Chapter 7
Lunchtime came, and I found myself seated with Kainel and Ariel. If I wanted to raise their affection, this was the quickest way. But why was I eating with them too?
“So, it’s true that magic reflects one’s mental image, but…”
“How distracted were you for that to happen, Ariel?”
“N-No, when did I ever!”
“It’s probably because it’s someone you see often.”
“…Helmet Guy, you’re mean.”
I tied up the conversation before it could veer off into a strange direction.
Kainel, you should be careful not to overdo this tsundere tough-love routine. Otherwise, it could backfire. Do you want to get hit by a Fire Ball again?
‘He keeps using nicknames, too.’
Little by little, they were making progress. She was expressing her feelings, so I should be content with that for now.
“Ugh… It’s something that can happen when you’re using magic!”
Ariel hurriedly drank her soup, seemingly frustrated. According to the character book, she wasn’t good with hot foods.
“It was really just a face that popped into my head. Ah, hot!”
“Drink some water while you eat. Here.”
“Be careful.”
As expected. She looked like a red cat as she kept blowing on her spoonfuls of hot soup.
Kainel, who was staring at her, handed over the glass of water he’d prepared in advance. See, this is what makes childhood friends great.
I almost missed seeing this in <Black Heart>. It reminded me of the bad sequel again. Come to think of it, I still needed to join a club.
“Thanks.”
“You’ve never been able to handle hot things.”
“Hehe… Kai, you’re the best!”
She immediately downed the water. It looked refreshing.
“But Licht, aren’t you going to eat?”
“Oh, you’re right.”
“I can’t take off the helmet.”
I told the truth. If I tried to make some excuse here, they might realize I was a transmigrator. I sighed. I could lift the faceplate, but…
If I hide it now, it’ll just become a flag for my identity being revealed later. I had to be careful. I wanted to keep my identity hidden as much as possible, or else people would start pestering me.
“Then is it like a cursed item or something?”
“No, it’s more like a bound item. Probably.”
I’d played this game long enough to know it wasn’t a cursed item.
A helmet that required you to connect people in love as a condition. I’d already worn it for nearly five years without any issues. It was surprisingly comfortable too.
“That’s really fascinating. So, it’s almost at the artifact level?”
“Probably.”
“…So that’s why you knew who I was.”
Kainel nodded as if he had understood something.
It’s not what you’re thinking. Stop right there. I’m not the hero.
Let’s change the subject.
“By the way, have you thought about which clubs you want to join?”
“Probably the baking and pastry club!”
“I’m thinking about the swordsmanship club.”
I sighed as soon as I heard that. I needed to get you two together. There are so many love lines I need to handle at this academy. I ran a Venn diagram in my head.
‘A club where I can keep them close and raise their affection…’
Oh, there’s one. The one I wanted to join because I’d heard “you can’t enter because you don’t have mana” a hundred times. It’s also where Dennis, the protagonist of <Knight Heart>, was the advisor.
“…How about the magic club?”
It was the best choice. If they were protagonists, they could solve my problems too. After all, players who weren’t the protagonist usually received help.
“That professor’s class was good. What do you think, Kai?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Unlike the people in front of me, I discreetly lifted my helmet and took a bite of my food.
Oh, this soup’s pretty good. It’s got a strong pork flavor.
***
“Nice to meet you! Everyone─!”
No way. Why are you here?
“I’m Drake, the academy’s swordsmanship instructor and professor of swordsmanship studies!!”
A lively man appeared, wielding a long Western saber.
‘He’s the swordsmanship professor?!’
In the subsequent class, I ran into someone I absolutely didn’t want to meet.
“Welcome to the <Doctrine of the Sword, Swordsmanship Theory> lecture!”
In Parts 1 and 2, he was simply listed as [Swordsmanship Instructor Drake], so I’d made a mistake.
The numerous scars on his face and that mischievous grin.
It was my swordsmanship teacher. And of all classes, this was the last one. It was the worst.
‘I need to apply for the magic club membership…’
If I took it easy here, I’d be screwed. I might not be able to return to the dormitory today. Memories of the harsh training I’d endured over the years came rushing back.
“A healthy mind resides in a healthy body!”
I hated hearing that the most.
He’d really pushed me like crazy. Just like the Licht I played as, all for the sake of gaining a job class.
“I’ve been pushing this saying for years now!”
And that’s why you’re not popular.
“Kids these days don’t do any physical training!”
Drake was a zealot. The less mana you had, the more he liked you.
“That’s why today, we’ll be handling the sword without using mana!”
Which was why, when I arrived with the village chief’s letter, he immediately designated me as his top disciple. I hadn’t known then that I didn’t even need a hidden event item.
Then Drake pointed at someone among the crowd in the large auditorium.
“You there! Blondie!”
“Y-Yes!”
“What’s your name!”
“It’s Kainel!”
He was a clueless Blondie.
You’re in for it too. This guy is seriously eccentric. Have you ever had to run away from a bear on a mountain or wield a sword with an arm you’ve never used before? He’d also shouted that a true swordsman had to be ambidextrous.
“Step forward! Kainel!”
The hero reluctantly moved toward Drake.
There was a wide space where swinging a sword would be no problem. That’s why we were all gathered in the auditorium.
“Do you see this Imperial coin?”
“I do.”
Drake took out five bronze coins with a wolf emblem on them.
“I’ll throw these at you, and you’ll try to cut them!”
“What…?”
A ridiculous command. Kainel’s expression hardened as if he were being mocked.
“You can use any weapon! Even that one hanging at your waist!”
“You’ll regret this.”
“I like that confidence!”
That’s going to be tough, even with the holy sword. It should be allowed in the academy, but as long as it doesn’t activate, it’s just a very sharp sword, nothing more, nothing less.
“Then I’ll throw them!”
“I’m ready.”
Pa─ang!
The sound of air being torn rang out. Of course. He was going to make Kainel do the same training he’d made me do. I was so embarrassed that I covered my faceplate with my hand.
“…What did you just do?”
“Can’t you see? It’s ‘coin throwing’!”
The Imperial coins flew rapidly towards Kainel, hitting the wall and leaving scorch marks.
The coins hissed as they embedded themselves.
His precision was so accurate that no one was hurt.
Moving at bullet-like speed. How many people here could handle that?
“…Please, let me try again.”
Kainel’s pupils shook at the sudden turn of events. His hand was trembling slightly.
This wasn’t good. He was scared.
“You’ve got a spirit of challenge! But your eyes have lost their edge!”
“This time, I’ll draw my sword and do it.”