Volume 5 - CH 1

“…… Ugh …… Eugghh …….”

Alice, having been rejected by Cyclo, turns over, sobbing.

“……Let’s go.”

Cyclo said then turns to leave.

“–Wait, Big brother!!”

Alice hurriedly tries to cling to him.

But – in a position to prevent this, Mist stands in the way.

“I’m sorry, please wait ……!”

Mist stands in a position to protect Cyclo from Alice.

“For now …… please leave Mater alone …… Master needs time right now. So please–“

“Mist ……”

Seeing Mist trying to protect him from Alice, even lowering her head to cover for him, Cyclo was overcome with mixed emotions.

He was glad that Mist put him first, but on the other hand, he also felt ashamed of himself for letting Mist do this to him.

So Cyclo regained his composure and stepped forward. He moved Mist closer to him as if to hug her, and then went in front of Alice as if to switch places.

“B-Big brother ……?”

“I’m sorry, Alice. But you can’t come near me right now. I’m …… not sure I can keep my cool.”

“No way ……! But I am!”

“See you.”

Alice still tried to cling to him.

However, when she sees Cyclo turn his back on her, she collapses.

“How ……? How did it come to this ……?”

Alone, she kept asking herself questions that had no answers.

Cyclo turns his back on Alice and walks away. 

Mist and Karim followed Cyclo.

“……Cyclo. What are you going to do?”

Karim’s question is answered by Cyclo in a slightly deceptive manner.

“I’m not going to do do anything. As planned, I’m going to check the coordination of the party in the vicinity.”

“…… I see. Well, in that case, let’s go.”

While looking uncomfortable, Karim did not carelessly step in and ask Cyclo what was going on.

Whether or not he understood her concern, Cyclo changed his tone and turned to Karim.　

“I’m warning you, if your work is less than expected, you’ll be fired immediately, okay? Be prepared for that.”

“I ask you to go easy on me there~”

Cyclo exchanges words with a look of strain.

Mist was heartbroken at such an appearance.

(Master, …… if there is anything I can do, I will do anything–please don’t make any hasty decisions. I will definitely support you, after all.)

With this small resolve in mind, Mist quickened her steps and walked right next to Cyclo.

And so – the three of them moved away from the Northfolia’s wall to a hunting ground that was said to be the least difficult in the vicinity.

“Now then. From here on, it’s my turn to teach you all a thing or two!”

Karim stepped forward and said with an enthusiastic look on her face.

“First of all, you need to observe. We will gather as much information as we can from what we see around us. Then decide what to do. This is the basis of being an adventurer. In a meadow like here, where the view is still good, but in a forest or cave, the results of your observations will determine what happens next. Let’s start with a safe place like this to gain experience!”

Karim’s words were met with a question from Cyclo.

“I have a skill at sensing, but still?”

“Of course you do. I’m sure there’s nothing better than having skills, but there’s also information you can’t get with skills. For example…”

Karim pointed to a group of plants growing nearby.

“There are enough grasses that herbivorous animals and monsters like to eat. That means the creatures around here are not starving. It’s less likely to be temperamental than the norm, or something.”

“…… I see.”

Cyclo nodded in agreement. 

“–Well then, Mist. Anything else you noticed?”

“Well …… in particular …… it looks like a normal meadow.”

“That’s true. That’s great information.”

Karim nodded and then elaborated.

“The meadow has nothing unusual about it. There are no animal paths or animal trails. That means, there are no large animals or even monsters around here ……Well, that’s why it’s a good hunting ground for beginners.”

Karim picked up a pebble. He throws it toward the shade of the grassy area.

“–Kyuuh!”

Then, a squeal is heard from some creature that the stone hit.

“What?”

“Even if there are no large creatures, you should not overlook the fact that there are small animals like this.”

Saying this, Karim approached the spot where the cry had come from and lifted up the unconscious animal.

It was just an ordinary rabbit.

“Is it a rabbit?”

“Yes, it is. It is a valuable source of protein if you are camping out. Depending on the location, it can also be a bait for big monsters. It doesn’t hurt to know where they live.”

Karim continued.

“In addition to rabbits, there are also snakes and rats. If you’re not careful because they’re small, you could get poison or disease from them, which could be very dangerous. You can never be too careful, okay?”

“Ah, yes! I understand!”

Karim’s advice made Mist nod enthusiastically.

“–Then, you’re aware of it, too, right?”

The two of them are looking at each other sideways, and Cyclo activates his skill.

“[Clock Generation] – Mystletainn!”

Then, a magic gun made of Orichalcum alloy–Mystletainn–is instantly generated in Cyclo’s hand.

Gripping it, Cyclo immediately fires it.

–Pow!

Karim and Mist, unfamiliar with the sound of gunfire, are startled by the sound and look toward Cyclo.

Then Cyclo looked at the point where the muzzle of the gun was aimed–the place where the target was.

It was at least 20 meters away from Cyclo and the others, and there was a rock where a small animal could hide.

And the one that Mystletainn’s bullet pierced was a snake that was creeping up from behind a rock.

“I don’t know if it was a venomous snake or not, but at least it seemed to be belligerent enough to notice us and come up to us?”

“…… Guh. I didn’t expect to be so easily outshone.”

Cyclo points out the movement of the snake that he had grasped with the “Clock Sensing” skill and shows it, and Karim feels frustrated.

“But, Cyclo! You are not allowed to use your skills right now! We’re here to learn the basics!”

“…… Tch. I get it.”

Cyclo had no choice but to turn off Mystletainn and put it away.

“So, from now on, you two will be training to develop your unskilled searching and observation skills.”

“Yes! I understand!”

“…… I understand.”

Mist was elated, while Cyclo reluctantly followed Karim’s words.

“Then, I’m going to stay here and keep an eye on things, so you two will find some animals and bring them down. Let’s get started!”

Thus, under Karim’s direction, Cyclo and Mist begin their training as adventurers.