“Let’s camp out here for the night.”
“Since it’s you, Ray, I’m sure you’ve thought of everything, but it’s still a little scary...”
“Don’t worry. I’ve made preparations so you can relax properly.”
With that, I set my backpack on the ground and began assembling the tent with practiced movements.
I started by constructing the frame, securing the points that touched the ground with metal stakes, and then draped the rainfly over it. I’d even prepared a plush mat for Clarice to lie on.
This should be more than enough.
“Alright, that’s done.”
“Whoa! That’s amazing! Oh, but...”
“Hm? Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just... sharing a tent with a boy. It’s not that I dislike you or anything, Ray! It’s just... well, it’s a little awkward, you know?”
“I see. I don’t mind sleeping outside. I’m used to it. In fact, I can even sleep while standing up. You can have the tent to yourself. I’d already considered that possibility.”
“No, no! That’s way too heartless of me!”
“...Then what do you want to do?”
“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing, but if it’s you, Ray, I guess it’s fine. It’s not like you’d do anything weird...”
“My apologies. I didn’t catch that last part. Could you say it again?”
“I said! It’s fine if we sleep together!”
“Understood. Then I’ll be in your care.”
“Y-Yeah!”
Before bed, we decided to eat.
On the way here, I had secured a Huge Snake, so I prepared it as kabayaki in the same way I had before. Of course, the finishing touch was the Ainsworth-style secret sauce. If you brush this on and grill it, you can eat almost anything.
I had Clarice start the fire with magic. We gathered dry wood from the area and fed the flames.
Then, sitting before the fire, we ate the grilled snake. I had also prepared some rice using a mess tin.
Combined, it made for a decent dinner.
“Whoa! This is delicious!”
“Isn’t it? It goes great with the rice, too.”
“I’ve been thinking, Ray... you’re a former soldier, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Did you learn all this back then?”
“Indeed. During my time as a soldier, my Master taught me everything I needed to know to survive. Not just magic, but survival skills and how to live as a human being.”
“I see...”
On the way into the forest, I had officially told Clarice that I was the Ice Sword Sorcerer. We hadn't had a chance to talk privately since the attack during the Magics Chevalier, so I had been waiting for the right moment. She listened to me with great sincerity.
“I mean, I knew you weren’t ordinary, Ray... but to think you’re actually the Ice Sword...”
“Were you surprised?”
“Of course I was! I mean, you’re the Ice Sword! Even among the nobility, the rumors about the Ice Sword being the strongest of the Seven Grand Sorcerers are incredible!”
“Those rumors are my Master’s achievements. I merely inherited the title.”
“But I talked with your Master for a little bit after that, and she told me you were a genius who surpassed even her.”
“What? Is that true?”
It was the first I’d heard of Clarice and my Master speaking together, which caught me off guard.
“Yeah. She came to see me while I was being treated at the hospital and said so.”
“I see. Master has never praised me to my face. She’s a strict person, but she’s also very kind.”
“Yeah, I could tell. She told me a bit about your past too... It must have been hard. These might just be cliché words, but...”
“I did what I had to do. That’s all. I had many conflicting thoughts back then, but now I’m able to live as a student like this, and I’m satisfied. Besides, my Magic Area Overheat is gradually improving.”
When I said that, Clarice looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Does Magic Area Overheat actually get better? I’ve heard of it, but I don’t really know the symptoms.”
“Well, it gets better if you stop using magic. My case is a bit special, but it shouldn't be long until I’m fully recovered.”
As I answered, Clarice’s tone turned serious as she pressed further.
“Ray, what are you going to do in the future?”
“...I don't think I'll go back to being a soldier. Let's see. I actually found teaching Amelia to be quite fun, so I might become a teacher.”
“Ray, a teacher...?! It suits you surprisingly well, actually... but it’s still a bit of a wild card.”
We spent the rest of the evening making small talk. It had been a while since Clarice and I had talked like this, and the conversation became so lively that we stayed up later than planned.
When it was finally time to turn in, Clarice shot a quick glance my way.
“Don’t do anything weird, okay...?”
“Of course not.”
“...”
“What is it?”
“Nothing! Good night!”
“Yeah. Good night.”
And just like that, we surrendered ourselves to the urge to sleep.
◇
Early the next morning.
Waking with the first light of dawn, we set out to achieve our goal: capturing the boss, the Hercules beetle.
We were already on the move, and I followed closely behind Clarice. There was no hesitation in her steps as she led the way.
Suddenly, Clarice approached a nearby tree and traced a mark on the bark with her fingertip.
“There are signs of a struggle here. It’s definitely him...”
“What? Is he nearby?”
“Yes. No mistake about it.”
Clarice’s face was incredibly serious, a complete departure from her usual self. She looked like a true professional.
Then, she spoke calmly.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
We pushed deeper into the woods for another hour. Finally, we discovered our target.
“Found him. Be quiet...”
“...Understood.”
Looking closely, there was a swarm of beetles gathered around the sap leaking from a massive tree. Among them were indeed some giants—the Hercules beetle and the Caucasus beetle (Clarice had taught me the names).
“...Ray, wait here. I’ll go get them.”
