Chapter 94

EP.94 Joint Practical Evaluation (3)

The second gate was also cleared smoothly.

The test was to discern the mana circuits flowing within the large magic pillar and pour magic power into the area where the flow of mana was smooth to make the pillar glow.

As I mentioned earlier, I am a veteran of <Merchen's Magic Knight>. I could easily determine the correct answer just by looking at the pillar's pattern without needing to discern the mana circuits.

The third gate is a monster battle. The test is to defeat any ten monsters to pass.

We were still in the forest.

I needed to start recruiting comrades soon. Preferably those who are good at fighting.

To catch the frog demon, we need to pass the fourth gate and defeat the gatekeeper there.

Most students fail at the fourth gate. I wouldn't be able to defeat the gatekeeper alone either.

‘If everything had gone according to plan, I could have gone through this more comfortably.’

If Plan A had worked, I wouldn't have needed to desperately seek out comrades.

However, due to an unexpected variable, I had no choice but to switch to Plan B and start recruiting comrades.

By the way, in <Merchen's Magic Knight>, the main characters were in different places each time, so I couldn't be sure who I would meet on my path.

───「Rock Collapse (Earth Attribute, ★4)」

Rumble───!! Bang! Bang!

[Roar!!]

“Pathetic.”

Just then, a harsh voice, as if from a husky throat, echoed along with the sound of a violent earth magic spell. I had a feeling she would choose the same path, and indeed she did.

A girl with orange hair tied in a ponytail and golden eyes. It was Rizetta Lionhart. Before the joint practical evaluation began, she was at the same starting line as me.

Today, for some reason, she hadn't unbuttoned her school uniform shirt, but she had tied her school uniform jacket around her waist. Come to think of it, I had never seen her wear her uniform properly.

Rizetta looked at the giant tusked purple boar with her magic staff, Rockta, slung over her shoulder.

‘Target acquired.’

In any case, prey spotted.

During the hunting evaluation, I had tried to become comrades with Rizetta. It seems I will finally achieve that goal here.

[Roar!!]

At that moment, a fierce purple boar with long tusks began to charge at me. It seemed to have chosen me as its prey.

The monster, the tusked boar. Despite standing on four legs, it was taller than me.

“……?”

Hearing the tusked boar's roar, Rizetta turned her head toward me.

Her eyes suddenly widened.

“Why are you here…?”

Before greeting her, I needed to deal with the tusked boar first.

I took out Zanya's staff and subtly extended its tip toward the tusked boar.

Then, I released ice mana.

「Ice Spear (Ice Attribute, ★4)」

Whoosh! Crunch──!

The ice spear that materialized above my head pierced the air in an instant and penetrated the tusked boar.

With that one hit, it fell easily.

During the hunting evaluation, it was a monster I had to be wary of… but now I can handle it effortlessly.

‘Satisfying.’

The tusked boar, pierced by the [Ice Spear], convulsed for a moment before transforming into a crude doll.

Beep─.

The number ‘1’ was engraved on my bracelet. It would increase by 1 each time I defeated a monster in the third gate, and when it reached 10, I would pass the gate.

Only then did I look at Rizetta. She flinched and shuddered.

[ Rizetta Lionhart ]

Psychology: [You are nervous and scared of me.]

A relationship based on fear is not suitable for becoming comrades. Even if it's just a one-time partnership.

So, it would be better to treat her as casually as possible to put her at ease.

“It's been a while. How have you been?”

I approached Rizetta with a polite smile, full of pretense.

“Why, why are you acting so friendly?! It's creepy…!”

Rizetta, who had been trying to push me around during the hunting evaluation, was now stepping back, cold sweat trickling down her face. It was a stark contrast.

Despite my warm approach, her reaction was so different that it made me feel a bit sad.

Forget it. Let's get to the point.

“Be my comrade.”

“Don't talk nonsense.”

If saying this line made someone a comrade, it would be a national rule. But Rizetta immediately responded coldly.

Well, it was the reaction I expected.

“Rizetta.”

I clung to Rizetta's side and draped my arm over her shoulder. It was a shoulder pat to show friendliness.

Rizetta's head jerked. Despite trying to act tough, she couldn't control the slight tremor in her body. Her golden eyes were filled with subtle fear.

From the start, she couldn't shake off my arm, showing that she lacked the courage to resist me.

I didn't expect her to be this scared… I need to calm her down quickly.

“I think the fourth gate will be quite difficult. Let's help each other. If I can be a full force, it will benefit you too, right? We've shared secrets, after all.”

“Ah, how did you know the fourth gate would be difficult? Did you figure it out with that great mage's mana sensing ability or something? Seriously, this guy….”

“Will you join me or not?”

I cut off any unnecessary talk.

“…Why do you have to go this far? You should just take the test casually, right?”

