I Said Make My Abilities Average! (LN) - Volume 6 - Chapter SS2

Bonus Story:

Weapons 

“Reina, have you ever thought about changing your weapon?” asked Mile one day. 

“Huh???” 

The other three members of the Crimson Vow appeared bewildered at the sudden proposal. 

“Isn’t this rather sudden?” Reina asked suspiciously. 

“Well, I mean, rather than smacking or jabbing people with a staff, wouldn’t some other kind of weapon be a lot more efficient?” 

“I mean, I guess you’re right…” Reina agreed. 

“But,” Pauline added, “mages’ weapons have always been bludgeoning types since way back when. There must be a good reason for that. Well, that is mages who aren’t you of course, Mile.” 

Pauline did not seem to be in favor of Mile’s proposal either, and even Mile had to agree that she had a point. As much as she 

might call herself a magic knight, or what have you, even with a sword at her side, she was still primarily a magic-user. 

“I know that much! I’m fully aware that the incantation is the most important thing for a mage and that they need a weapon they can use to reflexively defend themselves while their concentration is taken up by their spellcasting. It’s true that bludgeoning weapons are the best type for that…” 

“That, and, with swinging-type weapons, you can generate a lot of force when you swing them. Mages tend to be weak when it comes to facing melee-type weapons, so if they allow even the slightest opening in close-range combat, they’re toast. If you prioritize self-defense over toppling your enemy, you create a moment to quickly fire off a spell. That’s the conclusion that our predecessors came to, and I’m pretty sure it’s the right one.” 

Indeed, there were some very good reasons for mages to wield the weapons they did. However… 

“That’s for normal mages, though. I’m sure that you and Pauline could handle something different while casting, no problem! Here, see, try something like this…” 

As she spoke, Mile produced a weapon that had three fine blades extending from the hilt of a sword, fanning out at the end—a weapon that looked like it was, well… rather more impressive than practical. 

“No thanks! I’m sure that would increase my ability to fatally wound someone, but that would never stop the force of a monster rushing at you, and it would never pierce right through them. Besides, it’s not about how badly you can wound your enemy. A mage’s weapon isn’t for close-range attack power, it’s for getting yourself out of a bad situation. I have no intention of giving up the staff that I’ve been using all this time!” 

Apparently, Reina and her staff shared some memories, and she had absolutely no intention of switching weapons. 

“Hm, well then… I’ll just install some reinforcing parts on that staff, then!” 

“Huh?” 

Yet another strange proposal. 

However, Reina and the others were already well accustomed to Mile’s ways and could hardly be bothered to show surprise. 

“What I’m saying is that I can put some metal spikes on the end of the staff that you hit people with. And on the thrusting end, I can put a metal cap for added power and weight balance, and…” 

“How can you just pop out literally anything right on the spot like that?!” Reina shouted, though she took the offered parts in her hands and examined them. “These aren’t bad. They’re a little heavy, but it would raise my power that much more…” 

Mile nodded approvingly as she watched Reina take forceful practice swings with her staff, when suddenly she heard Pauline’s voice softly in her ear. 

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” 

“Hm?” 

Mile cocked her head. She had no idea what Pauline meant. 

“I mean, whenever Reina gets mad at you, she always hits you on the head with that staff, doesn’t she? Like, bambambambambambambambam! Now that her staff is stronger, the next time you make her angry…” 

“G…” 

“G?” 

“Gyaaaaaaaah!!!” 

And so, Mile withdrew her proposal for strengthening Reina’s staff, fully of her own volition.