第１１２０堀：学府の噂ってありますか？ (Part1)
Chapter 1120: Are There Any Rumors About the Academy?
Side: Mikos
I’d heard that Rurua-san would be our sparring partner for today’s training, and I was relieved to think we’d be spared from Deryu-san’s hellish special drills. But once we actually started, that hope was shattered instantly.
Man, I had no idea Rurua-san was this strong.
Actually, because she uses a mace, her lethality is even higher. She nearly tore Mikos-chan’s leg clean off. If Mikos-chan hadn’t instinctively applied first aid herself, that limb would have been gone for sure.
I’m certain Rurua-san healed it perfectly with restoration magic afterward, but the sight of it still makes my blood run cold. Yesterday’s facial reconstruction was bad enough, but seeing Mikos-chan’s cute body being mutilated today is just terrifying.
Well, I suppose it just goes to show how many flaws there were in our attitude toward training up until now.
It wasn’t just Mikos-chan who took the hit; seeing my own leg nearly torn off finally made Kagura, Enola, and Stasia-san realize that if we didn’t get serious—truly, deathly serious—we were in trouble.
Of course, it’s not like we weren’t trying before, but that clearly wasn’t enough.
So, we gave it our all from there. But even then, it was nowhere near enough. I tried to switch from my Mikos-chan mode to support Kagura and the others, but you can’t just improvise decent coordination on the fly.
More than that, our lack of combat experience meant that when we tried to escape into the air after taking one of Rurua-san’s unseen techniques, we were perfectly countered, our movements sealed, and we were all taken down together.
As a result, Mikos-chan was slammed into the ground and left seeing stars. When I came to, Yuki-sensei had descended from the spectator seats and was asking Nilea and Wazfi a question.
"So, have you heard any strange rumors around the academy?"
That’s a question I can’t afford to miss—not as a member of the student press, not as part of the military intelligence unit, and certainly not as the one who produces the magazines for Weed.
"Strange rumors?"
"What kind of rumors do you mean? This academy is full of people conducting secret experiments and the like, so there’s never a shortage of strange rumors."
"Ah, well, it’s something like that, but how should I put it..."
Ah, I see. Mikos-chan understands what Yuki-sensei is looking for.
"Yuki-sensei. Is it something like what happened at the Haiden Magic Academy?"
"Yeah, something like that. Not a rumor where the cause is known, but one where the cause is a mystery?"
"Hmm? I don’t really get what you’re asking. Nilea, do you?"
"I-I don’t really get it either."
Yeah, neither of them understands. Well, it’s impossible to expect them to know what he’s talking about without any preamble. But Kagura seemed to grasp what Yuki-sensei and Mikos-chan were getting at...
"Hey, Yuki. I think it would be better to explain that in detail. Should we change locations?"
"Yeah, that’s true. Rurua, Show, what about you two?"
"Indeed. Since this is a good opportunity, if Show-san is willing, I shall join you."
"Yes. I am also curious about rumors with unknown causes. Including why Yuki-sama is looking into such things. Also, though it is pathetic to ask after requesting to participate in training, there is no doubt I would be rendered unable to fight if I took on that training again, so please, I request a gentler regimen."
"Hmm. I shall accompany you as well. If I am not to train, it is only right that I act as Yuki’s escort. That will allow Kirika to move freely, will it not?"
"Thank you. Master, I have a few things I would like to investigate regarding that matter, if you don't mind?"
"While you're at it, call Popuri and Lara, too."
"Understood."
As soon as Yuki-sensei said that, Kirika-san vanished in a flash. Man, ninjas are amazing as always. Or maybe it’s just Kirika-san who’s amazing? Also, I think calling the Principal and Vice Principal is the right move. There’s no one more knowledgeable about the academy than them.
"Alright, let’s move."
And so, Mikos-chan and the others borrowed an unused classroom and took our seats.
"So, Yuki-sama, what is it you want to ask? Based on what you said earlier, I didn’t quite catch it."
"Yeah. For you, Yuki, that was a strangely vague way of putting it."
"I suppose so. I wish I could explain it better... But before that, are you two okay to take a break? Even if you aren't as intense as Kagura and the others, you must be tired from training with Deryu, right?"
Now that he mentions it, that’s true. Strangely, both of them look quite energetic for having just finished a brutal special training session with Deryu-san. If anything, they just have some red marks where they were struck, and their movements don’t seem hindered at all.
"You need not worry about that. I am aware that Wazfi and Nilea have duties to perform at the academy. The training has been properly adjusted."
"I see. So you have enough energy left to talk with us?"
"Yeah, that’s fine. Deryu-san is good at adjusting those things."
"...I’m fine physically, too, but if I don’t change my combat style—which relies heavily on magic tools—I’m going to run out of magic stones and end up penniless in no time."
Nilea said with a dry laugh. It’s true; Nilea’s combat style is entirely dependent on those magic stones. If she used them constantly during training, it’s obvious she’d run out of stock immediately. Plus, most of the magic tools Nilea uses are things she made herself. Considering the maintenance and the need for new development, she’d want to avoid burning through them in training.
"Don't worry about that. We’ll provide the necessary supplies. Just let us know if you need any tools or materials."
"Oh? So if I ask Weed, you’ll provide the magic stones?"
"If we can provide them, we will. We’re the ones making you train, after all. Besides, I want you to research skill enchantment, too."
"That’s not something that can be done easily, you know. Well, fine. It’s expensive research, so just having that supported makes it worth asking Yuki for help. ...Though, I’d appreciate it if you’d go easy on the training."
Mikos-chan really understands how Nilea feels. No matter how much you do or what you try against Deryu-san, it never has any effect, so you never get the feeling that you’re actually growing.
As we were talking about that, the classroom door opened, and the Principal and her group entered.
"Yuki-dono. I heard from Kirika-dono that you were calling for us?"
"Was there some problem with these two?"
"Wait a second. Vice Principal Lara, that’s a misunderstanding. This Wazfi was having a passionate exchange of fists with Deryu-san."
"Yeah, that sounds like a problematic answer from an outsider’s perspective, but it’s the strange truth. Anyway, we were just training properly with Deryu-san, we didn’t cause any trouble."
"The two of them say that, but what is the reality of the situation?"
"Ah, there’s no problem. If anything, they seem to have unexpected talent, and Deryu is just enthusiastic about training them."