Chapter 60

【Witch's Pot】 A medicinal dish created by combining three or more types of ingredients and water. Its effect is to restore the HP and MP of the person who eats it. The standard recovery value is one-tenth of the creator's HP and MP.

Kena said it was like hospital food while finishing it. A curious teacher who received a small portion fainted. Since it was not poison, Coral commented, "It's because Kena made it, maybe her MP overflowed?"

Some unease spread among the students, but the next day, the teacher was fine.

---

The second day

The night passed without any monster attacks, and they welcomed the morning safely. According to Coral, "There are no monsters that would attack a beast as dangerous as level 450 just for the sake of it." Kena, who didn't care about it at all, was sleeping soundly, buried in the fluffy fur of the curled-up Izuna.

After breakfast, the students followed their respective subject teachers. To avoid dangerous scattered actions, they formed groups for herb gathering and hunting, including students with adventurer experience and those sent by the church, and left the campsite. Coral's "Triumph Armor" party and the "Swift Horse" party, which had more members, went together. The knights, one teacher, and the students specializing in magic, as well as Princess Mailene and Kena, stayed behind. Ronti, who had an adventurer card, joined the group going out.

Mailene, who sent everyone off with a smile, hugged Izuna instead of Kena, saying, "Please pay attention to me!" The knights were one thing, but the magic students screamed at the princess's action of jumping onto the summoned creature without the summoner's permission. However, Kena had been waiting for someone to say, "Let me touch," so it didn't turn into the tragedy they imagined. Mailene, buried in Izuna's fluffy fur, was enjoying the soft texture with a blissful expression, like a puppy playing with its mother.

"Kena-san!"

"Hm, what is it, Mai?"

"I want this one!"

"Hahaha, no way."

"Aaah~"

Mailene let out a disappointed voice, but she didn't seem to want to leave the fur. Kena, who suddenly felt a gaze, noticed two female students among those left behind looking at Izuna and Mailene with envy.

"Would you like to touch this one too?"

"Really, is it okay?"

"Sure, sure. Great Weasel, be nice to these two more. No scratching, okay?"

"Kyu"

The two female students, who received Kena's permission, cautiously approached Izuna. They reached out to her left hind leg, which was next to the belly Mailene was hugging, with a tense expression as the two-meter-long tail thumped on the ground. It didn't take long for the two to become captivated by the fluffy fur, just like Mailene. Kena, who watched this scene, nodded in satisfaction, muttering, "A picture of women buried in Izuna's legs and belly."

In the end, the day passed with this heartwarming (or not) scene. According to Coral, who acted with the hunting group, there were no monsters around the campsite.

"Hmm, maybe it was a mistake to bring out the Great Weasel. This is no different from a regular camping trip, isn't it?"

"The tension from the previous attack is still lingering everywhere. It's probably better that there are no monsters. It's easier for us too."

"You're really spilling the beans..."

The members of "Triumph Armor" smiled wryly in agreement with Coral's words. They had also been wondering why they hadn't encountered any monsters, and they finally understood after Kena told them that Izuna was ten times stronger than a Horn Bear. They had to test Izuna's strength, but of course, a level 50 person couldn't even scratch her fur.

The night campsite had a slightly tense atmosphere, but overall, it was relaxed. The tension was among the knights and students on night watch. If they slacked off because of the giant beast and were attacked, it would be a disaster.

Kena, who didn't want to make another "Witch's Pot," received a homemade soup from the students. In return, she used her "Cooking Skill: Bread" to make soft bread, which was far superior to the hard bread that travelers usually carry. Everyone enjoyed it, but Coral later scolded Kena for forgetting the teacher's warning from the previous day.

---

The third day

"Excuse me, but I have a request for the adventurers..."

The day started with a student's request. It seemed they were frustrated by the lack of monsters and the safe camping situation. The representative, with other students with similar determination behind him, addressed the leader of the "Swift Horse" party, who was also the organizer of the adventurer side.

"Could you do a mock battle with us?"

"Wha!?"

Coral, who was optimistically thinking it was a nice, clear morning, sprayed water from her mouth while gargling at the shocking request. She choked dramatically amidst the surrounding "What's wrong with this guy?" glares.

Ignoring this, the "Swift Horse" leader thought for a moment and had a mini-meeting with the teachers. The church group was also bored, so the teachers easily agreed, saying, "A mock battle with people is also good experience." The representatives immediately gathered to set the rules.

