Chapter 181 - Chapter 180: Unsettling Rumors
The First Day of the Wind Week, in the First Month of Earth.
Mika returned from the academy and, suddenly feeling concerned, checked the boundary between his home's garden and the neighbor's property.
Looking up, he saw that the branches of the tree planted at Mika's house were hanging over the neighbor's land.
"The branches have grown quite a bit, haven't they."
He had gathered fallen leaves in autumn, but hadn't paid attention to the branches.
It wasn't like a small overhang would immediately cause trouble with the neighbors, but it would be better to handle it properly.
"But wouldn't it be better to wait until spring rather than doing it in winter?"
If he were to cut off the branches, should he do it during the period when the tree grows, or during the period when the tree is resting?
Both sides have their own logic.
If cut during the growing period, the tree can seal the wound more easily, and there are trees that are weak to the cold.
If cut during the resting period, it won't hinder growth, so the damage might be less, right?
"Which one do you think?"
Mika called out to Nerisfeene, who was bringing in laundry from the front yard.
"What is it, Mika-sama?"
When Mika called out, Nerisfeene stopped her hands and asked back.
Fee was playing with the bed sheets swaying in the wind.
"The timing for pruning the branches. Is it better to do it in a warm period or a cold period?"
"Well now."
Nerisfeene placed her hand on her cheek and thought.
"For deciduous trees, I think it is best after the leaves have fallen."
"Oh, is that so."
Expert found!
"You know a lot. Maybe you like growing flowers or something?"
Are you doing gardening?
"I don't know that much, but I remember there was such a story in the scripture. I think it was around Chapter 38 of the Earth God."
Unexpectedly, the source was the scripture.
Suddenly it became suspicious.
(...Well, well, those kinds of things are sometimes written based on experience, so I won't say they are completely unreliable.)
It is quite troubling.
How should I judge this?
"Well, whatever."
For now, after finishing bringing in the laundry, I will cut it all off at once with "Thousand Edge".
At the moment of cutting, I will blow a "Blast" towards my own property so that not even a single branch falls on the neighbor's side.
We don't have much interaction with the neighbors, but let's prevent trouble before it happens.
And so, I helped bring in the laundry and finished the pruning in an instant.
I put Fee on my shoulder and entered the house.
"Oh, welcome back, Mika-kun."
"I'm back. Are you okay getting up already?"
Kistil came out of her room and spoke to Mika.
I heard from Nerisfeene outside that Kistil was resting in her own room.
"Yeah. I drank just now."
"............Please don't push yourself too hard."
"Yes, I know. Sorry for worrying you."
Saying that, Kistil returned to her housework.
Actually, recently Kistil has started practicing magic.
Since she was possessed by Fee the other day? Or was it possessed by her? She was able to feel mana to some extent and became interested in magic.
However, since Kistil was not selected by the country's mana quantity standards and was not part of the church's rituals, she could not easily feel or manipulate mana.
Therefore, she had Fee possess her and help her manipulate the mana.
Mana can be increased if released.
I don't know the mechanism, but it is known through Mika's experience and is widely recognized.
Using Fee as an assistant, she is forcing herself to do what should normally be impossible.
Every day, while drinking mana recovery potions.
(............If I knew that one bottle of this mana recovery potion costs ten thousand rats, I would faint.)
Mika has not told Kistil the price of the mana recovery potion.
Nerisfeene also knew of the existence of mana recovery potions, but did not know how much they cost.
And the shop where the two usually go shopping does not sell such things as mana recovery potions.
There are magic tool shops, or sometimes general stores that stock them, that's about it.
(Considering Kistil's age, this is the very last timing to increase her mana quantity. Normally, at most one more year. Even two to three years might be the limit?)
Mana quantity increases dramatically until around sixteen years old.
For some people, the amount they can increase drops extremely around fifteen years old, and for some, no matter how much they use [God's Miracle], it stops increasing completely.
For slower people, it seems to increase until around eighteen years old, but such slow people are rare.
Most people stop increasing their mana quantity around the time they graduate from the academy.
Currently, inspired by Kistil, Nerisfeene was also consciously using [God's Miracle].
