第１１１２堀：彼女たちの戦闘能力 (Part1)
### Chapter 1112: Their Combat Capabilities
**Side: Cleena**
Yuki had asked me to tell him about my former schoolmates.
"…Hmm. Nilua, Wazfi. That brings back memories."
The sudden utterance brought forth a wave of nostalgia I hadn't expected.
Yes, that was back when I was still ignorant of what the "world" truly was.
"Oh? So, Cleena-san, you’ve met those two?"
"Hmm. I was ranked third, so I had encounters with them. But one was always obsessed with crafting tools, and the other was constantly away in the Sea of Trees, never returning. Thinking back, those two were the real weirdos."
"No, Cleena-san, you were always holed up in that hidden room reading books, so I’d say you were quite the weirdo yourself, wouldn't you?"
"Eh?"
I was shocked by Samantha’s bombshell statement.
Was I… a weirdo?
"…Ugh, th-that can’t be. I’m a weirdo? Hmm, I suppose I did hand over my panties to Eoid and Yuki…"
"Leaving Yuki aside, giving them to Eoid as well? That’s definitely the answer of a weirdo, I’d say."
"…Ugh, how sad."
Having Jessica confirm my status as a weirdo felt like the final nail in the coffin.
"It’s alright. Back then, you just didn’t know any better, Cleena. That couldn't be helped. Besides, that’s exactly why you’re here with us now, so it’s fine."
"…Ria."
"Cleena."
Ria and I embraced tightly.
Hmm, this is what you call a true best friend.
Samantha, as expected, was just a lecherous woman with big breasts.
"Hey now. Who are you calling a lecherous woman with just big breasts!"
"You’re always getting wild in bed with Yuki."
She was shaking those massive breasts of hers as if to show them off.
But, I have to admit, they’re frustratingly soft and fluffy.
"Er, can I get back to my side of the conversation?"
"…Hmm. My apologies. Go ahead."
"…Honestly, what do you take people for? My apologies, Yuki-sama. I am ready as well."
Neither Samantha nor I had any intention of getting in Yuki’s way, so we quieted down immediately.
A capable wife supports her husband.
That is what Samantha and I are.
No, we are Yuki’s wives.
"So, judging by that, Cleena, you’re at least an acquaintance of theirs."
"…Hmm. Nilua was the school’s top student, and Wazfi was second. But as I said, neither appeared in public often, so many people have never even met them."
"I see. That’s why I never saw them when I was at the academy. Though, it seems Nilua had her own circumstances."
"Indeed. Even if she was born of a mistress, she was sheltering the daughter of that minister who caused the incident in Enaria. We couldn't very well have had her meet Yuki and the others."
Hmm. If Yuki had met Nilua back then and found out she was hiding the minister’s daughter, I’m sure he would have taken action.
At that time, there were many enemies whose true identities were unclear, like the Holy Sword Users, and I don’t think Yuki would have left such an uncertain variable in play.
"Yeah, hiding her was probably the right call back then. Since Agil was with me, I wouldn't have been able to just look the other way."
"Come to think of it, Agil-san was with you then, too. And since she was there as a general of Enaria, Nilua-san was truly in danger."
"By the way, I’ve always wondered—if they rarely showed their faces, how did they maintain their rankings at the academy?"
"That’s what I wondered, too. Do you two know why, Cleena, Samantha?"
"…Hmm. I often faced them. Samantha probably did, too. Singles can basically only fight other Singles or students in the teens."
"Yes, that’s correct. Being a Single Ranker at the academy is an honorable position, but conversely, one must be careful depending on their background. Especially if one is of low status, they might be coerced by those with more power into throwing matches or staging fights."
"Hmm. Academy Rankers are highly valued as human resources and are a source of pride for their respective nations. Because of that, many aim for those seats, and some are willing to cheat. That’s why the public disclosure of Single Rankers is left to the individual. My master made me do it to make friends, so I didn't have to hide."
"And yet, Cleena-san, you spent all your time holed up in the library?"
"…That was the folly of youth. Now I have a husband and plenty of friends, so there’s no problem."
Honestly, Samantha keeps digging up the past.
A jealous woman.
But her breasts are soft.
"I see. That makes sense. Such considerations are necessary. Once you have general admissions, you need rules to protect the commoners. So, having fought them and talked to them, what do you think?"
"…Hmm, it’s difficult. We never really became friends. As for their combat styles, Nilua is the type to use a multitude of magic tools to increase her output. Her raw talent for magic is lower than mine, but she compensates with tools. As for Wazfi… that girl is no mage."
"Indeed. She is quite different."
Samantha agreed with my assessment.
Yes, that is the one thing we are in total agreement on.
"What do you mean? I get that Nilua uses a lot of magic tools to fight, but…"
"Hmm. She fights by using magic tools to make up for her shortcomings. And she’ll use any dirty trick in the book."
"Yes. Even though she uses magic, her actual fighting style is closer to the guerrilla tactics Steve and his group use against large armies."
"Hmm. She can’t trap an entire army in a pitfall like Yuki, but the first time we fought, she scattered high-viscosity water magic to restrict my movement before beating me up. Thinking back, it was like a roach motel."
"Exactly. The second time, I bypassed the water, but she created sand with earth magic and blew it into my eyes with wind magic."
"Whoa. That really is close to guerrilla warfare. It feels less like a mage’s duel and more like she’s ensuring she absolutely cannot lose to her target."
Hmm. Nilua fights with the sole purpose of not losing.
If the opponent stops moving in the process, she delivers the finishing blow.
In a way, though it’s a bit late to say this, it might be similar to fighting Yuki.
If you stop your feet, if you stop your thinking, you’re done for immediately.
Well, Yuki is overwhelmingly stronger, though.
"So, how does Wazfi fight? What do you mean she’s not a mage?"
"That’s simple. Wazfi fights with her 'fists'."
"…Huh?"
Seeing Ria, Jessica, Kirika, and even Yuki freeze at that answer was a sight I didn't think I’d see.
But since we couldn't just let the conversation stall, I looked at Samantha, who nodded…
"Yes. Wazfi fights with her fists. Cleena is not mistaken."
"Wait a second, she’s a mage, right?"
"Yes, Wazfi-san is certainly a mage. I can vouch for that."
"Er, mages are supposed to cast magic and hit their opponents with it to win, right?"
"Hmm. Ria’s image is correct. The weird one is Wazfi. To put it simply, it’s Deryu’s style."
"Ahhh."
Everyone understood the moment Deryu’s name was mentioned; Deryu’s existence is truly a helpful reference.