Friends (2)
I don't know if you'll remember, but Kara has a unique trait. She's a 'loner' or 'outcast.' Before founding Tatar, Hector ruthlessly destroyed and plundered neighboring countries, his infamy spreading across the world. Even after establishing his nation, that reputation persists, with people calling him a barbarian everywhere. Kara's no different.
As a result, the academy students avoid getting close to her, and Kara lives knowing that. Of course, if anyone crosses the line, she beats them senseless until they can't even speak. That's the main reason her reputation keeps sinking. Anyway, the fact that Kara has no friends and is a total loner remains unchanged. Like a porcupine covered in spines—if animals were metaphors. But porcupines lower their quills for those they trust and have very gentle personalities. Kara's the same.
'And the impact feels pretty good, too.' I chuckled inwardly at Kara, who was rambling on to console me somehow. Of course, acting hurt was just a joke. I already knew her personality inside out—what hurt? I was just messing with her for fun. She'll never know that, though.
"Th-that... candy! I'll give you candy later! So don't be too sad, okay?"
"Yeah."
Now Kara's trying to tame me with candy, it seems. Not bad, though, so I gave a positive reply. Thinking my mood had improved, she let out a sigh of relief. Then she shot a sharp glare at Hector.
Hector was staring at me intently, his face clouded with thought. Had he noticed I was joking?
"...Father."
"What?"
"Just so you know, I have no complaints about him being my friend, got it?"
Kara must have thought Hector was having some unnecessary—or rude—thoughts. She'd met him once when Luna was hospitalized, so they'd probably talked about me. The wildman who entered the academy. Unlike civilized barbarians, someone with no trace of civilization at all.
"I didn't say anything."
But Hector replied as if he had no such thoughts, almost implying you're the one with prejudices. Kara flinched at that and started sneaking glances at me, checking if I understood. Yeah, even to barbarians like the Tatar people, that was a bit...
I mean, I can barely speak properly in the first place.
"...Anyway! He's my friend, so remember that. Got it?"
Kara urgently grabbed my hand and declared it to Hector. Her face was still red as ever. Hector's expression grew subtly strange. He stroked his beard, lost in thought. Simple curiosity, or calculation? Probably the former. Strong-bodied people don't usually overthink, and Hector's physical specs are top-tier in the Soul World.
'Not called the Destruction King for nothing.' In terms of pure destructive power, few can match him—maybe two I can recall. And those two are fitting for the world's strongest, showing just how insane Hector's physical might is. His skill might lag behind Lord, but as a Tatar, his combat prowess is sky-high.
"Well... if that's how you want it, fine. But it'd be better to befriend nobles over commoners. They could help you greatly later on."
"Pass. I don't even want to be near people who flap their loose lips. This guy's better."
"This is advice—nay, a warning. Didn't I teach you? The more allies, the better; the fewer enemies, the better."
Contrary to his looks, Hector's wise. His explanations just lack detail sometimes. He founded the nation because he sensed his people would be wiped out otherwise. Enemies everywhere, after all. Other countries might've been annoyed, but they acknowledged Tatar's geography and individual strengths. A smart move. The problem? It was too rushed. He should've taken it step by step, but he just shoved Kara into the academy. Hence her struggles.
"Who's the one who made those enemies? Don't push the blame on me."
"...I just mean don't make enemies."
"Whatever. I'll judge my enemies myself. For now..."
Kara replied curtly and showed Hector our joined hands.
"You know Sivar's on my side, right? You saw how strong he is."
"......"
"So get out now. I need rest."
"...Fine."
At her request, Hector rose slowly from the chair, exuding the pressure of a mountain rising. He glanced between Kara and me with that subtle expression, then fixed his gaze on me. His glowing green eyes held complex emotions. I just met them steadily.
"See you later."
His gruff voice stuck in my ears. Hector trudged away. Thud! On the way, he lightly tapped my shoulder—loaded with considerable force. It would've hurt a normal person badly. But my body's tough; no issue.
