Chapter 29: The Adventurer’s Code
We adjusted our course and started walking toward the forest, but even around here, the presence of beasts was thick.
Since we weren’t out for hunting specifically, we avoided them—though when I spotted a group of goblins, I decided to change our route so Thaddeus and the others could earn a little money.
“Thaddeus-san, I just found a goblin group nearby—let’s make a small detour.”
“Where are they?”
“A bit to the right. Follow quietly.”
There were about seven or eight of them, wandering around as if searching for something.
Area secure—no threats. Alright, let’s mess with them a bit and then let the others finish them off.
“Wait here. When I give the signal, finish them.”
I stepped out from cover, and the goblins spotted me, shrieking with excitement as they charged. Too bad for them— they slammed right into my invisible dome and froze in confusion. While they hesitated, I spun them around with Whirlwind! from behind, then gave Thaddeus and the others the signal.
“Still can’t get used to it…”
“I get the wind magic part, but how can something invisible block attacks?”
“Whatever the reason, he’s clearly a skilled magician.”
“Anyway, let’s not keep him waiting!”
“They’re not even dizzy—they’re just sitting there, swaying like drunks.”
“Some are puking or wetting themselves… this is the easiest extermination ever.”
“Let’s wrap it up.”
“He found another group.”
“Seriously, how’s he doing this?”
“We’ve got to practice proper searching more.”
“And sensing presence, too. He said he combines both.”
“And get this—those hiding in the grass? He flushed them out by throwing stones with a sling!”
“Then he caught flying birds using a whirlwind. Who even thinks of that?”
“Regina, once you can use water magic, start thinking about how to use it effectively.”
“I know, but first I’ve got to find my mana.”
As expected, the number of birds increased near the forest edge, but since we couldn’t linger, I told them to hunt a bit nearby and then return to town.
At this rate, we’d probably circle around the entire area in about a week—and stockpile plenty of birds while we were at it.
We got back to town a bit early. I handed them six silver coins, showed the same meeting spot as this morning, and dismissed them.
Each day, we changed our meeting place slightly, learned the surrounding terrain while hunting, and I explained to Regina that sensing mana pools would take time.
Once I’d mapped out the area and gathered enough prey, I planned to head toward the royal capital before hunting everything out.
So while teaching her about mana manipulation and how to channel it—just as my mother had taught me—I answered her questions as best I could.
To use magic, I told her, you just need to clearly express how you want to use water.
I demonstrated by saying, “Whirlwind, wrap it up,” targeting a bird and catching it midair.
That alone triggered the spell—and I explained that saying only “Whirlwind” was just for show. She nodded, impressed.
As a final touch, I demonstrated Water.
I created a water sphere a bit larger than a golf ball, floating before her eyes.
I grabbed it, squeezed it playfully, bounced it off the ground, then threw it at a nearby tree—where it splattered with a sharp splash.
Even a basic life spell like Water can do a lot depending on how you think.
So, while searching for mana pools and practicing control, I told her to keep imagining new ways to use her water magic.
On the morning of the fifth day, when we met up, Thaddeus told me that someone had been asking around for me.
Apparently, a dismantler who had seen us together at the butchery was questioned about my whereabouts.
That dismantler mentioned that “the rich gentleman” wanted Chikki Chikki Birds, but since I hadn’t shown up, he had none to sell.
That was my cue—it was time to leave town without visiting the guild and head for the next city.
But just as I made that decision, some men arrived—definitely not your average adventurers.
Thaddeus followed my gaze.
“Friends of yours, Leon?”
I’d let my guard down near town, but from their demeanor, it looked like they’d tailed Thaddeus and his group.
“Uninvited guests, huh? Doesn’t feel like they’re here for anything good.”
“Their clothes look expensive.”
“Could be envoys from that rich guy.”
“You’re the one they call Leon the Whirlwind, right?”
He shoved past Thaddeus and the others to face me.
“That’s right, I’m Leon. What’s this about?”
“Warrens-sama wants about ten Chikki Chikki Birds. Hand them over if you’ve got any!”
“Oh, so this is about the birds. Sorry, but I haven’t been hunting lately—I’ve been hiring these folks to guide me through the grasslands.”
“Don’t give me that! You sold a huge batch at the guild the other day!”
