Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Volume 5 Chapter 10   Kana and Koosuke

And so, we were supposed to disband, but Miyano, perhaps wanting to retain the feeling of the recent battle, went for independent training. Abe and Kitahara headed to the library for magic development.

Only Asada and I remained in that place.

“Oh well, I guess it was impossible after all. I thought I could go a little further…”

Her voice seemed to imply that she wasn’t concerned, but in the next moment, Asada’s expression suddenly turned dark.

“Hey… Am I really getting stronger? Can I… become strong?”

“You are getting stronger.”

Without hesitation, I firmly asserted to dispel the uncertainty she was feeling.

“Really?”

However, her anxiety still persisted.

Even as I stared straight into Asada’s face, she averted her gaze before beginning to speak.

“…Because Mizuki broke his sword, Haruka and Yuzu were able to completely defend against his attacks and corner him. But me…?”

Well, those three have certainly become stronger. While it’s true that Miyano put up a good fight against the Special Rank, in reality, it wouldn’t have been possible for Abe and Kitahara, both First Rank, to win against a Special Rank opponent. Special Ranks are truly extraordinary beings.

However, the fact that Miyano could hold his own against a more experienced Special Rank, and that Abe and Kitahara were able to defeat a Special Rank opponent, was all because of her breaking his weapons. If Sieg’s weapon had been in perfect condition, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly for either of them.

“But what about me?”

Indeed, from a purely result-based perspective, it may seem like Asada didn’t achieve significant outcomes against Sieg despite putting up a good fight. But that’s just how it appears.

In reality, it was her who mostly broke the weapons, not Miyano, and it was because of that, Abe and Kitahara were able to win without having their barriers shattered.

Apart from the weapon incident, I think Sieg saw her as the biggest threat. That expression he briefly revealed— a serious look mixed with surprise, urgency, and confusion. When facing Miyano and the others, he showed surprise but not urgency.

“You can become stronger.”

It was because I genuinely believed that I said it to Asada once again.

Upon hearing my words, Asada didn’t fully regain confidence, but there was a slight intensification of emotions in her eyes as she looked back at me.

“…”

“If you can’t become stronger, I’ll grant you one request. That’s how confident I am that you can become stronger.”

However, her response was slightly different from what I expected.

“Huh? S-So, you’re saying it’s better if I don’t become stronger…?”

“You’re reacting to that part? Come on, that’s where you should push yourself.”

Indeed, from her perspective, if she can’t become stronger, she can rely on me for a favor. But even so, isn’t this the moment to push forward?

“Yeah.”

However, I said that as a joke, and Asada nodded, wearing a faint mischievous smile.

It seems like she regained some of her usual energy, to some extent.

But still, it feels like she hasn’t completely turned her gaze forward.

“Or what? Are you going to come crying to me? Saying, ‘I’ve had enough. I don’t want to try anymore. It’s all meaningless. So let me be coddled’?”

But I don’t think she would accept such an option.

At least, the person I know isn’t someone who would break down or give up over something like this. Even though she may pause or hesitate, she’s not that kind of person.

If she were, I wouldn’t be so invested in her… in them.

“If that’s what you wish, should I pamper you? ‘There, there. You did well. You don’t have to push yourself because I’ll protect you.'”

“!”

Asada flinched at my words, but she clenched her teeth and slowly shook her head before speaking.

“No, that’s not it. Just being protected… I absolutely hate feeling so pathetic.”

Asada said firmly, looking directly into my eyes.

Upon hearing her words, I fell silent, and Asada closed her eyes, lowering her gaze. Time passed without either of us saying anything.

After a few minutes, Asada lifted her face from its lowered position and looked at me. But just as I thought that, she quickly averted her gaze, seemingly embarrassed.

“…Um, sorry. That wasn’t like me, was it?”

She seemed quite troubled.

Well, I already knew that… sigh.

I let out a sigh and placed my hand on top of Asada’s head, gently rubbing it with a bit of roughness.

I hope this can help her forget even a little.

“Hey, what are you doing?! What’s with the rough treatment?”

“It may not be my usual style, but don’t worry about it. It’s a privilege of children to worry. When you become an adult, there are many situations that won’t allow you to worry so easily. So while you’re still a child, go ahead and worry—it’s okay. Do your best.”

“Thank you…”

“You’re welcome.”

──◆◇◆◇──

After two more weeks had passed since the simulated battle with Sieg, today was two days before the school trip.

“You’re starting to shape up. If you can use your abilities without hesitation like before, you might be able to hold your own against Sieg to some extent.”