'Guess I'm properly marked now.' Ever since I beat Kara, but today seals it. In Soul World, raising Kara's affinity affects Hector too. Gender splits the reaction: if the protagonist's female like Luna, he smiles warmly. Male? Laser eyes from then on. His only daughter—objectively pretty—gets a guy friend? He'd be weird not to guard. Especially a wildman with top-tier strength; can't blame him for negative interest.
Clunk. As Hector left, the heavy atmosphere lifted. Just Kara and me in the room now.
"Hoo..."
"......"
"...Hey. No, Sivar."
Kara sighed deeply and quietly called my name. Different from her usual 'hey.' I looked at her, and she seemed hesitant, lips fumbling. Her always-confident green eyes were downcast, face slightly flushed.
"...You know what a friend is, right?"
She finally spoke, but her gaze was elsewhere. Embarrassed after saying it herself. A far cry from her usual bravado.
'Was she like this in Soul World too?' Memory's fuzzy, but probably. As princess back home, outcast at academy for being barbarian. Kara can't make friends easily. The more she tries, the more stress piles up. That's why her affinity's easy to raise—but betray her, and she's your worst enemy. Not that I'd ever.
I nodded at her question.
"Know. Yeah."
"What a friend is... Never mind. Asking that sounds stupid."
She started to probe more but chuckled and shook her head. Then she looked up, meeting my eyes. First time staring this close, I think.
"Don't know about the rest, but remember this: Friends can joke, but never betray. Got it?"
I'd heard that in Soul World—when her affinity's high. As princess, she'd seen all the scheming back home. Even glimpses at academy make her hate it.
"Yeah."
"Good. Then promise not to betray. Got it?"
"Pro. mise?"
I tilted my head. No such thing in Soul World. As I puzzled, Kara quietly extended her hand. Plastered arm, but some fist remained. She barely crooked her pinky.
I got the gist.
"Cross your pinky with mine. Means we've promised. Can't break it till death."
She's implanting weird common sense in me. As I just blinked, she yelled urgently, embarrassed.
"J-just do what I say! Before someone sees!"
"Yeah."
Do as she wants for now. Use it later. I hooked my pinky with hers. Felt weird since I broke that arm. Kara smiled softly seeing me obey—not her bright toothy grin, but relieved somehow.
Knock knock. Someone knocked on the door. We turned.
Clunk. Door swung open. Kara hurriedly pulled away. Not Hector who'd just left.
Who, then?
"Ah! Sivar's here too?"
"You...?"
Totally unexpected person. Kara sounded dazed too.
Brown bob fitting perfectly, sparkling golden eyes. Exceptionally prominent chest.
"El. lie?"
Ellie visiting Kara's room. Not Luna, so even more surprising. She glanced between us, walked in lightly, and asked brightly.
"Why're you here, Sivar? Weren't you resting?"
"That's what I wanna ask. Who're you here for?"
Kara asked sincerely. Ellie's visit was unforeseeable. Luna had chatted a few times, so okay—but Ellie? Barely interact, strangers outside Luna's visits.
"Me? Obviously for Kara. Watched your duel."
"So that's why?"
"Yeah. Late 'cause I watched Luna's too. Oh! Luna's tired, resting before visiting."
Nicely shared Luna's status. Right, Luna had a duel too. Should be awkward, but Ellie's cheer kept it light. Kara hesitant but not uncomfortable. Lacks tact sometimes, but good heart.
"But why're you visiting Kara?"
Ellie eyed me curiously. I answered steadily.
"Friend."
"Friend? Who?"
"Ka. ra."
"Kara?"
Ellie looked at Kara. Kara scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Said sorry for hitting me. Thinks of me as friend."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
I nodded firmly—no room for misunderstanding. Ellie beamed and strode over.
Squish. She hugged my head hard. Sitting, it buried in her chest. Stunned by the suddenness, she praised in a touched tone.
"Good job! Friends should be like that. You're so sweet, Sivar."
"......"
All good, but can you let go? Too soft to complain, though. How's a body softer than a bed? No wonder Porori used it as cushion. Wanted to savor longer.
"...Hey. Let go already. He'll suffocate."
