Awkward Realizations
It's really awkward between us.
Eleonore Celestine. The only hero to have survived in a hundred years of endless time.
Although it started as an absurd act of sneaking into the Tower in secret,
no one could deny that she possessed complete mastery and experience from within the Tower.
So the world sees her as someone who is meticulous and perfect itself.
“...”
In truth, Enril was just one of the most ordinary people.
Like now, when she wanted to sleep a bit more before her morning exercise and was conflicted about it.
Her disheveled hair and her face still half-asleep in a vulnerable state.
Throwing her half-raised body back onto the bed and fiddling with the blanket.
If she fell asleep like this, there would be no sweeter late sleep than this.
Just ten minutes. No, five minutes. Just that moment inside the blanket.
Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, a whisper came from somewhere.
Enril's body twitched at the sound.
Slap!―
But as a hero, knowing the fate placed on her shoulder,
Enril slapped her own cheek to force herself awake and changed her clothes to head outside.
The start was light stretching. Stimulating her still half-asleep muscles.
Though it seemed like nothing, it was actually the most important pre-work.
Enril had emphasized this to the other candidates many times.
From then on, as always, she ran the academy for an hour today as well.
Her stamina kept increasing but was still lacking. It was something she had clearly felt from the beginning when climbing the Tower.
No matter how mana was covered, stamina couldn't be ignored when it dropped.
Panting heavily, suppressing her heart that felt like it would burst.
After running for a full hour like that, Enril loosened her body and returned to the room.
Shower!―
After washing her sweat-soaked body, she fell into deep thought.
If it were usual, today would have been what training, how many swings of the sword, etc.
“I met Instructor Rion earlier. He seems like a very good person, and it looks like he's placing a lot of trust in you. Sister, you're incredibly lucky.”
Now, only one thing came to mind. The Saintess she had accidentally met a few days ago.
These people who had relied on her for hope until now had found a new hope.
I understand. If you've failed nine times, it's time to look for something else.
During that time, the Saintess was first designated as a hero candidate, which was something to look forward to.
Even if I were her, I would trust an outstanding person who uses divine power while also having overwhelming combat ability.
“I'm envious. Of that.”
But oddly, the Saintess said she was envious.
The statement itself of being envious was no problem. Being trusted was the same.
It was just that the part of who was doing the trusting was a bit bothersome.
“You didn't say you met the Saintess.”
From what she heard, it seemed she had met Rion before meeting her.
But since that day, Rion hadn't spoken a word about the Saintess.
In fact, she had scolded herself for being a fool.
After a month, now entering the second month of her meeting with Rion.
It might be nothing, just a fleeting connection.
But at least for Enril, it wasn't.
How could anyone live normally after hearing such words?
“Only you, my hero. Enril.”
Enril, recalling those words, unconsciously leaned her head against the wall.
If she hadn't, she might have sat back down again.
The world still believed in her.
Even though they found a Saintess, they didn't abandon her.
So, there was nothing particularly disappointing or regrettable about it.
“Why is this happening...?”
Enril lightly tapped her head.
Whether swinging a sword, doing stamina training, or practicing the mana cultivation technique,
that word that popped up at any time had reached the point where she even dreamed of it.
And annoyingly, in her dreams, she herself was smiling happily.
Enril, you really went crazy. She shook her head at herself.
Then she realized she had been showering for too long.
“Uwaa! Late...!”
After finishing her shower, Enril quickly changed clothes and headed somewhere.
In the Hero Academy, mornings are mostly theory and mental education.
But Enril was an exception; theory and mental were already more than enough.
It was the academy's consideration to focus on training during that time.
Or, was it really consideration?
Anyway, Enril was learning the mana cultivation technique from Rion that morning.
In the afternoon, he had to look after the other candidates, so it was difficult to focus only on Enril.
On the contrary, with no one else in the morning, it was a state where no one's gaze reached them, so it was a natural choice to train a bit more leisurely and deeply.
So, she was heading to Rion using that morning time today as well.
“Sorry, Instructor! I was a bit late because I was doing something else...!”
As Enril entered the training ground, she slowly slowed her pace.
Then, trailing off, her eyes caught the people in front.
“It's impossible. Stop.”
