Chapter-07 · EP-109

Episode 109: Ice Bullet and Compressed Water Ball

During in-class dungeon exploration, I have to be careful not to let anyone find out about our secret training. So I just defeat slimes normally. I've told Yuno and the others not to cast Healing Magic on slimes like we did yesterday.

Today's class, as usual, takes us into the first floor of the academy dungeon, but from today, Professor Kushinada will be accompanying us for practical instruction.

"Nice to meet you."

As the students greeted her, Professor Kushinada nodded with a stern expression.

"Everyone, even though this is the first floor, stay alert. The dungeon is always dangerous. The most dangerous time is when you start getting used to it."

As expected of someone from the Self-Defense Forces' Special Exploration Unit, her words carried weight.

My party, as usual, consisted of Shiraishi and Mizuno.

Not far away, Yuno's party – Yuno, Iori, and Maika – were getting ready.

I saw Yuno had brought her compound bow.

Just then, Professor Kushinada approached Maika's party.

"Momota-san, is it? I heard you're a Water Magic user."

"Yes, that's right!"

Maika answered with a smile.

"I use Ice Magic. Since Ice Magic is a branch of Water Magic, it might be helpful for you, if you'd like. May I show you a little?"

"Yes. Please do!"

Maika's eyes sparkled.

Professor Kushinada extended her hand forward.

Then, a block of ice appeared in the air. It quickly grew to the size of a fist.

The professor launched it at a slime ahead.

In a silence so still the air seemed to freeze, a pale blue light flashed.

The ice bullet struck the slime directly, freezing it solid in an instant and shattering it.

"Amazing…"

Not only Maika, but the surrounding students also cried out in surprise.

"This is my Ice Bullet magic. Momota-san, would you show me your magic?"

"Yes!"

Maika floated a water sphere on her palm.

Then she compressed it rapidly.

She launched the fist-sized compressed water sphere at a slime ahead.

Bang!

It struck the slime with a sharp sound, and the slime was blown away.

Professor Kushinada looked surprised.

"How was that, Professor?"

Maika asked, beaming.

"…Impressive. That's probably about as powerful as my magic. How did you learn it?"

"Shirou-kun gave me the advice. He said to imagine compressing it like squeezing the end of a hose to increase the force."

Maika answered happily.

Professor Kushinada looked my way.

Her gaze felt strangely sharp.

"Ichinose-san, so you can give advice on magic, too."

"No, it was just a random thought…"

I brushed it off vaguely.

Something about Professor Kushinada's gaze made me uneasy.

"Momota-san, that compressed water ball is likely your original magic. Some mages develop their own unique magic by applying variations to basic spells. To have developed an original magic so soon after enrollment is truly wonderful."

"Hehe, thank you."

Maika looked shy at the professor's earnest praise.

Maika's compressed water ball was indeed impressive.

But speaking of original magic, wouldn't my Water Jet Cutter also count? I thought I had no talent for magic, but having developed an original magic, maybe I'm not so bad? It's frustrating that I have to keep my ability to use Water Magic a secret. If it weren't a secret, I'd want to brag about it.

After that, the professor observed other students' magic, and then we proceeded with our usual exploration.

Well, I'm bored with first-floor slimes. The first-semester goal for us is to defeat 100 slimes and reach level 2. I'm already level 5. At this point, there's nothing to gain from in-class exploration. If I'm going to explore, I want to go deeper and level up further.

As I was wandering around without much motivation, I saw Yuno attacking a slime with her bow.

Her first arrow missed.

The second also missed.

The third finally hit and defeated the slime.

"I did it…"

Yuno pumped her fist slightly.

Professor Kushinada, who had been watching the whole time, spoke to Yuno.

"Hayasaka-san, have you only recently started archery?"

"Huh? Ah, yes. I first tried it in the other day's class."

"Then being able to use it in actual combat is excellent. Unfamiliar weapons are hard to use in real fights."

"Ah, thank you."

"However, using multiple arrows against slimes is still inefficient cost-wise. You'd be better off waiting until you can reach deeper floors before using it in real combat."

"I suppose so. We're going to the Shinjuku Dungeon this weekend, so I'll practice there."

"Shinjuku Dungeon? Have you already started exploring the second floor?"

"No, the fourth floor."

"Huh? You just enrolled last month, didn't you?"

"Yes. But Shirou and Iori are too amazing, so we keep advancing quickly."

Yuno answered, scratching her head in embarrassment.

"Is that so? Still, I'm worried about you going to the fourth floor with so little experience. If you'd like, may I accompany you? I'm concerned and would like to see if you're really okay."

"Huh? Professor Kushinada as well?"

Asked by the professor with a serious expression, Yuno looked at Iori and Maika. Then she spotted me a short distance away and seemed unsure what to do, so I nodded.

"It's okay. Please, join us."

Getting my approval, Yuno answered.

"Thank you. Then this weekend, we look forward to having you."

When I go exploring with Yuno and the others, I don't use my skills, so it should be fine even if Professor Kushinada comes along.