Chapter 31
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 31: Help Me, Master
“Noonas, here are gifts. It’s moisturizing ointment, apply it often so your hands don't get damaged.”
“Really? Did you buy this to give to us?”
“Thinking of noonas working hard, my heart hurt so I couldn't just pass by.”
“Oh my.... Thanks. I was distressed because my hands were getting rough anyway. I’ll use it well.”
“Really, there is only Irion. Come here. Noona will give you a kiss.”
After giving the gift to Renoa, I distributed the prepared ointment to maid noonas too.
Naturally, all praise.
I can hear the sound of noonas’ affection for me rising straight up to here.
‘If I knew this, I should have just eaten and played eroge.’
Then wouldn't I have possessed an eroge?
If this place were an eroge, I would have spent a life where there is no day water fills my balls.
“Sigh.”
Leaving regret behind, I gifted ointment to Helena too.
“What is this? Ointment?”
“Yeah. I went out a while ago and stopped by a general store to buy it.”
I know because I used a sword, this is really a task that overworks hands.
Grazed, blistered, and even calluses.
While training, there are days when hands hurt so much I can’t grip the sword at all.
Wouldn't it be helpful even a little if there is ointment?
“I didn't even do much, but you’re giving a gift too?”
“If not for you, I would have been swinging a sword at the air alone? It’s a bribe meaning please take care of me in the future too, so take it. No, maybe a noble doesn't need it.”
“No, I was actually concerned about it so I’ll use it well. Thanks hehe.”
Although active in the same space, Helena is also a noble lady in her own way. It would have been awkward if she refused, but fortunately, she accepted the gift.
“Tsk. Not doing training he’s supposed to do and just flirting with a girl.”
“Who says he’s not a servant bastard, picking only frivolous things to do.”
Cadets send dissatisfied gazes to me flirting with Helena. Needless to say, it was jealousy.
I understand. Because Helena is the only woman among apprentice knights. And a beauty reminiscent of fresh spring at that.
In this place full of hard training, her existence must have been one of the few comforts.
How angry must they be that a mere slave like me snatches that away.
‘Then you should have done better.’
I clearly remember Helena’s eyes regarding them pathetically when they boycotted saying they disliked me before.
You guys were wrong from a long time ago.
“Then will you guys spar with me?”
“W-With me? No? I don't spar with a slave.”
“Me too. Sparring with a slave is just a waste of time. Indeed.”
Cadets disappeared as if running away hurriedly.
“Fools. How big a help it is to spar with Irion.”
“It’s unfortunate. Let’s start training slowly too.”
***
Smooth days continued.
Resting well, eating well, training hard, and flirting with noonas.
Of course, since knights excluding me was still the same, training was self-study or ended with sparring with Helena.
Meaning they hate passing on the swordsmanship they polished to a slave. It was obvious they were trying to block growth by excluding me.
But there was something they overlooked.
[Proficiency Level has increased.]
Uh, hyung’s skill increases even training alone.
‘No. Originally, one grows even training alone.’
Right, it just rises a lot better.
Of course, it’s slower than receiving teaching, but depending on the case, self-study is sometimes much more meaningful.
If growing in a short period, the gap between my ability and perception is huge. If something that didn't work until just now suddenly works, a sense of heterogeneity occurs.
Meaning time is needed to adapt to the changed body. In that sense, self-study is valuable enough too.
Of course, I suffered because I sacrificed [Basic Stamina] proficiency a while ago, but fortunately now I recovered enough that there is no hindrance to activity.
However, if asked if my current state is perfect, that wasn't it either.
—Thwack!
“Ugh.”
The wooden sword Helena swung struck my wrist. I dropped the sword in pain.
Helena aiming the sword at me who became empty-handed.
Originally, the moment one drops the sword in sparring, it is defeat. But I had a history of using tricks before.
For that reason, she absolutely doesn't go easy until surrender is declared.
I raised both arms obediently.
“I lost.”
“Fufu. I do it when I do it too.”
Helena smiling with a proud expression. At that, I smiled wryly too.
“Is the wrist okay?”
“Yeah. Just slightly tingling.”
While sparring, no matter how careful one is, situations causing damage are bound to occur.
At that time, not resenting the opponent is an implicit rule.
Of course, I have never hit Helena even once though.
“Irion. Anything happen these days?”
