Sword Saint

“Oh, when did you get here?”

“…Just now.”

I’d let my guard down.

Though tidying up the interior hadn’t taken too long, my pathetic stamina made even that exhausting. She’d overheard my muttering during a break.

The worst possible part to hear.

“B-but the Counseling Room door clearly said you were out…”

“Thought you were asleep. Looked dead tired. Came in to clean up your mess.”

Ah.

Only then did I realize this was entirely my own fault.

Feeling rewarded for recent hard work, I’d pulled an all-nighter gaming – that was me.

Making Eileen worry because of it – also me.

Finally, carelessly muttering to myself assuming no one would visit the Counseling Room – definitely me.

…No excuses left.

“So? Where’s that bastard?”

“Uh, um…”

Like I could tell her.

Eileen, who’d been drifting through life without purpose, only started getting involved with others to find her father’s whereabouts.

If I told her now, she’d skip all those events and just get the result. Like deleting the deduction parts of a mystery novel and leaving only the “This is the culprit!” scene.

I couldn’t reveal the motivation that would make her move forward on her own.

“Not planning to tell me? Figures. Didn’t look like you wanted to talk.”

“…”

Was it time to use that hypnotic power I’d hoped to avoid?

I tensed up, preparing to use hypnosis as I stared at Eileen.

“Eileen.”

“Hmm?”

“I can’t tell you your father’s whereabouts. So…”

Hypnotic power could practically be called omnipotent. When you can affect most people without conditions, what else deserves that title?

Of course, it didn’t work on top-tier powerhouses like demons or Principal-nim unless they were weakened or I prepared in advance…

But conversely, with minimal preparation, even the world’s strongest could fall under my hypnosis.

…The problem was, I wasn’t prepared to wield such power.

When I first came to this world, I’d used hypnosis to do all sorts of things.

Though not that long ago, I wanted to believe those were just youthful indiscretions – acting out like I owned the world.

Then one day, it hit me – if I continued like this, who knew what I might do?

Would I become just another trashy villain drunk on power? After that thought, using hypnosis became difficult.

I’d seen enough fictional characters abuse hypnosis for evil. The idea of becoming one made me sick.

So I avoided using hypnosis unless absolutely necessary.

But now I had no choice.

This qualified as necessary.

“From now on, you will…”

“Meh, if Teacher doesn’t wanna tell, that’s fine.”

“Huh?”

“Looks like you’ve got reasons even if you wanted to tell. No point keep asking then.”

“…”

“Why bother with annoying back-and-forth?”

…Come to think of it, Eileen never liked exerting herself.

I’d planned to hypnotize away her memory of this conversation, but since she didn’t know about my powers, she probably just thought I’d clam up.

“Alright, new question. Will you tell me later?”

“Th-that’s not something I can promise!”

“Great. Can’t now but might later…”

“?!”

“Why so shocked? Obvious conclusion.”

Obvious? Seriously?

I unconsciously touched my cheek, failing to hide my surprise. Seeing Eileen smirk at me, I finally realized – I’d been tricked.

“Right, that’s how it is.”

“Th-that’s cheating!”

“Says the coward hiding my deadbeat parent’s location for over a decade?”

“Guh…!”

“Great. Another reason to meet with you besides skipping class.”

Eileen sprawled on the couch, saying she’d wait patiently since I seemed like the type to spill eventually.

“Take your time. Not in a rush to find him.”

“…Yes.”

Seeing her reaction, I canceled my hypnosis plan.

Thankfully she wasn’t detail-oriented. Quickly figuring out I’d tell her eventually without prying – no need to erase memories now.

Better than waiting for random encounters – I could just mark his location when the time came.

“By the way… if you do meet your father…?”

“Why bother asking?”

Eileen answered without looking at me, annoyed.

“Gonna kill him.”

“…But your father’s the Sword Saint. Same tier as Principal-nim.”

“Know that.”

Her follow-up was dry.

“Hence why I need to pick up the sword again.”

“…”

As expected, she remained exactly as I knew her.

***

Sword Saint.

Hearing this term, people would assume strength. At least not weak.

All Sword Saints I knew were powerful… though that was in games.

Ahem. Anyway, this world’s Sword Saint wasn’t different.

Your average, ordinary Sword Saint.

Not sure if “ordinary” fits Sword Saints, but whatever.

He answered the Imperial Family’s call during Eileen’s childhood, went to war…

And poof – vanished.

Confused? Take it literally. Disappeared as if never existed.

Eileen’s main quest was tracking the vanished Sword Saint’s traces.

Her idolized, affectionate father.

Then one day – gone in an instant.

Leaving only “Be back soon.”

Eileen waited with her mother. Days, weeks, months…

Half a year later, burying her face in bed, she realized – he wasn’t coming back. Had abandoned them.

That’s when she stopped wielding swords.

People thought grief made her lazy, but opposite was true.

Eileen had always been lazy, hating bothersome things.

She’d swung swords because her father loved watching her.

His joy made her happy. Achievements brought more praise.

That’s why she could endure.

But with him gone, motivation vanished.

Idolization turned to hatred quickly.

If news ever came, she’d kill him herself. That’s what she’d thought.

Then suddenly hearing about him through me…

Obviously she’d hone her skills to kill the Sword Saint.

“Is that so? I thought the Sword Saint was cool.”

“He was as admirable as you imagine, Leo. Heroes tend to neglect their families.”

Building the Sword Saint’s fame inevitably distanced him from family.

Dangerous places built reputations, and you couldn’t bring family there.

“But why tell me this…?”

Leo voiced his confusion.

Naturally. A counseling teacher suddenly discussing someone’s family affairs during an abrupt meeting?

Unprofessional.

But Leo was involved too.

“That artifact – treating it well?”

“Huh? …Well, yes. My lifesaver gave it to me. Keeping it pristine to return someday. But why ask…?”

“Belonged to the Sword Saint.”

“…What?!”

The boy urgently examined the item on his person.

Staring wouldn’t change anything.

“Meaning Miss Eileen’s father saved you.”

Chronologically… After leaving home, the Sword Saint vanished from battlefields after rescuing Leo.

“B-but I’ve talked with Miss Eileen! If it’s her father’s, she should’ve…!”

“Ten years ago. She hates him intensely – probably worked hard to forget. Plus it’s armor fragment. Recognizing it would be weird.”

“Wh-what should I do? Must return…!”

“No need.”

What had this kid been listening to?

Eileen hates the Sword Saint.

Why mention I have his artifact?

“My point is this.”

Eileen’s quest to find the Sword Saint.

Its main antagonist was none other than Leo.

Maybe because both were connected to the Sword Saint?

…Thinking this made me pity Orca.

Others had interconnected quests, but Orca stood alone.

Always treated like an outcast.

“Want to search too? For the Sword Saint’s traces.”

No need to hear his answer.

What boy could refuse searching for his childhood idol’s legacy?