Noa and I moved to a place that seems easy to spectate.
There were students and teachers from Euphalia around us. Then, there were those who I assume were family members of the students.
We’re completely the away team. I wished Shia and the other students in the royal capital the best of luck.
Euphalia’s students and teachers were sitting on chairs, perhaps prepared by themselves.
“I think they could at least provide chairs for everyone.” (Yuna)
“I don’t think it’s open to the public, so it can’t be helped. Besides, they don’t know how many people will come to watch.” (Noa)
“Well, if we don’t have a chair, we’ll just get one.” (Yuna)
I took a chair for two from the bear box and told Noa to sit down.
“Thank you.” (Noa)
As we waited on our seats, a sort of opening ceremony began. The teacher addressed the students.
They talked long and endlessly about how they wanted the students to show their strength, how they wanted them to compete with each other in friendly rivalry, and how they hoped everyone would do their best next year even if they were not as strong as they could have been.
Will anyone graduate next year or this year? I put a tsukkomi in the back of my mind. Of course, some people are older than Shia.
Then the long and boring talk was finally over, and the event began.
After that, one of the teachers moved to the center of the ground and used magic. The earth rose from the ground, and a pole-like object appeared. On top of the pole, a square target was also created.
“It looks like they’re shooting magic at that.” (Yuna)
Certainly, a target made of earth magic would be easy to take form. Unlike arrows, magic disperses after it hits a target. It was time-consuming to make a new target every time it was destroyed. However, if the dummy target was made with earth magic, it would be easier to make.
The teacher made several targets at equal intervals, creating targets of different distances and heights.
After the preparations were complete, we were told that the target shooting by wind magic was about to begin. The participants were to start from the target in front of them and see how far they could hit the target within the time limit.
First, a female student from Euphalia released wind magic.
The wind blade was sent flying, and the wind blade cut the target. A small cheer goes up from the surroundings. The girl hit one, then two, one after another smoothly, but missed on the fifth. However, it seems that she can try as many times as she wants within the time limit. The girl released the wind magic again and cut it off. Still, the further away she gets, the lower the hit rate and the lower the power. In the end, it was only until the fifth target that she was able to hit within the time limit.
The distance to the first target was about 10 meters, and the following targets were placed approximately every 2 meters further apart. This means that the farthest the girl from Euphalia was able to hit with wind magic was about 18 meters.
Next comes a female student from the royal capital. It seems they do it alternately. This time, the girl from the royal capital hit up to six.
The girl was happy.
The teacher rebuilt the broken targets, and the male students began. First, was Euphalia.
“Oh, I want to use magic too.” (Noa)
Noa said, looking enviously at the students who used magic.
“By the way, do you practice magic, Noa? Is it something you learn from the age of 10?” (Yuna)
I remember having a talk about that during the school festival.
It was said that in this world, magic was not learned until the age of 10, in order for the magic power to be stable. They said this was because if you gather magic power or use magic while in an unstable state, you may not be able to use magic afterward.
“Yes, I want to learn it as soon as possible, but my father says I can’t learn until I am 11 years old. It seems to be to ensure the stability of magical power.” (Noa)
“Does that mean, the older you are, the more stable your magic is?” (Yuna)
“That’s right. Yuna-san, you’re using magic, right? Why are you asking about that?” (Noa)
“Uh, that’s…” (Yuna)
It seems that my question was so basic, it made me strange that I, who uses magic, didn’t know.
“I learned magic on my own, so I don’t know anything about that.” (Yuna)
“Is that so? Wait, your father or mother didn’t teach you that?” (Noa)
“I didn’t have parents or anyone to teach me magic.” (Yuna)
I wasn’t lying. I don’t have parents in this world. And even if I had parents in my former world, they didn’t teach me how to use magic. It was the NPCs in the game who taught me how to use magic.
So it’s true that I don’t know anything about that.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that Yuna-san didn’t have parents.” (Noa)
“Ah, don’t worry about it. Besides, I’ve never told anyone, so it can’t be helped.” (Yuna)
Noa made a sad expression, so I answered immediately. I guess I gave her the wrong idea.
However, as expected, I can’t say that my parents were in a different world, so I have to answer vaguely.
“But then again, you are amazing, Yuna-san. I can’t believe no one taught you.” (Noa)
I feel a little guilty, but I have no choice.
In order to change the subject, I’ve invoked my secret technique: Diversion, for the first time in a long time.
“By the way, Noa, when is your birthday?” (Yuna)
When I asked, Noa looked happy.
“Actually, my birthday is just around the corner.” (Noa)
“Is that so!?” (Yuna)
“Yes, so I’m looking forward to it.” (Noa)
“Then I’ll have to get you a present. Is there anything you want? Oh, but not anything unreasonable. Like asking for Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.” (Yuna)
Even if she asked for Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, I can’t give them to her as a gift.
