Volume 1 Chapter 10 The 'Manger Quest' That Wasn't Originally In The Game Occurs
"Yes. Mobu, aahh."
Ran, wearing her school tracksuit, held out a peeled fruit toward me.
"Aahh..." I opened my mouth. Munch.
"Aaah~ Mobu, so cute!"
This has become our usual routine lately. I guess I've already surrendered. At this point, maybe it's best to just go with the flow... It almost feels like I'm about to unlock some mysterious new stage of life.
It's Sunday, with no classes to worry about. Ran and I are spending a lazy afternoon in our shared room at the old dormitory. The fruit she's feeding me is something we grabbed earlier from the dining hall.
Yeah. We live in the same room.
Most of the old dormitory has been turned into stables or feed storage, and the rooms that remain untouched have rotting ceilings or half-collapsed floors. But Ran and I picked the best one we could find and fixed it up together. Now it's our space.
It's up on the third floor, southeast corner. The sunlight comes in gently through the windows, keeping the room bright and warm. Maybe that's why the place hasn't decayed like the rest. It's cozy and peaceful.
Honestly, it's way better than the cheap apartment I had in my previous life. That one was on the first floor, north-facing, with a concrete wall just outside the window. The neighboring apartment was so close I could almost shake hands through the glass. No sunlight, ever. Damp and depressing all year. Just sleeping there made you feel sick.
Compared to that, this room is heaven. And I'm living with the main heroine who's fallen for me.
When I really think about it, yeah... this is basically a cohabitation event. Given how miserable my past life was, this feels like a miracle. Almost too good to be true.
Still, there's been no progress on the romantic front. We share one bed, sure, but the most that happens is Ran clinging to me in her sleep. No spicy developments yet. Maybe the R18 flag hasn't been triggered. Well, there's no need to rush. It's still early in the story.
"Mobu, you've become more manly than before."
Ran peeled another fruit with a gentle smile.
"Before that incident... you were a bit more childish."
She tilted her head, eyes drifting toward the ceiling as if recalling something. She's probably talking about the monster attack that destroyed the Starting Village.
"You're strong now. And... wonderful."
She closed her eyes and spoke softly, almost like a dream.
Well, yeah. It really does feel like I've been possessed by some grizzled old veteran. Originally, I was just a background character—someone meant to make Blaze, the protagonist, and Ran, the heroine, shine brighter.
"Ah, here you are."
The door creaked open, and Ms. Lina peeked in.
She's the school nurse who watched over us during the entrance exams. Even though it's supposed to be a day off, she's still in her usual nurse's coat.
Despite her young age, she's highly skilled in Healing and Support Magic—perfect traits for a school nurse. That's likely why she was invited to join the Royal Academy Hector.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Can you lend a hand?" Her tone was a bit rushed.
"Sure." "Gladly."
"Come to the stable."
""Okay.""
"Actually—"
As we walked down the stairs, she explained. Apparently, a student with poor riding skills had taken a horse out for practice and ended up falling off. The horse broke a bone in the process.
"...You're serious?" I asked.
"Yes. Honestly, they should have practiced under teacher supervision if they're that inexperienced."
Even though she's usually calm and kind, Ms. Lina actually sounded irritated. That's rare.
What's going on here? This wasn't in the original game. Even after three full playthroughs, I don't remember any events like this.
"Which horse was it?" Ran asked, clearly worried.
We're in charge of caring for the academy's horses. Ran, having grown up in the countryside, adores them. She handles them skillfully and doesn't even flinch when cleaning up manure. She even gets a small allowance from the academy for the work—more like pocket money, really. It helps us out a lot, especially as orphans. You could say it's a passion that also supports our livelihood.
"...Thundermaru."
"Eh? That child? She's always so gentle and calm... How could she fall?"
"It seems the rider pulled the reins too hard and kicked her belly."
"Ah... so she got startled."
Ran frowned, concern etched on her face.
"This way," Ms. Lina said, leading us onward.
Thundermaru had somehow returned to the stable on her own. She limped along, trying her best to avoid putting weight on her front left leg. Even the other horses were watching her, as if they understood what had happened.
"Thundermaru..."
Ran gently held the mare's face. In response, Thundermaru licked her cheek.
"She must be in pain... and yet she's trying to comfort me instead. Such a kind soul..."
Ran looked like she might cry again.
I glanced around the stable.
"...Where's that student?"
No sign of them.
"They reported the accident... and ran off right after," Ms. Lina said with a sigh, arms crossed.
"They must've been embarrassed. Or maybe they felt guilty."
"That's just irresponsible, Ran," I muttered, frustration bubbling up inside me.
