Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Spirits Represent People's Emotions
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A week had already passed.
As far as classes went, it was the start of week two. My body was gradually adjusting to life at the academy, but...
...no matter how I looked at it, I just couldn't get used to this.
I'll pass. The last thing I want is spoilers from the Sage after finally meeting him. Do you have any idea how much time I've sunk into this game? I'm not getting played like that.
Oh? Info on the Saintess, maybe?
"I already knew that."
I let out a sigh at the status window floating there the moment I opened my eyes in bed this morning, same as always.
Good thing no one else can see this. A flashy heart-shaped icon was dancing across the screen, yet the Light Hero sleeping next to me didn't even glance at it. Staring too long would give anyone a headache.
"What're you doing, Licht? Talking to yourself all of a sudden."
Whoops, almost slipped into informal speech.
I really shouldn't. My emotions must've been all over the place lately.
"Just bored, that's all. Aren't you meeting up with Ariel, Kainel?"
"I'm heading out now—she said something about grabbing food together, so she went ahead."
"Have a good one. See you in the lecture hall later."
Yeah, better if I make myself scarce. No interest in cockblocking their date. Sorry, but I'm no third wheel in someone else's love line.
I waved goodbye to the stray mutt as he left through the door. The metallic clank echoed behind him.
Then I pulled out my notebook.
"...No matter how much I dig, nothing else shows up."
I couldn't shake the unease from that status window message. Just looking at Professor Beatrice, there were way too many unpredictable elements.
A scholar attacking a Fox Slime? Hope that doesn't make the papers.
'Maybe check among the clergy. Not the First Saintess... and I don't know what this one looks like.'
I flipped through the pages several times. Then my hand stopped.
'Platinum Wolf.'
That unfilled blank name stared back at me again. I bit my lower lip.
I'm not ready to track her down yet.
"...Is she somewhere else?"
Dizziness hit me hard. I sighed, closed the book, and rubbed my temples.
Even the Northern Archduchess—no rumors of her among the freshmen.
She's probably fending off monster hordes up north right now. Someone's endless ramblings about her backstory came to mind, drilling it into my ears until they bled.
"..."
I glanced at the transparent window hovering in front of me.
The status window won't spill the beans. What game kindly points out the path to a hidden ending?
Can't rely on it too much, but can't ignore it either. There were NPCs in the game that data mining couldn't even uncover.
"Guess I need to walk it off and think."
Nothing clears the head like a breath of fresh air. I grabbed my sword and got ready to head out.
"This thing's about to snap soon. Should get it repaired when I have time."
A crack in the blade caught my eye.
Even two bodies wouldn't be enough for all this. Who's gonna watch the love lines for me?
I started walking. Plenty of time before morning lecture.
I wandered aimlessly around the academy grounds. Something had to trigger an event, right?
That's when I spotted a familiar face. Nailed it.
"Shar, you like my spirit that much?"
"Of course! It's a phoenix from the Aureus family, after all."
"Glad you think so... but it's so tiny."
"Size doesn't matter for spirits. It's the heart that counts."
Two figures sat pressed together on the terrace.
A purple sparrow perched on the woman's hand, nuzzling her cheek affectionately.
'Who's that...?'
The purple-haired man gave me a sense of déjà vu.
A rival player character from Knight Heart.
Nex Aureus.
Players called him the Purple Fox more than Phoenix.
His spirit was powerful, and his inscrutable nature—deceptive, silver-tongued—made him stand out among the cast.
He was supposed to be a playboy. But these two looked like a couple straight out of a rom-com, sparks flying.
Am I seeing things?
"No lecture today, Nex?"
"Took a personal day to see my Shar. It's advising period—skipping's fine."
"...I'll scold you if you do. Hmph."
"Ow, how's a cleric's fist so heavy?!"
The guy I knew always had a truckload of women. That's why I sidelined him when plotting love lines.
Yet here he was, happily chugging a drink after taking a hit to the back from her. Totally bizarre.
Wait—did she just say...?
'Cleric.'
She looks like a vampire no matter how you slice it. Red eyes glowing, pointed ears, long black hair. Textbook traits.
Well, there are wolf-eared healers. Whatever.
"Shar, actually, today is a free period. Professor's out on a trip."
"You're way too good at lying. Bad habit."
