Chapter 28
Located in the northern part of the Kingdom of Greifner, the "Yaranga Great Prairie" gradually transforms into wetlands the deeper one goes. Venturing further with the resolve to face death leads to marshlands. The marshes, dotted with unknown creatures, monsters, and bottomless bogs, mercilessly devour those who dare enter—a pristine, unexplored frontier.
The kingdom designated only one-fifth of the "Yaranga Great Prairie" as its territory, marking the rest as a restricted area. Advancing beyond required permission through the Adventurers' Guild. It was simply too dangerous to let civilians wander freely.
Even without such rules, few would approach the "Yaranga Great Prairie." Beyond the restricted zone, ferocious monsters multiplied, and mediocre adventurers quickly fell prey to nature's law. Rumors spoke of a C-class subdragon—Wyverns—lair deeper in. The prairie became a world of survival of the fittest, reducing humans to insignificance.
Yet adventurers yearned to know what lay at the marshlands' end. Over the past century, nine parties had vanished, leaving behind clichéd last words like, "The spirit of adventure drives us forth!"
Only three parties returned alive.
Of those twelve, just two reached the marshes.
One fleeing party found relics of a prior group at the marsh's edge. Others might have made it, but no proof remained.
This training exercise covered only one-twentieth of the distance from the prairie's entrance to the restricted zone. Close to the edge, powerful monsters rarely appeared. For Greifner Magic Academy third-years, passing this rite proved their worth, opening doors to prestigious positions and royal connections.
I endured Surume's stuffy lecture while staring at his stuffy, jutting face.
Morning sunlight bathed the grassland, breathing life into its hues.
"That's why I can't afford to fail this training. Got it, Ellie Golden?"
"Just Ellie is fine, Surume."
"Who the hell's called Surume!? Who!?"
"You are."
"Don't give me weird nicknames!"
"It's fine. Easy to remember."
"Oh, yeah? Easy, huh?"
"Exactly."
Grass rustled softly against our clothes.
The repetitive *swish-swish* had grown familiar.
Up ahead, Baldy God, Ariana, Shortleg, Linen Turd, and Scarlet glanced back, exasperated by Surume's bellowing.
"So it's Surume after all!"
"Slow! Took you long enough, Surume."
"Who the hell's called Surume!? Who!?"
"You are."
"Don't give me weird nicknames!"
"It's fine. Easy to remember."
"Oh, yeah... Wait, I ain't fallin' for that again!"
"Quiet down a bit, will you?"
"Whose fault is that!? Whose!?"
"Yours."
"Oh. Right. My bad."
Surume was as easy to handle as a moped.
In combat, though, he excelled. He could rapid-fire Fireballs near-instantly with pinpoint accuracy and wielded a two-handed Buster Sword like a veteran. He could solo a pack of Wolfcats.
Ariana, the fox-eared girl at the front, turned her gaunt face rightward and halted.
"Coming..."
She drew her staff with that single word.
"How many?"
"Three... no, four. Mid-sized..."
"Leave this to me."
Linen Turd—what a pretentious name—slowly unsheathed his wand, raised it skyward, and aimed where the monsters lurked.
If sound effects existed, it'd be *swoosh*, *pew*, *thwack*, *squelch*—annoyingly persistent. Like accidentally gluing your hand with wood adhesive.
"Tch. Tryin' to hog the glory again, huh?"
"This time, let Wands Wild take the lead!"
The dwarf Gargaine—aka Shortleg—growled.
Surume's surname was *Wild*. Hilariously fitting.
"This is beyond you, the 'Lumpy Duo.' Stay back and hide."
"Tch. Save the crap, pretty boy."
"Who's the Lumpy Duo!? Who!?"
By then, the monsters charged.
Four Green Buffalos—hog-sized, green monsters—barreled toward us with motorcycle-like force. I braced to dodge. Even a fatass like me could roll aside. Not that I'm fat.
"Water Wall!"
Linen Turd's wand summoned a towering water barrier. The Green Buffalos rammed it, only to be flipped by the upward surge.
One slipped past, charging Shortleg and Surume.
Surume blasted its snout with a Fireball, closing in as it reeled.
Shortleg swung his Iron Hammer full-force into its exposed flank.
With a *whump*, the Green Buffalo flew five meters, spewing blood before going still.
Surume, annoyed at losing prey, hurled a basketball-sized Fireball at one immobilized by the Water Wall, charring it black.
"Gather, water spirits. Pierce, azure blade. *Shark Tail*!"
A shark-fin-shaped water arc shot from Linen Turd's wand, carving through the grassland toward a downed Buffalo—like a shark swimming underground.
The *Shark Tail* bisected the Buffalo, dissolving into bubbles that seeped into the earth.
"As expected of Lord Debussy!"
Scarlet fawned over him, starry-eyed. *Do some work, you poser.* Hypocritical, coming from me.
"Child's play for me."
Linen Turd swept back his hair—drenched in cold sweat.
Dunno if he was scared or mana-drained, but his bravado was pathetic. You okay?
Monster parts could be used for medicine, food, gear—you name it.
We gathered only the usable, non-bulky loot.
"Onward, comrades!"
"That way..."
Ariana twitched her fox ears, pointing on the map. Linen Turd's magic left her unimpressed. *I thought it was cool.*
That was probably advanced water magic, judging by the mana density.
Linen Turd chugged mana potions like water. Those cost 100,000 Ron per bottle—¥100,000! Ridiculous. Clarice gave me one once, and it barely restored a sliver.
Under Ariana's lead, the group resumed.
"How much farther?"
I asked Ariana.
"Three hours..."
"Still that long?"
"Slow..."
She glared vacuously at Linen Turd.
"Other squads probably reached the destination already."
"Likely..."
"Ariana should just be leader."
"Troublesome..."
"True, leadership doesn't suit you."
I smirked, amused.
"Then don't say it..."
"Sorry. I speak my mind."
"Liar. You weigh your words..."
"Oh? Caught me?"
"You speak while considering others' feelings..."
"Do I?"
Sales taught me to listen—now it's second nature.
"I see..."
"Can't we be more efficient?"
"Everyone's selfish..."
This was our sixth battle. The same pattern repeated—three guys did whatever they wanted, and Ariana cleaned up with *Sleep Mist*. She hadn't slept well after last night's Wolfcat ambush, so she should conserve mana and stamina. The leader should take charge, but...
"Hahaha, Scarlet! That magic earlier? It's about feeling water's love!"
"Love, Lord Debussy!"
"Start by sensing water spirits. The Asil family keeps their statues in every room—bedroom, parlor, dining hall—so their power is always near."
"What a wonderful idea!"
"Ah, Scarlet. You, who can understand this magnificence, are the goddess of water. What beautiful golden hair you have!!"
"Please stop it, Lord Debussy. This is embarrassing. Poof."
What the hell is "poof" supposed to mean?!
I almost blurted out a sharp retort! Seriously!!