The day after I got my adventurer's license.
　We went to the guild again and looked for a request on the board in front of the counter.

"Mize, what kind of requests do you have for beginners?

"Well, for example, there's .......

　In response to my question, Mize points to a sheet of paper posted on the bulletin board.

"This is a request to collect medicinal herbs. It's relatively safe and easy for beginners.

"Hmm. But the pay is low.

"Well, ...... is really only a small sum to be divided among four people. This herbal collection is more for individuals.

　I didn't sign up for the guild because I wanted money, but I felt that the difficulty level could be raised a bit. The other three must have felt the same way. I'll look for another request.

How about this one?　Defeat Sharp Rabbit and collect its claws.

　Gran points to another form and says.
　Elysia tilted her head as she read the request.

"Sharp rabbits are a type of demon, right?

"Yes. Yes. Simply put, it's a rabbit with long claws. Its claws can be used as weapons if they are processed, or as medicine if they are crushed.

　I'm familiar with the sharp rabbit.
　It's a very fertile demon. There are so many of them, and their claws and skins are so versatile that people say, "If you find one, hunt it down.

I don't mind, but are you familiar with these Sharp Rabbits?

"I used to hunt them back home. I used to hunt them back home. Worst case scenario, you can leave it to me.

I don't want to be humiliated.

What the hell do you mean?

　Gran says with a twitchy smile.
　In fact, Elysia could easily defeat Sharp Rabbit. There's no need to concentrate the burden on Gran alone. This is a request that the four of us can accomplish with ease.

"Gran, where is it?

Hmm?　Ah, ......, the Dovecote Forest. It's about a thirty minute walk from here.

　Considering that we'll have to carry the nails we collected on the way back, I'm tempted to use a carriage, but considering the reward money, I think we should go on foot.
　The guild has a carriage rental service, and there is a price list in front of the counter. I checked the fee when I got my license, but if I were to rent a carriage for the request to kill Sharp Rabbit, the final profit would be about the same as that of collecting herbs.

　It's not that I'm looking for money, but it's also sad that I'll be left with almost no reward for my first ...... memorable request.

"Is Mize okay with this request?

Yes.

Then it's settled.

　The four of us peeled off the request form for defeating Sharp Rabbit that was posted on the bulletin board and headed to the guild's counter.
　We showed our driver's license to the receptionist, and we officially accepted the request.



　It's a 30-minute walk from the capital.



　After walking for about thirty minutes from the royal capital.
　We arrived at the Dovecote Forest and immediately searched for Sharp Rabbit.

In the case of the forest, they tend to hide behind bushes and trees, because sharp rabbits are timid monsters. If you're worried, activate Rage while you're at it. ...... Basically, as long as you don't get too close, you'll be safe, but occasionally one will jump out from behind a bush.

　Gran, who has experience hunting Sharp Rabbits, explained while looking for a target.
　At his instruction, Mize activated Rage. A thin film of magical power vaguely surrounded Mize.

"Are you sure you don't need to use it, Twait-san?

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I'm used to it.

　Gran says.

I'm used to it," says Gran, "and I can activate it right away.

　Elysia says.

I don't see any sign of it, so we don't need to activate it now,

　I said.
　Each of us has a different reason, but each of us seems to be judging the situation accurately using our strengths.
　When Mize heard our answers, he looked depressed.

...... I'll be careful not to drag you down as much as possible.

　As Mize said in a small voice, Gran and Elysia looked at each other awkwardly.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"Hey, do something! Mize, you look depressed.

"No, I'm not. ...... To, To Eight, I'm on it!

Don't do anything rash.　

　We never thought of Mize as a liability in the first place.
　In fact, the three of us were just taking advantage of her desire to become an adventurer. Normally, it's us who should be caring for her, not Mize.

I'm not sure what to say.　There's ....... Sharp Rabbit.

　Suddenly, Gran stops and whispers.
　There was a rabbit in the bushes about ten meters away. Its fur was white, but shiny black claws extended straight out from both feet.



