TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 175
To conclude, the duel was postponed.
The day Rowen’s term as an Academy External Instructor ends. It was delayed by 15 days.
-I still… can’t win. I haven’t been Master’s Disciple for long, and I just finished training, so I’m out of stamina.
-Wouldn’t it be less embarrassing to do it now? At least we have an excuse.
-Shut up…!
-Your words are quite harsh. I was being considerate, you know.
Thanks to Mikhail’s pathetic excuses, Rowen managed to avoid isolation. Although there was some arguing, it wasn’t easily accepted.
-That’s enough.
-Managing your condition is also a skill.
-Think logically. Mikhail hasn’t been my Disciple for very long….
-Isn’t that something your remarkable Disciple should prove? You’re both Aura Users, you have weapons, and you’ve been acknowledged by the Sword of the Empire for your talent. What are you afraid of that you’re avoiding the duel?
-I can’t accept it.
-You’re a coward. The Sword of the Empire is.
Although Mikhail and Rowen’s banter, filled with excuses like waiting for Time to Transform, was irritating, it couldn’t be helped.
If the match were to happen today, neither Hanna nor Mikhail would accept the outcome.
A match that leaves only unpleasantness is meaningless. All the more so when it comes to breaking Rowen’s Stubbornness.
The only concern was Mikhail’s growth. The Story of Mikhail’s long-stagnant growth was about to begin.
After all, he is the Hero of the Novel and becomes the strongest in the world by the end. He couldn’t be ignored.
With his own strength.
And his talent.
Of course, it was possible thanks to Rowen’s guidance, hardships, and fortuitous encounters, but it couldn’t be denied that Mikhail reached that position through his own strength as a Monster.
He went through many hardships.
That’s why I’m worried. Whether Hanna will be able to keep up with Mikhail’s growth.
A character who doesn’t appear in the Novel.
Histania Hanna.
She was someone I didn’t know, yet someone who knew far too much, making her a significant variable.
Judging by the Blue Window’s words, she undoubtedly possessed the talent to surpass Rowen and become the Empire’s Greatest Sword, but no one could predict when that talent would bloom.
It could be in her 20s, or perhaps in her 30s. The scales tipped with uncertain information, which was an undeniable reality.
No matter how the situation unfolded, Mikhail would face hardships and overcome them.
“Hmm…”
That much was certain.
That I had to make her win, no matter what.
That was the best method I could offer and my way of repaying Hanna’s Faith.
When a Disciple gathers courage, the Mentor can’t just sit idly by and cheer them on with a simple “Do your best!”
Just as I knew how to beat Rowen, I only needed to teach Hanna the same.
And Mikhail couldn’t miraculously grow in 14 days, nor was the Story of his growth ready to begin.
Even if Mikhail rapidly grew under Rowen’s guidance, we would grow too.
I spoke to Hanna, who was staring blankly at the spot where Mikhail and Rowen had left.
I asked why she looked so downcast.
“Why are you making that face?”
“Ah… It’s just complicated. My feelings, and whether I can win… It’s all unsettling.”
“It hasn’t even started yet.”
I said, watching Rowen’s departing Back Figure.
“Neither I nor Miss Hanna have even started yet.”
That steadfast back.
Looking at the Back Figure of the Sword of the Empire.
I spoke with conviction.
“We can win. We will.”
We can still grow stronger.
Both Hanna and I.
An arrogant thought, but I believe that if I set my mind to it, I can become stronger than anyone.
If fortuitous encounters, hardships, and luck align, I believe we can even surpass the Sword of the Empire or the Heretics’ Apostle.
It’s truly an arrogant thought, though.
This incident made me reflect on many things.
Should I call it a sense of urgency or a warning to myself for standing still? I think I was inspired by the sight of trying to overcome Rowen.
I have to work harder than I do now.
It’s embarrassing to be weaker than a Rival’s Mentor. At the very least, I should be on par with them.
That’s the duty of a Mentor who can uphold their Disciple’s Pride.
With a Small Smile, I gently stroked Hanna’s Hair. Hanna, whose hair fell calmly, lowered her head and couldn’t lift it.
“I’m sorry. For causing trouble on my own.”
“It’s fine.”
“I wanted to help… but I always end up only receiving help. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. I’ve received a lot of help from Miss Hanna too. You don’t need to feel sorry.”
“I…”
Looking at Hanna, who couldn’t lift her head out of guilt, I gave her a light smile.
“It’s really fine.”
It was a dark night.
There was still time until daybreak, and we had plenty of time to spend together.
I took Hanna’s hand and led her to a Chair placed in a circle around the Training Grounds. Hanna, who didn’t know the reason, silently followed me.
I took out a small Handkerchief from my pocket and placed it on the Chair. Even though the Academy was well-cleaned, there was still some dust.
As it is a gentleman’s duty to prevent a Lady’s clothes from getting dusty, I seated Hanna on the Chair and smiled.
“The stars are quite abundant tonight.”
Starting with a small greeting.
