Ch.51Second Semester Evaluation (4)

The night without the sun is dark. That’s why most people are active during the day and rest at night.

Of course, there are those who live like owls with their days and nights reversed, but there’s one fact that everyone knows, including them.

‘The night is dangerous.’

Even if you use magic tools to light up your surroundings, there are limitations, making you an easy target for attacks. Whether from monsters or criminal groups.

That’s why adventurers always post sentries when camping. To avoid being ambushed by unexpected attacks.

The main reason adventurers travel in parties rather than alone is because a solo adventurer can’t keep watch.

In the end, no matter how much money you have, it’s all over when you die.

With a crackling sound, the campfire burned brightly as Lael and I sat side by side on a fallen log serving as our chair.

In the cold silence that had settled between us, Lael was the first to speak.

“You’re lucky. Spending time with the professor instead of Derin.”

“You’re still in the same party, aren’t you? I don’t think fighting like this is good for anyone.”

In response to my principled stance, Lael let out a deep sigh.

“I know. I’m just saying that. Just saying.”

Though she answered that way, considering her past actions, that clearly wasn’t true.

She would insert herself between us when we got close, and when the atmosphere seemed pleasant, she would snap sharply at Derin.

From any perspective, her actions were clearly jealousy.

“Anyway, I don’t want you two fighting.”

Especially if it’s over me.

“Well… if the professor insists that much, I’ll try.”

That statement implied she would make an effort but it might not work out well, but I think that’s enough.

Asking for more would honestly be unreasonable.

Will there ever come a day when the three of us can go out and have fun together like in the old days?

“More importantly, Professor, doesn’t being alone together at night like this remind you of the past?”

“Did we ever stand watch together?”

As I recall, we took turns one by one to maximize sleep time, so I don’t remember such an occasion.

“I’m talking about much earlier than that. When I first met you.”

“Ah…”

Only after hearing her words did the memory come back to me.

When I was still a C-rank adventurer, a warrior died, and we needed someone new. That’s when the leader brought in Lael.

Only now do I realize…

‘This is ridiculous. Really.’

At that time, Lael clearly looked like a duke’s daughter who knew nothing.

Wearing shiny expensive armor and carrying a greatsword on her back that she could barely swing.

The B-rank leader must have known and brought her along just to get something out of it.

Still, she seemed so confident that I had some expectations, but as expected, she was exactly as she appeared.

A warrior who couldn’t hold position at the front line, wandering here and there. Getting in the way when someone tried to cast magic.

So I couldn’t stand it anymore and called her aside to give her some harsh words. I even toned it down considering she was a duke’s daughter.

I definitely did that, but…

“Was it from that time?”

“What?”

Lael questioned in response to my sudden inquiry.

The beginning of my question was in my head, but since she couldn’t know that, I expressed it in words.

“I’m asking if that’s when you started liking me.”

“…”

Lael turned her gaze away from me and looked at the campfire.

Her expression was blank, but her lips were definitely holding a smile.

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve liked you since then.”

“Why?”

All I did was give her harsh words.

If that’s the reason she likes me, it’s a bit creepy.

“If you hadn’t given me that advice that day, I probably wouldn’t be here now. I would surely have died somewhere.”

Judging by how she refers to it as “advice,” her memory seems quite embellished…

Well, the meaning is similar, so I decided to let it go.

It sounds better that way too.

“Even I think I was pathetic. Not being able to protect from the front, yet so full of confidence… But no one told me that. Because I was a duke’s daughter.”

She seemed to be tracing a distant memory, wearing a somewhat bitter expression, though she didn’t appear upset.

With the campfire in front of her, that look somehow gave me a lump in my throat.

“You were the first to tell me that. I know what you meant by those words. Your face was full of frustration. But… regardless… the fact that I was saved is true.”

“Saved?”

That’s another tremendous embellishment.

“Yes, from that day on, I began to change into a completely different person. I finally started to look around me. How inadequate I was, how much of a burden I was.”

Was that really the case?

I tried to recall, but nothing particular came to mind.

I wasn’t especially interested in Lael at that time.

“I worked incredibly hard. My first goal was just to do my part. As I did that, I started aiming higher and hoped for the day I could walk alongside you… but in the end, I only chased your back. That’s still true today.”

I understand what she’s saying, but…

“My thoughts are completely different. I’ve always considered you an equal colleague. Not once did I think I was ahead of you. Rather, I even admired how you always worked so hard.”

“It’s all over now, but it feels good to be acknowledged even at this point. Thank you.”

The phrase “it’s all over now” sounded so sad.

Certainly, as she said, our party life together has ended. Even if it was a misunderstanding, we’ve come too far to go back to how things were.

But an end always brings a new beginning.

Even if we’re not in the same party, even if we don’t adventure together, isn’t it enough that we can be together like this now?

“Let’s stop talking about this and move on to something more cheerful! It’s getting too gloomy!”

Lael spoke brightly, making an effort.

Since I couldn’t miss her attempt to hide her sadness, I decided to go along with her.

“Let’s do that. What kind of story…”

But unfortunately, it seems we won’t be given that time.

“Crow, it’s time to switch. Go in and sleep. Lael, your friend is here too.”

Turning my head at the voice from behind, I saw Derin standing there with a drowsy face, and beside her, Ludmila wearing a somewhat mischievous smile.

‘Did they perhaps eavesdrop?’

Lael seemed to have the same thought as she muttered quietly.

“From where?”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter if you did. Just don’t doze off during your watch, and wake the next person for their shift.”

“Of course.”

Ludmila responded with confidence, and Lael smiled back at her.

Then she looked at me and said:

“Professor, good work. Looks like we’ll have to postpone our pleasant conversation.”

“Yes, let’s continue next time.”

There will be plenty of opportunities for that.

* * * * *

‘It’s chilly.’

Despite it being midday with the sun high in the sky, the air was cold because the tall trees blocked the sunlight.

Soon I might start shivering.

In contrast, sweat was running down the students’ foreheads.

They’ve been in continuous battles since leaving the campsite this morning, so there’s no time for sweat to dry.

‘Here comes another one.’

Whether aware of their feelings or not, another monster appeared.

As Lael raised her fist to stop the formation, everyone immediately prepared for battle.

The sound of students drawing their swords could be heard, and what appeared was a C-rank insect-type monster, a Poison Spider.

Its size wasn’t particularly large, about as big as an adult man, but its quick speed and the poison from its fangs were quite threatening.

Moreover, insect-type monsters are all good at climbing trees, so the forest terrain would work to its advantage.

The problem is…

‘Lael has been reducing her instructions more and more.’

As if the first day was just a demonstration, she started decreasing the number of directions since morning.

And now it’s come to this.

“Flan, Denevan take the front. Ed, Frit in the middle. Ludmila take the rear.”

Surprisingly, that’s the extent of her instructions.

I did ask her to go easy so I could evaluate the students, but I didn’t mean to this extent.

As the Poison Spider hopped between trees and suddenly charged, Flan and Denevan stepped forward and blocked it with their swords.

Then came Ed and Frit’s black magic… which unfortunately missed.

The monster created distance again and began jumping between trees, watching keenly for an opportunity.