The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

After visiting Mr. Kagari's house, Alc and I decided to chop wood as he asked us to.

Amako seemed to be following Linka who was sobbing after Mr. Kagari's sermon, so it was just me, Alc and Nair at the back of the house where we were chopping wood.

"Hmph!"

I swing down the axe lightly in my hand and split the standing firewood in half.

The wood splits with a cracking sound, making us feel good.

"Well, it's been a long time since I chopped wood.

Me, too!

Aruk-san is also chopping wood at the base of another tree trunk.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Aruk-san puts on a fresh smile, stacks the split wood, and looks back at me.

"The knights living in the lodge basically cook for themselves, so I used to do a lot of chopping wood to make a fire."

"Oh, I see. The lifeguard corps was the same way.

While talking about other trivial matters, we steadily chop wood.

For now, I intend to chop as much firewood as Mr. Cagalli instructed me to, but at this pace, it won't take too long.

As I swing the axe once more, Nair, who was sitting on a nearby field and watching me chop the wood, puffed out her cheeks as if she was bored.

"......It's so boring, it's so normal."

"Hmm?　What's normal? What's normal, Nair?

"You, you. I came here to see you chopping wood, thinking you'd do something funny as usual, but you're not chopping wood as usual."

"I'm just chopping wood, what do you expect me to do?"

I gave her a subtle look, and she crossed her arms and raised her index finger with a bright look on her face.

"That's right. Why don't you try ripping a piece of firewood in half with just your arm strength?　Or how about using your hand sword to cut it in half, or your fist to smash it?

"It's not impossible. I'll do it if you take the place of the firewood.

"I'm sorry for being so silly!

Neah apologizes, her face turning pale when I suggest this with a big smile on her face.

In fact, I could do it if I wanted to.

I have never tried it, but I am sure I could. But I won't do it because it makes too little sense.

If I do, I prefer to do something directly related to training. ...... hmm?

Oh, yes. Nair, if you're free, you can help me train."

"......What do you do, anyway?"

Nair looks at me with quizzical eyes, and I proudly explain the training method I have been thinking about for a while.

"You're going to cast a binding spell on me.

"Yes."

"I move."

"Yes."

"Of course, it's hard to move around because of the restraints."

"Yes. ...... what's the point of that?"

It's a workout.

"Are you nuts?"

I gave him a very simple explanation, but Nair cursed me out.

What was wrong with him?

Nair's face scrunched up as I tilted my head.

Your magic will strengthen my body. What's so funny about that?

"A lot of funny things!　Magic is not for physical training!　There is no precedent for that!

Then you and I are the first.

Don't you dare mix me up!

The image is of a man chopping wood while wearing a training cast over his entire body.

I am now able to chop wood in a normal way, but if I am restrained and put a heavy load on my body, I should be able to train my body appropriately.

Let's give it a try."

"Huh, how could I let this happen ......"

Grudgingly, Nair transforms into an owl and moves to my shoulder.

"I'm going to cast a binding spell on your upper body only because you're so disgusting!"

"Hmph, I hope so."

A binding spell is cast from Nair to me.

The purple pattern covers only the upper half of my body, and I can no longer move as if my body were bound.

I look at my palms in slow motion and grin at the load on my body.

"......!　Good one, nea......!"

"Oh, that's funny. How can I move normally when I'm supposed to be more proficient and more restrained than before ......?"

I once fell under a binding spell that Nair had worked for six hours, and now my body is restricted with the same degree of restraint.

I have been restricted in some places, but I guess Nair has also grown on this journey.

"Hmph, hmph."

"Your face is getting scary, isn't it?　Are you okay?　If it's too hard for you to move, I'll stop, okay?"

"No need. I'm going to keep going. ......!

I was right after all.

With this, I can take another step forward.

I let my excitement get the better of me and raise my axe, gripping it tightly.

My upper body creaks and screams, but I heal it with a thin layer of healing magic.

I put all my strength, not only in my arms but also in my whole body, into swinging the axe, and I stare at the firewood below me...,

"Hmm!"

