Manga - Chapter 8

The Orphan Boy is the second chapter in volume 2 of the Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! manga, and the 8th chapter overall.

Plot
At dinner time, the group enjoys their meals together all while, Reina shows off her drawings of magical girl outfits. In Adele's inner monologue notes how her friends' magical and sword skills are improving dramatically. One day they'll all be the top four in their class. Sadly Adele had hoped she'd land in 5th place, however, as it currently stands, she'd place in 4th. Reina then snaps Adele out of her trance and she apologizes. Adele then brings up that she has to return to the classroom. When asked what for, she answers to retrieve a love letter she forgot. Reina proclaims they'll smash the boy's face in, whereas Adele sheepishly thanks her.

Rushing down the hallway, Adele enters the classroom and sees a boy studying his writing skills on the chalkboard. The boy's name is Veil and his reason for using the chalkboard is to conserve on ink and journal paper. Adele praises Veil's thoughtfulness making him blush. She then inquires if he's a swordsman, to which, he confirms. In Veil's own words he's inadequate with magic, though he can use healing and a bit of water magic, which is good for surviving solo. This concerns Adele as people normally join parties when they graduate, however, Veil is an orphan from the slums and has several mouths to feed. He hopes to one day start a party made up of orphans from the slums. Veil, although, lightheartedly disparages himself over his dream, however, Adele is completely moved by it. She ultimately decides to cultivate his talents so he can become the 4th in class. Adele then proposes that she teaches Veil some magic.

Outside in the target range, Adele shows Veil the magical spell "Air Shot" and demonstrates it on a target. She also uses it on Veil to show another way of defending yourself against attackers. Finally, she teaches Veil a sword enhancement skill called, "Magic Blade". Adele, however, imposes on him that he should never tell or teach a soul about these skills and he resolutely agrees. After a week of diligent training, Veil's magical skills do not improve but his strength does. As the week passes by, Reina notably becomes restless over Adele's absence. On day nine of training, Veil's magical skills show dramatic improvement.

Out of nowhere the two are surrounded and confronted by Reina, Pauline, and Mavis who think Adele has been surreptitiously dating Veil. This is later explained that she is merely teaching him magic and swordplay. Seeing an opportunity Mavis volunteers to practice swordplay with him. Veil agrees to do so after dinner.

Half a year later, a male teacher announces that they're going to do a camping trip in the capital to hunt Goblins. The teacher also notes that soon the students will graduate and if they cannot kill something that looks human, they'll be toast in their first battle.

On the day of the trip, Adele has Veil join her group and lifts the ban of the group not being able to cast the magic she taught them in front of people. However, she imperatively states that they must make it look like they learned it on their own. Veil finds a goblin and has trouble trying to dispose of it, however, Reina manages to kill it with Ice Spears. Pauline also gets overzealous with her magic as well leaving Mavis and Veil feel dejected. Adele, on the other hand, looks satisfied with the improvements everyone has made and is looking forward to graduating.

Characters

 * Adele von Ascham
 * Reina
 * Pauline
 * Mavis von Austien
 * Veil