The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

The day after I woke up from my faint.

Early in the morning, after dropping Amako off at home, I was on my way to the castle with Nair.

I had let Senpai and Kazuki know in advance that we were going to the castle, so I don't think they will not be able to get in, but the situation is such that I will leave before I cause any trouble if I get in the way.

"I wonder if Aruk-san is there ......"

"I don't know. Maybe they are still on the battlefield."

When I reach the gate, I see the knights guarding the castle, and among them I spot a man with red hair whom I recognize.

When he noticed us approaching the gate, he smiled and waved to us.

"Hey, Usato!

Mr. Aruk!

I run over to him and check on the safety of Mr. Aruk nearby.

He had bandages on his head and arms, but did not seem to be injured in any other way.

He probably came back here with some injuries.

I offer him my hand covered with healing magic, to which he responds with a wry smile.

"Thank you."

"No, no, I'm glad you're okay, Aruk-san."

"I am glad to hear that you are in good health, Usato-dono. I heard you woke up yesterday.

Did you hear from Senpai and Kazuki?

When I nodded at Aruk's words, Nair, in her owl state, cowered her shoulders in dismay.

"Yesterday, finally. I've been sleeping with a carefree look on my face.　I can't tell you how worried I was when you suddenly collapsed on the battlefield ......."

"Ha-ha-ha, after such a distinguished career. It's no wonder you're tired."

"It's a matter of how you fall. It's really heartbreaking to fall down without warning with your eyes going blank. ......"

"Oh, did I ever fall down like that?"

I remembered that I had fallen down, but had I fainted in such a spectacular way?

It was like I just went black without warning, so I didn't think about how people around me saw me.

"The people around me were in a panic. All the knights who were there carried Usato to the base where Uluru and the others were, and he just fell asleep with a look on his face as if he had done all he could do.

"I was there when it happened, and it was amazing. Many people, including Kazuki-dono and Suzune-dono, had rushed to the scene.

I had no idea that my fainting would cause such concern in so many directions.

Well, it's my fault for falling in a confusing way.

When did you come back here, Mr. Aruk?

Yesterday. Many of the knights were injured and could not move.

"I didn't know that. ....... If anyone is injured, shall we help them?"

When I suggested this, Aruk shook his head.

"No, I can't make you go through that much trouble. He has already been treated at the battlefield by the lifeguard corps, and Usato-dono is also sick, isn't he?"

"If you say I'm sick, I am sick. ......"

In the morning, I ran around with Nack and Ferrum as much as I could for morning training.

When I gave him a delicate look, he continued to speak.

Then, please take it easy. Your heart is probably weaker than you think. Please take this opportunity to get enough rest and rest your body and mind."

I wasn't aware of it, but if Mr. Aruk, who has traveled with me, says so, I guess he is right.

I nodded my head at Mr. Alc's words, and he turned his attention to Nair, who was standing on my shoulder, and spoke to him.

"Nair, will you take care of Usato-dono?"

"Yes, I'll take care of him."

Nair nodded with a confident expression at Mr. Aruk's words.

...... hmm?　Mr. Aruk. Why is Nair treating me like my guardian?

"Well, I guess I should get back to my duties now.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude.

"No, no, no, I'm rather glad to see you again in one piece."

After exchanging a couple of words, we are about to part when two figures appear from the castle.

"Hey!　Usatoh!"

"Kazuki and ...... Frana. She's back here too, isn't she?

It seems that one of the guards has come to pick us up.

After bowing to Mr. Aruk and the other guards nearby, I join them and step into the castle.

"It's been a long time since we met on the battlefield. Thank you for saving my life back then.

"I'm glad to see you're doing well, too."

Fighting with the Third Legionnaire was different from fighting with other legionnaires. .......

But I'm really glad that we were able to neutralize the Third Commander.

If he had ignored me and flown away, I wouldn't have been able to chase him.

"Kazuki. Where are you headed now?"

"Toward the training area. Leona is supposed to be there right now.

"Training grounds or ....... Speaking of which, where's your senior?"

I ask Kazuki, realizing after all this time that I can't see him.

"Yeah, they are going to summarize the information they got from the enemy in the war today. We're going to be there later, so we went out to pick up Usato before that.

"I see. ......"

So, do you think I'll get a chance to report back to you?

I'm sure Alfie will probably be in charge of that.

"Hmmm..."

"Hmm?　Frana, what's wrong?"

I tilted my head at Frana, who was looking at me from next to Kazuki.

Did she have something on her face?

"......Usato's mood is totally different when he's fighting and when he's normal, isn't it?"

"Well, I'm ...... aware of that. Or rather, I have recently become aware of it."

If you keep playing dumb, Amaco will get mad at you. .......

But no matter what they say, I am still a human being.

I will never compromise on that, no matter what anyone says.

"Certainly, Usato is more reliable than ever when it comes time for battle. Yes."

"Sometimes, Kazuki's purity scares me. ......"

"I know he's dependable. But the thing is, his words and actions are out of the ordinary."

