Chapter 15

His proficiency level reached 5. After a long, continuous battle, it was finally achieved. It was already 4 PM. It was about time to head home.

He could now use Basic Holy Magic II. Well, the power didn’t really change much. It was more about the feeling. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, right? But, the Basic Holy Magic II lineup includes Level 1 Status Recovery Magic, which, although not very effective, was something he wanted.

In the game, status abnormalities like poison were marked from Level 1 to Level 4. You couldn’t cure them unless you used a status recovery magic of a higher level. Incidentally, status abnormalities also included limb loss. If a limb was lost, it was treated as a seal. The game's name, "Final Dragon World Tree Rebirth," seemed fitting.

He was truly impressed by the game development company. They probably valued money more than pride. The subtle changes in the system were particularly devious.

Anyway, he was now at proficiency level 5. It could be considered a good day's work. His level only went up by 1, from 4 to 5, but undead enemies didn’t yield much experience.

A 9-year-old girl couldn’t come to the dungeon every day. Being able to come once a month would be good. He wanted to make as much progress as possible.

Miyu smiled cutely, satisfied, and Yami took out a handkerchief from his pouch.

"Mi-sama, I'll wipe your sweat."

"Thank you, Yami-chan."

He wiped Miyu’s pudgy cheeks, making her giggle. "It tickles!" Miyu laughed, and Yami felt even more relaxed.

In this heartwarming scene, an adventurer lured more enemies and signaled with a raised hand.

He dodged Yami’s wiping and gripped his mace. It was probably time to wrap up.

"Four skeletons!"

"Since it’s almost the end, shall we take them down together?"

"Sure, okay!"

If he selected the 'Fight' command in advance, the NPC would join the battle and count as a side attack, so there was no problem. He just needed to deal some damage first.

He had 5 MP left. He had recovered 2 points per hour during breaks, but he had used Turn Undead and healing magic. Should he use Turn Undead again? Turn Undead is an area spell, so it shouldn’t be a problem... but maybe he should try a range healing spell.

"Yami-chan, I’ll use a modified healing spell!"

"Modified?"

"Yeah, modified!"

He lied with a smile to Yami, who tilted her head curiously. If he said he learned it because his proficiency level went up, she might think he was playing too much and take him to the hospital. He had no choice.

Range healing spells normally affect the entire party. However, when used as a range attack spell, the range changed. This was because the party, including Yami, wasn’t counted in the range, even though the display was the same.

It was a circular range. About a 10-meter circle? Interesting, the game had the same system. Area spells affect the entire area, but range spells are circular. Note, note.

However, the spell’s power would likely affect the range. In the game, range spells had different effects depending on whether they were circular, fan-shaped, or linear. They probably followed the same rules.

Anyway, he used the range healing spell with his remaining MP. He wanted Yami to take care of any enemies that slipped through.

Range attacks normally couldn’t use the enemy as a pivot, but it was possible if locked. Locking was sometimes more convenient, so he used it when necessary.

This was his first time, so he tried to use the range spell manually, considering the enemy’s speed. As he selected the command, the skeletons appeared, clattering down the hill.

Bang!

The skeletons were enveloped in a loud explosion of flames. The wasteland was engulfed in fire, and his prey burned. The adventurer who lured them was blown away by the heat.

"Gwa gwa!"

Confused, he imitated the sound of a duck. Gwa gwa! My prey!

A young girl’s hands flailed in the fire. Gwa gwa!

"Sorry, those skeletons were the ones we were chasing."

A young boy’s voice, but it sounded unusually rough, came from the back.

The scout adventurers were surprised. They hadn’t noticed his approach, which was a failure as guards.

"Who are you, you bastard!"

The guard captain, with a look of anger, demanded to know. Of course, they were close enough to be roasted if the fire spell had been a bit off.

In the burning wasteland, a small boy in a bright red 'Magic Armor' appeared from behind the burning skeletons. He wore a cloak with various mechanical attachments, which fluttered in the wind.

"The 'Cloak of Invisibility' is not allowed to approach others!"

The captain’s tone changed slightly but still carried anger. The adventurers also kept their weapons ready.

The change in tone was likely due to the boy’s expensive-looking 'Magic Armor,' indicating he was a noble, and a high-ranking one at that. The boy with fiery red hair had a mischievous, ugly smile, suggesting poor upbringing.

