A wooden doll with no eyes, nose, or mouth walks in carrying a large wooden box. This is the wooden golem that Citry often uses for his work--a wood golem.
Alchemists often use golems and other magical creatures to compensate for their low physical abilities.

From inside the sturdy wooden box, I could hear the sound of hard bottles clinking together.

The lounge was filled with a strange atmosphere. It looked like a bad place to be, but no one could escape because Sitri was stationed at the entrance.

We were only supposed to get a charge, but what was this atmosphere? I felt like running away a little too.
Tino, the first victim of my uncomfortable situation, comes up to me as if to hang on.

'm sorry,......, I've been wondering about that,.......... ...are you homos*xual?'

There are tears in the corners of her eyes, and her shoulders are shaking. I'm not sure if it's just a little touch, but if she touches me like that, I'm sure she's terrified.
I wonder how much karma I've gotten in my previous life, that the day would come when my childhood friend's s*xuality would be confirmed.

'No, I don't think so. ...... maybe'

'......'

'It's okay, it's okay. ...... maybe.'

'......'

It's hard for me to say for sure, but the smile on Citry's face when he was touching Tino made me think that maybe he was just taking an academic interest in Tino. I'm not sure if that's the case.
Tino's expression did not change when he heard my answer. He just bit his lip and hugged me. I don't mind that he's relying on me, but I feel bad that it's my childhood friend who's causing this.

While I was stroking his head to calm him down, Citry was quickly calling out to the members in the lounge and gathering them in one place.
Apparently, he remembered the names and faces of the clan members even though he rarely appeared in the lounge. He must have a different mind.

Citri clapped her hands once and said with a smile that would attract even the same s*x.

There were eight stone golems lined up behind her in an orderly fashion.
Stone golems--they are known for their high combat power compared to wooden golems. However, compared to the Hunters of the [Footprints], they're not much of an opponent.

'Those of you who were in the lounge today are very lucky. Krai-san says he's going to give you some very efficient training.

'No, no, no, no, no, I'm not talking like that!

What are you saying out of the blue?
I couldn't help but grumble at the abruptness of the words.

What kind of training are you talking about? ...... I just came to ask you to charge my treasure.
I'm in a position to bow to you. A clan master does not have the power to force you to do anything.

'Leave Kry's words aside--'

Taking advantage of the fact that no one else is speaking up, Citri raises his index finger and bends down to continue as if he were talking in private.
One of the members who was listening to the conversation gulped down his saliva, as if he was mesmerized by the quietly shining eyes.

'What's great is that this training is different from the usual trials--there's no ...... danger of dying!

'What ......?

At that word, everyone who had been in low spirits until now went buzzing. Even Tino, who had been hanging on to me, opened his eyes and looked at Sitri in surprise.

I seemed to be the only one who couldn't keep up with the situation. You're all in the mood.

'...... I wish you'd stop calling everything an ordeal.

'It's okay if you're on vacation, no preparation required. It takes no time at all and the results are obvious! If you take this, you'll all be mages on par with Lucia! In fact, it's a secret training method that's only been done at our party, but we're making it available to everyone at .......''

At these words, everyone looked at him with a half-confused expression.

Lucia Rogers is one of the most famous mages in the Imperial City. It was because of Lucia that the party of "Nobles" who looked down on humans, the "Starlight", joined the "First Step".

It sounds like a joke that anyone can become a mage on par with her, doesn't it? It sounds like a joke to me too.
I don't remember any training like that. It's too revolutionary.

If there is such a training method, it should have been more widespread.

Citry nodded in satisfaction at the expressions on everyone's faces.

'Unfortunately, it's a training for Magi, so not everyone can take it, but after taking it, your power as a Magi and as a Hunter will improve dramatically. Of course, it is not compulsory. Is there anyone here who doesn't want to take it?''

''Huh?

At this straightforward question, the assembled party buzzed.

You're asking who doesn't want to take the test, not who does.

A young mage in the front row listening to the conversation raises a small hand. He was not wearing a robe, perhaps because he was on vacation, but a small staff could be seen hanging from his waist.

