I got a job for you. Three ogres to kill.

　Show Mize the request form you received from the guild.
　The ogre is a humanoid demon with red skin and a muscular build. They are about two to three meters tall. Its silhouette can be described as a slender orc. But it is as strong as an orc, and many times more agile in its movements.

Where is it?

It's just north of here. We could have arranged for a carriage for a fee, but we're going on foot to save money. We should be there in two hours.

　Mize nodded without complaint.

At least I bought a map so I wouldn't get lost. Check it out for me.

"Okay. ...... Hey, what's this marked place?

It's the entrance to the labyrinth. The ogre's habitat is near the labyrinth.

"Labyrinth .......

　For a moment, Mize's eyes lit up.

"I'm sorry, but we don't have time to explore. We're only going to be in the vicinity.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry about that .......

　Mize apologized awkwardly.
　Even in this situation, he still has the desire to explore.

　We quickly left the village and headed for the Ogre's habitat.
　Even though their legs and feet had been strengthened on the way here, the two-hour journey was still draining. We had to buy some food for a short rest, but it was still inexpensive compared to arranging a carriage.

"Speaking of which, can you use ...... ancient magic?

　Mize was slightly taken aback by the question.

"You know ......, don't you? Chris told me that the memory of the Path of Wisdom contains the use of ancient magic.

　That's what Chris told me. I nodded, "Yes.

I'm afraid I can't use ancient magic. It's too much work for me right now. But instead--

　As he spoke, Mize stopped and picked up the dirt at his feet.
　As soon as Mize lightly grasped the soil, his palm emitted a faint light. Immediately afterwards, the soil on his palm turned into an exquisite bird figurine.

"...... 《Alchemy》?

　It's a C rank magic of the close combat type.
　In my first magic class, Professor Sylphia had done something similar. The teacher had turned a silver accessory into a bird figurine, and Mize had done the same with clay. The bird figurine on her palm looks just like the one that Dr. Silphear had made with Alchemy. In other words, Mize is as proficient in Alchemy as her teacher. 　

You seem to be very skilled at it.

You'd think so. But this is the first time I've used it (・・・・・・・・・・).

　My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
　But I soon understood.

　--The power of the Path of Wisdom.

　To pass on knowledge is to pass on experience.
　The sensations and attitudes of using magic must have been stored in Mize for generations.

Every time I do this, I feel as if my body does not belong to me. It doesn't feel good, but ...... I can't turn my back on it. I'm going to use this power now.

　Says Mize, looking refreshed.
　You may already be more proficient with magic than I am, or even Gran or Elysia.

　However, no matter how much experience you have accumulated, your physical abilities will not change. Alchemy is a close-combat style magic. It would be difficult for Mize, who has weak muscles, to fight using Alchemy.

You should be able to see it by now.

　"You should be able to see it now," he says to Mize, checking the map in his hand and the terrain in front of him.

What am I supposed to do during the battle?

You don't have to do anything.

　Mize looked dejected.

Can't I help you with ......?

"No, that's not what I meant. ......

　He meant what he said.
　To be honest, I can't think of any situation where I could rely on Mize's help. But for once, Mize is not a liability.

...... Speaking of which, Mize didn't know my true fighting style.

　You will notice that there is a discrepancy between our perceptions.
　You'll be able to get a lot more than just a pair of shoes.

　A jet-black "sniper staff" appears in my hand.
　The weapon suddenly appeared, and Mize let out an astonished "What?

What's that?

"It's my weapon.

　As soon as he explained briefly, he put his right knee on the ground and pointed his left toe toward the Ogre.


　He looks through the farsighted crystal on his staff and sees the three ogre targets.

I didn't say you didn't have to do anything because you're slowing me down.

　Aim at the head of the farthest Ogre.
　The reason is that if you kill the ogre in the front first, the ogres in the back will soon notice something is wrong and run away. It is more efficient to kill them in order from the back.

It's just that you really don't need to .......

　Breathe and pull the trigger.
　It's just that you don't really need to ." I breathed and pulled the trigger, activating my best remote fire magic, sniping.

　The BF28, supported by both hands, emits a thumping sound.
　The head of the ogre in my field of vision burst into red.

　I immediately prepare a second round.
　When you place your palm on the center of the staff, the magic formula engraved inside will automatically adjust the directionality of the magic power. When you close your eyes, you feel your magic power being guided to the front of the wand. Leaning into the flow, he formed a bullet.

　Magical tools are designed to automatically activate magic without the user being aware of it, but this is not the case with tools that have complex functions. The BF28 requires the user to take care of "bullet generation" and "aiming".
　The only difference between the BF28 and an ordinary magic wand is that the bullets fly farther and are easier to aim.

　The second and third shots are fired quickly, and the remaining two ogres are killed.
　Both ogres died without realizing that they were under attack.

"Mission accomplished.　

What?

Let's go collect the horns as evidence of our defeat.

"What, what, what?

　I explain to the bewildered Mize how I defeated the Ogre and move on.
　End the battle before it starts. This is the way I'm supposed to fight.

There is such a way to fight. ......

Is there anyone in Arcadia who fights like me?

No. ...... There were some, but they were quite rare. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it. In the Kingdom of Arcadia, it was generally recognized that remote fire magic was used to eradicate large areas. ......

I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that.

　I'm a user, so I understand it well, but sniping is a difficult magic to use. It takes a long time to master it completely, and no matter how much practice you have, you can only kill one enemy at a time. Then it is better to learn a spell that is easy to use and can kill many enemies at once.

I'm sure you can kill a dragon, Twite.

...... I don't know.

　Among the demons, the kind called dragons are especially strong.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that if I were you. I'm better at fighting humanoid monsters.

"Humanoid?

Yeah. It's easier to fight a demon than a human, let alone a bad demon,.......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　They are usually much stronger than demons. They often lead demons in war.

It's also strange that demons are better than monsters. ......

"Humanoid enemies can usually be dealt with by crushing their heads or hearts. It's simple. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... "Sniping" is the perfect magic for that.

　I stopped in my tracks when I said that.
　I felt the presence of a demon ahead of me. I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

　Mize wants to be useful not only in her daily life, but also in this kind of battle.
　It reminds me of the "alchemy" she just performed. She was very skilled. You need to have extraordinary magic control to pull off something like that.

"Do you want to try ......?

What?

　I suggested to Mize, who rolled her eyes.

"Sniping practice. Maybe Mize will be able to use it.