"Sorry. So no holy power punches, okay?"
"I'll think about it."
And that casanova's using a pet name. His voice drips honey every time he says 'Shar.' He doesn't even memorize girls' names normally.
'Hmph, wench. What business brings you here?'
That haughty tone still echoed in my head. Same guy? Night and day. Even his VA voiced him ice-cold.
I crossed my arms, hand to my mouth. Felt like something from my earlier notes.
'Ah, could this be...'
This morning's message resurfaced. Someone not in Knight Heart.
'If my memory's right...'
That nun might be why Nex turned into such a wastrel.
But my info's too thin. Kainel and Ariel are in class; for now, I'll observe these two.
They'll be fine without me. Kinda sad how there's no one to help me out. I sat nearby, far enough not to be spotted.
'With a status window right in front of you, link up the couple to see the Saintess's happy ending!'
Who'd buy that? Lucky if they don't call me crazy. I chuckled dryly.
"Oh, Nex. Got something to tell you."
"What is it, Shar?"
"My little bro from childhood just enrolled here!"
"Freshman, then. Too far into electives to cross paths."
Nex crossed his legs, looking suspicious, like he had an inkling.
"Super cute kid! You might know him—he's kinda famous..."
"What's the name?"
"Probably using an alias, Mardol? Wears unique armor, easy to spot."
"Hmm, might make him harder to find."
Shar beamed beside him.
'Alias, huh...'
Ugh, the crown prince again. This guy's got way too much favoritism from the devs.
"That him? Black helmet over there? Been staring since earlier."
"Nah, not him. He wouldn't wear something so uncool."
What's wrong with a Black Knight? I furrowed my brow inside the helmet.
Nex notices everything, huh? Busted.
"Student in crystal armor."
"Ah, that one. Kinda remember seeing him as a kid. Through the family head."
"He was so bright back then..."
"Yeah. Must be about ten years ago."
They looked wistful, lost in memories.
Watching that scene, my situation turned dire.
'Gotta figure out how to derail this route.'
Get any more involved, and I'll flag myself. Overhearing the protagonist's backstory?
Crown prince route locked in. Devs would notice.
'You're the only one who understands me, milady!'
Lupus confessing to the heroine popped into my head.
Horrifying. Too early to abandon the Saintess route. No one else in my heart.
Unless the Platinum Wolf likes someone. My plan's all about her happiness.
Not every route ends in romance. Emotions can't be forced.
That's love.
I don't think blindly following the game story wins every heart.
Knowing someone's crush doesn't guarantee a confession lands. Even I, with zero real dating experience, know that.
Learned a bit from the Nameless Saintess's favorite books.
[...Please don't go spreading rumors I read romance novels. Sir Knight.]
That's why I cringe at haremlord protagonists with loose screws. Plot logic's there, but no emotional depth.
If you're gonna chase love, at least put in the effort.
I leaned back in the chair. Fatigue set in.
"Um... sir? Would you like to order?"
"Ah, sure."
The server approached as I squeezed my eyes shut. Helmet hides everything, good.
Alright. Decision made.
An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.
A route for a route.
"Do you have the 'beverage that turns from ash-gray to gold' here by any chance?"
"Sir? We don't sell anything like that."
"Too bad. The ingredients are finicky, sure."
The server gave a blank look, like I'd spouted nonsense.
"The egg of a phoenix that won't awaken—I figured it'd be common enough."
Didn't matter. It was bait from the start.
"...What did you say?"
Jackpot. The fox's smirk vanished, face frozen in disbelief. Perks of knowing affinity choices.
"Nex? What's wrong?"
"Hold on, Sharutineth. Be right back."
Nex Aureus stood and headed my way, steps quickening.
Never thought he'd hear that outside the family.
It's a jab at current head Asha Aureus.
'Asha Aureus's Side Story DLC: Love Awakens, Hair Turns Gold.'
Secret to most. One of the Ten Heroes couldn't awaken her spirit.
Girl with ash-gray hair—family on brink of ruin from dormant phoenix. Player saves her in ancient backstory.
Boost affinity in extra content, her hair strands turn gold, eventually mastering spirits like in main story.
To a Saintess fan like me, it was DLC trash. Who knew skimming post-game forums would pay off.
Screech—the chair in front scraped back.
