Chapter 89

Al's method of catching fish using water magic was incredibly simple.

First, he blocked off all but one of the outlets of the spring with stones, and placed the basket that the senior had been carrying at the end of the unblocked stream.

Then, Al entered the spring and used his water magic to disrupt the flow of the water.

Surprised by the disturbance, the fish would flee to the stream where the basket was set up, jumping into it on their own.

The water that Al disrupted wasn't particularly strong, but apparently, when fish are disturbed by magic, they mistake it for an attack and try to escape.

I remember that the master once said that the wind generated by magic circulation is useful for driving away monsters, and this method is similar.

This method was highly effective, and in no time, about twenty fish were caught in the basket.

Most of the fish looked like trout, typical river fish, but among them were about five individuals that glowed blue.

"Waterfalls are said to have many magic fish, but I didn't expect so many to be gathered here.

Thanks to Al, we'll have a feast tonight."

Magic fish are said to be river fish that have been transformed into monsters, and they are very difficult to catch.

Their taste is excellent, and they fetch a high price, but they can't be caught continuously in the same place, so it's not like water mages can use alchemy to catch them.

After securing dinner, the other three, except for Al, entered the spring to wash off the day's sweat and gathered around the campfire.

◆

"By the way, Al.

If you put your hand in the water and chant 'Ice Age!' or something, will the spring freeze solid?"

I was skewering the fish with a branch I had picked up and sprinkling salt on them while asking Al.

"As usual, Allen, you're asking for the impossible...

Freezing such a large amount of water, especially flowing water, in an instant is far beyond my current capabilities.

Besides, Allen, you know that, right?"

...Yeah, I thought so.

Even from watching the magic research club's activities, I thought it would be impossible.

If it were that easy, water mages with ice attributes would be almost invincible near water.

I hope Al, who is the president of the external magic research club, will one day reach that level.

I skewered the fish on the branch and placed it over the fire.

Immediately, the smell of the fat burning spread a fragrant aroma.

The scent of the magic fish was especially strong and very appetizing.

"...By the way, why is Allen the only one being blown by a strong wind?"

The senior asked me with a wry smile.

"Oh, I'm just drying my hair while practicing wind magic.

I wish I could produce warm air, but I lack the talent...

At least, it's useful for drying my hair when it's not winter.

Would you like me to dry your hair, senior?"

If I could produce warm air, I would proudly name it 'Dry Wind,' but since it's just a breeze, I can't really give it a name.

The path to learning Wind Cutter, a level 1 wind magic, is still long.

But it's fun just to create the wind myself, so it's fine.

The senior, looking at the steady campfire controlled by my perfect magic, said:

"...I'll pass.

It feels like I'm wasting something."

It's not a waste since I'm just circulating magic with almost no loss.

At that moment, Coco quietly stood up and looked into the forest.

"...Something's coming. Get ready for battle."

The sound of the wind was so loud that I didn't notice the monster approaching at all...

◆

I strung my bow and reactivated the detection magic.

"Three o'clock direction, about two meters tall, and nearly four meters long, a large quadruped.

It will arrive in about 15 seconds.

What should we do?"

"...It's not a Reenu.

Maybe it was attracted by the smell of the cooking magic fish.

I don't want to fight near the campsite because other monsters might gather, but there's no choice.

First, Allen and Al, use ranged attacks to intimidate it.

If it runs away, that's good, but if it charges, we'll engage in close combat as a group."

"Understood."

I stood behind Al to give precise directions and timing.

Al's longest-range magic is Ice Lance.

It's not hard or sharp enough to pierce through, but it's better for intimidation than my arrows.

If it doesn't run away, I'll follow up with my arrows.

An ice spear quickly formed in Al's right hand.

"Say 'Ice Lance!'"

"Shut up, you're distracting me!"

Al and I had a brief exchange.

In this world, when using magic, there's no need to chant or even say the name of the spell.

In fact, there are no fixed names for spells.

Cancelling incantations is a common cheat, but in a world where no one even says the names of spells, it feels rather dull from a Japanese perspective.

I really want to make Al say something like, "Oh spirits of ice, pierce the evil with the thorns of absolute zero! Ice Lance!"

But when I made him say it once during a training session, everyone, including me, burst out laughing, and Al turned bright red.

Since then, he hasn't chanted at all.

To be clear, I wasn't laughing at the kitchen sink incantation, but at Al's embarrassed and shy expression.

Now, I have to use a wind magic spell with an incantation so impressive that no one can laugh, to show the world the beauty of incantations.

