Opportunity (1)
Apart from his Faith stat going up, Grace's bodyguard assignment was settled. Arthus explained in detail how the protection duty would work. Normally, a bodyguard had to stick by their charge's side except when sleeping, but Sivar's role was a bit different. They'd aim to avoid encroaching on personal time as much as possible, or so he said. It felt less like formal protection and more like keeping an eye on Grace until she recovered her strength.
Sivar figured getting closer to Grace wouldn't hurt, so he accepted without issue.
"I'll provide support whenever you need it. Is there anything specific you want?"
"Sweet stuff."
"A dagger? Are you talking about a dagger?"
"No. Sweet stuff. Candy. Cake. Ice cream. That kind."
"······?"
Arthus's expression turned strange at the request for sugary treats. He looked like he was questioning if he'd heard right.
Sivar didn't need anything right now. Money? He could hunt in the Chaos Forest and make plenty. Food was covered too—Lord and Kara were providing for him, so starvation wasn't on the table. Snacks were another story, though. Relying solely on Kara wasn't ideal, even if she was footing the bill. Lord flat-out refused sweets.
Time for a new sponsor.
"Brother Sivar, too many sweets can cause cavities. Moderation is key with everything."
"Uh······ Saintess? You're talking about actual sweets, right?"
"Yes. Brother Sivar loves sweets a ton."
"Hmm······"
Arthus let out a groan after grasping the situation from Lize's explanation. His face screamed disbelief.
Sivar got it—totally understandable. But he had no immediate expenses. Did he even need money? Normally, medical bills and potions would drain his wallet dry. That's why Ellie was a balance-breaker. But Sivar? Potions were irrelevant; he healed naturally. Even teeth regrew if knocked out. End of story.
"Understood. We'll support you through Grace. Anything else? We can provide weapons too."
"Nah, I'm good."
He already had endgame-spec gear. It'd serve him well until the trip to Tatar.
Arthus fidgeted anxiously when Sivar said no. Probably because he had nothing concrete to offer in return.
Really, what do I do when I don't need anything?
The trial for the violence was blocked by the Berche Duke's influence too. Academy politics and faction interests aligned on that. His suspension would end after the weekend anyway. Then he'd start bodyguard duty for Grace. No need for extra rewards from the Berche family. He hadn't done it for payback.
"Hmm······ I'll think on it slowly. If you need anything, contact us through Grace."
"Yeah."
"Thank you again. We truly appreciate you saving Grace."
Arthus stood, bowing deeply. The guy was straight-laced—perfect upbringing. Nobles often looked down on others, especially a rootless wildman like Sivar. But as the proverb went, ripe rice bends low. He fit it to a T.
Usually, I'd have seen a character like this in Soul World, so why didn't I?
Maybe some event cut his story short. Memory wasn't perfect, so who knew.
With Arthus gone, the bodyguard matter wrapped up. Now, just lounging in the dorm over the weekend. Lize kept him company, so boredom wasn't an issue.
Knock knock knock.
He was debating joining Lize for stretches when another knock came, about ten minutes after Arthus left. Sivar and Lize, mid-split, turned toward the door.
"Saintess, a student named Luna is here to see you. Shall I let her in?"
The guard stationed at Sivar's dorm door. Sivar glanced at Lize. Right—Luna was scheduled for lessons with her every weekend. This time, the incident kept Sivar around. Lize must've told her.
Otherwise, no way she'd show up at a guarded dorm like his.
Fwoom!
A small explosion erupted right after the guard spoke. Smoke billowed, a massive shadow within. As it cleared, a muscle-bound giant appeared—not her saintly form, but full muscle mode.
"Yes, that's fine."
[Understood.]
Creeeak—the door opened slowly after Lize's approval.
A familiar face stood there. Luna peeked in awkwardly, gauging the mood before slipping inside. Spotting their splits, she blinked.
"······What're you doing?"
"Splits for flexibility. Great for mana circulation and injury prevention."
"Uh······"
Luna rolled her eyes at Lize's explanation, glancing at Sivar—also in a near-180-degree split. What a bizarre scene.
She snapped out of it quick, though.
