episode_0052

All the connections I’ve made so far gathered in one place, exchanging greetings and starting conversations.

Ron, Lloyd, and Ian.

This trio came to my side and began sharing their stories continuously.

While Elisha, Ellen, Lucy, and Silia were conversing among themselves at a distance due to this trio.

Their words weren’t clear, but from what I occasionally caught, they might be having another argument.

Still, after meeting continuously for the past few days, we seem to have grown somewhat closer.

Well, it’s easy for people of the same gender to become friendly quickly.

Even though Elisha and Silia don’t seem to get along well.

Originally, kids become friends through fighting.

Even though they are bickering now.

Surely, they can become good friends.

Nice. A very positive development.

Ellen has managed to overcome her torment and is doing better.

But Lucy and Silia seemed worried about not having any friends.

Seeing the four of them gathered and talking puts me at ease.

“It looks good.”

As I listened to the conversation happening beside me.

Everyone brought chairs from somewhere, placed them around me, and started eating fruit while conversing again.

Well, standing around constantly isn’t feasible.

By doing this, everyone will stay here for a while before leaving.

But it’s not bad.

This bustling atmosphere.

“So, Ron and I took down a huge wolf…”

“Wait, Lloyd… You did that alone, didn’t you?”

“So, we split the wolf in half and killed it! I thought I was a goner then! But if it weren’t for my comrade, we would have been goners for sure! Haha”

“You both are amazing, risking your lives for each other. Let me introduce myself. I’m Ian, the new transfer student.”

“Oh! That’s you? Then let me ask one thing. Is it true that you cleared the Grade 3 dungeon alone?”

While Ron, Lloyd, and Ian were talking, Elisha quietly ate the apple she had been given and listened to the conversation.

This is quite intriguing to me as well.

So, I quietly listened to their conversation.

“Yeah. But I didn’t overcome it solely by my own strength.”

What does that mean?

You didn’t do it alone?

“So, you didn’t clear it alone…?”

“Yeah, without this. I wouldn’t have been able to clear the Grade 3 dungeon by myself.”

Ian then drew the sword hanging from his waist.

A sword emitting an overall crimson aura.

Looking closely, it’s a truly remarkable sword. It almost feels alive, one could say?

Strange. Very strange.

Anyway.

“A sword?”

“Yes, without this sword, I couldn’t have conquered the dungeon.”

“It’s a unique sword. The handle and blade are crafted in a rare style here.”

“I heard swords are made like that in the Eastern country..”

After hearing Ron’s words, Lloyd, observing the sword Ian held, painted in a deep black color on the handle part.

Unlike other parts, the handle was painted in a dark black color.

The blade was only sharpened on one side, reminiscent of Japanese swords.

Moreover, the ominous crimson aura emanating from the sword looked very dangerous.

Yes, it possesses formidable power, but if facing a ‘cursed sword’ that leads its wielder to ruin, would it feel like this?

However, it’s not a cursed sword. This sword is more…

As I glanced at Ian’s sword, quietly observing it, Lloyd, who had been silently studying the sword, began to speak.

“But that sword seems to have some other elements mixed in besides that. Still, it’s a beautiful sword.”

“Indeed, it looks like a legendary sword… Impressive. Ian, where did you get such a sword?”

Ian’s black sword seemed to have been heavily influenced by the East, particularly Japan.

However, there were parts of the sword that also had characteristics of Western swords.

“Hehe, thanks. I’ve had this since I was young, picked it up by chance. So, this sword is more precious to me than anything else… like a part of me.”

Perhaps due to his mood, Ian’s expression as he looked at the sword seemed somewhat… melancholic.

Nevertheless, he really treasures the sword.

Well, if you’ve had a sword since you were young, it’s worth treasuring.

But then, he picked it up by chance.

Well, everyone has secrets they want to keep hidden.

It seemed like others besides me also sensed that and stopped asking about the sword.

“Yeah, the sword is precious. The sword is like an extension of myself. Ian, we seem to have a lot in common, so we could become good friends! Haha!”

“Lloyd, lower your voice a bit, it’s too loud…”

“I see you recognize it! The sword is practically my other half! Indeed, it seems like I could become good friends with you guys too! I’ve been eating alone all this time because I didn’t have any friends.”

Huh.

What’s this all about?

Ian has no friends?

It hasn’t been long since we met, but seeing such an outgoing and kind guy like him having no friends is surprising.

