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Chapter 21. A Bit Of Reflection

"Heh."

The beasts in the Illusionary Forest use magic to create illusions, but... that's only when they can cast spells. Ivy, who is running ahead of me, sees a beast and moves before it can react, decapitating it with her bare hands.

"Decapitating with a hand strike... are you really a Magic Knight?"

"Everyone keeps saying that, but... doesn't everyone do this normally?"

Not me. It's easier to just use a sword. Sure, I could do it with a hand strike if I wanted to... but I'm carrying a two-handed sword on my back, so I end up attacking barehanded. If I used a regular one-handed sword, I wouldn't have to do that.

If wielding a two-handed sword suits you, you should at least carry a dagger as a backup... Using hand strikes is totally a barbarian's choice. If you think it's better because it's less bulky, you shouldn't carry such a huge sword in the first place.

"In battles as a Magic Knight, being able to use hand strikes can be an unexpected advantage."

"Yeah, but if everyone does it as you said, it's not really a surprise attack."

Wouldn't it be better to carry throwing knives for surprise attacks? At least, I carry two small hidden ones.

Where exactly would hand strikes work as a surprise attack? For a surprise attack to be effective, it needs to kill in one hit. If you're going to use a hand strike, you might as well break the opponent's neck. Though, breaking the neck of a beast might be tough.

"Hm?"

While running and lost in thought, a gigantic rat-like beast approached from behind. Its stride would catch up to me soon, but there's no way I wouldn't notice such a huge beast approaching, so it's probably just an illusion.

"Did you see an illusion? If you release your magic power around you, it disrupts the illusion magic."

"Oh... you handle Illusion Grass well. Couldn't you have escaped alone easily?"

"No, not really. I want to increase my chances of safety as much as possible. Having someone with your strength as a companion is very helpful."

"Sounds fishy. Everything about you."

"... I hear that a lot."

Hearing it a lot isn't a good thing, you know.

Acting together like this, I understand. This woman is indeed strong. She hasn't even used her sword yet but has easily defeated several beasts, proving her 5th rank is not for show. And she probably has it.

I don't have all the details yet, but she seems stronger than Nina. I want to fight her a bit and see her Grimoire, but that can wait until after the test.

"Hmm... how did you realize this is the Illusionary Forest?"

"I knew the habitat and climate preferences of Illusion Grass. This forest matches those conditions. I also guessed we weren't too far from the capital outskirts. How about you?"

"Me? I deciphered the teleportation magic barrier, calculated the direction we were sent... and thought of a forest that could be the test site."

"... You deciphered the teleportation magic barrier?"

"No matter how simplified, there's always a magic circle in spells. I just read it from there... This teleportation barrier was large-scale and probably unfinished, so it was easy to read."

For me, deciphering simplified magic circles is like solving a puzzle. It's just a hobby, but I do it regularly, so I can read it easily.

"I instantly identify the elements of the magic circle, search my mental archive, and consider the matching spell."

"... Do you know how many types of magic exist in this world?"

"I don't know. I only know the ones in books."

Still, modern magic is like a puzzle of standardized elements. No matter how new the spell, there's nothing completely indecipherable. At least in modern magic.

"I see... You seem more suited to being a Magician than a Magic Knight."

"I think so too. I'm considering transferring from the Magic Knight Department."

"If a rank 250 student transferred, it would cause a huge uproar."

"That's true."

It would be expected for someone ranked 984 to transfer, but if a rank 250 did so without reason, it would be a big deal... But I think I'd enjoy studying more in the Magician Department.

"Do you dream of going to the southern island nation in the future?"

"Southern... Oh, the rumored Magic Kingdom."

"You don't seem very interested."

"Nope."

From this continent where the Kuria Kingdom lies, heading south across the sea, there's said to be an island nation with advanced magic... It's been said in the Kuria Kingdom for centuries. 

No one knows where the story came from, but there's supposedly a sea area where thick fog suddenly appears, blocking passage. It's said to be a magical barrier, and at its center is the Magic Kingdom.

It's a magical paradise that every magician aspires to, but... I'm not that interested. I'd rather create something new than chase after something that may not exist.

"Lately, I've been thinking that being a Magic Knight might be fun too."

"Really? You don't seem interested."

"Well... after being involved with Nina and Princess Elissa."

Nina aims to become a Magic Knight for a stable income, Princess Elissa values the title itself, and Elixira is driven by her inherited destiny. Each has their reasons for joining the Magic Knight Department, striving for the title. Initially, I wasn't interested... but now, I'm starting to think I shouldn't be so self-centered.

I'm just starting to think about this, so I might revert if something happens.