Episode 127
"This example demonstrates a significant correlation between mana and sword energy. Therefore, you should all take note of this..."
Tomorrow is the day the slave market opens, an event that will shake the empire for several days.
It is the only main quest of the second semester and the highlight that will bring the first year to a grand close, finally beginning.
"Yawn..."
"Frey, focus."
Thanks to that, I tried to hide my nervousness by putting on a casual expression and yawning, only to get scolded by Isollet.
"Your swordsmanship grades are at the bottom of the class, and your skills are the worst too. If you don't even listen to the lesson..."
"I'm not interested in swordsmanship. Magic class is a hundred times more interesting, honestly."
At my indifferent response to Isollet, the surrounding nobles started stifling their laughter.
'...I'm serious, though.'
Well, if a worthless swordsman who can't even properly handle a sword keeps going on about magic, I suppose I'd find it pretty funny too.
However, I've already mastered swordsmanship.
So, sorry to Isollet, but I prefer magic class, which helps me utilize the Star Magic I obtained through my recent fortuitous encounter, over swordsmanship class where I already know everything.
- Ding dong dang dong
Lost in thought, the bell signaling the end of class rang.
"That's all for today's class. Those with questions may remain in the classroom."
Isollet, who had been trying to continue the lesson despite the noise from me and the nobles, closed her book as the bell rang and spoke.
- Drdrak!
At that, most of the nobles rose from their seats, while most of the commoners remained seated with wide eyes, staring at Isollet.
"And Frey, you stay as well."
I had been thinking approvingly of those commoners as I rose from my seat, but at Isollet's sharp words, I tilted my head and asked a question.
"Why suddenly..."
"Stay."
But Isollet simply wore a stern expression and said nothing more.
".....?"
Thanks to that, I was momentarily bewildered before scratching my head and sitting back down.
"Professor, there's a part I don't understand about the similarity between mana flow and sword energy flow..."
"To reach the level where one can fluidly transform sword energy, should one train focusing on technique, or should one base it on power?"
"In actual combat against a mage, is it more efficient to cut through magic with sword energy? Or should it only be used as a means of containment..."
Then, the commoners who had remained in their seats began throwing questions at Isollet all at once.
Well, getting direct feedback from Isollet, called the next Sword Saint, I can understand such enthusiasm.
"Do you think it's possible to reach a level where one can imbue magic into sword energy?"
"...Hmm."
She had been kindly answering the commoners for a while, but when someone asked that question, she stopped and fell into thought.
"Chasing a dream, I see."
An ordinary professor would have dismissed it as nonsense.
But Isollet wore a favorable expression toward the student who asked the question and began speaking.
"Thanks to those who dedicated themselves to solving that puzzle, swordsmanship has developed immensely over the past thousand years."
Saying that, Isollet smiled and concluded.
"Therefore, perhaps you, or all of you, might be the ones to solve that puzzle. Then, questions are..."
"...What about you, Professor?"
She was about to declare the end of the question session to the children, but at the question from a student, she looked at them and fell into thought once more.
"I have already hit the wall."
"A wall?"
"Yes. And not just me, but the captain of the Imperial Knights, the Warrior Chief of the Western Continent and the Sword Empress of the Eastern Continent as well. It's a cursed wall that everyone who poured their efforts into swordsmanship over the past thousand years couldn't overcome."
At those words, as the children swallowed, Isollet added in a low voice with a wistful look.
"...But I believe. The hope that someday, my disciples, or among my disciples' disciples, someone will finally appear who can shatter that wall."
Then, silence flowed through the classroom.
'...I can do that, you know.'
Hearing Isollet's speech, I quietly fell into thought.
'Then again, mine is basically a cheat.'
That I can imbue magic into sword energy is thanks to the 'Star Magic' I obtained through a fortuitous encounter in an abnormal way.
In other words, I didn't normally overcome the wall.
But Isollet, who frankly confesses to the children that she's reached the wall now, has the qualities to overcome that wall.
The possibility of rising to a position equal to the Sword Saint who made great contributions to defeating the Demon King a thousand years ago, true to her nickname of the Sword Saint's reincarnation, lies dormant within her.
So, if I proceed with Isollet's awakening quest starting from the second year, she too could sufficiently...
"Then, that's all for today's questions. Everyone except Frey, leave."
Lost in thought, Isollet issued a dismissal order to the students.
"........."
"What are you doing not leaving quickly."
Isollet, who had even sent out the five main heroines who had stayed until the end watching me, finally began speaking to me, now that only she and I remained.
"Are you planning to go to the slave market opening tomorrow?"
"...How do you know about..."
"I'm not a fool, Frey. I know that much information."
Saying that, Isollet began glaring at me piercingly.
"Don't go there, Frey."
"Why shouldn't I? It's not just me going; the majority of nobles in this class will probably participate..."
"...This is your last chance."
Finally speaking in a cold voice, as I frowned, she released killing intent and spoke.
"My first disciple, the first connection I made in my life that had nothing but swordsmanship. And as your homeroom professor at the academy, this is the last chance I'm giving you."
"What happens if I disobey?"
"...From now on, I will be your enemy with all my power."
