Chapter 18

"Eh...?"

Eko seems unable to understand the situation in front of her, letting out a dazed voice.

"Idiot!!"

"Stay back."

I stop Silvia, who is rushing over to try to give me first aid.

"Kyaaa!?"

Eko lets out a cry of shock.

The one who should be screaming is me... Ah, it hurts so much...!

Grrr... Ah, damn it, hang in there!!

If I had kept Eko on the team, we would definitely get closer to being the world's best!

That's because—

"Eko, you're suited for healing magic. Use this to heal my hand!"

—She's a 'Muscle Priest'! ...Probably!!

"I-I can't. I can't."

Eko shakes her head from side to side, crying, denying it.

"Just do it! Hold this staff!"

I push a staff into Eko's hands.

It's a 'Medium Healing Magic Staff'—a Holy Slime's ultra-rare staff that allows anyone to use the Medium Healing Magic as long as they hold it.

If Eko's growth type is 'Muscle Priest'!

The additional effect "++" for healer-type growth types will activate, and my hand will heal instantly!

"Ah, it hurts! Hurry up!"

"But! But!"

"No buts! I said you can, so do it, dammit!!"

"O-Okay! Okay!!"

I shouted. Sweat poured from my body, and I felt dizzy and nauseous. Ah, I'm reaching my limit.

Eko, crying, nodded jerkily and desperately tried to hold the staff with her trembling hands.

...That's right. Do it. You can be useful. Gain confidence! Realize it! That's your escape route!

"Ah!?"

Probably a cry of surprise. She must have found the Medium Healing Magic in her skill list.

"I-I'll heal it now!!"

Eko gripped the staff tightly and swung it, trying her best to activate the Medium Healing Magic.

The next moment, a blinding light burst from the staff, enveloping me—

—And then, my left hand returned to its original state as if nothing had happened.

Ah, I'm saved...

"W-Waaaahh!"

Eko, surprised by the blinding light she produced, fell on her butt but let out a cry of amazement. What is that?

"A... I'm sorry... I couldn't do it..."

"Second-sama!"

I must have lost too much blood, as I feel dizzy and fall to the ground. Trying hard not to vomit, I eventually lost consciousness—

'Muscle Priest'

I realized Eko's growth type when I was chasing her.

She is slow, strong, has a lot of SP, and is a failure at the magic school, meaning her INT is extremely low.

These characteristics, which make her seem unsuited to be a mage, perfectly match those of a Muscle Priest.

A Muscle Priest has extremely low INT, AGI, DEX, and LUK. Especially INT and DEX are much lower compared to other combat types like heavy warriors. In exchange, HP, MP, SP, STR, VIT, and MGR are high, with HP, MP, and SP being ridiculously high. So much so that she can outlast a mid-level Silvia in stamina.

With low INT, she is not suited for magic. With low DEX, she is not suited for archery. She has decent STR but low AGI, so she can't maneuver well. Despite low INT, she has a lot of MP. These might seem meaningless at first glance, but some hardcore players chose this growth type.

In fact, well-known teams always had at least one Muscle Priest type member.

Why?

Because they are the "wall."

A Muscle Priest uses their high HP, SP, and VIT to wield a shield, becoming a wall for their teammates to protect them from monster damage. They then use Healing Magic to heal themselves as they take damage.

In other words, they can continue to be a wall until their MP runs out.

Moreover, unlike Attack Magic, Healing Magic is not affected by INT. This is because INT directly affects the power of Attack Magic skills, but has no relation to the effectiveness of Healing Magic.

Therefore, a Muscle Priest is a growth type designed to create a healer who can continuously heal themselves while serving as a wall, thanks to their muscular build. They are also known as the "Berlin Wall," a reference to their solid defense that lasted 28 years without breaking.

That's right. The Muscle Priest is a powerful growth type. They are professionals who excel as walls on the front lines, overshadowing traditional wall roles like heavy warriors and heavy knights.

If Eko, a Muscle Priest, joins us,

Front, middle, and back.

With Eko the Muscle Priest, me the all-rounder, and Silvia the magic archer, we can form a perfect team. We can aim higher. The world's best will be within reach.

I really wanted her.

Indeed, I had a desire to save her heart, drenched in despair like my past self. I knew the way to save her, so I couldn't help but reach out.