Kara warned from behind, voice low with discomfort. Ellie gently released. Regrettable; wanted more. She'd comply if asked, but Kara'd get upset. Later, then.
"Wanted to give candy, but none now. Didn't expect you here."
"Whatever. Why're you here? 'Watched duel' doesn't explain."
As Ellie apologized, Kara cut in. Ellie replied from behind me.
"Kara knows Sivar lacks common sense, right? Here to explain he meant no harm."
She kneaded my cheeks. I leaned back, using her chest as pillow. Indescribable comfort. So relaxing.
Kara eyed me, chuckled, then dismissed incredulously.
"Harm? You wouldn't get how much he teased me. Whoever taught him did great."
"Huh? Sivar teased you?"
"Yeah. Called me weak, said I'd lose."
"Weird. Lord and I never taught that..."
Ellie stepped back, came to my side, faced me. Normally looking down, but chest blocked view.
Poke. Poke. Why poke cheeks? She prodded as eyes met. I stared blankly. She giggled, returned behind.
Squish squish. Kneading again. Hooked now. Win-win: I get pillow, she gets cheeks.
"Maybe learned from classes. Hope not bad stuff."
"......"
Kara looked stung, eyes darting away. Teasing was self-taught, but hits her hard.
"...Anyway, here to apologize? You're his guardian too."
Quick topic shift. Ellie nodded.
"Yeah. I insisted bringing forest Sivar. Feels like my fault if he causes trouble."
"Hm... I see."
Kara looked convinced. Fair from Ellie's side. Luna was skeptical at first too—no words even. But Ellie insisted people should live humanely, stubborn. Fought Porori that way. So she'd feel responsible for my antics. Shares with Lord, but same.
'Someone'll exploit that.' Gotta watch. Porori guards, but not always. Ellie's death-prone in Soul World despite balance—sometimes absurdly.
"I'm fine, no need responsibility. Like you—sane-headed."
"Really? Good. Then take this?"
Ellie sighed relief, offered small vial. Cylindrical glass with red liquid.
"Recovery potion. I made it."
"Thanks. Drink now?"
"No. Effects reduced post-treatment. Wait a day."
"Got it. Thanks. Oh."
Kara set it on drawer, remembered something. Told Ellie still kneading my cheek.
"I'm becoming Sivar's guardian too. Note that."
"Huh?"
"Gonna be. No Lord permission, but basically already am."
"What...?"
Ellie stammered, shocked. Kara explained casually.
"You know I train him?"
"Heard from Luna."
"Your words make me feel responsible. If he hurts someone with my techniques, sorry."
"No need to be guardian..."
"Need. More guardians better, right?"
"...Yeah."
More people to clean my messes—good. Lord'd clutch neck more, though.
Ellie reluctantly agreed; Kara grinned, wrapped up.
"Take care. Visiting Lord's office this weekend probably. See then."
"Got it. Take care, Kara."
"Call me sis."
"Can I, sis?"
"Didn't expect casual from you."
Kara chuckled, unbothered.
"Anything to watch with him?"
"Nah. Train weekends. You're combat-related, so tell him not to misuse."
"If someone insults Sivar?"
Kara's tone sharpened. She beats racists calling her barbarian. Academy rules strict on discrimination—her violence ruled self-defense, mutual fault otherwise.
"Taught that. Can hit discriminators."
"Whoa."
Kara admired, paused clapping for arm. Smiled genuinely.
"Like you. Thought you'd say endure blindly."
"Denies academy purpose. Uneducated don't belong."
"Yeah. Refreshing unlike Luna."
Hm. Right? I pondered as Ellie kneaded. 'Would've gone weird without me.' But they click; get along fine. I'll just follow story as always.
"Why keep poking cheeks?"
"Hm? Oh, this? Super soft, dunno why. Sis, try?"
"Not see my arm? He did this."
"Oops. Sorry."
Thus, the girls bonded; duel event over. Eventful, but sweet weekend after long toil. Weekends mean word study—relaxing. But interrupter came.
"Mind if I come in?"
"Long as nothing breaks."
"That might be tough."
The Destruction King visited.