Reluctant Mentor
“Don't wanna?”
“Hoo, haa...”
It was early morning. I woke up earlier than usual and was jogging around the dormitory area. The reason? Basic stamina training. After all, I hadn't done any physical conditioning at all while focusing on conquering Marie recently. So now I was scrambling to get my body moving.
Of course, it wasn't that late.
Blossoming Talent effect: Training efficiency maximized!
Thanks to the Easy Mode perk, my stamina training was incredibly effective. It had been a week since I started these morning sessions after finishing Marie's conquest. Just one week, but I could already feel my stamina improving thanks to this trait—maybe even more growth than during the fourth loop in Hard Mode, despite starting later.
“98... Hoo, 99, ngh...! 100!”
After jogging, I did light bodyweight exercises to build strength. I hit my goal of 100 push-ups, wrapping up the morning training.
“Haa... That was tough...”
It was exhausting, but not bad. The best part about working out was how the fatigue cleared my mind of stray thoughts.
“...”
Still, once the workout ended, those thoughts crept back in.
Marie... Good thing she's doing better than I worried.
Lately, my mind kept drifting to Marie. A week ago, she confessed to me again. I turned her down flat—no way was I getting back with her.
But part of me was anxious. She seemed way gloomier than usual that day—really gloomy. I worried she might do something extreme after the rejection.
...But she was fine.
The next day, I ran into her in the hallway. She hesitated but greeted me, and we chatted casually before parting ways. No tears, no clinging, no dark looks.
Guess she gave up.
Or maybe not. Either way, it didn't matter. As long as she didn't do anything drastic, I could stop worrying about her and focus on my next goals.
“...”
Lost in thought, time slipped by. I got up from the grass, ready to head back.
“Guess it's time to go...”
“Where to?”
“Gyaah—!”
A voice right behind me made me jump. I whipped around.
“S-Sierra...?”
“Morning. Working hard already?”
“...”
“Hehe, but did you have to freak out that much? Scaredy-cat~.”
Her teasing grin made me glare silently. Scaredy-cat? I couldn't help it. After dealing with that Marie a week ago, I'd mistaken her for Marie for a second. Not that I was actually a coward.
“What've you been up to? Training every morning?”
She smiled warmly as I shot her a wronged look.
“Just like you saw. Training. ...How'd you know I train at this hour?”
“'Cause I get up then too. A morning tea starts the day so refreshingly.”
“...And you spotted me while sipping tea?”
“Yup. Watched you wondering what you were doing, and after a week, curiosity got me.”
She beamed innocently, her pretty face making my heart skip. I looked away.
“So? Why the morning workouts? Dieting?”
“Seriously...?”
“Haha, just kidding.”
Dieting? Not unless losing weight made me stronger—and I was normal weight anyway. Knowing that, she giggled at her own joke.
“Just prepping for the upcoming practical.”
“Practical? ...Oh, finals!”
She clapped her hands in realization.
“Whoa... Prepping for finals already? Nerd.”
“Says the valedictorian runner-up.”
“I take exams seriously too, but not this soon after midterms.”
“...”
She had a point—I sounded obsessed. But exams weren't my focus; heroines were. Still, I shut up.
Watching me closely, Sierra smirked playfully.
“Ah, wait~ Is it 'cause of that thing?”
“What thing?”
“Y'know, when you sparred with Malcolm and got carried off.”
“Oh...”
“Hehe, must've been embarrassing. Trying to make up for it in the practical?”
“Not that...”
“Haha, no need to be shy. Guys can be weak sometimes. The world's not fair, right? You're already smart—if you fought well too, it'd be unfair.”
“...”
What the hell is she on about?
She patted my shoulder, giggling like she got it—mock comfort. It irked me.
I took those hits on purpose.
Telling the truth would clear it up, but it'd expose using Malcolm to conquer Marie. So, humiliated...
“Yeah, weakling trying to get stronger. Happy?”
I brushed her hand off.
“...”
“...What?”