Nair and Frana reacted a bit taken back by Kazuki who nodded his head.

As for me, I'm glad to be told that I'm reliable, but it's a little itchy.

"But from the point of view of the people you're fighting, Usato must be incredibly scary.

"Is that so?"

"In fact, the Third Corps commander and his men were scared out of their wits when we captured them, even if only temporarily. I ask you now, what the hell did you do then?

"That's what I want to know. ....... No, really."

I understand that he was confused because his illusion magic didn't work, but he suddenly tried to stick a knife into his own leg, and he suddenly started apologizing for something he didn't do.

And to top it all off, he treated me like a demon.

Why should my staple food be turned into a soul?

Well, I have a pretty good idea of the cause of all this.

"I'll talk to Ferrum and Nair in their quarters later. I'm sure ...... they'll know what they did, right?"

"What?

He smiles at Nair, who has turned into a mute owl so as not to get lost in the conversation.

I've been out cold for so long that I've forgotten, but I have to ask you something, don't I?

Nair's face turns blue and she looks forward, suddenly remembering Amako's prediction.

"......"

By the way, have Kazuki and Frana heard about Amaco's prediction?

...... No, I probably shouldn't talk about it here.

We don't know where the eyes of people are, and we may not have been told about the prediction by Mr. Lloyd in the first place.

It would be better not to mention it, rather than confuse them.

"Usato, what's wrong?"

"...... No, nothing's wrong."

"?　Well, if there's nothing going on, that's fine, but ...... it's time to get to the training grounds."

Kazuki's voice makes me look forward, and I see the castle's training grounds, which I also use all the time.

There, I spot a woman swinging a spear.

"Hmph!"

It is Leona, a woman with beautiful golden hair tied back in a single knot.

She was holding a spear, the armor of a brave warrior, and she was cleaving, slashing, and thrusting with a fluid motion, without any disorder at all.

Her movements were even more refined than when they had met in Mearaq, and Frana's voice was a little buoyant.

"Leona-san is such a cool person, isn't he? I might admire her a little.

I know exactly how you feel.

It was really cool when you rushed to the scene of the battle against Barzinak.

When we arrived near the training area, Kazuki stopped and turned toward us.

"Well, we're going to report back to you."

"Yeah. Thanks for coming all this way, Kazuki.

...... Oh, yeah.

Before we part ways with Kazuki here, we should ask him if he can teach us how to add elasticity to our magical powers.

"I'm trying to figure out if I can add elasticity to my magic the same way Kazuki did.　Of course, if you have time, that would be great.

"Usato's magic has elasticity?　......I see, that's totally fine!"

Kazuki nodded with a smile and I thanked him again.

If only I could get Kazuki to teach me, that would be a godsend, yes.

"If you have time, how about this afternoon?"

"Yeah. I'll be fine at that time.

"...... I'm more than okay, I've only had basic training."

Nair whispered this to me, and I nodded my head, even though he had hit the nail on the head.

"Then, let's meet at the training site in the afternoon, then, Usato!　Néa!　See you later!"

"See you later, Kazuki."

Thanks for the tour.

After a brief discussion about our training schedule, Kazuki and Frana and I parted ways, and Nair and I went straight to the training site.

Leona was still wielding her spear in the training area, but we could not interfere with her training, so we decided to wait at the edge of the training area until the training was over.

"I've fought people with spears before,...... but Leona-san's spear movement seems different from that."

It's like there is a core to the attack.

He just repeats thrusting, cleaving, and striking, but there is no stagnation in his movements, no gap.

"I heard sometime that if you master the basics of spearmanship, you don't need any other techniques ......."

"What? Who told you that?"

Some spearman I used to control about a hundred years ago.

"This guy you're talking about is ......."

"To be honest, I didn't really understand what he was saying, so I let him go right away.

Nair is so open about it that I can't help but let out a sigh.

While we were exchanging such conversation, Leona, who was training with a spear, noticed us.

"Usato?　You're here?

"Is it really such a surprise ......?"

Leona's dignified expression changes to one of surprise.

She walked up to me, although she was upset, and put on an annoyed smile.

"You are a bad person too. If you are here, why don't you just call out to me?

"No, I don't think it's right to interrupt you. ....... Can I talk to you now?

"Of course. Of course. I wanted to talk to you about something.

Leona changed the spear in her hand into a pendant with a light.

We sit down in a nearby field to talk calmly for the time being.

"Néa, I'm glad to see you're doing well too.

"You're looking more like a hero than before.

"Yeah, is that so?"

Leona looks a little embarrassed at Nea's words.

...... I should thank her while I can.

"Leona. Once again, thank you for coming to our rescue.

"You don't have to thank me. As I told you during the battle, I'm here to return the favor. In fact, I could not repay you enough after all this.

"But, but--"

"But..."

Leona interrupted me and raised her index finger.

"Considering your character, I don't think you'll be satisfied with that, so why don't we call this a blind date?　You saved my life, too, you know.

"It's a little unfair to say it that way. ......"

She looked at me in amazement and laughed in a funny way.