--I swung the axe as hard as I could.

Instantly, the binding spells on my upper body shattered, and as soon as they burst, the axe shattered the firewood.

Still the momentum of the axe was not reduced, and with a roar, it pierced deeply into the trunk of the tree on the foundation, and carved a huge crack into the ground.

Finally, the handle of the axe broke off in the middle.

Silence reigns.

Seeing the handle broken in half, I look at Nair on my shoulder with a straight face.

"Nair, I don't think you'll be able to chop wood with this training method.

"You should have known that before you did it!　d*mn it, Aruk!　Say something to this monster!

Nair turned to Alc and saw that he was looking at a different place from us, his face turning slightly pale.

It is not often that Mr. Alc's face turns pale. With a bad feeling in my heart, I looked in the direction where Mr. Alc is looking..,

<<<<<>>>>>

Five beastman children emerged from the bushes and looked at me with astonished faces.

I look again at the devastation I have created.

Smashed firewood.

A tree trunk smashed in half.

A crack running into the ground.

No, no!

I have to hurry up and explain the situation to the kids, or my impression will be fixed as a monster. ......!

"Sir, you guys--"

"Hi!　Don't eat it!

Let's get out of here, guys!

Don't leave me!

What kind of creatures are humans?

Oh, my God!

The beastman children run away from the scene like rabbits.

I let out a sigh and cowered for a moment as the children disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen now. "You know, Nea?"

"You've fixed my impression of people in the wrong direction, haven't you?"

"Ha-ha-ha. I know a lot of people who can do this.

"No one I know can do this."

.......

Oh, my God.

I try to maintain an atmosphere of "Oh dear," but the situation is worse than ever.

If I don't do something, I will be their standard for human beings in the future. Even though I am good at escaping from reality, I understand that this is not a good thing.

"Besides, I have to tell Mr. Cagalli that I destroyed this place. ......"

The ground was heavily cracked and a tree trunk was smashed in half.

I'm afraid to imagine what kind of reaction I'll get from them, but I guess I'll have to be honest with them.

I'll have to be honest with them.

When I reported to Mr. Kagari that I had broken the foundation for chopping wood, he forgave me unexpectedly lightly.

However, when he came back after seeing the woodchopping site, he looked at me with an indescribable expression on his face and said, "What, how did you do this? He asked me.

When I answered honestly, he said, "What Linka said was true! he shouted and ran upstairs to where Amako and Linka were. After that, he shouted, "Forgive me, I'm an old man who can't trust my grandchildren! Cagalli's voice echoed in the room as she begged Linka for forgiveness.

......Well, I'm glad to hear that the cracked family relationship has been restored.

"Is it a banquet?"

"Yes, Amako came back here after being missing for two years. I thought we should at least have a celebration.

When the sun had set and it was dark around us, Mr. Cagalli, who had sent Hubard to the beastmen's country, told us that he would hold a banquet in the hidden village.

Apparently, the event was to celebrate Amaco's return to his hometown.

"I said no," he said. ......

Amako looks like a pain in the ass.

Mr. Cagalli put his hand on her chin.

"What do you mean? When will we rejoice at the return of the next generation of time poets if we don't rejoice now?

"Everyone just wants to make a fuss."

"Ha-ha-ha, half of that is true."

...... Do you think the beast people like to feast?

From what I've heard, it sounds like a banquet.

"Not me, but basically beastmen love festivals and banquets.

"Oh, really?"

When Amako says this in a hushed voice, I let out a sound of dismay.

Hmm?　If the beasts like such events, shouldn't we humans go to the banquet?　We don't want to make the atmosphere worse.

I don't think it's a good idea for me and Aruk-san to go to the party, right?

No, I've already spoken to the villagers. I don't want to force you to go, but I would like you to come as a way for man and beast to get to know each other.

If that's what you mean: .......

After getting Mr. Aruk's approval, I will tell Mr. Cagalli that I will attend the banquet with him.

A banquet of beasts. ...... I wonder what it's all about.