'Is ...... that really ...... not a danger to your life?'

'I assure you, sir.

'Really, is there such a thing as convenient training? And at what cost?'

As expected of a hunter, he seems to be on board, despite the fact that he was forced to gather them halfway. He is highly ambitious.

In response to the question posed with a quizzical expression, Citrie put a finger to her lips and tilted her head in a cute way.

'Well, ...... you're right. If you're a member of the Footprints, you've probably had a fair amount of experience with it, so I think you'll be fine. ...... If you're a mage who doesn't like that kind of thing, you might not want to take it.'

'There is no such mage here.

The female mage in the party next to me sniffed and said in an exasperated voice. A number of people around her agreed with her.

'Don't worry, we'll recover any depleted magic power soon. I'll pay for the mana potion to restore the magic power. ...... By the way--that ...... I'm not making fun of you, but ......

The mages looked at each other at the voice that was spoken with fear and trepidation. They looked uncomfortable.
Being able to drink a magic recovery potion is a sign of a top-notch mage. The people gathered here are hunters who have confidence in their own abilities. If someone doubted that, they would want to complain.

'Please don't mock me. We're active mages too, though not as much as you. We've at least taken mana potions. I'm not going to hesitate now.

'I'm sorry. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with ...... if that's the case.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. He opened his lips with a serious expression.

'Now for the final confirmation. This is the secret training method of ....... If you refuse now, you will probably never receive it again. But it's certainly not something you want to do on vacation. It's not mandatory, but once you've taken it, you'll have to stick with it until the end. Is there anyone who does not want to take this training?



It's a little late to mention this, but Citri is rather a bait-and-switch.

Compared to Liz, she is more quiet, so she is easily misunderstood, but she is not a harmless person. She always acts with a precaution. She never lies, but she has a tendency to use indirect expressions, and her words were one of the most important things to watch out for among her childhood friends.
I don't like to remember it, but once, due to their differences, Lise and Sitri almost killed each other in a fight between sisters.

For example, Sitri said that she would not die, but she did not say that it would not be painful to die. And often, there is important information in the unsaid.

'...... I'm ...... not feeling well, so I'll stop.

'! Are you sure you want to do this? This is a great opportunity. ......'

One of the mages with good crisis management raises a small hand and leaves his seat with his party members.
Citry smiled and watched him go without complaining.

They wait in silence for a while, but no one else seems to choose to leave.
Citry checks the faces of the remaining mages and their parties as if he were inspecting them, and says again.

'Are you sure there is no one else who doesn't want to take the job? You don't want to be scared off after you see them, do you?

They look at each other, but no one stands up.
I wonder if it was the publicity that made me as good as Lucia. Tino, too, is listening to Citri's words from behind me with trepidation.

But is there really such an efficient way to train?
Trust is a very important factor for hunters, who sometimes have to carry each other's lives on their shoulders.
It is for this reason that the biggest penalty in the Explorers' Association is the reduction of the certification level, which is an indicator of one's ability as a hunter and a sign of trust.

Even if the other party is a member of the same clan, if you lie in this kind of situation, your reputation - and maybe even the reputation of the Ghost of Sorrows - will be greatly damaged.

After confirming that no one else was leaving, he nodded his head.

'Then, let's get started. However, the content itself is not that difficult, and it won't take too long, so for now, can we have one person's cooperation?

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.

Citri took out a silver pocket watch from his pocket, glanced at it, made the usual gesture of raising his index finger, and said in a bright voice.

'First, I'll charge the magic power to the treasure. Conveniently, Kry has a lot of empty treasure troves.

...... I forgot all about it. You came here to ask me to recharge your treasure trove. .......

I'll give you the empty safe-ring via Citrie.

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.
Time passes in silence. The man's expression changes from quizzical to grim.

'..................... Wait a minute. What's with this treasure, it's not finishing charging at all!

'Just charge it up, please.'

'......'

The man's tanned face is visibly turning white. His forehead is covered in sweat.
In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

In the event that you've got a lot of time and energy, you'll be able to use it to your advantage.

'You'd better sit down.

'...... Ah,ah......'

