The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

For me, she is someone I look up to.

She is my mentor who showed me the way to become a member of the rescue team, even though I had vague ideas about how I could help Inukami-senpai and Kazuki.

However, she is certainly a person whom I respect, but at the same time, she is a person whom I do not like.

It is not that I dislike her personality.

Those of you who have trained directly with her know that she does not like to bully people. All of her actions, no matter what they were, were an integral part of my development.

Her kindness will probably only be understood by those who knew her well.

Her rough and violent behavior was the cause in the first place, but in fact, she understood and taught me to value and cherish life most of all.

So why am I not good at this?

It's obvious. Because I am the worst match for her in the fight.

This is not about liking or disliking.

Snakes, black knights, Halfa, evil dragons, curses.

I have fought with the help of my friends at times, but I can't think of any vision to beat her who is overwhelmingly superior to me in physical ability alone.

Now that I have started my journey and have realized how much I have grown, I have a new understanding of how much Rose is capable of.

"I wonder if I can last ten seconds. ......"

"Usato, is that your master?　My demon instincts have been telling me to run away right now, could this be her fault ......?"

The person at the other end of the mirror is the profile of Rose, whom I haven't seen in a long time.

Oh, she's looking good.

Yeah, she's got a big smile on her face, so it's only natural that she's doing well.

I'm happy for her, but I'm not happy at all. .......

"Mr. Farga, can you see this scene from there?"

No, it is not visible from there. No, you are not seeing it from there. You are only seeing it from a narrow space. The mirror appears only when it is activated.

In other words, Rose cannot see this mirror.

I was a little worried that Rose would try to destroy the mirror as if she were a deadly enemy.

I wish that would happen. ......

"Usato, your eyes, your eyes are dead......"

"This is unexpected. I didn't expect Rose to ...... tell you what happened, Mr. Usato, and she can't ...... do it either. I'm sorry, but I don't see any other way but to fight her.

Even Mr. Aruk has given up.

I know, if she hears that Rose is going to fight me, she might say, "Oh, I'll see if she's grown up," and happily come at me.

As I look in the mirror, knowing that I am losing the life in my eyes, I suddenly see two figures lying at her feet.

Silver hair and distinctive horns---one of them must be Ferrum. He is lying on his stomach and not saying a word, so I guess he is pretending to be dead. However, there is no way that Rose can understand such an act, and she is shaking her body shakily as she has been cursed by him since a while ago.

And the other dark-haired boy...

"...... I see. Haha ......."

Nack, the boy I met in Luxvis who is a healing magician.

He was trained by Rose in the lifeguard corps I belonged to.

You made it into the lifeguard corps, Nack. That's the best news I've heard all day.

Normally, I would be happy with all hands on deck, but I can't be too happy about what's about to happen.

"I guess I'll just have to make up my mind ...... and I'll just have to make up my mind ......."

I think the opposite.

What I'm about to do now is a game to show Rose how much I've grown on this trip.

It's my chance to give Rose a shot in the arm.

With this thought, my fighting spirit is ignited and I look in the mirror, ready to fight Rose.

At that moment, however, I saw Rose in the mirror with her fist outstretched with a blank expression on her face.

"...... what?"

With a whimper, my fist passes through the mirror.

But we, who had heard about Lord Farga and his magic, who were activating the mirror, could not help but be stunned to see Rose checking her fist in the mirror.

"Master Farga, you can't see the mirror from over there, can you ......?"

"...... I'm sure you're right."

"That guy, I can sense his presence normally. ......"

"......"

Please say something, Mr. Farga.

Moreover, the person at the other end of the mirror senses the mirror's presence only by intuition.

As I feel my burning fighting spirit sinking away, I realize once again that my master is an extraordinary person.

"Usato ...... who the hell is she ......?"

Leona-san asked me with a look of disbelief on her face.

Norn-sama and Falga-sama looked at me as if they wanted to know about her in the mirror.

I take a small deep breath and open my mouth.

"She is Rose, Commander of the Lingle Kingdom Rescue Mission. She's my mentor, my boss, and a ...... bundle of unreasonableness."

Unreasonable.

There was no more appropriate word to describe her.

Your master. Then I understand.

