CH.61 17-3. Rivals Resemble Each Other Because They Are Rivals
The day after Mardol’s match.
In a quiet alley of Grand Hearts Academia, two people’s voices echoed.
“So, tell me, disciple! Why in the world is the Glass Knight using Shadow Slash?!”
“H-Haha… who knows? Maybe she taught herself?”
“Don’t lie to me, you little brat! You’re terrible at lying!”
I was caught by none other than Master Drake, the man with wild yellow hair and a face full of scars.
After witnessing Mardol’s Shadow Slash during his match, he’d called me out like a criminal on trial.
“You need resolve to ‘cut shadows,’ boy! It’s not something you just pick up on your own! That’s why I made you start by slicing coins!”
Drake’s sharp voice echoed as he scolded me.
“…I had my reasons, Master.”
If I wanted to protect the Saintess, I had to get stronger. I had no choice but to seek out alternatives.
“I wanted to learn magic. That’s it. I didn’t teach him anything else.”
I hung my head in apology, trying to explain my reasoning.
“Ha! That’s why you joined Dennis’ club, huh? Haha! I knew it!”
Drake burst out laughing, clapping his hands like he’d solved a great mystery.
I had a sinking feeling he might drag me into the mountains for intensive sword training.
“The problem ain’t that, disciple! If he finds out, he’ll be furious!”
His tone grew serious as his face scrunched into a frown. He crossed his arms and began lecturing me.
“That guy’s got so much magical power that he’s better suited for sorcery than swordsmanship. But for some reason, he’s obsessed with swords. I don’t get it either!”
“You mean Mardol? Maybe it’s not obsession but… determination? He seems really driven.”
After all, he even wore Masterpiece-grade armor.
If you had armor on par with a Holy Sword, you’d be able to face off against Demon Lords.
I’d even considered giving up on protecting the Nameless Saintess back then.
‘An obsession with strength… and he never takes off that glass armor.’
It was the same during his match yesterday.
If Windy had aimed for the gaps in his armor or cast a curse from the inside, she might have had an advantage.
There’s no such thing as perfection.
Everyone has a weakness, but Windy hadn’t figured it out in time.
“That’s not the point, disciple! Do you know what’ll happen if she gets hurt?!”
Drake’s face twisted in fear, his eyes darting like he was remembering something traumatic.
“If he gets so much as a scratch, he’ll hunt me down! He could track me across a continent and drag me back to the Empire!”
“…So that’s why you wrote me that letter.”
“Exactly! If he sees you hanging around the Glass Knight, he’ll come charging in with an axe in each hand!”
The way he described “him” as “precious and delicate” didn’t sit right with me.
I felt an odd sense of discomfort at the phrasing.
‘He did act strange. Kind of like a completely different person.’
I crossed my arms, mimicking Drake’s posture as I pondered.
Still, I had saved Empress Bellin. I doubted anyone would kill me after that.
“Dennis said it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.”
“Bah, Dennis is still young! When you’re my age, you’ll see! The whole world’s full of wolves!”
Drake’s voice cut off suddenly. His eyes locked onto something behind me.
His gaze sharpened.
“What is it, Master?”
I followed his line of sight.
“Ah, Licht. Hello.”
A familiar voice greeted me.
I turned to see Mardol approaching, his hand raised in a casual wave.
Drake’s reaction was immediate.
“Ah, Mardol! Good to see you, my boy!”
His loud, hearty laugh echoed unnaturally. His attempt to act nonchalant was painfully obvious.
The subtle twitch of his eyes betrayed him.
‘He’s acting like they’re strangers, but they clearly know each other.’
It was awkward.
“What brings you here, Mardol?”
I asked him directly.
This was a quiet, out-of-the-way spot on campus, and I couldn’t imagine why he’d be here.
‘How did he even find us?’
For a moment, I glanced at his golden wolf-like eyes behind his helmet.
Was he following my scent like a wolf?
‘No, no way. That’s just paranoia talking.’
I shook the thought away.
No way a guy would track another guy by smell. That’s something I’d only expect from the Nameless Saintess, not him.
“Licht.”
The slight rattle of his glass helmet echoed as he called my name.
“Let’s eat lunch. Together.”
“…Huh? Uh…”
Before I could fully register his words, Mardol reached out and grabbed my hand.
“Ah?! Wait, wait! Kainel and Ariel’s matches are starting soon!”
I was pulled forward by a shocking amount of force.
He wasn’t letting go.
“…They’ll be fine. Strong. No problem.”
His grip was firm but not painful.
But it was strong enough that I couldn’t break free.
“You’re saying they’ll get to the semifinals without a problem, so I shouldn’t worry?”
“Yeah. See them later.”
I was being dragged away.
The thought of getting caught in the Imperial Dungeon flashed in my mind.
I broke into a cold sweat.
“Drake, Master! Help me!”
But when I looked back, Drake was shaking his head slowly.
His eyes were cold, like he was looking at me with pity.
‘He’s thinking, “I warned you.”’
It’s because we got too close at the bakery.
I bit my lip, trying to twist out of Mardol’s grip, but it was no use.
His speed was so fast that I was being dragged like a child being towed by an adult.
The ground behind me was streaked with marks where my feet had been.
“Somebody save me!!”
My desperate cry echoed into the distance.
But all I heard behind me was Drake’s final remark.
“If he’s that serious, it’s your problem now, disciple.”
Drake waved at me with a face that said, “Don’t blame me.”
***
“Welcome! Welcome! Please, take a seat!”
A booming voice echoed as a red-bearded dwarf greeted us with a bright grin.
The smell of grilled meat hit me like a punch.
“This place… is it a restaurant?”
“Yup. It’s a famous spot. Must reserve.”
“I would’ve liked to watch the matches, though.”
“No stronger fighters than us.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Among the freshmen, it was unlikely anyone could match us.
Inside, the furniture was well-polished, and the dwarf led us to a sturdy table.
We sat face to face.
“…Why are we here?”
I asked him, leaning forward.
Mardol’s hand hovered over the table, tapping it softly with his gauntlet.
“Wanted to treat you.”
“If this is about your mother, you don’t have to—”
“No.”
The golden glow of his eyes sharpened.
“You were ready to die. I hated it.”
My eyes widened.
He knew.
He knew I’d planned to sacrifice myself during the Fallen Route.
His eyes were full of quiet sorrow.
“You’ll be fine. If you eat something good.”
He smiled, tapping the table again.
“…You’re hopeless, Mardol.”