GILF Hunter

’Next, toward the 12 o’clock direction...’

Kneeling on the floor, Airi muttered softly as she drew with chalk.

A magic training ground built on one side of the building.

It was a space designed so that one could practice using simple magic directly.

Magic training sessions had now become almost a daily routine.

Lately, Airi was at a point where she was confused about whether she was an archer or a mage.

’Phew... finished drawing.’

Having completed the magic circle on the floor, Airi looked up and glanced behind her.

Ellen, who had been watching from behind, gave a small nod. It meant there were no mistakes in the magic circle.

First, the magic circle phase: pass.

Since it was a process that just required memorization, Airi had learned up to this point quickly.

The problem was the next step.

Stepping onto the magic circle, Airi prepared her magic.

It was the dark magic she had been studying in theory and had recently started practicing.

Airi moved her mana carefully with a nervous expression. If she hesitated even a little or slipped up here, the magic would collapse immediately.

’....’

Moving her mana slowly and sequentially, Airi looked up.

Unlike previous failed attempts, she felt like she had finally grasped the sensation this time. Airi’s mana flowed naturally into every part of the magic circle, constructing the spell.

’I-I think I succeeded!’

Ellen, who had been watching the entire process from behind, spoke up.

’It is done. It seems you have completely mastered it.’

’...Really?’

Finally...!

Hearing those words, Airi’s face brightened.

It had been a very long time.

She thought it was ridiculous to ask a novice mage to learn something like this, but it seemed that if you poured enough money and time into it, things worked out somehow.

Examining the structure of the magical ritual Airi had created, Ellen said,

’It’s stable. At this level, you should be able to perform it sufficiently in actual combat.’

’W-will it be okay? I won’t be able to concentrate at all during a battle...’

’I heard it’s planned for use on top of the castle walls anyway. As long as you don’t panic unnecessarily, there’s no reason to fail.’

’I guess... so?’

If possible, she hoped for a secluded spot on the wall where no one was watching.

She had no idea what role this magical ritual was supposed to play during the invasion, but at any rate, Airi was able to relieve a huge burden from her heart.

She had always been worried about what would happen if she couldn’t learn this by the time the invasion started.

’Airi? Are you here?’

’Ah, Leader.’

As if he had been looking for her, Ian opened the door to the practice room and walked in.

Ellen spoke to Ian as if the timing was perfect.

’You’ve arrived at the right time. I believe we can end the lessons here.’

’Ah. Did Airi learn the magic?’

’Yes. She seems to have mastered it completely. There should be no problems in actual combat.’

Honestly, she wasn’t so proficient that she could guarantee it to that extent... but regardless, Airi also nodded toward Ian in affirmation.

She had succeeded once, anyway. Once you grasp the sensation, everything after that is just a matter of proficiency; using it again wouldn’t be an issue.

Ian spoke with a look of relief.

’Thank you. That makes things much easier. If she hadn’t learned the magic, I might have had to use a more complicated method.’

’No, I have also received much help thanks to you, Leader.’

During this time, Ellen had received not only tuition fees but also significant support for the ruins exploration team’s funding.

Above all, the information Ian had shared recently was the biggest help.

’Regarding the place where you said you saw suspicious terrain last time. My team members looked into it and found traces of ruins. Was it a place you had already investigated?’

’No. I just happened to see it while passing by.’

’In this line of work, a sharp eye is extremely important. Are you perhaps interested?’

It seemed Ellen was making a sincere recruitment offer.

’I’m fine...’

’If you are ever interested, please visit anytime. It’s a good job for a side hustle or a hobby.’

Ellen was always earnest about finding members for her perennially understaffed exploration team.

After seeing off Ellen, who had finished her final lesson, Ian called out to Airi.

’Come with me for a moment.’

’Yes? Is there something else to do?’

’I need to meet Elena.’

Wondering what business they had with Elena together, Airi recalled the commission she had requested from Elena a while ago.

Quite some time had passed since then, so the item was likely finished.

Ian and Airi talked for a bit as they walked toward Elena’s workshop.

’How’s the magic?’

’I think I can manage somehow... But was there really another way?’

’Learning magic is the easiest, but just in case, I had it in mind.’

If I had known there was another way, the pressure would have been less. You should have told me earlier.

Airi complained inwardly.

If she had heard Ian’s explanation of the ’Forbidden Knowledge’ or ’Ritual Altar’ prepared as a backup, the burden would have been even greater, but luckily, they arrived at the workshop building before she could hear any details.

