Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Mother-Daughter Donburi Served Plentifully!
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Flash Thunder was a technique based on quick-draw swordsmanship that slashed at super-close range.
By reinforcing the body with mana infused with electrical energy, it produced a strike of utmost speed.
And Chisaki and I had trained under the Master, so our proficiency with Flash Thunder was quite high.
Serack!
That was why even a mere F-rank Tentacle Lizard couldn't dodge our attacks.
After slicing through the Tentacle Lizard's body along with its tentacles, Chisaki and I immediately readjusted our grips and launched strikes at the remaining one each.
Flash Thunder Barrage.
To break it down simply, it was just chaining Flash Thunder repeatedly.
But since Flash Thunder was inherently a technique that momentarily supercharged the body for a swift single strike, it required considerable skill to chain without mastery.
Every technique in the Heavenly Thunder Style demanded a high level of proficiency from the outset.
It wasn't for nothing that all its moves had a chance to inflict paralysis.
In just a few seconds, Chisaki and I had wiped out the group of four Tentacle Lizards.
"Kuh~ Teamwork like this feels great! Our synergy is insane!"
"Is it? We just used the same technique on different targets."
"It feels different somehow... Anyway, Junior Brother! Next time we take down a higher-rank monster, let's try mixing our techniques. It'll be fun!"
"Now that intrigues me too."
I couldn't resist a combo skill.
"Ohohoho! Splendid work, Lord Rubelt!"
"Chisaki looks impressive up close too."
"You both are amazing!"
"Hehe~ Right?"
"Thanks. Next round, let's each take on one Tentacle Lizard solo. If we handle them all together, there won't be much point to this dungeon training."
"Got it~."
"This time, I'll show Lord Rubelt my prowess!"
"I'll demonstrate the results of my training too."
"Y-Yeah, I'll do my best!"
No one turned down my suggestion.
As we pressed onward, we kept running into more Tentacle Lizards.
Elemental Sting!
Eli struck with a piercing attack infused with all elemental attributes.
Fox Fire!
Kagura unleashed her signature cleavage talisman, hurling sorcery-born flames.
Mana Ray!
Yume fired off Mana Ray, a basic attack spell that shot beams of pure mana, taking down a Tentacle Lizard.
Since Yume lacked experience and played a support role, it took her about three extra hits to finish hers off.
"Well done, Yume."
"Hoo... But I couldn't one-shot it."
"Everyone else struggled with that too. Chisaki and I had combat training before enrollment, that's all."
"Still..."
"Besides, you're a supporter who buffs us and casts defenses, not a damage dealer. No need to feel down."
"Yeah, thanks."
We comforted Yume, who felt left out as everyone else one-shot their monsters, and moved on.
We exchanged light greetings with other cadets we passed along the way, dispatching Tentacle Lizards without issue.
Serack!
Whoosh!
"Ooh~ Deeper in, and the numbers ramp up? Now that's more like it."
"Chisaki, you're brimming with energy. My mana is starting to dip, and I'm getting tired."
"Hehe, Kagura, why not try a melee weapon? It's thrilling, right?"
"Thrill aside... it does seem useful. Sigh, I'll ask Mom for a new spell when I get back."
I noticed Kagura's expression darken slightly at the word "Mom."
Ayame's preparations seem solid.
In that case...
"Alright, let's take a break here. Constant fighting drains stamina, and that's no good."
"Aww~ Let's push straight to the boss~."
"Chisaki, checking your party's condition is Hunter basics. Didn't the Master teach you that?"
"Uh... he did. Tch, fine."
"As expected of Lord Rubelt! You possess a gentle heart that leads all people!"
"Thanks, Eli."
Part of me wanted to pull Eli into a waist-hug and quip that having her around makes me want to shine even more.
But that might plunge us into our own world and neglect Kagura's, so I held back.
During our idle chit-chat rest, I kept observing Kagura's reactions.
Now relaxed and unwinding...
The moment her words trailed off and she wore a pensive look, I clapped my hands.
"We've rested enough. Time to move out."
"Alright! Straight to the boss monster!"
"Chisaki's energy is off the charts."
"Yeah, really. Kagura, we're heading out."
"Huh? Oh, got it!"
Kagura snapped out of her thoughts at Yume's words and started walking.
