“Ugh… I’m so nervous, Cyril-chan.”
“It’s okay, Melia. If anything happens, it’ll all be Geek-sensei’s responsibility.”
…Of course, Cyril is right, but you don’t say that in front of the person in question. Well, if it helps Melia relax, so be it.
“Hey, teach, if we’re doing this, hurry it up. We’re wasting time.”
“…Honestly, you’re as impatient as ever. But Gale’s right. It took us some time to get here from the academy, so let’s start the combat training right away.”
Today’s session starts with Class B. The academy classes are made up of 15 to 20 students each. It’s impossible for me to oversee all the students from all four classes at once, so I handle them one class at a time.
It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the academy to this forest near the town. Since the round trip eats up a fair bit of time, we can’t afford to dawdle. At the very least, I plan for each student to have at least one encounter with a monster.
Snap!
“…There are multiple monsters in that direction. As we’ve prearranged, you’ll engage them in the assigned order.”
Using a detection spell, I scan the surroundings and locate the monsters. To save time, I’ll skip the searching part and lead them straight to the targets.
“…There are three goblins. Gale, Hazen, Kuner—can each of you handle one?”
“Who do you think you’re talking to? Goblins are nothing!”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Go on, then. The rest of you, keep an eye on the surroundings.”
The detection spell leads us to the goblins. These creatures have dark green skin, small and ugly faces, and are draped in tattered cloth, wielding sticks or stones.
This world is home to various monsters that didn’t exist in my original world. Goblins, for instance, multiply rapidly and are classified as pests that ravage fields and crops. Their materials have little value, so exterminating them on sight is the general approach.
“Ge-gya-gya!”
“Ge-gya!”
As the three students approach the goblins, the creatures notice them and head their way.
“Lightning Bullet!”
“Fire Lance!”
“Stone Bullet!”
“Ge-gya!”
Each spell finds its target, striking the goblins cleanly.
“Hmm, no hesitation in facing monsters, quick spellcasting with adequate power, and precise aim. All three of you did an excellent job.”
“…Hmph, naturally.”
“As expected of Gale-sama!”
“That was a piece of cake!”
…Good grief. Even when praised, these three are as boastful as ever.
Still, for their age, their performance is commendable. Even though their opponents were goblins, they showed no fear and executed their spells effectively. These three likely have prior combat experience.
Those without such experience often falter when faced with enemies that harbor intent to kill or hesitate when taking a life for the first time. Personal aptitude plays a role, but experience is a significant factor.
That’s why real combat with monsters is a crucial part of their education. Most students at this magical academy are nobles and likely lack any firsthand combat experience.
…In my original world, students learned the value of life by taking care of medaka fish, insects, rabbits, or chickens in school. But in this world, filled with dangerous monsters and criminals, protecting oneself and loved ones takes precedence over the sanctity of life.
Coming to this world has made me keenly aware of just how safe Japan was. Different worlds and nations have different priorities and teachings—it’s only natural.
“Kyahhh!”
“Melia, calm down! Watch your enemy’s movements carefully!”
Snap!
“Ge-gya!?”
A defensive spell forms around Melia, deflecting a kobold’s wooden club attack.
“Melia, take a deep breath and relax. From behind the defense, use a spell to attack the enemy.”
“Y-yes…”
Shaken by the kobold’s hostility, Melia had missed her attack spell, allowing the enemy to close in. From the outside, it might look like the kobold is just swinging a stick, but being face-to-face with a real enemy can easily cause panic.
Naturally, I have no intention of letting any students get injured, so I step in with defensive magic when necessary.
“Wind Lance!”
“Ge-gyaaa!”
“Ahhh!”
Melia’s wind spell pierces the kobold’s abdomen, spilling its blood.
“Melia, are you okay?”
“T-thank you, Cyril-chan…”
Melia managed to defeat the kobold but collapsed to the ground in shock. Cyril extended a hand to her, which Melia grasped as she stood.
It seems neither of them had prior combat experience. Cyril held her ground and defeated the kobold despite her fear, but Melia succumbed to panic.
Melia, though a brilliant student selected as a commoner scholarship recipient, seems unsuited for combat due to her personality. Even without her family situation, she might have struggled to oppose people like Gariel. On the other hand, this safe introduction to real combat with monsters may have been just what she needed.