We waited for the night to pass, secretly excited by this banquet, which was different from our previous trips.

We waited for the night to pass.

After that, Cagalli and Rinca took us to the center of the hidden village. Even at night, it was not so dark here because the houses and streets were lit, and it even seemed bright.

Among them, there was one place that shone with a particularly bright light.

It was crowded with most of the beastmen living in the hidden village. The feast itself had not yet started, and the food and drinks had not yet been served.

When they noticed us who were accompanied by Mr. Cagalli, they all looked at us.

Mr. Kagari told us to stop and moved to the center of the group, then raised his voice louder than we could have imagined from his appearance.

"Some of you may have been worried by the unexpected visitors today, but ...... you needn't worry about that!　They are brave men and women who have come here from faraway lands to protect and support their people!　Today's banquet is a celebration of the return of the Heir of Time to our land, and a chance to communicate with the humans who have kept their distance from us!"

The beasts do not react to Mr. Kagari's voice.

There was sparse applause, and some looked troubled, as if they did not know how to react.

After a moment of silence, Mr. Cagalli let out a sigh, took a deep breath, and raised his voice once more.

"In other words, we should eat, drink, and get along with each other!

<<<<<< ohohoh! >>>>>>

Is that what you want, beastmen?

The silence is broken and the party begins.

Mr. Cagalli came back to us and pressed his forehead with a tired look on his face.

"Are you all right?

"Yeah, I just had a headache from the bad mood of the villagers. Usato, I hope you enjoy this feast to the fullest."

Nodding at his words, Mr. Cagalli smiled softly and moved away from us.

Enjoying, huh?

That's true. ...... I've always rested when I needed to, but I've never enjoyed myself with my hair down.

Besides, Amako finally got to meet her friends back home.

Let's let him enjoy this time before we go into the land of the beasts and make some noise.

"Amako, go have dinner with Rinca."

"......Usato and the others?"

"Of course, we'll eat, too. But it's not often that we get a chance like this, so it's better to eat with friends you haven't seen in a while.

Amako looks at Rinka and me alternately, annoyed.

Anticipating her reaction, I call out to Linka, who is surprised by my suggestion.

"RINKA!"

"He, what is ......?"

Why the honorific?　I gulp down the words, "Why the honorifics?

"Take care of her, will you?"

"Wait a minute, Usato, I'm not a child to be worried about--"

"Yes!"

My words brought a smile to Linka's face, and she pulled Amako's hand with a disgruntled look on her face and went toward the table with the food.

"So, do you want us to sit down and eat at a suitable place?"

"There's a table that's just empty, let's sit there.

After confirming that we could sit where Mr. Aruk pointed out, we went to the place crowded with beasts of the village to get our own drinks and food.

Offenbar sollte mit der Veranstaltung Amacos Rückkehr in seine Heimatstadt gefeiert werden.

"Ich sagte nein", sagte er. ......

Amako sieht wie eine Nervensäge aus.

Herr Cagalli legte seine Hand auf ihr Kinn.

"Was meinst du? Wann werden wir uns über die Rückkehr der nächsten Generation von Zeitdichtern freuen, wenn wir uns nicht jetzt freuen?

"Alle wollen sich nur aufregen."

"Ha, ha, ha, die Hälfte davon ist wahr."

...... Glaubst du, dass die Menschen der Bestie gerne schlemmen?

Nach dem, was ich gehört habe, klingt es wie ein Festmahl.

"Ich nicht, aber grundsätzlich lieben die Bestienmenschen Feste und Bankette.

"Ach, wirklich?"

Als Amako dies mit gedämpfter Stimme sagt, stoße ich einen Laut des Entsetzens aus.

Hm?　Wenn die Bestien solche Veranstaltungen mögen, sollten wir Menschen dann nicht auch zum Bankett gehen?　Wir wollen die Atmosphäre nicht verschlimmern.

Ich glaube nicht, dass es eine gute Idee ist, dass ich und Mr. Aruk zu dem Fest gehen, oder?

