episode_0027

I was sitting next to Claire, roughly calculating the remaining buff time when Rachel looked this way and started talking.

“Is the wound okay? It seemed like your left leg was more deeply injured than I thought.”

“It hurts, but I can bear it, Lady Rachel.”

Rachel, who seemed slightly uncomfortable as she looked this way, perhaps not pleased with my response.

“I think last time we met, you mentioned that you’d prefer to be called Rachel instead of Lady. Here, we don’t divide based on status but as fellow Ardent Academy students.”

“Understood. Should I call you Rachel then?”

“It would be nice if you spoke more comfortably.”

“But doesn’t Rachel also speak comfortably?”

“… ”

She listened to me, veins popping on her forehead, but she remained silent, glaring at me.

“That way of speaking is just Rachel herself.”

Since childhood, believing that her abilities and background were meant to take responsibility for others, she had stubbornly maintained that tone alongside training to uphold a suitable demeanor, making it difficult to change easily.

Even though I raised Rachel’s affinity as a companion in the game and completed her personal story, she never once spoke.

“By the way, how did you meet Lady Rachel, Yukal?”

Claire seemed surprised that Rachel and I knew each other.

“Do you remember the first day we took Magical Theory class? After consulting with Professor Seigan that day, I had something to think about and wandered around the academy, ending up at the Swordsmanship Training Grounds where we coincidentally met.”

“I see. Yukal is indeed remarkable, knowing many people.”

As Claire seemed a bit sulky, Rachel tried to comfort her.

“By the way, Claire, do you have any injuries? Yukal seems to be taking care of you, but just to be safe, please check carefully.”

Perhaps not expecting Rachel to address her, Claire hesitantly replied in a small voice.

“Thank you for your concern, Lady Rachel. Yukal has been looking after me, so I don’t think I’m injured in any significant way.”

“Good to hear. However, Claire, please don’t treat me like Yukal does. It makes me uncomfortable, feeling like I’m being persecuted.”

Helena seemed uninterested in the conversation, quietly observing.

“I keep getting bothered by Helena’s changed attitude.”

Just as I briefly pondered about Helena, a pleasant notification reached my ears after 10 minutes.

Simultaneously, all the constraints that had been holding my neck released, and I felt a surge of power as if I could sweep through the dungeon completely.

As my stats returned, I lightly brushed off the dust and checked the wound area, seeing a considerable improvement in my condition.

Since health stats are related to endurance, recovery, and stamina, I quickly recovered.

“This should be fine for movement.”

“Now it’s probably best for everyone to start getting up. Delaying further might affect our performance in the mock dungeon test.”

“But Yukal hurt his leg. Is it okay for him to move already?”

“I agree. If he moves forcefully, the barely healed wound could reopen.”

Despite Claire and Rachel’s objections, when Rachel untied the cloth covering the wound, revealing the heavily bruised area, I finally decided to move as I had suggested.

Not long after the four of us moved, monsters began to be caught by intuition.

‘Goblin?’

It felt good to meet them after a long time.

“There are two monsters about 60m ahead. Considering that there is no significant vibration or noise when moving, it is estimated to be goblins.”

As I said, Rachel stood in front of Claire and Helena as promised before departure, and I positioned myself slightly in front of Claire to help Rachel in battle or protect Claire at any time.

Soon, two goblins appeared in front of us.

“Kieeeek!”

They came running with enthusiasm, but both were decapitated by Rachel’s sword.

Rachel wiped the blood off her sword, checked the artifact, and then spoke to this side.

“It says the artifact has increased by 2 points. It seems like giving 1 point to each goblin.”

‘Indeed neat.’

Considering Rachel’s diligent training even in her family’s estate, Astrea Duchy, it is virtually impossible for anyone to defeat her one-on-one until the mock dungeon stage.

Taking into account the effect of her unique ability ‘Iron Blood,’ even more blood can be shed in places where it can flow freely.

“If we continue like this, securing points for your team, Yukal, seems difficult. Since you were the first to detect the monsters, I will help if you want. It seems that just delivering the final blow should suffice, judging by the points gained upon elimination.”

Rachel may have spoken to take responsibility for worrying about our score, but I cannot accept this.

Now that the penalty for her unique ability ‘Balance’ has been lifted, I can outdo her in stats. As long as things don’t get too messy.

“I appreciate Rachel’s consideration but I will decline. Let’s maintain our formation as it is and each secure points according to what we eliminate.”

“If that’s your opinion, I’ll respect it.”

Rachel made a proposal to divide the points considering my injury, but her expression showed she couldn’t understand my refusal. However, I refuse to be treated as weak.

In this situation, I must maintain my dignity and be helpful in recruiting her as a comrade later on.

Just as an orc appeared smelling blood, Rachel naturally raised her sword to face it, but I swiftly ran towards the orc and swiftly cut its throat.

“I was lucky to be a bit faster. Rachel.”

There is no need to check the artifact. I know in my head how many points each monster gives.

Orcs give 3 points each. Now we are ahead.

She was momentarily surprised by my move, but soon calmed down and approached me.

“I won’t go easy on you like this next time.”

However, as I kept defeating goblins and orcs as they appeared, she seemed to be getting frustrated and anxious.

When a troll appeared, her ability ‘Iron Blood’ was activated, and her abilities rose to the point where it could be felt on this side too.

‘The stats must have risen significantly due to the high amount of monster blood nearby.’

As she thrust her sword towards the troll, bullets-like, unfortunately, I was a little faster.

I successfully narrowly cut the troll’s throat just before her sword reached it.

“At this rate, it seems difficult to secure points for Team Rachel. If you wish, I can help. What will you do?”

Swinging the sword and shedding blood, she sighed as if admitting defeat and said to her.

“I seem to have underestimated you. I apologize for that. It seems like parting ways here would be good for both of us.”

Reflecting on whether they had focused too much on competing with her, they heard the two of them talking.

Between the short competition between Rachel and Helena, it seemed like Claire and Helena were having a conversation. It felt uncomfortable, but it didn’t seem like anything serious had happened, so they moved on.

After parting ways with the Rachel & Helena team, they displayed their heightened senses, tracked down monsters, hunted them down, and swept through them. As the broadcast announced the end of Professor Segan’s mock dungeon test, they left the dungeon, where a screen was displayed outside.

With an overwhelming gap of over 100 points, Claire took first place with me coming in second.

First place went to me and Claire, second place to Rachel and Helena, and third place to Victor and James.

“Claire, we’re in first place. Good job.”

“No, I didn’t do anything. If anything, I just ended up hurting you in the beginning…”

“Don’t say that. Having you around put my mind at ease.”

“Thank you for caring about me. I’ll try to do my best too.”

Feeling relieved by Claire’s smiling response, I did not realize at that time that she was forcing a smile and hiding her sinking eyes.