Chapter 3: Kalen Snowwhite
I knew this character better than anyone. It was impossible not to. In the game, he was the unbreakable wall. He always held the front line of my party. He was my most trusted shield.
"Have a seat for now."
I gestured toward an empty spot. Kalen sat down. I noticed something. He didn't have much luggage. It seemed strange.
"Is that typical? For the Knight Faculty?"
Kalen shook his head. He looked at me respectfully.
"No, Sub-Marquess. I have a cabinet. It's in the main building. I've used it since first year. All my gear is there. This room is only for the basics. Books and daily necessities."
I nodded. I remembered the lore now. The Knight Faculty was different. Mages were individualists. They focused on research. But knights valued camaraderie. They shared a main building. They treated every year as comrades. The dorm was just a place to sleep.
So that's how it manifests in reality...
In the original game, Kalen was a ghost. You only found him in the training grounds. He was there from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Every single day.
"Hup!"
Kalen grunted. He lifted his bag. He pulled out several thick books. I scanned the titles.
Monster Ecology 2.
Practical Knight's Mana Usage.
Introduction to General Swordsmanship.
I knew these books well. Ebnis's route was famous. The developers treated it as canon. It started right here. Knights focused on practice. They didn't care for theory. Their exams were hunts and duels. Not written tests.
I recognized two of the volumes. Monster Ecology was about habits. Practical Mana Usage was pure theory. General Swordsmanship was the big one. It was the shift from basics to applied techniques. It was the core of a second-year's life.
Watching him work sparked my curiosity.
"Kalen."
"Y-yes, sir!"
He snapped to attention. I hesitated. He was too formal. He'll drop the formalities eventually. I decided to match his pace. I wouldn't force it. He’d figure out my situation in a few days anyway.
I spoke casually. Like we were old friends.
"Mind if I look? At General Swordsmanship?"
"Ah, sure! Here... Oh no!"
Thud.
He tried to hand it over. His elbow caught the bag. Everything spilled. It was a mess on the floor.
"...S-sorry!"
His ears turned red. He scrambled to pick it up. I bent down to help. I grabbed a small bundle.
"Bandages...?"
Kalen's hand shot out. He snatched them away.
"Ah, uh! S-sub-Marquess! That's... for injuries! You might not know. Swinging a sword causes cuts. It's common for knights!"
"...I didn't say anything."
"......"
He went pale. His face was ghostly. I didn't understand the reaction. Was he that embarrassed? I decided to act like a noble.
"The Knight Faculty is rough. I get it. Just be careful. Watch your things. And watch your words. A noble must stay composed."
"Y-yes, sir!"
I dropped it. I opened the book. I stared at the pages. Of course. None of it made sense. My brain couldn't process the diagrams.
"Y-you have a wooden stick? For training?"
Kalen saw my practice sword. He looked flustered. I gave him a light reply.
"Yeah. I'm taking Basic Swordsmanship. It's an elective. My body is frail. As you can see."
"Doesn't look that way, though..."
"Swinging it made my arms sore. Just a few times."
"That sounds serious."
It was. I wanted to scream. Why was I like this? I had the golden proportions. I looked like a hero. But my Strength was 3. It was a cruel joke.
Playable characters started at 14. Even extras were 12. I was a high-intelligence dud. I didn't need to be the best. I just wanted to survive.
"What are your stats like?"
"...Stats?"
Kalen blinked. He looked confused. Why ask that? I knew his endgame stats. They were godlike. But I forgot his starting point.
"Don't want to share? It's fine."
"N-no. It's not that. But... what are stats? Is it a type of food?"
I stopped. I stared at him. He tilted his head. He really didn't know. No stats?
"It's numbers. Quantifying your physical power. Have you heard of it?"
"...No. But it sounds handy. For tracking progress."
I understood now. Stats existed in the game. But not in this world's common tongue. Only I could see them. I turned my gaze toward him.
"...Sub-Marquess?"
'Character info.'
My vision blurred. A blue window appeared.
Hyrin Snowwhite.
The window revealed the truth. I could see everything. It was my unique skill. It was the '???' on my list. I just needed to focus. If I built affinity, I could see more.
She was a true playable character. Her Will was 18. That was human peak. 20 was godlike. Ebnis started with Strength 20. She was a monster. But Hyrin was special too.
"S-Sub-Marquess...?"
I snapped back. Kalen was avoiding my eyes. He looked nervous.
"Ah, sorry. I just saw the scars. On your hands."
I meant nothing by it. But it backfired. He flushed deep red. He hid his hands behind his back. My head throbbed. He was so obvious. Why did no one notice? They must have thought he was just a 'cute' boy.
I need a room swap. This is too much...
Then he spoke. His voice was quiet.
"...These scars. I am not proud of them. Not to you."
"Why not?"
"Scars are from wounds. Wounds are from failure. They show my shortcomings."
He smiled bitterly. His face was shadowed. I looked at him indifferently. I tossed out a thought.
"They suit you."
"...P-pardon?"
"Look at it this way. Two knights. One has beautiful hands. The other is covered in scars. Who looks more like a knight to you?"
He hesitated. He didn't answer right away.
"Just your opinion. No pressure."
"...Personally? The scarred one."
"Me too."
I nodded at him. I meant it.
"Scars prove failure. They prove lack. But those who fail understand themselves. They are better than those with family glory. Someone who rises from the bottom is worth more. Effort leads to the top. Your scars prove you work."
That was my honest take. Kalen’s eyes widened. He looked shocked. I handed back his book.
"Don't be ashamed. Boast about them. They make me trust you."
This was for Hyrin. Not the character Adrian. It was for the person under the disguise. It was from the player who spent ten thousand hours with her.
It landed. I could feel it.
"The Sub-Marquess... you have changed."
He murmured it softly. I didn't catch the full weight. Then a new window appeared.
Hyrin Snowwhite feels slight trust toward you.
Current Affinity Level: LV.1
Affinity leveled up. Already?
"Shall we eat? Have you tried the cafeteria yet?"
"Not yet."
"Then I'll be your first meal buddy."
Kalen smiled. It was a genuine smile.