16 Fourth Lesson -Unwavering-

Today is the day for the school trip.

I prepare all of the nesessary, then together with Lilith, we head toward the gathering place for the students.

On my way, I see Mari, but her only.

Her little sister is no where to be found.

When she saw me, she immidiately moved to another spot to stand.

...I've probably injured her pride as a noble.

I don't understand about the whole noble's pride thing as this is my first time interacting with one.

We then took a thirty-minute walk before we arrive at the camping site.

In front of us is a wooden cabin.

As heard from the teachers, we'll have activities such as collecting mushroom, a barbecue, after that we'll have some free time on our own and then finally an outdoor hot spring bath.

This sounds nice.

We are now being taught about what kind of mushroom is edible, and what isn't.

*snore*

I look to my side and see...Lilith's sleeping.

"Oi."

I use my elbow to shake her slightly.

She's not waking up.

I can only sigh.

This is why I told her to go to sleep early yesterday, and she said something like "This is the first time I've ever go out for a trip! I'm so excited!".

What is she, a princess who has never leave the castle or something?

"Wake up."

I nudge her a few more time.

"...H-Huh?"

Your spit is spewing out.

Hey.

It's dripped onto my clothes.

"...I'm sorry *yawn* I was so excited yesterday that I didn't have much sleep."

"Yeah. Clean your mouth first, your spit is everywhere."

After hearing what I said, her face turns red and she quickly takes out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

At least she still have some dignity.

Ehh.

I need to wash off the spit that has gotten onto me.

Luckily there's a restroom nearby, so I go and wash myself off.

When I return, it seems I didn't miss out much.

After that comes the mushroom picking.

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Why did she, a Marigold, have to do this?

Despite the fact that she wanted to stay home to take care of her recently sick sister, Dahlia pleaded her to go enjoy herself.

Dahlia made a face that even Mari could not resist.

That's why she is here today.

But to pick mushroom of all things...

No.

She could not stop now.

This was also a good opportunity to train herself.

The teachers warned them to be careful as this forest have all kind of monsters, even though they are mostly active at night.

And speaking of which, one just appeared in her line of sight.

The size of it was quite big, and it seemed to be sleeping.

The monster was unusual. It looked like a bear yet on its back were eight tentacles that looked like those of an octopus.

Even more strange was that its fur? was a deep red in color.

Attacking first while they are unaware wasn't her thing but this was a monster so she didn't mind trying it out.

"<<Light - Pillar>>!"

She shouted, casting her spell.

A moderately-sized gold magic circle appeared beneath the monster.

It woke up due to her shouting, but it was too late now.

A pillar of light engulfed the monster.

This was too easy.

Or so she though.

After the light faded, the monster appeared completely unharmed.

Shocked as she was, she immidiately regained her composure and chanted another spell.

"<<Fire - Ball>>!"

A large fireball flew toward the bear-like monster.

But it used its claws and slashed the balls into small particles.

After that, it charged itself at Mari.

Realising that magic wasn't effective against it, she prepared herself by changing into her close combat stance.

She had learned how to fight in close combat from the princess's personal knight, Zero, in order not to be overwhelmed when magic is proved uneffective against the enemies.

The bear swung its giant hand toward Mari with a speed that was hard to follow with normal eyes.

Mari barely managed to dodge it, its claws touched her face a little, creating a small cut.

Focusing too much on its body that she had forgotten that it also had tentacles on its back as one of them managed to smash her on her right side.

She flew into a tree, creating a crater on it.

Pain.

This is what it feels like to fight a strong enemy.

She tried to move her right hand, but to no avail.

It was broken.

Tch.

Trying to get back up, a tentacle managed to grab her by the legs and lifted her upside down.

She could call for help now, but her pride didn't allow it.

As she tried to think a way to escape, suddenly she fell down onto something.

She saw what was holding her legs a moment ago now lying on the ground, being cut off from its source.

She felt like she's in the grasp of someone.

Under the blinding sun, she couldn't make it out who it was, but that figure, and this warmth could only belong to "him".

"Master...Kati?"

---------------------

Seems like I managed to make it in time.

"Master...Kati?"

She suddenly said a name that I...don't...know.

Who?

"What are you saying? It's me, Yaritsuke."

She seems to have realised that, and push me away with her left arm, making her fall down onto the ground.

Her face has turned a bright red.

Did all of the fighting affect her?

I look over to Mari and see her broken...bloody...right arm.

"Oi! Are you still ok, Mari?!"

"I'm fine! Ouch! ...Did you come here to laugh at me? At my failure again?"

"What? I came here because I heard a commotion over here. And that hand of yours need to get treated quickly. Get back to the camp and get some help. I'll hold the monster back."

"I don't need your help! This is my fight!"

How can she still say that in this situation?

Ignoring her, I shift my focus at the monster.

What I'm facing right now is an <<Octobear>>.

It isn't a normal kind either.

He have seen pictures depicting an Octobear, and it's described to have a brown fur.

But this one clearly isn't.

"Don't tell me...a Named?!"

"Named? You mean the kind of monsters that has a different appearance and is a lot stronger than its original race?"

"Yes, that. If it is, then we are in deep trouble."

"If you are scared, then leave. I'm alone can deal with i-Argh!"

She grasps her right arm.

The bear is closing in.

Damn it.

"<<Earth - Wall>>!"

A wall of stone and dirt rises up from the ground, but the monster smashes its body through it easily.

"Be careful! Magic won't work on it!"

What?

"Then I'll do...this!"

I take out my water canister and splash it onto the monster's face.

"Not yet! <<Ice - Freeze>>!"

One of my newfound spells is a combined element: Ice, made from Water and Wind.

The water on its fur and face froze up.

The monster stops briefly and uses its hands to try and wipe off the ice.

This is my chance.

Crouching next to Mari, I chant my lastest spell I discovered.

My own magic.

"<<Heal - Restoration>>!!"

Her broken arm, like time is rewinding itself, slowly returns to its original state, or what I think that how it was.

"!!!!"

Mari's face is showing a shocked expression.

Is my magic that impressive?

"Can you stand?" I ask her, reaching my hand out to her.

"I can stand up myself, thank you very much."

We then both look at the bear monster.

It has finished cleaning out all of the ice that was stuck on its face, and is now looking at us with its bloodshot eyes that seems like it has prepared to devour us.

"I can't fend off this monster alone, and leaving it be will cause danger for other students. Please, lend me your strength, Mari."

"Hmph! I don't like owing someone anything, but you have saved me twice back there, so I will agree to cooperate with you this one time."

She readies her pose.

I'm pretty sure my face is blooming a smile right now.

"Well then. Let's go!"