Baseka V1c42

Volume 1 Chapter 42

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Edited by: Kanaa-senpai

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 As we trekked up the mountain in a large group, almost like a marching army, Kashiro, walking beside me, glared resentfully at the path leading to the mountain summit.

 ”With all these magic users here, why do we have to climb this mountain the hard way?”

 I understood how she felt, but this was the most reliable method, so there was no other choice.

 ”Hiiragi’s teleportation magic can’t transport all of us at once, and if we teleport in small groups, there’s a risk of being attacked during the process. Walking to the summit conserves our magic power and is the most sensible approach.”

 ”I know… But I wish we could have prioritized conserving our energy.”

 ”We’ve already taken 2 breaks since we started climbing. We plan to make our final preparations near the summit, so it’s just a little further.”

 Even with the occasional breaks, Kashiro wasn’t the only one feeling exhausted. The princess was also out of breath, and I wished I could teleport at least the two of them ahead, but… If there were demonkind near the summit, it could lead to trouble. Sorry, but I had to ask them to bear with it.

 ”Koushi. Someone’s here.”

 Mayuki, who had been walking ahead with a cool expression, stopped and called out to me.

 In the shade of a large tree on the mountain path, a female student sat huddled, holding a sword. She seemed to be resting without worrying about getting her uniform dirty. Her sharp, narrow eyes stared intensely at us, and the word ‘wild’ came to mind.

 Chinou Reiyo. The last classmate whose whereabouts and survival were unknown. She was a beautiful girl with long black hair who disliked socializing, and her blunt and caustic remarks often made her stand out.

 ”Hyakudou, I think my magic… isn’t working.”

 Kashiro informed me that her ‘Analysis Magic’ wasn’t reacting, and since my magic tools couldn’t detect her either, her guess was probably correct.

 ”Yo. Were you waiting for someone?”

 As I called out to her, Chinou stood up.

 ”Figured some smartasses would still be around after all this mess. Didn’t realize there’d be so many left standing though.”

 Still talking with that sharp tongue, huh? It might be better than some overly polite way of speaking, but still…

 ”So you were just waiting for someone reliable since you can’t do it alone?”

 ”…Sure thing. Trouble lies ahead..”

 ”Ah, it’s a Dragon, right?”

 ”Yep. Now that you know, let’s take it down together.”

 ”Of course, I’m on board, but just don’t stab me in the back, okay? I don’t want to kill women if I can help it.”

 ”But you stay out of mine too, got it?”

 Things are pretty tense.

 I can’t say I trust her, but she’s probably not reckless enough to turn this many people into enemies.

 Still, I decided to quietly give the president a heads-up.

 ”President, sorry to put this on you, but could you keep an eye out for me?”

 The president nodded silently.

 Chinou’s magic nullification is a troublesome ability, and if she’s survived alone this long, her combat skills must be high too. But there’s no way she can beat the president. Having fought her one-on-one, I know that in a no-magic fight, the president’s strength is off the charts. The only one who might stand a chance against her is the former Demonkind, Shiragi. In close combat, she’s definitely one of the strongest.

 ”Chinou, I need you to help the president and the others clear out the nearby Demonkind.”

 I explained how the Dragon was gathering the Demonkind on the island, and Chinou seemed to understand. Having one more immediate asset is reassuring. I’ll leave the rest to the president.

 ”After our last break, we’ll challenge the Dragon. No holding back.”

 Once I confirmed that everyone nodded, I swung my twin axes to feel their weight. As always, they had a reassuring heft. My body felt good too.

 ”Feeling nervous?”

 Mayuki asked, so I laughed and replied.

 ”Not at all. Do you really think I’d be scared of anyone other than my big sister?”

 I still can’t say for sure if we can win, but I can definitely say I’m not scared at all. I’ve got family that’s way scarier than any Dragon.

* * *

 Even when facing the massive form of the Dragon, I remained calm.

 While everyone else was holding their breath, staring up at the floating Dragon… Hiiragi, looking completely at ease, hugged me from behind.

 ”Sorry, but we’re in this together. If things go south, let’s die together.”

