Multiple updates today
This is the second one

The 'Elemental Magic' of the Four Staves is excellent as an offensive weapon.
However, whether water or fire, they disappear after a short while, and thus cannot be used for campfires or drinking water.

Does that mean they're only useful in combat?
I don't think so.

"Chopping trees?"

The Four Staves tilts its head.

"Ah, the magic of the Four Staves isn't limited to living targets, right?"

"Eh, yeah, that's right."

「To store materials, I need to separate them from the earth. For seawater and sand, I need to put them in a container, and for wood, I need to cut it down.」

「I see, I understand. I can't store it if it's still connected to the earth, right? If I can cut it down with my magic, then I can obtain it as wood.」

「That's right.」

I hadn't explained that part.

「Of course, I'll do it. It seems like magic could be useful for that, so that's good.」

It seems the wild boar incident is still bothering her.
So, we all start our actions.

At Chiyu and Shouko's request, I made a large basket.
I made it out of processed vines.
I hung it on Marshmallow's body.

Since I can't go with them, the amount we can gather is limited, but the plan is to use Mashiro's power to transport large quantities.

"Alright, I'm off."

"To become the Queen of Materials."

I watch the two of them leave the base with Mashiro.

"Shion, we're going too. We'll be right nearby, so if anything happens, just call out."

"Okay, have fun."

Shion, with her hair tied back, waves and says.
She seems to be thinking about today's menu.
The main dish is going to be grilled meat.

"Should I give you a spear just in case?"

Shion accepted it with a troubled smile.

"I managed to hold on until Sousuke-kun and Shion-san came to help."

"Just having them with you is a deterrent."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

Shousuke and I stepped out from behind the fence.
The poor fence, which relied heavily on Mashiro and was rarely used.

"Oh, by the way, Shion."

"What is it?"

"The stick you were waving around when using magic, is it something special?"

During the boar fight, she had been waving around something that looked like a branch.

"No, it's a branch I picked up. At first, I couldn't aim properly, but it got a bit better when I used the stick to point at the target."

"I see. If you don't have any particular attachment to it, how about this?"

I used my 'Crafting Ability' to imagine a wand that a mage would use.

I generated a thick wooden staff that tapered toward the tip, and placed it in front of me before handing it to her.

"――――"

"Well, I thought that if I was going to use it, something that looked like a wand would be more fun, but what do you think?"

"I-I'm okay with it?"

"Of course. I thought it would be easier to use if it was light, so I made it out of wood, but I can make it out of stone or whatever you want if you'd prefer."

"No, it's fine. Kouno-kun made this for me. I'll use it."

「S-So it is.」

Hearing her say that with such joy made me feel a bit embarrassed.

“Thank you. I know it doesn’t suit me, but I’ve always admired this kind of thing, so I’m happy.”

“I get it. I think mage robes look cool.”

“Hehe, they’re wonderful. When I was a kid, I wanted to wear a witch’s hat.”

Talking to her like this, she seemed like a normal girl.
Well, it’s only natural for even the most serious students to have all sorts of hobbies.

“All right, let’s stop here.”

After walking for a while, we stopped.
This spot was within shouting distance of Shion, and far enough from the fallen tree to avoid any impact on our base.

「Which tree should I aim for?」

「It doesn’t matter which one. Ah, I’d be happy if it bounces or rolls away from us.」

「I see. Well, then, here goes.」

She brandished the newly created staff and took a deep breath.

“Wind Blade”

Her hair fluttered, and a whooshing sound split the air.
Then, a loud boom came from the direction of the trees.

Looking over, I saw the tree sway and fall.

「I did it! I hit it! Did you see, Kouno-kun!?」

She hopped around like a little girl, delighted with her success.

Her skirt, longer than the others', flutters modestly.

"I was watching, I was watching. Nice job!"

She's so happy that I even hold out my hand for a high-five, jokingly.
Usually, she's too cool for something like this.

"Yeah!"

Four-Staff actually taps my hand with a light "plop."
She must have been really happy.

"Practicing on a stationary target should improve your accuracy."

"That's right! Can I cut down another tree!?"

"Just don't go overboard and cause deforestation."

"That's what we'll do next!"

The four-staff pointed at a nearby tree.
...A nearby tree?

"Four-staff, wait! That's too close--"

"Wind Blade!"

The spell was cast.
The tree was cut, but the angle was wrong.

It leaned toward us and fell.
And since it was so close, we could have been crushed.

It would be like if a utility pole fell on us in the middle of town.

「Ah--」

“Four Rods!”

I stepped in front of her to shield her and activated ‘Itemization’ on the spot.

Just as it was about to touch us, the tree was stored in my ‘Inventory’.

As it was being stored, the leaves that had detached from the branches rained down around us.

My heart was pounding.

“Ah, um, I’m sorry--”

“Phew. Four Rods, are you okay?”

I turned around to check on her.

“Eh, yes. I’m fine. Are you okay, Kouno-kun?”

「I'm fine.」

Even though my heart was still racing, I smiled to avoid worrying Shijou.
　Shijou turned pale and bowed.

「I'm really sorry. I got carried away and caused trouble, which is the worst. I should have paid more attention to the distance, but I didn't.」

「Well, since we're all right, it's fine. Let's cut some more trees.」

「...Yes, understood. I'll be more careful so I don't make the same mistake again.」

The mood had turned a bit somber.

「I'm counting on you to use your magic in the future, so don't let this discourage you.」

Since Shijou seemed pretty worried about the boar incident, I tried to keep the tone light so it wouldn't become a trauma.

「Okay.」

There are times when you have to scold someone sternly, but there are also people who can criticize themselves for their mistakes and correct them without needing to be told by others.

Shion is one of those people.

As expected, Shion handled the magic calmly and accurately afterward.

With this, she should be able to build a small house.

"All right, let's head back."

"Understood."

The two of them head back to their base.

"Um, Kouno-kun."

"Hm?"

"I almost forgot to thank you for helping me earlier."

That's about when I put the tree in my inventory, huh.

"Ahaha, it's fine."

"Kouno-kun, you jumped out to protect me."

I could have sworn that Shion's voice sounded a little warmer.

"It wasn't really necessary, though."

"That's not true. It wasn't... unnecessary."

"Oh."

"Mm-hmm."

We returned to base with an awkwardly warm atmosphere.

"Welcome back. I heard the tree falling all the way."

Shion greeted me with a smile.

“Ah, there’s a lot of it.”

“Haha, then maybe tonight will be the last time we all sleep together.”

Shion’s words made Yonjou freeze.

“W-What did you just say...?”

“No, of course I’m at the edge, and next to me is Chiyu, so nothing weird will happen...”

“Sleeping with three girls... that’s so lewd...!”

Ah, Yonjou’s back to normal.

“Hehe. I see, we still haven’t talked about it, have we? Once the two of you are back, we’ll have to hold a secret meeting with the girls.”

Shion muttered something to herself.

I'm sure it's definitely about the harem, but I wonder if Yagyu will be satisfied with that.

"U-Um, let's build a house first. The tree that Yagyu cut down will be our new base."

"...Y-Yeah. We should make sure there are separate rooms for men and women."

"Of course."

Well, even if I make my own room, Chiyu and the others will probably come over to play anyway.

I immediately get to work on crafting.

I managed to maintain first place for the day once again.
I'm very grateful for the new readers who continue to support me...

And so, thank you all.

See you tomorrow and have a good day!!!

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