Nein, ich habe schon mit den Dorfbewohnern gesprochen. Ich will dich nicht zwingen zu gehen, aber ich möchte, dass du mitkommst, damit sich Mensch und Tier kennenlernen können.

Wenn du das meinst: .......

Nachdem ich das Einverständnis von Herrn Aruk eingeholt habe, werde ich Herrn Cagalli sagen, dass ich mit ihm an dem Bankett teilnehmen werde.

Ein Bankett der Bestien. ...... Ich frage mich, was es damit auf sich hat.

Wir warteten darauf, dass die Nacht verging, insgeheim aufgeregt wegen dieses Banketts, das anders war als unsere früheren Reisen.

Wir warteten, bis die Nacht vorbei war.

Danach brachten uns Cagalli und Rinca in das Zentrum des versteckten Dorfes. Selbst nachts war es hier nicht so dunkel, denn die Häuser und Straßen waren beleuchtet, und es schien sogar hell zu sein.

Unter ihnen gab es einen Ort, der in einem besonders hellen Licht erstrahlte.

Er war mit den meisten der in dem versteckten Dorf lebenden Tiermenschen bevölkert. Das Fest selbst hatte noch nicht begonnen, und die Speisen und Getränke waren noch nicht serviert worden.

Als sie uns bemerkten, die wir in Begleitung von Herrn Cagalli waren, sahen sie uns alle an.

Herr Kagari forderte uns auf, stehen zu bleiben, und begab sich in die Mitte der Gruppe, dann erhob er seine Stimme lauter, als wir es uns aufgrund seines Aussehens hätten vorstellen können.

"Einige von euch haben sich vielleicht über die unerwarteten Besucher von heute geärgert, aber ...... ihr braucht euch keine Sorgen zu machen!　Es sind tapfere Männer und Frauen, die aus fernen Ländern hierher gekommen sind, um ihr Volk zu schützen und zu unterstützen!　Das heutige Bankett ist eine Feier der Rückkehr des Erben der Zeit in unser Land und eine Gelegenheit, mit den Menschen zu kommunizieren, die sich von uns ferngehalten haben!"

Die Bestien reagieren nicht auf die Stimme von Herrn Kagari.

Es gab nur spärlichen Applaus, und einige sahen beunruhigt aus, als wüssten sie nicht, wie sie reagieren sollten.

Nach einem Moment der Stille stieß Herr Cagalli einen Seufzer aus, holte tief Luft und erhob noch einmal die Stimme.

"Mit anderen Worten, wir sollten essen, trinken und miteinander auskommen!

<<<<<< ohohoh! >>>>>>

Ist es das, was ihr wollt, ihr Tiermenschen?

Das Schweigen wird gebrochen und die Party beginnt.

Herr Cagalli kam zu uns zurück und drückte sich mit einem müden Gesichtsausdruck an die Stirn.

"Geht es Ihnen nicht gut?

"Ja, ich hatte nur Kopfschmerzen von der schlechten Laune der Dorfbewohner. Usato, ich hoffe, du genießt dieses Fest in vollen Zügen."

Herr Cagalli nickte bei seinen Worten, lächelte sanft und entfernte sich von uns.

Genießen, hm?

Das ist wahr. ...... Ich habe mich immer ausgeruht, wenn es nötig war, aber ich habe mich noch nie mit offenem Haar amüsiert.

Außerdem konnte Amako endlich ihre Freunde von zu Hause kennenlernen.

Lassen wir ihn diese Zeit genießen, bevor wir in das Land der Bestien gehen und Lärm machen.

"Amako, geh mit Rinca essen."

"......Usato und die anderen?"

"Natürlich, wir werden auch essen. Aber wir haben nicht oft die Gelegenheit dazu, also ist es besser, mit Freunden zu essen, die man schon lange nicht mehr gesehen hat.

Amako sieht Rinka und mich abwechselnd genervt an.

In Erwartung ihrer Reaktion rufe ich Linka zu, die von meinem Vorschlag überrascht ist.

"RINKA!"

"He, was ist ......?"