But at the same time, the desire to have a "submissive teammate" for the sake of becoming the world's best grew within me.

I was trying to use her.

Telling her that she could be useful with healing magic, and that she should join us, just like that.

Thinking back, it was the same with Silvia.

I took advantage of her emotional weakness and almost forced her to join.

Is that okay for them?

Is it okay for me?

I'm worried.

Pushing the limits, drawing attention, somehow dragging them along, making them follow.

But I want them to follow.

Please. Please. Follow me.

To me, to me—

"......Hmm..."

I had a scary dream.

When I woke up, I was in a bed. Looking around, I realized it was a room in an inn.

"Hey."

"You're awake!"

When I spoke, Silvia let out an excited voice and grabbed my hand.

"...Don't push yourself. If you lose this hand, you won't become the world's best."

While gently stroking my right hand, Silvia said, as if trying to convince me.

"It's a bit hard to say, but it's actually my left hand."

"......"

Silvia's ears turned red.

"Ouch!"

Without a word, she slapped the back of my hand and left the room.

Ah, I feel relieved for some reason.

I don't know why, but I do.

"Second!"

The door opened with a loud bang, and Eko rushed in.

She dove into my chest and said, "I'm sorry," "I'm sorry," in a tearful voice.

I don't know what she's sorry for.

But if she's apologizing, it means there's a chance.

"Eko, I'll say it again. You're suited for healing magic. Quit school and come with me."

I said it all at once. To use her. Believing it would save her.

Eko suddenly lifted her face and, despite her tears, showed a full smile.

"I'm happy! Can I really be useful!?"

"Yes. Let's go together."

I passionately invited her.

Eko nodded with a smile, but suddenly her face darkened.

"Uu... But... But..."

She seems to be struggling.

She wants to go, but can't. It looks like she's in a dilemma.

...Is there a reason?

"Hey. Is there a reason you can't quit school?"

"Why do you know!?"

Eko's eyes widened in surprise.

"Because I want to be the world's best. Come on, tell me."

I said confidently and waited for Eko's words.

"Well..."

Eko wiped her tears and began to speak hesitantly.

Apparently, she is from a distant rural village of beastfolk.

Eko had an incredibly high MP from a young age, and when her father boasted about it, the village began to expect that she had magical talent.

The story grew, and last year, the village pooled their money to send her to the prestigious 'Royal Magic Academy.'

A genius from a rural beastfolk village. If Eko became a great mage, it would help revitalize the village. It was a shallow idea, but that's what they thought.

Why did she pass the entrance exam? Eko's low INT was due to her growth type, but she had no problem learning skills or studying magic knowledge. In fact, she was quite excellent. She had already mastered the wind and earth attributes of the Second Form. However, her power was less than half of an average student's, which is why she was considered a failure.

"...So, I can't quit. I can't betray the village's expectations."

The expectations of the village.

What did they create?

A huge, heavy burden. One that crushes a young girl's heart and continues to crush it.

"...It's okay. I've prepared an escape route for you here."

"Eh...?"

"You can escape. Fortunately, there's a good escape route here."

Unlike when I was in her position.

"An escape route?"

"Yes, don't worry."

I nodded deeply and told Eko.

"I will become the world's best. The best in the entire world. Understand? No one is stronger than me. And you will be a member of that team. Think about it. Is there anything more honorable? The Royal Magic Academy is nothing. Court mages are nothing. The villagers will surely be satisfied, no, they will be so satisfied that they will hold a three-day festival and build a statue of you in the center of the village, a legendary glory that will be passed down for generations. When you return to the village, everyone will welcome you with prostrations and tears, you'll be so great."

"......Pfft, hahaha."

"Ah, Lady Eko, welcome back! The village chief will say that first. Then your father will say, 'Eko, get Second-sama's autograph for me!'"

"Kya-ha-ha!"

"What about the other village boys? Hey, hey, look at your feet, Eko. See, you've been walking on the backs of the kneeling men!"

"Kya-ha-ha-ha!"

Eko laughed. Loudly. Slapping her knees. Holding her stomach. Cheerfully.

I also started to laugh, and we laughed together.

Not thinking about anything unpleasant. Just enjoying the moment in front of us. I think that was very difficult.

After a while of laughing, Eko said,

"Second! I'll go with you!"

And so, the beastfolk Muscle Priest Eko Leaflet joined our team.

Thank you for reading.