Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Serin Arjen (2)
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In the tense, hushed silence...
Serin, who had been gazing at me intently, let a smile slip as she continued speaking.
"Ahaha, no need to be so tense. I didn't call you here to penalize you, Rowen."
Even as she spoke lightly with a laugh, I couldn't relax.
Hiding my skills, huh. I was sure I hadn't done anything suspicious.
"It was you who shattered the mana core in the final stage of the second exam, right? That girl's magic was pretty strong, but it wasn't quite enough to take down the mana golem."
I'm done for... I thought it was a perfect plan.
Of all people, she had to be my examiner.
Did the other examiners notice too...?
"Your expression says it all. You're wondering if anyone else caught on besides me? No need to worry. Unless you're someone on my level, no one could possibly detect Rowen’s swordsmanship."
Serin smiled at my tense self, as if she found me adorable.
Fortunately, it seemed she hadn't told the other examiners.
So why had she called me here alone?
"Rowen, your face shows everything you're thinking. You're curious why I called you here alone, right?"
Was there a bug in my head or something?
Serin always seemed to know my thoughts before I voiced them.
Then, as if getting to the main point, she clapped her hands with a sharp clap!
"Hiding your skills isn't a big deal in itself. But as I mentioned in class earlier, the Demon King's Army has been acting strangely lately. I wondered if you might be one of their spies... but up close, you don't seem to be."
She'd suspected me of being a Demon King's Army spy.
Considering her hatred for demons, I'd come dangerously close to disaster without realizing it...
"...Professor Serin, do you think I'm hiding my skills?"
"Is that so? Then are you saying you aren't hiding them, Rowen? Those movements and that swordsmanship were on a level even I would struggle to replicate."
Well, yeah... No matter how much of a swordmaster she was, it was hard to match someone who knew every pattern inside out.
Did I come off like some cocky kid showing off?
Serin smiled playfully at me, as if to say lies wouldn't work.
"It's not that I'm hiding anything. I just moved instinctively—knowing how to dodge and where to strike just came to me naturally."
"Hmm, judging by your expression, that doesn't seem like a lie. And looking at your first exam results, you don't seem to have had a mentor either."
No choice now but to go with the prodigy concept.
But when I finished thinking and looked at Serin, she was staring at me with an oddly inscrutable expression.
What was that look—like she was excited or something?
"Talent, huh... I suspected, but I didn't think it was real. Rowen? You said in class you wanted to join the Knight Order, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"To join the Knight Order, you must go through the apprenticeship stage first. It's where you learn the mindset and conduct of a knight. You don't seem to know any knights, so I'll teach you myself."
Serin puffed up proudly, as if being taught by her was the highest honor.
'Serin teaching me personally...'
How did this happen?
Normally, she'd just introduce me to one of her knights and call it a day.
Yet here she was, offering to instruct me directly.
'Why does this keep happening?'
I thought I'd been acting low-key to avoid variables.
But the future kept changing anyway.
If things kept twisting like this, would the knowledge I had even be useful?
What could I do in this world then?
As anxiety crept back in and my body trembled...
"Rowen? Why no response...? Being taught by me, the Imperial Knight Commander, is a rare opportunity... I didn't overwhelm you, did I?"
I snapped back to hear Serin's voice.
She fidgeted, worried I might refuse.
'Ugh, what an idiot I am.'
Here was a golden opportunity, and I was shaking over nothing.
And thinking a little change in the future meant I'd fail? Ridiculous.
Since when did a veteran like me cling to the scripted path?
I've always embraced new challenges and sought better ways.
'Why was I so scared?'
Just look at the Hero—things had already diverged wildly from the game.
Yet I'd blinded myself with self-justification.
Suddenly, the weight deep in my chest lifted.
The constant vague frustration vanished, leaving true freedom.
Seeing Serin's concerned gaze, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
"Rowen? Why the sudden smile? You didn't change your mind about joining the Knight Order, did you?"
"No, it's just... Professor Serin, you've helped me a lot today."
Serin tilted her head, puzzled by my words.
"Helped? I haven't done anything for you yet, Rowen."
"You might not realize it, but Professor Serin has always been a huge help to me."
Back in my tough early days, playing through [Avillon Academy] had let me lean on the character Serin.
And now, seeing her worry for me helped shake off my foolish thoughts.
"If Professor Serin teaches me personally, I'd be truly grateful."
"R-really? No take-backs! You can't change your mind later!"
So thrilled, she beamed and even made me promise.
Her smiling face solidified my resolve to make this world a happier place.
"Ahem... Then let's train separately after class on Tuesdays and Fridays."
"Yes, understood."
Her earlier demeanor gone, she switched back to her dignified Knight Commander tone.
Of course, she knew it too—her face flushed red.
"You can go now. Sorry for taking up so much of your time, Rowen. You'd probably have more fun with the other students than with me."
"Not at all. Training with Professor Serin is far more precious to me. Today, being with you helped me immensely—I'm truly grateful."
This was sincere.
Who wouldn't love alone time with their favorite character?
Thinking of our future sessions brought a natural smile.
"Rowen, you'll be popular with the girls. Try not to smile so much... If you get a girlfriend, it might interfere with training."
"...Thank you?"
Why tell me not to smile?
Unable to comprehend, I thanked her reflexively.
At her urging to leave, I exited the room.
Stepping outside, bright sunlight poured down.
"Ugh, already lunchtime."
After finishing with Serin, I checked the time upon leaving—it had flown by.
Hungry as I was, I headed to the academy cafeteria.
'Today was full of lessons.'
Since waking in this world, I hadn't slept soundly once.
A stranger here, not the protagonist.
To be useful, I'd obsessed over game details, never relaxing.
But talking with Serin and seeing the changed future showed I belonged here.
"Hey, Rowen!"
A voice calling from afar.
Looking around, I spotted Lian approaching.
"Lian, fancy seeing you here."
"Haha, heading to the academy cafeteria?"
Oh, Lian was going for lunch too.
We kept bumping into each other on the way.
Better than eating alone.
"Yeah, just finished chatting with the professor and on my way there."
"Perfect timing. Someone's looking for you."
Someone looking for me? Besides Lian, did I have other friends?
And he was alone.
"Weren't you by yourself?"
"Haha... I wanted to be, but someone threatened me."
"...Hi, Rowen. Long time no see."
Long time? I started just yesterday.
And why was the voice from behind?
Turning, I saw Estelle standing there.
"I was heading for lunch too. Friends eat together, right?"
"Ahaha... Yeah, Estelle. Let's eat together."
I didn't know when she'd snuck up, but Estelle saw me as a friend.
Grateful, but...
No one was behind me moments ago.
How'd she get there?
Estelle smiled softly, pleased with my answer.
Surely her pure heart meant nothing shady.
She wasn't following me... right?