Chapter 9

During the field practice, I was at a loss for what to do with my free time.

There were only about 20 students participating in the practice, and only a group of three wolf-like monsters appeared sporadically.

We were in the forest, but we had taken up a position in a spacious clearing with a good view, backed by a cliff, so there was no sense of tension. It seemed like overkill when multiple people attacked a single monster or several spells hit it.

"Ah, I'm bored. I feel like yawning."

"I think so too. This is indeed inefficient."

My muttering was answered. It seemed someone had heard me.

When I turned toward the voice, a young man with gray hair was looking at the battle with a bored expression.

He was Patrick Ashbarton, from a border baron's family, and like William, he had reached level 10 upon enrollment. Among the students, he was one of the more experienced in combat with monsters.

"I think there could be a few more monsters."

"Yeah, I think if we split into front and rear lines and coordinate, we could handle it."

Oh? Even though his tone was a bit indifferent, it was rare for him to talk to me. Feeling a bit happy to have a conversation with someone my age, I continued talking to him.

"Do you do level-ups by splitting into front and rear lines in the Ashbarton territory?"

"Yeah. The front line holds down the monsters, and the rear line attacks. That's the basic idea."

But wouldn't that create a bias in levels? Experience points are distributed based on the damage dealt to the monster.

"Wouldn't the front line not grow then?"

"We do the opposite sometimes. The rear line uses magic to stop the monsters' movements, and the front line attacks. It's less stable, though."

I see. I had been exploring efficient ways to level up individually, but it seems different when it comes to a group.

"Can that be done with the members here?"

When I asked if the Ashbarton-style level-up could be done with just the students, he answered with a puzzled look.

"I think it's possible, but... there are too few monsters here, so it wouldn't make sense."

"If there are too few monsters, I have something good."

The headmaster told me to just watch, but I thought it would be okay to help a little. I took out a monster-summoning whistle from my pocket.

"What's that? A monster-summoning whistle!? Hey, stop blowing it—"

For some reason, he turned pale and tried to stop me, but I had already taken a deep breath and blown the whistle.

The teachers, who quickly realized what the sound was, tried to step forward to protect the students, but I stopped them.

"This is a bit too overprotective. Patrick can take command, right?"

As I pointed at Patrick, he hurriedly joined the group of students and started giving orders.

"Split into front and rear lines! The front line, focus on holding down the monsters! If you get injured, step back and use a potion.

"The rear line, those with more magic power, take the area attack role! The remaining rear line, attack the ones the front line misses!"

As I was impressed by Patrick's precise instructions, the group of monsters finally approached. The bushes in front started to rustle.

In the end, they managed to withstand the wave of monsters without any injuries.

Their coordination under Patrick's command was efficient, and I, who had no experience in group battles, was thoroughly impressed.

The students, exhausted from the battle, were sitting down, some of them out of magic power.

"Hey, Yumiera! What the hell did you do all of a sudden!?"

Despite being at the forefront, stopping the group of monsters, Patrick, who still seemed energetic, approached me angrily.

Why is he so angry? Oh, he was in the front line. Is he angry because his level didn't go up?

"Don't worry, I'll hold down the monsters. Some of you are out of magic power, so I'll do it."

I smiled, assuring him that I would help with the front line's level-up, but Patrick looked at me skeptically.

It's okay, I don't need to be so worried. I blew the monster-summoning whistle again, loudly.

Everyone looked at me as if to say, "What are you doing?" so I explained.

"I'll hold down the monsters, so the front line can take their time finishing them off."

I used Dark Bind to immobilize the monsters one by one as they leaped into the clearing.

Dark Bind is a dark magic that makes black hands appear from the target's shadow, grabbing and immobilizing the enemy.

The students, hesitant at first with the second group of monsters, seemed to realize the monsters were immobilized by the shadows. The front line members started attacking the monsters one by one.

By the time most of the monsters were dealt with, the clearing was filled with the smell of blood. Normally, I would leave this for a day to attract more monsters with the smell, but that wouldn't be possible this time.

"I'll dispose of the monster corpses, so if anyone wants materials, collect them quickly."

To my surprise, everyone started collecting materials from the monsters. The wolf-type monsters, the most numerous, had valuable fangs.

Even the female students, looking a bit hesitant, were pulling out the wolves' fangs. I thought, "Local nobles are quite tough." In the central nobility, they would probably avoid touching monster corpses.

After everyone finished their little side job, I melted the monster corpses with dark flames, leaving nothing behind.

Patrick approached me as I finished my work.

"Yumiera, next time, let us know before you blow the monster-summoning whistle."

He looked exhausted.

"Good job. Your command was impressive."

"Huh... You didn't mean to cause trouble, did you?"

"What are you talking about?"

Trouble? Did I do something wrong? When I asked, he looked even more tired.

A sound came from the bushes behind me, and a monster leaped out.

Thinking I shouldn't attack and involve Patrick, who was nearby, I was taken aback when he suddenly jumped in front of me. My mind went blank.

Why did he jump in front of me?

By the time I realized I needed to protect Patrick, it was too late, and he was bitten on the left arm by the monster.

"Black Hole!"

Panicked, I inadvertently used the highest-level magic, causing the monster's head to be the only part left.

"Ow, potion... "

He groaned in pain, using his right arm to remove the monster's head and asking for a potion.

"It's okay, I can use healing magic. Heal."

In the world, Heal is a light magic, but it also exists in dark magic. In games, there are boss characters who bring along subordinates who use healing magic, and these subordinates, despite being dark-attribute monsters, can use Heal.

While the game's Yumiera didn't use it, I could use it normally. It might draw complaints if the boss character herself used healing magic, but what's done is done.

The only downside is that it looks very unpleasant. While light Heal wraps the wound in light and heals it, dark Heal makes the flesh bulge and regenerate from the wound. The wound itself heals cleanly, but the process is very grotesque.

"... Wow."

Patrick, who had been speechless at the sight, groaned in pain.

"Do you feel any pain? I think it's okay, but..."

"No, I'm fine. Thanks."

I was worried about side effects for someone not of the dark attribute, but I was relieved.

"Why did you jump in front of me?"

"Sorry, I thought it was dangerous..."

Dangerous? The monster? No, me. What does he mean by worrying about me?

"Dangerous? Me?"

When I asked, Patrick raised his voice.

"You should take better care of yourself! You're not wearing a protective amulet, are you? It's too late if something happens!"

He really seemed to be worried and protecting me. It was the first time someone had done this for me, so I felt a bit embarrassed.

"Ah, thank you."

When I thanked him, he continued.

"Let me add! You shouldn't blow a monster-summoning whistle! Some of the students here are seeing monsters for the first time! And—"

"Ah, I'm sorry."

I apologized immediately, but Patrick's lecture about my lack of common sense continued for a while.