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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: 2-2. Coincidence and Fate Aren't That Different
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Lunch ended up with Kainel and Ariel joining me. This was the fastest way to raise the Love Meter. But why was I eating with them too?
"So, magic does reflect your mental images, that's true..."
"How cluttered with stray thoughts must your mind be, Ariel?"
"No, when did I—!"
"Probably because it's someone you see often."
"...Helmet guy's mean."
I tied things up before the conversation veered off in a weird direction.
Kainel, dude, too much tsundere medicine can backfire, so ease up. Want another Fire Ball to the face?
'He's still using that nickname.'
It was pushing things forward bit by bit. She was expressing her feelings too, so I'd call this a win.
"Ugh... It could happen when you're casting spells!"
Ariel gulped down her soup in frustration. The setting guide said she didn't eat stuff like this well.
"It was just faces that popped into my head. Ow, hot!"
"Drink some water and eat slowly. Here."
"Be careful."
Spot on. She looked like a red kitten huffing at the hot food nonstop.
Kainel stared at her before handing over a cup of water he'd prepared ahead. See? This is what works. Childhood friends, man.
I almost missed this in [Black Heart]. That lousy sequel came to mind again. Oh, right—I still needed to join a club.
"Thanks."
"You can never handle hot stuff."
"Hehe... Kai's the best!"
She chugged the water. It felt refreshing just watching.
"By the way, Licht. You aren't eating?"
"Oh, for real."
"Can't take off the helmet."
I told the truth. Making excuses here might give away that I'm a possessor. I sighed. I could lift the visor, but...
Hiding this would just flag a reveal later. Gotta be careful. I wanted to keep my identity secret as much as possible. Nosy merchants were the worst.
"Like a cursed item or something?"
"No, more like a bound item. Probably."
I knew it wasn't cursed—I'd been deep in this game long enough.
The helmet's condition was linking love or whatever. I'd worn it for nearly five years with no issues. Surprisingly comfy, too.
"That's wild. Basically an artifact, right?"
"Likely."
"...So that's how you saw through me."
Kainel nodded like he'd figured something out.
Not what you think. Stop. I'm not the hero.
Time to change the subject.
"Anyway, have you all thought about clubs?"
"I'm thinking baking club!"
"Probably swordsmanship."
I sighed the moment I heard that. I had to pair you two up. With all the love lines to handle in this academy. I racked my brain for overlap.
'A good club to stick these two together and raise Love Meters...'
Ah, got one. The club I'd heard I had no mana for hundreds of times, the one I wanted to join—and where the [Knight Heart] protagonist Dennis was advisor.
"...What about the magic club?"
Perfect choice. If I hit protagonist level, it'd solve my issues too. Non-protagonist players were always the ones getting help.
"That professor's class was good. What do you think, Kai?"
"Sounds fine?"
Unlike these guys right in front of me.
I lifted the helmet just enough to eat without showing my face.
Oh, this soup's good. Rich pork flavor.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Welcome, everyone—!"
No, why are you here?
"Academy swordsmanship instructor and Swordsmanship professor, Drake!!"
A boisterous man appeared wielding a long Western-style saber.
'He was the swordsmanship professor?!'
And behind him, from class earlier, was someone I didn't want to run into.
"Welcome to [The Doctrine of the Sword: Sword Studies]!"
In parts 1 and 2, he was just [Swordsmanship Instructor Drake], so I slipped up.
Countless scars on his face. And that sly grin.
My swordsmanship master. Of all the classes left, this was the worst.
'Gotta apply for the magic club...'
Slacking off would screw me. Might not even make dorm curfew. Years of training memories flooded back.
"A healthy body houses a healthy spirit!"
Hate hearing that the most.
He'd drilled me insane. Like the Licht I played, for that job class.
"My catchphrase for years now!"
No wonder it's not popular.
"Kids these days skip physical training!"
Drake was hardcore. The less mana, the better, in his book.
"So today, no mana—just swords!"
That's why he picked me as top disciple right after I showed up with the village chief's letter. Didn't think I'd skip the hidden event item.
Then, Drake pointed at someone in the auditorium.
"You! Blondie!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Name!"
"Kainel!"
Dude had no clue.
You're in for it. This guy's nuts. Run from a bear in the mountains? Swing a sword with your off-hand? He screamed true swordsmen are ambidextrous.
"Front and center, Kainel!"
The hero trudged forward reluctantly.
Wide open space—perfect for swinging. That's why the auditorium.
"See this imperial coin?"
"Yes."
