New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/1 chapter)

Test of Strength (1): Elation and Lesson

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Finally, the day had come.

At 8 a.m., when I went to Emilia’s Adventurer Guild branch, the woman at reception, Daria-san, who had consulted requests together with Conan-niisan, welcomed me.

“Leon-san. These two are from the clan Silver Arrow, and will be guarding you today.” (Daria)

One of them was a tall, rugged-looking man probably in his thirties. The other was a young man who seemed barely twenty.

“I am Leon. Pleased to meet you.” (Leon)

“I’m the clan leader, Niels. This is Waren.” (Niels)

The younger one, Waren, silently returned a bow.

“Leon-san is a relative of the branch master, the Guild Master. Not that this is the reason, but please, take utmost care to ensure his safety.” (Daria-san)

“No need to tell me.” (Niels)

“Well then, I leave him to you.” (Daria)

We saw the receptionist off as she left.

“Well then, Leon-dono. Shall we depart?” (Niels)

“Yes. Ah, please, just Leon is fine.” (Leon)

Niels-san laughed.

“Then, Leon, let’s go.” (Niels)

We left the branch and walked west along the highway, opposite from the direction of my family’s private land.

“A relative of the Guild Master, you say?” (Niels)

I looked up at Niels-san, who was walking beside me.

“Yes. My grandfather’s younger brother. In other words, my great-uncle’s daughter’s husband is the branch master. Even calling us relatives, it’s quite distant.” (Leon)

Grandfather had eight siblings. My father’s side of the family was large.

Huh.

On my father’s side, I know even some fairly distant relatives, but on my mother’s side, I hardly know any. Even my direct-line grandparents on my mother’s side, I have no memory of meeting them. I have been told they are alive, but…

Well, my father’s relatives mostly live around Emilia, so we meet at parties hosted by the trade association. My mother’s side is not like that. It is a plausible reason, but… is that normal?

Ah, this is no time to be lost in thought.

From the corner of my vision, I caught a glimpse of Waren-san’s face, following behind. He let out a huge yawn, looking blatantly unmotivated.

 

—

 

In less than ten minutes, the bustle of the town faded into a rural landscape. After another ten minutes, a large stone monument came into view by the roadside.

It was less from the Earl’s castle and more a marker that it was 2.5 kilometers from the dragon vein.

Emilia is a key point where many highways intersect. The north-south roads generally follow a dragon vein, and so long as you stay on it, it is safe indefinitely. But the westbound road we were taking was not so. That is why this monument is built to stand out so clearly.

“Leon.” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Beyond here, it is no wonder if a magic beast appears at any time. Steel yourself.” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“I will go a bit ahead. If there’s a magic beast, as the request said, I’ll raise my hand to signal you, so follow. Also, when that happens, avoid loud voices or noises. The magic beasts will flee.” (Niels)

“Understood.” (Leon)

Niels-san nodded and went a bit ahead.

It is said that those entering here relax their shoulders, and those leaving unconsciously check their swords. This is the western barrier, then.

I eyed the monument and gauged my distance from Niels-san.

“What’s wrong? Scared stiff by the monument like the pampered brat of a big merchant house?” (Waren)

Waren-san was right behind me, his face filled with malice.

“Well, yes. Somewhat.” (Leon)

“Hmph. Mouthy brat. Just as expected from someone who can hire adults with his parents’ money.” (Waren)

I see. Apparently, he didn’t like the merchant house or my position.

“Yes, I did receive money from my parents as payment for accounting work I did.” (Leon)

Adventurers are quick-tempered. If you let them look down on you, they will treat you roughly. That is a common tale.

Waren-san’s sneering smile stiffened.

“What’s going on?!” (Niels)

A voice rang from ahead.

“No, it’s nothing.” (Leon)

“Hmph!” (Waren)

Whatever about the front, the back seemed to require vigilance too.

 

—

 

After another two kilometers, the surroundings became nothing but barren wasteland.

Though north-south along the dragon vein there were pastoral and grain-producing lands, east-west was like this. I had learned this in classroom study, but seeing it brought it home. Of course, this applied only to Emilia and the surrounding region. The of Cecelia Kingdom was said to have five dragon vein systems known to the public, all broadly running sinuously east-west-north-south.

