Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 255

In combat, the concept of distance is extremely important.

It’s not just about the range of your own attacks, but simply not being able to reach an opponent’s attacks gives you the advantage of dealing zero damage.

Furthermore, the mental余裕 that comes from not having to worry about an opponent’s attacks can provide room for your next actions.

I could list many other things, but the ability to manage distance, or the lack thereof, creates a significant difference in the effort required for combat, even if it’s just the advantage of being able to attack from further away than the opponent.

That’s probably why firearms became the dominant weapon in modern times.

Because they can inflict fatal damage on an opponent from further away and more swiftly.

Initially, hand-to-hand combat and clubs gave rise to swords and bows, and as time passed, guns were created.

As time has flowed, the means of attack have increased in range, and humans have now created weapons like intercontinental ballistic missiles that can attack even from the other side of the Earth.

Now, this is all about Earth, but if you ask me if the story changes when it comes to a fantasy world, I can say there’s not much difference.

If I were to point out any differences, it would only be in the means and the process.

The modern Earth uses weapons, while a fantasy world uses magic.

That’s the only difference.

Now, I’ve gone on at length, but what I want to say is this.

“Hmph!”

“Too slow! When you use magic, watch your opponent’s movements! That won’t even serve as a feint!!”

Having gained magic as a means of long-range attack, I’ve gotten much better compared to when I first fought the supervisor.

When I deflected the supervisor’s magic sword with my ore tree, I deliberately created distance this time, which I wouldn’t have done before if I knew it would put me at a disadvantage.

I thrust out my left hand, concentrated magic power into it, and instantly solidified the image, creating a single pale blue, electrified spear at the tip of my hand.

Without uttering a sound, I unleashed the spear-shaped lightning, which then split in mid-air and transformed into countless arrows. The supervisor swung her magic sword to swat them away, unfazed, and closed in on me.

I too had launched that magic as a feint, and not expecting any damage, I continued into close combat.

Being able to freely choose the distance like this has broadened my combat range, both mentally and practically.

“…”

Having broadened my range has also given me a slight余裕 in my thoughts.

I glanced at the supervisor’s face.

I only saw it for a moment, but her expression was very serious, and she appeared to be concentrating on my guidance.

Even after the conversation we had in the bathroom that day, our relationship hasn’t changed.

The engagement between me and the supervisor is not publicly known. Only the supervisor, her parents, and the Demon Lord, the president, are aware of it. They say that if such a thing were to become public, the surrounding nobles would surely object.

That’s why, just as usual, I continue to fight the supervisor and fulfill the main purpose of this training.

“You’re distracted, concentrate!”

“Yes!”

Thinking about such things, I was pointed out for losing my focus. Now, I’m pushing that aside and refocusing on the fight.

Just being able to use magic has greatly expanded my tactical options.

This allows me to regain my posture like this.

I take a step, rapidly firing mid-level magic to keep her at bay while preparing another spell.

Before, I was focused on closing the distance, but now I can control the distance, or intercept with magic and avoid being slowly worn down from afar.

“Armor”

And I’ve also acquired a new technique.

“Gale”

I managed to give form to the armor magic with the help of the supervisor and Instructor Fushio.

It’s still in the trial and error stage, but it’s usable in combat.

I activate a mid-level wind magic before the supervisor can close the distance, and grasp it.

By circulating magic power within my hand, I integrate the swirling magic into the surface of my body, wrapping myself in that magic.

This magic doesn’t disappear in an instant; it has become a storm armor that constantly unleashes a gale, fueled by my magic.

“Hmph!”

This armor is both offensive and defensive.

It blocks the opponent’s attacks with its winds, and any attacks I launch are enhanced by the storm.

While I’m confident this alone could slice any ordinary opponent to shreds,

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself!!”

“To me, it’s practically just a gentle breeze.”

That is the supervisor, who breaks through such deadly blades with a calm expression.

Even though I can now fight at both close and long range, it’s still merely a makeshift measure.

When switching between close and long range, there’s a slight awkwardness.

The difference in experience, the difference in training, the difference in skill.

These are all issues with plenty of room for improvement.

During this training, I’ve devised one technique that I haven’t told the supervisor about.

The distance is such that if I take one more step, it will be within sword range. It’s a distance where if we were to exchange blows and I were to cast a large-scale magic, I’d have to accept self-destruction.

The supervisor, who called it a gentle breeze, breaks through.

Hoping to end it here, I gather strength in my body and dash towards her as she charges in.

I too inhale deeply to meet her charge.

“Kiiieeeeeeeyaaaaaaa!!!”

I let out a monkey’s roar.

The monkey’s roar, imbued with magic power, acts as a shockwave to stagger the opponent. While it would obliterate low-level undead, it’s merely a scare tactic against the supervisor. It’s ineffective.

That is, if it were just an ordinary monkey’s roar.

This one is no ordinary monkey’s roar.

It’s not something I intentionally created, but rather a composite effect I discovered by chance.

“What?”

“Hoh.”

The effect of this technique was the greatest achievement I’d made so far.

Even the supervisor let out a cry of surprise.

At that distance, and as the pinnacle of a surprise attack, it was truly unexpected.

“…It’s a makeshift dragon’s breath, but what do you think?”

“I’ll be honest, I was surprised.”

As she wiped away the residual magic power from the corner of her mouth, I asked for her opinion, and she smiled with satisfaction.

By combining the monkey’s roar with my armor magic, I’ve been able to unleash a pseudo-dragon’s breath.

It was the first time I’ve ever made the supervisor defend herself.

The damage itself was not significant, as it was merely a mid-level magic amplified by my monkey’s roar, but it seems to have been surprisingly unexpected.

I chose wind magic not only because it’s versatile, but also because it pairs well with the monkey’s roar.

