I run.
I run.
I just run.
The scenery flies by behind me, and in mere seconds, I cover a hundred meters without a breath, and I keep running.
Even now, I’m not going all out, just moving at a moderate pace, but to an ordinary person, this speed would be unbelievable.
Without stopping, I continue to run, my eyes constantly darting around to survey my surroundings, my nose keenly alert for any strange smells, my skin sensitive to any subtle sensations. My ears strain to pick up any sound other than my own footsteps, expanding their range.
When did sensing become an active behavior rather than a passive one? When did I start actively trying to smell or feel things, not just see them?
All I know is that I acquired these skills because I needed them. I’m sure of it, from the days of fighting instructors. They say that when humans are constantly in a crisis environment, those kinds of senses develop, and I suppose I was one of those people.
“They’re not showing up easily… that means they’re likely watching and waiting, hiding.”
While thinking such extraneous thoughts, I search for Kaido and the others, but my efforts are in vain. I figured that if I ran around at full speed and leached out my magic power, Minami or Amelia would pinpoint my location, and Kitamiya would make a move, but it’s quieter than I anticipated. To think that they would take on the risk of a surprise attack just to end up with nothing.
“The subsequent developments will change depending on whether this decision was made by Kitamiya or Minami.”
This silence is definitely deliberate. I’m curious as to whether Kitamiya or Minami created it. I put the cigarette I finished smoking into my portable ashtray and look around, but there are no signs of anyone. I can imagine several courses of action that Kaido and the others might take next, but those are all patterns from before the training.
“In that case, the easiest option would be for me to find them and launch a surprise attack, but that’s difficult, isn’t it?”
If I act on that assumption, I’ll fall into Kitamiya and Minami’s trap and suffer greatly. Acting carelessly against opponents who operate on the principle of always expecting the worst and striving for the best is a sure path to disaster. I scratch my head vigorously, half impressed by how troublesome they’ve become, and half holding back a sigh at the unfolding situation.
“The easiest way would be to flush them out with brute force, but that lacks finesse, doesn’t it?”
Perhaps I should prioritize all-out effort over finesse, but since Minami and Kitamiya likely have countermeasures, I’ll avoid unnecessary stamina expenditure. In such a situation, the first solution that comes to mind is to cut down the entire surrounding area, flatten it, expose the opponents, and then engage in a free-for-all. If I wield the Ore Tree with all my might, creating a storm of slashes that serve as both offense and defense isn’t difficult. I can still overwhelm them in individual combat power. This is the most plausible and quickest tactic I can think of right now, but conversely, I believe they’ve anticipated it.
“They must have some sort of countermeasure prepared.”
Thinking is best done while smoking a cigarette. That’s when ideas come to me, but unfortunately, I’ve run out. Resigned, I feel a sense of emptiness around my mouth as I remain vigilant, scanning my surroundings for anything out of the ordinary. As I look around, I suddenly pick up a sound that wasn’t there in the previous silence.
“What’s this… a sound of water?”
It’s distant, but I can definitely hear the sound of water coming from the direction I was planning to head. And it’s not a sound of dripping water.
“Oi oi oi oi oi.” ***A roaring torrent, like a dam releasing its collected water.***
Catching the sound, a cold sweat breaks out on my back, and my body immediately assumes a full-sprint posture. Within seconds of running in the opposite direction of the sound, the source of the noise reveals itself.
“A water attack! They’re relentless!”
There’s no time to question which war-torn era this is from as I instantly feel the muddy torrent approaching me. I head for higher ground to evacuate to the safest place possible, but—
“This idea… it’s Kitamiya! Damn, they’re ruthless. So, they don’t intend to fight head-on?”
This decision, this plan. It’s not Minami. While Amelia’s actions might seem unpredictable based on her usual behavior and personality, she is calculating and moves as if performing intricate calculations in her mind. Conversely, Kitamiya, despite appearing to plan based on his personality and usual actions, has a passionate side and comes up with bold plans like this. It seems like Minami has added her touch to Kitamiya’s initiative. As if anticipating my movements, the water flow blocks my path, as if it has a will of its own. They’re blocking all the routes to higher ground, clearly intending to plunge me into the water.
