Chapter 40: Field Combat Training  

In order to gain skill points, besides using skill point potions, you can also gain experience by defeating monsters or eating rare ingredients to upgrade and add skill points.

The Crimson Demon Tribe includes this method in its curriculum.

Otherwise, students who can't place in the top three in other tests would take a long time to learn advanced magic.

"Today's class is field combat."

The teacher stood on the podium and announced loudly, "In the relatively safe surroundings of the village, we will use the upgrade method called breeding, passed down generation to generation by our Crimson Demon Tribe, to upgrade all of you. So, gather in the woods later! Also, remember to divide into four groups of three. That's it!"

After roll call, the teacher explained today's itinerary and left to prepare teaching aids.

The classroom grew noisy.

While the students looked for friends to team up with, only Yunyun sat quietly, occasionally stealing glances at Zunzun and Megumin, clearly hoping to join them.

Zunzun didn't really want to team up with her—not out of dislike, but because he worried that if she kept being left alone, shy Yunyun would never make new friends. That was something he didn't want to see.

Just then, Arue came over and invited Yunyun to form a team, and Zunzun agreed without hesitation.

Megumin wanted to form a team with Yunyun too, but before she could ask, Funifura and Dodonko invited her first.

"I say, Yunyun, come and form a team with us."

"Yeah, you're always alone, right? We want you to join."

Usually, these two teamed up with Arue, but since Arue was now with Zunzun, they took the initiative to invite Yunyun.

"Uh... but..."

Yunyun hesitated, looking at Megumin.

"Come on, form a team with us. Yunyun, we're classmates, right?"

"Yes, yes, aren't we friends?"

"Friends! Okay, okay, let's form a team!"

Triggered by the keyword, Yunyun agreed without hesitation.

...Too easy to fool!

Seems like this guy will still be tricked by bad men in the future.

Megumin watched them leave, then Zunzun and Arue came to her side, speaking in unison:

"Z slept with Y and left M..."

The little loli suddenly turned and glared at the two with unhappy eyes.

When they arrived in the woods, the teacher waved his cloak and shouted, "Everyone here! Those who have weapons, use your own. Those without, use these to finish off the monsters."

He pointed to the things on the ground.

Should these be called weapons?

Though varied, all were oversized: a greatsword taller than Zunzun, an axe with a blade bigger than the little loli, a meteor hammer so large it looked impossible for even an ogre to swing.

"Teacher, none of these weapons look liftable by us."

"The secret is to let your magic flow throughout your body. That way, we Crimson Demons can temporarily strengthen ourselves. Didn't you have magic control training? Concentrate and naturally you'll wield this power."

The teacher raised the sword expressionlessly.

It looked very real.

Arue stepped forward, squatted, and shouted, "My magic power, flow through my blood, and give strength to my limbs!"

Then she raised the greatsword—longer than her height—with one hand!

"Oh, oh, oh——" classmates applauded.

Yunyun muttered, "Very powerful, but was it really necessary to say that?"

No way. This is the Crimson Demon way.

Seeing this, other students also gathered and picked up the weapons.

The little girl held the huge axe, staggered unsteadily, and tried to lift it but failed.

Yunyun picked up a meteor hammer.

"Teacher, these are just for show... the metal plating is thin, and the weapons are actually light."

"Yunyun, deduct five points."

"Huh? Wait, teacher!"

As Yunyun cried, Megumin threw down the axe decisively and picked up the smallest wooden sword.

The teacher noticed Zunzun still hadn't moved and asked curiously, "Zunzun, why aren't you picking up a sword?"

"Oh, a sword is too inconvenient. Even without one, I can still annihilate enemies with my iron fist!"

Zunzun looked disdainfully at the weapons.

It wasn't showboating; he truly despised weapons. When practicing swordsmanship with his sister Soketto, his exclusive sword was lost. Since then, he was resistant to weapons that can be lost.

Though unreasonable, the teacher liked this rhetoric and did not deduct points.

They reached the deep forest outside the village.

"Listen carefully. This forest connects beyond the village. Though powerful monsters nearby have been hunted in advance, weak monsters remain and aren't easy to defeat. To be safe, I'll freeze them with magic, and you're responsible for the killing."

This was the upgrade method the Crimson Demon Clan called breeding—feeding experience packs.

"Shouldn't be a problem, but if something happens, just scream. Disband!"

The teacher said cheerfully and rushed off.

Students dispersed.

Following the teacher's chant, a cold air spread from the forest. Approaching, they saw a lizard taller than Megumin, frozen in place but alive.

Obviously powerful magic, but so refined—after all, their magic teacher's skills were amazing.

"Can I go first?"

The speaker was good at speaking.

Zunzun and Arue nodded.

She raised the big sword and shouted, "Your life becomes the food of my power!"

The sword fell on the lizard's head. The frozen lizard snorted softly, then hung its head motionless.

Arue checked her adventure card, nodding with satisfaction.

She seemed to have leveled up.

Just as the three prepared to find the next target, a group gathered before a large frozen rabbit, arguing.

Yunyun held a dagger hesitantly.

The rabbit's sad eyes and chirping begged for mercy, freezing her in place.

"Yunyun, hurry up!"

"Yes, yes, aren't you third in class? Show us your strength!"

Funifura and Dodonko urged her. Though on the surface stern, Zunzun thought they also couldn't bear to harm the soft, cute rabbit.

"Just poke it and see."

Megumin appeared, holding Yunyun from behind, guiding her hands.

"Go ahead, Yunyun! Kill that poor rabbit with bright eyes and gain some experience!"

"No... Wait! Megumin! Please, spare me!"

"Why be polite? Let this pure sacrifice power you... Come on!"

Yunyun nearly cried.

Zunzun rushed to help.

As the three argued...

"You guys, there's a dangerous one over there."

Funifura pointed to the forest.

Everyone looked.

A humanoid demon with sharp claws, black fur, bat wings, a reptile face with a bird's beak, and darting eyes appeared.

It looked strong and, most importantly, not frozen!

Suddenly, it turned its head.

"Eh heh heh ---!!!"

-End Chapter-

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