Warum die Anrede?　Ich schlucke die Worte hinunter: "Warum der Ehrentitel?

"Kümmere dich um sie, ja?"

"Moment mal, Usato, ich bin kein Kind, um das man sich Sorgen machen muss..."

"Ja!"

Meine Worte zauberten ein Lächeln auf Linkas Gesicht, und sie zog Amakos Hand mit einem verärgerten Gesichtsausdruck weg und ging zum Tisch mit dem Essen.

"Sollen wir uns also an einen geeigneten Ort setzen und essen?"

"Da ist ein Tisch, der gerade leer ist, setzen wir uns dorthin.

Nachdem wir uns vergewissert hatten, dass wir dort sitzen konnten, wo Herr Aruk es uns gezeigt hatte, gingen wir zu dem Platz, an dem sich die Tiere des Dorfes drängten, um unsere eigenen Getränke und Speisen zu holen.

"Hey, hey, who do you think I am? I'm your father.　And don't you forget, I can outrun an ogre. I'm not that weak."

Mr. Daitetsu gently placed his hand on the child's head.

He smiled at the child, who had turned over with an anxious expression on his face, and looked at me with a troubled smile.

"Don't worry. ......Well, I'm going to go easy on you, okay?　I'm going to take it easy on you.

"Yeah, yeah. ......"

...... is so hard to do.

What's this, I have to compete with a father who declared victory over his son, and it's like I'm not supposed to win.

I'm not proud of my power, but I'm confident enough to compete with the beast.

"Hmm, wait a minute. ......"

No, on second thought, you don't have to take it that seriously, do you?

If I can show that I'm a normal human being here, and that I'm a normal human being by losing without competing too badly, I can dispel the misconceptions of the kids in the daytime.

"Well, no matter how fast he is, he can't match you in strength. Hey, Amako?"

"...... not good."

"What's wrong with what?　What, Amaco?"

I heard Rinka's voice as she spoke to Amako, who had been standing behind me for some time, but she didn't answer me and pulled at the hem of my troupe uniform silently.

"What is it, Amako? Don't worry about the match, don't be so serious--"

"Usato, seriously."

"What?"

Amako says this to me with a miffed expression on her face, and I can't help but be taken aback.

What did you say ......?

"Beastmen are tough, so don't worry even if Usato is serious.

"Well, no, but it's a good thing..."

It's rude to go easy on them.

"Oh, oh."

I nodded at her words, seeing through my thoughts.

Did she see a future where I would be ridiculed by the beasts through precognition magic?　If I had offended her, I would have felt very sorry.

I don't like it when people treat me like a monster, but I'd hate it even more if I offend Amako.

"......No wonder. Let's do it."

I leave my undressed clothes with Amako and go up on the stage where the arm-wrestling match is to take place.

If they are going to have a serious arm-wrestling match, I wonder how strong Daittetsu-san is, who claims to have the arm strength of an ogre.

"Mr. Daitezu! Please be serious."

"Huh?　But ......"

Mr. Daitetsu rolls his eyes at the sight of my short-sleeved arms, but seems to be hesitating about whether he should get serious or not.

The beasts around him were throwing wild questions at him.

"It's okay, isn't it?　He seems to be serious too.

"You'd be a fool to go easy on him here.

You're going to show your son how good you are.

"Duh!　Shut up, all right!　I don't care if you get hurt, okay?

Mr. Daitetsu came up on the stage like me and put his right elbow on the table.

I take a small deep breath and grab his right hand to get ready.

I am a healing magician. I can heal wounds and broken bones in no time. So I'll say it again. Mr. Daitetsu--I'm serious, please.

"......!"

With the second word, his grip on my right hand became stronger, as if he was ready to do so.

I sense that he is serious about this, and I put more pressure on my hand.

The beastman who was acting as the judge, judging that the preparations were complete when he and I fell silent, placed his hand on each other's right hand... signaling the beginning of the game.

"Nuh!"

"Hmph!"

Strong ......!

