The Mage Will Master Magic Efficiently In His Second Life

Translator: Jimi Editor: Ryunakama

In the end, I again missed out on handing over the crystal fragment to Silverie, and had to return to my tent.

The next time I meet her, I ought to just force her to take it before she escapes.

Well, Ive thought of doing that a couple of times though. Somehow things never went smoothly.

I entered the tent just as the meal was ready, so we began to eat together.

Frankly speaking, Shirushus cooking was not great, and the fact that the children had to scrounge for food in the shopping district was, well, understandable.

Its likely that until now, she probably hasnt eaten any delicious food, since she certainly hasnt developed a discerning palate.

Perhaps she was able to tell that something was off by tasting it herself, Shirushus expression was clouded.

S-sorry, I couldnt make it taste good

Now now, Shirushu-san, well teach you another time.

Yup yup With practice youll get better, right?

After finishing up our meal, Milly and Shirushu fell asleep, while I went for another session of manipulating Claudes and Lydias magic lines.

Speaking of which, Shirushu has yet to learn the growth rate enhancement magic, Growth.

The Growth Scroll had been returned to its owner and is currently not on hand, but it should still be possible to directly engrave it into her body by meddling with her magical lines.

Although it would take a considerable amount of time, it would also help to suppress Shirushus rampages, therefore its something we should do.

Thanks to the magic lines manipulation session every night, the two ladies Growth levels have been steadily increasing too, while it would be undesirable to have too much difference in levels within a guild.

As I was pondering, my fatigue eventually caught up to me.

Late into the night, I was awoken by the feeling of something dripping onto my cheek.

In the darkness where everyone was supposed to be asleep, I could hear the sound of heavy panting.

Something leaned onto my body, completely restricting my movements.

This presence is

As my eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, I saw the thing which fell onto me. It was Shirushu.

Her hair was dyed red and her eyes were vacant. Although it seems like she did not undergo beast transformation, her consciousness was not present.

Sleepwalking or something huh?

Shirushu?

Fuwaa

Shirushu, oi get a hold of yourself.

Heh!? Ah! Zeph-sa..?

I called out Shirushus name several times, while lightly patting her cheek, and Shirushu woke up with a start.

However, she did not move away from where she was on top of me.

I mean, I am desperately trying to move my body, but things arent working out the way I hoped it would.

Im sorr I-Ill move away immediately!

Are you alright, Shirushu?

I propped myself up with my elbows and touched Shirushu, intending to move her away, when she hugged me with all her might.

Shirushu?

Im sorry My body moved on its own

Seeing that I was bewildered by the sudden hug, Shirushu apologized while still in the embrace.

As if in heat, Shirushu rubbed her body against mine.

Her rough breath was felt on my shoulders.

I see, Shirushus beast nature must have overpowered her sense of reasoning when she heard the moans from Claude and Lydia during their magic lines manipulation session.

This situation is somewhat similar to what happened the other day in the inn, when I was manipulating Claudes magic lines.

Come to think of it, it would seem that whenever she loses her mind, Shirushus hair turns a deeper pink.

Please tie me up. At this rate, its too tough! I cant hold on!

Got it. My bad, I should have predicted that such a thing would happen.

Hurry

Shirushus whole body had already turned red and it feels like she would soon be at her limit.

I forcefully peeled Shirushu off me, and sat her down.

From my pouch, I took out the rope which we used to restrain Shirushu the other day, and used it to tie up Shirushus hands, feet and body.

Using the method taught by Lydia, as I bound Shirushus body up tightly, she let a sweet sigh leak from her lips.

Fuaa

Its almost done, so endure it for awhile more.

Yes

By the time I finished binding Shirushu up, she was completely dazed.

Even when I called out to her, she only gave half-hearted replies, as she was squirming about and twisting her body.

Her rationality may have already been flung out of the window.

Sleep Code wouldnt have worked on her in this state, and in the first place, she probably wasnt even conscious

Well, whatever.

Goodnight, Shirushu.

After tucking Shirushu, who looked as if she was delirious from a high fever in, I also fell asleep.

The next morning.

AhGood morning, Zeph-san

MorningEh, you alright? Shirushu, your eyes are red.

Ahaha I havent been sleeping

When I woke up, I found Shirushu under my blanket.

Her hair was back to her normal color, but her eyes were bloodshot and red.

Fua Good morning, Zeph-kun

Cl-Claude!?

Eh What are you doing!?

Seeing the bound Shirushu who was under my blanket, Claudes eyes were round with surprise.

Claude looked as if she had seen something which she shouldnt have, and immediately averted her eyes.