I guess she could tell by the look on my face?　Hmmm, she can read my thoughts.

"I'm glad to see your age-appropriate reaction," she said.

"Yeah. ......"

You say that as if I'm not old enough for what I usually do. .......

I looked away, slightly embarrassed, and Nair on my shoulder nodded her head in agreement with Leona.

"You are also seventeen years old, though you are so much of a handful that I would think you were a child, given your usual behavior.

"You're about three hundred years old, you're very convincing."

"Huh, by vampire standards, I'm about your age."

"...... what?"

That's new.

I mean, he's still older than me, but I didn't know vampires had such a long life span.

I am astonished by the fact that I hadn't paid attention to it before, but I regain my composure and turn to Leona again.

"Leona-san, did you go to the Lingle Kingdom after the battle?"

"Yes, before going into battle, I was ordered by Falga to wait in the Kingdom of Lingle."

"I see. ......"

I had assumed that Leona would have to return home soon, given the current situation in Mialak, but I guess Master Farga might have had some ideas about it and ordered her to do so.

"Right now, we are exchanging information and discussing with Norn-sama and Falga-sama in Mialark and with Lloyd-sama, the king of Lingle Kingdom, through Hubbard."

"When you say 'discussions,' do you mean like post-war measures?"

"I have not been informed of the details, but they seem to be a little different."

Maybe they are discussing the trip to defeat the Demon King as predicted by Amaco.

That would explain why they are discussing the matter with the presence of the Lord Farga, who is a secret entity.

You seem to have a general idea of what is going on.

"...... sorry. I'm ...... now."

"I know. I know. To avoid unnecessary confusion, right?"

Do I really show it on my face?

Leona turns her gaze from me, who is tilting her head while touching her cheek, to the training area.

"I don't feel at ease after the battle. ......"

"Yes, it is. Maybe it's because somewhere in my mind I've convinced myself that I shouldn't feel at ease."

I nodded my head in agreement with her and let the magic float in my palm.

The turmoil was not over yet, I thought, and that's why I was trying to learn a skill to compensate for my weakness.

Leona asked me if I was interested in the magic power floating in my palm.

What is it, Usato?　"Usato, what is it? It seems to be different from the one that triggers the outburst of the system reinforcement you mentioned before.

"Oh, this is..."

He explains that he is practicing to make his magic more elastic.

Hearing this, Leona reacted somewhat horrified.

"Well, you are trying to grow in a funny way again. ....... I'm relieved to see that this time it's a direction that's not dangerous. ......"

"Ha ha ha ......"

"Magic and elasticity. It's a technique that can only be done with amorphous magic, which is different from attributes like fire and lightning. It's impossible for me to do it because of the nature of my magic, but it's ...... interesting."

Leona mutters with a finger to her chin.

"Is it possible?"

"If we use Falga-sama's basket hand. Whether it is possible or not, I won't know until I try it.

Even if it's impossible, it's good to have something to hold on to.

To be honest, even if it is not so hard as to be elastic, it can be treated as a healing glove for holding back.

"And next time, Kazuki,......, a brave man who can make magic power elastic can watch you train.

"Really?"

Yes. We're going to do it this afternoon.

I am looking forward to it, even without the training, since my senpai will probably be there too.

Leona, who had been looking thoughtful when she heard about the training, looks up.

"I wonder if I can participate in this training?"

"......?

I was surprised at the sudden offer.

Seeing my surprise, she looks a little uneasy.

"......Sorry, I'm sorry. If it's a nuisance..."

"No, no!　It's a great offer!　But ...... is it OK with you?　Leona, you're busy. ......"

"No, it's not my place to interfere in meetings of other countries. I have to wait until I receive another order from Master Farga and Master Norn."

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

"Well then, Leona, you'll be joining us for training this afternoon."

"I don't know if I can help you, but I'll try my best to do so."

But it is a luxury for me to train with three brave men.

I must try my best to get something today so that they won't be disappointed.

By the way, how do you like the Kingdom of Lingle?

"It's my first time here and I think it's a nice place. Unlike Mialark, it's surrounded by trees and ...... what can I say, it's a relaxing place."

Mialark is a city surrounded by lakes, so I guess everything looks different compared to the Kingdom of Lingle.　Do you still have time until ...... afternoon?

"Since we still have some time, shall I show you around the city?　I'd like to take you to see Amaco.

"Is that okay?"

You showed me around Mearaq before. I'm returning the favor.

In that case, I'll take advantage of your kindness.

He gets up and starts walking toward the gate.

Even though the war has brought you to the Kingdom of Lingle, you have come to us.

Let's show them some of the good things about this place.

"First of all, here's the best part. First of all, the best thing about this place is that you won't be surprised if I run with a bullring on my back.

"...... I guess the people of the Lingle Kingdom are strong."

"You're used to it. Maybe they have more spirit than the people in the other kingdoms?"

Hmm?　Is this not the reaction I expected?

Leona seemed a little taken back, and while I tilted my head at her, we headed out into the city.