As soon as that boy had muttered what had to be an enchantment, he had disappeared.
No, he had leaped toward the golem, but by the time I realized it, he had already sent the golem’s right leg flying. I followed the leg with my eyes, and that’s when its arm went flying.
Wim was crouching on the labyrinth walls. He jumped into the air and torpedoed into the golem. A silver afterimage blossomed in the golem’s open chest as he smashed its core.
“Huh?” I was ready to buckle down and discover his full strength, but the battle had ended before I even got the chance. I could barely follow his movements, and the golem had been defeated before I could grasp what had happened. It was ridiculous, quite frankly.
My men gulped. Everyone knew what this battle must mean. My mind started to run with ideas about how we could use this fantastic power and questions about how long the boy could keep it up. My ponderings were borderline excuses, and by the time I had rid them from my mind, the rest of the party had already run up to Wim.
‹Heidemarie.› I sent a personal transmission.
‹What is it, Camilla?›
‹What the heck is this boy?!›
Golems were strong, but he had beaten one on his own—and it had only taken him a few seconds. This far surpassed the discussion of whether support casters were weak or not. At the very least, it would be hard to find an abenteurer in Filburn who could take him on with his speed.
‹What is he? He’s Wim, of course! The support caster Wim. Oh, and don’t forget we’re from the same hometown.›
‹That’s not what I’m talking about.›
‹He’s strong, huh?›
Heidemarie was on the opposite side of our squad, but she cast a glance at me. I followed her lead, turning to look at Wim as she did the same.
“Oh! Camilla, um… Heh, heh!” The boy had immediately been swarmed by the crowd as soon as he had learned he had destroyed the golem’s core, but he made the effort to look at me. He seemed to be shrugging.
“You did it, boy. I didn’t know support casters could fight this well.”
“Oh, no… Aha ha! I just was testing things out, and it ended up working,” he said, laughing again. “I’ve used up all my MP, so I’m pooped.” His voice sounded higher-pitched than usual. He must be excited. “But hear this! I just felt so good, and since my first attack went better than I expected, I decided to push my limits! My body flew up in the air, and I felt so light, it was like I was flying! Oh, but I must have kept you all waiting. I’m sorry for taking so long.”
Something was off about him. He seemed to be suffering from a high, the same sort beginner abenteurers got when they killed their first monster.
How exactly do I put this…? Could someone at the frontier of the labyrinth really get like this?
His results were clear and spoke for themselves, yet it was apparent he thought very little of himself. Not to mention he had a secret knack for battle. Though given how he was right now, it was hard to think he was hiding it intentionally.
I just didn’t get it. Things didn’t seem to add up when it came to him.
“Calm down, Wim. Time barely passed at all. Your battle was over in a second. It was marvelous.”
“Really? Heh, heh! Um… Fweh heh heh!”
I locked eyes with Heidemarie. I decided to leave Wim to her and head for the teleportation circle. I sent a transmission to everyone.
‹Listen, up! We’re resuming course. Show Wim some thanks!›