First Victory as a Support

Yuko stood her ground while the Dark Soldier Leader jumped and brandished his dark sword towards her.

That didn't faze Yuko though. She just raised her arm a bit and that arm struck the Leader's wrist taking away most of the force of his attack.

Foresight. She already read 5 moves ahead of her opponent. With a kick, the leader rolled back to where he started.

Seeing that, the other 4 all jumped at her but all were sent back in the same manner as the first one.

Terrifying. Yuko's ability is truly terrifying. But there's a flaw. If there were 6 of them, one will be able to at least land an attack that's outside Yuko's Foresight.

Sending five opponents rolling who were at least at Great-class, Yuko only spent a few psyche energy. She had 3 refills from me so it's fine. I told her that limitation on my boost before we jumped to this dimension.

The Dark Soldiers behind the five shuddered at the plight of their superiors but seeing their numerical advantage, they all charged forward without waiting for an order.

The 10 soldiers behind us flinched but didn't cower. They're all ready to face them. Plus there's the huge figure of the Heroine in front of them. To their eyes, she will never be beaten.

Now that I think of it, why didn't I ask for a weapon? That's an oversight. Even as a support I should at least have something on my hand, right?

"Dai-kun!"

Suddenly Yuko turned to me, throwing a glittering sword. Just by looking at how shiny it is, the sharpness of it is undeniable.

"Ah. Thanks Yuko!"

"Idiot Dai-kun. I was waiting for you to ask for a weapon."

"Err. Sorry, I got into thinking too much that I forgot."

Catching the weapon she threw, another system message rang inside my mind.

[Ding! Weapon Identified.]

[Generating Basic Mastery.]

[Acquired Level 1 Basic Sword Mastery.]

Eh? So there's also this. Mastery? So it can be leveled up as well. This is nice, but a sword is not my ideal weapon. Well, better than nothing.

"Soldiers. Follow my command! Bow Formation!"

Yuko shouted. Her empty hand is now occupied by a Saber. By the looks of it, it's even sharper than the Sword she threw at me, plus there's a small shield on her left hand. As to what material that was made from, I don't know. At least that looks sturdy enough.

The 10 soldiers stood in attention. Seven of them were Adept Knights while the rest were Adept Wizards.

Putting the seven in front, they made a curved formation with the three wizards inside. It's like a Bow with the three wizards acting as the string where the arrows will be sent from in the form of their Spells. They will be protected behind the seven while they barrage the enemies.

Since I'm not on her command, I followed my instincts and positioned myself where I won't get in their way but can rush to Yuko's side at any moment.

The enemy soon arrived. Yuko brandished her saber, hacking and slashing to anyone that will get near her.

Behind her, the three wizards started their attacks while the seven knights defended them.

Then there were some dark soldiers who saw me and went after me.

I should've been inexperienced but thanks to my Adaptability, I am thinking clearly.

Stepping back a bit, I launched the spell I just learned earlier. It's called Air Bullets.

Ah. This one's casting time is fast. Just like firing a gun, it will shoot a compressed air to the enemy. Your only problem is your accuracy. Thanks to my Adaptability, I guess I can handle that.

Hitting the leading dark soldier, he tumbled back but the spell failed to penetrate his skin. This is the woe of a Level 1 Spell. I need to hurry up and level my system.

When they're about to reach me, I used the skill I picked from Caila's books. It's called Flash Step. Just a movement skill. It lets me traverse 3 meters in a blink. So using it while stepping backwards, it widened the gap between me and my opponents. Luckily there were only three of them. The one who tumbled back was lagging behind and only these two were my problem.

Judging from their speed and the defense of that one. I judged that the 10 soldiers we have were stronger than them.

Though it looks like I was bent on escaping, I was in actual fact moving towards Yuko. She limited the use of her Foresight while fighting these low level soldiers. With every enemy down, an attack will land on her shield. If it stacks, she'll be drowned by them and will have to use her ability to get out of that situation.

Plus, she's also wary of the five Great-class opponents. 

