Chapter 154 - Chapter 153: It Seems Being Honest Is Important
The 1st Month of Water, the 1st Week, Day of Wind.
"Good morning. Kistil, Nerisfeene."
"Good morning, Mika-kun."
"Good morning, Mika-sama."
When Mika went to the dining room, Kistil and Nerisfeene were preparing breakfast.
It seemed today was Maid's Day.
The two were wearing matching maid outfits, happily yet briskly making breakfast.
In Mika's house, there is a Maid's Day once or twice a week.
It seems making maid outfits is quite difficult, so the two wear their single set of maid outfits occasionally.
They could buy them, but since they aren't that particular about being maids, enjoying it once a week should be enough.
I don't hate it, though.
Yes, I don't hate it.
Since it's important, I said it twice.
While we had confirmed the will for the engagement, the contract was not yet done.
When getting married, we have a ceremony at the church, but it seems the church also handles the engagement contract.
By reporting that contract document to the Government Office, it gains legal effect.
However, due to Nerisfeene's situation, we couldn't easily rely on the church.
So, Cleiria
"I will arrange a trustworthy priest."
took on the task.
However, it seems it will take a little time.
Apparently, she is calling him from Sarbengeal.
"It's troublesome to have you come all the way from Sarbengeal. We'll go to you."
Mika said, but was immediately rejected.
A round trip to Sarbengeal takes about eight to ten days even in Cleiria's carriage.
"Then I won't be able to witness it!"
With that, Cleiria strongly resisted.
Since Mika had asked for various favors, he couldn't say anything strong, and was pushed through as is.
So, currently, they are waiting for the priest's arrival.
Also, including the Leventein Group, they decided to keep the engagement a secret for a while.
They decided to follow Cleiria's advice that there was no need to rush and tell everyone.
For Mika himself, telling everyone was embarrassing and required some courage.
Even if he were to tell them, he decided to wait until his feelings settled down a bit more.
However, he also thought he had to tell some people, like Yaroibarov.
Mika went to tell Kistil's mother about his engagement to Kistil.
He had been told not to come again, but he still wanted to tell his mother.
Above all, it was absolutely necessary to tell Kistil's mother.
When Mika told her about the engagement, the mother was initially extremely surprised.
And then, she collapsed in tears.
She must have been truly worried about her daughter's future.
She trusted Mika and entrusted her daughter to him, but she probably couldn't shake off some anxiety.
"Please... please take care of that child... of Kistil."
To the mother who conveyed this through tears, Mika felt his chest tighten.
And his chest hurt sharply.
As expected, he couldn't easily tell her that he already had another fiancée.
"Um..."
Mika slowly consulted with Kistil's mother about his thoughts.
The three sat at the table and ate breakfast.
Although they were engaged, asking if it brought any dramatic change to Mika's life, the answer was no.
"By the way, did you come to my room this morning?"
While tearing up bread, Mika asked Kistil and Nerisfeene.
The two looked bewildered and exchanged glances.
"No..."
"We didn't enter, but... is something wrong, Mika-kun?"
Mika put the torn bread into his mouth and shook his head lightly.
I thought I put it away last night, but was it a mistake?
He had tidied up the desk a little before sleeping, but things he thought were put away on the shelf had appeared on the desk.
So he thought maybe the two had touched something...
Well, normally speaking, the two rarely touch Mika's desk or shelves.
It must have been a mistake.
"Really, Fee-chan. No."
Kistil was scolding Fee while looking at Mika.
However, that gaze was directed upward rather than at Mika.
Probably, she was sitting on top of Mika's head.
You can't tell because she has no weight.
"After school today, we'll stop by the blacksmith or the armor shop, so it will be a bit late."
"I understand. You weren't planning to buy anything special today, were you, Kistil?"
Nerisfeene asked Kistil while stabbing salad with her fork.
"Yeah. The fruit wine is getting a bit low, but it's not urgent."
"If it's just that, I can buy some somewhere on the way back?"
"Hehe, it's fine. Thank you, Mika-kun."
Kistil said with a fluffy smile.
He intended to order additional cutlery at the blacksmith.
When he returned home, he had distributed five sets to the Noisheim family, three sets for Ninetiana, Diego, and Dur, and two sets to Horatio.
He had also distributed two sets to the church and two sets to the Village Head.
The stock was almost gone.
With this, he intended to order about twenty sets next time at the blacksmith.
And he also ordered an improvement to the harness.
Since it seemed troublesome to hang it, he would improve it to connect it so it sits on the back.
While having such trivial conversations over breakfast, Mika headed to the Academy.
In an alley on the way to the Academy.
Mika walked aimlessly.
...Searching like this, surprisingly, there aren't many.
He could spot homeless people wrapped in rags here and there, but he couldn't find what he was looking for.
While walking, he casually checked empty sake bottles placed against the wall.
...There it is.
Mika slowly approached a man lying down against the wall.
■■■■■■
Morning classes.
The Academy's Magic Practice Field.
ZUDODOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......
A terrible shock that made the entire practice field building shake came.
"Do you intend to destroy the practice field! Don't you hold back, you fool!"
