episode_0019

After counseling with Professor Seigan, I wandered around the academy to clear my troubled mind.

Simply awakening mana to allocate stat points and resolve penalties would have been nice, but they informed me that they wouldn’t allow leaving residual points and readjusted my innate ability ‘Balance.’

It’s not easy to extract stats from a distorted celestial sword affected by penalties. Right now, it will be recognized as the minimum stat of 1, just like when I first obtained the sword.

“I’m going crazy because I don’t know what constitutes cheating.”

The only viable option for now is breaking into the warehouse in the academy where valuable items are stored, but the success rate is really slim…

The orthodox method is to clear the main scenario, establish a reputation at the Ardente Academy, and then request to take or borrow what you need from the warehouse.

However, if you can’t overcome the penalty, this won’t be possible.

There’s also an unofficial route where you sneak into the academy warehouse and loot it, but the difficulty level is insanely high.

Due to the presence of valuable items that can’t be easily acquired with money and sealed dangerous items outside the world, security is strict with two professors on duty at all times.

Various alarm spells and magical traps are scattered around the warehouse, with a powerful protection barrier cast over it.

While I’ve managed to bypass the former obstacles through luck, I’m likely to hit a roadblock with the current strength against the warehouse’s protection barrier.

In the game, triggering this barrier results in expulsion and a ‘Game Over’ message, but now it won’t end so simply. Expulsion could lead to rigorous interrogation.

Hoping my gamble pays off, I pondered and found myself standing in front of the swordsmanship training grounds without realizing it.

“Did I instinctively come here while contemplating?”

Having spent a lot of time here with Yukal, I must have subconsciously headed towards the training grounds amid my thoughts.

Though it was a night lit by magic, I thought of taking a stroll before leaving, but I sensed someone approaching from ahead.

Her reddish hair tied back to not hinder her training, and her ruby-like eyes were stunning.

Seeing her in armor instead of a school uniform made me think, “That’s so like her.”

I admired her passion to train in armor from day one. I can be sure no one else is inside the training grounds right now.

As I walked out of the training grounds, did she notice my gaze, or did she turn her head towards me, locking eyes.

Soon, her gaze shifted to the sword at my waist as she approached me.

Maintaining a slight distance where our faces were visible, she asked me, “Do you know me?”

My throat tightened at the familiar line she always used when we met countless times before, memories of her dying repeatedly flooding back.

Rachel Astrea. The sole heir of the Astrea Marquis and this year’s top student at the Ardente Academy.

And one of the main reasons why I underwent over 400 trials with Yukal.

Her unique ability ‘Iron Blood’ increases her personal abilities in places she perceives as battlefields, with the augmentation rising sharply based on the blood shed in battle, not limited to her own, showcasing overwhelming performance in large-scale battles.

At first listen, her abilities seemed strong for gaming, but her innate personality hindered her progress.

In the main scenario excluding tutorials, powerful enemies challenged players. She often risked her life to protect others, feeling a sense of responsibility, leading to many instances where she fought and died to protect students.

However, her desire to protect others was admirable. Perhaps seeing her resolute determination even in situations where she could get hurt or die provided solace to her past self.

“Continuing to stare while someone is speaking is considered rude. Let me ask again. Do you know me?”

Caught up in excessive admiration upon seeing her in person for the first time, the response was delayed. If this wasn’t an academy, she might have faced punishment for disrespecting nobility.

Of course, she wouldn’t engage in such behavior.

“I apologize. I need a moment to think; I’ve committed a breach of etiquette. I am Yukal, greeting Lady Rachel.”

As I replied and knelt to greet her, Rachel sighed softly and helped me up.

“This is Ardente Academy. You must have read the rules on the pamphlet, so you should know that status doesn’t matter here. I don’t want to appear as a villain pressuring you to break the rules, so please rise.”

Looking closely, she resembled a burning flame. Almost blinding.

“You mentioned your name was Yukal earlier. If what I heard is correct, are you the talent evaluated to surpass the Empire’s Best Swordsmen in this year’s entrance exam?”

“I believe there’s some exaggeration in the rumors, but I did show a good performance at the entrance exam venue.”

“It’s a shame we won’t be in the same class with a talent like you. I heard you transferred to the Magic Department from the Swordsmanship Department.”

“Oh, we might meet in swordsmanship classes. Thanks to the principal’s consideration, although I remain in the Magic Department, I can also attend some swordsmanship classes.”

“I see. It would be nice to see you in class. Perhaps I’ve been too insistent late at night. To tackle tomorrow’s schedule, I should rest now.”

Even considering my fatigue and showing concern. Her manner of speaking may have divided users’ opinions, but I think it suits her well.

“Understood. I hope you have a good night, Lady.”

Turning away after my words, she looked back at me and spoke.

“Next time we meet, call me Rachel instead of Lady. We’re fellow academy students.”

“I’ll try my best.”

With this meeting with Rachel, she vowed not to let anyone she protects die and headed towards the dormitory.

*

It was the day of the first class, so I geared up in armor, determined, and headed to the Swordsmanship Department training ground.

Being born into a privileged position with innate abilities was merely luck. Since deciding to use her abilities to protect others, she never skipped a day of training.

Although her father sometimes tried to stop her training out of concern for her safety, she persisted. Despite his efforts, he persistently tried to prevent her from skipping training.

Thankfully, there were no such obstacles to training here as there were in her family, but she felt the training environment was somewhat lacking compared to what she was used to.

After finishing the training and leaving the training ground, I felt someone silently watching me.

Black hair, black eyes, a face that even oneself, who has no particular interest in men, could find attractive.

When my gaze reached the sword at his waist, I could tell he was the protagonist of rumors that spread throughout the empire.

Sighing as he knelt and greeted me with proper etiquette, I helped him up.

Surprisingly, he recognized me at a glance as a commoner, and seemed accustomed to dealing with nobles.

I heard he was from a small mountain village not far from Borea Territory, but it’s unlikely he would have seen me.

Pushing aside my idle thoughts, I expressed regret for not being able to attend class with him.

“Oh, we’ll meet in swordsmanship class. Thanks to the headmaster’s consideration, although I’m enrolled in the School of Magic, I can also take some classes in the School of Swordsmanship.”

It seemed like I would see him during class time.

“My father insisted on verifying his talent, so I’m glad.”

By taking the same classes, I should be able to determine the truth about him.

The only thing bothering me was why he looked at me with such pity.

Born into the Astrea Duchy without any shortcomings, I had never experienced such a gaze before.

No matter how much I pondered, Rachel remained incomprehensible.