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Chapter 35. Outdoor Training

After various training sessions within the faction and occasionally earning money as adventurers by subjugating magical beasts, the extracurricular training day arrived quickly.

"Gentlemen, today is the extracurricular training day at the Chronos Magic Knight Academy. As usual, there is an abundance of magical beasts inhabiting the Diehard Plains. Within the time limit, feel free to hunt as many magical beasts as you like... However, anyone who receives assistance from a teacher or a magic knight even once will be disqualified."

"...Is it normal for an abundance of magical beasts?"

"It can't be helped. Diehard Plains have been known to be infested with magical beasts since ancient times."

So, isn't that a problem?

"Throughout history, there have been military actions to eradicate the magical beasts in Diehard Plains and expand the capital. However... no matter how much the Magic Knight Order mobilized to hunt the magical beasts, it seems that they only increased in number, to the point where one might think something is being born every time they're defeated. That's why it has been repeated many times."

So, no matter how many you defeat, magical beasts keep emerging from everywhere? Isn't that terrifying in itself?

"That's why it's become the site for outdoor training at the Chronos Magic Knight Academy, as an attempt to reduce the numbers... but in the end, only the formality remains, with no real effect."

It's like trying to put out a fire with a single drop of water.

So, in Diehard Plains, you won't be scolded by magic knights or the academy no matter how much you rampage?

"Well then, let's get serious for a moment."

"Yeah... Let's go! I'm pumped too!"

"Nina, this is nothing new for you, right...?"

"I've always been serious about this. Theodore, I won't lose to you either."

"Where did the talk of factions go!?"

Sorry, Elixira. If we're allowed to do whatever we want, that's what this bunch in our faction wants to do.

"Now, let's begin the outdoor training!"

With that announcement from the instructor, several people dashed out. Glancing around, Nina, Ivy, Jeremiah, and Hilalda dashed out almost simultaneously, followed a beat later by Ash and other students. Catching Jeremiah's eye momentarily, he looked very pleased, so I fled in the opposite direction.

Although five people dashed out almost simultaneously, since they were all heading towards different monsters along the way, there was a big gap between them and the others following.

"Hahaha! I'll go ahead!"

"...Sure, do your best."

"Huh?"

Nina, who ran past me with a cheerful attitude, was left dumbfounded by the appearance of a monster resembling a winged bull descending from above. Although I saw it coming down, it looked so damn creepy that I let Nina deal with it and went to find another magical beast.

"Wait a minute!? Don't leave me behind!"

"We're supposed to do this regardless of factions, right? Do your best."

"Hey!?"

It's not strong enough to struggle just because it's creepy. Even though it's creepy, it's not like I have delicate nerves to avoid fighting against creepy magical beasts.

As I ran, I noticed something like a rule. Near the starting point where the instructor stood, there were only small slimes and wolf-like magical beasts, but the further away from the starting point toward the opposite direction of the capital, the more powerful and larger the magical beasts became.

"...Seriously?"

Without thinking about any regularities, I stopped when I saw the magical beast that suddenly appeared in front of me. Rather than it appearing suddenly, I must have approached without realizing it.

With huge wings for flying, scales covering its body densely, teeth so sharp compared to other magical beasts, and horns stretching towards the sky, it's considered the top class among beings called magical beasts and humans... a dragon species.

The dragon clad in red scales like crimson flames clearly regarded me, who had entered its territory, as an inferior creature, but it didn't seem to show any mercy.

"Huh, a dragon species!?"

"W-What's happening!?"

"Anyway, run!"

The students who came from behind me also turned on their heels at the sight of the dragon species. Of course... a dragon species is an opponent that only a few top adventurers can hunt. It's an opponent that would immediately warrant a hunting party by the Magic Knight Order once it's known to be near the capital. At least, it's not a magical beast suitable for students to deal with.

"What are you doing!? You should run too!"

"Run? What are you talking about? If I hunt this, I'll surely receive high praise for the outdoor training, right?"

Suddenly, I felt motivated. If there's such a strong opponent, then I might enjoy this after all.

It seemed that my readiness to fight, evident when I wielded my sword, didn't sit well with it. Immediately, it tried to tear me apart with its powerful claws while letting out a roar. But I'm not dull enough for such slow attacks to hit me.

"That student has started fighting!?"

"What's going on...? He's just a student."

To them, I, a supposed ordinary student, starting to fight a dragon species must look like mere suicide... but I'm serious about subjugating it. Actually, it's not entirely hopeless, and if I can hunt it, I'll surely receive high praise for the outdoor training. But more than that, I don't want to lose to Jeremiah and the others.

They say fools never learn, but apparently my competitive spirit, once ignited, is incurable even after death. If it won't be cured, I might as well stick to it.

Magical beasts generally don't use magic. That's because their bodies are fundamentally composed of mana. They can't convert mana into magical power within their bodies like humans can. After all, their bodies are made of mana, so if they convert it into magical power, they'll lose their bodies. Therefore, magical beasts cannot use magic.

However... they can handle miracles other than magic. Although the principles are completely unexplained, they trigger effects similar to magic in a completely different way from humans. Well... Adventurers don't seem to notice the difference and call it magic.

"Uh-oh... here comes the breath!"

"You, run!"

Understanding that its claw attacks were completely ineffective, the dragon took a deep breath and opened its mouth towards me. It's the stance of its trademark, the breath attack.

Well... there must be some countermeasure since I'm facing it!