If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

"Haa...haa..."

The three fled in disarray, shaking off the Red Mirror Dragon, and hid deep in the forest, panting heavily. They could be said to have escaped death.

Frillie gazed into the distance and said, "Finally, I'm rid of it. I didn't expect it to be so fast when it flies."

"Yes. It seems we can't win in the air," Truman added. "The battle with the Black Horned Dragon is probably not going to be repeated."

They used the small golem as bait, he waited for the opportunity to trap the dragon, and then Frilian finished it off.

Not only is it fast and easy to fail, but the Red Mirror Dragon is also too big, which means that it is more intelligent and stronger than the Black Horned Dragon. Even ropes soaked in potions cannot restrict its movement.

"I... I thought I was going to die..."

Philon's eyes widened.

This was her first time fighting a dragon, and this one was far more powerful than the outdated version of Kuvar, immune to even ordinary attack magic, making it at least five times stronger.

...Well, congratulations to Kuwal for becoming the new unit of measurement for combat strength. Although he is dead, he will live forever in our hearts.

Frillie looked at Truman.

"What should we do?"

"How about flying a kite? Even if magic doesn't work, it will eventually break through the defenses after a while."

When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue.

The older generation's playing style is still too authoritative.

The new generation is not good at this style of play.

Philon held Truman's hand, pleading with him not to use such a thrilling, drop tower-like method, making him and Frillie feel a little embarrassed.

"That's true. Playing hide-and-seek with dragons doesn't seem like the way a magician should fight."

"Then we'll have to find a meat shield."

The two looked towards the village across the canyon.

Aize's disciples are there; he should be able to help.

So after they packed their luggage, they arrived at the village in the evening. Strangely, the villagers were relaxed and not at all nervous, as if they were not worried that the dragon would be disturbed nearby.

"Excuse me, is Lord Shutalk in this village?"

Philen asked the villagers questions.

And received an affirmative answer.

Soon, an old woman came over and said she knew where Shutark was, and led the three of them in that direction.

During this time, she began to talk about information about Shutark, as if introducing background stories.

About three years ago, the Red Mirror Dragon attacked this village. It was around that time that Shutark appeared. He faced the Red Mirror Dragon head-on and refused to give an inch. After staring at each other for a long time, the Red Mirror Dragon flew away.

It sounds like the Red Mirror Dragon was scared away by Shutark.

And that's all thanks to that.

During the time that Shutark stayed in the village, the Red Mirror Dragon never came to disturb them again, and the villagers lived a happy and peaceful life.

Truman didn't really care about this.

On the contrary, Philon seemed to have been looking forward to it from the beginning.

"Philan, you seem to have high expectations for Shutark?"

"Yes. Although Lord Aize is taciturn, he is steady, calm, and insightful, and he is also an excellent front-line fighter. I imagine his disciple must also be an exceptional person."

however--

"Help me, Frilian! I tried to face the dragon properly at first! But I was so scared I couldn't move an inch! That guy cuts houses like butter! It's definitely not a human being that can defeat it!"

I initially thought the dragon was in a good mood and spared my life. But for some reason, the dragon never attacked the village again after that, and I became like a hero. The villagers were incredibly kind; the atmosphere was nothing like the kind of place where you could run away!

Perhaps because Shutark was too humble, his weeping and pleading had no face left, Philon stared at him intently for a while before speaking again.

"—Change players."

"No, no, no! Wait a minute, Philon! This isn't the time to change, is it?"

"But this guy is beyond saving, let's go find someone else."

Philon's favorability toward Hugh Talke has dropped to its lowest point.

"No." Frilian shook her head. "He can fight dragons, he should be able to."

"That sounds like you're telling a child that if they put their mind to it, they'll definitely succeed."

"This is the true essence of magic."

Truman laughed.

Philen suddenly puffed out her cheeks. Just now, Frilian's liking for Hughtark hadn't made her this dissatisfied, but now that Truman also liked Hughtark, she immediately evolved into a giant mushroom.

Truman looked at the trembling Hugh Tarker and smiled, saying to the two of them, "Frilian, Philon. You two go back first. I want to talk to Hugh Tarker."

"That's possible... well, we need to give him time to think it over. If you can persuade him, that would be even better."

"……I see."

Frilian and Philon left one after the other.

Shutark sat on the rock, head bowed, like an abandoned child. Perhaps in his eyes, the look of disgust Philon had shown him was a death sentence.

Truman sat cross-legged opposite him.

"Hey Shutark, are you afraid of fighting?"

"...Hmm. Don't let my appearance fool you, my combat experience is zero!"

"What's there to be proud of?"

He couldn't help but complain.

However, Truman said again, "That's not right, Shutark, your combat experience isn't 0, it seems to me it's at least 1."

"...1?"

"Didn't you already fight the Red Mirror Dragon?"

"No! At that time, my whole body was just stiff, and I was too scared to move. It couldn't be considered a fight at all!"

"That's what battle is."

Even though Hugh Tarek kept denying it, Truman still gave his approval and tried to persuade him again.

"For example, if the Red Mirror Dragon were to attack the village again, would you fight it?"

"I'd rather die than do that!"

"But you'll still stand in its way, won't you?"

"Well……"

Shutark fell silent, knowing that even if he tried to be tough, he would eventually rush out without thinking.

"That's what battle is. You stood in front of the Red Mirror Dragon, and no matter what the reason, it eventually retreated, which means you won."

"But Long's idea was impromptu..."

"But you protected the villagers. In the end, you protected the village by standing up to the dragon, fighting it, and driving it back. Shutalk, you are the village's hero."

"hero……"

Truman's words were calm and understated. Yet, in Truman's eyes, they were affirmation, recognition, and even praise.

"Strange, how could I..."

Tears welled in Shutark's eyes, and he kept wiping them away with the back of his hand.

He only felt a stinging sensation in his nose.

"The scar on my forehead wasn't from fighting a dragon, but from arguing with my teacher. In the end, even though we've been together for many years, my teacher has never praised me even once..."

"Really? Shutark, you're awesome."

"……Um."

Truman touched his head.

Shutark was crying softly.

In truth, he is also a young man who needs recognition and encouragement.