This was their fault. They should've been the one to take responsibility and stay with Thundermaru. Horses aren't just animals—they're partners, comrades who trust us with their lives.
"...Can I punch them?"
The words slipped out as I remembered a certain manager from my past life—a two-faced boss who stole my achievements and pinned his mistakes on me. The resemblance annoyed me.
"That can wait," Ms. Lina said firmly. "Right now, let's focus on her."
She was right.
"Look. Her left front leg—it's the shin. It's broken."
"Let's check gently," I said. "Ran?"
"I understand."
Still holding Thundermaru's muzzle, Ran whispered softly into the mare's ear, casting Healing Magic to ease her pain and anxiety.
I crouched beside her and gently touched the leg. Even without experience, I could tell it was a clean fracture—nothing twisted, no crushed bone. Probably a single break. Not good, but not hopeless either.
"It's definitely broken," I said. "But it's a simple fracture. We can do something."
In the real world, racehorses with broken legs are often euthanized. Their limbs are too slim and delicate for treatment. But warhorses and farm horses—like the ones here—have thicker, sturdier legs built for strength and terrain. They should be treatable, assuming we have a capable Recovery Mage.
In this magic-based world, science lags far behind. Electricity isn't used, and most people rely on oil lamps. Only the royal palace has magical lighting. Basically, magic replaces science in everyday life.
"We need a magician," I said. "Someone strong."
"That's why I called you," Ms. Lina replied. "Ran has a high aptitude for magic."
"And we've got a teacher too, right? Like a high-ranking mage in charge of the SSS class?"
In the game, there were definitely elite mages who helped with advanced training. They should exist in this reality too.
"Today's a holiday. Most teachers are off-campus or at home. I live at the academy, since I'm the school nurse. Dormitory students need someone available for emergencies, even on weekends or late at night."
So that's why she was still in her coat. And why she called us, the ones closest to the stables.
"I see. Now, we need to act fast," I said. "If the bone doesn't heal properly, it could mess with blood flow—or worse, cause an infection."
I didn't know the exact science, but I'd seen enough medical dramas to get the gist. Horse or human, it probably works the same.
"What should we do, Mobu?"
"Let's see..."
I tried to recall what I'd seen in those shows.
"First, we align the fracture. Then we stabilize it with a splint. After that, magic to fuse the bone."
"Right," Ms. Lina nodded. "Let's do it."
"I'll go find something to use as a splint. Ran, discuss the healing steps with Ms. Lina."
"Got it."
There was an old plow near the back of the stable, along with some broken tools from the past. I dug through the pile and found a few solid wooden boards of the right size. No time to trim them, but they'd do.
"These should work," I said, returning quickly. "We'll place them around the leg and tie them with rope. Ms. Lina, I'll need your help."
"Understood."
"Tying it will hurt," I warned. "Ran, keep her calm."
"Leave it to me, Mobu."
Together, Ms. Lina and I gently straightened the injured leg and applied the splints. We tied them securely with rope, and Ms. Lina used magic to tighten the knots further and hold everything in place.
"Brrr..."
Thundermaru let out a soft whinny and tried to pull away.
"Shh, it's okay," Ran whispered, holding her muzzle close. "You're so brave, Thundermaru. Just a little longer."
Tears welled up in Ran's eyes and spilled down her cheeks, falling onto Thundermaru's soft gray coat.
Notes:
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has long, dark hair and a gentle appearance. Ran is kind and trusting, often relying on Mobu for guidance. She survives the demon attack by hiding in the secret base with Mobu.
• Starting Village - A small, poor village located in a rural area. It was founded by the Village Head after he cleared the wilderness. The village is now safe from monsters, and Mobu and Ran are considering it as a potential base for survival.
• Blaze - Male. The protagonist of the game, born into the wealthy Rosinore family. He has blond hair and a heroic appearance. Blaze is kind and lacks arrogance despite his status. He is destined to become a hero and defeat the Demon King. His relationship with Mobu and Ran is complex, as they are not part of the main story.
• Ms. Lina - Female. The kind-looking elder sister at the academy's reception desk. She has a relaxed demeanor and a gentle smile. She oversees the entrance exams and allows Blaze's impromptu battle with Mobu and Ran, noting their shared hometown. She flips through documents casually, suggesting she is organized yet laid-back.
• Hector - A prestigious academy located in the kingdom, known for training adventurers. It is primarily for the children of nobles and wealthy merchants, with a few spots reserved for those with true ability. The entrance exam is practical rather than theoretical.
• Thundermaru - Female (horse). A calm and kind horse with a gray coat. Injured her front left leg due to a student's mistake. Comforts Ran despite her own pain. Well-cared for by Ran and Mobu.
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