The 'Magic Armor' was expensive because it covered the boy’s entire body. Cheap magic armor only covered the chest or had minimal coverage. Full-body coverage required a significant amount of money. This was true for boys, but not for girls, where higher exposure didn’t necessarily mean higher cost. The presence of many gems indicated high value.

"Sorry, but you guys took the ones I was chasing. That’s pretty rough, isn’t it?"

The boy tried to intimidate, but it was laughable. A 9-year-old couldn’t intimidate anyone. ...Right? Hmm?

It seemed he was the only one thinking this. The captain was sweating, and the butler and maid had moved to protect him and Yami.

Yami’s face was stern. Everyone was intimidated by the boy, who was a poor actor, like a bad actor in a school play.

This was probably due to mana pressure. The boy was making a 'gogogo' sound. He couldn’t sense the boy’s mana, which was a problem.

He decided to play along, gripping his staff and looking serious. It was a ridiculous scene. Was he being teased? Was it a prank? He was a good boy, so he would go along with it.

It didn’t seem to be a prank. The boy, satisfied with his own power, spoke.

"My name is Katsuragi Shouri. You’ve heard of me, right? I’m the heir of the Katsuragi Duke House. Who are you?"

He spoke in a somewhat polite, noble tone, but it was irritating. Shouri, was it?

"This is the team of the eldest daughter of the Teisei House, Teisei Yami."

"Ah, Teisei Yami. Where are you? Hiding? Using someone as a meat shield? Or carrying luggage? Hey, gloomy seaweed girl, where are you? Hahaha!"

Shouri looked around, laughing. But when he saw him and Yami, he was surprised. Was this a character from a novel?

...When he stared, the boy blushed and looked away. Huh. Was he charmed by Miyu’s cuteness? He laughed and compared the boy’s face to characters from a novel.

The main character, his partner, and the heroine. No, he didn’t match any of them. He also remembered some enemy characters, but none matched. No, he wasn’t a character from a novel.

Thinking everyone was a character from a novel was a bad habit. This was reality. Many people lived here. Meeting a character related to the main character was as rare as winning third prize in the lottery.

Shouri turned back to him, but Yami stepped in front of him, lifting her ponytail and glaring coldly.

"I didn’t know you were from the Katsuragi House. I am Teisei Yami. Please remember me."

Without a skirt, she pretended to hold one and curtsied. She looked impressive for a 9-year-old. Should he clap for his best friend?

However, Yami’s impressive greeting made Shouri look surprised and anxious, staring at her intently.

This was it. Now it was his turn to protect Yami from Shouri’s gaze... Yami, can you not defend? When Yami spread her arms, he couldn’t step in front of her. Yami?

Shouri, seeing them push and shove, seemed to regain his composure and smiled lecherously.

"Ah, I see. Damn, I’m not the only one."

"What do you mean?"

Shouri, looking regretful, asked, but only shook his head in response.

"You must know my name."

"I apologize, but this is the first time I’ve met you, Katsuragi-sama."

Shouri, looking at Yami, seemed confused. Was this their first meeting? Was he the only one who knew her? Well, Yami was beautiful. It wasn’t strange for a boy to think he knew her. She was a scary girl, even at 9.

But when Yami spoke, Shouri’s eyes widened in surprise and he stared at her again. He was rude. He tried to block him... Yami, can you not defend?

"Is that so? I see. Ah, that’s a possibility. I see."

He didn’t understand what he meant, but Shouri smiled and seemed to regain his composure, leering.

"Well, we both made a mistake. I’ll give you the trash magic stones. See you."

He suddenly changed his attitude, flipped his cloak, and left. The duke’s guards ran up the hill and joined him. What was that guy?

"That was a strange boy, wasn’t he?"

"A pervert. He was staring at Mi-sama."

Yami was angry, but she had stared at him longer.

"Maybe he fell in love with Yami-chan!"

"What? Did you say something?"

He said it innocently, but Yami glared at him, and he felt a strange pressure, so he kept quiet. Maybe there were demons in this world.

He was more scared of her than of fighting monsters.

Anyway, it was a fight over monsters. He needed to be careful.

Miyu didn’t remember Shouri. He was a minor character, so it was understandable. That was the proof of being a mob.