"Hmph, pleb. Lost your mind? Insult me, and I'd maybe forgive you."
"Halfway there, young master."
"...Know what happens if you slander the Ten Heroes, pleb? Regretting it in front of the Aureus heir...?"
His tone shifted to the one I knew—no more loverboy act.
'Academy doesn't care about status, you know that. Panicking made you slip.'
Now he's acting. Sorry, not buying it. I know Knight Heart characters inside out, including your tells. His eyebrow twitched nonstop.
"Sounds legit, right? Forced marriage to awaken a spirit—says the guy who didn't."
I grinned bitterly inside the helmet. Arranged marriages kill the romance. Straight from the heart—no backlash.
"Not afraid of the living sun? You're insane."
"Don't you think the same?"
"Wh-what? How dare you...!"
"Be honest. The guy who refused the family fortune."
I recalled him telling harem girls to scram since he came with no cash.
They stuck for looks and spirit anyway.
'Character with a backstory, all right.'
Heard the arranged marriage wrecked his life, pushed by the head. Long entry in the setting bible.
"How do you know that...? Wait—who the hell are you?"
"I have my ways. You'd know, being one of the Ten Heroes."
Should clue him in with that sharp eye. Make him think I'm tied to the Sage. If caught, say Drake's disciple.
He dropped the threats, deep in thought.
"...Junior. That just now—was it sincere?"
The fiery noble vanished; back to unfamiliar speech. Guessing 'junior' since we're at the academy.
'Can't let my guard down around this one.'
Intelligence build, as expected. Would've fallen for his tricks otherwise. Answer wrong, and it's game over—rival style. Wish Kainel had half his edge.
"Yes, completely sincere."
"Ha... hahaha!"
Nex's face stiffened at my reply, then broke into a grin.
"...You hate our family head too! First time seeing eye-to-eye with a stranger."
"Not a fan, personally."
"Good—world needs more like you. Got guts, junior."
The fox beamed like he'd found a soulmate.
Ignoring the server, he leaned in close, golden phoenix emblem glinting.
This Purple Phoenix should help derail the route.
Harem smasher, nice work.
[Granasia Empire Patisserie]. In a side alley of the academy, just like Licht,
three figures gathered.
"So, Mardol... why're you here...?"
"Dunno..."
The blond Light Hero and red-haired Blazing Flame Mage stared at the crystal-armored girl.
"Regular."
She'd already cleared multiple plates, mumbling at Kainel's group through her helmet.
Movement stirred inside.
The Light Hero ignored it, turning to his childhood friend.
"...Ariel, what do you want?"
"Something sweet... Huh? Candies are sold out?"
"Here, some left."
She handed a few to the mage. Mardol, like the Black Knight, kept her face hidden.
"Th-thanks, Mardol. You like sweets too...?"
"Yeah. A lot."
"Me too! Any recommendations?"
"This, and strawberry cake."
Guess bonding's all about food.
"Wanna try strawberry cake too..."
"For dessert."
"What for breakfast, then?"
"Sandwich. Recommend one."
Mardol was glued to her now, listing desserts. Ariel looked thrilled, so Kainel just watched.
"Whoa, this is adorable. Bear sandwiches!"
"...Cute."
"But kinda pricey..."
"Buy you one."
"Really...? Let's split it... eat together! Mardol!"
"Sure."
They bought the bear sandwich and split it. Plenty for one.
"Ooh, delicious. Thanks!"
"Yeah."
Ariel nibbled happily like a content squirrel. A glass wall stood beside her.
"Why eat behind glass, though? Like Licht."
"Exposed, weakens."
"Got it..."
The red kitten quizzed Mardol, who hid her face even while sharing food.
She nodded right away. Must have some secret she can't share.
'Seen this somewhere... Ah.'
A nagging familiarity tugged at Kainel's mind. That scene felt oddly familiar.
"Knights give candy as etiquette? That... Mardol?"
He sat, packaging the strawberry cake Ariel eyed.
One missing from this spot.
His roommate, the Black Knight.
"No...?"
"What, Kai?"
The two girls stared, puzzled.
"Nah, just my imagination."
He shook his head.
A guy secret—keep it.
'No way Licht had candy because of Mardol.'
Even he knew that was a stretch. He wasn't that oblivious.
The stray bought a crab salad sandwich and chowed down.