Rudi came out asking that while smiling.
I wonder what it is.
Is there something amusing?
While holding doubts I tightly grasped the staff.
Since my hands are small, I felt like it was a bit hard to hold.
"It's thick, I wonder if it was assumed you would hold it with both of your hands."
"...I'm sure they were making assumptions based on after I grow up."
"Hnn."
While smiling Rudi continued to proceed with melting the snow.
I followed after while holding the staff.
Alright, for the time being the plan has succeeded.
And next is...
I took the ring on my little finger and brought it close to my mouth.
And then in a small voice I declared the keyword.
"Red Tower."
After that, the gem in the ring changed colors from blue to red.
This ring is one of the Magic Tools Ariel-sama always wears.
If you say the keyword then the color changes.
Simultaneously, another ring a long distance away will have its color change as well.
It's a magic tool that only does that.
Though the effect won't work if it's too far away.
This time, the other ring is being held by some people we've left on standby outside of the forest in advance.
(I wonder if it's alright..)
I waited a bit while glancing towards at the sky.
Contrary to my uneasiness, suddenly the sky started to become cloudy.
Alright.
It went well.
"Hnn?"
Rudi quickly realized it.
After looking up at the sky he whispered it.
"...Rain clouds huh. How unusual."
In the winter of the northern lands it almost never rains.
Because of that reason, the equipment used against the cold in this area are weak to rain.
The furs of the Snow Hedgehog that we're wearing as protection against the cold don't actually melt the snow, but work to remove it.
Therefore, equipment for protection against the cold are extraordinarily useful, but the fact that they soak water easily is a fault.
After water soaks into it, just from the blowing of the cold winter wind, it will become frozen solid.
"Fitts-senpai, it seems like it will rain."
In the case where rain falls in the middle of winter, you create a roof in that place and endure it, or else taking shelter in a cave is desirable.
Rather than making a refuge with magic, I've heard that finding a cave is comparatively safe.
Even though earth magic is a specialty of Rudi, I'm sure he would think of it as a pain to continue casting magic until the rain stops.
That's why I'll make the suggestion.
"That's right, according to the map ahead of here is..."
Since there's a cave we should take shelter from the rain.
And just as I was about to say that, Rudi shook his head.
"No, since I can quickly disperse them."
After saying that he raised his hand.
(This is bad!)
In this instant I realized the blunder.
Rudi is a Water Saint class magician.
Manipulating the weather is his forte.
I heard that Ariel-sama hired two Advanced water technique users, but if Rudi is the one doing it, the clouds will scatter in no time at all.
What to do, what to do.
If it doesn't rain here then the plan is all for nothing. [5]
I started to pack magic power into the staff in my two hands.
I could feel amazing power.
Wi...with this I might be able to do it.
"Hnnn?"
Rudi tilted his head while raising his hand.
Most likely, since the clouds weren't scattering like he planned, he might think it's strange.
Naturally, right now I'm interfering with that after all.
The reason why Rudi didn't get serious is probably thanks to the staff.
My ability to control weather should rival Rudi.
Since that's the case, I have the advantage thanks to the part of the advanced class magicians outside of the forest.
I continued to pack magic power into the staff with feeling as if I were praying.
The rain clouds gathering in the sky continued to grow.
Just as I was taught by Rudi.
Gathering the moisture, making the cloud, then cooling that down, and drop it!
"Hnmu??"
Rudi's eyebrows dropped.
In the next instant, cold rain started to fall.
"...I'm very sorry Fitts-senpai, it seems today my condition is a bit bad."
Rudi said it with a face as if he received a bit of a shock.
"It..it's fine. It's because I didn't give back your staff, probably."
"Even without my staff, normally I would have been able to disperse rain clouds like that. Recently, maybe because I haven't used it very often, I've dulled... or else...?"
Rudi looked at the palms of my hands while grumbling something.
It seems he realized that rain cloud was something intentionally made.
However, I'm sure he didn't think to expect he would be obstructed from dispersing it.
"Well, we can't help something that's already started to fall. If I remember correctly, there's a cave up ahead, let's take refuge there."
"Tha..that's right!"
After largely nodding to Rudi's words, we resumed moving.
The Snow Hedgehog furs were soaking in the moisture and in no time at all stealing our body heat.
Just as planned. [6]
"It's there isn't it."
Just like this, we arrived at the cave while dripping wet.
In terms of depth it was only about 10 meters, a small cave.
The land of purpose.