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Chapter 109. Taking Down The Bandits Was Easy

"Alright, Vanessa, head back to your place and gather some intel on Claudius."

"…Do you really think I'll get any information just by going back? There are still some survivors from the Great War, but barely anyone remains from Claudius’s era."

"Doesn't matter—just bring back anything you can."

"I'll follow orders since we're contracted, but... don't kill me if I come back empty-handed, okay?"

Do I really look like the type to do that? Besides, ever since Vanessa saw me fighting against Jeremiah, she's stopped being so harsh with me. Just how scared is she?

I ordered Vanessa to head back to where the demons reside and return with whatever information she could find. Honestly, I don't expect much... but it's better than searching blindly on our own. There are plenty of issues we need to tackle—the mystery of the grimoire, the threat of Claudius, and the problems with the western nations. For now, we'll have to think through solutions little by little while continuing life as students.

Being a student feels suffocating when things get like this. If only I had more freedom, I'd head to the western nations as a reinforcement for the Elgrant Empire. But as a student, that's not really an option.

"Ivy, can’t you get any intel from the western nations?"

"We’ve been trying on our end, but... security on their side has gotten tighter. Probably because of the recent Founding Festival."

"So, they're on the lookout for spies?"

"Not just cautious—they seem ready to kill anyone without question."

How brutal... I bet they've unjustly executed lots of people. Why are the western nations so eager to pick a fight with us? Sure, land disputes play a part, but with their alliance, retreating might no longer be an option. They’re not exactly a unified front, but breaking apart right now isn't feasible either.

"Sigh..."

"Shouldn't you focus?"

"On this lukewarm training?"

Jeremiah slowly approached as Ivy and I continued our idle chat.

We were at the foot of a mountain. From the second year onward, top-ranked students are grouped together in special classes, and I’d heard that high performers get more practical training. But I didn't expect students to be tasked with exterminating beasts and bandits.

I get that killing becomes second nature once you become a Magic Knight, so they want us to get used to it early... but still, sending students to deal with bandits is a bit much.

"Enemy incoming!"

A female student ranked around 30th—whose name I hadn't bothered to remember—warned us of the approaching enemies. We were moving in groups of four, and honestly, with a lineup like ours, we could take care of bandits without breaking a sweat.

“Wha—?! There are kids here too!”

“We’re surrounded! It’s a trap!”

“Damn it! I told you there was no way this was gonna be easy!”

Hmm... Looks like the Magic Knights leaked fake information to lure the bandits here, planning for us students to surround and wipe them out. With the Magic Knights waiting as backup, we don’t need to chase the enemy too far.

“How many are there?”

“Seven!”

“Let’s finish this quickly.”

“Got it.”

I wrapped my sword, Verethlagna, in magical energy. Jeremiah readied his magic, and Ivy activated her grimoire, smiling as always.

“Sh!”

“Hah!”

“[Sariel].”

My magic slash took off two bandits’ heads. Jeremiah’s beam of light obliterated two more, and Ivy’s shadows pierced the hearts of another two.

“Eek!”

"All done."

I swiftly finished off the last one, bringing the bandit hunt to a close. I felt a little bad that the girl ranked 30th didn't get to claim any credit, but it was easier for the three of us to handle things quickly. Bandits are just trash who couldn’t even make it as adventurers. I pity them, but a bandit’s a bandit, after all.

“Ah... S-sorry... ugh.”

Yeah... If you want to be a Magic Knight, you need to learn to deal with this. Though now that I think about it, most students at the Chronos Academy of Magic Knights come from pampered noble families. It makes sense that suddenly being exposed to death would make them feel sick. We’ve done practical training before, but this is probably the first time they've had to kill someone.

I forgot that the people around me are mostly indifferent to killing.

"Everyone seems... okay."

"Well, one person isn't exactly okay."

"To be honest, it’s weird that you guys can kill so easily even though you’re still students."

A Magic Knight instructor arrived after a short while. He sighed as he glanced at the seven bodies on the ground. Meanwhile, Jeremiah rubbed the back of the nauseated girl, scoring himself some 'charming guy' points. I guess that’s part of what makes him popular with the ladies... though it really only works for handsome guys.

“There were more bandits than we expected, but no students were injured. This year’s group is quite talented.”

"...You were nearby the whole time, weren’t you?"

"Just pretend you didn’t notice, Ivy."

"If you knew, you could’ve at least reacted."

Come on—it’s training. We can't exactly yell, “Help, teacher!” Plus, Ivy was trained as a spy, so her awareness is naturally sharp. Of course, she’d notice.

“Seriously... Why are talented people always such troublemakers?”

"You should say that to your own squad leader too."

"...True, Liester is a handful."

Right?

The practical training wrapped up without any major takeaways.

Maybe I should explore some ancient ruins over the long break. If I can find a 2,000-year-old dynasty ruin, it might have clues about Claudius. And besides... I'm curious about ancient magic too.