“While I do want Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan. I won’t make such a request. Because I know that if I do, you will hate me, Yuna-san.” (Noa)
Noa puffed her cheeks.
“Sorry, I was just kidding.” (Noa)
She was half-serious, though. I wonder if Noa would really say it.
“But if you insist, I have a favor to ask you. Will you teach me magic?” (Noa)
Noa thought a little and then said that.
“Magic?” (Yuna)
“Yes, of course, if my father agrees. Also not every day, only whenever you’re free.” (Noa)
Magic. I once taught magic to a girl who was a new adventurer. But she had mastered the basics, and I just taught her to make her magic stronger.
The girl was happy that her magic was getting stronger, so there must be nothing wrong with the way I taught her.
However, I am not sure if I can teach Noa from scratch. I don’t want Noa to be unable to use magic if I teach her badly. I am worried about teaching Noa, who has never used magic before.
“I’m sorry. I might not be able to make that promise.” (Yuna)
“I see.” (Noa)
Noa made a sad expression.
“It’s not that I don’t want to teach you, I just don’t know if I can. Aside from teaching magic, is there anything else you’d like me to do for you?” (Yuna)
“U~u, I understand. Then, I have one more request. I want a big Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan plushies.” (Noa)
“Like this big plushie?” (Yuna)
I tried to express the size a little larger than the bear cub size by hand.
“No. a big plushie of the real size Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan.” (Noa)
Noa spread her hands wide and used them to express the size.
Apparently, she wanted the life-sized Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plushies.
“Etto, isn’t it too big?” (Yuna)
I tried to imagine it, but it’s big. Just how many times bigger would it be, than the Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plushies that I gave her at Misa’s birthday party?
It would likely use a significant amount of both cloth and cotton.
And after making such a thing, it would seem to get in the way.
For someone who lived in a regular-sized house, one could say, “If it’s too big, it’ll get in the way”. However, as a noble, Noa’s house was larger than an ordinary house, and because it was the residence of the lord, it was larger than other noblemen’s houses, and therefore, of course, Noa’s room was also larger. Certainly, Noa’s room would have more than enough space for her life-sized Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plushies.
“When Yuna-san gave me the plushies as a gift at Misa’s birthday party, I knew I had to have a large version of Swaying Bear-chan and Hugging Bear-chan plushies. If you need money, I will give you my allowance, and you can make them.” (Noa)
“You get an allowance even though you are a noble?” (Yuna)
I imagined a noble brat telling her parents what she wants and having them buy it for her, rather than having an allowance.
“I get a certain amount of allowance and go shopping in town because it’s also a learning experience for me to know the prices of things sold in town.” (Noa)
Then, I heard her say in a small voice, “I just bought bread at Yuna-san’s shop these days…” while looking away.
Ah, of course, she comes to the store alone and eats bread.
You just go to the shop and eat after getting your allowance.
Now that she mentioned it, I noticed something.
Even when I came to this town, I saw her checking the prices of various items.
“And that’s why you were concerned about the price in this city as well.” (Yuna)
“I have to report to my father what I saw in Euphalia, otherwise I won’t be able to go out next time.” (Noa)
I unconsciously pet Noa’s head.
“What are you doing?” (Noa)
“I’m proud of you. Good girl.” (Yuna)
“I did it, so I can go out with you and Fina.” (Noa)
I still think it’s great.
“So if you need money, just let me know.” (Noa)
“Don’t worry about the money for the plushies. I was just thinking it would be a lot of work to make them.” (Yuna)
Mainly for Sherry, whom I’ll ask to make them.
“That’s right…. Then I’ll help make it too!” (Noa)
Noa thought for a moment and looked like she had a good idea.
“If you help, it won’t be a gift.” (Yuna)
“It would still be good as a gift.” (Noa)
Noa said emphatically.
I guess I’m still holding back when it comes to the life-sized Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plushies.
I cannot make this decision on my own.
I would have to talk to Sherry first.
However, making it together would be a good memory and would make her feel more attached to it. Not a bad idea.
I’ll have to put the life-sized Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear plushies as one of the candidates for Noa’s birthday present.
Come to think of it, when is Fina’s birthday?
=====
Author’s Note:
Noa’s birthday is coming up.
※ Thank you for reporting the typographical error.
I’m sorry I can’t write a thank-you reply for the typographical errors in the new system.
[Notice] In the activity report, we are looking for requests for 12 volumes of store benefits and SS short story newly written books. I would appreciate it if you could refer to it.
※ I apologize for not being able to reply to your feedback. It looks like I won’t be able to until next year.
