Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Just a Sucker, Right?
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What is a rival?
A relationship where, despite constantly checking each other and harboring hostility, they never actually become a harm to one another.
The burning vow to definitely surpass that person drives your own growth more fiercely than anything else. Perhaps a rival is the being closest to each other's ideals.
Suddenly, masterpieces from childhood animations flooded my mind. Like those two ninjas with maple leaf-shaped bands on their heads, or the two battle-hardened Saiyans sporting M-shaped bald spots.
If you asked whether they hated each other, the answer was absolutely not.
On the contrary, even as they checked and clashed against one another, they shared a bond thicker than with anyone else. In the end, they formed an unbreakable connection.
A rival is a symbiotic tie that propels mutual growth. Deeper and stickier than mere comradeship.
And surprisingly, the protagonist of this world had chosen me as her rival.
An inexplicable pride seeped in subtly. My shoulders squared themselves, my nose lifted naturally. The illusion of being acknowledged as someone remarkable wasn't half bad.
Rival.
It felt like I'd come all this way for this very moment. Maybe all my efforts until now had been to carve out my place as the protagonist's rival.
More than anything, if I pushed harder, the protagonist would grow stronger in tandem.
My worry that her abilities—as a living, breathing person rather than a game avatar—might fall short against future threats.
Perhaps this relationship could ease that concern a little.
"Not bad."
I muttered it almost to myself, and the painting club girl widened her eyes at me.
"What?"
"A rival dynamic? Sounds fine to me. I want Alensia to get stronger too."
Caught off guard by my response, she blinked in momentary confusion.
"Don't say a word to Alensia."
"Hey, even so—"
Perfect timing.
I'd been wondering when to hand it over, and here she was approaching me first.
"Mind coming with me for a sec?"
I stepped up beside her and made the request in a low voice. She hesitated briefly at the sudden ask but soon nodded.
The spot we headed to was my oversized locker in one corner of the academy facilities.
I unlocked it and pulled out the bundle inside. Then I placed it right into her waiting hands.
"What's this now?"
To sate her curiosity, I carefully unwrapped the bundle. I pointed to each item one by one, adding explanations.
"This is a stamina booster potion. This one's for improving mana affinity. And this..."
After handing over that one fateful opportunity, greed had crept in unbidden. I found myself hoping the protagonist would grow even faster.
Whatever the case, the stronger she got, the safer the world would be.
So I'd been scouring the academy whenever I had a spare moment, gathering useful finds in her stead.
She might think it nosy. But these were all prime early-game growth items for the protagonist. Just these, and nothing more.
"And this one..."
As my explanations dragged on, her gaze trembled faintly, conveying utter bewilderment.
"No, hold on. Just wait."
She shook her head vigorously and took a step back.
"This is way too much. And why are you handing over all of it?"
Now I was the flustered one. Wasn't it obvious?
"You're the Hero."
"Even so, this is overkill. You're just handing it out like candy."
They were all destined encounters for Alensia anyway. But they could slip away if she got careless, so I was securing them ahead of time. Solidifying her early stats would accelerate her late-game surge.
"...If you care that much about Alensia, give it to her yourself."
She shoved the bundle back toward me. But I tucked my hands behind my back and retreated a step.
"She'll be thrilled if it comes from you. Alensia already likes you anyway."
At those words, a faint blush colored one of her cheeks. Her averted gaze was oddly endearing.
"Get along well with Alensia."
The painting club girl clutched the bundle to her chest, falling silent for a moment before shifting her eyes to me.
"Hang on. Now that I look at you..."
She murmured like she was talking to herself, then narrowed her eyes as if piecing something together.
"Hey, Bella."
"Yeah?"
"That mana herb you gave me? Worked like a charm."
Of course it did. Infused with a touch of my divine power, it was leagues beyond a regular mana herb.
"Felt like one more could push me to the next circle."
My eyes flew wide. Shocking news.
Advancing a mana circle wasn't commonplace for any mage. It was growth on par with a full class change—the scope of their abilities transformed entirely.
"So... think you could spare one more mana herb?"
This was unequivocally good news.