To calm the unsettled mind caused by the sudden events, I offered a greeting, and Hanna nodded in response.
“Indeed… There are so many stars. I didn’t expect there to be this many.”
“Right?”
Hmm…
“Sometimes, you need this kind of leisure. A moment to do nothing but stare at the sky.”
“…”
“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”
“…”
Hanna didn’t answer my quiet question.
There probably weren’t many who asked about the process of her efforts. Most would say, “Run, even if you fall,” or “Don’t run, just stay still.” So I didn’t rush her for an answer.
I merely spoke my thoughts, based on what I’ve observed of Hanna so far.
“I imagine it must have been very difficult for you.”
“…”
“I know how hard it is to run a race with no destination.”
“…”
“But, did you know?”
I sat next to Hanna and pointed at the sparkling star. I think its name was Polaris, but since this is Another World, it might not be. Still, because it was the brightest star, I smiled and let it pass.
“Stars shine by burning themselves. It’s painful and hard, yet they try so hard to shine… It seems foolish, doesn’t it?”
Looking at Hanna staring at the stars intently, I spoke.
“Many people don’t recognize the effort stars put in to shine, yet they call them beautiful. Isn’t that funny?”
“But, I know, don’t I? That those stars are shining through immense hardship.”
“And today, there’s one more person who knows.”
Smiling brightly, I looked at Hanna.
The wind is cold.
The chilly breeze sings of the night, cold yet warm at the same time.
The wind brushed through my Hair, scattering it, and I tidied it while gazing at the stars.
‘What is this.’
Hanna was looking at Ricardo.
She was blankly staring at Ricardo, who emitted a gentle, radiant light like that of a softly twinkling star.
Sparkling.
Glamorous.
And at the same time, warm.
Overwhelmed by the Fluffy Emotions, Hanna simply kept looking at Ricardo without saying a word.
I smiled with a Small Smile at Hanna’s silence and spoke.
“Sometimes, I wonder. Is there a need to do something when no one notices?”
“Being criticized. Being hated. Being insulted. Is there really a need to go through such hardships?”
“But you know.”
I exhaled a small breath and spoke. It felt cringeworthy to say it myself, but at the same time, it was something I wanted to tell Hanna.
“Eventually, everyone comes to realize it.”
“Strangely enough.”
“Just like how I know about Miss Hanna’s efforts.”
Smiling with a Small Smile, I withdrew the hand I had stretched toward the stars. It seemed such sentimental words didn’t suit me.
Shaking off the heat rising to my face, I spoke to Hanna.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No, I’m not cold. Are you okay, Butler?”
“I’m cold.”
Hanna’s eyes widened at my playful words. Her reaction, as if she were about to take off her coat to give to me, made me let out a small laugh.
“It’s a Joke.”
“What…!”
“Maybe it’s because I bought an expensive coat, but I don’t feel cold.”
I laughed with a Small Smile.
Hanna and I talked about many things.
How we had been doing.
Whether this winter was too cold.
The main topic, however, was probably the Young Lady. It was my favorite subject and one Hanna could relate to.
-The Young Lady is making money?
I never thought I’d talk about the Young Lady with someone else, but here I was.
-Next time, I should introduce you to one of my Side Jobs.
Talking about such things felt refreshing.
-The Young Lady is on a Diet…?
-Yes. She suddenly said she wanted to lose weight.
-Is she unwell?
It was fun to be able to share such stories with someone.
-Why don’t you like Chocolate, Butler?
-Because the Young Lady likes it.
-Haha…! What’s that supposed to mean?
-It’s partly my True Feelings, but it’s also because it’s too sweet.
I was grateful to have someone curious about me.
There were few people in this world I could call Friends. The same was true in my Previous Life.
Not many could match my picky personality, and I had lived centered around the Young Lady.
I had no regrets about my narrowed social circle.
She was the person I chose.
And a Beautiful Person.
So there was no room for regret.
After talking for a long while, I brushed the dust off my pants and stood up.
Hanna looked up at me. Noticing her gaze following even my smallest movements, I smiled slightly and looked toward the Training Grounds.
“Do you feel a bit more relaxed now?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing Hanna’s answer, I rotated my shoulders and loosened my body. It was time to fulfill my duty as a Master.
In a light tone, I spoke to Hanna.
“Then let’s get started. If we’re going to win, it’s better to win decisively rather than struggling.”
Slowly, Hanna also got to her feet.
Seeing Hanna’s resolute gaze fixed on me, I felt a sense of trustworthiness.
“It won’t be easy. I’ll teach you much more like a Thief than before.”
-Nod.
“You can win.”
Before heading down to the Training Grounds.
Hanna grabbed my Collar and spoke.
“Um, Butler.”
“Yes.”
Letting out a Deep Sigh and lowering her head, Hanna spoke in a trembling Voice.
“Why are you so kind to me?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I answered.
“Because you’re beautiful.”
Hanna froze for a long moment.
She simply stood there in the Disciplery, her face flushed red.