A Brief Return to Normalcy (1)
Three weeks had passed since I possessed this third-rate villain's body.
Clang! The sword I thrust with all my might was blocked. Without pausing, I unleashed another strike. Elraim effortlessly parried the relentless barrage of attacks without a hint of strain. If anything, she handled them with casual ease, her movements light and unhurried. And even amid it all, she didn't forget to offer advice.
"Young master, you need to step further forward with your lead foot."
"Shut up!"
"Too much tension in your wrist. Relax it for smoother motion."
"Sh-shut the hell up!"
I swung my sword as if seized by rage, but she corrected my stance without missing a beat.
Kang! The attack was blocked again. Elraim's face lit up with satisfaction.
"Well done."
I ignored her and kept swinging. The sparring went on for about thirty minutes like that.
"That's enough for today."
"Huff... huff... Yeah..."
Having moved nonstop, my breathing was ragged. I collapsed onto the ground and wiped the sweat from my brow. Elraim, on the other hand... not a single drop of sweat on her. A body at Expert Upper level didn't tire from something like this. The firm muscles hidden beneath her armor were more resilient and denser than mine.
"You've improved a lot since yesterday."
"...Yeah."
"Keep at it like this, and you'll see great results."
"......"
I didn't bother replying. If I had to explain why, it'd be because it was a hassle. That was it.
"Perhaps you should get ready now."
"...Right."
My pocket watch chimed. It was nearly time to head out.
After a quick bath, I checked my body's condition.
"The effects are better than expected."
The sword training I'd started a week ago was more satisfying than anticipated. I'd just finished sparring, and my physical limits had already increased. Stamina too. Sure, it was mostly one-sided—she defended while I attacked—but that suited me fine. The goal wasn't technique; it was conditioning the body. Thanks to that, I could now fight for up to thirty minutes at max.
Short reflection over.
"Time to go."
With only forty minutes until class, slacking off would mean certain tardiness. I'd just started giving the professors the impression of a diligent student; I couldn't ruin that now. Of course, there were no dramatic changes, and the other students watched me suspiciously, wondering what scheme the notorious delinquent was up to. But that level of reputation was perfect. Distant from others, yet drawing just enough attention. Ideal for a quiet life.
Still.
"If things stay like this, it'd be great."
There were uneasy elements, though.
Afternoon, after lectures ended. I walked the now-familiar path to the workshop. But the route was noisier than usual.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"About the ghost in the dorm? Yeah..."
"Over ten kids have already passed out!"
"What the hell are the dorm supervisors and professors doing...?"
Restless, anxious first-years, still adjusting to Tianis Academy. Complaints and laments echoed everywhere.
"I wish they'd fix it soon..."
"Can't even use the bathroom at night—it's killing me."
I knew exactly why they were freaking out.
The incident around this time... the dormitory ghost uproar, right?
The dormitory ghost incident. Ghosts appearing nightly in the first-year dorms, knocking students out. It wasn't a big topic among second- and third-years.
They're probably just cursing the professors more at night.
Anyway, the first-years were suffering because of it. It made them tremble with sobs of fear, then popped out suddenly at the peak of terror. By 7 p.m., no one dared step into the halls. As far as I remembered, this was day three. Over fifty victims already. Serious, sure, but no need for panic. The fixer was on the move.
Look, even now—the protagonist Evan, bustling about to resolve this ghost mess...
"Senior?"
Why's the extra here?
"How've you been?"
Evan grabbed my hand and shook it enthusiastically, like we were old pals.
"It's been ages!"
Yeah, ages. Two weeks since the entrance exam. Same department, yet we hadn't crossed paths until now.
"Phew... long time no see."
"You don't sound great. Your voice is weaker than before."
Thanks to you, obviously.If not for you, today would've been peaceful too.
A quick glance revealed two familiar faces. One was my brother, Veil Arden. The other, Cloi, the top first-year in the Magic Department.
"Ah, you know these two, right?"
"...Yeah."
Too well, even.
Evan, Veil, Cloi. The so-called trio, bound together from the entrance ceremony to the finale. Key players all.
"It's been a while, brother."
Veil greeted me as politely and properly as ever.
"Hey, senior~"
Cloi waved lazily. Her crimson eyes had a hypnotic charm.
"Senior, who's this?"
"You don't need to know."
"I'm Elraim, knight of the Arden family. Friends of the young master. Pleased to meet you."
"Tch."
Lately, Elraim had been talking more. I preferred her silent days...
No, actually. Since she's helping my brother and the protagonist, it's fine.
Not pointless chatter—actually positive. If she stuck with those three, great, but her surveillance duty on me made it impossible for now.
Need to shake her off this semester.
