Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Freedom Comes with Responsibility. (6)
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“So, in the case of this monster's characteristics...”
Lin sat quietly beside the lectern, listening to Kane's lecture.
'As expected... he's different.'
The reason she wanted to observe Kane's class was her firm belief that his teaching would be entirely unlike that of the other academy instructors.
Not some irresponsible type who just slapped on a teacher's title and threw students into practical combat without guidance.
But someone who truly taught properly, guiding his students to learn well.
Such an educator.
She had several reasons for this conviction.
First, the character she'd seen in Kane so far was impeccable.
He'd saved her and accepted her past without batting an eye, even after she confessed everything.
Second was the natural air of vast knowledge she sensed from him.
From his actions and words, it was clear he knew a tremendous amount.
His expertise on gems and magic stones, swamp ecology, all sorts of monster lore.
He was like a walking encyclopedia.
Of course, between educators, the one who knew more had to be better.
'I never used to think that way before.'
Naturally, she hadn't always valued theoretical knowledge either.
But after experiencing firsthand how dangerous and terrifying it was to be thrown into practical training without any instruction, she'd changed.
To survive in real combat, experience alone wasn't enough.
You needed prior knowledge, even if it was just theory.
And third, his reputation.
Everyone agreed on it.
Instructor Kane was truly remarkable.
Word was, even the Troll Lord's raid had been repelled thanks to him and Jenny Harkur.
'Lady Jenny...'
And the final reason was precisely that.
The connection between Kane and Jenny.
The person Jenny Harkur had called “the one who will guide me right” was undoubtedly Kane.
He was endorsed by the hero currently at the peak of her fame.
Of course, if it had been some ordinary hero, she wouldn't have put much stock in it.
They'd probably praise the academy instructors too.
But when everyone else had fled or tried to kill her.
He alone had purified her evil and saved her life.
If she couldn't trust her lifesaver, who in the world could she trust?
In this world now, the two who sustained her and drove her forward were her lifesavers: Kane and Jenny.
Anyway.
For those reasons, she was convinced Kane was different from other educators.
And to confirm it, she'd come to observe his class in person.
Of course, it was also true that she just wanted to be near him.
'Honestly, can I help falling for him? He saved me when I was in danger... well, maybe not danger, but anyway. And he's so cool.'
She gazed blankly at Kane as he taught.
Erudite and refined.
In her eyes, he looked more handsome and beautiful than any other man.
No, other men didn't even register.
They were like a colorless backdrop.
It had been that way since her sword broke.
The gem on the hilt, the world itself.
Everything had lost its color.
But from some point on, in this drab gray world, only Kane shone with color.
Sparkling like a jewel.
As if he were a miracle sent to her.
'I've made up my mind. I'll follow Kane for the rest of my life.'
The resolve of a girl in love was truly formidable.
Everything was meaningless now anyway.
Pacific Kingdom? Princess? Hero?
She'd discarded them all one by one on the road to Ode Swamp, along with her old heart.
All that remained was an empty shell.
But now, that shell was being filled by one man: Kane.
The whole world was starting to shine again.
Repainted in sparkling hues.
'Ah...'
Within this filling world.
Finally, color returned to the two magic stones at the tip of the staff he'd given her.
The two orbs that had looked gray now gleamed in clear blue and light green.
The gems on the hilt that had lost color first.
The ones that symbolized her shattered heart.
Now reborn as magic stones on the staff's tip, they began to shine beautifully.
“Kane...”
It felt warm.
As if this staff had become her very soul.
The hilt of Ice Break, which had represented her desperate desire for her father's approval.
That longing had now transferred to this magic staff.
Now, everything about her was Kane.
She moved for him, lived for him.
'I am yours. Kane.'
With that thought, she clutched the staff tightly to her chest.
“Miss Lin?”
“...Yes?”
At that moment, Kane, having finished the class, spoke to her.
Startled from her reverie, she jerked her head up.
And their eyes met at very close range.
“Ah, ah... Wh-what is it?”
She let out a strange noise without realizing and turned her face away.
Forcing herself to look back in case she'd upset him, her eyes still darted everywhere.
Just making eye contact turned her face beet red, her heart pounding so hard.
She simply couldn't meet his gaze.