Ah~ this is uh Shirushu crawled under my blanket

I-I understand. Shirushu-san sometimes slips into my futon too but even so, tying her up for that

Shirushu told me to tie her up.

Ahh~~

Claude and I were frantic, while Shirushu simply looked vacantly at us.

I guess her mind isnt functioning due to a lack of sleep.

With an absent-minded look, Shirushu was glancing between Claude and I.

Then, when she finally understood the situation, her face and hair dyed red and she let out a wordless shriek.

~~~~~!?

Then, she jumped up to her feet and was about to run away from us, when she fell grandly on the floor.

She probably forgot that she was tied up with rope.

A-are you okay, Shirushu-san?

UuUu

After I helped Shirushu up and undid the rope, she wrapped herself in a blanket and curled up in a corner of the tent.

She did not respond despite being called multiple times, and stayed huddled even after everyone had woken up.

Shirushu, whats wrong?

Various things happened, please leave me alone.

Various things weredone, isnt it, Zeph-chi~

Lydia was grinning as she examined me. I averted my eyes from her.

The tough part is not being able to deny it completely.

Millys gaze was also burning into me.

Claude

I guess thats just your usual behavior?

As Claude was speaking, she turned towards me with a pleasant smile on her face.

Ugh, what a refreshing smile.

Claude didnt back me up this time either. Damn.

As expected, Shirushus nature as a beastfolk is somewhat troublesome. It would seem that we cannot afford not to conduct the sealing again as early as possible.

As I was bathed in the cold stares from the three ladies, I began my morning preparations.

In the end, Shirushu, who had stayed up all night, fell asleep while sitting in the corner. It would feel bad if we woke her up, so only the rest of us would go into the Cresta vast cavern today.

As for Shirushu, I guess shell have to work hard starting from tomorrow.

After finishing up a light meal, we got ready to leave the tent.

Alright then, well be back, Shirushu.

Milly waved at Shirushu who was in the tent.

The tent was different from the pouch, in that when there was something in it, it was not possible to carry it around.

It creates a space by using magic from the place where it was set up, so I guess that is pretty obvious.

People apart from your comrades were not allowed to enter, and we also left a note behind.

Telepathy could still be used too, and even if monsters come, Shirushu has her Beast transformation to rely on in the worst case.

There shouldnt be a problem.

The Cresta vast cavern is separated into ten floors in total, while the Rock Dragon resides in the center the fifth floor. Until then, there are no monsters which we ought to take special caution of, but lets be careful anyway.

Understood.

For now, lets start descending

Following Millys carefree declaration, we entered the cavern.

The strategy for defeating the Rock Dragon was discussed the day before, but its probably better to mention it again right before we fight.

Im afraid that Milly, for instance, couldve forgotten what we had discussed, so its just to be sure.

Wahh~ Its spacious inside~

There arent any particularly strong monsters around here, but dont let your guard down alright?

Milly-san may stand behind me.

Hehe, thank you Claude

Wasnt that such a gentlemanly thing to say?

When I said that to poke fun at Claude, she glared at me somewhat sullenly.

To avert her gaze, I let my eyes drift elsewhere, and just then a Rock Golem appeared.

A monster.

Zeph-kun, dont think Ive forgotten what you said, you know

Ahaha, Clau-chan is easy to bully I guess~

Lydia patted Claudes head, while each of us moved into our battle positions.

It would be the usual formation, where Claude and Lydia will attract the monsters attention, while Milly and I will use magic to attack it.

The Rock Golems attack was parried by Claudes sword and shield, and Lydia aimed for the gaps between its rocks, dealing consecutive hits in the meantime.

When Milly estimated that the duo was sufficiently distanced from the Golem, she held her hands up, ready to cast magic.

To match her attack, I also cast Blue Gale.

Blue Gale, double!

With Millys shout, a gigantic water dragon wound up around the Rock Golem, causing it to break into pieces.

Using Blue Gale double, its a one-hit kill huh.

It seems like the probability of combining attacks has increased considerably huh.

If thats the case, we could probably incorporate it into our future battle tactics.

We did it~

Raising both hands in the air, I high-fived with Milly, and walked towards Claude and Lydia.

But Milly, its better to shout out the attack name only after confirming the success of the combination magic, you know?

Why?

It would be embarrassing if we failed, I guess?

Its fine as long as we dont fail, right~

Saying that, Milly hooked her arm around mine.

It still fails frequently though where does your confidence even come from

Zeph-kun, Milly-san, thank you for your hard work.

Ahaha~, the two of you make the perfect team, dont you~

While being teased by the two ladies, we proceeded further into the cavern.