Chapter 30: Every Time Mark Shouted‚ I Faced Forward
A dry wind swept through the training grounds in the wilderness.
Clouds of sand billowed into the air‚ and sparks of magical energy flickered beyond my field of vision.
＠1 
――All right‚ I'm in top form again today‚ me!
A fanfare rang out on its own deep inside my chest.
Well‚ it wasn't actually ringing‚ but emotionally‚ I was completely making a protagonist's grand entrance.
My spirits were so high that I was practically beyond my own control.
＠2
"Mark‚ you're too far ahead. We haven't even gotten the signal to start yet."
＠3
Aria's calm voice came from behind me.
Just hearing that voice made my back straighten up instantly.
――Ah‚ Aria-san is beautiful again today...!
＠4
No‚ no‚ calm down‚ me.
Going into full-blown adoration mode before the battle even starts is probably a bit much.
But I can't help it. The beauty of Aria's magical theories has practically become an art form.
"Mark‚ are you listening?"
"Of course I am‚ Aria-san! I'm always fully prepared!"
＠5
I couldn't help but switch to polite speech.
Nagi let out a small sigh beside me.
"...Being at MAX energy before it even starts is impressive in its own way."
Cross shrugged‚ while Rinne gave me a casual‚ "Do your best!"
Yeah‚ this is a kind world.
Just then‚ a training magic beast appeared‚ shaking the ground as it emerged.
It had a black shell covered in red magical markings.
＠6
It looked dangerous‚ but since it was for training‚ it wasn't supposed to be as dangerous as the real thing... probably.
"All right‚ let's go‚ everyone! I'll take the front!
Aria-san‚ please provide magical support from the rear!"
"...Normally‚ I'm the one who should be giving the orders."
Even as she spoke in exasperation‚ Aria raised her staff.
＠7 
Seeing her like that sent my spirits soaring even higher.
――Today‚ too‚ I'll protect Aria-san's back!
No‚ the side is fine too! Better yet‚ the front!
The instant that burning enthusiasm exploded in my chest‚ the signal to begin the training rang out.
The first wave of training magic beasts charged through the clouds of sand.
At that moment‚ my body shot forward on its own.
"Yaaaaaah! Come at meeeee!! My muscles will take you on!!"
＠8 
"Fight with your weapon‚ not your muscles!"
Aria's calm retort flew at me.
I know‚ I know.
But with things like this‚ it's all about the spirit‚ Aria-san.
I readied my greatsword and caught the magic beast's charge.
＠9
The sand beneath my feet slipped from the impact‚ but there was no way I could retreat here.
"Aria-san‚ now! Magical support from the rear!"
"I'm already deploying it without you having to tell me."
Aria's magic circle unfolded‚ and a pale blue-white light enveloped my back.
＠10 
My body felt lighter‚ and I could feel my strength being boosted.
――This is it‚ this is it!
Aria-san's magic always turns me into the "strongest version of me."
"Mark‚ another one is coming from the right."
Nagi's calm voice rang out.
"Leave it to me! My right arm is itching for a fight!"
＠11 
"Don't make it itch. Just fight."
Cross shot back in exasperation.
I leaped to the right and knocked away the approaching magic beast's claws with my greatsword.
＠12
Sand billowed up‚ and my vision turned hazy white.
"Rinne‚ cover fire from the rear‚ please!"
"Okayyy‚ here I gooo!"
Rinne's magical projectile flew past me and pierced the magic beast's leg.
＠13 
Taking advantage of the opening‚ I swung my greatsword downward.
"Yaaaaaaaaaah!!"
The magic beast sank into the ground.
＠14 
Beyond the clouds of sand‚ Aria gave a small nod.
"Thirty degrees ahead. The next group is coming."
"Understood‚ Master!!"
＠15 
"...I'm not your master."
――All right‚ that's the first "Master" joke.
I readied my greatsword again and kicked off the ground toward the second wave.
The second wave of magic beasts came rushing through the clouds of sand.
＠16
At that moment‚ the "hot-blooded switch" inside my chest clicked on.
"Aria-san! Leave this to me!
With your teachings in my heart‚ I'm burning bright again today!!"
"...When did I ever teach you that 'burning' theory?"
No‚ that's not what I mean‚ Aria-san.
To me‚ every one of your magic lectures is a "lesson in life."
"Mark‚ focus on what's ahead."
"Yes‚ Master!!"
"I'm not your master."
All right‚ that's two "Master" jokes now.
One more‚ and it'll be the perfect punchline.
