Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Traitor's Family
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This was a story I'd never heard before.
The family of traitors.
In the game, I'd only known that they naturally faded away after the Hero succeeded in his revenge.
"Hmm, it seems like this is the first time you're hearing about it."
"...Yeah. It's a story I've never heard before."
For some reason, [Avillon Academy] wasn't particularly forthcoming about these matters.
The game had been praised for its near-perfect story, controls, and polish.
Yet all the details surrounding the protagonist, Arien Cravel, were vaguely lumped together.
"Well, you know that Cain Cravel, the head of the Cravel family, was the previous Sword Saint, right?"
Yeah. That's why the Hero was able to take the vacant Sword Saint position after succeeding in his revenge.
However, the reason Cain Cravel lost his Sword Saint title was never revealed.
"On the day the Hero drew the holy sword, Cain Cravel inexplicably pointed his blade at His Majesty the Emperor, who had visited the Cravel family to celebrate."
"...Why would he do that?"
A family with both the Hero and the Sword Saint picking a fight with the Emperor. What could they possibly gain from it?
My head grew increasingly muddled by this utterly incomprehensible tale.
"Who knows. But what is certain is that when His Majesty was still the Crown Prince, he and Cain Cravel were the closest of friends."
"That makes it even more senseless. They weren't on bad terms."
"Exactly. But they say from the day he ascended to the throne, their bond became irreparably distant."
If they'd been that close since childhood, it would have been natural for their friendship to grow even stronger after he became Emperor.
So why did their relationship drift apart?
"Then that's why people dislike Arien too."
"Right. After the rebellion, His Majesty spared the Cravel family from extermination out of respect for their old friendship. But people avoid them anyway, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire."
All for that petty reason...
Just for bearing the Cravel name, innocent Arien had to shoulder the full burden.
Drawing the holy sword, only to be plunged straight back into despair without even a moment to rejoice.
It must have been a pain I couldn't even imagine.
"Who cares about that crap."
"Heh, I knew you were exceptional, but... not to this extent."
Lian looked stunned by my response, his face full of surprise.
The guilty should be the ones punished.
Why make a fuss over someone who did nothing wrong?
Besides, Arien was going to cut ties with the Cravel family anyway, so it didn't matter.
'Come to think of it, Lian's being pretty obnoxious too.'
If he didn't want to befriend the Hero, he could just keep his distance alone.
Why tell me not to get close?
"Hey, at least greet the Hero when you see him occasionally."
"...Alright. I've felt uncomfortable hearing people badmouth him anyway."
He seemed to be gauging my reaction a bit.
Well, better that one more person shows interest in Arien.
'Man... he must have been really hungry.'
While chatting with Lian, Estelle had been quietly focusing on her meal.
How could even the way she ate be so pretty?
Perfect posture, not a single spill, elegantly picking up her food.
Then, with a faint smile of satisfaction, she chewed daintily.
'Still can't believe I'm friends with Estelle like this.'
Worlds apart from Lian, with his plain face and prickly personality.
"Estelle, since you're in the same class as Arien, could you look out for him a little?"
"Sure. Since it's your request, Rowen, I'll do my best."
"Hmm, you're way nicer to him than to me."
Thankfully, Estelle agreed readily.
Of course. As the youngest daughter of the Lumeria family—one of the empire's three great ducal houses of magic—she had no need to fear the Emperor.
The Emperor couldn't touch her family lightly.
"Still, thanks everyone for going along with my stubbornness."
Friends willing to take losses for me right from the first day of enrollment.
It warmed my heart.
After finishing our meal, we left the academy cafeteria and prepared to part ways.
"Estelle, heading back to the dorm now?"
"Yeah, I still have some magic to research."
Probably referring to the spell she'd used in the second exam.
I remembered it being completed by the end of freshman year.
She must have been researching it steadily in her spare time.
"Wish we could hang out more, but no helping it. Here, my contact info. Feel free to reach out anytime."