She stared blankly, then smiled brightly.
“Huh, bolder than I thought. Figured you'd make excuses.”
“Disappointed I didn't?”
“Nah, hehe.”
Her innocent smile hit hard—beautiful as she was. I swallowed.
“I like confident guys.”
“...”
“Plus, overcoming weaknesses? That's cool.”
From teasing to sincere. Her calm gaze filled my head with a new embarrassment.
“Alright, me too then!”
“Huh...?”
As I steadied myself, she jumped up.
“Practical training, duh!”
Grinning mischievously at me.
“I'll join tomorrow morning. Nice working with ya.”
“...Huh?”
“Get ready. I missed top in midterms, but finals are mine.”
“Wait, don't decide on your—”
“See ya in class!”
She declared, waved, and left. Too sudden—I just watched her go.
“...Starting tomorrow?”
For some reason, this loop wouldn't let me cut ties with Sierra.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Time passed; after-school hit.
She's joining tomorrow... Why?
Already tangled with Chris and Marie worries, now Sierra added more. The original heroine kept crossing paths.
What changed?
I'd never approached her before—her five matches were set, and this loop was revenge-only.
Yet contacts piled up.
Is top rank that big a draw?
Only explanation for her interest. Nothing else fit.
...A double-edged sword.
Top spot eased Marie's conquest, backed me against Damian.
But tangled me with Sierra.
Not that I hate her...
Still, unknown variables bugged me.
Focus on now.
I shook my head passing students, shifting to my goal: conquering Chris.
Time to start.
A week of morning training—perks exceeded expectations; strength and stamina hit targets early.
So today, straight to her spot: training ground corner. Empty after school; she always trained there.
And today too—her grunts reached me as I neared.
“Hah!”
Thwack—!!
Dull wooden sword on straw dummy. Solo sword practice.
Been a while...
Besides loop 4, I rarely came. Memories surfaced painfully.
Use your feet, not hands—!!
Gyaa—!!
Idiot—your foot stopped—!!
W-Wait... Just a sec—!!
Think enemies wait in real fights?!
Kaaaa—!!
Not fond memories. Marie's were sweet; Chris's? Pain and terror.
...Hard Mode extra had guts.
How'd I survive without perks? But it enabled her conquest.
“...”
Peeking in, golden ponytail swayed, sweat glistened alluringly.
“Haa—!!”
Thud! Thwack—!!
Alone, serious face swinging wooden sword.
Doesn't look it, but so diligent...
Thug vibe, but honest diligence was her charm. Not my type usually, but I loved that.
Of course...
Let's break up...
Tch... Shut up, I'm just not serious about you anymore.
Forget our time...
She still cheated. Loop 4 taught me that painfully.
No, don't dwell before starting.
I shoved down despair. Now, we were barely acquaintances. Approach friendly—she reacted sharply.
Good, wrapping up...
She struck the dummy, set sword down, sat, drank.
Gulp, gulp. Tilting head, sweat on neck and cleavage mesmerized.
“Hoo... So, how long you gonna lurk?”
“Ah.”
Busted.
“Sorry, meant to say hi but you were focused. ...When'd you notice?”
“Heard footsteps.”
Earlier than thought. I'd thought I hid well—embarrassing.
But she ignored it, sharp and indifferent.
“Emil, right?”
“Y-Yeah.”
She remembered.
“So? What's up? Need something?”
Straight to purpose, no chit-chat. So her.
Hope she says yes straight too.
Conquest started with bonds. Events boosted favor, but needed base friendship first.
Marie's was study group.
Chris needed different approach. Helped Marie; here...
“Got a favor. ...Chris.”
“Me?”
Reverse.
“Teach me swordsmanship!”
I bowed seriously. Key difference: I relied on her.
“...Swordsmanship?”
“Yeah, please. I really wanna learn from you.”
Flip side: Marie was easy since I could help equally.
Chris...
“Don't wanna? Why should I?”
“Knew it...”
Mood-dependent failure risk.
Solve or no conquest start.