Hearing Rose's introduction, Lady Farga muttered in a convincing manner.

"My magic exists, though it cannot be detected. Those who have a keen intuition and are sensitive to changes in their surroundings should be able to detect the existence of magic. Not many can."

It's not impossible to notice, but it's hard to notice.

Is it possible that Rose is surprisingly aware of her surroundings and can respond to the slightest change in her surroundings?

Either way, she is certainly very human.

Nair looked at me with a somewhat detached look when he heard what Mr. Farga had said.

"Wow, I guess the master of monsters is a monster. And even more so than Usato... It's just like the apprentice is like his master..."

"You're going to meet him sooner or later, okay?　By the way, when you return to the Kingdom of Lingle, you'll be in the custody of the Lifeguard Corps, and as my messenger, you'll be under Rose's discipline, too."

"I'm sorry. Don't look at me with those lightless eyes. I'm really sorry.

"Don't worry, I'll be with you then. You're not alone."

"The situation doesn't match what you're saying or doing!　Your eyes aren't smiling ...... at all!

He smiles at Nair, who makes fun of him.

She apologizes to me with tears in her eyes as if she is frightened, but it is impossible for me to avoid her squeezing me since it has been a given since I became a messenger that I would take her along with me.

"As far as I'm concerned, all I want is to see what you can do. I am willing to find another partner for that."

"...... No, I'd be happy to arrange a handshake. With the Commander.

It's too much trouble to fight another opponent now.

Besides, it would be too awkward to call Mr. Halfa and Mr. Fegnis here now.

Mr. Fegnis is not even in a condition to fight right now.

Personally, I think the reason why the man I was most upset with was not reflected in the mirror was because he was not in the right frame of mind to fight in the first place.

"It's settled. Then I will now summon the being I have projected into your mind. You have three minutes.

Yes, sir.

The mirror reflecting Rose, Ferrum, and Nack is lit up.

I gulp and take a step forward, but then I stop and turn to Amako.

"Amako, even if I'm a piece of meat, I'll still help ...... your mother. ......"

"Usato...... that's not funny at all, that joke......."

"I hope it's a joke."

I don't think we'll get any chunks of meat, but we might have to be prepared for bones and entrails.

This is an opponent that we should never take a chance on.

I tighten my resolve, clench my fists, and turn to face the mirror, which is enveloped in light.

"I will show the results of my daily training here."

And I will survive today. ......!

With a backward glance, the mirror turns blue in front of me as I prepare myself for the day ahead.

Then, Rose's reflection in the mirror and my eyes, standing in front of her, meet. Then Nack, who was about to get up behind her, looks at me with a surprised expression and says something.

The space between here and the Kingdom of Lingle is connected.

Now that the spaces are connected, the mirror-image spell works its magic.

"---!"

The mirror shines even more brightly, and a human figure, enveloped in light, leaps out from the mirror's surface.

The figure appears to fall to the ground with a thud. The light subsides, and the entire image of the figure becomes clear.

"Gus...... d*mn that violent b*tc*...... I'll definitely get even with her someday,...... he?"

Out of the mirror emerges not Rose, but a silver-haired, red-eyed girl with horns like a sheep.

"...... demons!　Norn-sama, please step back!"

Leona, who recognized her immediately as a demoness, stepped in front of Norn-sama and put her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Wiping away her tears, the girl looks around with a stunned expression on her face and fixes her gaze on me.

Why are you in front of me?

"That's my question. Ferrum.

Formerly a member of the Devil's Army, now a member of the Rescue Mission, Ferrum.

For some reason, she has been summoned here as my opponent.

I'm not sure what to do.

The one who was summoned was not the leader of the ogres, but Ferrum, a demon tribe belonging to the lifeguard corps.

She has silver hair and horns, and when she sees my face, the corners of her mouth twists into a grin and she stands up with a wry smile.

"I never thought I'd see you in my dreams. ...... I never thought I'd be lucky enough to have Rose knock me out. Hmph."

"What, you're happy to be knocked out by the Commander?"

"No, of course not!

FERM yells at him, his face turning red as he pulls away.

"Even in your dreams, your attitude doesn't change. ......!　You should be a little more afraid of me!"

"...... scared of you?

"~~~!"

