The ticking of the clock hands echoed in my ears.
After accompanying Kanzaki and the others in their training, it was time for my own. My talent was said to be above average, but there were still people better than me. Take Jiro-san, for example. In terms of combat power, he was undeniably the top Dungeon Tester. Minami also had more talent in magic than I did.
Then there were the instructors, Himik-san, Shiik-san, Miik-san, and the other angels. When I met the president, I was truly shown the wall of skill. I wanted to believe that effort could overcome it, but the effort required was far from ordinary.
Aware of this, I entered the dungeon alone after finishing joint training with Kanzaki and the others, and then my party training. The sound I heard was the second hand of the wristwatch on my left hand. It was precisely because I concentrated my senses and remained vigilant of my surroundings that I could hear even such a faint sound.
A mage challenging a dungeon alone. And not just any dungeon, but the Dragon King’s Dungeon, which I considered difficult for a mage to fight in. Around me, monsters, impaled by ice or frozen and shattered, returned to magic essence. “Haa, can I go a little further?” I tossed the dropped items into my Magic Bag and began to walk slowly, seeking the next battle.
Even though it was shallow near the entrance of the dungeon, the Dragon King’s Dungeon had a bizarre power balance, tending to become more powerful the deeper you went. However, that didn’t mean the shallow areas only had weak enemies. “Speaking of which, here they come.” A flock of wyverns circled in the sky. Not just one or two, but so many that it looked like a flock of crows covering the sky. I remained calm, yet fought fiercely. ” I have no intention of giving you the first strike.”
And it wasn’t just any wyverns that came. I quickly realized that. A characteristic electrical discharge. Wyverns with lightning-attribute magic power were an advanced subspecies known as Lightning-Winged Wyverns. While normal wyverns didn’t breathe fire, these creatures could. Their breath was less powerful than a dragon’s, but they could still breathe. I quickly adjusted my hat and began aerial interception while remaining aware of my surroundings. When fighting alone, one must always be on guard in all directions. If you are too focused on enemies in front of you, you can be attacked and defeated from the sides in an instant.
Once, and several times since, I had experienced a pseudo-death within a dungeon. It had taught me a lesson, but it also left me with an indescribable sense of revulsion. However, I seemed to be more of a sore loser than I thought. Surviving meant I wouldn’t lose next time, which spurred me on. I thought to myself that I was quite positive, and began to chant a spell.
The monsters in the sky attacked when they noticed my spell. “Yes, you took the bait.” But I knew that wasn’t their main intention. A sudden turn and a sharp dive. This maneuver indicated something. “It’s from the ground, not a side tunnel as I thought. A direct hit.” An ambush from a direction other than the sky. Monsters in dungeons were smart. They generally understood that mages were weak in close combat. Therefore, they tended to choose close-quarters combat over long-range battles.
This time was no different. They focused my attention on the conspicuous wyverns in the sky, and as soon as I appeared to attack, they launched a surprise attack from the ground. This wasn’t an attack from digging, but an ambush from directly above where they had hidden themselves. Digging would inevitably cause the ground to shake. Since there was no shaking until just before, it had to be the latter type. “However, you should put more effort into concealing your magic power.” But I couldn’t say I couldn’t deal with it. The more I worked as a mage, the more my weaknesses were exposed. I was aware that I was more vulnerable than front-liners like Jiro-san or Kaido.
I lagged behind in areas like mobility and power. Mages were generally a class where magic-related abilities tended to grow. Strengthening one’s strengths inevitably created weaknesses. That’s why knowledge of a mage’s physical techniques and close-combat skills also accumulated. Only those with exceptional talent could afford to ignore their weaknesses. It was not wise to ignore them, and if you knew that, you could deal with them properly. Diligence could be useful in these aspects as well.
A lizard-like dragon burst from the ground, opening its huge mouth to devour me. Sharp fangs, a large mouth. I knew I wouldn’t escape unharmed if it bit me. “Otherwise, you would be easily dealt with by someone like me.” But if I knew it was coming, I could respond in countless ways. I gracefully took a step, and as its bite missed, the moment its abdomen was exposed, I unleashed the magic I had prepared with my palm at point-blank range. When people think of close combat, they usually imagine punching, kicking, slashing with a sword, or thrusting with a spear. But using magic at point-blank range like this is also a perfectly valid form of close combat, isn’t it?
When I first asked Sue-lla, Jiro-san’s wife, about this fighting style, I blurted out, “Huh?” I thoughtlessly asked. Misleading incantations, omitted incantations, delayed incantations. Various techniques were necessary, but once mastered, it became easy to dodge and deliver counter-magic attacks. Sue-lla mainly used a staff as her weapon, but she said that hitting or thrusting with a staff was actually an inferior tactic. She said that modified weapon rods were good for that, but since most monsters were durable, weapons like spears for thrusting or maces and hammers for hitting were more efficient. Staves that increased a spell’s power or reduced magic consumption had such spell formations embedded in their decorations, and if they were damaged, the staff’s performance would decrease. Therefore, it was generally not a good idea to block attacks with a staff. That’s why mages have their own specific close-combat techniques. This is why Sue-lla taught me that mages only needed the minimum necessary strength.
With a thud, the dragon next to me dissolved into magic essence, ice shards sprouting from its abdomen as it died. With minimal power, maximum effect. In extremely close combat, there’s no need to aim the magic; once cast, it’s almost a guaranteed hit. Even against an opponent of a different size, magic possesses the power to overcome such differences. I knew I couldn’t pull off a clean counter like I just did against someone like Jiro-san, but I wanted to be able to someday. “Alright, next.”
