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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Coincidence and Fate Aren't Really That Different.
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***
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Kainel had always considered himself different from others.
After being chosen by the Light Holy Sword, he might have been swollen with pride.
And this was the result.
'I can do it without using mana.'
He thought as he gazed at the countless coin fragments scattered across the floor today. Come to think of it, it had been the same with the Shadow Wolf before.
Because of the past, he'd almost held back on using the holy sword. That would have been a disaster. Honestly, he'd grown arrogant thinking he'd gotten stronger.
He had a pretty childhood friend by his side, and after going through some really tough times, he'd overestimated his power.
A body that didn't use mana was far too weak.
The Black Knight didn't seem to use magic either, yet how did he wield the sword so masterfully?
"Licht, why are you so strong?"
"Me, sir?"
After lectures ended, we stopped while walking side by side on the way back to the dorms. Brown eyes glowed from within the helmet.
"I worked hard because I had something I wanted to achieve."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I wanted to make unhappy people happy."
"That person from before, right?"
"Pardon?"
A beautiful white-haired woman. Digging through old memories, I spoke up.
Then Licht's steps grew unnatural. His left foot and left arm moved forward together. Like a creaking wind-up doll.
"It is her."
"Ah... no... it's... not..."
A reaction anyone would see as confirmation.
He's so easy to read, yet who captured this Black Knight's heart? Someone like Ariel to me, maybe. That would explain why he'd grown so strong.
I felt a strange sense of kinship, and a slight smile tugged at my lips.
"I saw you glancing around the lecture hall earlier, looking for someone. Dude."
"...Me? No way."
"Guess I don't need to tell you about spotting someone who looks like her then?"
"Where did you see her!"
I suddenly felt like teasing him.
The one who knew Shadow Wolf habits well. The Black Knight who'd tried to advance things between me and Ariel. And Licht, who shared my lectures. They all felt like different people.
"Sorry, just kidding."
"Save that for Miss Ariel."
"Nah, she'd hurl a fireball at me right away."
"She'd have every reason to."
We could exchange silly jokes like this—didn't that make us friends? I pondered for a moment.
"Licht."
"Yes?"
Just like he had. I wanted to grow strong to protect Ariel too. Right now, I was too weak to be her hero alone.
"Mind if I train swordsmanship with you?"
Kainel decided to push forward a little more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The swordsmanship training grounds of Grand Hearts Academy.
Weapons of all kinds adorned the walls, and dozens of protective magic circles were etched into the gleaming floor—an educational space.
There stood the hero and the Black Knight.
'What the hell is this now?'
No, I'd just barely escaped training with my master and that heated reunion. Now sword training with the blond hero?
My route's in danger... But it wouldn't trigger a favorability check.
A random event? Arms crossed, I mulled it over.
"In exchange, join Miss Ariel in the magic club."
"What...? I'll talk to her about it."
Thinking of the companion route in my head, I replied. Now he'd have no choice but to help from the sidelines.
No loss for me. A strange look crossed Kainel's face, like he sensed something off.
'Just that?' His expression said, but I needed you two to hook up quick. Nothing more.
I pulled a sword from the rack.
Oh, this one's in great condition. Wonder if I can take one.
"Just one thing."
"What?"
"Give it your all."
"I already am."
The blond hero steeled himself. Wrong mindset, though. I shook my head.
"You don't need raw power. Protecting people does."
"Then what do I need?"
"Make sure you leave no regrets."
"...I see."
He looked like he finally got it. Someone insanely dedicated to something is scarier than the overwhelmingly strong.
I was the latter type, so I'd worked hard.
'That's how I took down the Demon King before.'
No matter how much advanced swordsmanship I taught Kainel, his issue wasn't combat prowess.
It was his indecisiveness and overreliance on the Light Holy Sword.
'Detects beings with malice—way too OP, right?'
He didn't know its flaws yet. That was one reason the community called him a naive calf.
How many posts titled [Poor Kainel Betrayed Again Today] had I seen? My smile faded.
Like Pavlov's dog, he judged by whether the sword trembled first.
Trusted anyone, got backstabbed.
The detection seemed flawless, but it didn't work on Demon Kings.
Even that legendary Dennis drowned in booze because of it. To hunt them, you'd need to reassemble the Ten Heroes.
And another flaw.
"I'll swing at you—activate your holy sword."
"You sure? You seem to know something."
"They can't get in here. All these magic circles."
If it was those cultists, invading the academy was suicide. How many heroes who'd sent them to their graves taught here?
"Let there be light."
A glow emanated from Kainel's holy sword.
"Here's a question."
"What now."
"Is this—right now—an act of 'malice'?"
Like Drake, I flicked a few coins at him quickly.
Ting. Clang.