I raised my greatsword toward the swarm of magic beasts.
Aria's magical support flowed into my back.
＠17 
At that moment‚
"Today‚ too‚ my back feels light. It's Aria-san's magic."
I don't need to shout to know it.
As long as I have this feeling‚ I can stand at the front.
"Mark‚ they're circling around from the left."
"Got it! My left arm is—"
"Didn't I tell you to fight without making your arms itch?"
Cross's retort flew at me.
"Rinne‚ cover fire‚ please!"
"Okayyy‚ here I gooo!"
Rinne's magical projectile flew past‚ grazing over my head before piercing the magic beast's shoulder.
Taking advantage of the opening‚ I swung my greatsword downward.
"Yaaaaaaaaaah!!"
The magic beast sank into the ground.
Beyond the clouds of sand‚ Aria gave a small nod.
"I'll adjust the magical output to match your next movement."
"Understood‚ Master!!"
"...I don't have the energy to correct you anymore."
Aria let out a small sigh.
＠18
For just a moment‚ she seemed to smile.
――That's three times.
Perfect as the punchline.
The magic beasts of the second wave all roared at once‚ making the air of the wilderness tremble.
＠19 
Sand billowed upward‚ and my vision wavered.
Without hesitation‚ I plunged straight into the center of it all.
"Aria-san! I'll hold them off from the front!
Please provide magical support from the rear!!"
"...I'm the one who's supposed to be giving the orders‚ though."
Aria's calm voice stabbed into my back.
But that voice only made my spirits rise even higher.
"Mark‚ two from the right! One from the left!"
Nagi's analysis rang out.
"Got it! My right arm and left arm are—"
"Didn't I tell you to fight without making them itch?"
Cross's retort flew at me.
I leaped to the right and knocked away the approaching magic beast's claws with my greatsword.
At the same time‚ I slammed a kick into the magic beast coming from the left and created some distance.
＠20 
"Rinne‚ cover fire‚ please!"
"Okayyy‚ here I gooo!"
Rinne's magical projectile flew past‚ grazing over my head before piercing the magic beast's shoulder.
Taking advantage of the opening‚ I swung my greatsword downward.
"Yaaaaaaaaaah!!"
The magic beast sank into the ground.
Beyond the clouds of sand‚ Aria gave a small nod.
"I'll adjust the magical output to match your next movement."
"Understood‚ Master!!"
"...I don't have the energy to correct you anymore."
Aria's voice was just a little softer than before.
"All right‚ everyone! Let's push through all at once!!"
Our coordination clicked into place‚ and the magic beasts fell one after another.
＠21
The tide of battle shifted sharply in our favor.
The moment the last magic beast collapsed into the clouds of sand‚ silence returned to the wilderness.
The wind swept through‚ cooling my overheated body.
"Phew... it's over!"
I turned around with the greatsword resting on my shoulder‚ and saw Aria lowering her staff and looking toward me.
＠22 
Her expression held just a hint of softness mixed into her usual composure.
"Mark‚ you did well. You weren't reckless... well‚ not as much as usual."
"With Aria-san's support‚ I'm invincible!!"
"...That's not what I meant."
Aria put a hand to her forehead.
Even that gesture was beautiful.
No‚ calm down‚ me. The battle is over.
"Mark‚ you're so hyper that I'm actually worried about you."
Nagi said‚ sounding exasperated.
"But it's really helpful when Mark-kun works hard at the front for us!"
Rinne waved with a big smile.
"Well‚ if he's that loud‚ the enemy would probably get confused too."
Cross shrugged.
"Are you praising me? You are praising me‚ right!?"
"We're not praising you."
"We're not praising you."
"We're not praising you."
"We're not praising you."
I received an immediate answer from all four directions.
＠23 
But my spirits didn't drop.
――I sure shouted a lot today‚ too.
My throat was a little hoarse.
But strangely enough‚ my heart felt light.
――Because I was able to be of help to Aria-san again today...
At least‚ that's how I felt.
A warm sense of fulfillment slowly spread through my chest.
The joy of coordinating with my comrades was greater than the fatigue of battle.
And then‚ a small wish suddenly began to take root deep inside my heart.
――Someday‚ I don't want to merely be someone who shouts.
I want to become someone who can truly support Aria-san.
The wind blowing across the wilderness carried away the team's laughter.
＠24 
Today's training was over.
But this lively spirit would continue.
Chapter 30: Every Time Mark Shouted‚ I Faced Forward — The End
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