Since that day, I’ve continued to train Miyano and the others, as well as Asada. The progress of Miyano and the others goes without saying—they are doing well.

With Miyano, once I taught her the theory of magic, it was up to her to practice and master it on her own. So my role was mostly offering advice on how to set up and use different spells.

As for Abe and Kitahara, similar to Miyano, I helped them with the usage of the magic I taught them and discussed the spells they had devised. I also provided some guidance on close-quarters combat.

The real challenge was Asada, who was trying to learn techniques she had only studied in theory. However, ever since her experience using the magic stones during her battle with Sieg, she seemed to have gained a sense of how to manipulate magical power, and suddenly she was able to control it.

I was surprised when she attempted to enhance her magic using the magic stones, which I thought she couldn’t even handle. But thanks to that, she managed to learn how to do it.

Though she hasn’t fully mastered the manipulation of magical power yet, her ability to enhance magic was still unstable, with short durations and varying success when using the magic stones. Nevertheless, she had reached a point where she could enhance her magic with about a fifty percent success rate.

“But still, can’t you win?”

“Well, he’s a professional who has been fighting for years. The difference in experience is significant.”

“The difference in experience, huh? That’s something I can’t do anything about.”

Sieg has been working as an adventurer for many years, facing formidable opponents as a “Hero.” It’s unrealistic to expect to defeat someone like that after just a month of training.

However, while it couldn’t be said that victory was guaranteed, we had managed to bring it to a point where it was possible, maybe.

Of course, it was thanks to Asada’s own efforts, but even so, her progress was extraordinary.

As her instructor, I had believed that she would eventually be able to do it, but I had expected it to take at least three months to reach a fifty percent success rate when using the magic stones. And even that was an optimistic estimate.

Yet, in just one daring and reckless step during the battle with Sieg, she succeeded. She must have some talent, but it could also be called sheer determination or perhaps pride.

Regardless of her shortcomings or defeats, even while fully aware of her own inadequacy, she would shatter everything and continue moving forward. That indomitable spirit that defines her.

It is precisely because of that spirit that she was able to acquire new power so quickly.

I’ve been working hard, at least to some extent, but it has been fueled by escapism and a vengeful desire against someone I can’t even identify.

In contrast, Asada simply and earnestly moves toward her goals, putting in the effort to grasp her wishes.

…She really is an impressive individual.

“…But, Mizuki is different, right?”

As the conversation momentarily paused, Asada muttered unexpectedly.

At first glance, her words may seem to carry a sense of resignation and sadness, as she used to feel. But that’s not the case.

In her eyes, there is no trace of the negative emotions of resignation or sadness that existed before.

Instead, let’s call it the gaze of a challenger. In Asada’s eyes, there was a fierce gleam, ready to take on any challenge and fiercely confront it.

“Can I stand by Mizuki’s side now?”

“Who knows.”

“…After going through all this training together, is that all you have to say? Don’t you have something better?”

As Asada heard my words and pouted in disappointment, shrugging her shoulders, there was nothing much I could do about it.

I’ve provided emotional support and guidance to both her and Miyano, but in the end, they need to have their own conversations and confrontations. That’s the only way forward.

“Well, it depends on how Mizuki feels about it. It’s up to you to prove that you can stand by her side. My words won’t make a difference, and even if I told you to give up, you wouldn’t, right?”

“Of course! That goes without saying!”

“Then it’s meaningless for me to say anything, isn’t it?”

“But still, as a girl, I want you to say something.”

Ordinary girls probably wouldn’t find themselves in a situation where they have to train and show their strength to someone else. But if you think of it like trying to reconcile with a friend after a fight, it’s just an ordinary situation, isn’t it?

However, there’s still something…

“You’re the type to break through anything in your path. No, in your case, you’re the one who shatters obstacles,” I recalled, and couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“Think, prepare, and then just collide with it,” I said, realizing that was probably the best thing I could say.

“Come on, say something more clever. Well, whatever. I won’t stop anymore,” Asada said confidently, laughing spiritedly, and turned her back to me. But then, she turned around again, saying, “Oh, by the way,” as she faced me once more.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming school trip, so be prepared!” she exclaimed.

How can you be prepared for something you’re looking forward to?

“You’re the one who said to collide,”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“For me, they’re the same!” she replied.

Her words left me at a loss, and I couldn’t help but make a subtle expression.

“Well, anyway, do your best,” I said.

I had planned to have this conversation a little later, but I guess now is a good time.

She’s working so hard.

To ensure her efforts aren’t in vain, it’s time to have that talk.