She was set to frontline for Alensia going forward. Boosting her combat power strengthened the entire Hero Party.
No reason to hesitate. This request demanded fulfillment.
"Sure. Got one right here. One sec."
I plunged my hand deep into the locker, rummaging around for show.
But it was all for appearances. In truth, a mana herb topped with blue petals was quietly sprouting at my fingertips.
"Where'd I stash it..."
Her view was blocked by the wide-open locker door. I shoved my head inside, secretly wetting my hand with saliva before slathering it evenly over the herb.
Done. Heart fluttering with anticipation, I pulled out the mana herb and strode over to her.
"Here."
She accepted it, but her face mingled strange complexity with any joy.
"...Yeah. Thanks."
A circle breakthrough was a massive milestone for any mage. Yet her expression looked downright queasy by comparison.
"Fine. I'll do as you said. Hand all this to Alensia, right?"
"Yeah."
"...Got it."
She turned away with a strangely deflated look. Unthinkingly, I cocked my head at her retreating back.
Was she feeling unwell?
Should I whip up some medicine?
Harboring such quiet worries, I headed off to my next class.
[Just... a sucker, right?]
The painting club girl's faint mutter, regrettably, never reached my ears.
Her words turned out to be spot on.
Once I learned the protagonist viewed me as her rival, her attitude finally clicked into place.
Eyes brimming with resolve. Eyes fixed on surpassing me.
But there was no malice in that gaze. To her—the protagonist, the Hero—I was merely a catalyst for growth.
My role was singular: hone myself sharper still, so she could advance all the faster.
With that, I threw myself back into self-improvement. To serve as the perfect pacemaker for the protagonist.
I poured break times into studies to maintain my academy grades.
Once home, straight into practical spars with Roselia, followed by scroll-handling drills.
Sleepiness sometimes hit during classes as a result. I'd jab my thigh with a pencil to force my eyes open.
I had no intention of lagging in effort behind anyone. Becoming the protagonist's rival only stoked the fire within me hotter.
Time flew by in that frenzy of personal development.
Instructors singing my praises grew from one to two. Professors started viewing me positively too.
Of course, repercussions followed.
Devoting time to self-improvement naturally cut into sleep. Accumulated fatigue shadowed my eyes faintly day by day.
I felt a touch more sensitive than usual. Though I wasn't one to wear emotions openly, so no real issue.
'...Sis, is it that time of the month?'
The only change was slightly more spats with Camilla.
No cadets approached me first for friendship as ever, but it hardly mattered. With Camilla—fellow loner—by my side.
She, whom I'd pegged as a mere nuisance at first, proved a surprisingly sturdy pillar.
My academy life flowed smoother than expected. At this rate, top marks were a sure thing.
Or so I believed.
"Alright, today's class will be in groups."
Right up until that infamous group assignment dropped on me.
"Form groups of four for spars."
This practical combat elective I'd been taking. Solo until now, but first time in teams.
Thank heavens, groups were pre-assigned. No awkward scrambling for members.
And since not self-selected, most teams carried a stiff, awkward vibe with strangers.
My protagonist aside, of course. She lit up any group of unfamiliar faces, chatting effortlessly.
My own situation differed. With our four-man circle seated, no laughter flowed like in her group—just heavy silence.
My teammates didn't seem the bright, outgoing types like hers.
The awkward air choked me. Unable to bear it, I broke the ice first.
"...It's quiet."
My words barely landed before all three flinched in unison. The black-haired guy shot to his feet, hand raised.
"Th-then, shall we start with introductions? I-I'm..."
Why the formal speech?
Academy rules dictated informal talk among same-year peers, regardless of age or status. Yet he seemed hyper-aware of my gaze.
Not just him. The other two looked cautious too, like they'd trip over their words any second.
At this rate, we'd finish group activities without exchanging a peep. Introverted as I was, I had to take the lead here.
With him going formal first, retorting casually would be rude.
"Shall we pick a group leader first?"
I tossed it out lightly.
Three sets of eyes locked onto me instantly.
Gazes loaded with unmistakable intent.
Damn it.
