Chapter20

We returned to the Cultivating Centre. I used a chalk to draw a line on the ground in front of the Cultivating Centre. And asked them to dig holes at the specific locations. I asked them to dig a 1 metre long, 2 metre deep, and 5 metre wide hole at a location about 1 metre from the main door.

This is a simple moat.

There is no need to deliberately hide this hole. After all the grass near the main door is already very little, the ground is bare, so even if we used grass to cover the trap, it will be seen through immediately. So this is like a dry ditch.

The aim of making such a trap, is to block the movements of the orcs, making it easier for us to defend.

「Even if all of you guard the main door, once the number of orcs became too big, it will be hard to defend. After digging this hole, the orcs can only attack from the left and right side. So even if we are little in number, it will become easier for us to defend.」

「If we do such big actions in front of the Cultivating Centre, then the news of us using the Cultivating Centre as a base will be discovered.」

「Afterall we will be discovered eventually. Since that is so, we should have made preparations early.」

Hearing my refute, Shiki-san nodded in understanding.

「If you throw things from the windows at level 2 and 3, it will be easier to hit the targets right. 」

「Oh—That’s right. This moat, perhaps is very helpful to throwing skill.」

「Isn’t that good? Okay, everyone, let’s work harder to dig another hole.」

Shiki-san encouraged the already tired middle school girls, and took up the shovel first and began to dig.

Ah, her waist movement is really good. If she gets a bit more experience, she will become an outstanding digging expert.

Okay, it should be fine leaving the digging to them. Arisu, Tamaki, Mia and I separated to guys and girls, and took off our sweaty gym clothes. We used wet towels to wipe off our bodies’ sweat, and changed into new uniforms in the storage. Although we do not know if the orcs can smell well, so we do not know how alert we should be but having some precautions is better than having nothing.

Then, the 4 of us formed the future elite party. A red circle appeared on Tamaki and Mai’s little finger on their right hand.

「All of you should go and quickly level up, and then we will go to the white room to discuss.」

「Okay—— Roger——!」

Tamaki began to salute jokingly, while Mia just nodded.

「That, that, Kazu-senpai.」

「…… What, Tamaki. What do you need from me?」

「Can I use that giant axe?」

Tamaki pointed to the giant axe at the lounge in the Cultivating Centre. That is the weapon used by the elite orc yesterday.

「Do you really want to use it?」

「In the past a wiseman said, power is POWER!」(TL note: power is in japanese, while POWER was said in English.)

「Your English is very lousy right?」

Hmm— which is as long as you wield that axe, ordinary orc will not approach easily. Although I wish that Tamaki can be a bit more steady, but as long as she pair with Mia, I don’t think she will be over reckless.

「You must protect Mia who is your kouhai」(TL note: Kouhai = junior)

「Leave it to me! I am a capable girl!」

She seems like she knows how to take care of others, so I decided to believe her self-recommendation.

The 4 of us trekked through the forest, moving toward the tennis ball field mentioned by Arisu.

As Arisu said, there are loud snorings from the storage room.

「Tamaki, Mia, the 2 of you stay here and wait for orders. Mia, if any orcs escapes—」

「I will use《Earth Bound》 to stop them?」

When casting magic against a single enemy, the caster must target the enemy. So as to say, if one cannot see the opponent, then he will not be able to cast magic.

If it is a Missile type magic, then the magic will fly straight towards the enemy. There are not auto-homing attacks. If the enemy is moving fast, then there is the possibility of missing the target. If there are obstructions in the middle, it can also hit it.

As for Direct type, the distance does not matter, it will activate in an instant, hence the opponent will not be able to avoid it.

Missile Type and Direct Type, are names that I created temporary. Until now, it is the process from activation of the magic until it hits its target. Next is if the opponent have the ability to resist it.

According to the different type of magic, the requirements to resist is also different. For example when casting Rank 1 Earth Magic 《Earth Bound》, if the enemy raised his legs in the instant when the plants at the feet began to move due to the magic, then the enemy will not be restrained. Knowing that this magic is not 100% effective, Mia could not help but give a bitter expression.

《Clear Mind》 can increase the resistance against mind magic that affects one mentally. The so-called Mind Magic, includes Rank 1 Wind Magic 《Sleeping Song》etc. The others also includes magic that clouds one’s heart. Other than that it is said that some monster have special abilities that are similar to these magic. So scary, so scary.

《Clear Mind》 also has the effect of suppressing one’s fear.

According to Mia, yesterday just by hearing the elite orc’s roar, she and Tamaki were so scared until they were shivering.

Since you said it like this, perhaps it is really so. The reason why Arisu and I could still move freely, perhaps it is only due to being lucky. Or it could be that we have already been in the battlefield for a while, so we do not feel especially afraid.

Even if the magic is effective, he could still use a more violent method to escape the magic’s effect.

With 《Earth Bound》 as an example, if the opponent is a hercules, he could even pull out the roots, and struggle free…… Seems like 《Earth Bound》 will be useless against elite orc.

Hmm, I see, I roughly understand it.

But, once you list out all the possible situation of being resisted, the advantage of 《Heat Metal》 becomes clear.

According to Mia’s question, it is hard to increase resistance against magic like 《Heat Metal》 that is cast on objects. But 《Heat Metal》 is a type of missile type magic that gives off a light trail, hence it is still possible to dodge it…

No matter how strong the elite orc is, it will be hard for it to hold the burning hot axe and fight. Even if it did not throw the axe away, we should still be able to look forward to its movements becoming slower.

Ah, but—

「I suddenly realised, Mia, what if the enemy is holding a weapon with wooden handles…」

Mia and I gave an 「Ah」sound, and looked at each other. As the axe that the elite orc was using yesterday, part of the handle is made of metal, so I neglected such a point……

「If the handle of the weapon is made of wood, then 《Heat Metal》 is useless.」

Mia lowered her shoulders in disappointment.

「We can only pray that the weapon of the elite orc is pure metallic.」

Yes— we both sighed.

「I should have guessed.」

「No, I should have guessed it…」

Ah, after the whole day yesterday, I feel that there is still no improvements.

Tamaki: Level 2 Sword Skill 1 → 2／Physical 1 Skill Point 0

Mia: Level 2 Earth Magic 1 → 2／Wind Magic 1 Skill Point 0