The Right Weapon
The sun rises at Heiden Academy even in the early dawn, when everything should still be dark.
This is thanks to Elena's power.
Her illusion magic summons the sun every morning for those heading to the training halls.
"Oh, right."
On the way to the training room, Shane suddenly stopped walking, as if she had something to say.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"Adel. Don't drink by yourself."
The fact that she halted mid-step instead of saying it casually was because thinking back on yesterday made her realize how dangerous it could be.
I can't let him drink alone.
She had made all kinds of requests to me while I was drunk yesterday. Starting with simply holding hands, then asking me to carry her, demanding I let her ride on my back, begging for a hug, telling me to follow her, and even asking for a kiss.
Some of them were embarrassing things she never would have said while sober, yet I hadn't refused a single one.
If I felt nothing for her at all, I wouldn't have granted any of those requests. The fact that I had meant there was at least some affection on my part.
So what if a drunk me heard requests from someone I had no connection to? Would I refuse?
Who knows.
That was why she told me not to drink alone. Since it was my first time drinking, she couldn't say for sure what would happen. She'd need to see it a few more times before she could be certain.
"......"
I offered no objections after hearing Shane's words. Based on the memories that surfaced, I already knew it deep down. I had no idea what I'd do if I drank by myself.
But drinking feels so good......
The pleasant buzz of intoxication still lingered. This must be why alcohol addiction existed.
"Drink with someone instead of alone."
Shane offered those hopeful words to me, knowing I wanted to drink.
"......With who?"
"Me, or Tina, Siris, or Banya."
They were mostly people close to Shane. People who were also close to me.
"Got it."
Since I felt the same way, I nodded.
"Then let's go."
With a satisfied smile, Shane started walking again.
Step.
When are we going to get there?
Several minutes passed, but the training building still hadn't appeared.
Maybe I should ask her about weapons.
The question of whether I should use a sword kept circling through my mind. Should I use one? Should I not? I couldn't tell what the right answer was. Charles had said asking Cain would help, but there was no harm in gathering more opinions.
I can just ask everyone.
It looked like it would take a while longer to arrive, so I turned to Shane.
"Shane."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Why do you use a spear?"
Shane turned her head to look straight into my eyes. Her pupils, facing me from so close, trembled slightly.
Is this about swords?
I had been trying out swords lately. It seemed like the reason for my question was that I wasn't sure whether using a weapon was the right path for me.
Wanting to help, Shane opened her mouth.
"Is this about swords?"
"Yeah."
I nodded. There was no reason to hide it.
"Hmm......"
Shane thought for a moment about how to explain, then began with the story of her first weapon.
"I've tried pretty much every weapon there is."
She was a direct descendant of the Crakt family. In a household that valued struggle above all and fought every single day, her claim wasn't surprising at all.
"Long swords, great swords, rapiers, daggers, bows, axes, staffs, spears, you name it."
She was familiar with all of them. There was no difficulty in using any of them. No matter what weapon she chose, fighting never felt awkward.
"But the spear felt the most comfortable."
"Comfortable?"
"Yeah. It's comfortable to channel lightning with, comfortable to swing, and comfortable to use my whole body. It just fits me best, I guess. That's why I use a spear."
"......"
Hearing Shane's explanation, I pondered.
Comfortable, huh......
It was a choice only someone like Shane, who could handle every weapon without trouble, could make. Most people would probably stick with their first weapon until the end.
This is tricky.
Part of me wondered if I was overthinking it, but starting sloppily would be worse than not starting at all.
"Huh?"
As we kept walking, Shane let out a surprised sound. When I looked over, her face brightened with delight and she broke into a run.
"......"
Left behind, I followed after her, puzzled.
"Banya!"
Where Shane arrived waving her hand, Banya sat modestly on a bench in her academy uniform.
"Huh? Shane? And...... Adel?"
She looked flustered, clearly not expecting to run into us here.
"What are you doing here?"
Shane asked, unable to think of any reason for someone to sit alone on a bench at this hour.
"I just woke up early and came out for some fresh air. How did you two end up together?"
"......"
"......"
Neither of us could answer.
Should I say we slept together?