"Yes! Sorry!"
Academy Director Maurice shouted, and Mika returned a reply with absolutely no sign of remorse.
Now that they had advanced to the Intermediate Division, classes using the Magic Practice Field had increased.
Today, Mika's Intermediate Class 1 and several upperclassman classes were using it.
And for some reason, Academy Director Maurice came there and criticized Mika's [Explosive Flame].
Since I can only go all-in, holding back is impossible!
With this, it seems best to refrain from using [Explosive Flame] in the practice field from now on.
It probably won't really be destroyed, but he was getting a lot of attention from other classes.
"You use [Explosive Flame] with such power and don't suffer from mana depletion."
Stellan spoke to Mika who quickly ran back.
Well, since Mika's mana amount would normally be knocked out, it's natural that the power is ridiculously huge.
"You and Miss Rimliche are truly out of the ordinary. How much mana do you have?"
"Ahaha... Well, I'm not as much as Rimliche."
Mika answered with a dry laugh to Stellan who spoke in an exasperated tone.
Mika is forced to go all-in without question, so he appears to have massive mana on the surface, but his original mana amount is around the middle-upper range.
It is on the high side, but not exceptionally high.
Without doubt, if it weren't for "Absorb", he would have been labeled as a "one-shot wonder" by now.
If he manifested [God's Miracle] once, he would be knocked out every time with a full all-in.
The Academy measures mana amounts once every few months, and if you think about the measurement results and Mika's [Explosive Flame] closely, someone might notice "Isn't something wrong here?"
Homeroom Teacher Corina might have noticed.
But for now, she hasn't said anything, so Mika is leaving it as is.
Because there's no way to be careful.
"Are you not practicing after school? ...Well, if you can already use it that much, maybe independent practice isn't necessary."
"I do practice independently. Just not here."
Independent practice, or rather, combat experience as an adventurer.
Stellan seems to have applied for permission to use the practice field even before advancing to the Intermediate Division and often practices after school.
He seemed like he was going to become a snobbish noble mage, but surprisingly, he was a hard worker.
At first, I thought he was a "troublesome guy," but sorry.
"Independent practice outside the Magic Practice Field?"
Stellan made a suspicious face.
"Ah... I'm not just doing [God's Miracle], but also various things including short swords."
"Oh, now that you mention it, you were doing something called 'Special Training', right? Somewhere at the Fifth Knights Order."
It seems he heard about the Special Training on Sunday.
Well, Mika and Rimliche talk about Special Training normally too.
"I know this is rude, but commoners like you have such connections. It's not something you can get accepted by just asking normally."
Dangerous.
If I keep talking like this, I'll get questioned further.
"Well, I had an acquaintance... Oh, Murt."
Saying that, he somewhat artificially cut off the conversation with Stellan and went to Murt.
Murt looked at Mika, then at Stellan, then back at Mika, confirming silently with his gaze.
But he said nothing and watched another person's practice.
Not talking too much unnecessary things is this guy's good point.
"............"
But by standing next to Murt, he remembered unnecessary things.
Mika's current height is 137 centimeters.
He was measured at the Academy yesterday.
And Murt was apparently 166 centimeters.
The difference, 29 centimeters.
The gap had widened compared to two years ago.
Or rather, you are definitely faking your age, right?
By the way, Rimliche is 142 centimeters.
Mika succeeded in narrowing the gap with Rimliche.
Even if it's just 1 centimeter.
■■■■■■
Afternoon classes, they went to the practice field next to the Knight Academy.
Actually, the purpose is the riding ground next to that.
When entering the Intermediate Division, horse riding training is included.
Although it seems they aren't expected to ride like knights.
Riding on a horse's back and moving slowly seems to be about 50 kilometers a day.
Of course, if they rush, it becomes faster, and the distance extends.
However, since it puts a burden on them, unexpected injuries to the horses, or even losing their lives, can occur.
And the horse riding skills required of mages are at a slightly higher level.
It's not just simple long-distance movement; it seems they must ride on battlefields too.
Well, this depends on the situation, but meaning it becomes necessary depending on the situation.
The mage team waiting in the center rear deploys quickly on horseback further to the outside of the left wing.
Then they deliver a single strike and withdraw.
Something like that seems to be done.
When Corina explained this in the classroom, I sighed, "Finally, concrete talk has come out."
It's not like running through the middle of the battlefield on a horse or charging at the enemy, but they are required to have the skill to respond to "go here, go there, hurry up."
Well, if you consider the status of being provided with a horse, it is quite a generous treatment.
General soldiers who are the main force of the army don't have such things.
Walking from battlefield to battlefield with their own feet.
Running around on the battlefield with their own feet.
If you ask the soldiers "I'm riding a horse because I have no choice," they will throw stones at you.
So, actual horse riding was very difficult.
It didn't listen at all.
Honestly, I even thought "Fee is better."
Since I've never ridden a horse in my life, Mika became nervous.
And it seems that tension is transmitted to the horse, making the horse uncomfortable too.
Because of that, we fall into a vicious cycle where we become more nervous.
"Mika, relax a bit more."
