Return.

Chapter 5

Mithra: – I'll go easy on you for now. If you die, I will be in trouble. I cannot always tell, so if you think you're going to die, please tell me. 

Mitile: Die... Y-Yes!

Akira: (That's certainly a disturbing thing to say right off the bat... I'm glad I came to check in on everyone...)

Mithra: Okay, let's go.

Mithra: 《Arthim》

[Loud, beastly roar]

Mitile: Wah!?

Mitile ducked right in time as a skeletal arm materialized and grabbed at him. Mithra furrowed his eyebrows in disapproval.

Mithra: What are you doing? You need to counter with magic and fight back.

[Loud roar]

Mitile: Wah, wait, w-wait a minute!

Mithra: I will not wait for you. This is a battle.

Mithra: If you hesitate, you will die. Oh, but I won't be killing you this time. 

Mitile: Wah, wah, wahhh...!

Mithra had not cast another spell since they had started. 

He didn't even lift a finger, instead simply crossing his arms and watching Mitile.

Despite this, the skeletal hand latched onto Mitile, and he was cornered and attacked by what looked like a freaky glowing spirit. 

Mitile: ....Ugh, S- 《Scin-》 -ugh...!

Mithra: Now you're using magic? You're too late.

Mitile: Gah! Uwahh!!

Akira: Mitile!? Are you okay!?

By the time I realized what was happening, he had already fallen flat on his rear with a heavy thud.

Mithra looked down at the dirt-covered Mitile and only gave a shrug.

Mithra: No matter how good your spell is, it's useless if you can't cast it.

Mithra: You can't do any magic without a spell. 

Mithra: Uu...Uuu....

Something flashed in Mitile's eyes as his face contorted in frustration.

But he scrubbed at his eyes, and got to his feet. 

Then he fixed his eyes on Mithra, almost as if he was glaring at him.

Mitile: ...Mister Mithra. Let's go again, please!

Mithra: Here we go. 《Arthim》

[Loud roar]

—

[Location: Southern village, evening]

Mitile: Hah… Huff, huff…

Mithra: Mitile, have you exhausted yourself already? 

The sun was beginning to set, easing into evening, but their practice was still going.

Mitile had fallen many times, been blown away, was sent tumbling across the ground like a ball, and was battered and bruised.

Yet he still stood, despite being hunched over, blood-stained, pale-faced, and gasping for air.

Akira: Both of you! He's had enough!

Mitile: One... One more time!

Mithra: 《Arthim》...

Chloe: Mitile, I'm sorry for making you wait~! I've been thinking about the design for your costume and...

Chloe: ...Huh!? Uwah!? Mitile, you don't look so good!

As I turned around, Nero and Chloe began rushing towards us. 

Nero: Mitile! Hey, you alright? You look real dizzy!

Mithra: Stop - please do not interrupt us. We're still training.

Mithra: One more time, let's go--

Nero: Enough of that shit, you bastard!

Mithra: Ha? Bastard?

Nero: Look at him, he's pale as a ghost! He looks like he's about t' collapse.

Nero: He's gonna turn to stone if he keeps using magic like this!

Mithra: ...He's going to turn to stone? Mitile, I specifically said to tell me if you were going to die.

Mitile: No, I'm not! I'm just a little tired. I can still...!

Nero: Nah, you're beat. Mitile, by the looks of it, you seem pretty worked up by all this. 

Nero: Didn't Figaro or someone already tell you? When you're castin' lots of magic and you start gettin' lightheaded, feverish, or generally feelin' weird, you should take a break.

Mitile: ...I mean... He did say...

Chloe: Rustica taught me that, too. He told me that if you start feeling that way, your heart is close to being swallowed up by your own magic.

Chloe: I think we should go back to the Magic Manor for today. You need to take care of your injuries.

Akira: They're both right. Rutile and all the other Southern Wizards will be worried.

Akira: You're already going to be training tomorrow and the day after, right? Let's not push ourselves too hard right now.

Mitile: ...Uu.... Okay, I understand...

Mithra: ....

Mithra: ...Open your mouth.

Mitile: Okay? Ahh–

Mithra: More.

Mitile: Ahhh--! ...Nngh! Mmph!

Mithra: It's sugar. It will help heal injuries and restore your magical strength.

Nero: While that's true, dont'cha think more isn't always the answer...?

Akira: (Mitile's cheeks are stuffed like a greedy hamster...)

Mithra: ...

Mithra: You are the son of the Great Witch Tiletta, and you are using her spell.

Mithra: I am certain you can endure more.

Mitile: ...!

Mithra: Tomorrow, we will train even harder than today. Please be sure to do as I say, even if it's difficult.

Mithra's words contained neither mercy or compassion, and yet Mitile's face immediately lit up.

He managed to swallow the mouthful of sugar and leaned towards Mithra. 

Mitile: Of course. Thank you for helping me, Mister Mithra! 

—

[Location: Southern village, daytime]

Then, a few days later...

I watched their practice, with the large jar of healing salve in one hand and a bottle of water in the other.

Today, Mitile was once again in high spirits, dressed up in the costume that Chloe had tailored for him.

Apparently, using a broom to fly was forbidden during the festival matches, so they were currently practicing how to avoid and defend against attacks in a small, nearby field.

Mitile: Ugh, owie...

Similar to the first day, even at the best of times, Mitile was getting sent flying by Mithra.

But even to the untrained eye, he seemed to be sustaining less damage than before. 

Akira: (It must be a result of his training. Mitile, you're doing a great job.)

Mithra: My turn next.

[Crash, magic flashes]

Mitile: Wahh...!!

Mithra: I told you not to run away.

Mithra: When your body runs away, even your mind starts to become cowardly. That's why you're unable to use any good magic.

Mithra: Do you really want people to watch the son of the Great Witch Tiletta running around like a little mouse?

Mitile: ....Urgh, no!

Mitile: 《Scintilla》!

[Magic shines]

Akira: (Amazing! He deflected Mithra's sparks!)

Mitile: Y..Yes! I did it! Look, I did it, Mister Mithra!

Mithra: Don't get all excited about something this minor.

Mithra: From this point on, you will only be getting stronger.

Mitile: Eheheh... I understand. But I'm also so happy.

Mitile laughed, a scrape on his cheek oozing. Mithra didn't respond, but he didn't seem to be in a bad mood, either. 

It made me happy to see the two of them in such a good mood, and so I called out to them with a big wave.

Akira: Mitile, Mithra! Congratulations on your hard work. 

Akira: They're giving out samples of the meat dishes for the festival in the village.

Akira: I'd like to put some salve on Mitile's injuries, so why don't we take a break and get some lunch?

Mithra: Meat, excellent. I could certainly eat.

Mitile: I'm hungry too. Let's all go together!