Arriving at Elena’s workshop, Ian knocked on the door.

There was no answer from inside the room.

’Miss Elena?’

He had definitely come after receiving word that she was in the workshop.

After Ian knocked a few more times, there was finally a reaction.

A small noise along with a sign of presence was heard, and after a moment, the door slowly opened.

’Sorry... I must have dozed off.’

’Uwaah...?!’

Airi, standing behind, was startled to see Elena coming out of the room.

She was in a terrible state.

’Miss Elena. Your clothes.’

’Ah... right. I forgot to prepare a bit in advance... Please come in for now.’

Elena opened the door with an unconcerned expression.

To show herself like that and not have a single change in expression. As expected... are they already in that kind of relationship?

Airi followed them into the workshop, looking at the two with suspicious eyes.

’Was the arrow crafting more difficult than you expected?’

’No. It wasn’t like that. It actually finished more easily than I thought.’

Seeing how tired she looks, it must have been incredibly hard...

Is it perhaps the pride of a craftsman? Airi only thought so to herself.

Elena held out a box she had placed on the desk.

’Here it is.’

Inside the box were the magical arrows Ian had specially ordered.

Unlike ordinary arrows, they were arrows with special additional effects.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[High-grade Soulstone Arrow]

- [Arrow Power +20]

- Used Skill [Special Effect +120%]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

’Is it made as you desired?’

’Yes. It’s perfect.’

Ian nodded after seeing the exactly ordered item had been created.

It wasn’t that he doubted Elena’s skill, but he had been worried whether the item could be made well with just verbal explanations without precise blueprints. It was a needless worry.

’Now. Miss Airi, why don’t you try holding one?’

’Ah... yes.’

Airi took the arrow.

After taking the arrow and examining it closely, Airi was belatedly horrified.

’Uwaaa... the arrowhead is a solid gemstone...’

’Durability is a bit low, but to produce the effect the Leader ordered, I had no choice but to make it that way.’

Rather than an arrow, it looked like a work of art that should be displayed somewhere.

’Now. Check if there are any uncomfortable parts in using it.’

Holding the object alone was overwhelming, but since Elena kept urging her, Airi eventually took out her bow and nocked the arrow herself.

Airi’s hand trembled slightly.

’Ah, is something uncomfortable?’

’N-no! Not at all!’

It was because she was nervous due to the item seeming so expensive.

If she just dropped it on the floor, wouldn’t the price drop by about 10 gold coins?

Not to mention the arrowhead made of a whole gemstone, even the smoothly processed shaft and fletching were perfectly arranged without a single stray piece.

This was definitely... bound to be more expensive than all the equipment Airi currently owned combined.

If she were to miss with this arrow, she would surely be sold into slavery to pay off the debt.

...Oh, right. She was already a slave.

Shaking off the idle thoughts, Airi belatedly focused on the arrow.

She had wondered why someone would go as far as taking measurements just to make an arrow, but the arrow Elena made was as comfortable as if it had been made perfectly for her body.

Without even needing to practice shooting to get the feel of it, it felt like this would absolutely hit its mark.

’How is the arrow?’

’Yes, it’s great!’

Airi, who had inwardly wondered how much difference an arrow made just by fitting her body, retracted her thoughts. High-priced custom items certainly had a reason for being expensive.

’Excuse me, Miss Airi.’

Elena spoke softly with an apologetic face beside Airi, who was admiring the arrow.

’I’m sorry, but please wait a little longer for that stone.’

’Yes? Which... ah. That one.’

Airi recalled the stone she had entrusted for processing along with the arrows and nodded. She had been so busy studying lately that she hadn’t even thought about it.

Elena spoke with an apologetic expression, but Airi nodded as if it were natural.

She didn’t know much, but it couldn’t be easy to process such an accessory. The Leader’s commission had come first, too.

From the moment she first entrusted it, she had naturally expected it to take a long time.

What a very understanding customer.

Elena broke into a smile.

In fact, the item was already in its completed state, but now was not a good time.

Elena intended to wait for a better opportunity before handing it over. She wanted this item to make its debut in the world at a more special time.

For a work of art, timing is everything. No matter how beautiful a piece is, if it appears when it cannot receive attention, it is bound to be buried.

Elena was waiting for the most decisive moment for this item to reveal itself to the world.

Fufu... I shall give you the greatest social debut that will remain in this city’s history.

Whether Elena’s thoughts were conveyed, Airi felt a chilling shiver.