But first, good grades to show Father I'm on track.
Evan and Cloi, unaware of Elraim, exchanged greetings. Evan, seeing a real knight for the first time, bombarded her with questions, eyes sparkling. Cloi showed no interest. But she stared at me. When our eyes met, she smiled slyly. I glared back and ignored her. Anyone else, maybe—but not her.
"So, sis—mind if I call you that?"
"As you like."
The friendly protagonist was already casual with her.
"Do you attend the academy too, sis?"
"I'm here on dispatch, not a student."
"Dispatch? Why?"
Silence fell. The air grew heavy.
"Ask the young master."
"I'll tell you later."
"Hm? Okay."
Evan didn't know about me yet. Even after meeting, there was a reason. In the story, he focused solely on studies for the first month—swordsmanship lectures, mana theory, cramming knowledge. No time for distractions amid academy incidents. I lingered in his mind, but not priority one.
"Ah, senior, heard about it? The first-year dorm lately..."
He rambled unprompted.
"I ran into it yesterday too—Cloi..."
Oh, right—around now, Rana meets the protagonist. Today, at this very hour. But no sign of her.
Probably waiting at the Craft Department building.
She'd been waiting there a week now, then heading to the Contract Land together after my part-time job. Likely eager for me to show.
This isn't good...
The ghost incident was how those two first met and bonded. It had to happen. My fault entirely—Rana's interest in me caused the deviation. I needed to steer it back to the original plot.
"Know anything about it?"
"Check the General Department library."
"The library?"
"You'll find some info there."
The Tianis Library held not just regular books, but magic tomes and prank-hidden oddities. The ghost culprit was among them.
"Could be. Thanks for the tip."
Conversation wrapped. The trio prepared to leave. I called out to Evan.
"Evan."
"More to say?"
"Two days from now—lunch together if you're free."
"Uh... I'd love to, but why so sudden?"
"To answer your question from before."
"That one?"
"Yeah."
"I'll be there!"
Irresistible bait against no-shows. Seemed to work.
I turned and walked away. Voices trailed behind.
"See you next time, brother."
"Bye, senior~"
I ignored them and headed to the Craft Department.
Soonest today, latest tomorrow—it'll be done.
With Cloi the mage hearing his words, they'd track the cause. My hint sealed it.
Only Rana left...
Sad to say, convincing her was easy.
"Two days from now, lunch to talk outing plans..."
"Sure! Definitely!"
The appointed day arrived. No afternoon lectures, so I headed straight to the student cafeteria after class. I snagged three empty four-person tables—luck was on my side today. Dropped my bag to claim one and went to buy meal tickets.
Evan likes meat, obviously—grew up poor, so carnivore now. Rana... if I remember right...
Pizza set like mine.
She wasn't picky, but lately mimicked my choices. She'd love it. If not, I'd get something else.
Then, a gaze from beside me.
"You eating too?"
"If you're buying, Set 5 for me."
"Picking the expensive one, huh."
Beep. She grumbled but chose anyway. Elraim's pick: one silver coin. Pricey meal.
Come to think of it, no idea what she eats.
She shadowed me constantly, but I'd never seen her meals. Looked healthy, but I hoped she ate properly. She was a favorite character, after all.
Tickets ready, I carried trays back. Elraim sat at a two-person table nearby—appreciated distance. Prepped to greet the pair, I waited.
First arrival:
"I'm here!"
Evan, fresh from class, breathless.
"Eat first, talk later."
"Thanks! Dig in!"
He carved a huge chunk of meat and shoved it in. Decent eater. After gulping it down, he called me.
"Senior."
"What."
"Heard the rumors. You're a total delinquent, right?"
This guy had no filter. Nearby students flinched. Pretending not to listen, but they were.
"Did some really bad stuff too?"
"Yeah, true."
I leaned on my chin casually.
"Whoa... surprising."
He marveled.
"So then..."
Glancing around, he leaned in and whispered.
"They say you're the weakest in the academy... acting, right?"
I scowled.
"None of your business."
Evan nodded knowingly.
"Your junior's got your secret safe."
"Cut the crap. And stop calling me senior—gross hearing it from a guy."
"Got it, bro! Kyle bro!"
"......"
Fine, I'd endure. He was the world's protagonist, after all. Special treatment expected.
Mid-chit-chat, Rana appeared.
"Kyle~"
She rushed over, but tilted her head at my companion.
"Who's this...?"
"Evan Felix, my junior. And this is Rana Heytald, Magic Department. My... friend."
I introduced the first-timers myself.
"Hi..."
"Hello, senior."
They greeted. Then... nothing. Awkward silence flowed. They just stared at me.
Huh? This isn't right...?
What's with them?
I panicked.