episode_0004

Sacred Academy.

The place that serves as the backdrop for the original work “Sword of the Academy,” and the name of the academy where I am currently enrolled.

It nurtures talents to protect citizens from unidentified monsters that began appearing some time ago.

This was the founding purpose of the Sacred Academy as I know it.

Swordsmanship, archery, spear techniques, and more.

Students took classes in their respective talented fields, honing their skills in line with the academy’s purpose.

And this applied to most clubs existing within the academy.

Clubs.

In this world, they are also referred to as “clubs.”

After regular class hours,

students move to their respective clubs to continue club activities.

If one belonged to an excellent club, they could learn more than during regular class hours at the academy.

“······Junior Lian.”

“Yes, Senior Tinea.”

“Did you happen to skip this afternoon’s class?”

From that perspective, the “Reading and Appreciation Club” to which I belong was quite an unusual club at the academy.

Tinea Trisyon.

In the original, she is not the protagonist’s heroine but rather a third-year senior in a supporting role.

In this genre of novel, female characters usually fall into two categories.

They are either the heroine or

an antagonist against the protagonist.

Tinea Trisyon was a rather unique character who did not fit into either category.

She harbored affection for the protagonist, but it was purely on a human-to-human level, devoid of romantic interest.

Each time she appeared as a supporting character to the protagonist, once the incident was resolved, she distanced herself from the protagonist, as if nothing had happened.

Despite having such a setup, Tinea was quite popular.

One might wonder if the author ever mentioned receiving dozens of emails asking to make Tinea the heroine.

An incidental character who did not form close relationships with the main characters and returned to her reading and appreciation club after each incident.

From the very start, the club’s name seemed odd.

Everyone worked hard to improve their skills, so it was quite out of place to name the club “Reading and Appreciation.”

Of course, there are other clubs at Sacred Academy that encourage hobbies.

However, these clubs are simply hobby clubs where students join as their second club. Except for me and the seniors here, it was safe to say that no student had a main club like this as a hobby club.

As I didn’t offer any particular response, the senior asked with an even more furrowed brow.

“Answer me. Did you skip class this afternoon?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“You did? Are you admitting that you played hooky with your own mouth?”

“…There was a reason.”

“A reason. Is it a reason that can convince me?”

The senior seemed to have declared that he wouldn’t relax his expression until he heard what that reason was.

‘…How does this person know I skipped class when we’re in different grades?’

Internally sighing at the absurd situation that had been unfolding since earlier, I couldn’t keep this up until the end of club time, so I briefly explained my circumstances.

“I see. So, Lian, you went to the hospital.”

“…”

“However, my doubts still aren’t completely resolved. In fact, one more has been added.”

“What is it?”

“Lian, you still haven’t told me why you went to the hospital. I’m curious about that.”

Hm.

Why is this person unusually curious about me today?

Certainly, they were someone who often meddled in my affairs, but today felt worse than usual.

‘…Or maybe it’s just that something’s off with me today.’

A sudden thought occurred to me.

Just a simple thought that something was off with me.

– At most, a year long.

Since the doctor’s words had entered my ears precisely, the thought that my condition itself wasn’t good.

Perhaps it was only natural.

Not many people would remain calm upon learning that they were on borrowed time.

They’d either scream that they didn’t want to die.

Or cause a ruckus saying they weren’t someone who would die yet.

Typical reactions would usually be like this.

Humans generally wish to live long.

Rolling in a dung hill is better than staying in this world, an old saying that isn’t without reason.

In that regard, objectively speaking, my state of mind wasn’t normal.

The reason, I didn’t know it myself. Perhaps realizing that all the efforts I had made up to now were meaningless, I felt disheartened.

Disappointment, loss. These hollow emotions filled me.

A feeling of emptiness that made me strangely calm. In other words, a state devoid of enthusiasm for anything. Perhaps that best describes my current state.

Thinking this, I casually approached my senior.

“After finishing morning classes, my wrist started itching a bit. That’s why I went to the infirmary.”

“Your wrist? What did they say at the hospital?”

“They said it’s just a temporary symptom, so as long as I eat and rest well, it’ll be fine.”

“That’s a relief. Wrist is important for everyone, but especially for people like you, who wield a sword. Be careful.”

Where did the gaze that was piercing through me just a moment ago go? Now my senior spoke with a compassionate look, like a health teacher.

It was a very wicked thought, but I felt like throwing a stone over there for no reason.

“······I don’t think that’s something a senior who once couldn’t take an exam due to injuring a finger while cooking should say.”

The reaction came back very quickly.

“T-That was an unavoidable accident!”

“···.”

“I didn’t feel good that day either······. Anyway, it was an unavoidable accident!”

“······Yes. Let’s leave it at that.”

As far as I know, even in the original work, if Tinea cooks, the protagonist’s party vehemently dissuades her.

She’s working hard. You have to understand this much. How can people be perfect?

Nodding my head while roughly thinking this, Tinea, whose face had turned slightly red from the recent incident, opened her mouth.

“······Anyway. It’s a relief that the hospital said it’s nothing serious.”

“If that’s the case, does that mean the senior acknowledges it?”

“Yes. There’s nothing we can do about the hospital. If anything, I want to praise you, junior.”

“······Praise?”

Yes. It’s a very good habit to go to the hospital when you’re feeling unwell. Surprisingly, many people fail to develop this habit.

Was it a misunderstanding? There was a hint of sadness in Tania’s last sentence. Perhaps it wasn’t a misunderstanding after all. Tania’s younger brother is currently hospitalized because he couldn’t go to the hospital when he needed to, as per the original story setting that immediately came to mind.

Suddenly, a question arose in my mind, one I had never asked before. “Senior.” “Yes, please go ahead.” “What was the reason for bringing me here?”

I was curious, but I had never asked this question before. In the original work, Tania was always a bright character. So bright that the main characters only realized very late that she had a sick younger brother. However, being bright doesn’t always mean being foolish. Tania must have known what kind of person I was rumored to be. Normally, Lian would have joined a delinquent club where troubled kids gathered. He would have gradually been stigmatized and labeled as human trash, but before sinking so deeply, I possessed him. Tania brought me here after I left that club with nowhere else to go. I had always been curious about the reason. I just didn’t ask because I felt I didn’t have the right to ask such a thing. Today, however, was a little different. Maybe it was because Tania seemed more talkative than usual, or maybe it was because of the death sentence I heard at the hospital. Today, it seemed like I might get an answer. And, oddly enough, these deep concerns seemed quite pale.

“The reason I brought you here, junior.”

“Yes.”

“Is there anything special? Just because I, as the club president, wanted to do so.”

“…”

“Sacred Academy Club Rule 3: The club president can choose the club members they want. Surely, you are not unaware of this rule, junior?”

As always, Tania answered with a bright smile.

“······I see.”

I silently gazed at Tinnia, my thoughts drifting vaguely.

Perhaps, it might be regrettable.

It could be regrettable to lose the club time spent chatting and reading books with Tinnia.

Though it’s a rather shabby club with a shortage of members, it might even face closure soon, a sudden thought crossed my mind.

The first day of the death sentence.

As always, the first day passed peacefully.

As if quietly preparing for the things to come.