“Underwater combat is out. They shouldn’t be able to do it either. In that case… entering the water means I’ll be flash-frozen, right?”
As I run, probing the opponent’s intentions, the answer naturally leads to ice, Kitamiya’s specialty. Freezing this much water instantly would be quite difficult, but not impossible. However, I feel that still isn’t quite right.
“It’s troublesome, certainly, but something feels off.”
To others, I might seem carefree while being chased by water, but since I can run faster than the water, it’s better to think calmly than to panic.
“…Higher ground, huh? Something smells fishy.”
As I ponder this, I begin to consider that this water current might not be an attack, but a form of manipulation. I consider various thoughts, weigh all possibilities, and think about the reason for using so much magic power for this. Are they focusing on long-range attacks to prevent me from closing the distance? It’s true that I would win in a direct confrontation, but not if they coordinate their attacks.
“However, I can’t read their thoughts.”
Continuing to flee from the water towards higher ground is the better option, but I can sense an atmosphere of being read, and I don’t think it’s just that. Even if they’ve secured the higher ground to intercept me, I can simply charge at them head-on. Therefore, the first step is to escape this state of groping in the dark and start by finding them.
“What are they thinking?”
They are thoroughly concealing themselves, trying to wear down my stamina. I understand that, but if they use such powerful magic, considering the magic power consumed and the rate at which they can reduce my stamina, they should be the ones at a disadvantage.
“…Therefore. Haa, it’s dangerous to make assumptions.”
There must be some other purpose. And if my imagination is correct, their objective might be surprisingly simple. I push off the ground, leaping between the pillars to gain altitude and secure a better view, then land on the top of a pillar overlooking the arena below.
“Ah, they went for the counter-counter.”
I look out at the arena, which is magnificently flooded, and then scan the surroundings, but of course, Kaido and the others are nowhere to be seen. This, however, solidifies my prediction. I reconsider the possibility I had dismissed and lower my gaze slightly from the front. I don’t think they would make it so obviously flooded.
“If they’re not up here…”
As if as evidence of this.
“They’re in the water.”
“That’s right!”
With a splash, the water at my feet rises like a tidal wave and attacks me. On top of that wave, Kaido swings down two swords simultaneously, one in each hand.
“Whoa, you’ve gotten quite strong, Kaido.”
“You’re looking awfully casual!”
In response, I swing the Ore Tree with one hand, blowing Kaido away. The impact transmitted to my hand lets me feel that his power has increased. I intended to pursue, but—
“Minami-chan, please do!”
Before I could, the water at my feet moves, engulfing Kaido and returning him to the water.
“So they’ve gained home-field advantage through brute force.”
Slightly muddying the water to obscure visibility, and staying in the water to prevent them from pinpointing his location. Unless they are a type of monster suited for underwater combat, humans, being land creatures, will have their movements restricted unless they are prepared. Furthermore—
“And on top of that, a natural fortress, huh?”
Water can be surprisingly defensive. Powerful attacks are dampened, and even strong magic of various attributes is rendered powerless before a thick wall of water.
“I could blast them with lightning, but they’ve surely prepared for that too. Haa, troublesome. They won’t give me any rest.”
And it’s not just Kaido; Kitamiya is also present. Ice arrows shoot out from underwater towards me.
“Well thought out, Kitamiya.”
And it’s not just ice arrows that appear. Kitamiya and Minami’s weakness is close-quarters combat. While closing the distance itself is a problem, the inability to respond when necessary is also an issue. I thought they would have improved in that regard, but Kitamiya has managed to summon golems. There’s no shortage of material with water all around. Part of the water surface freezes, forming humanoid—no, centaur-like shapes. Five ice golems, with human upper bodies and horse-like lower bodies, each wielding a spear and shield, charge towards me, crossing the frozen water surface. My footing is limited here, and defending myself is a bit precarious.
