第１９５５堀：冒険者ギルドの腕試し完 (Part1)
Chapter 1955: The Adventurer Guild’s Trial of Skill, Conclusion
Side: Vilia
Standing before me is Chinoku-san, a guild receptionist who is even smaller in stature than I am. Her weapon of choice is a one-handed sword and shield—a setup renowned for its balance.
Having witnessed the three consecutive matches against Kishua-san and the others, she likely concluded that allowing me to seize the initiative would guarantee her defeat. She has clearly orchestrated this matchup on purpose. When I cast a sidelong glance at the trio, they all pointedly begin looking in other directions. How blatant.
They have systematically dismantled every one of my usual methods throughout these bouts. They are forcing me to fight without relying on my *shukuchi* speed-blitzes, thrusts, or throws. In other words, this is not to be a swift victory...
*Clang!*
As Chinoku-san swings her wooden sword, I mirror her movement, and the blades meet with a sharp, resonant crack. The shock vibrating through my hand is significant; it speaks to the raw strength Chinoku-san possesses.
Before I can even process that, she recovers from the recoil and strikes again. An ordinary opponent might be surprised by the speed of her follow-up, but I had anticipated this much from our previous exchanges. *Sigh.* I had hoped that if she were surprised, I could find an opening, but this is proving to be quite the tedious affair.
Left with no other choice, I have to play along with this exchange of blows to ensure Chinoku-san doesn't get hurt.
*Clack, thud, clatter...*
The sounds echo through the training hall. Naturally, this includes strikes using her shield. But if I go that far...
"…To have you match me so blatantly really makes me realize the difference in our skill," she remarks.
"Ahaha..."
It is obvious that I am holding back, and she has realized it. Well, I’m not exactly *holding back* in a derogatory sense; if I misjudge my strength, either she or I will end up dropping our weapons. I am maintaining a delicate balance of power to keep the fight even. Though, if someone were to say that this is only possible because of the disparity in our abilities, I would have no rebuttal.
*CRACK!*
A particularly loud sound rings out. She put quite a bit of force into that one. Chinoku-san leaps backward to create distance. I have no intention of pursuing, so I settle into a neutral stance, waiting to see what she does next. As I contemplate how to force her to surrender without causing injury, she speaks up.
"I’d like you to go easy on me, but since I haven't taken a single hit yet, please, go ahead!"
Chinoku-san seems to have grasped—or perhaps accepted—her inevitable defeat, and she makes her request. Once she’s put it that way, I have no choice but to comply.
"Understood. I’m going to strike your shield, so please, brace yourself. I’ll be putting a fair amount of force into it."
"Understood! Um... 'a fair amount' won't kill me, right?"
"It’s fine. I’ll heal you."
As I say this, Sia-san, who has been watching over us, calls out.
"Yes. I can use recovery magic, so I can heal any minor injuries. Please, don't worry."
"You can use recovery magic too? Then, please, don't hold back!"
Hearing Sia-san’s assurance, Chinoku-san steels her resolve and braces her shield. Well, I have no intention of inflicting any serious wounds...
I close the distance in a single step and swing my sword horizontally, aiming for her shield.
*THUD!*
I confirm that the shield hasn't shattered and that she is guarding properly, then I pour more power into the strike.
"Eh? Wait, hey!?"
While she is still bracing the shield, I use my sword to scoop her up, launching her into the air. However, this training hall is indoors, and the ceiling is only about five meters high. Before she can even rotate to land properly, she collides with the ceiling.
"Ugh."
She clearly hadn't expected to be launched body and all. She lets out a groan, but according to the rules, she hasn't been pinned to the ground yet. Which means...
"Next."
Before I even wait for a response, I pursue her as she falls from the ceiling. I keep my strength in check to avoid injury, but I launch her upward once more.
"Gah!"
She is slammed into the ceiling for a second time. Unlike in a game, I can't perform mid-air combos; a single hit is enough to send her flying. Now, the first two went well, but how about the third?
As I think this and move to follow up on the Chinoku-san who has just been slammed into the ceiling, she cries out.
"No, not again!"
She manages to shift into a defensive stance. So, the third time is a no-go, is it? In that case, I dodge her counter-strike and, instead of going upward, I swing horizontally.
"Huh!?"
Surprised that her counter was dodged, Chinoku-san is caught off guard as I swing my sword sideways. Specifically, I aim toward Guild Master Leu. The attack lands cleanly, and Chinoku-san goes flying straight toward him.
"Whoa!?"
Guild Master Leu, though surprised, catches the incoming Chinoku-san without dodging.
"That was dangerous. You alright?"
"Ah, thank you! I only have a few bruises. It’s strange, considering how far I was sent flying..."
He sets her down and checks her condition. It seems she really only suffered minor injuries. After all, I didn't strike her with the wooden sword so much as hook her and send her airborne. Now then, what’s next?
"Technically, you haven't been pinned to the ground, but what shall we do? Shall we continue?"
Even if we were to continue, it’s best to ask. If they want to keep going, I’ll have to change my approach.
"No, no! My loss! That’s fine, right, Guild Master?"
"Yeah. I didn't think Chinoku would be toyed with to this extent. Usually, it's the other way around."
"Indeed. It’s not that I underestimated her, but... that was overwhelming."
As they talk, a green light—recovery magic—descends upon Chinoku-san.
"Oh! Remote healing? That’s quite impressive."
"Indeed. How’s the pain?"
"It’s completely gone! At this rate, couldn't you make a living just by healing people?"
Chinoku-san’s assessment is not wrong. After all, Sia-san is the First Saintess of the Holy Kingdom of Enaria; her skill in recovery magic is not inferior to Rurua-oneesama, Elju-oneesama, Lilishe-sama, Hifie-sama, or Hairen-sama. Though, since she belongs to the Holy Sword Users and her primary area of activity is the If Continent, she doesn't stand out much in Weed.
"I’m sure I could, but in this era... no matter how much I heal, if I lose my own life, I won't be able to protect myself," Sia-san replies to Chinoku-san’s words.
Under normal circumstances, elite healers are protected as a top priority, so they have no need to protect themselves. Even so, we are, for all intents and purposes, adventurers.