Magical Tool Master Dahlia Never Compromises ~ Starting Today: Life as a Freelancer ~

"That's right."

Wolff had until now left operational planning and discussion to his seniors. He had only begun to make proposals within the last month, and that too for the selfish reason of wanting to conclude the expedition as soon as possible.

"Wolf is now a capable adviser. Let's work on a battle plan together."

"That way we'll feel more relaxed."

"I'll try my best, but I'm still a long way from coming up with an effective battle plan... Today's practice is 'Helm Grabbing', right?"

"That's right."

"Helmet grabbing" is a type of simulated warfare.

The two teams set up positions on the training ground, and behind them, sticks were erected with helmets hung on them. The team that knocked the other team's helmet off first won.

You can cast magic to take them down, charge into the enemy camp to take them down, or defend while sending a group of people to attack slowly. It's a very flexible training.

Only elementary magic could be used, and all weapons were imitations. Even so, people were often injured in the melee, so mages and priests who could perform healing magic were on standby at the training grounds.

"The weather is too hot. I propose a fierce attack to end the exercise as soon as possible!"

Dolino said decisively.

"A fierce attack...how should we do it?"

"Wolf, the twenty people in the front row should rush towards you at once. Can you jump over their heads?"

"I can jump over it. Do you want me to attack alone?"

"Don't even think about doing this whole exercise alone. Can you grab me and jump over? I'll do my best to jump too."

"That should be possible."

"We'll both attack first, disrupting the enemy's formation. They'll probably chase you, so you can jump around and provoke them. Once their formation is broken, the younger and more experienced players will attack their positions in turn. Only one-third of the team will remain to defend the position."

"Okay, that's a good plan."

Alfio nodded and exchanged opinions with the other knights.

"Wolf, after we jump together, you grab my armor and throw me to the other side."

"Wouldn't it be uncomfortable if your armor was pulled up?"

"It's just a little while, it's okay. It's easier to carry me, but I don't want to be carried like a princess."

The word "princess hug" reminded him of Dalia yesterday.

She was very self-conscious about her weight, but Wolff was surprised at how light and soft she felt when he held her. He still clearly remembered the warmth in his arms and the slight touch of her red hair against his neck.

"Hey, Wolf, don't look so cheerful before the battle begins. That really sounds like a demon king."

"Huh? Did I make that expression?"

"Yeah, he looks happy, or rather, very happy."

"...I will reflect deeply on this."

He felt a heavy sense of guilt. How could he have such thoughts about his beloved friend?

Maybe I haven't been moving enough lately. I need to do my best to burn off some energy in the drills today.

"There's no need to reflect on this kind of thing..."

"No, I'm going to try some new exercises that will benefit the Knights!"

A method that would exhaust all his energy, make him less conspicuous, and still surprise his opponent—even he himself didn't quite believe it existed, but he kept thinking hard. Then, with a smile on his face, he told his friend his idea.

"Randolph, why don't you try to attack first?"

"Where did you get that idea? Randolph is a shield soldier!"

"That sounds fun, but I'm pretty heavy. I can't jump far, and it's hard for you to lift me. Even if you run, I can't run fast."

Randolph, though also wearing red armor, carries a large shield. He is unable to cope with the swift movements of monsters and is sometimes forced to wait in the rear of the army.

His job is more like the rear guard during a retreat, staying at the back to protect everyone.

The point is, he was a burly fellow, taller than Wolff, and weighed a considerable amount, so even Wolff had trouble carrying him.

"Kirk, come here for a moment. Can you use wind magic to help the three of us jump to the other side? Try to jump at the same time."

"Sure, just like before, three people will be fine!"

"Just now?"

"During lunch break, Wolfer-senpai and I practiced using wind magic to help our teammates. I can make the wind blow on me to assist my movements!"

"Oh? That sounds interesting."

"But the impact on the body is also very strong, much like being pushed hard from behind."

"Oh, that's okay. My back can take even Wolf's kicks."

"Wolf-senpai's kick?"

"I was nearly swallowed by a giant craggy snake once, but Wolfe kicked me in the back and saved me. He pried the snake's mouth open with my sword and held it there until the mage poured magic into the snake's mouth and knocked it down."

"Wow, I really want to witness that scene. When did it happen?"

Kirk asked with some regret, and Randolph thought about it.

"That was three years ago. The rock snake's fangs were still stuck, and Wolf had a hard time escaping from its jaws, right?"

"Yes, its mouth stinks... I don't want to think about it..."

The black-haired young man said this with a look of disgust, and the team members around him laughed.

Everyone saw Wolff's true expression for the first time, and felt that he became more approachable.

"Wolfred, why are you mentioning bad breath at this time..."

"When you think back on something like this, you usually say it was painful or difficult, right?"

"I used a high-intensity body enhancement, which also increases my sense of smell. I used all my strength at that time, and even if I breathed through my mouth, it still smelled bad..."