When I reached the range where I can hit those in front of her, I used another Flash Step to leave behind the three chasing me. When I arrived behind her, I struck the one who was about to hit her with my spell.

That gave her a bit of space to move about.

I then turned back to the three. Flash Stepping once again I hacked on one of them before jumping back and throwing another spell to the other. One cried out in pain while the other tumbled back.

The progress of the battle was going well, even the 10 soldiers in the Bow Formation were holding off their opponents.

Slowly the 100 dark soldiers were reduced to half their size.

It was at that juncture that the five Great-class stepped in again, pushing away those grunts assaulting Yuko, they worked in concert to bring her down.

"Now. Reinys, Caila!"

Yuko shouted, signalling those who were hiding. They appeared from behind the enemies

They circled around when the enemies were focusing on us.

The 10 soldiers with them were in a different formation, it's like a sword that will pierce through them. Eight were knights and the rest were wizards.

Maybe that's what they call the Sword Formation?

Reinys and Caila each targeted one of the Great-class leaving only three for Yuko to handle.

Seeing the emergence of new enemies, the Dark Soldiers panicked. Even the three chasing me gave up their pursuit and joined their lump to face off against the Bow and Sword.

I can't help but be thankful for that. Now I can focus on supporting Yuko.

Throwing Air Bullets occasionally, the enemy soon fell into a disadvantage against Yuko.

Just like that, the ambushing enemy was instead annihilated by a small team led by the Heroine. There's no casualties, but some of the soldiers were injured. It's an overwhelming victory on our side. Of course, the MVP goes to Yuko.

All but one were killed. Normally, I should've been overwhelmed by the killings but yeah, this Adaptability is quite scary. I just took things casually like it's the natural thing to do.

Binding the Dark Soldier Leader, Caila interrogated him before we continued our journey.

Turns out, someone betrayed the Kingdom by letting them pass through. To who that was, it's unclear. It could be the Noble House managing that region or someone else.

News about the Western Border is now blacked out. No one knew the real situation.

So setting our destination to that region that let a 100 man army pass through, our journey started again.

Ah. Caila executed the Dark Soldier Leader after the interrogation. That's the rule. They can't reason with the invaders, it's always either kill or be killed.

"You were amazing Dai-kun."

Yuko who sat next to me again told me happily. She even rested her head on my shoulder. She's somehow exhausted from the fight and only that. She wasn't hit or grazed. Well, her shield was so sturdy that no marks were left on its surface.

"No. It's you who are amazing. I just played support."

"Don't be too humble. For a first timer, you did well in that battlefield."

Reinys commented on the side. She's still pouting though.

To think that this Princess will throw a compliment. I guess she really isn't that bad. If only she will always be like this then there will be no problem.

"She's right. I saw how you fought. It's like you already have years of experience in the battlefield. The way you positioned yourself was impeccable."

Ah. Even Caila threw in her compliment. But they're more amazing. They took down their opponents by themselves, even with almost the same strength, it didn't take them long to take them out.

Maybe because of the Hero's Party Boost plus Noelle's blessings, they're a notch above them.

"So, how was it? Give me your impression on your very first battle."

Yuko looked up and asked me, her eyes were glittering in excitement to hear my thoughts.

"Err. That I am weak? I can only wound them and all I did was run around."

"Reinys, Caila and Noelle. What do you think about his answer?"

Yuko just took it in then turned to the other three for their opinion.

"That's a matter of course. You're still weak. Not even an Adept."

Ah. Reinys is right. I can't refute that.

"You don't have to think about it. The way you fought them while wrapping them on your pace is great. No one will think you're weak."

Another praise from Caila. This girl. She's probably a musclehead but with keen insight about combat.

"T-the way you supported Yuko, it's beautiful."

Eh? Noelle-san? How is that beautiful?

Yuko after hearing that then turned back to face me, a beautiful smile hanging on her lips.

I guess I really did good? I qualified as a support. I need to be stronger than this so next time I won't just run around the battlefield.