Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 249


　Senpai and Kazuki's training is progressing smoothly... or so it seems.
　On the other hand, we were just looking for possibilities for our collaboration.
　I reflect the "racial characteristics" of the assimilated ones to myself.

"Guhee!?"

　Well, although I was thinking about it, it was not going to work out so easily, and I had been blown up by a direct hit from Leona-san's magic bullet for the past three days since I took this form.

"Kuh, Blurin's sense of smell and hearing are too sharp, I can't get used to them..."
『Gru!』
『There's no way you could move like a wild animal that easily.』

　As expected, avoiding magic bullets with the senses of a magic beast was a difficult matter...!
　As I was rubbing the spot where the magic bullet hit me, Leona-san, who was controlling the magic bullet from the top of the hill, peeked at me.

"A-Are you okay!? Usato!"
"Leona-san! One more time, do not hesitate to do it again!"
"...You really haven't changed since in Mialak."

　After successfully assimilating with Blurin, I had seriously escaped from the obsessed senpai and was training with Leona-san again.
　That said, the content of the training is almost the same as before, training to deal with magic bullets, but what is different is that I am now in a new form where I have been assimilated with Blurin.

"Go!"

　Leona-san, who was standing on top of the hill, was manipulating the magic bullets hidden between the trees while holding a spear in her hand.
　In the forest where visibility is obscured, even I have difficulty dodging the magic bullets that Leona-san uses with unparalleled accuracy.
　At times like this, Amako's foresight magic is necessary———,

"Blurin, lend me your strength again!"
『Grua!』

　I have assimilated with Blurin and I have his sense.
　Puzzled by the unfamiliar sensation of his senses expanding, I avoided the magic bullets that were coming at me from behind at breakneck speed by side-stepping.

"Alright, I've gotten the hang of it...!"

　After being overwhelmed by the senses for so long, I feel like I'm finally getting it ... or so!
　The smell of magic———or should I say that?
　I don't know if it was a biological trait as a blue grizzly or something inherent in the magical beast, but I was now able to smell the magic, as Blurin's sense of smell reflected on me.

"From that direction!"
『Grua!』
『What's happening to your adaptability...?』

　While repeatedly stepping, jumping, and backflipping, I fully grasp the magic bullets that are constantly chasing me, using only my sense of smell and hearing.
　But that doesn't last long either.
　In fact, I'm so overwhelmed with information that I feel like I'm about to go crazy, so it's really tough.

"Let’s move on to the next one at once! Leona-san, use system strengthening!"

　Leona-san nodded at my voice, erased the magic bullets she was controlling, and activated ice magic from the top of the hill.
　It is a block of ice created by system strengthening.
　The ice blocks created in the air fall down to where we are.

"Ferrum, Blurin. Let's do it!"
『Guah!』
『Are you really going to do it...?』

　Falling from the sky is a block of ice that Leona-san made with her system strengthening.
　It is the ice that even the rampaging Karon-san, in Mialak, could not manage to destroy.

"Strengthening of Reflection...!"

　My arm is wrapped in black magic and covered in black fur.
　The palm of my hand even has what appears to be a paw print, but I don't worry about it and tighten my arms.
　Hold on, put all my strength into it———,

"Hmph!"

　I slam my fist into the ice block with all my strength.
　With a thunderous sound, the ice block created by the system strengthening is cracked.

"Consecutive Healing Fists!"

　The second blow, fired directly from the fist, finally shattered the ice block.
　As I see the remnants of ice falling to the ground piece by piece, I give a thumbs up to Leona-san at the top of the hill.

"As expected of Blurin. Your strength is more than enough."
『Gruu!』

　The power is amazing, but...maybe the defensive power has also increased because the fur of Blurin is reflected in the uniform.

"...I've decided. Let's name the current form Blurin Mode."
『I understand. It's Magic Beast Mode』
『Gruah! 』

　What did you understand?
　Well, that's fine though.
　With this in mind, as I was undoing the assimilation of Ferrum and Blurin, Leona-san, who was on the hill, came down to us.

