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However, once you leave the city, the world changes its face. When you pass through the guards’ checkpoint and enter the forested outskirts, the sound of people completely disappears. It’s nice to have the Capital in the basin, but the mountains in this world were far more dangerous than they initially seemed. Even grass insects and mountain birds held their breath and waited when some monsters walked by. But this time, it was not those monsters that made them run.

Lightning struck the dry sky. I rubbed my eyes against the intense light and frowned.

“… at least the power is outstanding.”

A tree was struck by lightning, and part of it evaporated instantly. It looked like a wooden octopus turned upside down. Lightning Bolt. Third Circle attack magic. The thunderbolt of mana manifested from Daphne’s fingertips was impeccably powerful. Smoke was still billowing from the charred remains of the tree.

“Okay, I don’t need to check other destruction magic.”

Daphne dropped her shoulders and turned to me. ‘If she had ears on top of her head, wouldn’t they droop down right now?’

“You will never be able to use it like this in combat.”

“I know that’s why we came here today.”

I jumped off the rock I was sitting on. I can’t erase what Daphne has been through, and I can’t make her forget it. Above all else, it was something that should not be overlooked. The sunlight broke through the leaves, casting shadows on Daphne’s face.

“Here they come.”

Around us, I could see a monster moving toward us. The sound of cracking wood must have attracted its attention because they began to make their way toward Daphne and me. Most monsters can’t tell if the creature in front of them is stronger or weaker than they are. They only seek to fill their insatiable hunger.

I glanced at Daphne, a hint of anxiety creeping across her face as she sensed its approach. Beyond the rustling grass, I could see the creature’s eyes. It was a carnivorous boar named Hornhog. In the original novel, it was a common monster, but in person, it was intimidating.

“Hornhog….”

“I won’t do anything. Do you think you can take it down by yourself?”

I said and looked toward the Hornhog. It snorted, staring at us with vacant eyes that seemed to have been turned inside out. It would be harsh to ask her to take down the beast alone, but Daphne needed to get used to combat first. Daphne took a deep breath, gathering her mana.

“… I’ll try.”

Blue electricity crackled from Daphne’s toes and traveled up her body. It was the same Lightning Bolt spell she had cast earlier. Her breathing quickened. The energy meant to be concentrated on her fingers scattered in the air. As she struggled to hold it together, the hornhog took advantage of the gap and charged.

The finished magic was absurdly weak. It could barely kill a crawling slime, let alone the hog. The Hornhog didn’t slow down. Without hesitation, I pulled Daphne out of its path and drew my Holy Sword. I stepped out of its path and decapitated it with a single strike.

“….”

Daphne’s arms drooped. The remnants of her magical power lingered on her right arm. I slid the Holy Sword back into its sheath.

“I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. Should I be disappointed that she hadn’t killed a boar, considering I haven’t done anything to help yet? What worried me was that Daphne would leave and suffer alone again.

“It’s okay to fail, just don’t give up.”

I spoke my mind. Daphne still had her head down. I bent my knees while laughing lightly. ‘Hey, are you crying?’ A part of me wanted to tease her, but seeing her sob stabbed a corner of my heart. Blinking her eyes fixed on the ground, Daphne suddenly lifted her head and was surprised as she saw my face before hers.

“Let’s keep going.”

Daphne nodded. I am glad she’d made up her mind to some extent. I would have been in trouble if she’d said she couldn’t do it.

As Daphne struggled behind me, I slowly began to accustom myself to battle. Since the body has already learned the movements needed for combat, I became bolder and braver with each encounter. The original novel only emphasized Elroy’s evil deeds, not really describing how strong he was or how he fought.

…Was he actually quite strong?

‘Either that or I’ve gotten too cocky from dealing with only weak monsters.’ I scratched the back of my head and looked down. Three boars the size of houses were lying side by side, looking at the sky. It was a strange feeling. The body knows how to fight, but the mind doesn’t. I vividly remembered how I had caught that male adventurer’s hand at the guild this morning, how I had moved, and how I had swung my sword.

‘Well, it would’ve been a problem if the Hero couldn’t do this much.’

