The Master (3)
Having finally opened the floodgates of conversation with another person after decades of silence... Sierra was incredibly talkative. We conversed endlessly on our way back to the carriage. Since Sierra took the lead and guided me toward the main road where the carriage was waiting, I didn't have to rely on the white cloths I had tied to find my way back.
Fortunately, just as I had expected, Sierra was neither visible nor tangible to others. When we returned to the carriage, the coachman didn't spare a single glance at Sierra, completely oblivious to the ghost whose lower half was entirely translucent.
And so began our journey back to the Academy. With Sierra chattering away inside the carriage and the coachman prattling on from the driver's seat outside, I felt like I was going to lose my mind.
"And so, regarding this Reverse Heaven style... It all begins with the reverse grip. Holding the sword in a reverse grip is the very foundation."
Sierra spoke cheerfully, her hand resting on my shoulder. She explained that because her spiritual body would pass right through moving objects like the carriage, it was too bothersome to constantly adjust her position, so she had to hold onto me.
"Did you have a good visit with your master?" the coachman asked, calling out from the front of the carriage.
"Yes... He was doing well, haha..." I replied. I had already set boundaries with Sierra beforehand, explaining that I couldn't respond to her when others were around.
"Hmph... This disciple of mine is brazen to the extreme. To tell the coachman so casually that you were off to meet your master..."
Overhearing our exchange, she leaned in close—so close that her ample chest pressed against my shoulder. Despite having agreed that I didn't need to reply and should only listen, her mouth showed no signs of stopping.
For what felt like an eternity, I listened to the dual chorus of the coachman and Sierra, offering only half-hearted, noncommittal responses. Not even Reina's Bracelet of Origin could alleviate this kind of mental exhaustion.
"Sigh..." I let out a deep, weary sigh inside the rattling carriage.
"So, you were an Academy cadet...?"
Sierra asked in surprise as we stepped off the carriage and took a side path into the Academy grounds.
"This Noble One knew you looked youthful, but... you are far younger than I imagined..."
Sierra followed closely behind me, busy calculating the age gap between us—a metric that held absolutely no meaning for a long-dead spirit.
"Um... when are you planning to go back into the pendant...?" I murmured softly to Sierra, keeping my head straight after scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was nearby. I wondered if I should learn ventriloquism to make future conversations easier.
"There is still plenty of time, so there is no rush. Escaping that suffocating bamboo forest has put This Noble One in high spirits."
Sierra placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest proudly, and took a deep, dramatic breath. I wasn't entirely sure if a spirit even needed to breathe, though.
"This Noble One always wished to visit Innocence Academy at least once... My disciple, won't you grant me a little time to look around?"
Leaning her face close to mine, Sierra narrowed her eyes playfully, trying to coax me.
"The Academy must have existed back in your day too. Why didn't you attend?"
"When This Noble One was young, it was the trend to avoid institutions like the Academy. People claimed it was far cooler to forge one's own path..."
"Ah..."
I suddenly felt a massive generational gap. I suppose generational differences exist regardless of whether the world is a fantasy setting or not.
"In truth, This Noble One wanted to attend... but the strong opponents I wished to defeat were all outside the Academy, so I could not go..."
Sierra stopped in her tracks, her voice suddenly tinged with melancholy.
The morning sun was just beginning to rise, and there was still plenty of time before classes started.
"...Then let me show you around. It has developed immensely since your time, so I'm sure you'll find it entertaining."
With that, I decided to give Sierra a tour of the Academy. Having entered through the side path, I bypassed the dormitories and headed straight for the commercial district inside the city-state. The streets were still quiet. Most shops were only just beginning to prepare for the day's business.
"How is it that... you have the entire layout memorized?"
"You could say I have a map permanently drawn in my head."
Since the Academy map from the game was still vivid in my mind, it wasn't technically a lie.
"Qi Sensing, was it? A peculiar ability indeed. To think you went around telling others that This Noble One taught it to you... As your master, I feel somewhat played by my own disciple..."
Suddenly, Sierra, who had been walking ahead, turned around with wide eyes and marched toward me.
"Take this!"
With a playful shout, Sierra brought the edge of her hand down onto the crown of my head in a mock chop. Of course, it didn't hurt, nor did it bother me.
"I know not what secrets you wish to hide... but This Noble One's first disciple does not seem to be a wicked soul. From this moment forth, I wish to stand by your side and aid you as your 'true' master."
Sierra offered me a warm, encouraging smile.
"...So, do not struggle to shoulder everything alone. I only hope that one day, you will feel comfortable enough to lay it all bare to me."
With those words, Sierra gently stroked my hair with her hand. Her voice, echoing directly in my mind, was incredibly tender and warm.
She knew nothing about me. In fact, no one in this world truly did. I knew that the events of last night must have been deeply bewildering for Sierra. I had merely exploited her circumstances and her past to my advantage. Although I was relieved that things had resolved so smoothly before she even entered the Demon Blade, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt toward her.
No one here was just a 'character' in a game anymore. They were real people living their lives, or in her case, a departed soul from the past carrying her own deep regrets. Looking at Sierra's vivid, genuine smile, I etched this truth into my heart once more.