“I have something important to do.”

I decided to stop being insincere and spoke in a serious tone.

Rizetta frowned, her golden eyes looking at mine.

“Will dangerous monsters appear again this time?”

“It won't be as dangerous as last time.”

“Huh, crazy… again?”

Rizetta pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed deeply.

After a while, she continued in a sharp voice.

“…I don't like you.”

“I know. But I like you as a friend.”

“What?”

“Last time, during the church event, I really appreciated your help.”

I was sincere. While Elphert's body on Elt Island was quite annoying, her sudden support during the church event was quite touching.

Well, you don't become friends just because you have mixed feelings. Except for Rozé.

“Don't misunderstand. I didn't do it for you. It's just annoying.”

Rizetta grumbled irritably and raised her left hand, where her bracelet was filled.

“…Then, only until the fourth gate.”

[ Rizetta Lionhart ]

Psychology: [I hope nothing dangerous happens to the students.]

I've seen this many times in <Merchen's Magic Knight>.

Rizetta, who appears aggressive and delinquent, secretly worries about and tries to protect others. She is a typical tsundere thug.

“Thanks for your cooperation.”

I chuckled and aligned my bracelet with hers.

Ding─♪

A small blue light began to glow on both my and Rizetta's bracelets, indicating that we had become comrades.

‘Yes!’

I have a reliable force now!

“Hey! Let's go, Rizetta!”

“Ah! Don't pet my head, it's disgusting!”

Feeling happy, I petted her head a bit, and Rizetta quickly pulled away from me as if a bug had touched her. What kind of treatment is this?

So what? I have a good force now.

Rumble───!

Rumble──!

Rizetta and I easily defeated the monsters and completed our quota, then passed through the third gate.

Mana particles flowed out of our bracelets, pointing in the direction of the next gate. There were many direction indicators. Among them, there was a red mana particle indicating a ‘triangle’ direction, which meant another student was already there.

I started walking in the direction of the triangle indicator.

“Hey, did you forget what that mark means?”

“It's fine, just follow me.”

I had already taken care of it so that other students wouldn't choose this path.

As we emerged from the forest, blinding sunlight poured down. I shaded my eyes with my hand. Beyond that, a small patch of blue sky peeked out.

We were still above a gorge. Turning my head to the side, I saw a cliff.

In front of us was a steep and rugged limestone cliff with a staircase leading up. We could proceed to the fourth gate once we reached the top.

“I didn't plan to take this path….”

Rizetta's monologue was filled with deep regret.

The height of the stairs didn't matter. Climbing a cliff in such an open place was very simple for me.

I turned my back to Rizetta and bent one knee.

“Get on.”

“Are you crazy? Rather, tell me to hop up like a rabbit.”

“Huh, I knew you'd say that.”

“…What? What are you doing? Wait, wait! Ah!”

A little consideration is enough. We don't have much time.

I approached Rizetta and forcibly lifted her in a princess carry.

Even though Rizetta is athletic, my pure strength is overwhelmingly superior, so there was no problem.

[ Rizetta Lionhart ]

Psychology: [She is extremely flustered.]

“What, what are you doing?!”

“Don't move.”

I spoke firmly and released rock mana under my feet.

「Rock Creation (Earth Attribute, ★1)」

Crack───!!

“Aaaaah!”

A rock pillar shot up from under my feet, lifting us both up.

When the rock pillar reached its limit, I would create a new one halfway up the cliff and switch to it.

This required considerable skill in mana control, balance, and physical coordination. It was precarious and dangerous, but not too difficult for me.

“Mimi, are you crazy?!”

“This way is much faster.”

“Haa, this guy is really…!”

After that, Rizetta only sighed deeply and didn't say anything else.

Crack───!!

Finally, when the rock pillar we were on reached the top of the cliff, I lightly jumped and landed on the summit.

Surrounded by swirling maple leaves, a small limestone cave entrance was in the middle of a flat area. It was the entrance to an underground cave.

“Rizetta, are you okay?”

“Haaa….”

Rizetta let out a deep sigh and slumped. She looked like she had lost her soul.

“Sir Isaac!”

A girl with light green hair in two braids, who had been leaning against a maple tree, ran over and called out happily.

She was Kaya Astraing, the second-year student of the Magic Department.

Her eyes were emerald green. She was her usual self.

“Second-year?”

Rizetta was startled by Kaya's sudden appearance.

“I've been waiting…!”

Suddenly, Kaya hesitated. It was as if time had stopped for her alone.

Soon, a wave of complex emotions flooded her eyes.

[ Kaya Astraing ]

Psychology: [She feels jealous and envious of Rizetta Lionhart, who is being carried in a princess carry by you.]

First of all,

I could tell this wasn't a good situation.