The Water Magician

The group approached a barren land where not even grass was growing.

In the vast wasteland, there were a dozen or so rocks.

They stood at about chest height for a person...

"I have a strange sense of déjà vu."

"Ryo-san?"

"Oh, no, it's just that rock..."

At that moment.

Thud.

It was the sound that came from Mora, who was leading the way.

"A stone just flew at us!"

"Uh-oh! [Ice Wall]!"

As Ryo created an ice wall surrounding the group, stones began to fly at them from all directions.

Of course, the [Ice Wall] deflected everything.

"It seems we've entered a nest of wild golems."

Ryo frowned.

"Golems?"

"Huh? Aren't golems those big humanoid creatures?"

"That reaction feels nostalgic."

Indeed, it was the same reaction Ryo used to have.

The third defense squad did not know about golems.

They were also unaware of wild golems.

Ryo should have noticed before they got surrounded.

"What a blunder."

Ryo's mutter was heard by Anjuri, but she didn't understand the reason behind it and only glanced at him.

"I'd like to hit one if possible."

"Huh?"

"As an experience..."

Though she looked slightly downcast, Captain Mora was the one to suggest it.

They were bludgeoners.

A profession that involves hitting and kicking to deal damage to the opponent.

It was understandable that she wanted to hit a moving rock.

"Should we try hitting one while I protect you with the ice wall?"

Ryo proposed.

Since Mora expressed her desire to try, it was only natural for a coach to want to let her test it out.

"Is that okay?"

"Yes. I'll surround you with a small [Ice Wall], so approach the nearest one in that state and go for it! Don't worry, my ice won't break from those stones."

Ryo thumped his chest with his right fist.

It was a gesture of reassurance, but it probably didn't get through.

As long as it was conveyed that everything would be fine, that was enough.

That the ice wall would adequately protect them.

"However, there will be attacks from the golem facing you..."

"Yes, I'll defend against those properly."

Captain Mora nodded.

Then, she looked around.

She pointed to one golem.

"I'll attack that one."

"Understood. [Ice Wall]."

As Ryo chanted, a light blue ice wall encircled Mora.

Confirming this, Mora headed towards the target golem.

Meanwhile, stones rained down on Mora, but they were all deflected by the ice wall.

Seeing this, Mora seemed to deepen her trust in the [Ice Wall].

Mora stood in front of the goal golem.

She could hear Ryo's voice.

"Now, I'll start the countdown! Three, two, one, zero!"

The [Ice Wall] that separated Mora from the target golem vanished.

Punch, punch, punch, kick...

Mora's rush began.

"Such amazing consecutive strikes!"

Ryo was honestly surprised.

He had seen the battles of the five, including Mora, before, but this attack from Mora was on a completely different level.

In the midst of her consecutive strikes, stones were released from the golem being hit.

However, Mora swatted them away with her left bracer.

"Oh!"

Ryo couldn't help but exclaim.

Her reaction speed to attacks in such close combat was quite impressive.

"Mora's skills as a bludgeoner are quite high."

Anjuri commented.

"However, she is inherently kind and very considerate of those around her, which can sometimes lead to delays in decision-making."

"I see. She thinks a lot before acting."

Ryo nodded.

But Ryo knew.

That was certainly not a flaw.

In situations where immediate decisions are required, it might be harshly evaluated, but in reality, there aren't many such scenarios in life.

Generally, one can think things through a little.

In such situations, Mora's temperament would actually be a positive trait.

"She’s more suited for strategy than tactics," Ryo muttered in agreement.

It had been about two minutes.

Mora jumped back significantly.

In response, Ryo used the [Ice Wall] to separate the golem from Mora.

Mora returned.

"No good, it won't break at all."

"To not even get a crack after that many consecutive strikes…"

"It’s definitely not just a regular rock."

Mora shook her head, and Mini and Palas frowned as well.

The three bludgeoners understood the hardness of a wild golem.