"You've been hostile from the start, haven't you?"
"I'm saying I will apply political pressure."
Hearing that, I chuckled and said.
"You've already severed ties with your family, and you're going to pressure me? How?"
"There are more ways than you can imagine. So don't regret it later and listen to..."
"Oops."
Isollet was exercising patience with me, but without listening to all her words, I rose from my seat and headed toward the exit.
"Is that your answer."
"Well then, goodbye."
Ignoring Isollet speaking in a trembling voice, I was about to go outside.
"...So the rumor that your body is seriously damaged must be true."
At her words, I stopped in my tracks for a moment.
"You brought this on yourself, Frey."
"...Perhaps."
"Go now."
Staring at my trembling cane, Isollet waved her hand dismissively as if she didn't want to see me anymore.
"...But what illness is it?"
I didn't want to waste mental energy here unnecessarily, so I was about to quickly leave the classroom, but she asked me in a quiet voice.
"None of your business."
I answered her indifferently and muttered as I went outside.
"...Surely she's not worrying about me again?"
Isollet was one of those who worried about me until she died with Serena in the previous timeline.
That's why even if I've thoroughly disappointed her, I can't let my guard down.
If she starts worrying about me again, I could be swept up in her trials.
'That's why... I need to drive a wedge in during this main quest.'
That's why the slave market liberation mission is quite an important turning point for me.
By succeeding in this mission, the story from the first playthrough will change significantly, I'll be recognized as a villain rather than just a scoundrel, and I'll remove the worry from my sister 'Aria.'
Of course, I still have no idea what to do about Klana... but with the sun's mana, strongest against black magic among the three lights' mana, perhaps she can somehow endure.
'...First, I should focus on the current quest.'
Thinking such idle thoughts, I steeled my mind and began walking forward.
"...Young master."
Then suddenly, Kania stopped me from behind.
She must have been waiting beside the classroom for me to come out.
"What's the matter?"
"...Are you alright?"
"Huh?"
But suddenly, Kania started saying strange things.
"From what I see now, young master, you seem heartbreakingly sad."
"What kind of nonsense is that..."
"Surely you haven't been wearing such an indifferent expression all this time, always hiding your emotions?"
What is Kania talking about now? That I'm sad? That I'm hiding emotions?
Right now I'm happy because Isollet won't have to face her trial.
So I'm not sad, and I have no need to hide my emotions...
"You don't need to hide your emotions in front of me anymore. Of course, you don't need to manage your expression either."
"Kania, what on earth are you talking about?"
"Do you really not know what you're saying?"
Saying that, Kania frowned and began muttering.
"...You've become dulled. You've been through too many hardships."
".....?"
As I looked at her tilting my head in confusion, Kania sighed and approached me.
"Let me support you."
"I have a cane so I don't need support..."
"Lean on me."
Finally, Kania began supporting me whether I liked it or not, then smiled and said.
"The cane is good, but please use me sometimes too."
"...Pfft."
At her joke, I burst into laughter, and Kania also smiled as she looked at me.
'I really have grown close to Kania.'
Facing her, I maintained my smile.
Internally soothing my stinging heart.
In front of Kania for some reason, the mask that kept becoming useless, I tried to fix it back on.
Quietly falling into thought.
'...To think she reads all that.'
They say humans are creatures of adaptation.
But even such humans shouldn't adapt to the pain of the heart.
Because the result of adapting to heartache usually manifests as mental illness or violence.
"I'll support you to the dormitory. Let's check tomorrow's plan together there."
"What about the others?"
"Do we have to call them? The two of us are enough for checking..."
But I've already adapted.
So what can I do?
If I whine pitifully about being tired or fall apart, I'm the only one who loses.
That's why.
Trusting my high mental strength, hoping for peace that will come someday.
"We need to check properly."
"Since young master made the plan himself, it will be perfect."
"...Don't be too sure. You'll jinx it."
I will just move forward, and forward again.
Someday, there will be light.
.
At that time, as Frey was heading to the dormitory supported by Kania.
"Everyone, thank you so much!"
Ruby, who had been hospitalized due to the penalty, was now preparing for discharge.
"Don't push yourself too much from now on. You'll collapse again."
"Ruby sis! Take care~!"
Bowing deeply to the hospital staff waving goodbye to her.
"If you feel sick, tell us! If we save up even a little money, we can always call the Saint..."
"N-no! I'm fine!"
At the mention of the Saint, she waved her hands frantically.
"Then, I'll be going!"
Saying that, Ruby left the hospital receiving the warm smiles of the people.
"Well then, slowly..."
She muttered with a smile.
"...It's time to proceed with the main quest."
It was the moment a crack appeared in Frey's perfect plan.
"...Master."
- What is it?
"I'd like to take some time off."
But that was also true for Ruby's plan.
- What? Absolutely not, you rascal!! Didn't I tell you!! There's a Continental Magic Tower exchange meeting soon!! You absolutely cannot miss that...
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
- W-wait...! You rotten...! Why are my disciples all...!
Glare, who had been hiding herself with faint light.
"...This time, I will definitely catch evidence."
From afar, she was glaring at the information window floating in front of Ruby, wrapped in her robe.