Chapter 25: Sorry, I Prefer Mature Older Women

It was the afternoon of the day after updating their equipment.

While Kobayashi and Ruzi were resting in the living room to pass the time, Sato Kazuma rushed in, shouting in a panic, "It's bad! It's bad, Kobayashi-senpai! Something's wrong!"

"What, what is it? What happened?"

Kobayashi rose from Ruzi’s lap, looking somewhat annoyed at the intruder who had disrupted his bonding time with her.

Sato Kazuma stammered, "It’s bad, Kobayashi-senpai! Megumin, she really wants to cast Explosion magic again!!!"

"Is that really something to be so panicked about?"

Everyone knew of Megumin’s obsession with Explosion magic; she felt physically ill if she didn't cast it at least once a day, so Kobayashi had long since become accustomed to it.

"But I have a feeling this time is different!" Sato Kazuma explained urgently. "Just a moment ago, Megumin asked to treat me to something, but I felt she had an ulterior motive and declined. When I refused, she was naturally very annoyed and just turned and left."

"Hm? And what’s the problem with that?"

"At first, I thought nothing of it, but a little while later, Keith said he saw her clutching her staff and muttering something like, 'Even if I’m alone, I will cast the strongest Explosion magic, using this newly acquired staff!' Then she headed toward the mountains."

In other words, Megumin’s original goal was to find a tool-like mount so she could test her new staff?

But Sato Kazuma’s danger perception told him something was off, so he had flatly refused, and he hadn't expected Megumin to head into the mountains alone just to cast Explosion.

"So you came to find me?"

"Yes."

A wise judgment. If he had gone to Darkness or Aqua, they would have certainly indulged Megumin, and there was no telling what kind of trouble that would cause.

"I’ll go find her."

With a quick preparation, he headed toward the mountains. Given Megumin’s preferences, she would certainly be looking for a large target to satisfy herself, and Kobayashi, having a destination in mind, went straight there.

He soon found her.

She was poised with her staff raised, aiming at some ruins in the distance, striking a chuunibyou pose while chanting a cryptic and complex incantation at the top of her lungs.

"Rebellious demon of the mundane world, silent trust manifesting before me. The time has come! Now, awaken and pierce through with my arrogance as your guard!"

Kobayashi stood motionless while she chanted. It wasn't that he didn't want to stop her, but rather that it was impossible to intervene in time. Although Megumin always chanted long, difficult spells as if she were suffering from chuunibyou, her Explosion magic was actually capable of instant casting; the chanting was merely for the sake of ritual.

Yes. In Megumin’s eyes, power and ritual must coexist; only when the two are combined is it true Explosion magic.

"—Explosion!!!"

A massive surge of magic erupted from the tip of Megumin’s staff, shooting high into the clouds before descending, the violent force obliterating the distant ruins in a single blow.

"Refreshing!!!"

Megumin let out a satisfied shout before collapsing straight to the ground.

With her mana and physical strength completely drained, she was currently at her most vulnerable. If any villain were to appear now, it would turn into a tragic scenario.

Kobayashi sighed.

He stepped forward, his shadow blocking the sunlight and shielding her, catching her attention.

She turned her head and looked surprised. "Kobayashi, why are you here?!"

"Sato-kun said you were acting strange, so I guessed you might come here."

"I just wanted to test my new staff!"

Megumin squirmed back and forth on her long staff like a caterpillar; it was clear she truly loved this new weapon.

But she still had to be taught a lesson.

"Even so, you can't disregard your safety and come to such a dangerous place alone. What would you do if you encountered danger?"

"But Aqua and Darkness were busy, and Kazuma didn't want to come."

"Then why didn't you ask me?"

"Because there was a high probability you wouldn't agree."

When the party first assembled, Kobayashi had refused Megumin’s requests to cast Explosion every day several times, so she rarely approached him, preferring to sneak off on her own.

But for her safety, things had to change.

"Alright, from now on, just come to me whenever you need to."

"Really?!"

"Really."

Seeing her about to cheer with joy, Kobayashi set another rule.

"You must have someone with you when you cast Explosion. You are absolutely forbidden from coming out alone, do you understand?"

"Okay, I promise!"

She answered very readily.

With Megumin safely found, Kobayashi picked her up on his back to head home. Along the way, Megumin used her arms to brace herself, keeping her torso away from his back.

Kobayashi felt something was amiss and asked curiously, "Megumin, why are you keeping so far away from me? Isn't that tiring?"

"It is tiring, but Darkness said you’re dangerous and told me to stay away from you and minimize physical contact." Her words were somewhat hurtful.

Just how much is that perverted knight trying to smear my reputation?

He had absolutely no intention of laying a hand on the women in the party; it was a complete misunderstanding! Besides, he was an adult!

His feelings toward the underage Megumin were not romantic, but more like the affection one has for a younger sister, which was why he tried not to get angry whenever she