While it’s good to simply be taught and use what you’re given, it’s also important to think about other ways to use it.

Personally, it was a prank I thought up just to surprise her a little, but it turned out to be a surprisingly practical technique.

The technique involves releasing the magic imbued in my armor at the moment of the monkey’s roar. Given the nature of the monkey’s roar, the magic transforms into the shape of a roar.

In other words, it takes the form of a breath attack like that of a dragon.

The difference from a dragon’s breath is that dragons generate it internally, while mine is synthesized just in front of my mouth.

A drawback is that I have to reapply the magic each time I use it.

On the other hand, the advantage is that I can now unleash various types of breath attacks, although it still needs refinement.

“Heh heh, you really know how to entertain me. Mimicking a dragon now, are we?”

“I figured it’s better than deciding beforehand that I can’t do something and becoming too rigid in my thinking.”

“Indeed. Now, we’ve wasted too much time. What will you show me next? I’m looking forward to it.”

“I wish I could meet your expectations…”

Ideas don’t come that easily.

“Your concept wasn’t bad, but think of a more practical technique. Also, your magic usage is sloppy. Summarize that in your report as well.”

“…Yes.”

My wellspring of new techniques ran dry, and after that, I was simply thrashed.

While the armor magic did manage to make the supervisor a little wary, so it could be considered a success, whether I’ve actually grown stronger is debatable.

“…The bottleneck is my magic management. I realized in close combat that it’s unexpectedly difficult to manage.”

“Hahaha, Jiro was a warrior originally. He used the minimum necessary magic, and since his regeneration exceeded his consumption, he never worried about running out of magic, so it’s understandable that his experience in that regard is limited.”

“I can only tell you to get used to it. You need to grasp your total magic capacity by feel and instantly calculate its distribution. This is a skill, but it ultimately depends on individual sensation. I cannot teach you this.”

As for magic, my impression was that it consumed an unprecedented amount of magic power, and managing the magic within my body was more difficult than I anticipated.

The problem is that I don’t know how much magic I can afford to use.

That’s why I can’t casually use advanced magic.

While there is also the time for incantations, thanks to the two spartan instructors, I’ve learned shortened and silent incantations.

This is a break time, serving as both a reflection on the previous fight and a chance to rehydrate.

I sit on a chair, drinking an oral rehydration solution, letting the liquid seep into my body, trying to recover even a little.

“Sword techniques also don’t come overnight. I have ingrained habits.”

“That’s unavoidable. The forms are as I taught you yesterday. Base your applications on that.”

And my close-quarters combat has also improved.

Previously, my movements were, to put it nicely, unposed, or shapeless. In other words, they were out of my own making.

However, after being taught several forms by the supervisor this time, I’ve finally achieved a certain level of competence.

It will likely take time to become second nature, but it will undoubtedly become a valuable asset. As I pondered this, reflecting on my fight with the supervisor.

“By the way, Jiro.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“…Has the engagement with Evia been decided?”

“Gofoh!?”

This skull-gentleman deliberately chose the moment I was drinking to ask.

Instructor Fushio, who likely wouldn’t miss such an interesting piece of gossip, clicked his jawbone with anticipation, as if saying he wouldn’t miss such an interesting topic.

“Undead King.”

The supervisor, who dislikes being teased despite enjoying teasing others, wouldn’t stand for it.

She radiated magic power, as if telling him not to speak unnecessarily.

“What’s to worry about now? From my perspective, it seems like an engagement is finally about to be made. Right, Jiro?”

“No, don’t bring it up there.”

“Hmm? From your reaction, it seems you haven’t responded yet.”

“That’s right.”

Caught between the two, one irritated and the other appearing amused, I could only give a non-committal answer.

When the engagement with the supervisor was brought up that day, I naturally considered it.

My own feelings and my social status.

Considering both, I still haven’t reached a conclusion.

If you were to ask me if I have feelings for the supervisor, I would say I like her, but I’ve never thought of her as a romantic partner.

If you asked if I *could* consider it, I could answer yes.

However, every time the term “political marriage” flashes in my mind, I feel a sense of unease, as if I’m exploiting the supervisor’s status.

This is probably why people say I lack ambition.

“Hahaha, I see you’re troubled. That’s enough for me to be satisfied.”

While I was pondering how to convey this, Instructor Fushio seemed to understand and changed the subject.

“What are you thinking about, Undead King?”

“Oh, just an old man’s meddling. Towards the little girl I’ve been looking after.”

“Don’t do anything unnecessary.”

“Hahaha, whether it’s unnecessary or not is up to the master, you know?”

It wasn’t just me who was suspicious of his actions; the supervisor was too.

We don’t know what he might do.

I tried to put a stop to it, but it was like trying to nail jelly to a wall; there was no resistance. The conversation flowed by, and the break ended. The training resumed.

The supervisor, perhaps realizing that once training resumed there would be no room for unnecessary words, didn’t hide her resigned expression and began to move to fight me again.

“Jiro.”

I also stood up to face her, but Instructor Fushio called out to me.

When I turned around, I saw Instructor Fushio looking at me, but his demeanor lacked the usual teasing atmosphere.

“Kneel, and face him.”

It was a tone like a parent worried about their child. Without telling me to do as usual, Instructor Fushio simply implored me, then moved to a position where he could observe my fight.

I don’t know what those words meant, or what he expected of me, but they certainly took root in my heart.

A word for today:
Public and private troubles should be considered separately, but surprisingly, they are often connected.

This is all for today.
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*The first volume of this novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version followed on October 31 of the same year.
Volume two was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on “Shōsetsuka ni Narō,” with the addition of unreleased interstitial chapters.
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The manga adaptation by Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third” is scheduled to be serialized in issue 9.
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