What was wrong with my reaction?

Leona and Norn, who had been watching her warily, looked dumbfounded, while Falga watched the exchange between me and Ferrum as if observing.

"I don't care if you're dreaming or hallucinating!　Just let me hit you once!

"Why are you so belligerent when we haven't seen each other in so long ......?"

While I was paying attention to each of their reactions, Ferm clenched his fist and attacked me, abandoning his thoughts earlier.

I thought she didn't want to fight me, but she actually did want to fight me.

Besides, she could not have been a better target for my anger. After all, she is the black knight who had driven Senpai and Kazuki to the brink of death.

Well, I am by far the one to blame for calling her out without permission. I'll take her fist here. If it will give you an idea of what's going on around you, then...,

"Burn to death!　Monster!"

Huh!

Geef!

I was so annoyed by his words, which sounded as if he was trying to exterminate a demon, that I reflexively gave him a counter healing decapitation.

After the decapitation, I suddenly noticed that Ferrum was on the ground, holding his forehead and slumping down.

I knew this was a bad idea and immediately apologized to him.

"I'm sorry, Ferrum!"

"Don't be silly. Why do healing wizards always go for my forehead ......?"

I don't know about that, but maybe it's because it's easier than hitting a normal person?

Master Farga saw the exchange between me and Ferrum and narrowed his eyes at Ferrum who had been summoned.

"---It's sealed. In addition, this wave. ...... a user of dark magic. Just as well he's belligerent ......."

"Master Farga, ......?"

Usato, continue. If he's a master of dark magic he must be capable. ---I'll remove the fetters.

"Wait a minute..."

Before I could finish, Farga-sama activated a magic spell on the ground and easily removed the magical seal around Ferrum's neck.

Moreover, he carefully unlocked the lock after almost restoring the distorted keyhole.

FERUM gets up with his hands on his neck as the magical tool that had sealed his own magic is removed.

"I don't know what it is, but I can hit you with this ......!"

"Yeah. ......

You need to take stock of your surroundings a little .......

Why do they only have eyes for me? .......

Ferm, on the brink of war, laughed and cast a spell.

Then, from her shadow, a black fluid crawls up and takes the form of armor.

"Dark magic ......?"

The knight in shining armor who once drove even two brave men to their deaths.

And now it appears before me again.

Her magical ability is reversal. It is an extremely unreasonable technique that returns the attack to the attacker.

"Magic is back, and there's no way I can lose to her after all those hellish days. ......!　Prepare yourself, Usato!

Ferrum comes charging toward us with a clattering sound.

Surely, she had trained with the lifeguard. And Rose was almost watching her. She may not be as well-trained as I am, but she's certainly had a lot of training.

Let's not underestimate her here and use our healing punches.

Just as I was about to ready my fist, Ferrum, who had been making a clattering sound, stumbled to his feet and fell down on the spot.

She slid headlong in front of me, and I honestly wondered where I should point my fist.

"Uh-uh, d*mn, that's heavy!"

"Uh, uh... ......"

I can't help but be stunned when Ferrum complained as he got up.

Although she is lighter now, she can no longer fight wearing armor as she used to do.

In a sense, that may be natural.

Because of her ability, her fighting style is naturally a wait-and-see posture. She does not have the option of wearing light armor, as she does not have to take the trouble to initiate a fight herself.

"I don't think that black knight ...... is a bit complicated for me. ......"

"I knew he was there, but ...... what a pity. ......"

"Dark magic is supposed to be powerful magic, but so far it doesn't look like it."　

My companions looked at Ferrum, who was getting up shivering with a subtle expression on his face, and each of them muttered something like that.

"I can't wear something this heavy!"

"No, you don't have to try so hard to fight.

"Shut up! Shut up!

What are you going to do?

Standing up, Ferrum's armor flows back into his own shadow and ...... no, it's going back, but not all the way. The shape of her armor is gradually changing, and then it changes into something else.

Is she changing her armor to a form best suited for her current lightweight body?　But it is still very thin ......, more like a cloak or a coat than an armor.

"......A"

Seeing Ferme's "armor" nearing completion, I noticed something and naturally smiled.

When Ferrum saw me laughing, he thought I was making fun of him, and angrily attacked me.