Daphne has yet to make progress on her magic. She was constantly squeezing out her mana but couldn’t properly manifest a spell. An average Fourth Circle mage would have run out of mana by now, but Daphne’s reservoir was bottomless. ‘If only she could use it properly.’

“Let’s take a break. There’s a rock over there that looks like a good place to sit.”

Daphne looked much more depressed than when we firsts entered the forest. However, I was glad she hadn’t given up trying to use her magic at my suggestion.

“It’s a good thing the weather is nice today.”

“…It is.”

The sun was slowly setting. The wind had changed direction and ruffled my hair gently. As Daphne sat and watched the sunset, she suddenly spoke up.

“I was banished from my village when I was a child.”

I narrowed my eyes. I hadn’t expected Daphne to bring up her story without me asking.

“…You were banished?”

“Yes, well… technically, it was a banishment under the guise of studying because I used magic to repel a monster while living in the village. This was before I even learned magic.”

‘I know. That’s why your talent is so special.’

Daphne, mana’s favorite child.

“If you have such a talent, shouldn’t the village be celebrating you?”

Daphne shook her head.

“They were afraid. Afraid that I could kill them with a wave of my hand. Maybe they thought I was a wolf hiding among the sheep.”

Daphne blinked. There was no sign of emotion on her face. Not even the bitter smile that usually accompanied such a revelation.

“I just wanted to live a normal life.”

Daphne said it like a breath. She understood that she couldn’t live an everyday life. She could never fit in. I could understand that. The talent of an archmage who suddenly appeared in a town where no one was special. A vessel too ordinary to contain the talent.

“Am I asking for too much?”

I can’t say anything. Not after I took over the Hero’s body.

“No. It’s a question everyone asks. You can’t have everything you want, but it’s too early for you to give up on that dream.”

I poked the ground with the tip of my sword.

“Because even I sometimes don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

“… I know.”

I felt Daphne’s gaze on me, so I looked up. The sun over the ridge cast a deep glow, and her violet eyes glowed with layers of light. She looked at me for a while. Before I could say anything, her lips formed words first.

“I’m not giving up.”

I raised an eyebrow, mulling over her words, and then, remembering their meaning, I couldn’t help but smile.

“That’s the spirit.”

***

The sun had set entirely. With only a faint red glow rising from the ridge of the mountains, the gate of the military gate loomed over us. They said the area was open until 22:00, so we’d have to leave now to make it home on time.

“Let’s call it a day.”

I patted my butt and stood up. We had yet to make any progress, but it didn’t feel like I was wasting my time. The fact that Daphne had come forward with her story was a positive sign of her progress. I also got a sense of how well I could fight.

“Do you think you’ll be available tomorrow at the same time?”

“…Yeah.”

Most importantly, Daphne told me she wasn’t going to give up. It was like I had just received my insurance policy. I could relax a little bit.

The mountains during the day and the night were two different places. Things that lay silent and still during the day came to life at night, making their presence felt, and the shadows of the mountains flickered and blurred the vision. It would have been hard to find our way if it weren’t for Daphne’s light magic.

“… Elroy.”

…We weren’t one. Monsters hiding during the day came out in droves at night. Their eyes glowed in pairs, dozens of them. I counted ten heads before giving up.

‘There are too many.’

I swallowed dryly, running my hand over the hilt of my Holy Sword. All the while, the number of monsters continued to grow. I swore under my breath as I stared at the burgeoning mass. Then I heard Daphne’s faint voice behind me.

[Activate]

I squinted at the curtain of mana around me.

“Protective magic?”

I clenched and unclenched my hands, feeling the surprisingly sturdy armor of mana. Turning around, I saw Daphne extending her hands, a cold sweat dripping down her face. I saw a trickle of blue mana springing from Daphne’s heart. Mana was gathered in her right arm, formless and flowing, slowly moving toward me.

“I hope… I could help a little…”

Daphne struggled to speak. Indeed, her mana was faltering in a few places, but it was enough. I drew the Holy Sword. The moonlight coolly drenched the blade, making it glow.

“Thank you.”

My expression brightened up. I am glad Daphne was willing to protect me, even if it was tiring for her.

I lowered my stance. I could hear monsters growling all around me. With all the strength I could muster in my legs, I lunged forward and went on the attack first.