“Well, of course. They have regeneration, right?”
Given that the original material is water, even when I cut one down, it instantly reforms.
“And, sharks, huh?”
While I’m distracted by the golems on the water, things are also becoming unsettling underwater. A giant shadow of a fish is moving within the water. Although I can only tell from its dorsal fin and silhouette, I can see what appears to be a shark.
“They can use this many golems now? Amazing.”
There are over ten of them in total. I am genuinely impressed that they have reached this level of control and coordination. They are gradually completing their encirclement.
“…No, that’s not all.”
The ice golems are likely controlled by Kitamiya, but…
“Tch, was that Kaido earlier a decoy?”
I realized a bit too late. I thought Kaido had emerged from the water, so I assumed Kaido and the others were in the water underneath me.
“Amelia’s ears are also troublesome.”
I’ve been searching for magic power, but there’s no sign of her. I wondered how they were pinpointing my location in the visually poor underwater environment, but Amelia’s ears are the key. With real-time sonar, my position is constantly exposed. On the other hand, I can’t locate them.
“Whoa, close one.”
Moreover, I have to keep an eye on both underwater and on the surface. I cut down a shark that lunged from underwater, and exploiting that opening, I deal with a charging centaur. What I’m doing feels less like a fight against people and more like battling monsters in a dungeon. While impressed by the gradual tightening of the noose, I also realize this is not the time for admiration. It’s clear I’ll be crushed if this continues. I absolutely want to avoid that. On the limited footing, while fending off the centaurs and sharks, I organize the information. Kaido and the others are moving unseen through the water. If I dive into the water to pursue them, I’ll either be frozen or become shark food. However, I can’t just stand by and do nothing. I can’t win unless I can land an attack.
“If possible, I’d like to understand the roles of the others a bit more before making a move, but…”
Judging by appearances, the one who created this water is either Minami, Kitamiya, or Amelia. However, considering they’re deploying golems, it’s unlikely to be Kitamiya. There’s a possibility of a misdirection, given his ice magic, but the slight sense of the magic’s quality suggests it is indeed Kitamiya. In that case, since Kaido called out Minami’s name when he was recovered, it seems plausible that Minami created the water. However, Minami has high magic potential, but I don’t think she would use it in such a crude way. Considering these two points, it’s reasonable to assume that Amelia, who possesses great magic power but lacks fine control, prepared this water. Minami should be focusing on maintaining their underwater base. The roles of the remaining Katsu and Kaido are unclear. It’s unlikely they would be left idle in this situation. Someone must be responsible for the finishing blow. Kitamiya, despite constantly attacking me, shows no signs of using large-scale magic.
“…Well then, it’s about time I launched a counterattack.”
Perhaps I should seize the initiative while it’s still quiet.
“Ore Tree, connect.”
This is also a serious match. I extend the roots of the Ore Tree along my arm.
“You need more practice, Kitamiya.”
In an instant, I cut down the sharks and centaurs.
“Now then, where are they?”
I send slashes in four directions. That alone splits the water, revealing the ground for a few moments.
“Now then, Kaido, Minami, Kitamiya, Katsu, Amelia, let’s enjoy this to our hearts’ content.”
But, there’s no one there. I grin, a smile inherited from my instructors, towards my companions who have grown to be not easily defeated.
Today’s word: It’s not bad to go all out sometimes.
This concludes this installment. Thank you for your continuous feedback and error corrections. If you found this interesting, please consider leaving reviews, ratings, or bookmarks. The first volume of the novel is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA and was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content includes revised and expanded versions of the story originally posted on “Shousetsuka ni Narou,” with additional unpublished intermissions. Please consider purchasing the new releases! A manga adaptation of “Young Magazine The Third” by Kodansha will be featured in issue 9. I hope you enjoy that as well. Thank you for your continued support of this work.
