In an open space within the forest, Anju-chan was practicing with her short crossbow.
“Aim for that target, look.”
It seemed to be a well-maintained archery range, with targets drawn on several thick trees, showing the marks of arrows. On the way here, I had seen something similar that looked like a magic practice area, so it might be land belonging to the Magic Academy.
“…Haii!”
As long as she kept pulling, it automatically fired ten shots in rapid succession. It’s a weapon that even weak magicians or clerics can use, but it’s surprisingly difficult to aim, with only one out of ten shots hitting the target, or even the tree itself.
“I guess it’s about getting used to it, but it’s still terrible.”
We all picked up the scattered arrows. By the way, the tips aren’t sharp, so they don’t hurt much even if they hit. And since they don’t get stuck in the tree targets, it’s naturally kind to the environment.
“…If you shoot from closer, you’ll hit it.”
“Then it wouldn’t serve the purpose of training, would it?”
“Hmm, is it perhaps the size that isn’t right?”
“This was the smallest size. If it doesn’t work, I’ll use it.”
“No, Derus, you have your Adamantite Sword, right?”
It’s not impossible to use both, though.
“…I’ll practice more.”
Even with this, her abilities have improved because we’re in the same party, and surely that includes her archery accuracy. However, her base stats, or rather, since it’s her first time using a bow and arrow, it can’t be helped.
“…Haii, haii!”
“Anju, everyone is like this at first, so don’t worry about it.”
“That’s right, perhaps it’s better to just accept it as a hobby.”
“When you can hit the target without accidentally hitting your companions, we can use it in actual combat.”
“…Yes.”
This time, two arrows hit a tree. Is it progress? Honestly, I think she’ll reach level fifty as an Illusionist before she gets any good with a bow, but it’s a good toy for Anju-chan to calm her mind right now.
“Wow, that’s terrible.”
“Is there really someone who can’t even shoot that properly?”
“They must be a junior, or even someone before they entered the academy.”
These were probably academy students who were hiding and watching. They had passed by the nearby magic practice area, and I had let them pass to avoid bothering them, but they had gone out of their way to find us and peek. I thought it would be fine if they just stayed quiet, but…
“…Haii, haii!”
“Whoa, that was close!”
“You can’t shoot at people!”
“Hey you, what class are you from? Or are you planning to take the entrance exam?”
Oh, I shot these three, and surprisingly, I hit the mark! Even so, even attacks like that can hit the eyes.
“Anju-chan, even if you’re upset, you can’t shoot at people!”
“…If Derus-kun says so.”
“Hey you guys, I didn’t say you could watch.”
“Whoa, that’s huge! What is this female warrior?”
“She’s carrying a huge sword on her back! That’s cool!”
Oh, Nina-san smiled a little!
“You guys, those who mock others while they’re practicing seriously are… like this.”
She caught the smallest of them and started tickling them all over!
“Ah! Hahaha! S-s-stop! Hahaha!!”
Ah, it’s a magician’s robe, so it’s easy to tickle her arms. And by the way, Nina-san’s expression is dangerous. Yes, I understand well. It’s the kind of expression I often see at night. I really can’t let this go any further!
“Nina-san, stop, stop! They’re real children.”
“Hah! …My apologies, I got carried away.”
“You guys, don’t just stand around watching others; go practice yourselves.”
“““Yes!”””
They responded well and surprisingly went back obediently. Just as they were leaving, though, they said,
“Ah well, we got told off by a little kid.”
And then Nina-san chased after them, trying to catch them, so I desperately stopped her.
(Ah, tonight I’m likely to be the sacrifice.)
After Anju-chan’s training, the next stop was, of course, the Main Dungeon.
“The ninth floor has quite a lot of Lesser Dragons.”
“And not only that, but there are Fire Lesser Dragons, Earth Lesser Dragons, Wind Lesser Dragons, and Ice Lesser Dragons, so all four attributes are present, making it difficult.”
Clarice-san, who was indeed saying that, seemed to be struggling to cast spells of different attributes. She seemed envious of Nina, who could simply cut through enemies regardless of their attribute and concentrate only on the enemy in front of her.
“Anju-chan, the ones that bring down rain are the red ones, only the Fire Lesser Dragons?”
Anju nodded vigorously while holding her staff. Even though it’s just a simple spell, it seemed to slow them down a bit, which was surprisingly helpful. Of course, some of them charged towards Anju-chan, and I cut them down.
(Even with just this, and even though it’s a simple spell, it’s still magic, so I hope it leads to a Level Up.)
As I was thinking that and watching the enemies approaching from afar, I noticed a party in the distance watching us. In this situation, I couldn’t just go over and scold them like I did during training earlier.
“…I want to shoot my bow.”
“Anju-chan, I understand how you feel, but you need to get better first.”
“…I have a goal.”
A goal like that?!
“Derus, if you’re going to chat, I’ll send about five of them your way.”
“Yes, please!”
“…There are no red ones.”
Although, since her bow was taken away, Anju-chan only struck a pose with her staff.
And so, we arrived at the Adventurer Guild later than usual, in the dead of night. The sleepy Hero Exclusive Receptionist clapped her cheeks with both hands before attending to us.
“…Anju-sama is Level twenty-nine.”
“Not enough?”
“The progress so far has been abnormally fast. No, this time too, it’s quite fast.”
I was stunned, but it’s normal for an Illusionist to Level Up twice or more in a day is an impossible story. I was glad no one else was listening, but then I saw one person peeking from the Magician’s Nest.
“And one more thing, there’s a request for Nina Starlights.”
“What kind of request is it?”
“From the Magic Academy, they want a Female Hero to teach them how to fight against front-line combatants.”
Has the rumor spread that far already? Certainly, she’s flashy to watch, so it can’t be helped.
“Hmm, when is it?”
“It’s in six days.”
“Understood. As a party, we will accept it.”
I reflexively covered Anju-chan’s mouth. Ugh, she’s licking my palm, it tickles.
“Then, is it alright to accept the quest? The exact date and time…”
After finishing at the reception, as we were heading for the exit, the magician who had been peeking came towards us. I thought she might be asking to join the party again. But she stood in front of Anju-chan and deliberately took off her hood to check. Anju looked at her with a blank expression.
“…What?”
“I’m still Anju’s boyfriend, right?”
“…I don’t know.”
Eh, an ex-boyfriend?!
“If you’ve gotten stronger, come back. Let’s team up.”
“…No.”
She quickly hid behind me.
“That’s why, see ya.”
“Wait!”
Ignoring my voice, he tried to forcibly pull Anju-chan’s arm! Nina-san ripped him away with brute force. She was faster than me, as expected. The magician was sent flying and chased back to the Magician’s Nest. He looked a little hurt.
“I’ll cast some Healing Magic, just in case.”
Clarice-san casually cast a spell, and we left.
“…Derus-kun.”
“Are you okay? You don’t need to worry about it.”
“…I’m your boyfriend, right?”
I remained silent for a moment, and then…
“How about we say we’re in the process of becoming lovers? Is that okay?”
“…Mmm.”
She pouted slightly and pulled her hood down deeper.
“Derus.”
“I understand.”
I felt Nina-san’s “give up” aura… But for important conclusions like this, I think I’d like a little more time.
“Anju-chan, should we attack him?”
Clarice-san, don’t say unsettling things! Anju-chan, don’t nod like that either!!
