Chapter-07 · EP-105
Episode 105: Skills Can Apparently Branch
Morning homeroom began.
Together with Professor Jonouchi, Professor Kushinada entered the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone. As was mentioned at the morning assembly, Professor Kushinada will be joining us as the assistant homeroom teacher from today. Well then, Professor Kushinada, please introduce yourself."
Professor Kushinada stood at the podium.
"Hello again, I'm Yumi Kushinada. Like you, I studied at this academy. After graduating, I joined the Self-Defense Forces, and I'm currently in the Special Exploration Unit. Though it's a short time, I hope to be of help to you. Nice to meet you."
My classmates applauded.
My first impression – she looked very young for a teacher, with a childish face that wouldn't feel out of place if she were introduced as a student. But being in the JGSDF's Special Exploration Unit, she must have a strong core.
"Any questions?"
"Professor, how old are you?"
"I'm 23."
"So young!"
"What are your hobbies?"
"Hobbies…"
Questions for the new teacher rained down like a storm. Professor Kushinada seemed a bit overwhelmed.
Once the questions for Professor Kushinada were done, Professor Jonouchi stepped forward.
"Professor Kushinada will also accompany you during explorations and provide practical instruction. That's a real help. Also, as you heard at the assembly, Duke Kujo will be donating a large quantity of antidote. It seems this will be a continuous donation going forward. That's a tremendous help."
Professor Jonouchi said happily.
"When second-years challenge boss battles, many fall to poison and end up in the nurse's office. It's because we simply don't have enough Cure Potions."
She spoke with a distant look, probably remembering what had happened up until last year.
"Even I have a limited number of times I can use the detoxification magic 'Cure'. But from now on, if we can use the antidote, the number of times I need to heal will decrease, and it'll be easier."
I see. As the school nurse, this must be a real help.
Just then, one of my classmates raised their hand.
"Professor, can you use not just Healing Magic, but also detoxification magic?"
Professor Jonouchi smiled wryly.
"Yes, that's right."
"Huh! Are you a double skill holder?"
The whole class buzzed.
Double skill holders were rare. I was also surprised – well, I actually had many more skills, but that was a secret I couldn't tell anyone. Anyway, there were those born with skills and those without, but those born with skills only had one. That meant she must have obtained a very rare Skill Orb.
"How did you get a Skill Orb?"
Another student asked.
"Actually, my detoxification magic didn't come from a Skill Orb. It appeared later."
"Appeared later?"
"Yes. I think detoxification magic is probably a branching skill from Healing Magic. But the conditions for branching haven't been fully elucidated yet. Skill branching isn't widely known; it's a very rare phenomenon."
Branching skills – so skills could increase in that way.
The class buzzed. I was just as surprised.
I thought there were only two types: innate skills and skills obtained from Skill Orbs. No, my Skill Camouflage could copy other people's skills, but…
"Are there other branching skills?"
Another student leaned forward and asked.
"Yes. It's known that Ice Magic is a branching skill from Water Magic. It's said that if you master Water Magic, Ice Magic can sometimes branch from it."
Ice Magic…
I had Water Magic, but it was only level 1. If I mastered it, would it become Ice Magic?
No, but basically, I didn't have much magical talent. If anything, Maika was more likely to achieve it.
As I was thinking that, Professor Jonouchi continued.
"By the way, Professor Kushinada is a user of Ice Magic."
"Eh, really? Did it branch?"
The classmates looked at Professor Kushinada.
She nodded quietly.
"Yes. I can use Ice Magic. But it didn't branch from Water Magic; I had Ice Magic from the start."
"Please show us your magic sometime!"
"Alright."
Ice Magic, huh. What kind of magic would it be? I was looking forward to exploring with the teacher.
After class, I saw Maika approaching Yuno's seat.
Maika was calling out to Yuno.
"Yuno-chan, you seem down today. What's wrong?"
"Huh? No, it's nothing…"
"Normally, you'd be the first to talk to Professor Kushinada, right? But today you were quiet and didn't say anything, so I got worried."
Hearing their voices, I also became concerned.
"Well… actually, I started going to the Archery Club, but I'm not getting better at it…"
Yuno answered in a small voice.
"Hmm…"
Maika thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up.
"I know. In times like this, you should talk to Shirou-kun. He'll figure something out!"
"Talk to Shirou…?"
Yuno turned around and looked at me, sitting in the very back of the classroom.
Our eyes met.
Maika took Yuno's hand and walked over to my seat.
"Shirou, got a minute?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but having heard everything, I waited for Yuno to speak.
Yuno opened her mouth, looking embarrassed.
"Um… I have something to ask you…"
"What is it?"
"Iori's swordsmanship is amazing, and Maika's Water Magic is amazing too. I'm the only one not doing anything. I wonder if it's okay for me to be in a party with those two…"
Yuno's voice trembled.
"So, to be even a little useful, I started going to the Archery Club, but I'm not getting any better…"
I see. So that's it.
Yuno was troubled about her role.
"You're not doing nothing. You're a healer. Your role is to heal them when they're injured. If your friends get hurt, you heal them. If they don't get hurt, that's even better."
"But they don't get hurt, so I never get a chance to use Healing Magic…"
Yuno looked down.
Indeed, Iori was strong, and Maika had grown. On the first floor, injuries were rare.
So Yuno was losing her sense of purpose.
I thought for a moment.
If she raised her Healing Magic level, Yuno might gain confidence.
If her level increased, she could heal more serious injuries. It should be encouraging for Yuno too.
"Then, how about we go to the dungeon to practice after school?"
"Eh? Really?"
Yuno looked up.
"Yeah. I have an idea."
"Thank you, Shirou!"
Yuno smiled happily.
Seeing that, Maika also smiled contentedly.
"See? I told you. Shirou-kun would figure something out."
"Yeah. Maika, thank you."
The two smiled at each other.
I thought to myself.
I wanted Yuno to realize her own value.
Because a healer is truly an important part of a party.