A few days have passed.
The academy has regained its peace.
At the same time, I finally got some time to relax.
In the kingdom, I was welcomed as a hero and had to endure all the annoying flattery festivals. In the empire, the neglected emperor and high officials were furious.
These past few days have been anything but restful.
For now, our unilateral actions were forgiven due to our achievements.
Well, the truth is they couldn’t punish us.
From the emperor’s perspective, he would have wanted to impose some sort of punishment, but they couldn’t afford to alienate the Twelve Heavenly Magi, so they let it slide.
So, finally, I got some time to relax.
“And then! And then! I said, ‘Don’t think you’re the only ones with long-range attacks!’ And then!! My long-range attack hit, and the enemy was forced to retreat!!”
In the usual forest.
I was painting a landscape to relax while listening to Annette’s boastful story.
Though I had been resting in my room, Annette asked me to join her training.
Well, I wasn’t in the mood for classes anyway, so it was fine.
Annette, in a great mood, has been talking about the defense battle.
In reality, Annette’s contributions were significant.
The students who participated received letters of gratitude directly from the king, and especially Annette and Yukina were personally thanked by name.
Because of that, Yukina and Annette are now a bit of a big deal. They were already well-known in the academy.
“And? The person who succeeded with that long-range attack seems to be struggling with target practice?”
“Roy! That’s not nice! I’m trying to stay positive by remembering the good times!!”
In front of Annette, a small target was set up.
She was practicing hitting that target with reduced power, but so far, it wasn’t going well.
The area of effect was too wide, so she hit the target, but it didn’t feel like she was actually aiming at it.
While she could increase the power and aim far, reducing the power and aiming at a nearby target was not Annette’s strong suit.
“Ahhhhh!!!! It didn’t work again!!”
Half-crying, Annette placed the scorched small target aside and set up a new one.
Although she still had a long way to go, she had improved a lot from when she was shooting at the spring.
This is a matter of individual perception. She just has to keep practicing until she gets used to it.
Annette hasn’t done the repetitive practice that normal mages take for granted.
It takes time.
However, the empire now recognizes Annette for her achievements in the recent defense battle.
Previously, she was just another student, but now she’s acknowledged as a talented student.
Mages who can aim for the Twelve Heavenly Magi are rare.
For such a mage, the empire would spare no effort.
For example, they might dispatch mages to further strengthen the academy’s defensive magic.
“By the way, I heard there’s a reward. What are you going to do with it?”
“Yes! We got a reward! I’m going to buy lots of souvenirs for the younger kids!!”
Annette smiled happily.
To her, I said,
“That’s great.”
“Yeah! But this is just the beginning. I’ll keep progressing step by step, getting recognized. Each time I get stronger. Eventually, the seat of the Twelve Heavenly Magi will be within sight.”
After setting up the target, Annette slowly stepped back.
Her face was unusually serious.
And then.
“I saw the Sword Saint. Unless I reach that level, I can’t become a Grand Sage. It’s still far off, but today more than yesterday. I’m climbing the stairs. There’s no time to be down!!”
The fireball Annette released was smaller than usual.
But that was because it was compressed.
The refined fireball grazed the target and exploded in the distance.
“Ahhhhhhh!!! So close!!!!”
While Annette stomped her feet in frustration, I was surprised.
Real combat does make people grow, but still, the kid who used to just shoot randomly managed to compress her fireball instinctively.
Compression is an advanced technique. Weakening the power is much easier.
Because you maintain the power while reducing the area of effect.
Annette probably doesn’t realize what she’s doing.
Thinking this might be another one of her talents, I smiled wryly as I watched her diligently set up the targets.
