episode_0012

‘Status Window.’

[Yukal – Lv.10]

Strength: 7(-6) Agility: 9(-8)

Health: 10(-9) Mana: 0

Remaining Points: 35

Trait: Adaptability

Skills: Swordsmanship Lv.3, Pyrokinesis Lv.1

Unique Abilities: Balance, Swordsmanship

It’s really been restored…

Helena and Claire, looking surprised, caught my eye as I turned around, swallowing a sigh.

As I moved, Helena and Claire also started coming towards me.

“Hey Yukal, what did you do?”

“Clearly, I had no mana, but with the wooden sword…”

“I’ll explain later.”

Right now, the situation was drawing attention from the surroundings.

Due to Helena’s bodyguards surrounding us, people were not approaching, but it seemed best to quickly leave the place.

“For now, it seems like going to have lunch would be a good idea.”

“In that case, leave it to me! I’ve reserved a nice restaurant nearby!”

Fortunately, Helena expressed a desire to treat us to lunch, so we could go to a nearby restaurant.

If it weren’t for Helena, finding a place to eat in this bustling crowd would have been difficult, so I should be grateful.

The restaurant we arrived at boasted a luxurious interior, as if claiming, ‘I’m expensive.’

“I made a reservation under Helena Clark’s name.”

“It’s confirmed. Please follow me to the innermost table.”

Following the staff, we reached a second-floor terrace overlooking the surroundings.

Helena and Claire sat down, and as I tried to sit next to Claire, Helena firmly grabbed my arm.

“You know, Yukal, can you not sit next to me?”

Shouldn’t we eat comfortably? If I sit next to you, it feels like I’ll throw up everything I eat…

“Can’t you even grant me that simple request…? Do you dislike me, Yukal?”

Looking at Helena, who was gazing at me with puppy eyes, I decided to comply with her intentions this time, knowing it was an act.

If I hadn’t gone with her to the restaurant she reserved, we might still be wandering around looking for a place to eat, so I should be thankful.

Moreover, my conscience was urging me to sit down this time, considering we were dining at one of the most expensive restaurants in the capital.

As far as I remember, the cheapest course here costs about the monthly living expenses of ordinary people.

“I was trying to sit next to Claire to avoid inconveniencing Miss Helena. If you prefer, I will sit next to you.”

“No, no, you don’t need to worry about that! You’re between me and Yukal.”

‘We’re not “between,” there’s nothing between us. Just hold back on misleading words.’

Although I had a lot to say, I quietly took the seat next to Helena.

While choosing the menu, conversation paused briefly, and surprisingly, Claire spoke first.

“How were you able to wield that black sword in the exam room, Yukal? Even though I don’t know much about swordsmanship, it looked impressive to me. Plus, it felt like there was no mana contained in it.”

“Yeah, I was curious too. Sometimes since I was young, I’ve seen knights who excel with swords, but I’ve never seen them cut something without imbuing mana into it. In your case, Yukal, it wasn’t a real sword but a wooden one.”

“At that time, I wanted to cut through, and I think the wooden sword responded to my intentions.”

It wasn’t a lie. It felt like the wooden sword responded to my sincere desire to cut through the badgers behind the protective barrier.

Of course, I didn’t mention the crucial factor of skill, but I didn’t lie by omitting it.

“Impressive…”

Although I felt guilty under Helena and Claire’s gaze.

Helena, wiping her hands with a prepared towel, naturally asked the core question.

“By the way, why did you choose the Department of Magic? With your talent, wouldn’t it be natural to graduate at the top if you pursued swordsmanship?”

“At that time… I thought choosing the Department of Magic was the most rational decision. It seems difficult to explain the detailed reasons.”

This is unfair for me as well.

Naturally assuming that Yukal’s unique ability was fixed as ‘balance’ and not confident in performing well in combat in the front line, I chose the Department of Magic-

If I had known that clearing the main scenario would restore the unique ability ‘Sword Saint,’ I would have definitely gone to the Department of Swordsmanship…

With just this, there are adjustments in swordsmanship and overall physical abilities, so even now, in reality, I can perform in combat on the front line.

“Still, it’s fortunate. You’ll be able to take classes with Yukal, right?”

Seeing Claire smiling beside her was a healing feeling.

That’s right, good things are good.

In the typical Yukal route, by enrolling in the Department of Swordsmanship, you mainly meet front-line figures, but now that I’ve enrolled in the Department of Magic, it will be easier to recruit comrades from the back line.

If it’s the front line, there’s a high chance they’ll take an interest in my swordsmanship talent and view it favorably.

Now that it has become reality, I also like the fact that I can take many classes overlapping with Claire, who heals my heart the most.

After that, they focused on eating the course meal brought by the staff without any further conversation.

For me, meals were just eaten in the game, and for Claire, aside from a minor happening where she learned how to eat from Helena because she hadn’t had the opportunity to experience such fine dining.

As the meal roughly came to an end, I stood up from my seat first.

“I’ll go to the restroom for a moment.”

I wish they could have talked a little while I was away.

If I’m present, Helena or Claire might feel uncomfortable and not be able to talk to each other.

‘Most likely, Helena will offer to support Claire.’

Considering that Helena would surely recognize the value of Claire’s talent, she would consider her a valuable recruit and propose to hire her after graduation.

If Claire receives good support from Helena, who is not financially well off, she can focus solely on her studies without worrying about tuition or living expenses.

Although it bothers me a bit that Claire seemed to be trying to set herself against Helena, I trust she will make a good judgment.

Knowing that Claire is working hard juggling academics and work, I headed to the restroom with a feeling of relief, asking the staff along the way.

*

When Yukal disappeared, a heavy silence fell between Helena and Claire.

The seemingly unbreakable silence was broken by Helena.

Sipping wine elegantly, she put down her glass and looked at Claire.

“Claire, if you want, I can support you. If you like your talent. If you accept, you won’t have to worry about tuition, living expenses, etc., and you can focus solely on academy life.”

It was an unexpected statement, and Claire’s eyes widened.

“Really, Helena-nim?”

“Yes. You just need to agree to two conditions. Simple, right?”

Smiling at Claire, Helena raised her fingers one by one.

“First, after graduating from Ardent Academy, promise to work at Count Clark’s estate. It’s not lifelong, so don’t worry too much. You can freely move around as you wish even while working. Just prioritize the family business.”

“Hmm, the second condition is important… I hope it falls through with Yukal! While attending the academy, just avoid having conversations or meals with Yukal, or simply don’t do anything together! In fact, it would be best if we don’t even see each other’s faces.”

Upon hearing the second condition, Claire was taken aback, but soon she firmly looked Helena in the eyes and said, “Helena Yeongae-nim, I am truly grateful for the offer of sponsorship. However, I will decline this sponsorship.”

As Helena began to fiddle with her wine glass, her smiling face, which seemed to suggest that there was no need for Claire to act anymore, turned expressionless.

“How much?”

“What?”

“How much would it take for you to stay away from Yukal? It seems simple sponsorship won’t satisfy you. I can accommodate whatever you want, Claire. Feel free to tell me.”

“It’s not because of a lack of money that I declined. Helena Yeongae-nim.”

“Then what is the reason? I thought it was quite an attractive offer.”

“As Yukal has shown consideration for me, I feel obligated to protect him from women he does not desire.”

“So, are you saying that in your opinion, Yukal has decided that I am a woman he does not desire?”

“… ”

“Alright, I understand your feelings. Just don’t regret it.”

The situation unfolded differently from what Yukal had anticipated.