episode_0023

It was already 4 hours ago.

Back then, as always, I was in class receiving lessons, and I could feel the intense gaze of just one person next to me.

Instinctively, my legs trembled and cold sweat dripped down like water.

Perhaps my appearance was bothering her, as Sara, who was sitting next to me, had a displeased expression.

“Why are you so anxious?”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry.”

“No, I’m not okay. You’re acting all nervous!”

“Oh, sorry.”

With Sara sighing at my apology, I refocused on the lesson.

Yes, I should focus now too.

…How do I even focus!!

Since it’s come to this, let’s try to think about it.

Why do you keep staring at me?

Do you want to be friends? It could be a more aggressive style than I thought.

I calmly shifted my gaze to confirm her stare, but her eyes were filled with hostility.

…It doesn’t seem like that at all.

Then why are you staring at me like that, Kadira!!

You clearly said you didn’t want to fight with a loser like me!!

Even at the ball.

Why do you have a look that wants to fight!!

I couldn’t understand. But there was no one to explain it to me.

How can I make a good escape without rumors spreading?

Where can I go to keep my limbs safe?

I sighed as I pondered this.

Yet the clock hands moved quickly.

3…2…1…

The school bell rang throughout the classroom.

As if on cue, everyone put their textbooks under their desks and prepared to leave their seats.

Seeing the students’ actions, the teacher tapped the desk.

“The next class is self-study.”

“Yes.”

The teacher’s footsteps moved away from the desk. And with a swoosh! the teacher left the room.

“Please… please…”

Let this class pass by without incident!!

I prayed fervently. But why is it so quiet?

I cautiously turned my head to the side.

“…”

Sara sat quietly with her textbook open, showing no signs of movement.

Usually, she would either get angry or show some reaction…

But why is it so scary when she’s quiet?

“Sara?”

“…”

What!! Why do I have to feel fear even here!!

“Sigh…”

Instinctively, I distanced myself from her at her sigh.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“…Say something if you called me!”

Why are you so quiet again.

Sara’s lips curled up. Is she playing a prank?

But her eyes didn’t smile.

‘I see…’

“…I said.”

“What, what did you say?”

“I told you to be quiet!!!”

In my right field of vision, I saw Sara’s fist.

Thud!

I felt a pain as if my hand was being torn apart.

“Ouch! Wait!!”

“Put your hand down. We don’t have much time, are you trying to distract me?”

“Wait! But hitting me after using mana is against the rules…!”

“Shut up! You loser.”

Just before the punch that couldn’t be avoided hit my face.

“Why are you fighting again.”

Lina appeared and stopped Sara.

“No… because she kept interfering…”

“But even so, how can you hit a friend like that.”

“Sorry…”

As expected, my savior.

The reason why I was so eager to befriend Lina, who didn’t want to be close, wasn’t that special.

It’s just that she’s the only one who can stop Sara.

But who is the girl next to her?

Is she going to introduce me to a new friend?

Unaware of the impending future, I was deceived by Lina’s kind smile and felt grateful.

“Who is the person next to you?”

“You’re quick to notice. I came today because I wanted to introduce someone!”

‘As expected! Keeping good friends makes life easier…’

“Sara and I are already close, so it should be fine, and Logs! This is Kadira!”

Lina stepped aside to show her.

‘Huh?’

I denied reality and looked away, then looked back, and she was definitely Kadia Jurma.

“I might have forgotten, but she’s the second highest scorer! And she said she wants to get close to you.”

“…”

She wants to get close, right?

Why are you looking at me with such disdainful eyes!

That doesn’t look like wanting to get close.

Even though I have no friends and have never received such an expression.

I still understand this much!

That’s an expression of ignoring me!

“Why is this guy…” muttered Kadia, but instead of the expected response, she just stared at me without saying a word. What’s with the more intimidating attitude.

I thought she had the personality of a warrior who would strike immediately… but does she still follow the rules?

How many seconds passed.

Sara broke the awkward silence with a single word.

“So why did you come.”

“…I came to check. But it seems like there’s no need.”

Kadia looked at Sara once and then turned around with a snort, walking away.

Is she mocking me?

Does she think I’m weak because I’m holding back!

Yeah. I’m the weakest one here.

So please, I don’t want to fight.

Lena, surprised by Kadia walking away, made a bewildered expression.

“Sorry, Logs, she’s not like that… I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“Thank you…”

Lena smiled brightly and ran towards Kadia.

A sigh escaped involuntarily.

“She’s so nice over there… but here…”

“What?”

“No, nothing…”

Unconsciously, another sigh escaped.

Even if I don’t like it, I might lose a friend for such a reason.

But one thing I can say for sure.

She’s kind.

“Hey.”

Avoiding Sara’s gaze that was staring at me, I spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“Don’t give up.”

