The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic-Chapter 10Vol 18.

Chapter 477

After chatting a bit more about Olga and Sharln’s relationship and their daily life together, Senpai and I decided to take our leave once visitors began arriving at the clinic.

“So Sharln will be working here at the clinic now?”

“Yes. I’m a healing mage too, so I’d like to help however I can.”

“I mean... it’s not like you have to push yourself that hard, though...”

“Big bro!”

Standing next to Miss Olga, Uluru elbowed her brother lightly in the ribs.

Startled by the poke, Olga blinked in confusion, only for Uluru to give him a deadpan stare and wrap her arms around Sharln’s.

“Big sis just wants to be close to her husband. Honestly, you’re as dense as ever.”

“Ugh...”

“And not only that—!”

Still holding Sharln’s arm, Uluru launched into another point.

“Now that big sis is here, we don’t have to worry about leaving the clinic completely unattended anymore! You and I are always out visiting people who can’t come on their own, remember?”

“Ahh, that makes sense.”

It really was hard for folks like the elderly or those with injured legs to get to the clinic themselves.

If someone dropped by while they were out on house calls, there’d be no one there. Just having an extra pair of hands was a huge help.

Besides, Nak would probably keep coming to study healing magic here—so the clinic was becoming more and more of a vital part of the town.

“You’re exaggerating, Uluru.”

“Ehh, am I?”

“My desire to help the townspeople as a healer is real, but... more than that, I wanted to understand Olga’s work better, and the people connected to this town. Because, well...”

Sharln hesitated, her cheeks turning pink as she looked toward Olga.

“...We’re going to be a married couple from now on, after all.”

“Sharln...”

As the two gazed into each other’s eyes, lost in their own world, Senpai began trembling next to me, overwhelmed by emotion.

Catching Uluru’s eye, I saw her raise a hand to fan her face dramatically, and I returned her expression with a weary smile.

“Usato... why is it that seeing people be so happy... makes your heart burn a little?”

“Well, I... kind of get what you mean.”

“The taste of this feeling forced upon me—bitter, sweet, achingly tender... Wait, you get it, Usato!?”

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Senpai suddenly broke into mysterious poetic rambling, then looked at me like I’d just betrayed her.

“Wait—seriously, Usato!?”

“Your speech pattern’s falling apart...”

Sure, I’m not made of stone. I get that kind of feeling sometimes too—but it’s not exactly something I’d say out loud.

Besides, we came here today to celebrate Olga and Sharln. That warm, happy feeling outweighed everything else right now.

****

After parting ways with Olga and Sharln, we went to pick up Amako as planned and made our way toward the castle to visit Kiriha and Halfa.

From what I’d heard before, the students from Lukvis who were here training as knights were staying at a dormitory near the royal castle.

Just to be safe, we asked a gatekeeper knight for directions, and soon found ourselves in a place that looked quite a bit like our own Rescue Team dorms.

“Usato, I think it’s over there.”

Amako pointed ahead, and both Senpai and I followed her gaze.

Sure enough, there was a group of students in uniform gathered in a training yard in front of what looked like the knight’s dorms.

“Looks like they’re mid-training.”

“Yeah—oh, I see Mr. Aruk over there too.”

Those training outfits looked familiar—definitely Lukvis students.

And nearby, supervising them, were Aruk and a few other knights.

“—That’s enough! Training ends here for today! You’re free to do as you please this afternoon, but remember—conduct yourselves with dignity, as knight candidates!”

“Yessir!!”

“Looks like training just ended.”

“Perfect timing.”

It was around midday now.

We spotted both Kiriha and Halfa among the students tidying up their equipment, and decided to greet Aruk first.

“Good work today, Mr. Aruk.”

“Ah! Sir Usato! Lady Suzune! And Lady Amako!”

Aruk had clearly been busy lately, handling training for all these students.

He said a few words to his fellow knights, then quickly made his way over to us.

“I must apologize for missing your visit yesterday.”

“Don’t worry about it at all. Still... seeing you act as an instructor is a little surreal.”

“Haha, I’m flattered...”

He laughed modestly, resting a hand on his head.

There’s a calm intensity to Aruk that’s different from someone like Rose or me—he has a kind of commanding presence that holds the group together.

“They’re more eager to learn than I expected. I’ve found myself getting surprisingly invested in teaching them.”

“How would you rate them overall?”

Senpai asked the question as Aruk placed a thoughtful hand to his chin.

“They’re all quite capable. But the ones who stand out most are your friends—Halfa and Kiriha.”

