Chapter 24

After blowing away the mud golems, I and Laura stepped out of the half-destroyed tent (due to my Magic Arrow).

The scene was not a pleasant one.

Mud golems were crawling around everywhere, chasing the students. The students were running around, desperately firing Magic Arrows.

And by the lakeshore, a water spirit and two humans were fighting. It was probably Huiling and... who else?

"Mr. Albert!"

Laura's voice.

In the direction she pointed, there were about ten mud golems.

They were clumped together.

That's perfect.

"Magic Arrow"

With my single command—

The group of mud golems shattered into pieces.

"Amazing..."

Laura gasped beside me.

"It's not that big a deal. Come on, let's go help Huiling."

I blew away the mud golems as I headed towards the lakeshore where Huiling was.

On the way—

"Ah, no! Help! Someone!"

A woman's voice was heard.

Following the direction of the voice, I saw a female student being pinned down by mud golems.

Since they were lying down, it would be easier to aim...

I cast a spell, making sure not to hit the female student.

"Magic Arrow"

As if a cannon had exploded, the upper bodies of the mud golems vanished, and they fell apart.

"Hey, are you okay?"

When I looked down, there was Misnia, half-crying and lying on the ground.

...It's her.

"I, I guess I should thank you! Hmph!"

She said it in a voice that didn't sound grateful at all, and then tried to stand up—

"Ouch!?"

She cried out and put one knee on the ground.

Laura noticed Misnia's condition.

"Ah! Lady Misnia, your leg!?"

Her left ankle was swollen and painful, probably twisted.

"I'll help you up!"

But Misnia pushed Laura away.

"Kyaa!?"

"Stay back! A descendant of the cursed village! You can't touch this noble!"

Then she looked at me.

"You'll do! A commoner and a man, but I'll bear with it! Carry me to safety!"

Let me make this clear.

I'm not a violent person.

And I rarely get angry.

But this time, I couldn't hold back.

...For trampling on Laura's kindness.

"Hey"

I slapped Misnia's cheek.

"Eh!?!"

She fell to the ground, making a pitiful sound.

"Mr. Albert, that's not right, such a thing!"

"No, Laura. She won't understand unless I do this."

I looked down at the rolling Misnia and lectured her.

"How many times do you have to hurt Laura's feelings to be satisfied! You keep insulting her over trivial matters! Yet, Laura warned you that summoning spirits is dangerous and tried to help you even in this situation!"

I was so angry that I continued.

"How can I care about someone who keeps trampling on such a kind person like Laura! Apologize! I won't help you until you apologize to Laura!"

Misnia looked at me with a reproachful gaze.

"Violence is the lowest form of behavior...!"

"You're the one using verbal violence. Don't you understand that?"

Tears streamed down Misnia's face.

Then, she muttered,

"I, I'm sorry..."

"It's okay. I don't mind, Lady Misnia."

Laura tried to help Misnia up.

Misnia trembled but didn't resist, leaning on her.

"Mr. Albert, I'll take Lady Misnia to a safe place."

"...Alright. I'll take care of the mud golems. Don't worry about the pursuit."

I parted ways with Laura and headed to the lakeshore.

By the lakeshore, Huiling and—was that Brain? The top student of the year were fighting the water spirit together.

Water is countered by fire—

So they were using fire magic to fight the water spirit.

However, the water spirit had a fast recovery rate and hadn't received any fatal damage yet.

"Huiling"

Huiling turned at my voice.

"Albert! Why!?"

"Laura told me to come and help."

"It's dangerous! Run quickly!"

"I have no intention of running."

"You don't understand! This isn't an ordinary water spirit! The dark core in the center of its chest... that's the source of its power. You can't defeat it unless you destroy that. But the chest is especially well-defended—"

"Sharp analysis, human! But it's useless! Your power can't break through my defense—!"

"Magic Arrow"

Pock!

The upper body of the water spirit vanished instantly.

"Wha—"

Huiling and Brain gaped in shock.

The lower half of the water spirit—its horse part—bent its knees. Its body melted and returned to the lake.

The black core from its chest rolled onto the shallow water.

Leaving that black core might not be a good idea.

I approached the core and extended my right hand.

"Magic Arrow"

"Magic Arrow"

"Magic Arrow"

"Magic Arrow"

"Magic Arrow"

The black core shattered into pieces with my shots.

The mud golems, cut off from the water spirit's magic power, wobbled and fell to the ground.

It seems to be over.

"Huiling, it's over?"

"Really? So easily?"

Huiling muttered with her mouth agape.

"You said 'Magic Arrow' just now? No way—"

The top student beside her was pressing his temples, looking disbelieving.

For some reason, they didn't seem to understand—

But it didn't matter to me.

I was satisfied.

Because I kept the promise with the only girl who believed in me.

I was able to fulfill her wish.

Maybe I was a little useful, even with my flaws?

It feels good to accomplish something. My heart, which had been deflated and flat, felt a little inflated.

It was definitely thanks to Laura.

I turned my gaze towards her and smiled quietly.

Thank you for giving me courage—