What's so funny?

"No, I'm not making fun of you or anything. ....... But what you're wearing right now..."

It was not armor, but black clothing.

It had the appearance of a thick coat, black gloves and a hood over its head.

"That's a lifeguard uniform, isn't it? And it's the same one I'm wearing.

What?　That's not ...... why I wear more lightweight armor ....... Hey, hey!

She laughed in disbelief and looked at the armor she was wearing, her eyes widening and her face turning red in dismay.

Ferrum has created a new uniform, the uniform of a lifeguard.

It was not a fin-de-siècle one like the tough guys, but a blackened version of the one I was wearing.

"No, no, this is ......."

"Ha ha ha."

"Wow, don't laugh!　d*mn it, why can't I turn it back on?

FERUM's black uniform is quivering and shaking, but its shape remains unchanged, as if it were fixed in place.

Farga-sama let out an exhale of surprise at this situation, but I was curious as to why the magic under her control was not working as she wanted it to.

"I can't put it back ......!　I'll fight her like this!"

Ferme, who had given up on trying to change his black outfit into another form, raised his fist and came at me.

Her movements were faster and sharper than when she was wearing the black knight's armor. Just by watching her movements for a moment, I could tell how much training she had put in over the past few months.

Even if it was forced upon her, it was FERUM's strength that she had been able to continue to do so.

That is why I met her fist head-on with my left palm, which was covered with healing magic.

"---What?

"Nice punch, Ferm! You've done well so far.

Strong fists. I was so happy to see that, that I slammed my hand sword, which was covered with healing magic as well as my left hand, into Ferrum, knocking him unconscious.

I make Ferme lie down, who has collapsed with a frustrated expression on her face.

The black band uniform that covered her body disappears as if it were unraveling on the ground.

But..,

"...... Usato, your hands are black.

"What?　...... Whoa!

Nea's words startled him as he looked at his own hands.

My hands were covered by the magic that had covered Ferrum's body. The magic of FERUM, which had blended with my hands and the sleeves of my troupe uniform, soon returned to her, but I was quite surprised to find that my hands had suddenly turned completely black.

It must have disappeared after I released the healing spell, but this had never happened when I had fought her before.

I wonder what happened to her. .......

"...... looks like it's over. Just in time. Let's return those demons to where they belong.

"Oh, can you fix her magic tools too?"

Yes, no problem.

It is hard to imagine that Ferrum would cause any damage to his surroundings now, but he must keep his magic gear on for the safety of the people of the Lingle Kingdom.

I check the grimoire around Ferrum's neck again, and carry her to the mirror.

"...... Oh!"

At that moment, three minutes have elapsed from the activation time of the spell, and Ferme's body is once again enveloped in light.

The mirror in front of him shines and once again shows the images of Rose and Nack.

Rose was just meditating and crossing her arms, while Nack was staring at the place where the mirror would appear, as if he was waiting for it to appear next.

As soon as Ferme was drawn to the mirror with the light, Rose, whose eyes were wide open, threw something at him.

The something that flew at a tremendous speed entered the surface of the mirror at the same time as it appeared, and flew into the space where I was.

"----, that was close. It flew like a shuriken.

"Uh, did you just ...... something?"

"Yeah, I think the leader threw something at me. A ...... folded piece of paper and a ...... letter?"

I catch it with a snap, and I get a lot of suspicious stares from the people around me.

I wish they would stop looking at me as if I was crazy for catching the letter without any trouble. ......Anyway, why did Rose throw a letter at me?

I opened the letter with my head tilted back and saw a brief sentence.

<

It was a sentence that made me feel clumsy.

I was happy to see such a simple sentence. I was not embarrassed or anything like that, I was just happy.

"The other one is a letter from ...... Nack."

This seems a bit long to read here, so I'll read it later.

I put the letter in my pocket and look up at Mr. Farga, suddenly relaxing.

"It was a bit much to call it a fight, but ...... let's fight again, shall we?"

For my part, I was satisfied to see my junior's growth, but the fight earlier was too poor to be a battle.

But Farga shook his head slowly at my words.

"No need. I know your power."

"...... let's see."