“Cough, cough! Just one more time!”
“Trying is definitely a good attitude. Not giving up is also a desirable appearance. However, instead of stubbornly insisting on something that's not working and failing, it's necessary to postpone it. Seria.”
Rion, clicking his tongue and urging with his thumb, as the Saintess tried to do more.
Amidst this, the sight of him casually calling her “Seria” stood out.
“...”
Enril, watching this scene, unconsciously bit her lip.
She hurriedly stopped, but the confusion in her heart remained.
What to do. Shouldn't she step forward in front of these two people?
It would be unfair to the Saintess, but she was the only hero recognized by Rion.
Even if the world didn't say so, she would believe in that person to the end.
Thinking that she had heard those words, Enril thought she had sufficient qualification.
“...No.”
But before taking even the first step, Enril changed her mind.
Upon thinking about it, this time was just something that happened by chance.
The rule that Rion focuses only on her during morning time wasn't set.
Anyone could come if possible and ask for help.
The Saintess was also a skilled person at a similar level. Moreover, she was from the Combat Priest Corps.
Theory and mental were incomparable to the candidates, so morning was free.
Then, it was possible for her to come and learn the mana cultivation technique like Enril.
She couldn't interfere with that. It was an act of violating someone else's rights.
It was an action unbecoming of a hero. It was only right to wait.
Despite her resolve, her body kept getting tense.
After one deep breath, Enril was about to head to the support when...
“Here.”
“Huh? Ah, I can do a bit more. Instructor.”
“I know that, but this side has a handicap.”
With those words, Rion called out loudly to Enril.
“Enril! What are you doing, not coming quickly. Didn't you say you would somehow surpass the basics today?!”
Apparently, he had noticed Enril was near the training ground earlier.
Enril answered in surprise, “Yes!” and dashed over.
A smile that she didn't realize had appeared on her lips.
*
Seria had come since morning. The reason was, as expected, the progress of the mana cultivation technique.
Even though her enthusiasm was virtual, she had tried again, but the result was the same as before.
“If this speed continues, even reaching the starting line would take months.”
It would be faster to teach the disciples.
Although few, there were a few disciples who had roughly grasped the feeling.
On the other hand, Seria was too slow, even slower than slow.
No, it wasn't just slow. She hadn't even started.
It was embarrassing to compare her to Enril.
“Hup...!”
How many times did she have to say that trying wasn't working?
This wasn't fighting a demonic beast. If injured, it wasn't something to endure and take one more hit.
Mana was difficult for new paths for those who had already awakened to the flow of this world.
It should be normal to be difficult. It was like making someone who had used their right hand only use their left.
Moreover, Seria was a perfect special constitution that went one step further.
Since she circulated mana through her skin and her mana heart settled there, it was even harder.
This was definitely not a problem that could be solved in a month like Enril.
“The protagonist has arrived at last.”
It was unfortunate for Seria, but for this side, there was no choice.
One army had come, and they couldn't keep paying attention to the second army.
“Here.”
Even though Seria said she could do more, Rion immediately pushed her away.
The one who had been looking after you fixedly was someone else. You're last.
“Enril! What are you doing, not coming quickly. Didn't you say you would somehow surpass the basics today?!”
“Yes, yes!!”
Enril jumping quickly beside Rion, and Seria quietly watching the scene.
Between Rion, the two women's gazes crossed for a moment.
“...”
“...”
One side feeling sorry yet thinking it was natural, and surprised at herself.
The other side with competitive spirit despite knowing who to trust more, unable to look away.
“What are you standing there blankly for. Prepare quickly, Enril.”
And completely ignoring that, as if it had nothing to do with it.
Requiring steady growth with the mana cultivation technique.
Enril tried to push Seria's presence aside and prepared her stance.
Before long, red light began to gather around her.
“...Good. It's going very smoothly so far. Well done, Enril. You've improved a lot!”
It was strange. Why was she so focused today?
There was almost nothing different from yesterday. She had just done as usual.
Enril kept tilting her head inwardly, but it didn't matter.
Because Rion praising her from beside the Saintess made her very happy.
Thinking that today was just a bit more lucky.
“...”
And the cause of that luck was standing behind with a sullen expression, arms crossed.