"It looks like you've finally figured it out."
"I don’t know if it will be useful in an emergency, though."

　Do what you can while you still can.
　I have done my last training with this idea in mind, but no matter how much I do, it is never enough.

"When I was training with you like before, I remembered when I was teaching you how to fight in Mialak."

　In Mialak, huh?
　At that time, Leona-san and Arc-san taught me how to fight.
　Before that, all I did was punch and hit with brute force, and it was because of that experience that I was able to overcome the fight against Karon-san and the fight against Koga in Hinomoto.

"Hahaha, just like back then, there are still a lot of things I'm lacking."
"That's the same for me. ...I still haven't fully mastered this weapon."

　A staff given to the hero of Mialak.
　After using it which transforms it into the shape desired by the user, Leona-san is as strong as Kazuki and senpai.
　No, when it comes to the application of skills and magic backed by actual battle and experience, this person is outstanding.

"Oi. Usato."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Ferrum?"

　Ferrum taps me on the shoulder from behind.

"Look at that."
"That?"

　When I looked at the sky that could be seen through the gaps in the trees in the direction that Ferrum was pointing, I saw something that looked like a mass of lights flying around in the sky.

"...Kazuki?"

　Kazuki's figure on board of a light magic.
　He skillfully manipulated light magic as if riding a wave, moving and following the magic bullets floating in the air in all directions, pushing forward through the blue sky with glowing trails.

"So he can fly that far already..."
"As expected. I don't think it would be possible for me to manipulate magic in such a delicate way."

　I guess that is exactly what it means to have two separate actions going on at the same time.
　It may be said that this is a technique made possible by Kazuki, who has mastered the art of manipulating magic.
　Does this mean that what Kazuki lacked in agility, has been made up for?

"Ferrum, if I use dark magic, can I fly too?"
"You can."
"Eh, really!?"
"Maybe. But it's not flying, it's gliding, you know? You can't do it unless you assimilate with Nea... I mean, you're faster when you run. There's no point in flying."

　I was told in a very dismayed way.
　Even if I could do it, it's certainly not something I should be practicing right now.

"Usato"

　As I was lost in my thoughts in a daze, Leona-san spoke to me.
　The serious tone of her voice brings me back to my senses and I look at her.

"I know it's a bit much to ask this before a battle, but I want you to hear me out. But I want you to listen."
"What is it?"
"I'm talking about what we should do if our power fails to reach the Demon King."
"!"

　It's not a battle that can definitely be won.
　No, from what Nagi-san said, the battle against the Demon King could be a battle with little chance of even winning.

"It is understandable that Kazuki and Suzune are now growing by leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Kannagi-dono. However, the Demon King is not the only opponent they will be fighting. The Demon Tribe, the Demon King's Army, the Commander of the Corps, and all those around us in the place we are about to go are the enemy.”

　The only allies are the people who are traveling with us right now.
　There is also a hopeless difference in military strength, which is equivalent to fighting one country.
　Under such circumstances, I think it would be quite difficult to fight against the Demon King.
　But in a sense, the answer was already decided in my mind.

"If we are going to lose, I will make sure everyone lives."
"...That's not the problem, okay? Even if you are a healing wizard..."

　I shake my head at Leona-san's words.
　It's not a matter of healing with healing magic.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get everyone out alive. With you, Kazuki, and Senpai, there is still hope."
"..."

　Leona-san and Ferrum, who was playing with Blurin next to her, looked at me with stunned faces.

"Usato, you're just like me before..."
"I understand. Of course, I don't intend to do that, nor do I want to. But if I am forced into a situation where I have to do that...I'm ready."

　I still remember the story of Leona-san trying to drink Kureha's spring.
　I don't like to take such measures either.

"Are you serious?"

　I give a troubled smile to Ferrum, whose voice is somewhat low.