“Class is over, and I was about to head down... Are you feeling unwell?”
“N-no! I'm fine! Sh-should we... go down...?”
At his question about her health, she flailed her arms and shook her head frantically.
Kane tilted his head at the sight, then stood as she rose and headed out of the classroom.
'...Hmm, what's with her? Face all red. Can't even make eye contact... Does she like me or something?'
Kane's eyes flashed as if he'd realized something.
In truth, her mental breakdown aside, her skills weren't in any real danger.
But he'd saved her life anyway, so there was justification.
After that, she'd stuck to him like glue.
Her attitude was different only toward him!
And now this blushing, averted gaze!
If he didn't get it, he'd be a total sucker...
'Nah, no way. She's a former princess and hero candidate. Why would she fall for a commoner like me? She's probably just grateful for saving her. That blush was just embarrassment from spacing out.'
...Sucker.
#
“Phew, Veronica, the Scarlett Party... and she seemed friendly with those two women from that weirdly named D-rank party too. Gotta be careful.”
Lin returned to the temporary lodging provided by the adventurers' guild and let out a deep sigh.
The reason for her sigh was Kane's popularity.
Not to mention the female adventurers.
Veronica and Scarlett, both S-rank adventurers.
And even Arna from the Scarlett Party.
'Even Vice Captain Iris seemed interested... Ugh! So I wasn't the only one who thinks he's cool.'
She nervously nibbled her thumbnail.
“Ugh... How can I catch Kane's eye?”
Of course, she had no intention of chasing away all the women around him.
He deserved his freedom, and more importantly, he wouldn't like drama over her.
That made it all the harder.
She had to stand out among all those women vying for his attention.
If she could be the one he chose.
'Lovers with Kane... Heh, hehehe...'
Just imagining lovers' intimacies made her lips curl into a grin.
“Ah, drool.”
*Slurp—*
She hurriedly wiped the drool.
“Ah, hope no one saw.”
Obviously no one was watching in her room, but she glanced around anyway.
Realizing she was alone, she sighed in relief.
Still, as a former princess and hero candidate.
Drooling with her mouth agape during such fantasies was a bit unsightly.
'Anyway, how can I win Kane's heart.'
Back to the point.
Lin began pondering how to capture Kane's affections.
Just appeal her charms straightforwardly?
But she didn't even know his type.
What if she went pure and innocent, but he liked sexy women?
Or vice versa, tried sexy and he found her too forward...
“Ugh, this is tough.”
Appealing charms.
It was so far removed from her life of striving only to become a hero and earn her father's approval.
'My looks aren't bad, though...'
She thought while looking at the small mirror on her desk.
Honestly, she considered her appearance decent.
Among her sisters in Pacific—the princesses—she thought she was the prettiest.
But relying on looks alone to show appeal felt insufficient.
“Sigh~ If it were fighting, I'd have confidence.”
If it were a tournament-style showdown, she'd be confident.
But obviously, that was out.
'That Scarlett seemed a bit dangerous...'
Scarlett.
It wasn't obvious, but her excited expression at seeing Kane, the tone of her voice when talking to him.
Considering all the signs, Lin could infer she had feelings for him.
With her magic aptitude for reading auras, she was good at picking up on such things.
“Scarlett? Scarlett, huh...”
This name, though.
It felt familiar.
Sure, she was a famous S-rank adventurer, so she'd heard it before.
But it was something else.
'I remember it for some other reason...'
Scarlett.
Fiery red long hair matching the name.
Beauty that made you doubt your eyes.
An extraordinary presence.
It clicked.
She overlapped with someone.
'Lady Jenny...?'
Yes, lots of similarities with Jenny.
“Ah...!!”
In that instant, she realized it.
Scarlett's full name.
'Scarlett Harkur.'
Come to think of it, she vaguely remembered a childhood article about the Harkur family's eldest daughter leaving home instead of going to the academy.
That meant... Scarlett was Jenny's sister.
“N-no way, Lady Jenny's sister...!”
Her lifesaver's sister as a rival in love!
'What kind of twisted fate is this!'
She couldn't stop her shocked lament at the dramatic twist.
Of course, she had no inkling that later, both sisters would end up as love rivals together.