So, at home, we consume about four mana recovery potions every day.
(Four bottles times thirty days......)
Do not calculate like that.
The two of them, who had no hobbies and only did housework, had become interested in magic.
Mika was just gently pushing them forward.
It would be enough if he silently took on one or two extra jobs a month.
The two were aiming for Mika's magic.
The magic Mika usually shows is just water or hot water creation magic.
They mostly saw him preparing boiling water in the bathhouse and water for mixing.
It seems Kistil's first creation of water was strongly influenced by that image.
(If we ignore [God's Miracle], more and more people will start using magic.)
I was surprised when Rimliche made a block of water, but it seems anyone can do it if they try.
As for me, I have no intention of hindering that.
I don't think my advantage will be shaken for now, and above all, everyone is someone close to me.
I believe there is no one who would misuse this power.
Rather, I am the one most likely to misuse it.
If necessary, I am prepared to do anything.
(But man, it's too much trouble to go buy mana recovery potions one by one.)
We consume four bottles every day.
Even buying by the dozen only lasts three days.
When I tried to buy by the gross, I was told "we don't have that much in stock."
(............Should I make it myself?)
If I can make ordinary potions, can't I make mana recovery potions too?
Next time, I'll ask Paraleira.
That is what Mika was thinking.
And then, the shocking fact he heard from Paraleira a few days later.
Mana recovery potions can indeed be made by oneself.
But, the raw materials are......
"Monster or magic beast mana!?"
Overwhelmed by the surprise, Mika let out a foolish voice.
"Yes. You said you were an adventurer, right? Then you must know about buying mana."
"Eh, yes, I know that......"
To Paraleira, who said it as if it were nothing, Mika twisted his face and nodded.
Why does the Adventurer's Guild pay money to buy mana?
No need to think about it.
Because it is used for "something".
"There are several uses for the mana bought at the guild, but one of the representative ones is the material for mana recovery potions. You could buy it if you wanted, but they won't trade unless it's a considerable amount, so it will be quite expensive? If you want smaller units, I can introduce a shop, but it will be more expensive."
Also, mana recovery potions seem to require other fairly expensive materials.
As expected, considering the selling price is ten thousand rats.
By the way, it seems that monster or magic beast mana is also used in ordinary potions.
I didn't want to know such a fact............
■■■■■■
The Second Day of the Fire Week, in the Second Month of Earth.
In the morning, I prepare to go to the academy and leave my room.
"Well then, I'm going."
"Yes, have a good day, Mika-kun."
"Have a good day, Mika-sama."
After speaking to Kistil and Nerisfeene, Fee floated onto Mika's shoulder.
"Are you coming again? Make sure you don't get caught."
When Mika said that, Fee briefly intensified her light, then became thin and disappeared with a whoosh.
Watching Mika and Fee's exchange like that, Kistil and Nerisfeene giggled.
Recently, Fee often follows Mika to the academy.
Mika decided to allow it, thinking that if he doesn't get caught by others.
However, if he gets caught, he has told them "I will pretend not to know."
And so, manifesting "Absorb" and [Physical Enhancement], he ran towards the academy.
Mika running down the main street with such great momentum had become a sort of local specialty in a way.
When strangers see it for the first time, they point and say "What's that!?", and there are people who adjust their own work pace thinking "Huh? Today is slower than usual" at the timing Mika passes them.
And so, arriving at the academy.
When Mika entered the classroom, Rimliche quickly spotted him and greeted him.
"Good morning, Mika-kun."
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, Mika."
Mika spoke to his classmates as he passed them and headed for his seat.
Such a usual scene.
However, recently the atmosphere of the academy has been a little dark.
It is caused by a certain rumor.
Lunch break.
During meals, he doesn't talk much and focuses on eating, just like before.
However, everyone's eating style has become a little more subdued.
Since Mika stopped eating so voraciously, everyone naturally became like that.
"...Ugh, I'm tired of hearing about that topic all the time."
Cecilia, sitting opposite, made a face of annoyance at the conversations happening at the surrounding seats.