How am I supposed to tell her we slept in the same bed...!
Even though I'd grown bold with me, Shane was too embarrassed to say something like that to a close friend. She spoke first before I could say anything strange.
"We ran into each other on the way to the training room."
"......?"
I tilted my head in confusion, but Banya didn't notice.
"Really? Can I come with you?"
"I don't mind."
Shane readily agreed, letting the previous question slide.
They both turned to look at me. Since there was no reason to refuse and I thought it would be nice to have company, I nodded.
"Then let's go."
I took the lead toward the training room, and they followed.
***
"Wait, what?"
We were definitely heading for the training room, but a familiar restaurant appeared in front of us. It was the same place where we'd drunk yesterday.
"Adel."
"Adel."
After staring at the sight for a moment, Shane and Banya spoke at the same time.
"Are you bad with directions?"
"Are you directionally challenged?"
"......"
I couldn't deny it. This wasn't the first or second time I'd heard it, and at this point I was starting to wonder if I really was.
"......No."
Still, I didn't want to admit it. Hearing my response, Shane and Banya seemed to have the same thought.
He's saying that out of pride? How cute.
His reaction is adorable. Makes me want to tease him.
I definitely wouldn't be able to admit it if someone told me I was cute.
"Hmm."
Step.
Banya made a strange nasal sound and approached my side with the gaze of a predator eyeing its prey. She licked her dry lips with her tongue, then stood on her tiptoes and cupped her hands around her mouth and my ear so only I could hear.
"Did you want to drink with me that badly?"
"......"
The restaurant wasn't even open. It was obviously a joke. When I turned to meet her eyes, I saw Banya smiling mischievously.
......She's like that too.
Those seductive, upturned eyes. Even though she didn't mean anything by it, my heart stirred on its own. These two really seemed to enjoy teasing me.
"......Let's drink next time."
"Really?"
Banya's eyes widened as if hearing someone suggest drinking together was completely new to her.
"Yeah. Really."
I made the promise without even remembering what happened when I got drunk.
"What are you two talking about?"
Shane, who had come up on my other side, asked.
Banya pulled away from me and smiled brightly.
"Nothing at all."
"Really? Then let's go."
Without any suspicion, Shane took the lead. The reason the usually sharp Banya wasn't guiding us was because Shane knew she occasionally got lost too.
"......"
I watched Shane walking ahead, then turned to Banya beside me.
"Banya."
"Yes?"
"What do you think about weapons?"
Banya had once mentioned using a bow after watching her hunter father. So instead of asking why she chose a bow, I asked something slightly different.
......Thinking about it again, it's fascinating.
Most people would imagine a hunter's child as someone secretive, quiet, and rather cold. I used to think that too, but Banya was the complete opposite, which made it all the more interesting. Yet her personality felt so natural that I wasn't particularly confused by it.
"Weapons?"
"Yeah."
Banya thought for a moment before continuing.
"Adel. You're asking because of the sword, right?"
"Yeah."
"I think it's better to have one than not."
"Why?"
"Well, anyone above a certain level of strength can turn their whole body into a weapon. But almost none of them choose not to use weapons. The only exception I can think of is probably Instructor Charles."
Even after hearing that, it still felt ambiguous. Having a weapon was better. But there were strong people who didn't need them.
It's complicated.
It didn't seem like I'd have complete confidence until I asked Cain.
"We're here."
Following Shane, who stopped and opened the door, I grabbed one of the supply swords.
It's good to have one.
Even if I didn't end up using it, learning it now meant I'd have it available someday.
"Today, shall we go to my personal training room?"
Most people close to me usually spent time in my personal training room. I wasn't sure why, but that's how it always went. Today, however, Banya didn't seem interested in that.
"Sure, why not?"
Shane didn't mind. She just wanted to be with me.
"Let's do that."
I didn't mind either.
I'm curious, though.
I found myself wondering how the others used their personal training rooms.
"Just a moment."
Stopping in front of her own personal training room, Banya turned around and asked what had apparently been bothering her.
"Shane. Adel. Why do both of you smell the same?"
We were probably just making eye contact, yet for some reason it sent a chill down my spine.