"Ahem, Kena, what are you going to do? This is serious, can you hold back?"

"Well, Coral, I'm a backline specialist. Is there such a thing as holding back in magic?"

"Don't answer a question with a question! You can't, right?"

Kena thought about the battles she had been in. The Horn Bear was killed instantly with an unheld-back "Charge," the thief mage turned into ice, Koilrog was killed from the start, the ghost ship was purified with full power, the Dark Elf in the deep forest was killed by wind pressure, and Drekduvai was beaten to death in a full-power melee. The only ones who didn't die from a hit were Ops and Koilrog.

"I'm good at annihilation, but what's the problem?"

"Don't be proud of that!"

Coral recalled a memory from the game era, a time when he barely grazed a national war. During the live broadcasts of the war situation by the War Live Guild (completely player-run), he saw massive fireballs that sent dozens flying, thick lightning strikes that roasted the player army, and summoned dragons and giant worms that mercilessly attacked the rear supply teams, devouring beginners. If the live broadcast was to be believed, the one who did this was Kena, who was tilting her head right in front of him. The thought of her attacking innocent students made him shiver. Before it was too late, Coral tried to get a safer assignment for Kena by joining the mini-meeting.

---

A few minutes later, the rules were as follows:

- No weapons for the adventurer side. Shields are allowed but cannot be used to hit.

- No direct damage-dealing attack magic for both sides. Support magic is allowed.

- No summoning magic that violates the above rules (mainly for Kena).

- No attacks targeting vital points (eyes, groin) actively. Try to fight honorably.

- Avoid actions that could take a life.

- Kena must stay in the backline and can only use two spells.

"Discrimination!"

Everyone intentionally ignored the specific person's cry of protest.

In other words, the adventurer side's attack methods were limited to hand-to-hand combat. There was only one magic specialist in "Triumph Armor," so the adventurer side had eight frontliners. Coral mainly handled defense. Since it was a survival practice, no one brought non-lethal weapons for the mock battle. The students used their real weapons. A teacher initially raised concerns about the danger, but Coral confidently said, "Kena will handle the defense, so it's fine," and the princess and the noble lady agreed, so the plan was approved. The student side had about twenty frontliners, divided into groups of five, each with two to three magic users. The adventurer side passed the time with casual conversations. The location was a slightly sloping grassy area a bit away from the campsite.

"Hmph! No need for weapons against these rookies."

"At least wear leather gloves. Hitting metal armor with bare hands is no joke!"

"Coral is just a shield user... Well, if you hit with full force, the rookies might literally become bird food."

"Haha... (You're right, it's not funny)"

"Kena, I'm sorry, but please only provide support. Don't use that white one, okay?"

"I won't! How much do you think I lack common sense?!"

"Sure, sure, Kena, just hold back. Focus on magic, it's easy, right?"

"Don't underestimate the students. Sometimes it costs them their lives."

"Then, I'll leave the defense magic to Kena. I'll use other methods."

Some were cracking their knuckles, already in combat mode, while others hastily pulled out thick leather gloves from their belongings. Coral, seeing his two-handed shield, stroked his chin in agreement. Some pointed at Izuna, who followed her master from the campsite, and tried to calm down the pouting Kena. One person nodded seriously with folded arms, while another dragged Kena to the backline. The conversation was light, but everyone's eyes were serious. They knew from experience that in battle, the careless ones were the first to die.

"Kena, don't use lethal magic, okay?"

"I wouldn't even if you didn't say it. Only two spells, magic!"

"Did you just hint at something?"

"Maybe?"

Kena responded with an ambiguous smile to Coral's repeated questions. The highest level among the students was around ten. Even Kena, with her weak physical strength, could easily kill them with her hands. Of course, if Coral, the frontliner, used his full strength, thirty people would be nothing. Therefore, she had to hold back while making it look like she was fighting seriously. Kena's lack of common sense was already known from the attack incident, so this was a reasonable measure. However, it only applied if she didn't have any ulterior motives. Kena, with a slightly relaxed smile, moved ten meters behind the frontliners with the other backliner.

The adventurer and student camps faced each other about thirty meters apart. The adventurers were relaxed, cracking their necks and swinging their arms, while the students were tense, sweating as they held their weapons. The adventurers were exasperated by the students' over-tightened bow-like state.

