Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Everyday Happiness
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After that day, I no longer rejected the kindness coming my way.
I was simply soaking in the little joys of daily life with my whole body.
"Anis! Wanna swing by the cafe?"
"Yeah."
"No Americano again today?"
"...Yeah."
Heading to school with Yoon Na-rin and stopping by a cafe.
"Oh, the back row's empty!"
"We can nap without anyone noticing."
Arriving in the classroom and getting excited over the empty back seats.
"What the heck, why's there so much veggies!"
"Anis is pretty picky with side dishes, huh."
"You're the weird one for eating everything without complaining."
"Na-rin eats without picking too?"
"Exactly, Anis. Heroes shouldn't be picky eaters."
"...What does that have to do with anything..."
Having silly chats over lunch with Yoon Na-rin and Han U-sol.
"Heroes and side dishes—what's the connection? If it doesn't taste good, I ain't eating it!"
"That's right! Reisi, you're the only one who gets it!"
Reisi, passing by behind us, chimes in with her two cents.
"Where's next period?"
"Practical training in the arena."
"...Whose class is it?"
"Teacher Rockbell."
"Ah, that bald guy."
Chatting about the next class after lunch.
"Reisi! Just throw the dagger!"
"Huh!? Wouldn't that count as a ranged attack!?"
"You can throw daggers!!"
"Really!?"
Teaching Reisi dagger techniques during practical class.
"Take this! You cowardly ranged punk!!"
"That's it, Reisi!!"
"Throwing daggers is still ranged!!"
"Ow, hot!! I surrender!!"
Cheering as Reisi spars with Yoon Na-rin.
"Arsenal's done for this season."
"What the hell, you bastard!?"
"Man City's winning again."
Occasionally chatting soccer with Han U-sol.
"You son of a—!!"
"C-calm down, Anis!"
Yoon Na-rin holding me back as I lunge at an excited Han U-sol.
"Heading to the vending area—want anything?"
"Macaron."
"Na-rin's... asleep."
"Get macarons."
"Got it."
Occasionally sending Han U-sol on snack runs.
"I'm hitting the training grounds after class—you guys?"
"Should we go too? What do you think, Anis?"
"Yeah, let's go. Reisi, wanna join?"
"Huh? Sure, why not."
Heading to the training grounds together after Acamedy Academy lets out.
"First place me, second Anis. Third Reisi, fourth Na-rin."
"Ah, no fair! I'm a ranged magic user! The bet was unfair from the start!"
"Losers don't get to complain. Now go buy that coffee!"
"Enjoy."
"Anis, you too..."
Making coffee bets at the training grounds.
"But why haven't you used that wish coupon?"
"Uh, yeah? ...Later. I'll use it later."
"Wish coupon? What's that about?"
"We bet on one last time. She still hasn't cashed it in."
"Gasp...! You pervert! What are you planning to do to Anis...!"
"N-no, it's not like that!! Don't say stuff that can be misunderstood, Reisi!"
"Ahaha! He called you a pervert!"
Yoon Na-rin bursting into laughter at Reisi teasing Han U-sol.
"See ya."
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
Parting ways with Han U-sol and Reisi, heading back to the dorms with Yoon Na-rin.
"Anis, let's meet early tomorrow morning and hit the cafe."
"Yeah."
Promising tomorrow as we part before entering the dorms.
This,
I thought,
must be the happiness of everyday life.
Something I'd never felt in my previous life.
Screeech—click.
I closed the door and entered my room.
"......"
I have a worry.
Well, not a serious one.
Maybe someone else would think it was, but anyway.
After the rooftop incident, I decided not to run away anymore.
[No matter what anyone says, we're 'friends'!]
Those words that shook my heart.
Yoon Na-rin had said it without knowing why I was keeping my distance, but it still gave me strength.
It sounded like it didn't matter if I belonged to this world or not.
Even thinking about it now made tears want to well up unbidden.
And I made a vow.
No matter what anyone says, I'll pursue the happiness I want here.
Throw off the traumas of my past life, make normal friends, become a hero, and save someone.
But.
That sentence. That's the problem.
It won't disappear.
Normally, after a resolve like this, it should quietly fade away, right? That's the classic plot beat.
Why keep tormenting someone trying to start fresh?
Of course, seeing it didn't hit me as hard as before—no mental breakdown. Yoon Na-rin's words meant that much to me.
If I had to compare, it's like deciding to move to a new place, stepping in full of excitement and anticipation, only for a cockroach to scuttle out and greet you.
You can't help but freak out.
"Anis, what's wrong?"
Yoon Na-rin looked at me as I stopped walking.
"...Nothing. Let's go."
I said that and started walking again.
...Even if you knew I'm not from this world, would you still see me as a friend?
What if you pushed me away?