I'll show you how it's done. You three, watch the back.

　With that, Gran headed towards the Sharp Rabbit alone.
　He approached slowly, keeping his footsteps quiet and his presence low. It was true that he had hunted Sharp Rabbits in his homeland. It's a dignified move.

　After approaching close enough to be unnoticeable to Sharp Rabbit, Gran activates "Toughness".
　Sharp Rabbit jumped up in panic at the sudden swelling of his presence, and swung his claws at Gran's neck. But before its claws can gouge out the flesh, Gran's kick pierces the rabbit's body.

　Sharp Rabbit slammed into the tree behind him and fell to the ground.
　He seems to have expired.

"How's he doing?

What do you mean, you just walked up to him and kicked him?

Yeah, I did. It's the fastest way.

　As he watched the exchange between Gran and Elysia from the side, he noticed that Mize next to him was clearing his throat nervously.

　Gran had easily defeated it, but Sharp Rabbit had tried to counterattack for a moment. If he had been attacked by those claws without any countermeasures, he would probably have been injured. At worst, it could have been fatal.

　It was a small body, but it was a demon. You can never be too careful.
　Reading Mize's nervousness, I called out to her, trying not to provoke her.

"Mize, calm down.

　Mize, calm down." She looked a little upset, but took a deep breath and managed to regain her composure.

There, under the bushes where the nuts are growing, ...... is Sharp Rabbit.

Oh, my God, are you sure?

Yeah. Can you use ...... remote fire magic?

Yes, yes. Some .......

Okay, I'll go around and get Sharp Rabbit out of the bushes, and then Mize can take him out with his magic.

Okay, okay.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.
　In order to avoid being detected, he took a large detour to get behind the Sharp Rabbit.

　With one hand raised, he signaled to the mise-en-scene in front of him.
　I didn't need to use my "toughness" to hunt him down. I stood behind Sharp Rabbit, who was relaxing in the bushes, and tapped my foot on the ground. Sharp Rabbit, startled by the sudden sound and vibration, jumps out of the bushes. It was at just the right angle to head straight for Mize.

"Mize!

Yes, yes, yes!

　Just in case Mize fails, he prepares to activate his "toughness".
　But his fears were unfounded. Mize's remote-fire magic "Water Ball" shot through the demon's body with great force.

　The Sharp Rabbit was quick, but its durability was not that high.
　If you can hit it head-on with a D-rank spell, you can easily defeat it.

That went well.

　I said to Mize as I looked at the demon that had fallen to the ground and was no longer moving.
　He nodded, sweat forming on his forehead, still nervous and excited.

"Are you feeling more confident?

What?

I'm not sure. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's been through this. ...... I, Gran, and Elysia just happened to have been through this before we came to school. It doesn't mean that Mize is particularly inferior. I'm sure he'll get used to things a little more.

　Actual combat is an experience.
　Especially with magic that requires imagery and sensory perception, you may get confused and not be able to perform to your full potential when it comes to actual combat. That is why familiarity is so important.

Thank you very much. ...... I'll keep working hard.

Oh.

　I'm relieved that Mize has regained his usual cheerfulness.
　If you want to continue your activities as an adventurer, you will soon get used to fighting demons. --As long as you don't get in the way.

...... Sorry. I'm sorry, but we're going to have to split up for a bit.

　The other three nodded their heads at my comment.

"Separate? Why?

　I thought for a moment before answering Gran's question.

I remembered that I had business in King's Landing. I remembered that I had some business in the royal capital. If you use the tough body, you can get back there and back in thirty minutes. ...... I'm sorry for the short notice, but until then, the three of you can work on the request.

I'm not sure what to do.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the website to see if there is anything you need to know.
　After last month's incident, Elysia has a vague idea of my situation. It's unlikely that I'll be able to avoid her suspicion in the future.

I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you another time.

　I parted ways with the three of them before they could pry into my affairs.