Chapter 64

Having finished the move, and with some time before the practical exam, we ventured into the northern forest of Doctus.

To the north of Doctus, a vast forest stretches, beyond which lies the Saewum Mountain Range, a mountainous area where many monsters dwell. The Saewum Mountain Range was once home to many frontier villages of the Lax Kingdom, and despite being incomplete, a mountain-crossing road existed and was developing. However, the sudden invasion by the Caerl Empire, at the whim of its emperor, led to the destruction of the southern frontier villages of the Saewum Mountain Range before the kingdom could establish a defensive posture.

Originally, the empire, having gained territory, planned to advance colonization, but due to the high number of monsters in the area, a significant military force was required to protect the settlers, making colonization difficult. Furthermore, the northern governor, who opposed the invasion of the Lax Kingdom, deliberately sabotaged the efforts. Eventually, the emperor died, and the empire's northern policy changed, leading to the complete abandonment of the southern side of Saewum, turning it into a land forsaken by people.

As a result, the monsters in the mountainous area continued to breed without being hunted. Consequently, the increased number of monsters began to descend from the mountains in search of food, appearing on roads and in towns. Doctus was no exception, and many monsters began to enter the new town. Therefore, the Adventurer's Guild allowed, in Doctus alone, the post-facto reporting of monsters slain in the forest or mountains.

In other regions, only monsters for which a request had been made would be rewarded, and the profit would be limited to the sale of magic crystals. However, in Doctus, in addition to the profit from selling magic crystals, a reward for completing the request could also be received, attracting many adventurers to the forest.

As a result, the new town, which only had a simple fence, saw a significant reduction in monster attacks. However, since the source of the monsters, the mountainous area, remained untouched, the number of monsters being hunted in the forest did not decrease.

We, too, entered such a forest to hunt monsters. The monsters that appeared were diverse, including beast-type monsters like wolves and bears, insect-type monsters like giant spiders, demon-type monsters like goblins and orcs, plant-type monsters like vampire vines, and even undead-type monsters like skeletons.

The first time I saw a skeleton, I was more surprised than frightened. Despite being just bones, I couldn't understand how it moved, but it walked with a clacking sound, much like the CGI in movies, giving me a sense of déjà vu.

(I don't know if it's because Hollywood's CGI is amazing or if my senses are dull, but it felt real, yet somehow lacked a sense of reality.)

However, when I actually fought it, it was not just CGI; it was a tangible existence with mass. The rusted sword it swung at a considerable speed produced a whistling sound, and when our swords clashed, I felt a stronger force than expected.

I was surprised, but the skeleton wasn't a particularly strong monster. Due to my low swordsmanship level, it didn't pose much of a threat when I challenged it in close combat. However, Sharon was initially frightened by its appearance and couldn't contribute to the battle. I couldn't help but think, "She is a girl, after all."

Over five days, my swordsmanship level increased from 16 to 17, and my wind attribute magic level increased from 23 to 24.

(Indeed, practical experience leads to faster level-ups. I don't know Sharon's level, but since Lidi has also leveled up, it might be good to enter the forest frequently in the future...)

Regarding Sharon, since she doesn't have a mage's orb, I can't determine her magic level. However, she will be given one after passing the academy, so her level should be known within a month. According to Lidi, she is probably around level 15.

We entered the forest daily, focusing on hunting level 7 and 8 monsters, which has resulted in considerable income. The magic crystals from level 7 monsters are worth about 10C (10,000 yen), and those from level 8 monsters are worth about 5C. The guild also provides a reward of similar value, so over five days, we earned nearly 300C (300,000 yen).

This time, with Guy, we were able to hunt efficiently, but it will be difficult to maintain this efficiency after he returns. However, having a sense of the combat in the forest will be very helpful for future planning.

(If my presence detection skill improves, efficiency will increase, but there's no point in rushing. The main issue is that I will be the only frontline fighter. However, as long as we don't venture deep into the forest or the mountains, it shouldn't be a problem...)

I forgot to mention, but during the move, we also went around to greet our neighbors. I'm not sure if this is a custom, but since we will be spending five years here, it's better to have good relations with the neighbors. I brought a small gift and went around with Lidi and Sharon.

The house to our right belongs to Frank Novello, who works for a trading company. He lives with his wife and three children. Frank is around 30 years old and seems quiet. His wife, Hanna, is in her mid-20s, bright, and helpful, reminding me of Mollie, the wife of the head of the vassals, Walt. The three children are all girls, the oldest being 8 years old.

The house to our left belongs to Clint Littleford, a 40-year-old clerk at the Tilia Magic Academy. He lives with his wife and one daughter. Clint is a kind person who likes children, and when he learned I was an examinee, he encouraged me. His wife, Helen, is a former teacher and runs a tutoring school for children in the area. His daughter, Shemy, is a 17-year-old private school student and a slender beauty. He also has two sons, but they have both moved out and are independent.

(It's good that our neighbors are nice people. The other neighbors also seem friendly, so this might be a good place to live...)

Among the three of us, only Lidi is an adult, but she is very shy. I made a mental note to explain her to the wives of our neighbors, Helen and Hanna, beforehand.

When we returned from greeting the neighbors and explained to Guy that everyone was nice, he smiled and said, "That's good to hear." When he learned that there were no boys of our age in the neighborhood, he showed a slightly relieved expression. I noticed this and almost burst out laughing.