"Thank you... Master."
I meant it from the bottom of my heart. I hadn't given her a single shred of real information, and my words had been riddled with falsehoods. Sierra had likely picked up on that, even if only vaguely. Yet, she still chose to understand and accept me, and for that, I felt a profound sense of gratitude.
I have to do my absolute best too...
Defeating the Sword Saint. It was impossible right now, but one day, without fail. Together with her.
As we walked, the streets gradually began to fill with people. Naturally, I could no longer reply to Sierra's remarks. But that didn't stop her from talking.
"Look there, what is that...? A general store? To think such a place exists inside the Academy. My disciple, let us go inside! This way, hurry!"
Following Sierra's eager guidance, I stepped into a general store that had opened its doors early.
"Oh my, if it isn't our blind saint... It's been a while. Thank you so much for last time..."
As soon as I entered, the elderly shopkeeper greeted me warmly, expressing her gratitude.
"I feel like I say this every time, but calling me a saint is really too much, haha..."
In the game, she was an NPC named 'Coughing Grandmother.' She absolutely detested medicine, so players had to find a sweet, candy-like remedy to complete her quest. Fortunately, it seemed her cough was completely gone now.
"A blind saint...? It seems my disciple is quite popular among the common folk."
Sierra chimed in, observing the interaction.
"So, what brings you here so early in the morning? Just tell me what you need..."
"Hmm..."
I hummed softly in response to the grandmother's question, waiting for Sierra to make up her mind.
"...This! This is a fascinating item. A Love Potion...? 'The perfect gift for your beloved'...?"
The item Sierra pointed out was a useless miscellaneous item called a 'Love Potion.' It had absolutely no practical function. As far as I recalled, it didn't even increase any character's affection level in the game.
Well, since she's curious, I should probably buy it... but how do I ask for it without sounding incredibly suspicious?
After a brief moment of hesitation, I spoke up.
"...A friend of mine wanted to play a prank and mentioned that you sell something called a Love Potion here... Do you actually have something like that?"
"Oh, of course I do... Hoho..."
"Yes, could I have one of those, please?"
I reached into my coat to pull out my coin purse, but the grandmother gently caught my arm and pushed the potion into my hand.
"Oh, don't be silly. For something like this... just take it."
"Ah... Thank you very much."
I bowed politely to the grandmother and stepped out of the general store. I slipped the potion carelessly into my bag. I wondered if Sierra would ask me to drink it later just to test it out.
It won't do anything anyway, so it'd be a complete waste of time...
We continued wandering around, visiting various spots that caught Sierra's eye. With some time still left before my classes, my stomach began to rumble. I guided Sierra into a quiet, deserted alleyway to chat. Leaning against the alley wall, I suppressed my presence so passersby wouldn't pay me any mind.
"You are hungry? Finally, you eat! This Noble One was beginning to think my disciple was some sort of golem who neither ate nor slept."
"Even if I eat, it's not like you'll be able to taste it, Master..."
"That may be true, but simply watching you eat will bring me satisfaction. Do you think This Noble One dined on lavish feasts during my secluded training? I have sorely missed the sight of appetizing food..."
Well, I suppose it was similar to how people in my past life enjoyed watching eating broadcasts—'mukbangs'—to satisfy their cravings vicariously.
"Appetizing food, huh..."
I pondered what to eat at Sierra's words.
"Is there any particular food you used to enjoy?"
I didn't know what Sierra liked to eat. I knew absolutely nothing about her personal tastes. From our conversations while walking around, I had only gathered that her preferences were slightly eccentric.
"Hmm... A heavy meal for your first bite of the day might be unwise. Yes, soup sounds perfect! This Noble One used to have soup every morning."
"Soup... I haven't personally dined there, but I know a place."
I had never craved soup enough to visit a specialty shop, but I did know of a place famous for its delicious recipes.
They served chicken soup, if I recall correctly.
Stepping out of the alley, I retraced the path in my memory and walked toward the shop.
As I neared the location, a familiar cafe caught my attention.
...That cafe.
It was the very place where I had completely passed out after drinking the spiked coffee Eisel had offered me. The spiked coffee... tasted good, but I never wanted to experience it again. Looking back, the alcohol content must have been surprisingly high.
I stopped in front of the soup shop located directly across from the cafe. Sierra had already slipped inside ahead of me to inspect the interior. Opening the door, I stepped in and took a light sniff of the savory aroma.
"Excuse me... what is your specialty here?"
"Oh? Ah...! Here at Cranberry Soup, our chicken soup is the most popular!"
The owner hesitated for a brief second upon seeing the bandages wrapped around my eyes, but quickly answered with a warm smile.
"Cough...! *Hack, wheeze!*"
Suddenly, one of the customers listening to our conversation choked on their food and began coughing violently.
Huh...?
Focusing my senses on the customer, a familiar shade of pink hair caught my attention. It was Kaen.
The problem was... Sierra, who had entered the shop before me, was currently standing right next to Kaen, staring at her with intense concentration.
Kaen was the disciple of the Sword Saint.
In other words, she was the disciple of Sierra's ultimate arch-rival.
Has she noticed...?
I could only pray that Sierra wouldn't lose her temper.