...No, stop with the negative thoughts.
That sentence too—if I ignore it and live on,
it'll vanish someday.
Ignore it. Live the way I want.
And someday, become a hero who saves people.
No, shut up. Dad.
—Grrrrr...
A growl that made anyone hearing it shrink back. At first glance, it resembled an ordinary beast's, but it was far more ferocious, rumbling low and deep.
The boy stared tensely at the foe before him.
Tiger-shaped, but with madness-glazed red eyes and a size far too massive for any tiger—it screamed Magic Beast.
The boy swallowed dryly.
Those enormous front paws bore claws that would inflict grievous wounds on a graze, and that slobbering maw—if bitten, it meant a one-way trip to the afterlife.
Wary of a sudden charge, the boy gathered mana and deployed a spell. He planned to feed it the fire magic most effective against living creatures.
"...Fire Ball!"
Completing the mana construct, the boy launched the spell at the Magic Beast.
—Grrrrr-!
The instant the beast vanished, the boy's head flew.
"Hah!"
The boy jolted awake, eyes wide.
"Mark Rapster, failure."
The bald teacher, Rockbell, declared.
Mark Rapster's face darkened as he returned to his seat.
This afternoon's class was special.
A virtual reality simulator using illusion magic to mimic battles with Magic Beasts.
Quite realistic, and helpful for real combat experience.
Few students had beaten the beast so far. It was set above average student level on purpose.
This agile tiger-form made it impossible for any ranged students to win.
The beast dodged every attack, decapitating them effortlessly.
It felt like some voice echoed from deep in my mind.
'Heh heh heh...'
As I secretly smirked at the ranged users' downfall, my name was called.
"Next. Anis Harper."
"Yes."
I stepped forward, sat in the chair, and donned the helmet.
After a moment, my consciousness was sucked in.
"...Whoa."
I came to in an unfamiliar place. A dense forest. Locations randomized each time.
'This feels so real.'
Like actual reality. As I marveled, looking around, the Magic Beast emerged from the trees.
—Grrrr...
Whoa. Kinda scary.
The growl... it stirred primal human fear, somehow.
Didn't notice watching others' footage, but experiencing it firsthand was different.
I immediately summoned my sword, flanked the beast, and activated my skill.
The only sword skill I could use. Just multiple forward slashes.
A beginner skill, but flashy effects made it my favorite. Only beginner skills available anyway.
Multi Slash
[Beginner Sword Skill]
I swung down. Rapid strikes slashed the beast's side, carving crimson lines.
—Grraaah!
Thud.
The beast screamed, bled from its flank, and collapsed.
"...? What."
One skill, and it died.
A bit absurd, but then it made sense.
'Even weakened, I'm way stronger than kids my age...'
Expected result, really.
"Anis Harper. Success. Excellent."
Praise from stingy-with-compliments bald teacher!
Guess I did pretty well.
Returning to my seat beaming, Yoon Na-rin greeted me.
"Anis, that was super fast! I was shocked."
"...Thanks."
She always marveled like that watching my skills.
Nothing special, but it embarrassed me.
"Yeah, impressive."
"...Thanks."
Han U-sol chimed in from the side.
"Next. Yoon Na-rin."
"Be right back."
"Yeah. Fighting."
I cheered Yoon Na-rin heading up, then watched the screen.
Soon, the beast inside burned head to toe and fell.
Agile for most, but not for Yoon Na-rin.
"Yoon Na-rin, success. Excellent."
"How was it?"
"Amazing! First ranged success, right?"
Han U-sol said exactly what I was thinking.
"Yeah. Cool."
"Heh. Just basics."
"Next. Reisi Hearts."
Reisi's turn. She glanced at me going up.
'You got this, my disciple!'
I waved both hands encouragingly. She smiled faintly—message received.
Reisi blocked the beast's view with smoke, ambushed, mounted its head, and stabbed deep into its eye with a dagger.
The blade pierced to the brain; the beast twitched and slumped.
'Whoa... brutal.'
Rude thought, but her thuggish vibe made it scary.
"Reisi Hearts. Success."
Reisi returned, waving and smiling at me. I waved back—good job.
"Next. Han U-sol."
"...Here goes."
"Yeah."
Seemed expectant, but one-word reply. Not cheering 'Fighting!' like for pretty girls Yoon Na-rin or Reisi. For a stinky guy? I'd rather die.
Han U-sol summoned multiple weapons instantly, barraged like bullets, and blew the beast away.
'...Ranged scum disgusts me.'
Why? Yoon Na-rin's ranged magic? Fine. His? Infuriating.
'So annoying.'
Dunno why.
"Han U-sol. Success. Impressive."
Han U-sol sat, eyeing me expectantly.
"How was it?"
"Ranged scum, out."
"Uh, wha?"