Volume 3 Chapter 122: First Day of Camping (2/2)
“Ku ku ku… Good job teaching them, beginner teacher.” [Howard]
“Ah, Howard-san. Good job to you too.” [Ryouma]
“Looks like you can hold your own pretty well.” [Howard]
“Really?” [Ryouma]
“Yeah. They looked like they understood what you were trying to get at. And you also got them thinking. Not even knowing what to tell is usually the sign of a guy who really sucks at the job. From that perspective, you’re actually pretty good.” [Howard]
“That’s good then.” [Ryouma]
Howard-san gives me the impression that he’s not very serious, but he might just be trying relieve the tension. He was here already, so I asked him about something that was concerning me.
“By the way, is my camping method weird?” [Ryouma]
“Which part? Just as was mentioned earlier, there are people who believe that one should conserve mana and stamina. You say it’s not a waste to put effort in improving one’s campsite, but the orthodox method is still to bring a tent and some tools when leaving town.
Dimension Magic experts can store their belongings in their conjured spaces, but that’s impossible for a beginner. At most, a beginner would be able to start a fire with a fire spell or sate his thirst with water magic when he’s out of water. You look fine, but do you still have mana left?” [Howard]
“I’ve got plenty. I’m the type that has a lot of mana. In fact, people say I have enough to be compared to a royal court magician.” [Ryouma]
“So that’s why you’re that calm. If you’re not pushing yourself, then I guess your method works too.” [Howard]
“Ryouma, can I have a sec?” [Lucas]
Oh? It’s Lucas-san.
He’s the tallest of his two friends. Although, he’s only about a head bigger than them, with that large hammer on his back, he gives the appearance of a vigorous and powerful man. That powerful man was currently holding a wooden plank atop which was a feathered pen and paper, however. In between the small finger and ring finger of his left hand holding the plank was a small bottle of ink.
“It’s about the night watch. What time do you want? We’re asking out of consideration for people bad at waking up or those that have some health problems.” [Lucas]
“I’m fine anytime, as I’m pretty good with nighttime. In fact, I can even hunt during the night, so my eyes are pretty good during it too.” [Ryouma]
“No health problems. No preferred time. Good at night and has sharp eyes. Alright.” [Lucas]
Lucas-san repeated what I said to himself as he wrote them down on the paper.
I wonder if there are also adventurers with low blood pressure.
…I don’t have any experience with it personally, so I don’t really know, but when I think back to my coworkers in my previous life, it seems pretty dangerous.
“Alright. Thanks for cooperating. The allotment of work will be announced later, so look around if you have the time. You too, Howard.” [Lucas]
“Understood.” [Ryouma]
Despite his looks, he’s taking care of the more subtle jobs.
“Hey, pull it more.” [Student 1]
“I’m pulling. I’m pulling.” [Student 2]
“I’m going to go get some water.” [Student 3]
After completing my own preparations, I went with Howard-san to look around.
“Doesn’t seem like there’s any problem here.” [Ryouma]
There were some people struggling a little, but not to the point where we needed to intervene.
“It’s the first day, after all. There shouldn’t be anyone causing problems” [Howard]
“What did you say!?” [???]
“And as soon as I say that, someone goes and causes trouble. Good grief.” [Howard]
“Let’s go.” [Ryouma]
Going around a tent, we went to the source of the voice. There, Berk’s group was glaring at a group of four boys. For some reason, the atmosphere was hostile.
“Hey, what are you doing?” [Howard]
“!” [Students]
“Nothing important enough to get your attention, sir.” [Berk]
“Yeah!” [Adventurer 2]
“That’s right.” [Adventurer 3]
When Howard-san spoke up, the two groups suddenly seemed to be in agreement and denied there being a problem.
“We were just talking about looking for food.” [Rumil]
“They started nitpicking then, so I just ended up raising my voice.” [Berk]
“You’re the ones nitpicking!” [Adventurer 1]
When Berk-said that, the other four responded. The vague atmosphere turned hostile once again.
“Ryouma. It’s probably best that we split this two groups and hear them out.” [Howard]
“Right. In that case, I’ll take charge of the group of 6. I know them, so they’ll probably have an easier time talking to me.” [Ryouma]
“Alright. I’ll take the group of four then.” [Howard]
And so, I took the group of six to the front of my lodging.
I made a simple table and some chairs with earth magic, then heard them out.
“So, what was that about?” [Ryouma]
“Just the usual… We told you before, right? That there are guys that make fun of Wist? Those guys were exactly that sort.” [Berk]
Ah, he did say something like that. So those four were like that, huh.
“They’re strong, you know? Although I don’t like their personalities, they’re good at hunting.” [Berk]
“Umm… between picking herbs and hunting, hunting is usually the more profitable work. So, since those guys do nothing but hunt, they make more than us, who mainly pick herbs…” [Wist]
“Guys like those like to poke fun at herb-gatherers like us… desu.” [Finia]
“When we talked about looking for food, they told us, ‘What? You’re going to pluck herbs here too?’” [Rumil]
So that’s what started the fight.
After asking for more details, I don’t know if I should say it’s just as I expected it, but the one quarreling was mostly Berk. One guy provoking, the other being provoked. It’s the usual story. But just like the previous cases, no one really fought for real.
“Alright. I think I’ve got the gist of it.” [Ryouma]
“Umm… Are we going to be punished?” [Wist]
“I don’t know what decision Roche-san and the others will make, but as far as I’m concerned, a light warning should do. No one left any lasting injuries, and it’s not like you fought in the first place, and from the sound of things, it seems the other group is the one at fault.
I do think you should control your temper a little better, though, Berk, but I guess this is still better than not saying anything when someone is making fun of your friend…” [Ryouma]
His attitude makes it easy to provoke him, but it’s not something I dislike personally.
In any case, I’ll just give them a warning for this incident.
After telling them to reflect on this incident, I left to give my report.
In the end, the punishment to be given out wasn’t much different from what I had in mind, and only a warning was given.
On top of that, a reminder was given that the instructors wouldn’t be interfering unless it is to exchange information pertaining to bandits or monster appearances or other such information related to the safety of the students.