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CHAPTER 8 - DEFEATING A WYVERN! HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY!
"Is there someone there?"
The voice reached Sota's ears shortly after he entered the forest. Avoiding the sunny spots where ethanol vapor evaporated from the Camos fruit, Sota stopped as he moved from one shaded area to another. The voice sounded near his ear, and through the green light swirling around him.
"Is that you, Ayahi-chan?"
Sota came to a halt. Green light swirled around him. The voice reached him through this light.
—It's the same spirit I saw yesterday.
"Who's there? It's a guy's voice, but it's not Nilgiri-san, and it doesn't feel like one of the village adults. You know my name."
"I heard about you from Nilgiri and Asugi-san. I'm Sota. I arrived in the village late last night. Could you give me directions?"
"Sota...? I haven't heard anything about that. I was already asleep yesterday, and this morning, I left for work before my mother woke up."
"That's impressive. I was up all night as well, so I guess our timings didn't match."
"Up all night? You talk about it just like a human."
—Should I keep the fact that I'm human a secret? If I'm too guarded, I won't be able to join them, and I doubt they suspect I'm human based on our conversation. Let's give an answer within the realm of truth.
"Human, huh... Well, I've been called unusual."
"Haha, just like me. I'm sorry, but if you happen to know anyone in the village, could you help me out a bit? One of the young lambs that jumped out ahead got drunk on Camos fruit. The other ones have calmed down and are following my lead, but this one seems to be really intoxicated."
"Do you need help carrying it?"
"Exactly. The other lambs are being protected by a dome of wind spirit magic, but the dome won't last that long..."
—Indeed, they're quite skillful.
Sota was impressed.
—Moreover, they're a bit different from the other Elves I've encountered. They seem capable of having more human-like conversations.
—I want to make a good impression.
"Which way should I go?"
"Just walk straight from there and head up along the riverbank. You'll reach where we are in no time. Please hurry before any wolves or similar creatures find us."
"Got it. In this direction then. Are you alright?"
Following the instructions, Sota proceeded. Even though they were protected by the dome of wind spirit magic, he knew he had to hurry to ensure Ayahi and the livestock's safety.
Naturally, his pace quickened.
"I heard from Asugi-san, but you're really skilled."
"I'm a half-spirit, half-Elf after all. My father has the spirit element, so I excel in these things. Pretty amazing, right?"
"Absolutely. Honestly, I'm not that proficient with magic and stuff like that."
"Are you sure you're okay? Walking must be tough, considering you probably reek of alcohol."
Of course, he wasn't okay. If Sota wasn't a chemistry teacher, things could have been dangerous.
"I know the details. Using factors like wind direction, terrain, and temperature, I can estimate routes where ethanol vapor from the Camos fruit has dissipated. It's a combination of chemistry and geology. For example, the river I'm walking along now is a good example. There's a strong wind called the river breeze that often blows along rivers. Since there aren't many plants, nothing obstructs the wind. In places like this, even without magic, you can walk without being affected by alcohol fumes. The wind blows it away."
Now that he possessed the power, these tricks weren't necessary. However, knowing them could be useful. It was precisely because of this knowledge that Sota managed to approach Ayahi and the others so quickly. He deduced that the sheep had instinctively chosen a safe place to hide.
"Ah, so that's why the drunken sheep gathered over here. It wasn't just thirst."
"That's the idea. You caught on quickly. It's impressive that you can logically deduce and comprehend like that. You have a good sense."
"I'm honored by your praise. Sota, did you come from the capital by any chance?"
"Why do you think that?"
"Well, there aren't many people around here who are so knowledgeable. Yeah, you've come quite a long way. You've saved us. I'll have to do something as a token of gratitude once we get back home... huh?"
Her voice suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong? Hey, Ayahi? What happened? Ayahi! Are you there?"
A girl emerged from behind the rocks on the other side of the river. Golden hair, green eyes like the wind spirits, and despite being among mostly fair-skinned Elves, her white skin stood out. Her practical pants were dyed blue, likely for insect repellent.
"A, a, human!? Is that voice... Sota, are you, are you a human!?"
Ayahi glared at Sota, pointing the shepherd's crook staff, Shepherd's Crook, at him.
"Oh, I forgot to mention that. I am—"
Just as Sota began to answer, a colossal shadow enveloped them mid-conversation.
A high-pitched cry. Looking up, they could discern its source. A Wyvern.
"Oh no, is it targeting the lambs!? Hide, human! You'll die!"
――Whoa, seriously, a Wyvern in the middle of a conversation. This isn't a game.
Sota snapped his fingers.
《Message: 'Detoxify' has been activated. Ethanol is administered to the cranial cavity.》
《Message: Experience points acquired due to 'Detoxify' activation.》
"Alright, it's done."
"You fool of a human! Hide in the shadows!"
The Wyvern had aimed not at Ayahi, the adult sheep, or the protected lambs, but at the absent-minded Sota.
"No, it's okay, there's no need for that anymore."
Pure ethanol had already been infused into the Wyvern's system.
"There's nothing that creature can do anymore."
"You idiot! What are you saying!? If you get attacked by something like that, you'll be torn apart in an instant!"
"Let's skip the details, but I won."
The content could be adequately explained using high school chemistry and biology.
The brain is composed of complex structures made up of proteins. The forces that maintain these structures include hydrogen bonds that link amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, and ionic bonds formed by the attraction between positive and negative charges.
Ethanol, which readily binds to hydrogen and has poor electrical conductivity, has the power to disrupt these bonds.
In other words, quite literally, alcohol damages the brain.
"SotaAAAAA!"
Ayahi's scream and the Wyvern, which had its brain suddenly destroyed, crashing into the river and creating a massive column of water, happened almost simultaneously. After all, bones in creatures built for flight are lightweight, so if they experience the impact of a rapid descent, their bodies will be torn apart.
Poor Wyvern. A fool for trying to fly through the sky.
"Thanks for worrying."
"I'm not worried about a human or anything! H-How did you defeat it!?"
"Chemistry. They call it alchemy around these parts, apparently."
As if I can grasp chemistry.
"Ka-ga-ku... amazing... is this the demonic power that humans possess!?"
"Want me to teach you how to use it?"
"I-Is that okay?! But, um, coming from a human... is it okay?"
"You're quite interesting... "
"What?! Are you making fun of me?! You darn human...!"
"Well, whatever. Let's go back. The sheep are frightened."
"Speaking some sense... for a human. I agree. You don't seem very human, and until we get back to the village, I'll stick around with you, for now."
Afterward, Ayahi pointed her finger at Sota, her expression firm.
"However! I want to tell you one thing, okay? I... I don't like humans. I'll acknowledge your help, but... I don't like you either. Remember that."
"...Got it, I don't mind."
Ayahi turned her head away with a huff.
Leaving the Wyvern in a sorry state, crashed headfirst into the shallows, the two of them decided to leave it behind for now and, accompanied by the sheep, headed back to the village.
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