"Hmph, what are you saying!? Hey, don't move!?"
"Calm, calm, calm. Mage-sama, please calm down a bit more."
"I, I said, it's impossible!"
Cleiria and the Groom told Mika who was stiff as a board to calm down.
Here, they just mean like a horse caretaker.
Cleiria seems to have ridden horses since childhood and rides one smoothly by herself.
She does need help getting on and off.
Stellan is also riding easily, as expected of a noble.
But that is only a small part of the class.
A couple of others who raised horses at home can ride well, but most children are riding for the first time.
Already, three or four children are about to be thrown off the horses and are crying.
With those crying voices, the horses were becoming more tense.
Mika asked the caretaker and got down from the horse.
"...That's enough, I understand. I'll go on my own feet."
"Mika! You're giving up too early!"
Cleiria retorted to Mika's declaration of parting with the horse.
Actually, for Mika, flying would be faster, but of course, he couldn't say that.
Mika looked at the other children's condition.
Polnard, surprisingly, was trembling but somehow managing to ride.
Cecilia was more exhausted than Mika.
Charl was almost crying.
Messerite and Murt were struggling but riding reasonably well.
And the biggest surprise was Rimliche.
Even though the caretaker was accompanying and soothing the horse, she was riding happily.
She even had the leisure to wave her hand with a smile towards Mika.
Mika had to wave back with a bitter smile.
"Difference in talent."
"Difference in honesty."
To Mika's mutter, Cleiria covered him.
Mika gave Cleiria a suspicious look.
"What is this honesty?"
"Oh? Horses like honest people. That's the horse."
"............"
There was no material to argue.
He had no knowledge about horses, and it was certainly not wrong that Rimliche was honest and Mika was twisted.
Mika let out a big sigh.
"If it's just about myself, I can manage with effort no matter what..."
"Horse riding can also be managed with effort. If you listen to advice honestly, that is."
"...Unfortunately, I am a twisted person."
When Mika said that, Cleiria shrugged her shoulders.
■■■■■■
Classes a few days later.
Finally, the [God's Miracle] for the first year of the Intermediate Division was revealed.
Just like last year, three [God's Miracles] were presented.
[Tornado], [Archery Enhancement], and [Orientation].
All [God's Miracles] so clear that no explanation is needed.
[Tornado] rapidly sucks in the surrounding atmosphere and generates an updraft.
Unlike [Explosive Flame] or [Blizzard], this [God's Miracle] seems to require dividing the offered mana into two.
The first is the mana that determines the suction power.
If you allocate a large amount of mana to this, it sucks in more strongly, and the updraft becomes stronger.
The second is the mana related to the duration.
If you allocate a large amount of mana, naturally, the time the tornado occurs becomes longer.
What happens in my case?
Hearing the explanation, he wondered what would happen if he used it.
If he went all-in on the first mana, it seemed to manifest as a sudden, rapid suction and updraft for just a moment.
If he went all-in on the second mana, probably nothing would happen.
Would the state where the atmosphere doesn't move at all continue for a long time?
Anyway, would [God's Miracle] manifest like that?
Maybe it will become the first unacquirable [God's Miracle]...
That itself is a very normal thing.
It is normal to have unacquirable [God's Miracles].
The second [Archery Enhancement].
Like [Battle Fervor], it is a buff with effects on those around.
It seems to enhance not just archery, but also throwing.
The range extends, and power increases.
It's not guaranteed hit, but accuracy also increases, so it is a [God's Miracle] that leaders should acquire.
And finally, [Orientation].
It seems compasses don't exist in this world yet.
Well, the object itself exists, but it seems to be quite large.
Since it's not a lightweight version using a needle, they confirm it with [God's Miracle].
Therefore, if even one person in the unit has it, it's just "Well, it might be convenient."
Will anyone actually acquire this...?
"---The above persons are ordered to acquire [Tornado]."
Thus, the mysterious command came again.
This time, not only the Leventein Group, but a few others like Stellan were given orders.
"Miss Rimliche is instructed to prioritize acquiring [Tornado], and then acquire [Archery Enhancement] as well."
"Yes..."
Rimliche made a strange face.
It seems someone wants to use Rimliche's exceptionally large mana to the fullest.
And...
"To Mika-kun, ---."
"I understand!"
He answered before hearing Corina's instruction.
He would surely tell him to acquire everything again.
Do I need [Orientation]?
If you study astronomy, you can find out through celestial observation.
"I'll try, but if you absolutely order me to acquire it, I'm in trouble."
"It means you are expected that much. Please do your best."
It seems Corina has no intention of listening to Mika's complaints.
Not only the Leventein Group, but all the children in the class were looking at Mika with bitter smiles.
"When entering the Intermediate Division, outdoor practices are included in the curriculum. As classes for acquisition decrease, the number of students achieving acquisition tends to decrease every year from the Intermediate Division onwards. Please take this more seriously than ever."
Corina, wrapping herself in a tsundere atmosphere, tightened the class's spirits.
Finally, the time had come to test the results of being forced to exercise for four years.
In the tense classroom, Mika struggled to suppress a grin.
Finally, it's LARP time!