Chapter 97: Lake Aria

The thought of firing off arrows in a flurry of excitemt is a total farewell.

"Phew, so that's why you said to use it in times of crisis," I said, barely able to pull myself together.

"Yes, for you. This body can fire thousands of shots a day with conctrated fire, but isn't your limit only two shots a day?"

"... I am truly happy to have such a great sior."

"Yeah, be happy as you please."

She says things like that with such pure joy that the conversation feels a bit strange wh I'm with her. There's nothing particularly bad about it. Anyway, now I have two shots.

This is something to remember because it was information that was needed for the archery evaluation right away and could be life-threating at important times.

"By the way, I have something to say."

"What is it?"

"I just want to spd more time learning archery for the time being." This is my inttion, but the instructor's inttion is most important. If she doesn't like it, it's just over.

"Why are you doing that?"

"Because the archery test is just a the corner."

"Aha, archery evaluation."

Hiresia looked at me with a face that seemed to indicate that she understood.

"Now that I think about it, you must be nervous."

"... What does that mean?"

"This body doesn't care at all." It would be weird if you cared about being the best shooter out of all the studts in the academy. To be honest, I'm curious as to whether it's st or nd place in the game world.

"... Yes, yes, I'm worried, so please teach me more."

"It's annoying."

"What kind of meat have you had so far?"

"Ugh."

Still, Hiresia flinches, wondering if she has a conscice. But in the d, she doesn't give her approval right away.

"But you can't do it with bare hands."

"You want me to buy you meat again?"

"I didn't say that!"

It seems like there's something else she wants.

"Th what is it?"

"Assignmt."

"Yes?"

"No, I just arrived."

It was a cliché phrase, but wh she said it, it was true.

"Oh? Is that a canvas?" I noticed the canvas Hiresia was holding. In her other hand, she held a small basket containing a water bottle, paints, brushes, charcoal, and a palette.

There was no need for an answer. She intded to paint. It seemed like an art assignmt.

"Yes. I'm going to paint a little."

"Aha, a landscape painting?"

"Yes. I have a spot in mind."

With that, Hiresia turned her back as if to tell me to follow her. I followed her. The place she arrived at had a quaint little pier. Several small rowboats were placed there.

"Are you planning to go into the lake?"

"Yes, that is the plan. Do you see any problem with that?"

"No, there's no problem, but... Sior, do you know how to swim?" I asked knowingly.

Normally, elves are familiar with water and swim well. But high elves, who live only in a closed space called the Forgott Forest, seem to be rather distant from water. Hiresia was also terrible at swimming.

Yet she came to such a place on her own? I couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"I don't! Is that a problem?"

Hiresia seemed offded that I had poked at a sore spot and made a sulky face.

"No, just in case an unexpected situation arises..."

"If you steer the boat properly, there should be no problem."

It meant she had brought me along as a rower.

But why me, of all people?

"Why me? Is it because I am an outcast?"

"An outcast, you say, yet you manage to say things you can't normally say."

She understood the term 'outcast' well. Anyway, as she said, she was obviously the popular girl.

"Th why me?"

"It would be rude to ask them."

So, asking me meant she didn't feel particularly sorry. Should I be happy or not?

It means she feels comfortable ough with me, which is good, but it also means she sees me as an easy mark, which feels like being tak advantage of.

"We had a deal, didn't we? That's what I mean."

It made sse wh she said it, but I felt she would have approached me ev if I hadn't asked her to increase my training time.

"Ah, I see."