Halfa was already known as one of Lukvis’s top fighters, so that wasn’t surprising.

But even Kiriha had caught his attention.

Having once taken a punch from her myself, I can’t say I’m too surprised.

“Halfa possesses a rare magic eye that allows her to anticipate her opponent’s movements. But it’s her close-quarters combat skills, developed through sheer {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} talent and hard work, that make her a force to be reckoned with—even among Llinger’s knights.”

Halfa’s physical technique really is something else. Her combat strength is almost entirely independent of her magic eye—it’s just pure training and instinct.

“And Kiriha? She combines the natural strength of a beastkin with wind magic and hand-to-hand combat. Her fighting style is incredibly balanced. More importantly, she listens carefully to those around her and reacts precisely to the situation.”

At that, Amako’s eyes lit up and she looked up at me.

“Yeah, that makes sense. Kiriha’s always looking out for everyone around her. She notices stuff really quickly.”

“So that’s what ‘observant’ means here...?”

She’s always been taking care of her little brother Kyou and the girl she lives with, Satsuki.

Maybe that really has sharpened her sense of awareness.

Plus, she is a beastkin—so heightened instincts come with the territory.

“Were you all hoping to see the two of them?”

“Yes. I heard they’ll be returning to Lukvis soon, so I thought we’d talk a bit while there’s still time.”

Sure, we could contact them anytime via Fubard contracts—but talking face-to-face is always better.

Aruk nodded in understanding.

“Today’s training has concluded, so you’re free to speak with them.”

“Thanks. Though... there’s no afternoon session today?”

“No—roughly every three days, we allow a half-day for self-directed activity. I want them to learn about Llinger’s culture too—not just its training.”

So part of their training was to get to know the kingdom itself.

Makes sense. A future knight should understand the country they might be sworn to protect.

“Well then, I’ll be returning to my duties.”

“Thank you very much.”

Aruk gave us a polite nod, then walked away with his fellow knights.

As we watched them go—Kiriha came jogging over from the direction of the dorms, waving cheerfully.

For some reason, she wasn’t wearing her training clothes anymore, but... an apron?

“You’re back! Usato, Suzune!”

“I’m here too, you know.”

“Yeah, I see you, Amako!”

She’d clearly settled in well—no sign of the stiffness she’d shown when she first arrived in Llinger.

...but seriously, why the apron?

I’m pretty sure she was still in training just moments ago.

“I heard you were leaving soon, so I came with Usato and Suzune to see you off.”

“Ah, I appreciate that. I wouldn’t have felt right leaving without saying goodbye either.”

Kiriha beamed at us—then suddenly paused, arms crossed, brows furrowed.

“Still... talking, huh.”

“If it’s bad timing, we can always come back later.”

“No, no... it’s not that, it’s just... hmm...”

After a brief moment of thinking, she looked up at us and asked—

“Are you three hungry, by any chance?”

****

Knight Dormitory Cafeteria

The cafeteria inside the dorms was decently spacious, with rows of tables and chairs neatly arranged. Students from Lukvis sat scattered throughout, and now we—myself, Senpai, and Amako—were seated among them.

In front of us sat a freshly prepared lunch: soup, steak, salad—the works. The space was lively and warm, filled with chatter and laughter, and we happily dug into our food.

“This is... a lot. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“You don’t need to worry about it. I invited you, remember? And besides, I always end up making too much. Honestly, I’m glad you showed up.”

“Kiriha always eats like a bear, after all.”

“Keep talking, Amako, and I’ll thump you.”

Kiriha gave Amako a light nudge with her elbow. Amako, unfazed, simply lifted a spoonful of soup and took a bite.

“Mm... It’s been a while since I’ve had Kiriha’s cooking. Still just as good.”

“It really brings back memories...”

“Hey, Usato maybe, but you just had my cooking a few weeks ago, didn’t you?”

...It’s been nearly a year since we visited Lukvis for the letter exchange. With how packed every day has been, it already feels like a distant memory.

“Kiriha’s cooking has been a great help to us. After all, she’s the only one in our group who can actually cook.”

So said Halfa, the white-haired boy about our age, sitting beside me and eating his own lunch.

Kiriha let out an exasperated sigh in response.

“Geez, weren’t we told to be self-sufficient as knights? What was the point of putting us into groups otherwise?”

“So, all the meals here are cooked by students?”

“Not all of them.”

She waved her hand, shaking her head at Senpai’s question.

“Breakfast and dinner are taken care of at another cafeteria. But lunch—we’re on our own for that. It’s part of our training.”