“Right...”
Clarice moved forward with agonizing slowness. She crept forward inch by inch, making sure not to make a single sound. Holding her bug net high, she approached her targets without even the slightest sway of her brilliant golden twin tails.
However, in the next instant, the beetles—led by the Hercules—flew straight at Clarice’s face!
They charged toward her with their glossy black, giant horns leading the way. Flapping their wings, the beetles took to the air as if dancing. It was a preemptive strike.
I had heard the insects in Kafka Forest were aggressive, but I never expected them to attack as a swarm. I prepared to step in and help, but...
What I witnessed next was Clarice’s brilliant performance.
“...Hup!”
She dropped into a crouch and somehow snagged the Hercules beetle in her net instantly. From there, she began catching the other beetles one after another. It was a mesmerizing sight as she scooped them up without letting a single one escape.
It was an artistic dance.
Her twin tails swayed as she moved, but she never lost her balance, calmly capturing every beetle one by one.
Clarice’s skill was overwhelming. Faced with such technique, even the swarm of beetles had no chance.
I had never honestly considered that there could be artistry in bug catching, and I was genuinely impressed.
A few minutes later.
Clarice finally had the entire swarm secured inside her net.
She transferred them into the cage one by one, her golden eyes sparkling as she gazed at them through the mesh.
“Whoa... they’re a masterpiece! They’re so huge!”
“Clarice. That movement just now... what was that?”
“Hm? Oh, it’s common sense in the bug-catching world!”
“I see... Truly a formidable technique.”
While I was marveling at her skill, Clarice popped the cage open. One by one, the beetles she had just worked so hard to catch flew back into the forest.
“Is that alright? Specimens like those would have considerable market value.”
“It’s fine. I’m not against selling insects for money, but I’d rather they live freely in this forest.”
“I see... You’re very kind, Clarice.”
“I-It’s not that big a deal! It’s just... because I like them, I want them to live their own lives...”
Clarice huffed and turned her head away.
The released beetles didn't attack her this time. They simply returned to the depths of the forest.
However, the giant Hercules beetle landed lightly on Clarice’s head. Unlike before, there was no hostility; it simply sat there, perfectly still.
“Eek?! Something landed on my head!”
“Amazing. I think it’s taken a liking to you.”
“I guess so...”
She held out her small hand, and the massive Hercules beetle crawled onto it.
It showed no sign of wanting to fly away, simply resting in her palm. It wasn't my imagination that it seemed to be stroking Clarice’s finger with its large horn.
“Why don’t you keep it?”
“Hmm. But I wonder... would it be okay to put him in with the insects I have at home? He’s such a big guy.”
“I think he wants to go with you.”
“I guess so. You’re right. In that case, I’ll name him Siegfried!”
“Oh! That sounds powerful!”
“Right?! It sounds super strong! So, I look forward to being with you, Siegfried!”
As she gave him a gentle stroke, Siegfried raised his horn high toward the sky. He really must have taken a liking to her, as he began bobbing his horn up and down repeatedly.
After that, the two of us explored the forest further, interacting with various insects. Clarice’s knowledge of entomology was profound, making it a very meaningful time.
As we were finally preparing to part ways, I brought something up.
“Ah—! That was so much fun! It’s almost a shame to go home!”
“Is your home far from here?”
“Hmm, no, it won’t take very long.”
“I see. I had fun too. Let’s do this again.”
“Yeah!”
“Also, to change the subject...”
“What is it?”
Clarice, with Siegfried still perched on her head, looked at me with a puzzled expression. It seemed Siegfried had no intention of leaving her side, so there was no need to even use a cage. Her head had become his permanent spot.
“Clarice. Why don't you join the Environmental Research Club?”
“...I mean, I’ve thought about it. But is it really okay for me to join? Isn't the Environmental Research Club here quite famous?”
Yes. I found out later that the Environmental Research Club at Arnold Magic Academy is actually quite famous among hunters. In fact, my Master had apparently been a member during her own student days. That was why Clarice had been hesitating.
Clarice stood there, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
The light reflected brilliantly off her silky blonde twin tails.
Her eyes wavered slightly. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her and stared straight into my eyes.
“Clarice. I’m certain you can pass the test the Club President sets. After spending these past two days in the forest with you, I know you can become an excellent hunter.”
“...Really?”
“Yeah. Trust me.”
“If you say so, Ray... alright. I’ll do it. I’ll join!”
“That’s the spirit. You’ll be fine. Everything starts with taking that first step.”
“Yeah!”
A few days later.
Clarice successfully passed the test set by the Club President and officially became a member of the Environmental Research Club.
“I’m Clarice Cleveland! I look forward to working with you all!”
Clarice gave a polite bow.
She was smiling more brightly than usual. I’m sure it was because she was happy to have moved even one step closer to her dream.
And so, the Environmental Research Club gained a female member for the first time in years, and its activities began in earnest.
“Clarice, let’s work hard together from now on.”
“Yeah!”
I was going to witness my friend moving toward her dream. I would later realize that such a sight was incredibly dazzling, precious, and beautiful.
I truly hope that Clarice’s dream comes true——.