I started this solo practice a while ago, but the reason I’m so motivated this time is different. That day, at that moment. When Jiro-san fought a fierce battle with Instructor Kio and won. I got goosebumps. I still can’t forget the tingling sensation and the thrill I felt. I’m sealing the mage’s advantage of long-range attacks to try and defeat the Lightning Wyverns that descended from the sky with close-range magic, all to get closer to that thrilling sight. I knew I was a sore loser, but I sometimes marvel at myself for trying such a peculiar challenge.
“Haa, haa.” This is the best way to overcome my weakness in close combat. If I can overcome my weak range, I can take another step forward. Concentrating my senses, remaining hyper-vigilant of my surroundings, and continuously casting magic within my set range. I am focused on my own movements. With minimal movement, maximum results. And while doing so, I took care not to get too caught up in my actions, defending against the monsters’ fierce onslaught with all my might. If I couldn’t dodge with a side step, I’d jump up and use a wyvern as a stepping stone. If a wyvern’s fangs awaited me at the spot I jumped to, I’d drive ice into its mouth and deflect it sideways with a magic barrier. If a wyvern in the distance was about to breathe fire, I’d immediately rush into the pack to incite them to attack each other. While I often fight at long range in a party, I’ve realized I gain a lot of insight when fighting alone like this. After learning close combat, I’ve considered how I can effectively support Jiro-san, Kaido, Amī, and Katsu-kun. While performing side steps, I think about how Jiro-san would move, how Kaido would move. By thinking, executing, and optimizing the movements of my party members into my own, my movements naturally improve. Study upon study. Observe, learn, and do. It sounds simple, but when I actually put it into action, this is the result.
At first, I failed repeatedly, to the point where I wondered if I had any talent at all. I couldn’t dodge attacks, and even if I could, I couldn’t cast magic immediately. I was afraid of fighting at such close range, and honestly, I didn’t even feel the need for it. But in dungeons where chaotic battles are common, it’s rare to be able to finish off enemies solely with magic from a distance. The thought that defensive magic alone would suffice just to protect myself was only possible because I had party members. I could endure, knowing help would come. That was the situation I was in.
However, I couldn’t rely on that anymore. The situation was constantly changing, and the environment taught me that even mages needed close combat skills. My growth lies in my ability to accept this. “Haa, haa, I’m done.” I let out a sigh of relief at the results. In the end, I was able to defeat the flock of Lightning Wyverns within my self-imposed range, but “It’s still not like Jiro-san, though.” It took too long, and more importantly, I consumed more stamina than I expected. Even though I won, if I had made one wrong move, I would have been run through by those fangs. My self-assessment is just barely above failing. It’s certainly not a satisfying result, but considering that I only used to fight within my comfortable range, I’ll consider it sufficient progress. “…The results are quite good, so I think I’ll head back for today.” Three hours in the dungeon. Coupled with my afternoon training, my body was screaming for rest. Considering I might be attacked on the way back and the need to sell materials to Memoria-san later, I was satisfied with the considerable amount I had earned and quietly walked towards the exit.
It took about thirty minutes to walk, remaining vigilant of my surroundings. Although I wasn’t attacked, the fatigue accumulated from moving through spaces where I felt hostile intent from my surroundings. “…” I returned to the usual floor through the Gate, and once I knew I was safe, I let out a big sigh. Looking at my wristwatch, it was already past 8 PM. “I might have stayed a little too long.” Thanks to my magic power, I wasn’t tired, but the problem was that I had been increasing my solo training time lately, and I needed to adjust my schedule. For Jiro-san and the others who do this job professionally, it’s one thing, but I’m still a university student. I have social obligations, and reports to write.
There was a lot to do, so after heading to the party room to take a shower before going home, I arrived only to find “Oh, Amī, you haven’t gone home yet?” “Ah, Karen-chan!” To my surprise, someone was in the party room. She seemed to be studying at a large table, groaning and pondering. “Studying?” “Yeah, my midterms are coming up soon!” “Oh, speaking of which, Amī, what are your plans for the future? University?” “Yes!! Before, it was difficult due to financial reasons, but thanks to this job, I don’t have to worry about that anymore!” “Well, indeed, with the income here, you could probably enroll in medical school too.” As I idly looked at her textbook while reminiscing about my own university entrance exams, I saw a math equation. “Oh, you’ve made a calculation mistake here.” “Huh!? Where!?” “Here, it’s a calculation error.”
As I glanced at it, I suddenly noticed Amī making a calculation mistake. When I pointed it out, she looked surprised and started reviewing her notebook. When I gently pointed to the incorrect part, she reacted adorably, flustered and quickly correcting it. She’s an only child, and I realized that ever since I started working with her and acting together, she’s become like a younger sister to me. “Ah.” That must be why. When the smartphone on the side of the desk rang, and Amī’s face clouded over as she looked at the caller ID, I asked, “What’s wrong?” even though I was going to shower later.
“Hmm, well…” Her reply was hesitant, unlike the cheerful Amī I knew. She seemed to be contemplating whether to tell me or not. “Kitamiya is too overprotective, gozaru.” The words Minami said to me today made me hesitate for a moment, thinking it might not be good to pry further. However, “From my perspective, Kitamiya’s methods aren’t bad either, gozaru.” At the same time, I’ve been affirmed by the same person, so that hesitation lasted only a moment. “If you can talk about it, then talk. It’s rare for someone to solve problems alone.” “Okay, well…” And then, acting true to myself. “Con, how do I do it?” “Huh?” I never expected her to ask me about a group date.
Today’s word:
What is not familiar must be made familiar.
Thank you for your usual feedback and error reports. If you find this story enjoyable, please leave comments, ratings, and bookmarks. I am also currently serializing another work, “Pandora Pandemic Panic.” The box of Pandora has opened again, but we’re fighting back with secret bases and various other things! Please check that one out as well!
