I noticed that there was one ogre left ahead.

　Staring into the distance, I say to Mize standing next to me.

The request is to kill three ogres. ...... I think the client miscounted. In order to recover the horn of the ogre as proof of defeat, the fourth ogre lurking in the vicinity must also be defeated. --I want Mize to take care of it.

I'll take .......

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try.

I'll try.

　Quicker than you can say confused. Before you can ask for a detailed explanation. Mize shook his head.
　Perhaps she wanted to be helpful so badly. Thank you for talking so quickly.

The sniper is required to have magic control. ...... Magic control is a skill that can be acquired with practice, unlike other magic output or magic readiness. In other words, it's an ability that comes with knowledge and experience.
　And Mize has an extraordinary amount of knowledge and experience.

　This is the effect of a special spell, the Path of Wisdom.
　Thanks to this power, Mize has an unparalleled level of magical control.

"As far as the Alchemy I just saw, Mize's magic control power is quite high. She should already have the ability to use the sniper.

What kind of weapon should I use, ......?

I'll lend you my sniper stick this time.

　He removed the black bracelet from his left wrist and handed it to Mize.

Put the bracelet on your wrist and let the magic flow through it.

"Yes, sir.

　Mize put the bracelet on her left wrist, just as I did.
　The next moment, a black sniper staff appears in Mize's hand.

"What?

It's the BF28 "Kuro Feather Two-Eight". In order to use it, you need to have a higher level of magic control than you have with the sniper magic, but Mize should have no problem.

　Perhaps if Mize were to measure his magic power at the guild again, he would be able to achieve an A rank in magic control.
　If you want to use the BF28, the minimum requirement is to have an A rank in magic control. It may be difficult to use it perfectly, but it can be used as an instant weapon.

"BF28...... Two Eight?

　Mize seemed to have noticed something.
　And for some reason, he became strangely impatient.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.　I'm sure you'll agree that it's a great idea to name your weapon after yourself.

"No. It's not my name.

　I haven't told Mize that my code name was 28.
　Chris didn't seem to like my current name, "Two-Eight," because it reminded him of my old code name. In fact, I can understand why he feels that way, because the word sounds similar. I decided not to tell Mize about the code name, as I felt it would affect my daily life.

I'll teach you how to use BF28 first. I'll show you how to use the BF28. ......

　I took the BF28 from Mize and turned over.

"Here's the stance. "Here's the stance. Legs slightly apart, shoulders level.

You're in a different stance than Mr. Toate.

The knee strike is designed for medium range combat. The advantage of the kneeling stance is that it allows you to move quickly and flexibly to escape or hide. ...... If your priority is to maintain a steady line of fire, the prone stance is more suitable for you. Give it a try.

　I handed the BF28 to Mize and had him take a stance.
　After a few modifications, the prone fire stance was ready.

Are you having trouble breathing?

I'm fine.

All right, now look into the farsightedness crystal on the wand.

　As instructed, Mize looked into the farsighted crystal with one eye.

...... I can't see very well.

"If you put magic into the wand, it will come into focus.

...... is in focus.

Support the center of the wand with your left hand. The formula inside should detect the Muse's magic.

...... I can feel the magic slowly being guided to the front of the wand.

It's a sign that it's working properly. Don't forget that feeling.

　No one with any sense can pick up on this sensation.
　Mize also seems to have an aptitude for the sniper's staff.

The next step is to load the ammunition. ...... Put the wand back on the bracelet. Just let the magic flow through to the bottom.

　As he was told, Mize put his hand on the bottom of the BF28 and let the magic flow.
　The jet-black wand instantly turned into a bracelet and was attached to Mize's left arm.

"Mize, can you use the magic bullet?

"Yes.

"Then make a bullet in your palm as if you were activating a magic bullet.

　Mize turned his right palm upward, closed his eyelids and concentrated.
　After a while, a thin gray bullet appeared on his palm.

"Like this, ......?

Can you make it even harder and smaller?　...... like this.



　To set an example, I opened my palm in front of Mize and created a magic bullet on it.
　Unlike the bullet in Mize's palm, the bullet in my palm had a distinct color and outline.

I'm sure Mize can do it as well. ...... Is it possible to compress magic so much?

I'm sure the Muse can. You should be able to imagine it swirling around and converging on the center.

I understand.

　The good thing about sniping is that you can spend a lot of time preparing.
　It doesn't matter if you're a little sloppy with your bullet generation.

So, this is what it looks like. ......?

"...... is about as good as it gets. It will last long enough for a sniper within 800 meters.

　He said while observing the bullet that Mize had made.

All right, let's start from the beginning with the movements I just described. First, take out your wand and hold it.

"Yes!