"You were tearful then, so that's why..."

"I no longer envy your enhanced body."

Time was running out, so they quickly got back to the point and made a battle plan.

A few people laughed at Wolff's suggestion, but immediately looked embarrassed when they realized he was not joking.

However, after confirming with Wolfe and Kirk, Alfio decided to put the plan into action.

The First Knights and the Monster Suppression Force, totaling approximately one hundred members, gathered at the training grounds.

The sight of so many knights lined up face to face was quite spectacular.

Wolf stood in the center of the front row, a model dagger tucked into his left waist, leaving his hands free.

Some people across from him stared intently at him, their heavy gazes making him feel irritated. But today, he found it strangely amusing.

This wasn't the first time he had been targeted during an exercise. He had been targeted by multiple people on previous occasions due to one-sided resentment or jealousy.

Although it was the first time for him to be treated as a target by so many people, it also allowed him to come up with an interesting battle plan.

He had never thought about this matter seriously before, but now he found that planning is actually quite fun.

"Wolf, please."

"I'm heavy, but I'm sorry to bother you."

Dolino and Randolph on both sides whispered, and Wolfe smiled and nodded.

"Helmet grabbing competition, start!"

As soon as they heard the start command, the three of them rushed out.

A large group of people were clearly rushing towards Wolfe, and Wolfe leaped up in front of them. As he leaped, he grabbed Dolino and Randolph by their armor with his right and left hands respectively, and in one go, he used his physical strength to pull them up.

The Sirius bracelet Dahlia had made was fully effective. Although the arm holding Randolph had sunk slightly, it was still high enough.

The men looked up in surprise, but even with their rifles raised high they couldn't touch Wolf.

Then a strong force hit the three people's backs heavily. It was more like a large ball of condensed air than wind.

“Ouch!”

Dolino called out in panic.

It was an amazing experience to be constantly being pushed up and forward by the wind. The height and speed made my heart clench.

"Hahaha!"

Randolph couldn't help laughing.

Even with his body-strengthening magic, he felt heavy and had never jumped so high before. The height and strength he experienced for the first time were exhilarating, and the men below him seemed even smaller, which was also a pleasant sight.

"I'll be counting on you guys for more!"

Wolf pushed the two men, preparing to throw them out.

"good!"

"receive!"

The two men leaped into the enemy position with incredible flight distance and speed.

Wolff, who always rushed into the enemy's position first, landed on the spot this time, ran to his own position, and began to chase the row of people he had just jumped over from behind.

The knights who were planning to attack Wolfe quickly turned back, and their formation was in chaos.

Wolff, pursued by the enemy, moved freely among the crowd.

I wanted to chop him with the model sword, but he disappeared; I wanted to attack him with magic, but I was afraid of hitting my companions; I pounced on him and thought I succeeded, but he grabbed my arm and threw me away.

Even when they surrounded him, he jumped away with astonishing strength and height, and then disappeared.

"Damn it, it's moving around!"

“This bastard!”

This way of escaping is most likely to make the person chasing you furious.

Incidentally, Wolff was enjoying the feeling of jumping with the Sirius Bracelet, with a bright smile on his face.

Seeing the First Knights' formation completely crumble, the young members of the Monster Suppression Force charged into the enemy lines in neat formation. Wolff leaped over his comrades and charged back to his own position.

He returned to his helmet in the field, and the senior players began to form a team to attack.

Wolff and Alfio were the only ones left here, but judging by the current state of the battle, no enemy could reach this point.

"Almost."

The two men narrowed their eyes and stared at the enemy position.

Dolino and Randolph jumped into the enemy's position, and the enemy was completely unprepared for them.

Randolph raised his shield and engaged several knights, staying at the edge of the position.

Dolino rushed to the helmet.

However, the defending knights rushed towards him, forcing him to retreat, and another group of people also caught up with him, so he could only flee to the right.

At this time, teammates from both sides came to support, and the two armies instantly fell into a melee.

The field was filled with the sound of model swords clashing and the powerful shouts of the monster-slaying troops, stealing the attention of most knights.

"That's all right."

Randolph, who had been standing still to deal with the enemy, smashed his shield against the knights before him and broke into a run. His appearance didn't suggest he could run so fast.

Several people who tried to stop him were easily bounced away and fell to the ground.

Some people even froze with their model swords in hand, missing the opportunity to swing.

It was neither Wolfe nor Dolino who was in charge of the offense today, but Randolph.

Although he is as big as the vice-captain of the monster-suppression force and his weapon is a large shield, he has always been fighting monsters desperately as a red armor.

He cast strengthening magic on his well-trained and muscular body, and exuded the murderous aura of the battlefield. Now it would take three times as many people to stop him.

Randolph came to the stick and then reached for the model sword on his left waist.

There was a crackling sound as a stick broke, and the silver helmet flew high into the sky.

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