I sat down in the chair that Citri had pulled out for me. After several minutes of waiting, the treasure was finally charged.
At that time, the lips of the mage who charged it were blue and his fingertips were trembling. He put his hand to his forehead and scowled, as if he had a headache.

Citri picked up the warding fingers on the table, nodded in satisfaction, and said as he handed them to me.

'Now, when the first charge is finished, I'll charge the next one--and the next treasure.

'! What the hell?

'Oh no. Fubile is at his limit. He can't go any further!

'Don't worry. I'll stop when I reach my limit. He won't die.'

Regardless of the protests from his party mates, Citri handed over the next treasure with an unchanging smile. The male mage known as Fubil takes it breathlessly and resumes his charge with a small complaint.

His breathing had become ragged. He was clearly suffering from a lack of magic power. If he continued to charge at this rate, his magic would soon be completely depleted.

Citri began to explain in a calm voice to everyone who was watching the situation with trepidation.

'Here's a quick explanation. The ability of a mage is proportional to the total amount of magic power they have. The reason why women are generally considered to be the best mages is because their total magical power is more likely to grow. And the upper limit of magical power usually grows from childhood to mid-teens, and stops there. The reason why the Nobles are so good as mages is because they age at a different rate than humans - they have a very long period of magical growth.

Fubir's breathing becomes more and more ragged. The sound of his breathing escapes from his lips, and he lies down on the table as if he has lost his strength.
The hand that had been holding the ring spontaneously opened, and the bound finger rolled onto the table. The charge is not yet complete, but the magic power seems to have run out.

Citri lifted it up and continued his lecture.

'So - the growth of total magical power stops completely in the mid-teens, but even after it stops growing, it has been known to increase at certain exceptional times. The amount - about five to ten percent. It is also commonly called 'super recovery', but do you know when it increases?

The female mage answered the question fearfully.

'Magic power...... depleted......?

'That's correct! When the magic power is depleted and then recovered--the upper limit will be greatly increased!

At that moment, everyone's hearts were indeed united.
The mages, who had been curious about Citry's sweet words until just now, turned pale. They must have understood what she was saying.

Easy way? Efficient? Not at all.
It's true that super-recovery of magic power is quite famous, but no one likes to try it. It's too much work for the mage. It's true that it won't kill you, but you might as well be dead.

At least, it's not a training that can be called efficient or secret.

'But, but the amount of magic power increases when you recover! It takes time to recover...'

'So, here comes my special mana potion to restore magic power.

The Wood Golem, my assistant, took out a potion in a transparent bottle from a wooden box and reverently handed it to Sitri.
It's a black potion that looks as if it's been dissolved in ink.

I thought ...... mana potions were more beautifully colored.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.



'It's been adjusted for Lucia-chan, so maybe Fubir-san can recover with a few drops.

'Wait, wait...'

By the time Mr. Fubir's party members were about to stop him, it was already too late.
The special magic power recovery potion sucked out with a dropper was inserted into the mouth of Mr. Fubir, who was in a state of unconsciousness due to the depletion of his magic power.

Then, Mr. Fubir's body, which until then had not moved a muscle as if he were a fish on the beach, jumped up. The party members who had surrounded him screamed and fell back greatly at his unhuman behavior.

You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.
She checked the whites of his eyes, lifted his eyelids, lightly slapped his cheeks, tilted his head, and took out a pocket watch from her pocket to check.

'In just three minutes and twenty seconds, my magic power has increased by 10%. This is the secret mage cultivation technique invented by Mr. Cry, who raised Lucia. If you repeat it, you will see a dramatic increase in your power. The more magic power you have, the better your ability to carry on a battle, and the more magic power you can devote to learning new magic. The growth of the mage, the pillar of the party, will greatly increase the survival rate of the entire party. How efficient -- how wonderful!

I don't remember inventing .......

'But, but, Fubir's consciousness is still--'

Citri pointed to the eight stone golems behind him and said with a big smile.

'Don't worry, that's what these golems are for. You only need to think about charging the magic power to the treasure, and the golems will take care of the rest. I know it's impossible, but even if you try to escape, you can't ...... escape.'