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Test of Strength (2): The Reality of Magic Beast Hunting

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Uwah.

I was confronted with the corpse of a One-Horned Goat Monoceros. Its entire body was scorched black. On top of that, steam and faint smoke were still rising from here and there.

“Then, let us take care of the magic crystal.” (Waren)

Yes. We had taken the horn earlier, but there was still something left to do.

“No, I will do it myself.” (Leon)

“Will you be alright?” (Waren)

“Y-Yes.” (Leon)

The magic crystal, which serves as material for magical tools, is produced inside the body of a magic beast, though I do not know the mechanism. Therefore, it must be taken out.

“Even so, we do not have time. The one on the rock, Waren, I am counting on you.” (Niels)

“Understood.” (Waren)

I could not tell whether it was meant literally or said out of sympathy for the pitiful face I must have been making.

“Leon, the magic crystal is in the belly.” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

I figured as much.

Apparently, there were magic beasts with them embedded in the head, but most have them in the belly. That was because the volume was larger there.

As I drew closer, the smell grew stronger. Even though it was the result of my own actions, it was far from pleasant. But here, I could only empty my mind. I took out a knife and stabbed into what must have once been the scorched belly. After probing and stabbing about ten times, I hit something hard. Flattening the blade, I sliced along, and eventually, something transparent and lustrous came into view.

“Oh, quite large.” (Niels)

“Indeed.” (Leon)

Though the whole thing was not yet visible, it seemed that way.

≪Water Stream Flow v1.3≫

From the tip of my right hand, water gushed forth at considerable force. I washed away unnecessary matter and fluids, flushing out the crystal.

“Heh, that is a convenient magic art. Most magic users dislike losing mana. Are you fine with that?” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Is that how it is?

Other than Morgan-sensei, I do not know anyone who works professionally as a magic user, so I cannot say. I was told that the more you repeat magic arts, the faster you grow. So regardless of efficiency, I have never thought about holding back.

The crystal was now mostly exposed, so I pinched it with my hand and lifted it out. It was about the size of a fist. Just as Niels-san said, it was large. The ones used for magical lamps are about the size of a chicken egg.

While reducing the water flow, I washed both my dirty hands and the crystal. This should be good enough. It looked transparent, but upon closer inspection, it had a faint greenish tinge.

“May I see it?” (Niels)

“Ah, yes.” (Leon)

I handed it over.

He held it up to the sun.

“Oh, no scratches and good quality. Quite a fine piece. I would say it is near the bottom of first-grade. Here, take it back.” (Niels)

Receiving it, I imitated his way of checking.

“How do you distinguish the grades?” (Leon)

“Let’s see. If there are many bubbles inside the crystal, or if there is a crack reaching the center, it is third-grade regardless of size. Looking this way, you can see faint layers inside, can you not?” (Niels)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Just as Niels-san said, there were faint overlapping white lines or boundary surfaces.

From Reo’s knowledge, these seemed like grain boundaries or crystal grain boundaries. I did not know how they form, but perhaps it was like pearls formed inside certain shells. The word “gallstone” suddenly came to mind, but I did not know why.

“The degree to which those layers are unnoticeable distinguishes second-grade from first-grade. I have never seen it, but apparently, there are crystals with no visible layers at all. Those are called special-grade or superior-grade.” (Niels)

Maybe they mean a single crystal. Sounds like a semiconductor, but I could not quite picture it.

“Thank you very much.” (Leon)

I put the crystal into my bag. After that, Waren-san brought me a slightly smaller magic crystal, so I produced water again for him to wash his hands.

—

“They’re here!” (Waren)

*Bugooooo*

With a roar, a dark mass leapt out from the thicket. It looked small due to the distance, but its shoulder was probably about as tall as I was. It was a Magic Armored Rhinoceros Arm-Line.

Waren-san acted as the beater, driving the magic beast out of the thicket.

“Its shell cannot be pierced by ordinary magic arts, Leon.” (Niels)

Niels-san was right behind me. When we found this magic beast, he had switched positions with Waren-san, saying that if anything happened, he would carry me and run. Indeed, its back was protected by a sturdy shell.

Perhaps because of my few seconds of hesitation, it changed course towards us. The distance–…

Even so, I raised my arm.

≪Shock Impulse v0.41≫
≪Shock Impulse v0.41≫
≪Shock Impulse v0.41≫

With the feel of activation, the front and back of the magic beast turned white, followed by roaring blasts in succession. However, breaking through the haze, it reappeared.

“Missed!?” (Niels)

Just as Niels-san shouted and was about to grab me and run, he noticed something strange. The magic beast veered right, spraying blood violently, then collapsed forward. The ground shook, and a cloud of dust rose.

“Mhm. Ah, my apologies. You did hit it.” (Niels)

Niels-san gently set me down and looked into my face.

“Yes, though two shots were wasted.” (Leon)

“You fired three shots in that short time? Even so, I could not see any magic flying at all.” (Niels)

He tilted his head. Apparently, he could not see the activation symbol that appeared beneath the magic beast.

“Hey, Waren, be careful.” (Niels)

Turning my gaze, Waren-san was approaching the Magic Armored Rhinoceros.

“I know, I know. Whoa, the belly’s been gouged out badly. Amazing, that’s an instant kill.” (Waren)

“The belly…? Are you sure it’s really the belly, Waren?” (Niels)

For the calm Niels-san, that was a loud voice.

“Come on, I can tell the difference between back and belly. Ah, the shell’s undamaged. This will fetch a good price too.” (Waren)

Niels-san, while still keeping an eye on me, walked over to Waren-san. After a glance at the magic beast’s corpse, he continued walking in the direction it had charged from.

“Does its shell fetch a high price?” (Leon)

“Yes. Depends on the size, but this one’s medium-sized. Probably worth about half a month’s wages for me.” (Waren)

Well, I don’t know Waren-san’s wages. And the contract says the spoils belong to me. I will be the one selling it anyway, so I will find out then. Better not to press further here.

Niels-san came back. He had a grim look.

“Leon.” (Niels)

“Yes?” (Leon)

What is it?

“There were no traces of magic arts on the ground.” (Niels)

Ah, so he went over there specifically to check.

“Meaning the magic art struck the magic beast from below.” (Niels)

“Haha, Niels-san, you must be joking.” (Waren)

Waren-san shook his head.

“I did not see the moment of attack, but… did you trip it first, then hit its belly?” (Waren)

“No, it did not trip. It fell after Leon’s magic art hit.” (Niels)

“Ehh? Then how–…?” (Waren)

The two of them pressed closer to me.

“That is…” (Leon)

Niels-san blinked a few times.

“Ah, you do not need to answer. My apologies, Leon.” (Niels)

Eh?

He hurriedly waved his hand as if to negate his own words.

“The details of a magic art are not something you should ask a magic user. I lost my composure and pressed you out of surprise. Forgive me.” (Niels)

“I also… sorry, Leon.” (Waren)

“No, it’s fine.” (Leon)

“And you too, Leon. It is better to refrain from answering. Even if we are in a temporary party now.” (Niels)

“Understood. I will do so.” (Leon)

Niels-san truly seems to be quite the man.

—

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