Even now, he’s getting along well with Ron and Lloyd, chatting away.

Were there things happening that I wasn’t aware of?

Lost in my thoughts, Lloyd, who was beside me, asked Ian directly about what I had been thinking.

“Ian, you don’t have any friends? Is there something wrong?”

“Oh, that’s… well.”

Ian’s expression darkened instantly upon hearing Lloyd’s words.

Seems like something did happen?

“L-Lloyd, it’s rude to say such things.”

“Ian, you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to.”

“N-no, it’s just… Bern, I hope this doesn’t sound offensive to you.”

Surprised.

Wait, what’s this now…

“Oh, misunderstandings shouldn’t happen! I just overheard it while passing by…”

“What rumor did you hear exactly?”

When I asked, Ian, looking extremely flustered, glanced between me and Silia, then began speaking quietly to us.

“Well, I’m not one to easily believe rumors. It’s just that… they say that black-haired people are all eccentric and have strange personalities, so you shouldn’t get close to them…”

“Of course, being a transfer student plays a role too… and it feels like someone’s keeping an eye on me…”

Huh, was there a rumor going around about black-haired people being eccentric with strange personalities?

I paused mid-bite while eating fruit, pondering deeply.

“Hmm… well, there might be some truth to it.”

“W-what? Bern? Are you thinking the same thing?”

“Y-yes, well, I heard something like that about Bern too… I only overheard it though…”

“It’s just a rumor after all! Judging people based on rumors! These awful folks! Ian, where are these people!”

Honestly… considering Bern’s past actions and Silia’s behavior…

It’s understandable why such rumors exist.

Silia, who keeps making snide remarks for no reason.

And even though she’s not like that now, seeing Bern who used to pick fights with people.

It’s inevitable that a negative image forms regarding black-haired individuals.

Still, to shun people just because they have black hair.

That’s definitely problematic.

Could it be that Silia has no friends because of me?

No matter how grumpy and whiny she may be, with a face like hers, she can’t possibly have no friends.

Objectively speaking, Silia is incredibly beautiful. No, she’s stunningly beautiful.

So, even if she complains a lot, it’s hard to believe she has no friends…

Looking over there, Elisha, Ellen, and Lucy are talking together.

Although she still seems a bit awkward, she is gradually getting closer to normalcy.

What Silia wanted was to have ordinary conversations with others, to eat meals with them in an ordinary way.

To play together normally, to make friends with whom she can share her emotions.

And to be able to laugh normally.

She wants to become such an ordinary human being.

Expressing her emotions clumsily, complaining and sounding angry.

Appearing as tough as steel to anyone else, she is actually a delicate girl more than anyone else.

Just turned 18, a second-year student at the academy, just an ordinary high school girl.

With an unhealable wound in her heart, finding it difficult to share love with someone.

Seeing Silia, weighed down by a painful past, gradually getting tired.

It feels like something is hurting in my chest.

Even though I haven’t known her for long, I want to protect her ordinariness.

So that she can look at the world with broader eyes while living.

To meet the family she has longed for, to live an ordinary life.

So, let’s stay like this for now.

It’s getting better little by little.

Silia, fighting!

By the way, is it true that I influenced the fact that Silia has no friends?

My notoriety spread throughout the school, even the saint and the priests next to her recognized me.

If everyone can recognize me by my black hair…

Hmm… well, this is becoming awkward.

She has a pretty face, exceptional talent in magic.

Moreover, she possesses a considerable amount of mana.

Except for her personality, she can be considered versatile.

So, people probably kept their distance from her for various reasons starting from her hair color.

Therefore, she must have been exhausted mentally and physically.

But, Elisha and the others will surely help her with that. They are all good kids.

And I’ll help from the side too.

Anyway, there are cases where one suffers due to hair color.

I do feel sorry towards Silia and Ian for that.

However, Bern didn’t do it because he liked it.

As I watch Silia conversing with others, suddenly, whether she felt my gaze or not.

She abruptly turned her back and our eyes met.

“Hey, why are you staring? It’s annoying.”

Well, even if she says that.

It’s getting better little by little.

“Hmph,” Silia turns her head away again.

Well, things are improving, right?

“….”

It still seems like there’s a long way to go.

Nevertheless, she doesn’t seem to be in a bad mood.

The chilly morning comes to an end, and lunchtime begins to approach.