"Okay... Got it, Rowen."
Wanting to exchange contacts, I brought my wrist close to Estelle's. The runes etched on our skin naturally flowed over to her side.
Estelle then caressed her wrist with a subtle expression.
"Hmm, Rowen. Not sure if you're doing it on purpose, but don't you think you're coming off as constantly seductive?"
"...? I was just saying goodbye."
"Well, as the spectator, I'm enjoying the show."
Lian spouting nonsense out of nowhere again.
Seductive? Me? I'd never had any romantic ties with a girl in my life. I was just acting naturally.
"...So what are you up to now, Rowen?"
"Probably work out. My stats are too low, so I need to grind hard."
At [Avillon Academy], there were two ways to raise stats.
First, achievement rewards from clearing major scenarios like the second exam.
Second, accumulating experience through training, mana practice, sparring, and such.
When stats were low, training gave good exp, so better to save bonus points.
"...Can I come too?"
"But Estelle, you're a mage. No need to exercise."
Estelle swallowed hard, her eyes tinged with regret.
Mages reinforced their bodies with mana, which was more effective than plain exercise, so she didn't need to bother.
Estelle replied, "Got it..." with a dejected look and headed to the dorm.
"Rowen, you said you're going training? I was headed there too. Better together."
"Sure. You're built, so guide me well."
With his size and muscles, he'd be helpful.
Wearing a confident grin like "trust me," Lian led the way to the academy training room.
Thud, thud. The sound of heavy weights dropping.
Entering the vitality training room, the air was thick with the scent of iron.
"Hey! Lucas! Newbie's here!"
Lian calling out to Lucas, who was squatting in the distance.
They must have gotten close after both being placed in Class A.
Fellow gym bros who loved working out—they'd bond fast.
But the weight Lucas was squatting looked insane.
'Seven plates per side...?'
Lifting what had to be 300kg like it was nothing.
Something... something felt off.
"Oh, Lian! Here to train? Is that the guy you were talking about?"
"Yeah. His skills'll skyrocket soon. Gotta grind hard if you don't wanna get left behind."
Lucas finished his set and approached with a greeting.
"Haha, heard all about you. He wouldn't shut up about your insane talent. Name's Lucas Baren. Call me Lucas."
"Nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm Rowen."
Whoa, his hand was like a pot lid.
Just a quick handshake, and mine felt crushed.
After the greeting, Lucas eyed me over, then dragged me somewhere.
"No matter the talent, without a body to back it up, it's useless. You know that, right?"
"Yeah? That's why I'm here to train hard."
Liking my answer, Lucas grinned and called over some guys.
Uh, that's a lot of people.
"Ooooh... Smells like fresh meat..."
"Look at that scrawny build. Can't wait."
"Handsome guys like that usually skip training, but he came on his own."
For some reason, they circled me, chatting among themselves.
What was happening?
They reached a decision and closed in.
And hell unfolded.
"Gaaah..."
Every muscle in my body screamed for mercy.
Even walking back to the dorm nearly killed me.
'Lian, you bastard...!'
He guided me well enough, but kept forcing "one more! One more! Last one!" until I thought I'd die.
Still, like a pro, he stopped just before breaking me.
Since I followed orders, he got hooked and wants to do it again tomorrow.
The thought made my vision spin.
◆ Name:Rowen
◆ Title:Freshman
◆ Free Stat Points:5
◆ Traits
[Swordsmanship Lv. 4]
◆ Skills
[A: Weakness Perception]
◆ Unique Traits
Oh, worth the suffering—Strength and Vitality each went up by one.
Probably thanks to my unique trait .
Gain unbreakable mental fortitude.
Experience gained from training increases.
As expected of a near-S-grade trait.
That's why I could keep lifting despite the exhaustion.
Still, low Vitality meant drowsiness hit hard.
I crashed onto the bed and passed out instantly.