 ”I’ll just ditch you and run, so don’t worry.”

 ”Hmph. ──Drop it on my head.”

 ”Got it. Here we go.”

 With Hiiragi’s help, I teleported right above the Dragon.

 My positioning was perfect.

 The back of its head was completely in its blind spot, and the Dragon couldn’t react.

 I slammed my double axes down onto its skull──a full-force strike that sent it crashing to the ground.

 It would’ve been best if that ended it, but… the Base system still hadn’t reacted. If I hadn’t scored any points, that meant I hadn’t killed it yet.

 Before the Dragon could make its next move──a pillar of light shot out in pursuit, and the Dragon let out a scream. It was thrashing around blindly, possibly blinded by Yodomizu’s dark magic.

 Kinusawa’s arrow pierced the Dragon’s wing, and a storm of flames intensified by wind magic struck its massive body.

 Even so, it continued to thrash around stubbornly, but with everyone constantly bombarding it with magic, its momentum was starting to wane.

 Mayuki’s massive ice wall blocked the Dragon’s breath, and the Class rep’s lightning struck the Dragon’s body.

 ”…To think we could trample the Dragon that gave us such a hard time last time so easily. I didn’t make a mistake in following you.”

 Hiiragi murmured, supporting me with a look of deep emotion.

 ”We can get sentimental later. I’m going for the head when there’s an opening. Lend me your strength.”

 Hiiragi smiled softly.

 ”Of course. As much as you need.”

 As soon as the rain of magic settled, Hiiragi activated her teleportation magic.

 With a flash of teleportation, I slammed my double axes into the thick neck──feeling a solid impact.

 I didn’t completely sever it, but I managed to break the neck.

 ’Demon King-level Black Flame Dragon defeated. +15000pt’

 Hiiragi caught me, teleporting just above the ground, landing safely.

 Well… this might have been the easiest fight so far.

 ”The ruins ahead are the goal. Let’s go.”

 While everyone was wrapped in a sense of accomplishment, Hiiragi calmly said that.

 ”Yeah. Let’s take care of the stragglers and move on. No need to linger on this island.”

 Using the magic of lady Nijou and the prince, we created a wall of fire to hold back the demonkind.

 After confirming that no one was missing, we gathered in front of the entrance to the ruins… an ancient, massive door.

 ”This next part is the final trial. Think of it as a test of your resolve.”

 Hiiragi, the only one who knew about the ruins, explained.

 ”Not having the dragon as the last challenge is a bit unsettling.”

 ”In this trial, your mental strength will be tested. …To be honest, I couldn’t get past this trial.”

 Hiiragi laughed self-deprecatingly.

 Hiiragi? I never thought someone as thorough as her would struggle, so it was surprising.

 I remember her saying she chose to stay on this island, but… she actually couldn’t overcome the final trial? She doesn’t seem weak-minded, though.

 ”What kind of trial is it, exactly?”

 ”When I faced it… I was shown the worst-case scenarios I feared, presented as possible futures. To put it simply, I saw a future where my mistakes led to my friends dying, and it denied my very character… it’s a nasty trial. Please, keep your heart strong when facing it.”

 So the final trial demands mental strength. A weak heart can’t be a hero, huh?

 ”Basically, everyone should just become an unfounded narcissist like Mayuki.”

 As I joked around, Mayuki struck a smug pose.

 ”I’m waiting up high. If you’re late, I’ll leave Koushi behind.”

 ”Not a chance. I’m gonna clear it first.”

 I stood in front of the door without feeling any pressure.

 ”We’ve come this far. Everyone, have confidence. If anyone’s really anxious, you can go back to Base. Once I get through, you should be able to follow automatically.”

 I said that because I was worried about Yodomizu, but she looked completely confident.

 ”I’ll show you I can overcome this alone, at least for the last part.”

 Yodomizu pumped herself up with a determined huff. It seemed like there was no need to worry after all.

 ”Alright, let’s go. If you don’t come, I’ll drag you along, so be ready for that.”

 Opening the old, massive door, we stepped into the final Trial.

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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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