"Dark magic is a special kind of magic that reflects the user's spirit. Most of the users who are doomed to solitude are the ones who never allow anyone to enter their hearts and who keep to themselves. Therefore, many wizards of the dark lineage are good at strong defense, which means not to show one's heart to others, and counter, which means rejection of others.

...... I have no idea what you mean, are you trying to say that dark magic is special?

"The one you summoned trusted you, even though he was violent. That means that you have done something worthy of it. The fact that you have opened your heart to the dark one... that alone should be enough to measure your power."

"Ferm is opening up to me ......?"

I think he told me to expose myself to death or something...is that Ferrum's way of opening up to me?

"...... is radical."

"I don't think it's radical, I think it's just not being honest, you know?"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I think so. I think so.

Amako nodded her head.

He just can't be honest.

It's kind of like her to think so.

"Usato, there is one more reason why I have tested you, and that is to confirm your power.

Another thing, sir.

His katana, the one you carry, to see if you should carry it.

To see if I should carry the small sword of the brave?

No, no, I shouldn't have this. Because I'm not a brave man.

"I give it back to you, its maker. I am not the original owner of this sword and I cannot handle its power.

No, you have undergone the proper trials and pulled it out of his heart. From that moment on, you are its sole owner. ---After that, it is yours to keep for yourself."

"......!　Mr. Farga!　Your body is now ......."

When Lady Norn hears what Mr. Farga said, she tries to stop him with a panicked look on her face.

But Lady Farga silences her with a sharp look.

"Don't misunderstand me, immature one. I will not use my two remaining wings here. I do not create weapons. There is no need to separate my body, since I have one wing in Usato's hand.

What the hell does that mean?

I don't know what he means.

I don't want you to make me a weapon if it will kill Mr. Farga. .......

"Every piece of armor I make is made from a part of me. The staff of the novice is made from my claws and scales, the staff of Kalon is made from my tail. And the two swords that the heroes of the past used are two of my four wings."

"...... So you mean to say that the one wing you speak of is literally and originally a part of your body? ......"

"Yes. The original is a part of me, and it is easy to rebuild it, no matter how many centuries pass.

Armor made from parts of the body of a divine dragon.

Two of the two pairs of wings on Master Farga's back are shredded, probably because they were used as materials for the heroes' weapons.

Of course they will be extremely powerful.

The final form will be decided by your heart. All I have to do is to return the katana to the previous stage. But even that will take time, maybe three to five days.

"...... understand. Thank you very much."

It is indeed hard to be unarmed when dealing with Mr. Karon.

Moreover, if I knew that the weapons he was using were those of a brave warrior, I would have to be on the same level as him to be able to compete with him.

I hold out my small sword to Mr. Farga.

"Yes, I have received it. I'll get right to work, inexperienced man. I know it's hard for you, but you have to keep your wards up. If you should lose consciousness, ask for Usato, the healing magician.

I understand. I will definitely protect you.

Norn-sama clutched his wand tightly.

Her eyes showed an extraordinary resolve.

Falga looked at her with a compassionate gaze, and then turned her attention to Leona.

"You will train hard together with Usato. You are a capable knight, but you lack too many things.

"...... yes."

Leona replied in a heavy voice, as if she herself had understood.

Mr. Farga narrowed his eyes at her response and continued to speak.

If you do not agree with your position, your situation, and everything else, you will surely be killed by Kalon in the next battle. This is not a threat, but a certainty of the future if you do not change.

"......, but I will."

Then, silencing Leona's attempt to argue with him with her eyes, Farga-sama said the rest of the words with a sense of intimidation.

"I dare to say something to your stubbornness. Leona the Brave". A knight who depends on others for the meaning of his existence and cannot affirm himself. Understand that you will die an ignominious death if you cannot acknowledge your own existence.

"......!　...... is,yes."

She nodded her head with a pained expression and looked at me for a moment.

Her face looked as if she did not want me to hear that she was a hero.

"Brave man."

Kalon, the dragon man who was to become a hero.

Leona, the knight who denied being a hero.

Norn, the queen who sacrificed herself to protect the city.

And Falga, the divine dragon who is the counterpart of the evil dragon.

Faced with such a unique group of people and the problems they face, I couldn't help but foresee that not everything that happens in the future will be easy to end.