Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

"Will we arrive at our destination today?"

"Yeah, it looks like we'll get there in another half a day."

It's the second day since we left Queres. It seems like we'll reach the forest, our destination, by the end of today.

"Nothing happened yesterday, so I hope it stays that way until the end."

"Yeah. Well, this region isn't known for many monster encounters, so we should be fine."

The place we're heading to is close to town, and there aren't many areas along the way where monsters live, so it seems unlikely we'll run into any. The destination might have some monsters, but they should be quite weak. I was worried about guarding a large group, but it looks like we'll get through this without any issues.

"The moment you say things like that, something usually happens."

"Ugh... You're right, but saying stuff like that makes me—"

Just as Sisya started to speak, a red dot appeared at the corner of the map app I was viewing on the monitor glasses.

"See, I told you, now something's coming."

"It's not my fault!"

When I glared at Sisya, she waved her hands, denying responsibility. I don't blame her, but the timing is uncanny.

"I'll go inform the teacher. Noru, keep an eye on things from the back. If I can't handle it, I'll signal you to come forward."

"Roger that!"

To inform the teacher about the monster ahead, I headed to the front where he was leading the group. I left the rear guard duty to Noru and the others, planning to handle the approaching monster myself. If it got too tough, I'd call for Noru. But from what I've heard, there shouldn't be any strong monsters around here.

"Excuse me."

"Is something the matter?"

"It looks like there's a monster ahead. Could we stop for a moment?"

"A m-monster?"

The students all turned their heads to look at me as I ran to the front to speak to the teacher. When I mentioned the monster ahead, he began scanning the area in front.

"...I can't see anything. Where exactly is it?"

"It's not visible yet, but it will be soon. I can sense monsters from a certain distance."

"You can do that? As expected of a B-rank adventurer."

Like with Anneli, the map app displays monsters from a certain distance away, so they aren’t visible yet.

The teacher informed the students about the monster and had them wait in place. I hoped it would change direction, but it kept coming straight toward us. Realizing we'd have to deal with it, I kept my eyes on the direction it was coming from until it finally appeared.

There were three round objects, each made entirely of green vines. They were writhing, using their vine-like tendrils to move. These monsters looked unsettling... The monsters in this area seem to have a lot of tentacles, like the Trents.

"Those are... Tilps. I can handle them. May I take care of it?"

"Sure. I'll stay with the students and keep an eye on things."

The teacher wanted to take them on, so I agreed and let him handle it. I stayed with the students, ready to step in if needed. The students, knowing the teacher was about to fight, quietly watched him.

Finally, I get to see how a magician in this world fights...

"Flamma!"

As he shouted, the teacher thrust his roughly 30-centimeter wand forward. A red light shot from its tip, reaching the ground near the Tilps. The light quickly turned into flames, engulfing the three tentacled monsters. Despite the flames, tentacles shot out toward the teacher. With a light incantation and a flick of his wand, he sent a thinner light at the tentacles, causing small explosions that deflected them. This back-and-forth continued until his second "Flamma" incantation, which caused the tentacles to disintegrate into particles of light.

Wow, that was smooth. This is what I imagined when I thought of magicians. Unlike Estel, who turns everything to ash with a simple "ei," this seems more... normal. It's very helpful, though.

"Magic is incredible."

"Thank you, I'm honored."

When I complimented the teacher after his battle, he scratched his head sheepishly. The previously silent students were now excitedly chatting among themselves.

"Do you always shout spell names when casting magic?"

"Yes. For the 'Flamma' I used, which is intermediate magic, I vocalized the spell name. For simpler spells like 'Ignis,' a single word suffices."

I decided to ask about what I observed during the fight. So the "Flamma" was the spell name, and the simpler attacks were "Ignis."

Shouting spell names is kind of cool. I sometimes shout when using Centibar for no real reason.

After ensuring no other monsters were approaching, we resumed our journey.

"Teachers are amazing."

"As expected from a magic academy teacher, they're strong."

"As educators, it's not surprising they have considerable skill."

I shared the earlier events with Noru and the others. Handling three monsters without getting hit was impressive. He probably wasn't even giving his all, suggesting he could handle stronger foes.

"The teacher mentioned that they vocalize spell names when casting higher-level magic."

