I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 23

Chapter 23: My Way

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On a day when the academy was closed, I went to the dungeon located on the academy’s private grounds. This was the so-called beginner dungeon that had also been used for the previous practical exam. You needed to have your ability recognized, but as long as you submitted an application, you could use it for personal reasons like this.

The only one who knew my true ability was Long-Haired-Sensei, but he said it would be fine as long as Yuka was with me, so I took him up on that. It was pathetic, sure—but if something could be used, I’d use it. That was my style.

“…Alright, let’s do this.”

“Don’t push yourself—”

“I won’t!”

I wondered if Yuka’s tendency to worry would ever change. No matter what I did, it was always “don’t overdo it, don’t overdo it.”

You’re so loud, Mom! (rebellious phase)

Anyway, the reason I came here should have been obvious.

“F-Fireball!”

The magic power released from my palm flared weakly, and just when it seemed like it was heading toward the small humanoid creature in front of me, it wobbled along a limp trajectory and fell short before reaching it.

The fallen fireball popped pitifully against the ground. The small humanoid monster in front of me tilted its head in confusion.

Stop with that “Huh?” kind of face!!!

“…The wind was bad just now! You’re lucky!”

“Luka-sama, we are inside a dungeon. There is no wind.”

Please stop with the merciless instant reply.

The small creature began running toward me.

“Whoa, it’s coming, it’s coming!”

I instinctively stepped back. I stumbled. I nearly fell. Crap, I messed up. The creature’s club swung down, but—

Like it was cutting into the trajectory, a silver flash came. In an instant, Yuka stepped in between us.

“Arte Ray.”

The club was deflected, and the small creature was slammed straight into the wall. With a sickening splat, blood scattered across the wall, and it stopped moving.

…Brutal. And gross. What was that guaranteed-kill spell? Where did you even learn that? A brief silence followed. Still sitting on the ground, I looked up at the ceiling.

“…Yuka, you didn’t have to save me—”

“It was dangerous.”

“But I said I’d do this on my own, didn’t I?”

“You were about to die.”

I wouldn’t have died from that! I stood up. I brushed the dust off myself.

“That was just a test run, Yuka.”

“That makes the third time, Luka-sama, that you were about to get injured.”

So annoying.

I let out a small breath. I knew. My magic was slow. It lacked power. It lacked accuracy. If you packed those three elements together, then in a straight-up exchange, my chance of winning was zero.

“Yuka.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think what I need to do right now is increase my firepower?”

Yuka thought for a moment.

“…No.”

Yeah, figures.

“It would be inefficient to pursue power with Luka-sama’s magic capacity.”

Gah! That painfully accurate and helpful wisdom stabbed right through me! I leaned my back against the wall.

“Yeah, I thought so.”

I let my gaze wander slightly. Beginner dungeon. The corridors were narrow with poor visibility, and there were many corners.

“I can use terrain like this, right?”

Yuka narrowed her eyes slightly.

“What is your plan?”

“I just won’t fire from the front.”

It was the kind of obvious idea any average person could come up with, but depending on the situation, it could work.

“I just need to stall them.”

“…Stall?”

“Right.”

I raised my hand. My fire was more stable when it wasn’t an actual flame. Or rather, it was easier to shape into unstable forms.

“Smoke.”

Weak smoke spread gently through the air. It wasn’t thick enough to completely block vision. But it blurred sight enough to make a difference.

“This, I can stabilize.”

A derivative of fire-attribute magic, reproducing only the phenomenon of combustion in the form of smoke. It consumed little magic power, enough that I could maintain it on my own, and it wouldn’t misfire.

“Cut their vision with smoke. Then guide them.”

Yuka listened silently.

“In a narrow space, it’s Elysia and Serena’s stage.”

“And?”

“I won’t come out.”

Absolute shut-in declaration.

“Yuka, I’ll try this on the small creatures now, so you finish them off.”

“…Will that count as training?”

“It will, it will.”

I looked down the corridor again. This time, two small creatures were wandering around.

“I’ll try it.”

“Understood. I will not interfere until the guidance phase is complete.”

I hid behind cover. Deep breath. I flicked a tiny flame at just one of them. There was no power. But it noticed. It got angry and charged toward me.

Good.

“Smoke.”

The smoke cut off its vision. I ran into a narrow side passage. I deliberately made loud footsteps. One of them followed me…

Was the other hesitating? For now, I managed to separate them. At the corner, I slipped behind the wall. The small creature jumped out. At that instant…

From behind it, a quiet flash. In a single moment, the monster was defeated. Yuka appeared.

“Splendid, Luka-sama.”

“It’s exactly the fighting style of the weak, though.”

“That is fine for Luka-sama. As for me, I absolutely do not want Luka-sama to overex—”

While Yuka was saying something or other, I slowly exhaled. This was it.

A form where I didn’t step forward. A form where I wasn’t the one being targeted. I could be the decoy. I couldn’t expect firepower from the start anyway. But I could shape the board like this.

“One more time.”

This time, we’d do it with three. I wiped my sweat. I wouldn’t become strong. Then… I just had to create situations that made it easier for my allies. I would create my own role.

As we moved deeper into the dungeon, I muttered to myself.

“…Being a sore loser is such a pain.”

“…Yes, it certainly is.”

Yuka answered immediately.

“But I will simply follow Luka-sama.”

I smiled slightly at that. The exam was just around the corner. I’d share this with the other two and start real training in earnest. Finally, it was my turn! My time to shine!

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