The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 51

Thus, the weekend we had prepared for finally arrived.
The Witch’s Forest was quite far, so we left the academy before dawn, taking a hired carriage to a point near the forest. When we got off the carriage, we cautiously approached the Witch’s Forest. However, at first glance, it didn’t seem much different from any other forest.

“I hope to find the Allure Fruit for the seniors. Please let me meet the witch,” I murmured my wish aloud before stepping into the forest.

The moment I entered, I felt it.

This place was another world.

As I walked deeper, the occasional roars of magical beasts sent shivers down my spine. Despite my unease, I pressed on toward the witch’s dwelling, determined to find rare materials that could aid my seniors’ research.

A narrow, beast-trodden path extended deep into the forest. I lost track of how long we’d been walking, but it must have been over an hour.

Just as impatience began to creep in, a small cottage came into view.

“Fars, could that be it?”
“Looks like it,” he replied.

We approached the door with nervous anticipation and knocked.
“Yes? Who might it be?”

The one who answered was a stunningly beautiful woman wearing a lace blindfold. Could this person be the rumored witch? She invited us into the cottage, and we followed her inside.

The interior of the cottage was far larger than it appeared from the outside, likely due to some kind of magic. The space was filled with the scent of various herbs being brewed.

We sat on the chairs offered to us and sipped the tea she served. The witch casually used magic to summon a teapot and hot water, her display of magical power far beyond that of an ordinary person.

Next to me, Fars was trembling. When I followed his gaze, I saw why—her legs ended in a serpent’s tail.

Could the witch herself be a magical beast? Had we unknowingly walked into a monster’s lair? Fear gripped us as we realized our predicament.

“Do you have some business with me?” she asked with a calm smile, seemingly unbothered by our reaction.

“Y-Yes. I… I am Marloa Efsée. I attend the academy, and my seniors are conducting alchemy research. I came here to obtain the rare Allure Fruit and perhaps hunt some magical beasts to help with their work,” I stammered.

“Hmm. The Allure Fruit? Cain, do you know what she’s talking about?”

To my surprise, a man in a black butler’s uniform appeared out of nowhere. I hadn’t sensed his presence at all. Apparently, his name was Cain.

“Madam, could it be the yellow fruit that magical beasts occasionally fight over?”

“Ah, that one. Very well. I haven’t tended to the area recently, so the number of magical beasts has increased. You’re free to hunt them if you can.”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

The witch smiled as she rested her chin on her hand.

“And do you have an offering for me?”

So the rumors were true. Fortunately, we had come prepared.

With trembling hands, I pulled the Maiden’s Flower and holy water from my bag. The witch’s interest was immediately piqued.

“Oh my, that bag. For a human, you’ve done well. …You have potential. And these Maiden’s Flowers and holy water are genuine. I like them. Cain, accompany them.”

The Maiden’s Flower was authentic.

Relieved, we thanked the witch profusely. Cain agreed to guide us, which was reassuring in such a dangerous forest.

We expressed our gratitude once more and left the cottage. As we stepped outside, Cain began to brief us.

“There are many magical beasts in this forest that you cannot defeat. Do not stray from me.”

“Understood,” we both replied.

Once we left the cottage, the scenery changed dramatically. The forest around us grew dense and oppressive.

“Fars, this path looks completely different from before.”
“Marloa, I can sense magical beasts nearby.”

It seemed we were already surrounded. We gripped our swords tightly.

Rustling leaves signaled the approach of something. A massive magical beast, nearly two meters tall, emerged. It had six glaring eyes and four muscular arms, poised to grab us. Its bipedal stance made its form appear unnervingly unbalanced.

“This creature… it has six eyes in front, four arms, and stands on two legs. It’s so strange,” I muttered.

“You two, I’ll observe. Try to defeat it,” Cain instructed.

“Yes!” we responded in unison.

Fars leapt high, aiming for the beast’s arms, while I circled around to attack its legs from a blind spot. I managed to injure it, but Fars’s sword was caught in its grip.

“Damn it, let go!” Fars struggled.

“Fars, move!” I shouted, throwing a dagger at the beast’s wrist. The blade struck true, causing it to drop the sword. Fars quickly reclaimed his weapon, moved behind the beast, and slashed at it with his magic-infused blade.

The back seemed to be its weak spot.

I seized the opportunity to cut off one of its arms. Though the beast thrashed violently, its movements were slow. Concentrating on its back, we finally struck its neck, and the beast collapsed lifelessly.

“For students, you did decently. Fars, was it? Attacking from above without full force is reckless—you could have been killed. If you’re going to strike from above, commit fully. Marloa, you also get a failing grade. Your strategy was good, but you need to assess whether an opponent is equal to or stronger than you. Use your magic to sense that—it’s possible.”

Fars looked dejected, clearly aware of his mistake. It was a bad habit of his.

As for Cain, his ability to instantly discern that I had magic reaffirmed that he was no ordinary individual.
“Cain, how do you sense using magic?” I asked.

He explained that it was similar to appraising, using magic to form a fine mesh and envelop the target. By doing so, one could gauge the enemy’s magical strength and identify weak points. It would take practice, but it was a skill worth learning.

While Fars received a lesson on swordsmanship, I packed the defeated beast into my backpack. Unfortunately, it was almost completely filled with just one creature.

As we walked further, I spotted a tree bearing numerous yellow fruits.

The fruits were small, with red spiraling lines that gave them a slightly ominous appearance. I tried using the sensing technique Cain had just taught me. Though I couldn’t create a perfect mesh, I detected a sweet magical energy emanating from the fruits.

“Cain, can these fruits be eaten?” Fars asked as he began collecting them into prepared jars.

“They might give you a slight magical boost, but you’ll likely just end up with an upset stomach. Eat at your own risk.”
What?! An upset stomach? My curiosity tempted me to take a bite, but Fars stopped me.

“Maybe not the best idea right now?”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right.”

With the Allure Fruits collected, we continued exploring and battling magical beasts. Wolves and strange slime-like creatures challenged us, each requiring different strategies to defeat.

Cain’s advice was invaluable. He protected us with barriers when we were overwhelmed and gave precise critiques of our mistakes.

“Marloa, Fars. You both have potential, but this forest is dangerous. You were only allowed here because the witch permitted it. As humans, you mustn’t return.”

“I’ll never forget what you’ve taught us, Cain. Thank you. We’ll use these materials well,” I said, bowing deeply.

We left the forest, realizing we had spent an entire day there. By the time we returned, night had fallen.