Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Companions (2)
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◆
Half a day earlier.
[Labyrinth exploration exam...]
The Holy Sword spoke in a voice lost in memories.
[It was a fun exam.]
"...Fun, this?"
Carlyle replied in a dumbfounded voice as he skimmed the document outlining the exam requirements.
The task was to reach the central area of the artificial labyrinth inside the academy, the 'Eternal Forest'.
True to a labyrinth, it was filled with all sorts of obstacles, but they'd also hidden supplies and treasures that would aid progress.
The first student to reach the forest's center would receive the highest score.
'...Good grief.'
On the surface, it seemed straightforward enough, but that was precisely the trap.
There was no clause anywhere forbidding interference with other students.
In other words, fight whoever you encounter and push forward by any means necessary.
They even encouraged it—extra points for taking down other students.
The Dean's talk of a 'practical' exam wasn't just empty words.
Compared to the previous dungeon mock battle, the danger was far lower, but this setup pitting students against each other was far more vicious.
Of course, only select first-years were participating, and from what he'd heard, only volunteers were allowed in the first place. No one without confidence in their skills would even enter.
He'd have to compete against those kinds of people.
[Exactly. It was fun.]
And there was someone who flatly declared such an exam had been truly enjoyable.
The reason?
[Because I could beat down all those arrogant weaklings. They always rubbed me the wrong way.]
"..."
[It felt so damn good.]
How did someone like this ever become the Hero?
These truly are the end times.
Carlyle let out a sigh and headed toward the exam entrance.
Either way...
'As long as I don't fail, it'll be fine.'
Gray would be thrilled if he took first place, but honestly, he had no desire to push that hard.
She'd probably just say something like, 'Isn't that obvious for my attendant?'
Better to play it safe, even if it meant a scolding...
"...Carlyle?"
"Ah, Vespa."
Lost in those thoughts, he ran into Vespa, who was reading her documents at the forest entrance.
After a brief chat...
"...It seems you and I are paired up?"
"..."
Vespa spoke hesitantly.
He wasn't sure why she seemed reluctant, but anyway.
"..."
This was bad.
In the worst possible situation—where he'd likely clash with other students the most—he'd been paired with the one person who seemed least suited for combat.
[...Looks like we'll have to try hard.]
"..."
[If you don't fight hard, we're in trouble.]
She had a point.
◆
Progressing through the forest depths went surprisingly smoothly.
Having the all-purpose Holy Sword with him made it even easier. Not just its abilities, but it knew exactly which paths led through quickly.
And accompanying him was someone who absolutely could not afford any mishaps.
"Look at this, Carlyle! It's a tin pot! We can cook with it!"
"...Yes. That's great."
"I picked up some potatoes and veggies on the way! Shall we make dinner with these?"
"Impressive."
In a situation where combat could erupt anywhere at any time, Carlyle inwardly chuckled at Vespa's pure delight over such finds.
'Traps or whatnot...'
There didn't seem to be any, but he couldn't let his guard down.
You never knew when or where a fight might break out. He couldn't let someone this innocent get dragged into it.
At the very least, he had to avoid any reckless plunges into danger.
'But we can't keep this up forever.'
Completely sidelining her from combat would be absurd—her talents were far too valuable.
[S he'll have to face combat eventually. Vespa too.]
Even the Holy Sword seemed reluctant but agreed.
[With her personality now, I'm not sure she could even do it.]
'...Yeah.'
Frankly, it worried him.
Before his regression, she'd toughened up and grown emotionless after enduring all sorts of hardships, but right now? Imagining this kind-hearted person harming others was impossible.
So.
"I'll make dinner for us! I've been practicing a recipe!"
"Then shall I gather some firewood, Vespa?"
"Ah. Would you?"
Perfect.
That flowed naturally.
Carlyle brushed off his clothes and stood.
Whistling, he moved away from Vespa, venturing deep into the forest.
To a secluded spot—in an already dim forest, as secluded as it gets.
"Shall we do this here?"
He spoke into what was clearly an empty space.
"Negotiations or fight, whatever—let's get it over with quickly."
"You knew we were watching?"
"Yes. Your stares were too intense."
He'd especially noticed the ones boring into him, not Vespa.
The Holy Sword had pointed it out, but still.
"As expected. Guess you need more than average skill to stick around the Hero. Carlyle Bellfast."
With those words, two students appeared from empty air, as if tearing through a curtain.
A taciturn-looking male student in leather armor wielding twin axes. And a green-haired girl in a robe and pointed hat.
The one to watch was the girl.
Invisibility magic. A mage.
[Pretty capable for first-years.]
He agreed. Anyone proficient in magic was already beyond average first-year level.
More importantly...
"Have we met before?"
Why did this girl act like she knew him?
"Nah? But you're pretty famous."
"Pardon?"
"The guy who doesn't scream and run from the Hero's side. Never seen it happen once."
"..."
Ah.
So that was his claim to fame.
"Probably not just me—plenty of people rate you highly."
"...Staying by the Lady's side without fleeing earns that much regard?"
"Of course. It's life-or-death."
"..."
"The high priests of the Sand Kingdom torture themselves in training. You're a bit like that, no? Either way, your mental fortitude is clearly no joke."
"..."
[...Why aren't you denying it?]
"..."
Ignoring the Holy Sword, he simply smiled silently. The pointed-hat girl bowed her head slightly in greeting.
"Well then—I'm Letty Ingram. This is Goriba, my escort knight."
"Pleased to meet you, Letty Ingram."
He bowed, and Letty returned the nod.
Polite. She had a refreshingly straightforward vibe.
"Ever thought of joining our house? We'd pay top coin. Personally, I'm curious about you—"
"I'll pass."
He cut her off before she finished.
He'd rejected far better offers before.
The Gray Cardinal had offered everything she had, and he'd turned that down. What was a scouting pitch?
And above all...
'...Just hearing that might make them want to kill me?'
[They'd kill Letty over there before you.]
This conversation itself was dangerous.
Good thing Gray wasn't here.
"Fair enough. Can't be helped."
She hadn't expected much anyway and immediately drew her wand, aiming at Carlyle.
"Don't think you'll go easy, Hero's attendant. Be a good boy and be my extra points."
It came to this, huh.
Carlyle nodded and reached for the Holy Sword.
"Not calling your partner? Me and Goriba are pretty strong, you know?"
"Yes. I'm enough."
Letty and Goriba's brows twitched at his blunt words, but he meant it sincerely.
'2 vs 1...'
He quickly assessed their capabilities.
He'd handle Vespa's share too.
Not that hard. No matter their strength, he wielded the Hero's power.
"...Confidence overflowing, huh?"
"Not looking down on you two—it's just, I don't want to make the other fight if I don't have to."
"Why? Girlfriend?"
"No, not that."
Carlyle gave a wry smile and drew the Holy Sword.
"Just someone I want to protect."
It had always been that way.
Vespa was a good person. Someone you wanted to see happy.
"...What. Not your girlfriend?"
"Does it have to be that kind of relationship to feel that way? I just think she's a good person."
"No, what you're saying..."
Letty's face showed disbelief, as if telling him to rethink his words, but Carlyle just tilted his head innocently.
No, it was just the plain truth. Nothing problematic.
-System Message
▶ Target 'Vespa Luciana's' emotions grow confused.
▶ Target feels her heart pounding from your words!
▶ Additional trait generated!
[ ♥ Affection 0% → 5% ]
"..."
That was what he'd thought—until that window popped up.
No way.
She heard that?