#473 The Students’ Growth

Rhatil and I received a smack from Orkra.

"Ogodei!”

“Khan!”

It hurt so much that we let out weird shrieks.

Then again, our heads would’ve sunk all the way to our torsos if he hit us for real, so he was probably holding back.  

“I told you to run away if you were in danger! What was with that overconfident show just now?!”

That’s why he got angry.

“What would I say to Lord Saint, Sensei, and your parents if something terrible had happened to you? I would’ve had to commit seppuku! You need to cultivate better judgment and know when to back off!"

“WE’RE SO SORRY!”

Meanwhile, our classmates were dismembering the dead square boars around us after they heard the commotion. 

There were an absurd number of boars, so it should be enough to replenish our meat supply.

“B-But, it’s not like we could escape either...!”

“A square boar’s legs are faster than a person's, so we had no choice but to stand up to them if we wanted to survive...!”

As I stand alongside Rhatil, desperately making excuses, Orkra says frankly, “You should’ve climbed up a tree then.” 

“Huh?”

“Boars can't climb trees. Didn't I tell you beforehand it's best to evacuate and let them pass?"

...

That... seems to have slipped our minds.

I mean, you tend to forget the most important things during an emergency, right? 

...Right?! 

“...Walkina, Rhatil, you each get minus points.”

“YESSIR...”

And so, we escaped danger.

* * *

We may have gotten a point deduction, but I think we both learned an important lesson after making it out alive. 

With me in the front and Rhatil in the back, this position allowed us to maximize each other's strengths and compensate for each other's shortcomings, making for a more solid fight.

“I didn't die thanks to you, Walkina.”

He thanked me again when we returned to the farm.

Stop it, man.

“The same goes for me too. But don't you think we did a good job back there?”

“Back where?”

“You prepped your big move while I bought you time by protecting you.”

“Ahh, that!”

If we can perfect that, I feel like we’d be invincible.

After all, no amount of physical enhancement can absorb all external attacks.

This became clear to me when the boars attacked me.

If you are looking for an extensive, devastating attack, nothing is better than the demons’ alchemy—the very same thing that we humans lack in our fighting style.

“But in order to cast powerful magic, it is absolutely necessary to ensure that there is enough time for chanting the spell. I was able to make room thanks to your support. I’ve never been able to cast a series of special spells with such ease during a battle.”

“There was a buffer in between, though!”

“I meant I could start my next chant without having to pause!”

Looks like Rhatil has cheered up a little now.

I don’t think he’ll be talking about returning to the Demon Kingdom anymore.

“Wait. Didn’t I break my sword in the mountains?”

“Quite pathetically, mind you.”

“Don’t remind me that! Anyway, I got a new weapon now...”

“You mean that?”

It’s a staff.

As a human, I’m not sure I know how it works.

"Does a staff count as a weapon?”

All the weapons I know of have blades. Even blunt weapons are made of heavier metal.

But a staff?

“A staff?!”

“I’m not surprised someone from the human race doesn’t understand. It's called a magic wand, an aid for using magic.”

Is that so?

“We inlay gems or talismans into them for spiritual effect or inscribe hymns to deepen one's communion with a particular spirit. That, in turn, increases the power.”

I didn’t know that. Cultural difference, I guess.

“Does that mean you can control your magic better?”

“Yep. It can increase the effectiveness of spells and even save me the trouble of chanting!”

“But isn't it unreliable as a weapon?”

It looks like it could break instantly if you hit it against something.

“That’s why we must rely completely on our magic during battles. You could say it's a biased way of fighting. But I think that's the way the demons will be fighting from now on.”

I see no hesitation in Rhatil’s eyes.

“In the incoming era, we will never be able to compete with humans in terms of physical strength or close combat. But rather than compensating for the areas in which we fall short, it would be better to polish our fortes further.”

“Hence the sword-to-staff weapon change?”

“If push comes to shove and we’re forced into hand-to-hand combat, we’d probably lose immediately. But you’ll save me before that happens, right?”

Of course.

Demons and humans are no longer enemies.

The time has come for us to cooperate to face the same foe.

Different races, different characteristics, different strengths and weaknesses.

If we complement each other, there will surely be no enemies who can face us.

“Demons and humans are going to change drastically. Those who can read through the times will be at the top of the next era. In that sense, being in this situation may be a boon for us as we are at the forefront of these changes.”

“So, does that mean you don't want to leave the farm anymore?”

“Yeah. I'm going to see how far my talents can take me in this blessed environment.”

It's no longer about the strong surviving but about those who remain faithful to their surroundings.

In the end, this is probably much more realistic than the survival of the fittest mindset.

After a long period of contemplation, Rhatil finally realized what strength is.

“Of course, I don't think I have the one true answer. Some of the other demon students on the farm still insist on solo close-combat.”

“Oh yeah?”

“They appealed to Sensei about a method that utilizes our magic to suit close combat without relying on chants. I also heard that some are experimenting with methods to strengthen their bodies with biomana.”

“Huh...”

The body enhancement method is based on biomana, which is present in all living creatures.

The theory is that anyone alive and intelligent enough to utilize this can use the body enhancement method.

“Just because the human race happens to have the highest base amount of biomana doesn’t mean other races cannot use it.”

Still, with our base difference, they’d lose if they challenged the human race.

To go further beyond that, they need to be more creative.

“Everyone is looking for new ways of doing things. We can't fall behind! We gotta be ahead of them...!”

Seeing his fighting spirit, I understood why the human race lost the war.

We were given the physical enhancement method and were entranced by its sheer awesomeness.

But it’s not enough to be satisfied with what is given to us.

If you want to get stronger and better, you have to evolve; you have to think about what you’re going to do and walk on your own feet. 

Because even if you can move forward while standing still with the tailwind on your side, it won’t last forever. Eventually, this wind will cease, and you’ll be overtaken by those who choose to walk down their paths.

“Like these guys, for example...!”

I had an advantage with the new technique Sensei taught us, but I’m bound to lose again at this rate. 

It’s like the wool has been pulled over my eyes.

This is why the demon race is terrifying!

“I'm going to try my best to find a new future for the human race. It’s a little unlike me to do that, though.”

“Let's do our best together as human and demon.”

We shake each other’s hands.

There are so many things we can gain from this place.

* * *

By the way...

Remember a human guy and a demon girl arguing at the beginning of this story?

Apparently, they’re dating. 

They would fight each other in the open but then flirt behind the scenes—it disgusts me.

I hope they explode.

----------

*Ögedei Khagan was the third son of Genghis Khan and the second khagan-emperor of the Mongol Empire, succeeding his father. 

i think author did this on purpose,,,,