"...It can't be helped...... We can't stay uninvolved either......"
"I know that, but... It's all talk about that at the academy and in the dorms, it's depressing."
While agreeing with Charl's words, Cecilia hung her shoulders.
"Is the boys' dorm like that too?"
When Mika asked Messerite, Messerite nodded vigorously.
"The atmosphere is even worse in the dorms. The dorms are places where half-off things happen."
"I think true feelings come out more easily there..."
Polnard added a supplement to Messerite's words.
"You just don't have enough resolve."
"That can't be helped. Even if I were asked if I had resolve, I'd say it's questionable."
When Mika answered Murt's mutter, he looked surprised.
"You?"
"Well, of course. No one wants to stand in a battlefield willingly."
That's right.
Recently, the rumor spreading at the academy.
The rumor that the war between the Kingdom of Ektrem and the Gronoir Empire is imminent is spreading.
In reality, it's not just the academy.
It is heard occasionally even in the town.
However, all the students attending this academy are reserve soldiers for the military.
Only a few can be carefree saying "I'm not an official soldier yet."
It's hard to believe, but there are some.
Those who casually say "I'm not involved yet," or rather, idiots.
Don't they know there was a war that lasted fifty years?
Mika and the others in the middle school division are not yet in a position to be ordered to go to the battlefield.
But the children in the high school division are already in the reserve status.
Depending on the situation, they may truly have to stand on the battlefield due to the issuance of a reserve mobilization order.
Even without that, the second-year high school students this year will become official soldiers in three months.
What kind of feelings do such children have in this situation?
Thinking about it, it is not unreasonable that the atmosphere becomes dark.
Mika's simulation game is now being held in the middle school division, not the high school division.
The wind is blowing a bit strongly against him.
We might be going to the battlefield from now on.
In such a situation, some people in the middle school division perceive Mika as "Don't play with a childish attitude."
Mika was only participating in the high school division because the academy ordered him to, but he had heard such gossip several times and thought it was unavoidable to be thought of that way, so he silently listened to it.
However, Tsatoral, who noticed the feelings of the high school students, showed consideration and returned Mika to the middle school division.
At that time, Cleiria's escort knight whispered something to Cleiria.
However, Cleiria nodded once, but did not say anything special.
(...As this has come to this, it might be difficult to quit the academy.)
I considered dropping out before moving up to the high school division, but it might be difficult given the situation.
Especially in Mika's case, he has become quite conspicuous.
(Well, if I went to the battlefield and only thought about surviving, it probably wouldn't be that difficult.)
In the worst case, I could fly away and desert before the enemy.
If I could choose such a means, but.
Mika looked at everyone in the Leventein group.
Cecilia, Charl, Messerite, Polnard, Murt.
Rimliche sitting next to him, and Cleiria.
I think we will be sent to different battlefields, but knowing that everyone is fighting with their lives, can I still abandon them and run away?
(...It's not impossible. ............I think.)
It might become a lifetime trauma.
I don't want to become such a person, but the option of "running away" should always remain.
It's a bad habit of mine that when my head gets hot, I can't think of such things.
(Still, if it's me now, there is almost no chance of being killed by just a soldier or a knight. As for...)
What happens if I get hit by [God's Miracle]?
If I get hit by [Explosive Flame], can I survive?
The power is variable, so luck plays a part, but I certainly don't have the confidence to survive a direct hit from [Explosive Flame].
And then, the monster-level existence.
Even for Mika now, there are two monsters that he cannot say with certainty that he can win against even if he goes all out.
Yaroibarov and Ozendorwa.
The only thing I can think of is that I won't lose if I fly.
If such people were on the battlefield, I would carefully roll up my tail and run away.
There are already two of them within Mika's known range.
It wouldn't be strange if there were others wandering around.
(Haaah......, I don't want to think about it.)
Mika involuntarily let out a sigh at the "battlefield" that has become a little more realistic.
"...Mika-kun?"
Rimliche was lightly pulling Mika's robe.
"Hm?"
"What's wrong, Mika-kun?"
Looking, everyone had already stood up and was returning to the classroom.
