第１１１３堀：拳で戦う者の特性 (Part1)
Chapter 1113: Characteristics of a Brawler
Side: Enora
"Huh? Deryu, what are you doing here?"
I had just been granted a break after finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel regarding the cleanup of Nairua’s room, and as I was strolling through the academy, I found Deryu wandering about for some reason.
"Oh, Enora. Good. Yuki asked me to come to the academy, but I haven't the faintest idea where I am. I’m trying to get to where Wazfi is, but..."
"Ah, I see. This place is like a labyrinth, isn't it?"
I’m confident that if I were to take a wrong turn, I’d be hopelessly lost myself. That’s just how convoluted this academy is. But...
"Why is Deryu the one getting lost here? Haven't you been here before?"
"Never. The only places I’ve ever been are the classrooms and the training grounds. I’ve never had any reason to show my face in the students' private quarters."
"That’s true, I suppose."
Now that she mentions it, I can’t imagine Deryu ever having business with the students here.
"Haa... I was so foolish to tell Yuki I didn't need a guide when he asked. It’s embarrassing."
"It can't be helped. Nobody expects to get lost in a school, after all."
"I suppose so. I never imagined it would be built like this. I was actually debating whether to call someone with a *Call* or just smash through the walls to get where I’m going."
"The first option is the correct one. If you go around smashing walls, Yuki will be furious."
"Mm. I know that, but I was getting quite irritated."
"I understand how you feel, but you absolutely cannot do that."
Every turn looks like the last, and paths that should lead upward somehow end up going down. According to Popuri, they’ve even implemented magical defenses that scramble one’s sense of direction—it’s quite dangerous, really. I sometimes wonder if any students have actually died from getting lost. Well, I suppose those labyrinthine sections are reserved for areas housing important research and documents.
"So, you're heading to Wazfi's place?"
"Yes. Could you guide me?"
"Sure thing."
With that, I told Kagura and the others that I’d be showing Deryu around, and we headed toward the laboratory provided by Weed.
"Wazfi hasn't returned to his room since yesterday; he’s been buried in research with Comet, Agil, and Narjia-san."
"A man dedicated to his research, I see. By the way, where is Zargis, who arrived yesterday? Is he in the lab as well?"
"...Uh, Zargis is helping clean up Nairua’s room while he collects her enchanted accessories."
"...What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nairua’s room was a literal garbage dump. Look."
I showed Deryu the photo I’d recorded.
"Oh my. That is truly atrocious. Even I wouldn't let things get that bad."
"But Deryu, you often have snack wrappers lying around your place, too."
"...That is merely because I intend to gather them and clean them up eventually. It’s just that Kirue and Sasari end up clearing them away before I get the chance."
This Demon Lord really can’t clean up after herself. It’s surprising, yet somehow fitting. I suppose that’s why we get along so well. At first, when she was introduced as the 'Demon Lord,' I instinctively braced myself. It couldn't be helped; our ancestors fought tooth and nail to defeat the 'Demon Lord,' so anyone would tense up if one suddenly appeared before them. But I thought it must be some mistake, given how elegant a lady she is. Yet, she really is the Demon Lord. And her strength is off the charts.
"N-never mind that. I was told to evaluate Wazfi’s combat ability."
"You’re blatantly changing the subject. Well, fine. So, Wazfi’s combat ability? His level wasn't particularly high, was it?"
Yuki should already have a grasp on every living creature in this academy under his management. That includes Wazfi, of course. Naturally, I found it strange that Deryu would go out of her way to check it herself. After all, in terms of pure combat ability, Deryu is in the top tier of Weed. She is the Demon Lord, after all—it made sense. I just didn't understand why she’d be concerned about a student attending this 'Magic Academy.'
"You see, Yuki asked Cleena and Samantha about the combat capabilities of Nairua and Wazfi yesterday."
"Ah, that’s right. Both of them are graduates of this academy."
They’re staying back in Weed right now because they’re expecting, but they can certainly answer questions, and since they’ll be working together from now on, it makes sense to ask about combat abilities in advance. Yuki always gathers as much information as he can beforehand.
"So, you came to assess the educational standards?"
"That, too. But apparently, they are surprisingly strong. Well, if you look at the rankings, you can see that Cleena and Samantha were actually inferior to Nairua and Wazfi back in their day."
"...Now that you mention it, you're right. That just goes to show how strong those two are."
I realized it only now that it was pointed out, but looking at the rankings, they were indeed stronger than Cleena and Samantha. I can see why he’d want to be certain.
"But couldn't you have looked at Nairua first? I was helping out over there. I’m not sure if Wazfi can just step away since he’s helping with research."
"It doesn't matter. I was told that even if he is immersed in research, I should prioritize the confirmation. Besides, Nairua’s combat style relies on magic tools, and she wouldn't have her equipment on hand right now, so it’s doubtful whether it would even work on me."
"True. Standard magic tool interference wouldn't affect us."
"Mm. More importantly, there is another reason why I am evaluating Wazfi."
The moment I asked what that reason was, Deryu instantly unleashed a flurry of punches into the air, finishing with a right straight pose. This took less than a second. Even though that was just a demonstration, the real thing would be even faster. She really is a Demon Lord. As I was admiring her prowess, she continued...
"It seems he fights with his fists, just like me. I was asked to confirm if he could keep up with the fieldwork in the deep parts of the Great Forest."
"Huh? Wait, a mage using his fists!?"
Wait, mages are supposed to fight by casting magic, right? I’m not the one being weird here, am I? Well, as a priestess of the spirits, I utilize my own physical prowess to fight, so I understand that fists can be surprisingly effective, but...
"Indeed. That is why I came. Well, it’s not as if the other wives are incapable of hand-to-hand combat, but it isn't their specialty. I was the most suitable person to evaluate him. Come to think of it, speaking of fists, Enora, you were surprisingly capable for a bishop, weren't you?"