Chapter 23

"Ouch!"

Miznia stumbled dramatically.

While trying to retreat while casting Magic Arrows, Miznia, in her haste to escape, fell spectacularly.

"Ahh, Lady Miznia!"

"Are you hurt!?"

Attendants A and B hurriedly rushed back to Miznia.

"I-I'm fine... ouch!"

As Miznia tried to get up, she felt a sharp pain in her leg and collapsed again.

It seemed she had twisted her ankle.

Attendants A and B tried to carry Miznia and run, but they couldn't move fast enough.

The mud golems emerging from the lake were closing in quickly.

"Damn, Magic Arrow!"

Miznia turned and fired a Magic Arrow, striking the head of the approaching mud golem. The headless mud golem lost its balance and fell to the ground as a clump of mud.

However, the swarm of mud golems didn't stop. They continued to close the distance.

"Magic Arrow! Magic Arrow!"

"Magic Arrow!"

The attendants desperately cast spells, but it was no use.

The mud golems were relentless. The attendants, paralyzed by fear, stumbled and fell, taking Miznia with them.

Miznia, face-first on the ground, was furious.

"What are you doing, you cowards! Hurry up!"

"It's impossible! It's impossible!"

"We can't run while carrying someone!"

As they replied, the attendants shouted, "Lady Miznia, I'm sorry!" and abandoned her to flee.

"Hey, you, you!"

There was no time to glare at their retreating backs.

The silent mud golems were almost upon her, their muddy hands reaching out to her.

"Don't touch me with your dirty hands! Magic Arrow!"

One was defeated.

But it was too late. The hands kept reaching out, staining Miznia's pale skin.

Unable to bear it, Miznia screamed.

"N-no! Help! Someone, anyone!"

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

"Albert, wake up! Albert!"

I was sound asleep when I was suddenly jolted back to reality by a voice and a shake.

"...Huh, what...?"

I opened my eyes, recognizing the voice.

It was Rora.

I was supposed to be sleeping in the tent, so was it time for the night watch to change...?

But something seemed off.

"Rora... You seem panicked. What's wrong?"

"Enemies! The enemies have come!"

"Enemies?"

"Yes. The water spirits from earlier are attacking! And their mud golems! Right now, Professor Furlin is fighting them."

"Furlin is?"

It didn't seem like a joke. I sat up.

"Is it dangerous?"

"Yes. The students are fighting while evacuating. Professor Furlin is staying behind to support them—!"

Rora grabbed my hand and said,

"Albert, let's go help Professor Furlin now!"

Of course, abandoning Furlin wasn't an option.

It was what I wanted to do.

But—

I couldn't answer immediately.

"Furlin is a much more powerful magician than I am. If I, a low-level magician, go to help, I might just—"

I wasn't afraid.

I was just considering the difference in our abilities. If I joined a battle where Furlin was struggling, I would only be a burden.

It would be better not to go if I would just get in the way.

Rora looked taken aback at my words.

Then, with a fierce expression, she shouted,

"What are you saying! Albert, you're amazing!"

I felt a heavy weight in my chest.

Rora was mistaken. I was a failed magician who had given up ten years ago. In a world where a magician's worth is determined by the number of spells they can use, I was a "half-baked" magician who could only use one spell.

Rora's expectations were touching, but I had to dispel the illusion and tell her the truth.

"Rora"

"Yes"

"Listen. There's something I haven't told you yet. It's a bit embarrassing..."

"What is it?"

"I... I can only use Magic Arrow."

"Huh?"

"In this world, a magician's rank is determined by the number of spells they can use. I can only use one spell."

And I continued,

"A magician worth only one-thousandth of a thousand. That's me."

Rora, looking surprised, shouted even louder,

"So what!?"

"Huh?"

"I knew you could only use a few spells! But that doesn't make you any less amazing! It's fine! As long as you have mastered one thing, that's enough! You should be proud! You have something no one else can imitate!"

Her emotions heightened, Rora continued,

"You've saved me so many times with that Magic Arrow! When I was about to be late for the exam! When we were about to be wiped out by the Goblin Lord!"

Tears welled up in the corners of Rora's eyes as she continued,

"That kindness and strength are what make you Albert! More than a legend who can use a thousand spells! More than a genius who can use seven hundred spells! I believe you are a hero more than anyone else!"

She gripped my hand and bowed her head.

"You are my friend. I believe in you. I respect you. More than anyone, more than anything!"

And she added,

"So, don't say you're worthless...!"

I felt like I was standing in the middle of a storm.

I could feel a weight being lifted from my heart.

So.

At least—

Rora believes in me.

And she is asking for my help.

"Rora"

"Yes"

"Do you think I can help Furlin?"

Rora, still looking down, answered,

"Of course. You can, Albert!"

"Alright"

I still lacked confidence in myself. I couldn't fully believe in myself. I thought I had no value.

But the girl in front of me believed in me.

That was enough reason.

"For Rora, who believes I can be a hero—"

And I said,

"I will become a hero."

As I spoke, Rora looked up.

"Albert—!"

At that moment,

The tent was torn open. A black, dirty hand ripped through the thin fabric and entered.

A mud golem squeezed its body through the entrance.

"What is this—?"

"These are the enemies."

"I see."

Then, there was no need to hold back.

I extended my hand and calmly spoke the words as usual.

"Magic Arrow"

With a loud explosion, the mud golems were blown away.