"Really?"

"Estel, you just say 'ei' for everything. How do you manage that?"

"Well... I imagine the element, and for strong spells, I say 'ei!' For mid-level, 'ei,' and for weak spells, 'ei.' Something like that."

Estel had previously told me it was all about imagination, but I wanted more details. I could distinguish strong and weak spells, but the difference between strong and mid-level? They all sounded the same.

"I can't tell the difference between strong and mid-level..."

"No, there's a difference in intensity. 'Ei!' and 'ei,' right?"

"Exactly."

"I see. Now that you mention it, there is a difference."

After a few repetitions, I could vaguely tell the difference in intensity.

●

"Everyone, gather the materials needed for the next experiment! There's time tomorrow too, so don't rush. And don't stray too far!"

A few hours after encountering the monsters, we reached our destination in the early afternoon. The area was filled with trees bearing red and yellow fruits, and the ground was covered with straight, black grass. The trees were spaced apart, resembling an orchard.

The teacher instructed the students to gather materials within our sight. We'd stay here until sunset, then camp out, and resume collecting materials the next morning before returning to Queres.

"Wow, what a place."

"There are lots of fruits! Let's gather some too!"

"Are those fruits...?"

"I wonder? Everyone's collecting them, and some are needed for experiments."

The red fruits looked like apples, the yellow ones like oranges. There were also pink and orange ones resembling peaches and tangerines. Despite looking like an orchard, these fruits were used for magical experiments. The students scattered, collecting fruits and grass. They used magic to get the ones out of reach.

Some students pulled up grass, revealing white, radish-like roots that wiggled and ran off when unearthed. Truly magical materials...

Noru, excited by the prospect of fruit, was eager to gather some. Food always motivates him. I could go for a crisp apple myself.

"This one looks tasty. I'll take one—whoa!?"

"It exploded!"

I reached for a bright red, apple-like fruit within arm's reach. The moment I grabbed it, it exploded, covering my face in juice and pulp.

What the... My face is drenched. But it smells sweet. It must taste good.

"That's a Bombmi. You have to cut the stem before touching the fruit."

"Oh... Myra."

As I wiped my face, one of the students approached us. It was Myra. I thought we might avoid an encounter, but here she is.

While I was flustered, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I saw Estel smiling at me, patting her chest as if to say, "Leave this to me," and stepping forward to face Myra. I hope this goes well...

"You're Estel?"

"Yes, that's me."

"So... You're the one..."

Myra, taller than Estel, looked down slightly as they faced each other. Unlike before, Myra's expression was neutral, while Estel smiled. Noru and I exchanged uneasy glances, watching silently.

"Did you need something from me?"

"No, not really."

"Oh, okay."

I thought she might have something to say, but apparently not.

"Anneli spoke highly of you, so I was curious. You're quite small."

"You're not much different."

"...I'm taller than you."

Estel responded to the slightly snide remark with a smile, making Myra frown. It felt like a verbal sparring match, but Estel was clearly in control. You can't outtalk Estel. She'd tear me apart verbally if we argued.

"I heard you can use amazing magic, but it seems I won't see it today. If it's true, I'd love to see it."

"Oh, you want to see my magic? Sure, I'll show you—"

"Alright, stop right there."

Myra, perhaps realizing she couldn't win verbally, challenged Estel to show her magic. Estel eagerly began preparing, but I quickly restrained her.

"Why are you stopping me, brother?"

"You were about to use something flashy, weren't you?"

"How rude. I was just going to make a doll of you."

"That's still a no-go..."

Estel kicked her legs in protest. She'd probably have created a spectacular display if I hadn't stopped her. Instead, she planned to make another Heiha doll. Impressive, but not the point. It's not what Myra

 was expecting.

"...I seem to be in the way, so I'll take my leave."

"Oh, wait."

Watching our exchange, Myra shook her head slightly before returning to gathering materials. Using flashy magic in front of so many students and teachers wasn't an option, so this was fine for now.

Maybe we can introduce them properly when Anneli is around. Despite some friction, they didn't seem entirely hostile, more like rivals.

Thus, Estel and Myra's first meeting ended. Estel, pouting, demanded to be held until she calmed down.