Bronze coin with wolf emblem. He pulled out five.
"I'll toss 'em—cut 'em down!"
"Pardon...?"
Ridiculous order. Kainel's face hardened like it was an insult.
"Any weapon! Even that one on your belt!"
"You'll regret it."
"Love the confidence!"
Tough even with the holy sword. Allowed in academy, though. Inactive, it's just a sharp blade.
"Here goes!"
"Ready."
Bang!
Air burst. Typical. Same training he put me through. I covered my helmet in shame.
"...What was that?"
"Can't tell? Coin toss!"
The coins rocketed toward Kainel, smashing into the wall trailing smoke.
Hissing steam from the coins.
His aim missed people perfectly.
Bullet speed. How many could handle that?
"...One more, please."
Sudden twist shook Kainel's eyes. His hands trembled slightly.
Wrong. He's scared.
"Spirit's good! But your eyes are dead!"
"I'll draw my sword this time."
"Won't change much!"
Drake grinned slyly.
"Again!"
"Yes!"
Fail again.
Still, Light Hero. Won't quit.
"Again, please!"
"Good!"
Fail.
"Again!"
Finally dropped one.
"One more!"
Barely deflected.
"Again! Pleeease!!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...Is this even possible?"
Kainel collapsed, panting.
12th try, all fails.
He glared up at Drake, frowning. I got that feeling. Like a priest reborn or something.
"Of course! In this big room, someone's gotta!"
Oh no. Bad vibe.
"You! Black Knight helmet! Front and center!"
Drake grinned at me wickedly. Planned this from the start?
Figures—he bragged about teaching me friend-making at the academy.
"Yes."
"Name!"
You know it.
"Licht."
Answered reluctantly. Lie or play dumb? Straight to 12-hour reunion sword hell.
"Great warrior eyes! Won't tire no matter how much you swing!"
You've seen 'em for five years. Now it's "great"?
First meet, you trashed 'em: "What're you gonna do with those dead-fish eyes?!"
I sighed. Play along for now. Magic club app might drag me back to the mountains.
"Just cut 'em?"
"Ten for you!"
Sly grin.
'Show your training, disciple.' Plain on his face. Should I?
Drew my sword. Bit chipped, but fine.
"Here goes!"
Matched his signal, set stance.
Dragon Slayer Drake.
His sword style for flying dragons.
Warrior's first step against the impossible.
Drake Style Form 1.
「Dragon Shadow Slash.」
⟨ Drake Style Form 1 ⟩
Blood rushed from head to body. Focused every nerve. Ten bronze coins flew at me.
Different speeds, paths. Didn't matter.
This technique struck the real through shadows.
Stared ahead silently.
Traced optimal path like lines. Kicked ground. Swept floor. Coins sliced with it. Wind adjusted trajectory.
Seven left—halved twice forward. Grip tightened, sweat beaded.
'Coin, Shadow Wolf—if it has form and shadow, I slice it.'
Five incoming. Angles clashed, shifted. Reached out—no misses. Two more halved. Diagonals shattered—one left.
Final: stabbed down.
Clink—
Shadows all slashed. Twenty halves scattered on floor.
"Impressive! Makes me wanna meet your master!"
"Thank you."
It's you.
"See? Physical training's key to swordsmanship! Rely on mana, and surprises freeze you!"
He clapped in the silent auditorium.
"Great demo, Licht! Amazing skill!"
"I'll head out now."
Drake's face screamed 'Good job, disciple?' as I turned.
No, disaster. Kids don't go 'Whoa, awesome!' anymore.
Didn't notice the dead silence?
"Th-that... actually... worked..."
Kainel's soul half-gone, staring blankly.
Weird vibe. Snap out. Five years slaving under him got me here.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...So that's swordsmanship."
The knight recalled the scene.
Similar coin clinks, but ordered.
'Step forward, sweep shadow.'
'Triple strike follows...'
'Chain slashes.'
'Split two blocking.'
'Last... stabbed it down.'
Golden eyes missed nothing.
Then, murmurs behind.
"What was that swordplay...?"
"Heard of it. Dragon Shadow Slash."
"Him the disciple? That weird helmet Black Knight?"
Two guys whispering.
"No way. Drake doesn't take disciples."
"Won't teach, but too similar."
"Just lucky. If I used mana..."
Other students buzzed, blind to pure sword achievement.
The white-haired girl had long ditched expectations in others.
'I want it.'
Her wolf ears twitched faintly.
Drake's swordsmanship, denied even to her.
The glass knight spotted prey.