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

Several days had passed since we finished gathering magic stones.

Exhausted from the hard hunting, we had been taking days off without any hunting. But finally, the day I had feared arrived.

"Come on, Ookura-dono! Today we have horse riding training!"

"Oh, don't mind me."

"I won't let you escape!"

"Damn it."

I tried to retreat to my room after breakfast, but Nooru intercepted me.

A perfect defense... she completely knows my moves.

"How about we look for a hunting ground to level up first? Sisya, you want to hunt, right?"

"No, I'm more interested in horse riding training right now, so please prioritize that."

I tried to steer the conversation towards hunting, but Sisya smiled and insisted on horse riding.

She enjoys hunting, but it seems she also loves to tease me... what a terrible hobby.

"Ookura-dono, stop being so disgraceful! You promised before we started gathering magic stones!"

"Ugh... I know. I'm a man, I'll keep my promise."

"That's reassuring."

Nooru stood with her hands on her hips, looking very satisfied.

She really wants me to ride a horse... Well, I did get her help with gathering magic stones, so I should keep my promise.

"Don't worry. I'm here, so you can relax. I'll heal you no matter what happens."

"The fact that Sisya might need to heal me isn't comforting..."

If Sisya has to step in, that means I got hurt.

What kind of training are they planning for me... I hope it doesn’t involve getting tied to a horse and dragged around. That's not training, it's torture.

"Oh, don't scare him when he’s finally willing to practice."

"I'm not trying to scare him."

"I just heard that Ookura-san got beaten up when he tried to ride a horse before, so I wanted to reassure him."

... How does she know about that?

I thought I stopped Nooru from telling anyone... Could it be...

"Nooru, did you tell them?"

"It's necessary to know Ookura-dono's current level, so I told them... Please, put your hands down!"

As I approached Nooru, wiggling my fingers menacingly, she quickly hid behind Estel.

Hiding there is cheating!

"Come on, big brother, give it a try. You might be able to ride with Nooru and Sisya teaching you."

"Well, that's true..."

"Exactly. I want to see Ookura-san show us what he's got!"

I don't appreciate the drinking party-like cheer.

But even I think it's not great to stay unable to ride a horse.

With Nooru and Sisya here to teach me, it's the best learning environment.

Estel seems to have high hopes too, so I guess I should give it my best.

●

Nooru gathered information from the townspeople beforehand and brought us to a facility where we could practice horse riding.

It was on the edge of Brune, a green plain surrounded by fences where we could see horses.

We went into a nearby white building to request horse riding practice, paid the fee, and got permission to enter the fenced area.

"Wow! There are so many horses here!"

"We can practice without any worries here."

It's not as vast as a great plain since it's in the town, but it's spacious enough to run around.

There are about a dozen horses, and we can choose one and ask the staff to saddle it for us.

"It's hard to choose a horse! Let's go look around!"

As soon as we entered the plain, Sisya ran over to the horses with sparkling eyes.

She's always so lively... She enjoys everything she does.

I should learn from her enthusiasm, but she should stop enjoying teasing people.

"More importantly, Ookura-dono, why are you still in your battle gear?"

"I'll stay in it forever! This way, I won’t get hurt even if I fall off!"

"Big brother, you can't go in with the mindset that you're going to fall."

I was fully equipped in battle armor and helmet.

This way, I won't get injured no matter how many times I fall! The staff gave me suspicious looks, but it's better than getting hurt!

Just as I was feeling determined, Sisya returned, leading a horse by its reins.

"Ookura-san, how about this horse? It's got a solid build."

"Are you trying to get me killed?"

It was a black horse with a strong physique, intimidating just by being near it.

Its mane was spiky, giving it an end-of-the-world vibe.

If I got thrown off by this horse, I wouldn’t just get hurt—I wouldn’t stand a chance. And I don’t think I could ride it at all.

"Oh, it's a good horse. I want to try riding it."

"Nooru, even you would take time to tame this horse..."

"It's not a problem. Once we bond, it'll be fine."

Nooru approached the horse slowly, talking softly while extending her hand for it to sniff.

After the horse smelled her hand for a while, she started to gently stroke its neck.

The horse relaxed, rubbing its head against Nooru.

"See? It's simple."

"I never trust anyone who says things are simple."

"It's usually not that quick..."

Normally, horses don’t get this friendly just from a few strokes...

Nooru seems to have a knack for getting along with animals.

To think even such a fierce-looking horse would warm up to her so quickly... even Sisya is surprised.

"Big brother is a beginner, so he should choose a gentler horse."

"Since Ookura-san seemed nervous around horses, that sounds like a good idea."