"Oh, oh, no confidence..."

"Is this going to be okay?"

"We've all been there. Give them a little leeway."

A few agreed and laughed, "Hahaha." The group that proposed the mock battle clenched their teeth, thinking they were being mocked. Kena and the other backliners could see this clearly.

"Ah, that's the flag for trying too hard and failing."

"Everything is experience. It reminds me of when I first became an adventurer."

The two backliners were having a conversation like old men on a porch. Eventually, the teacher gave the signal, and both sides charged with determination. However, the students' determination was to "show them," while the adventurers' was to "make the ones who show their true colors do night watch."

The mock battle ended in about thirty minutes, with the students surrendering.

To explain in detail: As soon as the battle started, the students' mages began chanting, and Kena's "Magic Skill: Advanced Physical Defense Increase" activated, enveloping the adventurers in a blue phosphorescence. If a beginner had used it, the defense would have been minimal. However, Kena, who probably had the highest magic power in the continent, made the students' attacks completely ineffective. Whether they swung great swords or charged with spears, no damage was dealt. The teacher fainted from the sight of Kena's unconventional magic, which required no chanting and instantly affected multiple targets. The students' methods quickly ran out, and the mock battle was expected to end soon. Since their attacks were ineffective, they only accumulated damage from being hit. Kena then used a flute to activate the "Curse Song Skill: Clear Lake Water," which gradually restored the HP of those who heard it, putting the students in a masochistic mode where they couldn't be knocked out no matter how much they were hit. They gave up one by one, caught in a vicious cycle of pain and healing. Some even developed dangerous hobbies...

"That was some terrible support."

"Why? I tried not to hurt anyone. I was going to win with a wide-area sleep spell at the end..."

"Hey! You were only supposed to use two spells, not three!"

"Curse songs are skills, not magic."

"Stop nitpicking!"

The students, mentally crushed by the unreasonable magic (which they thought was magic), were lying on the ground like dead fish, exhausted. The adventurers, seeing this, couldn't help but feel sympathy. If the situation were reversed, it would have been a crushing defeat. Kena and Coral were chatting as if nothing had happened, making the adventurers wonder if they had made a mistake by letting her participate. The day passed with everyone feeling helpless.

In the end, the survival practice ended on the morning of the fourth day, and everyone returned to Felskairo. Later, Kena heard from Mai that they would redo it because it didn't provide much experience for the students.

"Mother, asking for your help backfired..."

"Well, there are no monsters that would attack a level 1190 target just for the sake of it."

"...Wait, Mother. Did I hear a number that sounded like a level increase?"

"Sometimes, there are unreasonable things in this world. Understand?"

"Rather, Mother's existence as a transcendent is unreasonable..."

"Ahn?"

"Sorry!"

Kena, who inadvertently added an extra comment, was glared at by Kena. In a fairly good mood, Kena laughed and patted Mai's head, saying, "Just kidding."

After a bit of small talk and receiving their reward, they returned to the inn with light steps. On the way back to Felskairo, they heard from Siren that Ops had returned. Knowing that there was someone in this world who could confirm her existence brought Kena some comfort, even if the confirmation was a bit active.

Kena cheerfully entered her room, saying, "I'm back~." Siren greeted her with a beautiful bow and a "Welcome back, Kena-sama." Beside her, Ops was munching on a snack, mumbling incomprehensibly.

"Hey, Ops, long time no see. I have a favor to ask."

"Mmm... Mmm, gulp. Hmm, it's rare for Kena to ask me for something."

"Can you be a punching bag for me? Five hits to relieve stress."

"......Do I have a choice?"

"Then, take it."

"I firmly refuse!"

Ops, who stood up to argue, saw two scimitars placed on his shoulders from behind. It was Siren's doing.

"Master, I support any choice you make, and I will follow your orders. However, I do not approve of pretending not to know a woman you have shamed."

Ops, who didn't understand the situation or the implications, was forced to sign a document without his knowledge. Using skills from the front and back, he fled into the city, where he accidentally met Skullgo. "This is Uncle, I apologize for the other day," he was greeted politely, making Ops furious, thinking Kena had given him some strange information. He returned to the inn, where Kena, naturally, "You started the trouble!" and captured him, subjecting him to a lecture from both of them for the entire night.