Chapter 14 - The Doll (1)

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【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】

Ground-Striking Art

[Acquisition Condition: When strength, stamina, and agility values are all 2]

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'The timing lined up perfectly.'

While fighting the boss werewolf in the secret room, my stats grew explosively and reached 2.

Thanks to that, I was able to acquire the 'Ground-Striking Art' technique from the 【Twelve Star Cloud Fist】.

Reading the skill description, it goes as follows:

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Ground-Striking Art

Flick your fingers to shoot a powerful shockwave.

The power increases according to the user's strength, stamina, and agility.

※ Due to 'Magic Slayer', anti-magic power has been added.

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Skipping the first and second sentences that I already knew.

The point to note is the third sentence.

※ Due to 'Magic Slayer', anti-magic power has been added.

An effect perfectly fitting the alias of Magic Slayer.

It's a technique that's plenty useful just as an attack. But if it can be used to break down the opponent's magic or mana, that's even better.

In that case, I can't help but be curious about how it actually feels to use.

"Let's give it a try."

The lake located in the southern part of Atenel Island.

I often used it as a weight zone, but today I specially changed the schedule.

To test the Ground-Striking Art.

Crackle... I bring my index finger and thumb together.

With the remaining three fingers spread wide, I tense the touching fingers.

Aiming at the center of the lake. Pointing my hand at that place full of clear water.

Tah!

I flicked my fingers to shoot a shockwave.

BOOM!

The shockwave that struck the center of the lake creates a big wave.

Then the water droplets that scattered into the sky make a U-turn and return to the lake like heavy rain.

Whoosh...

An untimely downpour on the lake.

Watching as the water surface belatedly flattens out.

I moved my fingers around.

'It doesn't hurt as much as I thought.'

The rock-breaking in the previous 'Introduction to Elementology'.

Back then, I flicked my fingers relying purely on my body without any technique.

'This feels much better now.'

Considering how my arm ached and the muscle pain lasted quite a while back then, the current effect of the Ground-Striking Art is undoubtedly better.

This is purely a skill, not something done with my physical prowess.

Therefore, there's no strain on my body.

"Hmm."

Power, check.

Recoil, check.

What's left?

"I should also check this anti-magic power."

It would be perfect to test it on some mob magician.

Since I was planning to go to that alchemy otaku anyway, that should be just right.

'That guy.'

He's probably being bullied right now.

***

When young students gather, they tend to create a hierarchy.

Olympia Academy is no exception, and weaker students often get bullied.

While the Knight Department delinquents favor physical harassment using their bodies,

what do the Magic Department guys mainly use?

That's it right there.

"Hey. When did we say we'd take it? We just said we'd take a look."

"You evil girls. You say that but you've never returned it...!"

"Ah, you talk too much. Should I just break it?"

In a secluded space of the Magic Department lecture building.

In a place where other students' eyes don't reach well, 2nd year female delinquents are bullying a student.

"Aren't you embarrassed? Playing with such toys at your age?"

"Shut up! Don't disrespect my 'Armored Knight HR3'!"

"You even named it? Ahaha, this is hilarious."

However, the appearance of the female student being bullied looks quite familiar.

High-prescription glasses, carelessly braided black hair. Above all, a plain impression.

It was Berry, Penel's friend.

'Tsk tsk.'

It was mentioned in passing in the original work, but she really is being bullied.

'Does Penel know about this?'

No, that can't be.

Given Penel's personality, if she knew, there's no way she'd let it slide. She'd definitely help Berry.

It's right to think the opposite.

'Berry must be hiding it.'

So that Penel doesn't find out.

In the hand of the girl who seems to be the leader of the delinquents, there's a doll.

No, it's not appropriate to call it a doll. It was a small knight that reminded me of figures or plastic models from my previous life.

The doll, which clearly shows that its owner put a lot of effort into making it, was currently flying around in the delinquent's hand.

At this rate, one of its legs might snap off.

"Get your act together. You're a 2nd year now. How long are you going to play with this stuff?"

"......"

"It's obvious, a girl who's always sitting in the back, burying her head in alchemy delusions. You'll never change. Pfft."

Berry bit her lip.

She bit so hard that blood slightly seeped out.

However, she finally closed her mouth without saying anything.

Because if she resists here, nothing good will come of it.

'The Magic Department guys are insidious after all.'

Unlike the Knight Department, these guys harass in petty ways like interfering with assignments or ruining project materials.

That alchemy otaku over there doesn't resist because she knows such a future awaits her if she does.

Of course, if she were more skilled, she wouldn't be bullied, but.

Judging by how she struggled with Wind Gun in Introduction to Elementology, that's unlikely to happen.

'Moreover, from what I've seen so far, this girl definitely doesn't want things to escalate.'

Because she's oddly concerned about Penel.