“Ah, because knights need to be able to cook for themselves during expeditions and such?”

“Exactly.”

Thinking back, I relied heavily on Aruk’s cooking during our travels. Meals are more than just sustenance—they keep morale up, help you relax. They're essential.

“Well, that’s all fine and good, but the real problem is this guy right here.”

“Hmm?”

Kiriha aimed a sharp glance at Halfa, who tilted his head with a puzzled look. He responded with a deliberately innocent expression, and Kiriha’s mouth twitched.

“He’s completely hopeless when it comes to housework. Honestly, it’s fair to call him dead weight.”

“Now that’s just rude. I can manage the basics, thank you.”

“Yeah, right. On your cooking day, everything was a disaster. You dumped barely chopped veggies into the pot, and your seasoning was so bad, it tasted like air.”

“Hmph. I prefer to think of it as highlighting the natural flavor of the ingredients.”

...Wow, he really is that bad?

Halfa always gave off this composed, capable vibe. I never would’ve guessed.

“I’m telling you, he probably lived on raw vegetables at school. Too lazy to cook, just munched them whole.”

“...Heh.”

“Don’t give me that smug little smirk—you totally did that!”

I mean, come on, you could at least try to cook them a little...

Still reeling from the revelation, I turned just in time to see Halfa staring at me.

“What about you, Usato? Can you cook?”

“Uh, me? Yeah, I can manage—just average stuff though.”

“Wha—!?”

“...That shocked look is kind of insulting, you know?”

He actually looked genuinely betrayed. I wasn’t expecting to shake his stoic façade like that.

“I thought we were the same, Usato...”

“I don’t snack on raw cabbage, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Halfa slumped, visibly disappointed.

Wanting to spare him further embarrassment, I decided to pivot the conversation—toward something I’d wanted to bring up anyway: the fact that Nak’s younger sister had come to Llinger.

As I gave a quick summary, Kiriha’s eyes widened in surprise and curiosity sparked across her face.

“Nak’s little sister? Huh, she came all the way to Llinger? Sounds like a good kid.”

“She is. Sweet too—and really cute,” Senpai chimed in.

“...Putting aside Suzune’s suspicious tone, I’m definitely curious now. Nak’s sister, huh...”

Yeah, figured she’d be interested.

Kiriha did look after Nak for a while back in Lukvis, even if it was temporary.

“Well, want to meet her? You can probably catch Nak out on the training grounds this afternoon.”

“If it works out, I’d like to. We’ve got free time now anyway. What about you, Halfa?”

“Of course I’m coming.”

Perfect.

As vice-captain of the Rescue Team, I probably didn’t need to get any kind of formal approval for this.

“Though... if she seems uncomfortable around beastkin, I’ll sit it out.”

“She’ll be fine. She met me, Kannagi, and even Ferum and Kiehl yesterday. Usato and Suzune were there too.”

“Amako? Why did you casually include me and Senpai in that group?”

“Yeah, Amako??”

Okay hold on. That’s weird, right?

From a biological classification standpoint, Senpai and I are 100% human.

Amako, unconcerned by our protests, answered cheerfully.

“Because you two are... intense.”

“...Ugh.”

“Usato, I don’t think you should just accept that. Also, why did you glance at me when she said that!?”

Yeah, well... I’ve kind of come to terms with it lately.

And if I’m being lumped together with Senpai, I can’t really argue.

_____________________

📌 TL Note – Post-Chapter Explanation

1. "Stimulating presence":

Amako casually refers to Usato and Suzune as 刺激が強い (shigeki ga tsuyoi)—literally "too stimulating."

— Interpretation: This is a playful jab. In context, it means they're both a bit overwhelming or intense for newcomers due to their personalities, reputations, or past actions. It’s not meant as an insult but as a teasing, affectionate remark.

— Meta joke: Even though they’re technically “normal humans,” their behavior and aura are anything but normal in this world.

2. Halfa’s Cooking Disaster:

Kiriha's complaints about Halfa’s "cooking"—raw veggies tossed in a pot, no seasoning—play off a common anime trope of the ultra-competent character being completely useless at domestic tasks.

— Cultural note: This is a humorous contrast often used in Japanese fiction, where a cool or stoic character is hilariously bad at cooking or housework.

3. Group Training Meals:

The fact that the students have to make their own lunches is a realistic and lore-friendly element.

— In-universe logic: As future knights, they’re being trained not only in combat but in self-sufficiency—something essential during campaigns or missions away from home.