第４１３堀：まあ、そうなるよな (Part2)
Dressa wielded only a one-handed sword, while her opponent was equipped with a one-handed sword and a shield, prioritizing defense.
"This is it. Not carrying a shield is proof you're not thinking at all."
Indeed, having the ability to use a shield but choosing not to would lower one's defense and be dangerous.
"Referee, hurry up with the signal. You can't possibly attack this person, can you?"
"Don't worry about it. Kids like this need to learn a painful lesson."
The referee, with an expression of resignation, raised his arm and...
"...Begin!"
The match commenced.
Dressa charged forward without hesitation.
"You're an idiot."
Her opponent said this, presenting his shield towards Dressa in a defensive stance.
Presumably, after blocking with his shield, he intended to push forward or coordinate with his sword, but...
*Thump!*
"Whoa!?"
It was a mistake to try and block the sword.
Dressa body-checked the shield, completely throwing off her opponent's balance. As he recoiled, she swung her sword towards his defenseless legs.
*Crack!*
"Gah!?"
An unpleasant sound echoed as he fell. Dressa, without missing a beat, followed up, pressing her sword against his face.
"That's enough. Is there anyone who can use healing magic?"
The referee immediately declared Dressa the winner and called for someone from the spectators who could use healing magic to tend to her opponent.
"You..."
Once healed, her opponent glared at Dressa.
"I thought you'd at least try to parry, but I never expected you to just take it. What, are you a masochist? Don't you know that if you brace yourself firmly with a shield, your legs become vulnerable? And when you're up close to the shield, you can't swing your own weapon? It's good you were using a sword; if it were a mace or something, you'd be completely helpless. It's better not to carry a half-hearted shield. It becomes a cause for carelessness, just like you."
As Dressa said, shields are generally meant for parrying, and unless one is heavily armored, they don't typically block attacks completely. While they can stop weapons, stopping a charge, even with a difference in physique, is quite difficult for humans. It's not like the opponent was using a large, sturdy shield; it was a round shield, barely large enough to cover one arm.
Perhaps because they called us children and were careless...
"You..."
"Oh, what is it? A mere adventurer who couldn't handle a tackle from a child and got their legs taken out?"
"Bring it on! One more time! I won't hold back this time!"
"What? Didn't you think you could win easily?"
"Shut up! Referee, one more time!"
"Since you're yapping so much, I'll indulge you again. I'll even go easy on you so you can fight two more people."
"Don't underestimate me!"
Hooked by Dressa's taunts, her opponent attacked without waiting for the referee's signal. Dressa smoothly dodged, and as they passed each other, she delivered a blow to his torso.
"What!?"
"Oh, my apologies. I didn't expect it to hit directly. It never did against Mauve and the others."
"...Mauve? You mean *that* Mauve?"
"What do you mean, 'that Mauve'? Are there many people named Mauve?"
Dressa tilted her head, looking at me.
"No, I believe there's only one Mauve. You mean the Hero of Defense, right?"
"That's right. Why would that hero Mauve's name come from your mouth? You spoke as if you were being trained by him."
I see.
So she really is just in the Weed adventurer district.
Just as I was about to say this, the crowd parted, and Kina, the Vice Guild Master, emerged.
"Haa, you didn't even know that? Mauve and the others are teaching these children at school. And these children are the cream of the crop. We asked them to come this morning. I thought it was a bit noisy, and then this happened... You probably just meant to give a little warning, but we're the ones who handle those warnings from the start! We conduct tests, so don't interfere unnecessarily!"
"But, such a child..."
"Ah, come on. Hiiro."
"What?"
"Show them one of your signature magic spells."
"Okay."
At Kina's request, Hiiro unleashed a barrage of un-chanted Fire Bullets. These were modified Fireballs, inspired by the bullets from Steve's firearms, which Hiiro had independently created. In an instant, a scarecrow clad in iron armor was riddled with holes.
"..."
The adventurers who witnessed this were stunned into silence.
Why? It shouldn't be that difficult. I can also fire a few shots, though not with Hiiro's rapid-fire capability, and most children aspiring to be adventurers who can use magic at the school can do it.
"Hiiro's master, or rather, the one teaching him, is Curse. And Vilia, who's holding the spear over there, is being taught by Raiya."
"Nice to meet you."
Since I was introduced, I offered a greeting.
"As you can see, their basic specs are probably around Rank 6 for adventurers. Well, they lack experience and are young, so our policy is to prioritize safety. Ah, and don't even think about recruiting these children into regular adventurer teams just because they're capable. I'll kill you."
As Kina said this, the adventurers shook their heads vigorously. Seeing this, Kina turned back to us.
"I'm sorry. I think this will teach them a lesson. Now, shall we head upstairs?"
"Ah, yes."
"Understood."
"Okay."
And so, despite a minor incident, we proceeded towards the office.
...Wait. What happened to the part where I was supposed to demonstrate my own abilities?
Vilia and Hiiro, who achieved excellent results at school, and Dressa, who receives special training from Mauve and the others, are all capable. Oh, and Vilia and Hiiro were trained by Yuki, so they're even more formidable. Vilia's true strength will be revealed another day. For now, it's time for work.