She probably doesn't want to be discovered if a commotion breaks out.

...Well, let's stop with such unpleasant and dirty stories here.

Thud!

I take a big step forward. Making a sound as if deliberately for them to hear.

Thanks to that, their attention immediately turns this way.

"What?"

"...?"

The delinquents glaring fiercely, and Berry with a puzzled look.

The moment she sees me, her black pupils suddenly widen.

I approach them with a slight smile.

"You're playing childishly. Is it fun bullying the weak?"

"Who are you? How dare you!"

"Do you think you're on our level?"

Really, such cliché villain lines.

"I don't care how you play, but why don't you stop messing with her? I have some business with her."

"Ha! Who do you think you are?"

The delinquent leader approaches me.

At a distance of just a few steps between us, a fireball appears above the leader's shoulder.

Whoosh!

A low-level fire magic, 'Fireball'.

The leader grins maliciously while obviously increasing the size of the fireball.

"Herak, you've been ostracized by the boys until now, have you lost your mind? Do outcasts understand each other? Want me to make you look the same, huh?"

"Oh. That line just now, it sounded completely like a third-rate villain. Nice."

I clap my hands in slight admiration, which makes the leader frown sharply.

Whoosh! 

The fireball grows in size as if trying to intimidate.

But I'm certain.

'She absolutely can't shoot it.'

The motto of Magic Department delinquents is insidiousness and pettiness.

They can never adopt a strategy of openly inflicting injury.

"Are you scared? You're scared, right? Ha! As expected from someone like you. What can you..."

"Enough. It's getting annoying, so I'm taking her with me."

I raise my hand.

Just like I did at the lake earlier, I bring my index finger and thumb together.

I tense my muscles tightly, preparing to use the Ground-Striking Art.

Seeing my posture, the leader's mouth twists.

She still doesn't understand the situation.

As expected, people like this don't understand when you talk to them.

"Try it if you can!"

BOOM!

The moment the leader finishes speaking, a shockwave bursts from my hand.

The noise was so loud that it echoed throughout the entire corridor.

I can see the solid walls trembling.

And simultaneously.

"...Huh?"

Whoosh!

The fireball that was growing in size immediately loses its form and disappears.

The magic that she had just poured her mana into vanished. The leader's face immediately became blank.

'This is quite useful.'

I lowered the power as much as possible to check the anti-magic effect.

Still, seeing how it immediately erased the fireball, the anti-magic power is certain.

"W-What is this..."

─BOOM!

Then comes the delayed secondary shockwave.

The wall far behind.

A large ripple forms on the wall behind the delinquents.

'I deliberately held back, but it's still strong.'

If I hadn't lowered the power as much as possible, the villain girl's head might have disappeared instead of the fireball. Good thing I restrained my strength.

"......"

The mouths of the delinquents who witnessed the entire situation gape open. Their jaws looked like they might hit the ground.

"What did you say earlier?"

Shrugging my shoulders, curling the corners of my mouth.

Seeing my relaxed attitude, the delinquents' judgment was swift.

"What's with him? Is he crazy? Shooting at a girl!"

"What if you hit her wrong and damaged her head? You lunatic!"

Why do the barks of losers sound so ugly?

The delinquents judged it difficult to mess with me further and quickly retreated.

I mockingly laughed at them as they ran away, cursing me among themselves, then approached the person who was my original purpose.

"......"

Lips with a slight tinge of blood.

Round glasses, black pupils slightly trembling as they look up at me.

Then she suddenly turns her head away, avoiding me.

"Are you okay?"

"...Why did you help me?"

A blunt retort.

Berry spoke as if grinding her teeth, not looking at me directly.

"You could have just ignored it. There was no need to help."

"Are you a masochist? Do you actually enjoy being bullied?"

"As if!"

Geez, if it's not true, just say so, why are you shouting and making a fuss?

She flares up at my question, then whispers in a dejected tone.

"...Forget it. I don't need your half-hearted goodwill. I'll pretend this never happened, so go away."

As she says this, she crouches down and tries to move away from me.

My hand firmly grasps Berry's shoulder as she's about to leave.

"...What? I told you, if you're just trying to help, forget it."

"No, sorry, but I have my reasons? Since I've helped you anyway, let me ask a favor."

"What is it."

I declared to Berry with a rather serious look.

"Take me to your room."

It's an extremely rational request.

The place where alchemists practice is usually their own room.

That's because it's okay even if there are accidents like chemicals leaking or explosions from failures.

All responsibility is their own. This is the motto of alchemists.

Anyway, to entrust the 【Werewolf's Lung】, I need to go to her room and explain a bit.

Again, it's extremely rational.

"W-Wha, what, WHAT?!"

...However, Berry's face suddenly turns bright red.

It's a secret that I only realized how strange my words might sound after her shrill voice hit my ears.