BSS 34

Chapter 34

There were so many things I wanted to say, but even opening my mouth felt impossible now.

I was not someone built for physical activity, and my stamina was horrifically bad.

[Detecting presences isn’t my specialty, I told you.]

“If I die, it’s your fault!”

[A subordinate’s mistake is the superior’s mistake!]

“I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you!”

…If I survive, that is! At this point I was so out of breath I couldn’t even speak anymore.

Since I never ran, my legs were already throbbing viciously.

I didn’t even run this hard when escaping the marketplace!

“Aaaaah—! Rai!”

Undine would be useless, so the only one who came to mind was Rai. Rai had the strength to twist off an orc’s neck!

“Rai! Rai, you bastard!”

Where is he?!

I screamed until my throat hurt, but since I was running, the sound barely came out.

And of course—no answer from Rai. Medicinal herbs are supposedly everywhere except when you need them, and apparently Rai was the same!

Unfamiliar scenery came into view.

I no longer knew where I was going. I was running without thinking—survive first, think later.

“Ugh, damn it— Undine!”

[Yeees— oh! Master!]

Undine appeared, ready to greet me cheerfully, but when she saw me sprinting for my life, she hurried to keep up.

“Undine! That orc— Aqua Ball! Haah—!”

Even speaking one sentence felt impossible.

The Aqua Ball shot forward and burst against the orc’s face.

I never imagined I’d have to use Aqua Ball in an actual deadly situation this soon!

“Pwah! Refreshing!”

I hadn’t expected much, but… this weak? The orc looked refreshed, like someone who drank cool water during a marathon.

[I’m sorry, Master!]

“It’s— it’s— not okay!”

Normally I’d comfort the hurt Undine, but right now my life was in danger.

Where the hell even was I?!

The path grew rougher, and it felt like I was heading downward. A moment later, I realized it wasn’t my imagination.

It was a steep slope.

Which made me run faster—but the orc, who weighed much more, was gaining even more speed.

“You there! Human! Stop running! I’ll eat your hind legs!”

Great. And since I was the light one here, this situation was even worse for me.

A perfect setup to die!

“Ador! Hit that monster with something—anything! Shock it!”

[‘Anything’ is the hardest request…]

“Use the strongest spell my mana can fuel!”

[Lightning Hand!]

What am I supposed to do with glowing hands?! I slammed my hand against a tree blocking my view, and it instantly turned to ash.

Okay, so this was definitely a close-range combat spell.

“Not this! Long range! LONG RANGE!”

[…You’re really picky.]

God—when the spirit is stupid, the master suffers!!

I wanted to cry. Seriously cry. How much mana had I wasted on these useless sparkly hands?

[Shock!]

Ador cast a second spell and drained almost all my mana—but there was finally hope.

The orc let out a shriek and then crashed to the ground.

And even though I didn’t want to admit it… I smelled delicious pork belly.

The ground shook as the huge monster fell. I slowed my running.

[Success! He fell! Master!]

“…Haaah…”

Undine’s voice finally let me stop and turn around.

I guess water and electricity really are a good combination.

“Hahh… Huff… Is it over? Doesn’t look dead… Ador! Go check.”

[Eh? Why me? Master? There’s a low-tier spirit right there…]

“Shut up and go.”

He complained but flew off toward the orc. I backed away just in case.

And then—holy crap—there was a cliff right behind me. If I’d run just a little longer, I’d be dead already.

The past few days felt like a crash course on all the different ways a person could die. Horrifying.

[Master!]

Ador circled once above the orc’s head and returned.

[It’s breathing! Just unconscious!]

“Really?”

Relieved, I plopped onto the ground.

How did this even happen? Right—went out for a quick errand, got lost because of Ador, ran into an orc…

“Ador?”

[Yes, Master! Are you impressed by my power?!]

“Let’s cancel our contract.”

[…W-Why are you saying something so terrifying?!]

“You almost killed me! If you had a conscience, you’d get out of my life!”

[N-No! You can’t cancel it one-sidedly!]

“Break up with me!”

I’d never heard of humans breaking contracts with spirits, but it wasn’t like it was forbidden.

[I only did what you told me!]

“Then do what I tell you now—cancel it!”

[J-Just give me one more chance! I’ll be better from now on!]

“Does it make sense for a spirit to almost kill its master?! DOES IT?!”

[I wasn’t trying to kill you… You’re just… weak…]

“AAAH!”

Spirits were going to ruin my sanity! How did other spirit mages train their minds for this?!

[P-Please calm down, both of you…]

“Undine! Think about it! He drove me into danger!”

[I don’t know everything, but… Master. Spirits cannot try to kill their masters.]

“…What?”

[Contracts between a spirit and a human are like that. We vow to protect the master with our lives. I don’t believe he would ever harm you on purpose.]

[Well said! You’re a good one! Even though you’re low tier!]

Ador looked way too happy to have support. Undine was just too kind.

“Haaah… My cursed fate…”

I decided to calm myself after hearing Undine’s explanation.

Ador wasn’t entirely wrong—the weak really were as good as dead in this world.

To live a long life, I really did have to get stronger.

Unbelievable, but true. I’d barely left the Academy and was already fighting for my life nonstop.

I was truly a fragile creature in this world.

The Academy, which had always felt suffocating, suddenly seemed like a gentle paradise in comparison.

[Master?]

[M-Master! Master!!]

I was lost in thought when they both suddenly panicked. Undine flapped her hands at me frantically.

“Eh?”

“Guueeek!”

“Eek!”

The orc had woken up.

Why now?! I stumbled backward in shock.

Backward—straight off the cliff where a violent river raged below.

Wind roared past my ears.

Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!!

Why was a ten-year-old girl being put through trials like this?!

If there was a god, he could go eat dirt!

“AAAHHH!”

I screamed again. I tried to grab something, anything, but I was already seconds from hitting the water.

“Undine! W-Water Breathing!”

Remembering that spell at the last moment felt miraculous.

Apparently I truly did not want to die. I cast it just before hitting the water, avoiding death by drowning.

Fwoom!

A spherical water barrier enveloped me instantly. It was made of water but didn’t make me wet.

Water Breathing—magic that lets you breathe underwater.

A spell I thought I’d never need was suddenly saving my life. I’m sorry, Undine! I thought it was useless!

[Are you okay, Master?!]

I was too shocked to answer at first, feeling only my pounding heart.

Once I confirmed I was alive, I stared blankly at the transparent barrier surrounding me.

Outside, the current rushed violently while I sank deeper and deeper.

I touched the barrier—cool and smooth.

“This world…”

…is garbage sometimes, but also incredible.

Magic always surprised me, leaving me stunned no matter how often it showed up.

But I couldn’t stay amazed—my mana was being drained rapidly.

The deeper I went, the darker it became. It was already night, and now there was no light at all.

First, I cut off the mana going to Ador. He couldn’t follow me underwater, so he must’ve been forcibly dismissed.

Judging by how fast my mana was draining, I had maybe two minutes before the spell failed.

“Undine!”

The barrier was sinking fast toward the riverbed. If it broke before I figured something out, I was finished.

I had to find a way out.