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice.
"Oh, sorry. Just thinking about something."
Mika hurriedly stood up and took the tray.
And so, returning the tray, he left the cafeteria.
Even while walking down the hallway, some of the people he passed were talking about the war.
Hearing such talk at the academy and in the dorms makes one want to complain like Cecilia.
"Mika."
Just before reaching the classroom, Cleiria called out to Mika.
She let everyone go ahead, and Mika followed Cleiria to the side of the hallway.
"Is something wrong?"
"I have a message from your father, Mika."
Cleiria quietly conveyed it to Mika so that no one else could hear.
A message from the Marquis (old man)?
Well, I only have a bad feeling about this.
"Mika, are you going back to your hometown this year too?"
"Going back to my hometown? Ah......, I haven't thought about it at all yet, but I think I will."
"I see."
Cleiria nodded.
"Your father says he cannot come to the capital this winter. He says you should stop by Sarbengeal when you go back to your hometown."
It was a notice that the meeting in the capital would be held in Sarbengeal.
(Darn it...... If I decided not to go back to my hometown, I could have avoided this, couldn't I?)
I think that for a moment, but in the end, it might be the same.
They will probably tell me to come to Sarbengeal since they will pay for the travel expenses.
(Well, normally, if you go from the capital to the Viscountcy of Limpēre, it is natural to stay overnight in Sarbengeal.)
That is so.
So, the only word Mika should say here is one.
"I understand. But I will prepare my own room, okay? I'm just saying this just in case."
I must avoid the flow where they say "Stay over" thinking I am alone.
Cleiria looked puzzled for a moment, but she seemed to understand the intention immediately.
"Are the two of you coming too?"
Cleiria, who knows about Kistil and Nerisfeene, asked to confirm.
Mika nodded honestly.
"I understand. I will take the initiative and tell them beforehand."
"I'm counting on you."
After that, Mika's face became somewhat solemn, and he lightly checked the surroundings.
"The reason why the Marquis is not coming to the capital......"
He asked in a low voice.
Cleiria also made a difficult face.
"I think it would be a lie to say it has no influence. However, I don't think something specific has happened to the extent that everyone is worried."
"Is that so?"
Well, even if something happened, they probably couldn't leak it.
"I don't think it is a direct sign. Still, the war could start tomorrow, or it could be five or ten years later. ............Your father will continue to be on guard like this, even if it is ten years later, if necessary."
No room for assumptions.
It seems they have entered such a stage.
"Thank you for telling me."
"No, then let's fill in the specific schedule later."
Mika nodded and returned to the classroom with Cleiria.
And so, taking his seat, Mika fell into thought again.
(............What should I do......?)
The story from Cleiria just now can also be interpreted as "war could start at any time."
Should I cancel the trip back to my hometown?
Rish Village is too close to the battlefield.
The Leventein Marquisate and the Limpēre Baronate are adjacent.
Although direct travel is impossible due to a dangerous forest inhabited by magic beasts, if the Viscountcy of Orcosa, which is the route, is seized, we will be unable to go anywhere.
(Should I call Amalia, Loretta, and Kistil's family to the capital (here)......?)
Evacuation usually brings to mind moving from urban areas to rural areas, but shouldn't we choose to move away from the battlefield?
(Kistil's father is already gone. At least, one of the biggest concerns has disappeared.)
Even if someone manages to survive by using a potion or something, the next time we meet, I will cut off their head.
Yorkades is already a dead existence in Mika's mind.
No matter how many times you kill someone who has already died, it doesn't really matter.
It is no different from defeating a "Wraith" or a "Skeleton".
(Should we look for a large house where everyone can live in District 2......?)
It is a bit of an early talk, but if a plan is established, such things might be necessary.
There is no city wall in District 3.
If preparing a house, it must absolutely be District 2.
(But what about everyone in the village?)
There are other people Mika absolutely wants to save.
Kifrod, Radei, Ninetiana, Diego and Dur, Horatio......
It is difficult for Mika alone to handle their matters.
(What should I do......? What should I......?)
Mika was troubled by the vague anxiety creeping up on him.