“On what.”

“On anything! Don’t give up on anyone until I beat you.”

“…That might be a bit difficult?”

***

-What do you expect from me?

-But today, you have to use that sword no matter what.

-…Just do it if you want to!

Sara seems off today too.

Especially that expression.

Why did she seem so anxious when she clearly knows that she’s training herself.

Is she really determined to kill today?

Or maybe, she has more personality than Cecilia.

Today, the headaches have been frequent. But once training starts, all the distracting thoughts will disappear.

Arriving at the training ground, I opened the door with a happy heart.

And in front of me was Kadia sharpening her sword.

“You came?”

“I think I came to the wrong place. Sorry.”

“This is the right place.”

Kadia stopped sharpening her sword and pointed the blade at me.

“This is your grave.”

‘What is she talking about?’

Where did Sara go again.

Looking around, I saw figures in the distance. It was Sara and Lena.

‘Judging by Sara’s expression…’

I looked at Lena standing next to Sara, who was rapidly disintegrating.

She was looking at me with an apologetic expression. It’s certain.

From this morning, I started to understand Sara’s words. Oh… tears are coming.

Excitedly waving both hands at Sara, who was standing with her arms crossed in the distance.

“Thank you for worrying!!”

I was truly grateful without a single lie.

I never thought I would receive worry from a friend in my life… truly a happy life.

Indeed, it seems that making friends is the right thing to do.

Her expression, which was filled with complaints, turned into annoyance as she shouted at me.

“I’m not worried! If you lose, you’ll become weaker than her!!”

She said, but her cheeks were already turning red. She’s embarrassed.

A snort escaped.

“Hey! Are you laughing at me? Damn, wait there!! I’ll kill you…!”

“Sarah, who has lost her mind, will solve it.”

Should I consider a way to survive even if I lose now?

“Is the story over, you fool?”

“Well, thanks for waiting… What does a fool like you want with me, the warrior?”

“The warrior? Where else is there a warrior besides the fool who uses dual swords like you?”

“Can’t you see? He’s right in front of me now. And he uses a more foolish swordsmanship than that dual swordsman.”

Kadira’s brow furrowed.

From this, I could tell that Kadira was also prone to provocation like Sarah.

Once I realized that, I couldn’t stop.

The moment she fails to control her anger and makes a mistake is the only moment I can win. I can’t take this lightly!!

I didn’t miss the opportunity and continued speaking.

“So where did the warrior who didn’t want to fight a fool like me go?”

“…I also didn’t want to fight a fool like you. But you keep annoying me with your praises.”

“?”

Kadira muttered with her head bowed. Isn’t this effect too fast?

“On weaker opponents like me… you keep treating me as a stronger one…”

I felt uncomfortable with her attitude. Quickly, I put my hand into my bag.

“So, today, I will prove that you are below me.”

Bang!

‘Crazy!’

Without any sound, Kadira closed the distance between us. It was just a moment.

Is she someone who shouldn’t be provoked?

Bang!

It’s a clean blow that can be compared to a swordmaster. Is this okay?

Bang!

Come to think of it, I beat the little Cecilia.

So, doesn’t that mean I can beat her too?

Bang! Bang!!

Kadira’s attacks began to sharpen. First, the distance…?

Magic doesn’t work. The mana absorbed by the sword should be enough.

Then why?

“Do you understand now?”

Kadira looked at my bewildered face and smiled.

“While you’re fighting me, you can’t use any skills.”

‘What…!’

“Do you have time to think about something else?”

The sharp attacks began to speed up. It was like a continuous indiscriminate attack that could remind you of Ad’s attacks.

“Ugh…!”

“That’s right! The master was wrong!! You’re just a fool!!”

I don’t know what she’s talking about. But still!

The more indiscriminate the attack, the more openings are visible!

I swung Kraberke’s fangs towards Kadira’s excited side.

But.

Bang!

As if expecting it, she shifted the trajectory of the sword and blocked Kraberke’s fangs, then struck Asbel’s sword held in the other hand strongly.

Thud!

Asbel’s sword split the sky and struck the ground.

“I’m done…!”

“I won, you fool!!”

Kadira delivered the final blow, confident of victory at my surprised expression.

At the same time, Sarah’s voice, who was watching us from afar, echoed in my ears.

“I’ll kill you if you lose, Logz!!”

Bang!

“How can she… with one hand…!”

A sinister aura was felt around Logz. Kadira, who was overwhelmed by ‘that,’ desperately distanced herself from Logz.

‘Did… I just run away?’

Shocked by the fact that she had just fled from a fool, her hands were trembling. That shouldn’t have happened.

Kadira regained her composure and firmly gripped the sword.

And seeing her, Logz also adjusted his posture.

“Don’t be ashamed of losing.”

With that one word, the atmosphere was overwhelmed.