Channeling mana through his body, he sliced the coins—unlike in class.
"Who knows."
He pondered, staring at the fragments clinking on the floor.
"The Light Holy Sword has weaknesses."
"Who the hell are you really? Traitor? Double agent?"
"Call me your mortal enemy. For now."
I sighed. Nearly said something that'd trigger him. Better not dig into his past more.
"It only judges malice toward 'itself,'
and it doesn't work on lunatics."
"What?"
Mention Demon Kings to the hero's face, and I'd be dragged to the inquisitors by morning. Vaporized for the empire's peace.
Tone it down for now.
"How do you know that?"
"Think about it—it's weird. A weapon like that."
"It's the Light Holy Sword? Isn't it an artifact like a masterpiece?"
"No, that's not the issue. Human emotions aren't simple, right?"
I sighed. I'd shown plenty of proof, yet...
"Mr. Kainel, do you trust a sword you've never seen shaking like crazy?"
"It chose me. Even with the Shadow Wolf..."
"Weapons can't be your judge. Unless flawless—which it's not. What if Ariel's in danger and it doesn't react like this?"
I picked up a bisected coin and held it out. No malice in the attack, so no response—but it was still dangerous enough.
"...You're right, Licht."
Kainel broke into a cold sweat. What's the point of OP gear if it holds you back?
The hero must wield the holy sword. Not the other way around.
But the Kainel I'd watched had it backward.
'Probably why he fled from Magic Hat.'
The fallen route Kainel was praised for his decisiveness, but Saintess conditions limited info.
"At least trust people more. So many good ones out there."
Like that nameless wolf healer somewhere.
Conversation done, we assumed stances.
I signaled with my eyes,
and the two swordsmen clashed.
"Got it—now I'm holding my own!"
"You really think so?"
I crossed swords with Kainel. The power gap had closed. Lacking real combat experience, yet a hero's a hero. Almost unfair.
Regretted showboating with advice a bit.
'But it made the game fun.'
I curved my lips into a smile.
Talking with him. Sparring like this. Training him.
All scenes I'd only read as text.
As a Knight Heart player, could there be greater joy?
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Two more hours passed, and we left the training grounds exhausted.
"Aww, man!! Just a bit more and I'd have won!"
"It's not about winning or losing. It's training."
"No way—even used Shine Strike, Licht. How'd you block it?!"
"Secret."
Salty about losing last, he grilled me on my trick. He'd learn after a few hikes with old man Drake. I sighed softly.
"So, how was it?"
"Not flinching is good in a fight."
"Any easy way?"
"Hmm. Get chased by a bear? Or spar death matches with a Grand Sword Master."
My own experience, all from master's training. Kainel, roll like that and you'd be weird if you didn't get strong.
"What? So you really know Drake?"
"From the same village."
"Where? I'm from Lavrans Village."
"Sprout Village."
We walked the night streets, chatting idly. Is this what friends do? Felt awkward after so long.
Wonder how that guy from the real world was doing.
"Hiiiyaack!!"
Then, a weird scream echoed.
A figure in the direction of the cry.
One woman, two burly men.
Specifically, thugs dragging a red-haired mage by the wrist.
'Here to pick up Kainel?'
It was Ariel.
"No!! I have someone I like!"
"Just hang out a bit. Huh?"
"Academy student, eh? Pretty cute~"
She screamed for help, but academy hours were long over.
No one around unless they'd trained for hours like us.
"Hey, Licht. That's..."
"What're you waiting for? Go."
"Right."
Blond hair flying, Kainel dashed toward her.
Using mana to run that fast. Impressive.
In the original Black Heart route, he'd hesitate seeing no sword reaction.
He was too gentle for that.
Probably just scolded the villains or watched. They'd claim misunderstanding, and the aftermath would've been grim.
But those flags? Removed long ago. That's why I suffered during the carriage incident.
"You crazy? What're you doing to our Ariel?"
"Ka... Kain?"
Kainel snarled, yanking the thugs' wrists.
Like her hero, he stood between her and the men.
With Ariel behind him now, no more harm. Thanks to the Nameless Saintess, I was the guy for Kainel's companion route.
"Who's this blondie?"
"Clothes say academy too."
The thugs didn't budge at Kainel's sudden arrival. Should've run—limbs intact.
"Scary uncles here, kiddo~?"
"What, filming a movie? Uhri uhrel hant muhhu~!"
"Uhhahaha! Kid's gonna cry. Ease up!"
Not grasping the situation, they mocked the hero I'd just fought.
Oh, they crossed the line. Arrogance Kainel hated most. And they touched Ariel.
Sending silent prayers to the extras doomed for the unknown ceiling ending tomorrow,
'Dunce, go bite 'em!'
I recited the community emoticon line.