Having cleared far more Tentacle Lizards than when we first entered...
Squelch squelch squelch~!
We encountered the boss Tentacle Lizard—vastly larger than the regulars, with longer and more tentacles.
Even starting late, our group of four who could one-shot monsters reached the boss first by blazing through.
The boss hadn't noticed us yet.
"Ooh! Boss monster! Time to—"
"Hold up, Chisaki."
I stopped Chisaki from charging in.
"What? Why?"
"It's still just an F-rank boss. It'll drop before we land ten techniques each."
"So?"
"Might as well use it for training. Honestly, we've one-shot everything so far—no real combos yet."
"I agree with Lord Rubelt!"
"Not a bad idea."
"Sounds good."
"Ehh~."
Everyone else agreed, but Chisaki puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
Time for my secret weapon.
"Come train at the mansion tonight. I'll spar with you until you're satisfied. Better than ending the boss without using many skills, right?"
"Whoa! For real? Promise!"
Chisaki grinned and readied herself instantly.
"Hurry and combo whatever to take it down!"
"Then follow my lead. Yume, shield us up."
Whummm!
Yume's mana enveloped us, forming a protective barrier.
Enchant Shield absorbed damage on our behalf.
A handy skill for blocking trash mob or boss normal attacks when you couldn't use advanced stuff yet.
"Chisaki, we'll lead and slash its legs first. Eli and Kagura, guard Yume and follow. Attack on my signal. No skills—go!"
"Sweet!"
Thud!
We ambushed the boss Tentacle Lizard.
Splash!
-Kieeeek!
As we slashed both its forelegs, the beast shrieked in rage and lashed tentacles at us.
"Hmph! As if!"
While Chisaki and I dodged tentacles, Eli, Kagura, and Yume followed behind.
"Kagura! Talisman attack."
"Got it! Hya!"
Kagura pulled another cleavage talisman and flung it at the boss Tentacle Lizard.
Her low-mana Talisman Throw was her basic attack.
Crack!
-Kieeeek!
Some tentacles flew at the three girls.
"Useless!"
Slash slash!
Eli stepped in front of Yume and Kagura, batting away the tentacles with her rapier.
As I'd requested for combo practice, Eli held back on skills, sticking to normal attacks.
"Good! Next..."
For ten full minutes, we dragged it out with self-imposed limits, practicing combos against the boss Tentacle Lizard.
The only skill used was Yume's Enchant Shield.
Chisaki and I swung katanas, Eli her rapier, Kagura firing talismans from the rear.
At first, our movements were disjointed, but as they adapted to my directions, the teamwork flowed smoother.
And moreover...
-Kieeeek!
Splat!
"Ow!"
"Chisaki, you okay?"
"Don't worry. Shield's got it! Yume!"
"Re-upping the shield! Enchant Shield!"
Even an F-rank boss was still a boss.
Relentless normal attacks from all angles let it adapt, striking faster and more accurately than expected.
But Yume's shields nullified the damage.
This process was key.
Not just dodging—it ingrained trust in allies' shields.
Knowing you could tank some hits enabled bolder offense.
Plus, it taught Yume when to refresh shields or time buffs perfectly.
F-rank dungeon's low damage made it safe for team drills.
The others, even Chisaki, sensed it.
But...
"Rubelt! Isn't this enough? Let's finish it!"
Ten minutes of poking had worn Chisaki's patience thin.
Yeah, they'd all gotten the hang of it—good enough.
"Alright, chain attacks and drop it now."
"No skills?"
"We limited ourselves this far—see it through. More satisfying that way, right?"
"Sure~ Whatever! End it quick!"
"Eli! Join the assault!"
"Yes, Lord Rubelt!"
I deliberately called Eli in for a group strike.
Serack!
Splash!
Puuk!
-Kieeeek!
We dodged tentacles, sometimes tanking via Yume's shield, ramping up pressure.
A few more hits and the boss would fall—the peak crisis, thrashing desperately to survive.
That's when I burned through Yume's remaining shield.
Watching our nonstop assault, Yume figured it was over and didn't refresh.
Rear-guard Kagura watched without interfering.
Yes.
Now was the moment.
Time to launch the full Kagura conquest plan.