At my signal, Al cast his magic into the forest.

The quadruped let out a roar upon impact.

"Booooom!!"

"Boarbeast!" the senior and Coco shouted upon hearing the cry.

Their faces were not good.

The prey accelerated and burst out in front of us.

I aimed for the joint of the right front leg as soon as it came into view and fired an iron arrow.

The arrow pierced the thigh, but the Boarbeast only slowed slightly and continued to charge.

I dodged to the left, and Al to the right.

Splash!

The Boarbeast, missing its target, plunged into the spring and slowly turned to face us.

Its eyes burned with hatred for me and Al.

"...Of all things, a Boarbeast with earth attributes. This is going to be troublesome.

We didn't expect one to appear here, so we lack firepower.

Running into the forest would be even more dangerous, so we have to take it down here, but it will take a while to wear it down.

Other monsters will likely be attracted by the smell of blood, so we'll have to move away from here tonight and come back tomorrow."

"Nap's Forest is at the eastern end of the West Rune Mountains, so it's not surprising that strays appear.

Safety first."

"Understood."

We immediately decided on a plan.

The Boarbeast emerged from the water, front half up, and began to dig the ground with its right front leg.

It was preparing to charge.

But I'm not that kind of good guy to just wait.

I fired a second and third arrow at the right front leg I had already hit.

"Boooom!"

The enraged Boarbeast, its amber fangs gleaming, began to form pebbles with earth magic.

But Al shattered the pebbles with ice pebbles before they could be launched.

"Say 'Ice Bullet!'"

"Stop talking nonsense and focus!

It's resisting!"

While talking, I aimed and fired the fourth, fifth, and sixth arrows at the 'point' on the right front leg of the Boarbeast, which was trying to run.

Blood gushed from the Boarbeast's right front leg, and half the flesh was torn off.

"Boooom!"

Unable to bear it, the Boarbeast retreated into the water.

But the thigh of the right front leg was still exposed just above the water.

I nocked an arrow with a mackagate fletching and shot it into the right front leg again.

The arrow severed the Boarbeast's right front leg.

Losing its right front leg, the Boarbeast fell sideways in the spring.

It struggled to get up, but with only three legs, it couldn't stand or walk properly in the water.

After thrashing for a while, the Boarbeast stopped moving due to massive blood loss and lack of oxygen.

◆

"Good job bleeding it out!

Let's leave it there for a while and eat the fish before it burns."

"...Sure, but the smell of these magic fish is a bit too strong.

Thanks to the Boarbeast, the surrounding monsters should be scattered, but we need to eat quickly before they gather again.

Still...

Your skills are impressive, Allen.

I've never seen an archer who can focus so many arrows on a single point at such speed.

I underestimated your firepower.

I heard rumors that you consume an extraordinary amount of arrows at the academy's archery training facility. Is it some kind of hellish training?"

I took a bite of the salted fish and tilted my head.

Archery training is now a routine part of my day, so it's not hellish at all.

It feels as uncomfortable as not brushing my teeth on days when I can't do it.

"Delicious! The taste is so refined despite the strong aroma...

Well, it's not that great.

There's a famous archer named Kianna in the knights, and she occasionally teaches me, but I'm still far from her level.

Aiming at moving targets, especially those moving sideways, is child's play compared to Kianna."

I answered while munching on the delicious salted magic fish.

Flying weapons like bows and guns are easier to aim at targets moving forward or backward, but it's difficult to aim at targets moving sideways.

"...I see, so your skills are on par with the legendary explorer, 'The Divine Archer Kianna.'

Impressive, considering you joined the kingdom's knights at just 12 years old.

I can understand why now."

"Targeting the legs was a good choice.

Boarbeasts, which use charging as their main weapon, have abnormally high durability on their faces.

Did you plan it all from the beginning?"

Coco asked.

"No, it was my first time hunting one, so I didn't see that far ahead.

But I knew from the 'Compendium' that the face, especially the forehead, is hard.

In a prolonged battle, I planned to focus on the legs to reduce mobility and adapt as needed.

After seeing how the iron arrows penetrated, I thought there would be a chance to sever the leg if it retreated into the spring."

"Al's quick action to destroy the magic was also excellent teamwork.

Do you usually practice teamwork?"

Al answered this question.

"No, but we can see each other's intentions more clearly now.

Living in the general dormitory, we spend a lot of time together."

"By the way, Allen, you immediately moved behind Al.

Normally—"

We enjoyed the exquisite river fish and held a debriefing session about the battle.