"So, test time today too?"
"Yes. Let's pass lightly this time."
"······Doubt it."
The test? Everyone knew: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats.
Sounds easy? Athletes could manage. But Lize demanded perfection—no slop allowed. Especially with muscles. Brutal standards.
No wonder Luna complained of soreness.
But results were guaranteed.
Good thing I skip it.
Sivar knew muscle use, didn't need to build more. Daily light exercise with Lize was maintenance. Even he lost muscle without it—reflected in Soul World.
"Then······ begin!"
"Hup!"
Push-ups first. Perfect form, clean pace. She'd prepped all week—easy pass. Even if she slipped, she'd grit through.
"Again. Form slipped."
"Yes!"
Sivar watched quietly. Barely started, yet sweat beaded on Luna's forehead, dripping from her sharp nose tip to the floor, wetting it gradually.
"Again."
"Ugh······!"
She hit 90, then reset. Lize advised using chest muscles too, not just arms.
Oh, and mana use was allowed now. Still struggling? Standards were insane.
"99······ 100! Haaah!"
"Good work."
About 30 minutes later, push-ups done. She collapsed at 100.
Face drenched.
"Next, sit-ups."
"··· ···"
Push-ups over, not the full set. Luna staggered up, looking wrecked—but eyes burned. Frail exterior hid a stubborn streak. Endurance for days.
"······Sivar doesn't have to?"
Sneaky, trying to drag him in. Annoyed at his spectating?
As Sivar blinked internally, Lize eyed him. Muscle form made her intimidating.
"Brother Sivar's fine. He knows usage, body near-perfect."
"··· ···"
"Curious? Wanna feel?"
"Y-Yes?! N-No?!"
Luna blanked, then startled. Sudden touch invite? Panic mode.
"Only with Brother Sivar's okay."
"N-No, it's fine! I've seen Sivar's body before······!"
Luna waved it off frantically. Sounded loaded to outsiders.
She meant his wild days—sackcloth only.
Lize looked surprised, then smiled and nodded.
"Close like that? Got it."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Rest enough—next up."
Misunderstanding piled on, but Lize moved on. Luna grimaced briefly, then groaned into sit-ups.
"Heuk······ Heuk······"
"Good job. Much slower than last time."
About an hour total to finish everything. Luna collapsed post-training, panting hard. Sweat-soaked shirt clung, outlining curves sharply.
"Breathing steady—energy left, huh?"
"Heuk······ Is······ that······ so?"
Implying she passed out before? Likely half-true.
She sat up slowly once recovered. Sweat poured like rain, sticking hair to face. Hard worker—admirable.
"Now, flexibility check?"
"······Huh? Not done?"
"Quick check. Inspired by Brother Sivar's splits."
But Luna's ordeal continued. Lize beckoned her to split.
Luna hesitated, then eased into it. Gym clothes helped.
"Whoa."
Her flexibility? Awful. Legs barely past 100 degrees. Serious issue.
"······Need flexibility work too. My oversight."
Lize hadn't accounted for it—face grave. Luna knew her flaw, blushing faintly.
"Brother Sivar, help Luna? Mutual aid works best."
"Sure."
Kindness time. Sivar stepped up as requested.
First: facing each other for assisted splits. He'd press with his legs.
"Brother Sivar, push with both feet. Luna, speak if it hurts. Got it?"
"Yes."
Sivar gripped her hands, set. Luna braced, dead serious.
Should I mess with her a bit?
Prep done, he pushed. Legs parted slowly. Luna grimaced, endured—then,
"W-Wait. Hurts······"
Right before "hurts," Sivar "slipped," pushing harder. Legs near 150 degrees. Still short, but.
"KyaAaAaH!"
Scream, not complaint. Sivar held firm.
"L-Let go! Let go! LET GO!!"
"Didn't say hurts."
"It hurts! Hurts! Let go now!"
Finally released. Luna clutched her throbbing groin, writhing.
Pain-twisted Luna? Kinda fun. The torment urge hit.
"Ughhh······"
"Hurts?"
"Go die, you jerk······"
Leave her alone for a bit.