　As before, Mize passed his magic power through the bracelet and brought out the BF28.
　After getting into a prone shooting position, he looked into the farsightedness crystal and focused on it.

"Try aiming at that tree.

"...... Yes.

　Breathing and concentrating, Mize replied.

"Open both eyes when you aim.

　Mize, who had been looking through the farsightedness crystal with one eye closed, opened both eyes.

"Once you are in focus, place your left hand on the center of your wand and generate a bullet. The wand will tell you where to generate them.

　The formula engraved inside the wand guides Mize's magic.
　At the end of it, a magic bullet is created.

It's done.

Okay, ......, here's the important part.

　So far, I've explained how to use the BF28 magic tool.
　Now it's time to learn how to shoot.

First, breathe deeply. First, breathe deeply. Imagine that the oxygen you breathe in goes all the way to the end of your body.

　Mize slowly drew in oxygen into his lungs and took his time to let it out.

Gently place your finger on the trigger.

　Mize's thin finger is placed on the trigger.

When you've exhaled half of the oxygen in your lungs, stop breathing.

　Mize's body, which had been shaking with each breath, stopped.

"When you stop breathing, you should be able to hear your heart beating.

　This can only be heard by Mize.
　Mize is now in a world that only she can understand.

"Between beats. At the moment when your body is at its most tranquil, pull the ---- trigger.

　A few seconds passed after the last instruction.
　Thump. A few seconds after the last instruction, a thump came from the BF28 that Mize was holding.

"How's ...... it going?

"Check it out.

　Mize looks through his farsightedness crystal to see the tree he was targeting.

You didn't ...... hit it.

Well, that's how it goes at first. We'll practice a few more times.

　After that. Mize practiced sniping a few times.
　He hit the target the third time, even though it didn't move, and after the fifth time, he got a hundred hits.

"It's time for the real thing. Let's shoot the Ogre.

"Already?

The order is to take out three ogres. If we can't kill the fourth one, we can just get rid of it.

　It would be ideal if Mize took them down, but even if he didn't, it would be enough to get rid of them. If the ogre doesn't flee and attacks us, all I have to do is deal with it.
　Mize is lying on his back, ready.

You can't just generate bullets first and then aim?

"It's impossible because of the way it works. When you start generating bullets, the farsightedness of the focal point is fixed.

But this ...... seems to cause a slight shift in aim when generating bullets. ......

Oh ...... that's what makes the BF28 so hard to use.

　This is also the reason why the soldiers of the Royal Defense Intelligence Agency could not take over this weapon.

In addition to generating bullets, it also absorbs the magic power needed to activate the sniper. If you resist because you can't concentrate on generating bullets, you'll lose control of the wand's posture.

I see. ......

I was doing well in my practice earlier. It's not a problem if you don't rush it.

　Mize takes a breath and prepares to shoot.
　Without saying a word, he activated his "Toughness" spell. This spell also strengthened his eyesight, so he could see the enemy in the distance.

　Fortunately, the ogre has stopped moving now.
　Mize realized that this was a good opportunity, and quickly took aim. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

I've got it down!



"Just make sure he's dead. If you're not sure, take a shot to the head.

　As if to chastise herself for her immediate outburst, Mize pursed her lips in confirmation.

"...... It's okay. It's a hit to the head.

Good.

　He patted himself on the chest, as he had hoped.

"That went better than I expected. ...... Maybe I'll ask Mize to cover me in the future.

"Yes, yes!　I'll do my best!

　I'll do my best!" Mize said with a big smile on his face.
　She must have been feeling guilty for not being able to help in battle before. Behind the rejoicing Mize, he saw a wagging tail.

If possible, I'd like to get another 'sniper stick'.

"Oh, ...... that's right.

　Mize looks at the BF28 in his hand and nods.

You can see that the sniper stick is custom-made for my magic power. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help. The first bullet takes a long time to prepare, so it will be difficult to use in actual combat unless you are blessed with favorable conditions like this one.

　I was born with high magic readiness, and I've also improved my magic control through hard work.
　The BF28 was made to match these two magical abilities.

There are some 'sniper wands' that will automatically aim at moving targets. I suggest you buy one.

Yes, you should. ...... I'll give this back to you.

　When Mize was about to stand up from his prone shooting position, he said.

"Wait.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

"Keep your body horizontal and point it at three o'clock. ...... What do you see?

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

...... It's the enemy that's after us.

　I clicked my tongue.
　I'm in trouble again.

"Does the enemy know we're here?

No, sir. ...... There's no sign of them.

　Then we have time to think of a plan.
　We've been on the move for two hours, but we've rested in the village and still have plenty of energy. We have many options.

"Mr. Toate ......

　As we pondered what to do, Mize's voice trembled.

"Do you want me to shoot ......?