"Then why did you bring such a horse in the first place?"

"It was just too impressive to resist."

Sure, it’s an impressive horse... but too impressive for a beginner like me.

Nooru would probably ride it easily, which is enviable in a way.

After admiring the sturdy horse, we continued looking around and chose a smaller, friendlier one.

This horse seemed manageable for me.

"Alright, let’s start your training, Ookura-dono!"

"Nooru, take it easy on him. You mentioned something about training until he couldn't stand last time, but don't do that."

"Don't worry. That was just a joke!"

Was that a joke...?

Nooru seemed serious enough that it didn’t feel like a joke.

But if she promises to take it easy, I'll be glad. Going all out from the start would be too much for me.

"Let's start with getting used to the horse before riding."

"Huh? Aren’t we riding?"

"Well, you seem a bit tense, so let’s calm you down first. If you ride while tense, it’ll make the horse nervous too."

Am I that tense...? Now that she mentions it, I do feel a bit stiff.

Even with such a gentle-looking horse, my body reacts instinctively to the fear of falling.

Falling off repeatedly in the beginning must have left a mark on me...

It seems that kind of fear gets passed on to the horse too.

"You do seem pretty stiff. You were clinging to me pretty tightly last time. Are you that scared?"

"Well... I got thrown off several times the first time I rode. My body just braces itself for a fall."

"You fell off that much during your first ride? You should have let Nooru teach you."

"We were in a hurry back then..."

We had an urgent request that required me to ride a horse immediately, so there was no time for Nooru's guidance.

I kept stubbornly trying to ride, breaking my spirit multiple times.

Leaving it unresolved resulted in this situation.

"But it’ll be fine this time. We’ll guide you properly, so don't worry!"

"Uh... okay..."

"I'll catch you if you fall, so don't worry about falling."

"I'm not sure if that’s comforting..."

Sure, I won’t get hurt if I fall... but it’s still scary even if she catches me.

But staying unable to ride isn’t great for my pride. I need to man up and take on the challenge.

"Alright, let's do it."

"Hehe, finally determined. I'll cheer for you, big brother."

"Yeah, I’ll at least learn to ride and walk."

Estel seems to have high hopes, and I want to show off a bit.

Nooru attached a rope to the horse’s bridle and led it, while I practiced riding and getting a feel for the horse.

I approached the horse's left side, grabbed the reins, and put my foot in the stirrup.

Using the stirrup for support, I jumped and sat on the saddle.

"Oh, oh... I’m on! Whoa!?"

I almost lost balance and fell immediately, but Sisya, standing nearby, caught me, preventing a fall.

"Ookura-san, you’re too tense. Relax your shoulders and keep your back straight. Sit in the center of the horse’s back, aligning your legs and back straight."

"Easier said than done... like this?"

I straightened my hunched posture and, as Sisya instructed, sat up straight.

Balancing on the horse became easier.

"Wow, it’s difficult but stable now."

"Hehe, you’re doing well. Once you’re comfortable, let’s try walking with Nooru leading."

Sisya, surprisingly, gave genuine advice without teasing.

She taught me about weight distribution and how to relax, then Nooru started leading the horse slowly.

"Wow... I’m moving! I’m riding a horse!"

"Excitement is good, but remember the feel. You’ll be controlling the horse yourself soon."

Though I wasn’t controlling it, I was thrilled to be riding a moving horse.

But the thought of controlling it on my own... that’s nerve-wracking.

We continued walking slowly, with Sisya supporting me whenever I lost balance.

Once I got used to walking, Nooru suggested the

 next step.

"Now, Ookura-dono, try standing while riding."

"Stand? On these stirrups!?"

"Yes. And don't pull on the reins too much, it’ll burden the horse."

Balancing while sitting is hard enough, but standing on stirrups!?

I stopped the horse and, as instructed, stood up using the stirrups for support... my legs shook, and I felt like I’d fall any moment.

"Can I really do this...?"

"Yes, watch me."

Sisya took over, showing me how it’s done.

She easily mounted the horse, stood up from the saddle, and balanced without holding the reins.

Then, with a small movement, she had the horse trot.

"No way..."

"I didn’t realize they were this skilled..."

"To ride properly, you need to be able to do that. You’ll get there with practice!"

If I need to do that to ride a horse properly... that’s insane.

I continued training until dusk, unable to master standing while riding.

But by the end, I was less afraid of falling and started enjoying the ride.

With continued practice, I might just learn to ride... though who knows how long it’ll take!

With Nooru and Sisya’s gentle teaching, I’ll ask for more lessons during breaks from hunting.