"I'm serious. I'll make you guys go home too, even if I have to force you to."
"If you can do it, do it. I won't let you do whatever you want."
"Gru"

　When I roll my eyes at Ferrum and Blurin, who speak so strongly, she shifts her gaze to the side.

"Also... don’t tell Nea and Amako about that."
"I won't tell them because they'll get mad at me if I say this."
"You're really ill-natured for understanding and thinking that, you know...!"
"Grua!"

　Ferrum kicks me in the shin, and Blurin punches me in the opposite leg with his front foot.
　I can't help but smile bitterly at this heartwarming tsukkomi.
　Let's joke about it, since the atmosphere is a bit gloomy.

"Ah, but I wonder what would happen if I were captured by the Demon King's army? Hahaha."
"Become Koga's playmate"
"What will they do? I can't stop shaking."

　I was trying to make fun of it, but Ferrum's mutterings made me put on a straight face.
　And it's a fear that I can easily imagine.
　I forgot that if I was captured by the demon king's army, Koga was automatically included.
　There is a fear that that guy would definitely do that.

"...I guess it's time to go back to Kannagi-dono."
"I agree"

　Time passed while we talked.
　Moving with Leona-san, Ferrum, and Blurin, we headed to the place where Nagi-san, senpai and others were training.
　An open area through the woods with a waterfall.
　There, Nagi-san and senpai were fighting while the sound of metal echoed.

"Lightning Strike Ittou Itora!"

　The senpai's sword wrapped in lightning clashes with Nagi-san's sword, which is clutching a black sword in its scabbard.
　The air trembles with the sound of metal hitting.
　Senpai, who smiled belligerently without regard to this, spun around in the air and swung her sword at Nagi-san.

"Enbu, from Serpent illusion——"
"I won't let you! Kougai!"

　But before that, Nagi-san's body strikes with her fist on her black sword, held horizontally, and slams into senpai.
　Did the fast initial body blow kill the start of the technique?
　However, senpai also repositioned herself in the air before landing on the ground.

"Thunder Beast Mode 3, Dog Run"

　The electric shock that covered senpai's body instantly turned purple.
　In the Thunder Beast mode, powered up by the system strengthening, she sheathed her sword, held it low, and was about to leap out———,

"———Dragon..."
"Yes, stop!"
"Hmm!?"

　Nagi-san calls for a stop.
　Senpai, who let out a stunned sound as she heard his voice, pouted and angrily approached Nagi-san.

"W-Why are we stopping!?"
"No, I just thought it was time for you to change your mind and use some of your big techniques. If we take it any more seriously, they might notice."

　Nagi-san put her hand on senpai's shoulder as she spoke this while looking up at the sky.

"Suzune, I've taught you the basics of the techniques you need, so now you can create your own version."
"You haven't taught me everything yet, have you? Like Mikakushi Gaeshi"
"It's impossible because it doesn't suit you."
"Total denial!?"

　Nagi-san looks warmly at the shocked senpai.

"You are stronger when you attack your opponent without thinking."
"I wish you wouldn't treat me like I'm some kind of a slasher."

　In the case of senpai, due to her fighting style, evasion is more important than defense.
　I feel like I understand what Nagi-san said.

"Well, that's about all I can teach you. Now it's up to you to do your best."
"Yes! Master!!"
"Is she still in that mood? W-Well, that's fine."

　Nagi-san, who looked somewhat taken back, turned her gaze to us who were watching the fight.

"Kazuki and Suzune are also finished, so it's time to gather everyone."
"What do you mean?"
"Yeah, we will now discuss countermeasures against the Demon King's army."

　After the final training, the next destination is the city where the Demon King is.
　The destination of our journey and the place of the decisive battle.
　I can't imagine what kind of battle will take place there, but we still have to go there.

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
・Usato → assimilated with Blurin to acquire overall ability and increased search ability + bear punch (strong).
・Kazuki → Having learned how to fly, he became a flying mobile artillery battery.
・Suzune → Learn Kannagi-style's "attack" and become more aggressive.