“That was from my trip between Rosenne and Korche. I’m still learning the local terrain, so hunting now would be pointless. If you want birds, submit a request to the guild. I’ll start hunting in two or three days.”
“Then start today!”
“Come on, that’s unreasonable. I’m paying them six silver a day. Without knowing the terrain, we’d just get lost. And if you’re commissioning adventurers, you should at least state your buying price, shouldn’t you?”
“You saying you won’t do what Warrens-sama messengers ask of you?”
Before I could answer, he stepped forward and slammed a fist into the side of my face.
“L-Leon! Please, just listen to them. Warrens-sama’s men don’t take kindly to refusal.”
“Oh? At least one of you’s got sense. Now scram, all of you.”
He waved his hand like shooing off stray dogs, dismissing Thaddeus and the others.
That blow stung—he’d better remember this.
“…Fine. Take care, then.”
I waved cutely to Thaddeus and the others as they left, but the cheek that got hit still tingled.
I’d jerked my head back in time, so it was mostly just the sound of the slap—but then I remembered what Ted and the others had taught me: Adventurer’s Code, Rule One — “If you let someone walk all over you, you’re finished. Always strike back.”
Thaddeus and his group looked worried as they walked away. Can’t blame them—no one wants to get involved with thugs like these.
Honestly, if I couldn’t use wind magic, I’d have said “sorry” and bolted too.
But that rule kept echoing in my head… and I started thinking about how I’d return the favor.
“Hey, brat—you know what’s expected of you, right?”
“What do you mean? I’m not even from this town. Who exactly is this Warrens guy?”
“You—! How dare you talk about Warrens-sama like—”
Before he could finish, I punched him square in the face—three times harder than he’d hit me.
Didn’t matter, though. The guy was built like an ox, and all I got for my trouble was a sore fist.
And man, he should really shave—felt like I just punched sandpaper.
“Idiot,”
I said sweetly, and then took off at a light jog deeper into the grasslands.
“Why you little—! After him! Don’t let him get away!”
Ah, that’s the spirit. Keep up, boys.
“Stop right there, you damn brat! Think you can run from us!?”
“Don’t let him escape!”
“He’s just a kid—he won’t get far!”
Using my ever-handy Presence Detection, I kept track of the distance between us—close enough that they’d think they could catch me, but not close enough to actually do it.
No other humans around, no dangerous beasts either… maybe a goblin or two. Perfect spot.
I darted into a patch of tall grass with poor visibility, stumbled on purpose, and fell.
“You little punk, think you can get away from us?”
“You’ll regret mocking Warrens-sama!”
“Wait, wait—before that, let’s make him hand over those Chikki Chikki Birds. You’re supposed to be quite the bird catcher, huh? …Huh?”
“What’s wrong, boss?”
“There’s… something right in front of me?”
“Huh?”
Still lying there, I waited until the last guy caught up—then I stood.
“Well, thanks for chasing me down. That punch you gave me earlier? You’re going to regret that.”
“Oh? Still got some fight in you, huh, kid?”
“Say—this Warrens. Who is he, really? Your boss, I take it? Mind telling me? If not, I can make you want to talk. Wouldn’t want your first time being too rough, though.”
“Tch, what a mouthy brat. Maybe a little pain’ll shut you up.”
There’s an old saying: “Discussion only works between people who actually want to talk.”
If there’s no chance of understanding, then trying to reason with them is just a waste of time.
And in times like that—my rule is simple: go lower than your opponent, and crush them completely.
I started with the straggler—Whirlwind!—and sent him spinning like a top.
The third guy screamed “Hiiiiee!” in terror, making the one in front of me freeze and turn around.
Well, who wouldn’t be startled? Three grown men twirling in midair like carnival rides.
I caught the second one in another Whirlwind, then the last one—who just stood there, jaw flapping silently—got the same treatment.
One by one, I released the magic, draining the mana from each vortex. None of them could stand—just groaning and crawling on the ground.
I pulled some rope from my magic pouch—used for setting up tarps—and tied their hands behind their backs, then bound their legs for good measure.
With the extra rope, I strung them together by the neck like beads on a cord.
Then I sat down, brewed myself some tea, and waited for them to recover.
Even dizzy and half-conscious, they still managed to glare up at me as their bodies swayed.
To help them fully regain their senses, I doused their heads with a splash of Water.