(In a way, Sharon has been raised in a sheltered environment. The only boys of her age around were me and her brother Dan... No matter what, Guy is soft on Sharon...)

After entering the forest, we usually go to the Adventurer's Guild, but Guy and Lidi usually handle it. When I asked Guy why, he said that if we, as children, go together, there is a possibility of being picked on. I didn't quite understand the reason, but it might mean that it's not a place for children.

After Guy returns to Rasmoar Village, Lidi will have to go alone, which could lead to problems and is a concern.

We spent time greeting the neighbors, hunting in the forest, and finding places to buy food, and before we knew it, it was the day before the practical exam. That day, we entered the forest until around 3 PM and then went to the academy to confirm the final details of the exam.

We had already confirmed the exam start time two days ago, but Lidi said there might be last-minute changes, so we went to reconfirm. Although the entry tax was a waste, seeing Sharon's anxious face, we decided to go to the academy together.

Upon entering the academy gates, a few examinees were wandering around the schoolyard, looking tense. They seemed to be today's examinees, nervous and unable to settle down.

Inside the school building, the schedule for tomorrow's exam was posted. I was the 15th in the morning session, and Sharon was the 16th. With 20 people scheduled for the morning, our time would be around 11 AM.

"Arriving around 10 AM should be fine. The exam will be over in the morning, and we'll have the afternoon free."

Sharon didn't react to my words. Curious, I looked at her and noticed she was staring at the other examinees.

"Is something wrong?"

"They all have wands..."

Looking around, I saw that all the examinees had wands with magic crystals embedded in their tips, ranging from 30 cm to over 1.5 meters in length.

"Right. I didn't see anything about bringing wands in the instructions, so it should be allowed. Is that a problem?"

"Well... do we need wands too?"

It seems she was worried that we were the only ones without wands.

"We don't need them. We've never used wands before. Besides, Lidi, who uses magic in combat, doesn't use one. It should be fine."

Sharon nodded but still glanced at the other examinees.

(I can understand her anxiety about being different... I'll ask Lidi about it later.)

When we got home, I told Lidi about the wands. She looked surprised.

"Oh, wands can be brought in now? I didn't realize that since they couldn't be brought in when I was an examinee."

"Really? I didn't know that..."

She laughed.

"You really worry about strange things. Haha... You don't need wands. You can already fight monsters well... Besides, wands are mostly for show..."

According to Lidi, a mage's wand is a magical tool that improves the efficiency of gathering elemental power, but except for high-end wands used by court mages, children's wands are mostly for reassurance.

"It might be a recent trend. Old mages didn't use wands... Relying on wands from a young age can be a problem in emergencies, so it's better not to use them."

I agreed with her, but Sharon didn't seem convinced. It's understandable to feel anxious when you're in a new environment and feel different from others.

"By the way, didn't Lidi have a wand?"

"Yes, I have one. I received it at graduation... I still have it, though."

"Can you lend it to us? I want to see how much of a difference it makes with and without a wand."

Lidi returned to her room and brought a simple 50 cm wand.

"Chief graduates get a first-class wand, but you'll see the difference when you use it."

It was already past 5 PM, so going to the forest was dangerous. We decided to do a simple experiment in the backyard. To see the difference clearly, we decided to cast a maximum-output air hammer at the sky.

The result was that using the wand shortened the casting time by about 10% compared to not using one. However, the magic consumption was the same, and there was no dramatic difference like the presence or absence of a spell.

(In combat, this time difference could be significant, but for someone like Lidi, who uses a bow, the wand would only be a hindrance. That's why she doesn't use one...)

"Indeed, there's no dramatic effect. Sharon, try it and see."

I handed the wand to Sharon and let her take my place. She carefully examined the wand, which she was holding for the first time, and cast an air hammer at the sky like I did. Looking up, she said, "It felt like the power gathered a bit faster," and returned the wand to Lidi.

"It's not a significant difference. At that level, it's better to have another weapon. Well, for a mage who only uses attack magic, it might be useful."

(For a mage who uses magic like a cannon, it's necessary. For someone like me or Lidi, who use other weapons, it's not needed. In that case, it's a bit tricky for Sharon. She only uses swordsmanship for self-defense and doesn't join combat with a sword. So, it might be better for her to have a wand...)

"You can have a wand if you want. Unlike me and Lidi, you specialize in magic."

She shook her head and said, "I'm fine without one. It looks expensive."

"I can lend you mine. I can even give it to you as a gift. I'm not using it anyway."

Sharon shook her head more firmly. Seeing her struggle, I suggested,

"Even if you don't keep it, you can borrow it when we enter the forest. It would be safer."

Lidi nodded, and I said, "For the exam, do what you're comfortable with," and took the wand from Lidi, offering it to Sharon. She hesitated and said, "I'm fine with Sir Zack," pushing it back.

I returned the wand to Lidi and asked, "How much is a mage's wand worth?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"Well, I'm not interested, so I don't know much... But this wand uses a third-grade magic crystal, so it's probably around 10,000C (10 million yen). I've heard that court mages' wands can cost several million C..."

(Lidi's wand is worth 10 million yen... Still, it's a few hundred million yen. It's enough to buy a small fighter jet. For a wand that powerful, it must increase the power or reduce the MP consumption...)

At least Sharon's anxiety seemed to be resolved, and the worried expression she had when we returned was gone.