Ow! Something small struck my back. A stone!?

I turned sharply, frowning. Waren-san was pointing ahead.

Ah, Niels-san had his hand raised. The signal. I had been too focused on my surroundings and missed it.

I quickened my pace quietly to catch up to Niels-san. He pointed to the left ahead off the road. There it was a brown figure on the rocks that stood out in the dry, thin soil. A long horn protruded from its crown. A One-Horned Goat, Monoceros. I had seen it in a picture book. Despite the name “goat”, it attacked livestock, and in a herd, would even attack caravans. It was a fairly big catch.

Ugh… my body is trembling. This is my first time facing a magic beast. My first time firing a magic art.

My heartbeat raced.

Focus. It is fast. And wary.

Even though we were 100 meters apart, it somehow sensed us, looking around restlessly. I raised my arm to shoulder height to aim.

Haa… haa…

My breathing was rough. My magic pressure was rising slower than usual. But…

≪Shock Impulse v0.41≫

White smoke burst above the rock at an angle, and, thud!, a strike echoed. The Monoceros’ body bent and slowly collapsed.

“Oh!” (Waren)

“Not yet!” (Niels)

There was another one. Seeing its companion fall, it dashed off in a zigzag.

Tch. At this distance, I could not aim well.

I switched magic art on the spot. In hindsight, that was a mistake.

≪Fire Sphere v0.3≫

Ah!

The instant the fireball shot out from the activation symbol, a human silhouette crossed its line.

“Waren!” (Leon)

Why? Why was he there?

He fell.

Beyond him, the fireball hit the Monoceros and flared up fiercely.

“Waren!” (Niels)

Niels-san, who was beside me, dashed off.

If my eyes were right, it had been by a hair’s breadth. Even so, my legs would not move properly. I somehow caught up. Waren-san stood up.

“Ahh. My mistake, my mistake.” (Waren)

“Hey! Be careful! How many times have I told you not to jump between a magic user and the target!” (Niels)

He was unharmed.

My breathing resumed. Even so, my hands were stiff, my face rigid.

“M-my apologies. I… I did something terrible.” (Leon)

“That’s right. With that power, if it hadn’t been quick-footed Waren, it wouldn’t have ended well. If it had hit, it wouldn’t have been just a scratch. Both of you, be careful or someone will die.” (Niels)

“Yes, I’m sorry.” (Leon)

“No, this time was my fault.” (Waren)

Eh?

“That’s how it is. Percentage-wise, Waren’s more at fault. But if you die, you can’t be saying such things.” (Niels)

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll never again jump in front of a ready Leon. I’m not ready to die yet.” (Waren)

Saying that, Waren-san ran off.

“I didn’t notice he was there. I’ll be careful.” (Leon)

I had focused too much on switching the magic type.

“Me too. But don’t forget. Magic is a threat to allies as well.” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Even so…” (Niels)

His stern face softened.

“Huh?” (Leon)

“Leon really is 14 years old, right?” (Niels)

I had heard that before.

“Yes. Born in the year 475 of the Era.” (Leon)

“Right. With that appearance. Not an Elf… well, I’ve never actually seen an Elf, but…” (Niels)

“…” (Leon)

“Anyway, your activation is fast. And you can immediately shoot a second time… that’s surprising.” (Niels)

“Is that so?” (Leon)

“Waren probably didn’t think you could fire again so quickly. So, in his way, he thought he’d help by jumping out to keep it in check.” (Niels)

Hmm…

“This kind of thing happens because we don’t know each other’s capabilities. I’ll reflect on that too.” (Niels)

Waren-san came jogging back toward us. He stopped in front of me and tossed over some kind of sticks, two of them.

“The meat’s all mush on one and charred black on the other. But these were left. One of them can fetch a decent price.” (Waren)

Horns. From the Monoceros. One was burned black about halfway down. I had taken it down. Deep in my gut, heat welled up.

“Leon, look at the corpse as well. Even a magic beast is a living thing. You owe it the courtesy of the one who takes its life.” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

 

—

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