not be an obstacle to being united with Yamato-san.
In fact, the two of them thought the same thing.
That’s why I’m grateful to Prim-san.
This duel was initiated by Yamato-san, but that doesn’t mean she needed to call me or Meena-san.
Yet Prim-san looked for us, so I must see it through to the end.
If I run away now, succumbing to fear, it will be an insurmountable obstacle for me for the rest of my life.
Therefore, I will witness it.
Believing in Yamato-san’s victory.
