The World’s Strongest Martial Artist who has Worked too Hard, Survives in the Magic World With Ease

"So... how many years has it been since then?

Mr. Noir opened his hands and took the form of a par.

No way it's been ten years!?

But since Mr. Noir hasn't grown, that's about reasonable...

Ten months have passed since then.

"You've grown so much in ten months!?

I'm relieved it hasn't been that long... but what the hell happened to Mr. Noir?

"I've had a lot of dinner since you were gone."

It seems that Mr. Noir's rapid growth was caused by overeating due to stress.

Did you eat on a meal to exude stress that you wouldn't be able to see me?

Mr. Noir's staple food was melon bread... and I'm sure he hasn't been nourished enough so far.

And ten months...

It's only been about five minutes in physical time, and I don't really feel it when people tell me it's been ten months.

"It's been ten months since then, which means the graduation ceremony's over, right?

"I finished it two weeks ago. I'll keep your diploma."

"My diploma? But I don't have enough days to attend, do I?

They treat me like I'm in attendance.

"... oh well"

Speaking of which, before you traveled, I thought Eye said 'treat you like you're in attendance'.

I feel like ten months is just too much time off, but anyway, I seem to have graduated safely.

... Well, I went to magic school to be a wizard in the first place, and I'm not happy I graduated as a militant.

Nevertheless, the Ephas would have graduated, and would you like to head back to Elstania for a moment to hear about the developments?

"By the way, how's Grandpa Maurice doing?

Maurice is outside the ruins.

"Are you close?

I thought I was definitely going home to Dean Phillip and the others.

"I built a cabin outside the ruins, waiting for you to return."

I hear Mr. Noir routinely went through the ruins, but it takes about three hours each way from Lange to the ruins.

Grandpa Maurice, who saw it, built a cabin by the ruins?

I'm sure Grandpa Maurice was watching Mr. Noir as he waited for me to return.

Grandpa Maurice has a strong sense of responsibility, and I guess he couldn't leave Mr. Noir alone to go home.

"Then why don't we rendezvous with Grandpa Maurice and then go back to Elstania to meet everyone"

I might be moving near my workplace, and there's no guarantee that the Ephas will be in Elstania.

Anyway, I have to go back to Elstania once to report the results to Ai.

"Efa and Fermina are outside, too."

"You're both here!?

He said it was a graduation trip.

I don't think I'd choose the end of the continent for my graduation trip, and I'm sure I've come to see Mr. Noir.

"What do you mean, did you two bring your diploma?"

"My diploma was brought to me by the Dean's agent."

"Is Ai here too?"

"I've been here a week. The deputy's been worried about you."

It was Ai who asked me to crusade the Demon King.

I was going to fight the Demon King even if he didn't ask me to... maybe Eye feels responsible because I'm not coming back.

They're all outside the ruins, and I need to show my face and reassure them quickly.

That's how I tried to stay between the seals, and I heard footsteps from across the aisle.

The footsteps are getting louder and louder,

"Whoa, aren't you a master!

"Really! You were back!

"Look, you did what I said! There's no way Ash loses when he's the Demon King!

"Yes... I'm sure you're safe..."

Efa and Mr. Fermina, Grandpa Maurice and Eye showed up.

I'm sure Mr. Noir hasn't been able to come back, so he's worried to see how it goes. From what I saw, there was no change in the appearance of the four.

Well, ten months. It's rarer to grow up like Mr. Noir.

"Hiccup, master!

"Oh, that's a hiccup!

It's been a week for me, though.

"You remember me!?

"I'll never forget it."

It's been a week for me.

"Ash, did you serve your purpose?

"I couldn't fulfill my purpose, but I defeated the Demon King."

"Really..."

Eye looked relieved and then lowered her head deeply.

"What a thank you to Ash..."

"I'm not thanking you. We only defeated the Demon King once."

"But it doesn't make any difference that Mr. Ash saved the world. So if you want anything, don't hesitate to say it. I'll try to prepare anything."

"Then I'd like some rice"

I haven't eaten anything since this morning (even though it was ten months ago).

I don't know what time it is, but it's lunch time for me.

"Then your father and Aunt Cologne will be ready for dinner upstairs."

"Are you both here?

"Philip and Cologne have been living in huts near the ruins for about three months."

Does staying over here mean the magic wand (Withers Rod) is complete?

Anyway, if Mr. Cologne and the others are waiting, you'd better get back soon.

That's how I ended up between the seals, walking down the expansive aisle and having a conversation with Efa and the others.

"Did you both get a job?

"You got it! I became a local school teacher!

"Whoa, congratulations! You could have been a proper gym teacher!

"Yes! He's delivering his stuff to his parents' house, so he wants to stay with his master until work starts!

"I want to be with Ash-kun, too! When I get to work, I'm gonna have a hard time seeing you!

"Mr. Fermina's job is the Knights, isn't it?

Mr. Fermina nodded forcefully.

"Of course you are! I've decided to join the crusade force, but I don't know where they'll be assigned yet."

"I'm sure it's decided after the rookie training."

"Ugh! I'm looking forward to my rookie training next month!

I have been invited by Ms Melnia to attend newcomer training.

It's been almost a year since then...

I finally got a sense of reality.

"The ideal, of course, is the Northern Crusade. Yikes! Your father is the deputy commander, Master Mernia is the commander, and Nemnesia is a jurisdiction!

"You want to play with me even after I graduate! My sisters would love it if Mr. Fermina stayed close!

"Ugh! Anyway, it's a relief to be in the Crusade Squad!

While I was gone, you two were making your dreams come true.

I couldn't be a wizard... but I don't think I envy you.

I sincerely agree with you that I'm really glad my dear friend's dream came true.

Really... I'm glad you're a militant.

I thought that naturally.

Until now, I didn't want to be a militant - I wanted to be a wizard.

But not now.

If I had been a wizard like everyone else, my parents wouldn't have dumped me.

I never met Grandpa Maurice, and I wouldn't have thought of working out my body.

That would not have saved Mr. Noir from the Golem... and Ai is right, this world should have been destroyed by the Demon King.

I couldn't be a wizard.

But because of that, I was able to meet and protect one of my most important people.

I've really been wanting to be a wizard...

I'm really glad I'm not a wizard right now.

I'm glad I'm a militant, from the bottom of my heart.

"... it's glowing"

As I was going up the ruins stairs thinking about it, Mr. Noir, who was walking around the cow, blushed.

Turning around, Mr. Noir was staring at me to eat my buttocks in.

Speaking of which, my clothes were burning by the flames of the Southern Emperor.

It's usually embarrassing for Mr. Noir to stare at my buttocks, so I hid my buttocks with both hands.

Then Mr. Noir looked up,

"It was glowing."

"What?

"Your butt."

"My buttocks... were glowing?

I don't know what that means.

You've worked out your body too much, and you've finally got the luminescence?

When I was serious about that, my master changed his complexion.

"Ash, let me see your buttocks!

I'm not ashamed to say I was seen as a master.

I turned my buttocks so that only my master could see me.

"Ko, this is...!

My master is surprised to see my buttocks.

What, is my bum that weird?

As I was plain shocked, my master shouted.

"There are magic spots (Stiegel) floating around!!