As one would expect from a man with so much experience, he put his strength into his arm at about the same time as I did, and tried to knock my arm down with unusual strength---but I am not so softly trained that I can be beaten so easily.

I grit my teeth and fight back.

"----, well, this is ......!"

"Hey, Daitetsu! Are you holding back?"

"It's not moving at all!"

The surrounding beasts, perhaps sensing something unusual, began to murmur.

Mr. Daitetsu is astonished to find that no matter how much force he puts into it, he can't push it even a twitch.

It's strong, perhaps as strong as the ogre that attacked us before we entered Mearaq.

But still..,

"Hey, you can't be serious!"

!"

You're no match for the great foes I've fought. ......!

I stopped breathing and slammed his arm into the table with all my might.

"...... phew!"

Stunned by the voice of the referee announcing my victory, I looked around and saw that the party that had just been lively was now as quiet as a wake.

The silence was painful.

The stares hurt, too.

I feel like I've done something wrong.

When I turned my gaze to Nair, who was sitting and watching me, she was looking at me with a "I don't need to say anything" expression on her face, and Aruk-san, who was unaware of my situation to begin with, was admiring the food as he brought it to his mouth.

I fearfully shifted my gaze to Mr. Daitetsu in front of me, and he gave a small shake of his shoulders.

"Oh, did I do something wrong? ......"

I guess I shouldn't have beaten him so drastically in front of the kids.

Or was it too insane for an ordinary human being (emphasis added) to defeat a beastman in the first place?

Either way, it is still a mistake.

While I was afraid of Mr. Daietetsu's reaction, I noticed that he was muttering something.

"You're a fool. ......."

"What?"

"That's funny!　Let's do it again!　Usato!

What?

Mr. Daietetsu looked up and his pupils narrowed vertically, as if he had found his prey.

The belligerence of the man was overwhelming, but at the same time, as if inspired by him, the beastmen around him also began to warn each other.

"There are some badass humans out there!"

Next time it's with me!

No, I'll take this one!

The beasts came out to fight.

They are all too hot because of their size. ......!

Not knowing what to do, they ask Mr. Aruk for help.

"A-Aruk-san!　Help me!

"Are these sour flavored kuki nuts by any chance?"

"Oh, my... how did you know? It's a mixture of grated kukki berries mixed with the soup. I know it's not familiar to you, but what do you think?"

"Yes, it's very good."

"Oh, um, I'd like to have this one, too..."

While tucking into the food, I'm having a conversation with the beastmen's sisters.

Normally, Mr. Alc would help me out, but he was so absorbed in cooking that he didn't notice me in the first place!

Well, then, Nair..,

"Okay?　I'm not like that guy. I'm normal."

"But, honey, you used to turn into an owl."

You have animal ears and a tail. It's the same thing.

"Oh, yes, that's true."

"The owl was so cute!"

"Owl, transform yourself!"

"Okay, okay, okay. I'm tired of talking to children.

Nair, surrounded by children and with a nonplussed expression on her face, is absolutely mortified as she transforms herself into an owl.

He is clearing up the children's misunderstandings (only those against him) ......!

You've deviated from your main mission as a messenger to help the Lord, hey!

"Don't worry, Usato. I'm watching you.

Amako, I don't know what to reassure you about in this situation.

Why are you smiling like you've done it?

Amako is sitting on a chair next to a pale face of Linka, who is looking at me from a little distance.

There was only one option left for me to take.

I was desperate.

If I'm going to be pulled down either way, I might as well go all the way.

"I don't care if they treat me like a freak!　I'll beat them all!"

I slammed my arm down on the table with a thud, and got into an arm-wrestling match with the beasts, who were all fired up with fighting spirit.

I was so excited!

As it turned out, the beast men of the hidden village were as competitive as I was.

In the end, I ended up being perceived by the beastman children and women as a monster in full human form, while the beastman men perceived me as a human being of extraordinary strength, because I had done so many things in arm-wrestling.

...... As a side note, Mr. Alc and Nair seemed to have made a good impression on both children and women.

I don't know why, but I am not convinced.