Chapter 26

"Alright, so it's decided that the unusual duo of Tertel-bozu and Sparkling Prince has been formed."

"No way!"

I thought the guild would try to stop us, but they just said, "Oh, that's fine," and accepted us without any fuss. Apparently, it was dangerous for small people to be out, and since I was a former guard, the guild master gave the go-ahead. Can I cry now?

"I'm not small!"

"Alright, thanks for always having a stepping stool ready."

"Koushin, that's wrong."

The hand that was about to pluck a leaf stopped.

"Look, there are spots on the back, right? This is False Deutzia. It has no medicinal value."

"Hmm, then what about this one?"

"False Deutzia. It's poisonous."

"Why do the hard-to-distinguish ones grow in the same place?"

Koushin held his head. It's because of the survival competition among plants, so there's nothing we can do. Most medicinal herbs have similar but different counterparts. Some become less likely to be eaten by insects, while others spread their survival area by being eaten.

I laugh, tearing off the leaves, saying, "It's all about getting used to it."

When we decided to form a duo, we agreed to drop the formalities and politeness. I was a bit confused, but since Koushin seemed to enjoy it, I went along with it.

I finally reached E-rank. Koushin is also E-rank. Considering his background as a former guard, he started at E-rank.

"Gathering is tough."

Still, Koushin keeps plucking leaves while asking me questions. He doesn't seem to mind learning from someone younger. He doesn't act superior or pretend to know everything. I really admire that about him.

"Koushin, be on guard!"

At the sudden sound of something other than us, Koushin calmly placed his right hand on the hilt and scanned the surroundings. Neither of us detected anything, so we had to rely on our eyes and ears.

"A deer?"

As he whispered, I also saw it. It was a small deer, about the size of a puppy, but it wasn't a fawn or a pygmy deer.

"It's a monster. It's very fast!"

The moment our eyes met, it charged at me. It aimed its impressive horns, disproportionate to its body, at me. I dodged by twisting my body and drew my knife from my waist.

"Be careful, it's very aggressive!"

It charged at me again. Why me!?

Gaf!

The deer's head was deflected by Koushin's sword scabbard. Whoa, that was dangerous! The horns passed right in front of my eyes!

Regardless of my panic, Koushin landed a good hit. The deer seemed to have a concussion and was wobbling.

"Don't break the horns. The meat is edible."

I nodded, and Koushin struck.

Zubaa!!

"No way, why did you cut it in half!?"

I couldn't help but shout.

"Huh?" Koushin looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"I said the meat is edible."

"So, you didn't cut it into pieces?"

"What, what do you mean? Are you saying that cutting into small pieces is the default? Scary. Haven't you dealt with humans before?"

"I don't cut humans into pieces. Basically, monsters are taught to be eliminated..."

Yeah, that makes sense. When soldiers go on missions, they don't have time to collect materials piece by piece.

Koushin scratched his temple, looking troubled. I can tell he doesn't have any ill intentions. Adventurers, materials are important. And the meat. I've heard that this meat, though tough, is delicious when boiled.

While Koushin kept watch, I started to dissect the deer. First, the horns. They can be used for medicine and decoration. I removed the internal organs from the belly and drained the blood, burying it. Oh, and I'll peel the skin and discard it. Ah, the magic stone! I dug it up and got the magic stone, which is usually near the heart.

"You're efficient."

"I'll have you do it too, Koushin. I can't handle big prey."

I can't stand the idea of butchering something while straddling it.

I used a life magic spell to create water and wash away the blood.

"By the way, Koushin, can you use wind magic to disperse smells?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when you butcher something, it smells of blood, and other monsters might come, so can't you disperse the smell with wind magic?"

"..."

Hmm, it doesn't seem to be getting through, and it doesn't look like he can do it. When I made a plate, he looked at me curiously, but apparently my ideas are too advanced.

"Wind magic works like this."

Koushin extended his palm. With a puff, the bark of a tree a few meters away exploded.

"And like this."

When he pointed his hand at the ground, a small tornado formed around Koushin, scattering grass and then disappearing.

"Hmm, and then?"

"..."

What, really? That's it?

Koushin glared at me with a displeased expression, shocked by the revelation.

"...So, wind magic isn't very popular."

"No way? You mean you can't even make a wind blade? Wind magic is the strongest! Don't you usually try to mimic natural phenomena? Is it not possible? Am I just too game-brained?"

"Um, then, try to imagine a thin, blade-like shape and send it flying with the wind... Aim at a place where there's no one!"

I scratched a crescent shape on the ground, explaining the direction and thickness. If I could demonstrate, it would be easier, but I can't use it since I'm not a cheater.

"Um, a thin, wind blade..."

Koushin muttered, expanding his imagination. I think he can do it. He's serious and doesn't think something is impossible. He probably believes he can do it because I said so. It's just a matter of precision in magic control. Even though it's not a skill, he can control it, so he might get it eventually.

Shu!

The sound of the wind cutting through the air. But there was no damage to the target tree. He nodded a few times, as if he had grasped something.

Pashu!! Bish!

This time, the tree had a gash. I could see a white line, like a slash, flying through the air.

"Raito!"

"Yep, that's it. Koushin, you're amazing to be able to do this."

Koushin turned around, looking happy. You look like a dog. I can almost see a tail wagging.

"Try to increase the speed a bit. In my mind, it should have enough power to cut something in half like before."

Koushin nodded and took another stance. But his body swayed and he squatted down. I rushed over, surprised.

"Koushin!?"

"Ah, my head is splitting..."

"Oh, you're out of magic power. Sorry, let's take a break. We've gathered enough for the request, so let's head back."

When you try something new, it consumes a lot of magic power. I was having too much fun and forgot.