episode_0031

It had been some time since Claire declared that she would keep her distance as Victor advised her to give up the greatsword.

“Got it. I won’t sit with you in the same class from now on, won’t have meals together at the cafeteria, and won’t talk to you. If that’s what you want.”

Was it right to act that way and say those words to Claire as she walked away?

As Claire distanced herself, her figure kept flashing in my mind, leaving me feeling uneasy.

Even to clear my mind of these thoughts, I spent most of my time in the swordsmanship training ground, excluding classes on magic and swordsmanship theory.

Naturally, I encountered Victor every day while using the training ground, but he didn’t approach me, perhaps needing time to think.

With Rachel, we exchanged casual greetings, and she respected my focus during training by not disturbing me.

Although I gave advice to Victor, I refrained from meddling further, believing that he should understand and choose his own path.

Still, a relief came from practicing with all three weapons – the greatsword, one-handed sword, and shield – at the training ground.

It was evidence that he didn’t ignore my advice. Through this training, he would come to realizations on his own.

While he currently trains with both swords, I believe he will eventually choose the one-handed sword and shield, just as he understood and changed his approach in the game during his third year.

If Victor fully utilizes his potential, it will greatly help him navigate through future main scenarios.

Claire, who always maintained an expressionless face, seemed increasingly gaunt and burdened over time.

Already slender, she appeared to have lost more weight, with dark circles under her eyes, making me almost want to break our promise and rush to her side.

I wondered what was happening, but apart from class and training hours, observing her from afar did not reveal anything out of the ordinary.

Since there had never been a situation where Claire struggled like this or was completely inaccessible to players in Sungyoa, I am unsure how to handle this new development.

Therefore, I immersed myself in swordsmanship training at the training ground like a madman, finally achieving today’s goal.

[Due to repetitive swordsmanship training and enlightenment, swordsmanship proficiency has significantly increased… Swordsmanship skill experience is rising.]

[Unique ability ‘Sword Mastery’ correction value added.]

[Swordsmanship Lv.9 > Lv.10]

[Acquired skills ‘Aura’ and ‘Physical Enhancement.’]

“I finally hit Swordsmanship level 10.”

As the skill level increases, the amount required rises sharply, making it challenging to level up.

Especially recently, without any special events, leveling up through training alone took longer.

At branching points like advancing from Swordsmanship Lv.9 to Lv.10, where derivative skills are unlocked or enhanced, the requirements increase significantly compared to other ranges, so it took a bit longer than expected.

“Still, now I can handle Aura and Physical Enhancement.”

Now, whether thrown into battle immediately or anywhere else, I can confidently claim to be a competent swordsman capable of handling more than one opponent.

[Yukal – Lv.17]

Strength: 24(+24) Agility: 24(+24)

Stamina: 24(+24) Magic: 24(+24)

Traits: Adaptability, Hyperawareness

Skills: Swordsmanship Lv.10, Meditation Lv.5, Pyromancy Lv.1

Aura Lv.1, Physical Enhancement Lv.1

Items: Stat Crystal (Bound, partially applied)

Unique Abilities: Balance, Sword Mastery

Upon checking the status window, it was confirmed that two skills had landed properly.

Right away, I felt a familiar gesture approaching as I tried to test the newly acquired skills.

“It’s been a while, Yukal. Have you been well all this time?”

The guy who awkwardly smiled back at me was Victor.

Although he seemed to have come straight after class, there were not greatswords on his back but a one-handed sword and shield.

“Yeah. I’ve thought about it enough, haven’t I? Seeing your appearance, it seems like you’ve come to a conclusion now.”

“To be honest, until recently, I wasn’t completely convinced to the extent of risking everything. You probably saw it too since we met at the training ground, but until recently, I couldn’t give up the greatsword and trained with a one-handed sword and shield alongside.”

He paused for a moment, looking for my reaction, then continued speaking.

“Sorry, but I couldn’t fully trust your words, so I also went to Professor Chris separately for counseling. When I told him about the advice you gave me, he agreed neatly. As you said, Professor Chris’s greatsword skills have clear limitations, and it seems difficult for me to handle the greatsword like the professor.”

Suddenly, Victor knelt down and expressed his gratitude to me.

“I really want to sincerely thank you for your advice. If it weren’t for your help, I might have wasted a few years at the Ardent Academy. I could have regretted it for a lifetime.”

While it is true that I helped Victor not waste two years during a crucial time for honing his abilities, the final decision was made by Victor himself.

I grabbed him and made him face me, smiling like Victor.

“Get up. What’s with this between friends? If you’re thankful, let’s grab a meal together.”

When we first met in the Swordsmanship Introduction class, he smiled as he handed me the words he had given me, and only then did Victor smile as usual.

“As much as you want. Within the limits of my wallet, I’ll buy you whatever you want. But today might be a bit tough.”

“Huh? Don’t you have no classes in the afternoon today? Don’t say you’ll skip meals and train; you’ll just hurt yourself for no reason.”

Since I almost always know when students come to the training ground, Victor would probably have some free time if he didn’t train now.

“It’s not that I can’t eat with you; it’s because of your circumstances, Yukal.”

“I don’t have classes today either. I haven’t even had lunch yet.”

“Someone came to visit for you. They asked me to deliver the message while coming to the training ground.”

“Huh? If it were another character, maybe, but Yukal is an orphan, so there wouldn’t be a visiting event.”

Among other playable characters, especially those who started as nobles, there is an event where they receive pocket money or necessary items at times like this, but Yukal is not an orphan, so such an event wouldn’t exist.

Not fully understanding the situation, I was pondering when Victor nudged me and smiled.

“By the way, you’re really lucky to have such a beautiful person come to see you.”

???

‘Who is it really… No one ever comes to see me.’

As I parted ways with Victor and headed towards the reception room specially prepared for visitors at the academy, someone who had come to visit me, Helena Clark, approached me with a shy smile. If she is the person I know, she never easily lets go of someone she has shown interest in, but she hadn’t approached me at all since the entrance ceremony.

“Since the entrance ceremony, I haven’t spoken with you, Helena Youngae.”

Except for briefly expressing concern about my injury while trying to attack Claire in the mock dungeon.

“Hehe, actually, I’ve been busy with some things so I haven’t had time to spend with Yukal. By the way, do you still want me to call you Helena Youngae so formally? This is an academy like Rachel said. You can just call me Helena too.”

“I will consider it. However, someone has come to see me now, so it seems difficult to have a long conversation on the way to meet them.”

“Oh, I heard about that. Hey, what if I go with you to the visit too?”

As if anticipating my refusal, she quickly continued speaking and looked at me brightly –

“I haven’t bothered you with Yukal all this time, so can’t you listen to me…?”

Even though I knew it was a ploy, I ended up accepting.

“Since I want to know what happened to him as well.”

Why did she suddenly approach me after seemingly showing no interest in me all this time?

Given that she mentioned having things to take care of, it’s clear that she’s been occupied with something to the extent that she hasn’t been able to devote time to me, but I still can’t quite grasp what it is.

So, the two of us headed towards the annex’s reception room, and as we opened the door and entered, someone unexpectedly caught my eye in this place where I never expected to meet them.