Volume 3, Chapter 35 – Lumia’s Sub-Class

We head toward the purification of the poison swamp designated by Sigrisia-san.

I’ve grown used to it by now; while the purification itself is tiring, it’s practically just a routine task at this point.

If anything, dealing with the poisonous monsters that make their homes there is the real nuisance.

This time, it’s the debut match of Lu-chan and Mashiro-chan’s tag team in monster hunting.

Having gained Mashiro-chan, a Wind Spirit, Lu-chan has acquired a means of long-range attack besides arrows.

By summoning Mashiro-chan, she can now use some kind of magic or Spirit Art that launches blades of wind with a range of about 10 to 20 meters to attack distant enemies.

The power is quite impressive; when she was practicing in the village, she was even able to leave gouges in the rocks they used as targets.

With this kind of power, she should be able to take down Giant Poison Toads with ease.

While the range is inferior to Lu-chan’s bow and arrows, the destructive power is likely superior.

Moreover, not having to spend money on arrows is a huge help for someone like me, who is currently eating through my savings.

Now, I just hope the costs saved there aren’t entirely devoured by Mashiro-chan’s feed expenses.

“Fiene-sama, we have arrived. It is just ahead.”

Eiittoru-san, who guided us, lets us know.

By the way, besides him, about a dozen other Elves, including Sigrisia-san, are accompanying us.

Apparently, they want to see this so-called “Flower Maiden’s Miracle” with their own eyes.

But is it really okay for so many people to be sightseeing in broad daylight? Don’t they have work to do?

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The creatures inhabiting the poison swamp are Giant Poison Toads.

“Mashiro! Please!”

Lu-chan summons Mashiro. Despite being a Wind Spirit, it’s a mysterious creature (?) in the form of a white rabbit that hops along the ground.

Blades of wind fly from Mashiro-chan, slicing through the slow-moving frogs like they’re pieces of tofu.

“This! Such tremendous power. It is as if I am watching the magic of the court mages,” Chris-san exclaims in surprise.

We do nothing but stay huddled inside a Barrier.

Lu-chan—or rather, Mashiro-chan—fires blades of wind from within the Barrier, annihilating the Giant Poison Toads one after another.

It was so one-sided that it wasn’t even a fight.

“As expected, having a companion who can use attack magic makes things significantly easier,” Shizuku remarks.

“It’s wonderful not having to worry about Friendly Fire.”

“Fiene-sama was often the one getting hit by Friendly Fire, after all.”

Exactly. And seriously, why is it that Lu-chan’s Friendly Fire always ends up flying toward me?

Am I the only one who senses some kind of malice from someone other than Lu-chan?

For example, that bald… no, surely it’s not that far.

While I was thinking this, the annihilation was complete.

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“Lu-chan, Mashiro-chan, good work.”

“Onee-sama! Thank you very much! This is actually quite tiring,” Lu-chan says.

“That’s because you’re using MP. My MP also disappears whenever I ask Riche to do something.”

“So that’s why you were always so exhausted.”

As we talked, Mashiro-chan vanished. It seems Lu-chan dismissed it.

Now, it’s my turn to work.

I wave the Flower Maiden’s Staff and call out to Riche.

“Riche, I’ll ask you to purify this again.”

As always, I let the blizzard of flower petals dance and gently toss the seeds onto the water’s surface. When I release holy attribute mana into Riche, the petals emit light, the poison swamp is purified, and a single flower blooms there.

Cheers erupted from the spectators.

“Fiene-sama, Riche-sama, I have witnessed the Maiden of Blossoming Grace’s Miracle with my own eyes. It was magnificent.”

I nodded to Sigrisia-san’s words of appreciation, breathing heavily.

◇ ◇ ◇

After finishing the purification work, we have a schedule to take a two-day break before heading to the next poison swamp.

Today is the second day of the break. We are visiting a small temple-like building attached to Sigrisia-san’s house. Apparently, it’s possible to obtain a Class even in the Elf village, so we came to request a Sub-Class for Lu-chan.

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“So, Lumia-sama wishes to obtain a Sub-Class?”

“Yes! I want to be a Fisher!” Lu-chan answers energetically to Sigrisia-san.

“Oh, a Fisher among Elves is quite rare.”

“I promised Onee-sama that if I become a Fisher and catch lots of fish, she’ll cook them for me!”

“My! How lovely. I envy how well you two get along. You are just like real sisters…”

Ah, come to think of it, we did talk about that recently.

Well, whatever. I hadn’t really thought about what to do after becoming a Magic Apothecary anyway.

“Then, please offer your prayers to the god.”

Lu-chan kneels and prays.

It’s normal. There is no Boon followed by a Jumping Dogeza.

What is this? This feeling of dissatisfaction?

No, it’s not like I want a Jumping Dogeza.

But, how do I put it… it’s hard to describe in words, but it’s like… it feels lonely without it.

I somehow miss that incomprehensible sense of ceremony.

Speaking of which, I wonder if the Pope is doing well?

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While I was thinking about such trivial things, Lu-chan successfully received her Sub-Class.

“Onee-sama! I’m going to catch tons of fish for you!”

“Eh? Ah. I’ll look forward to it.”

Lu-chan has a beaming smile on her face. Well, a future like that might not be so bad.

“By the way, Chris-san, Shizuku-san, what Sub-Classes do you have?”

“I am a Coachman. In the knights’ order, we often handle carriages,” Chris-san explains.

I see. Based on their duties, then.

“I am a Merchant. It is quite convenient for solo travel. Though my Skill Level is practically nonexistent.”

According to the Complete Guide to Classes, a Coachman acquires skills like Carriage Handling to operate carriages and Motion Sickness Resistance. A Merchant apparently acquires skills like Item Appraisal and Negotiation.

“Wow, but I want to raise my Sub-Class Skill Level properly, just like Onee-sama.”

“Lu-chan, I’m begging you, please just raise Archery until you stop doing Friendly Fire…”

Lu-chan looks at me with a dissatisfied expression.

I know Lu-chan is simply thinking about food, but I wish she’d put herself in my shoes—the one who has arrows flying at her every single time.

It seems the days of me being plagued by Lu-chan’s Friendly Fire will continue for a long time to come.