“Why?”
“Seems you can’t concentrate. Reaction is a bit slow, and complexion is bad too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Was it enough to show on the outside.
Her guess wasn't wrong. Clearly I am unable to concentrate on sparring.
“That is, I started feeling something strange since a while ago.”
“Something strange? What kind?”
“I don't know exactly what to say, but if I have to express it, should I say I became sensitive?”
As if facing the wind with one layer of skin peeled off from the whole body.
Not only touch, but all senses including sight, smell, and hearing became sensitive.
Because all sorts of senses pour in, I felt like having motion sickness 24 hours a day.
I simply don't know the cause.
‘Seems it’s been like this since I rerolled proficiency.’
At the time I thought it was body aches and left it, but even now that quite some time has passed, the symptoms haven't disappeared.
“Isn't it because of mana perhaps?”
Helena, who was listening to my story, offered an opinion cautiously.
“Mana?”
“Yeah. I heard from a wizard friend before that people sensitive to mana have a different sense of feeling the world itself from ordinary people.”
“In what way?”
“As you know, mana exists in the atmosphere too, right? Ordinary people feel air just as empty space, but those people feel it is full of mana. As if being in water.”
At her explanation, there was one thing that popped up in my head.
‘Mana Sensitivity...’
Proficiency newly obtained through reroll. If this symptom is related to mana, there is no other reason than that.
But knowing the reason is also a problem.
‘So where do I use this.’
What should I do to return to normal. Performance might be bad, but it shouldn't be minus.
Because of this, daily life is hard too.
“Is there any way?”
“Well....”
As the two were wrapping their heads and contemplating, Helena suggested an opinion carefully.
“If really nothing comes to mind, how about asking the Lady?”
“Princess?”
Why does Renoa come out here.
“Because wizards are more knowledgeable than knights regarding mana. If it’s the Lady, she might know a way to solve it. Although I don't know if she will give help.......”
It makes sense.
Renoa is a member of Edelheid even if rotten. She becomes a tremendous Great Wizard in the future too. Just the problem is she’s a black wizard.
Anyway, if it’s her, she will surely know the solution.
“...So you came to me?”
“Yup.”
Don't they say strike while the iron is hot. Came to meet Renoa immediately.
Renoa, who heard my story, frowned as if annoyed.
“Do I look that leisurely? To even do slave counseling?”
“Aren't you just reading books all day?”
“Get out.”
“Oh my, don't be like that and help me just once. Because of this, let alone training, I can’t even sleep properly. Motion sickness all day, I feel like my head will split.”
Renoa, who looked at me disapprovingly, sighed. I realized with my wits that it was a silent intention to cooperate.
“You think your senses became too sensitive?”
“Yes. I am guessing it’s because mana sensitivity increased.”
“Why did that suddenly go up?”
“Uh, um.... Well? Suddenly after waking up?”
When I answered vaguely, Renoa sent a suspicious look but fortunately didn't dig deeper.
“Probably the guess is right. Since it’s a phenomenon commonly experienced by people with high mana sensitivity. Also called Mana Hypersensitivity, or Supersense.”
“How can I solve it?”
“Simple. Just extract all mana from the body. Since the mana inside the body develops the senses.”
“Yes? How am I supposed to survive in this rugged world without mana.......”
“That is for you to figure out.”
Renoa, who was sitting on the chair, leaned her upper body forward.
“It’s you who said you wanted to become a knight. It’s also you who promised to become the best knight in front of everyone. I just showed broad generosity and gave an opportunity.”
“That is.......”
“In return, I lost the trust of knights and became a spectacle for the lower ones. But if you even break the promise, what will I become? What will become of you?”
“.......”
Renoa’s lips saying so drew a smooth arc. But her eyes were not smiling at all.
“Even if I fall, I will ruin you thoroughly at least, Irion.”
At her cool spirit, saliva passed down the throat with a gulp.
I was living with the mindset of enjoying if unavoidable, but I realized once again who the person in front of my eyes is.
Renoa, having said that much, leaned her back comfortably on the chair again.
“Any more words?”
“No.... Then please help me a bit kindly. If I become strong, it’s mutual aid.”
“...What?”
As if hearing unbelievable sounds, Renoa’s reaction was one beat late.
I didn't care and continued speaking calmly.
“Since you keep discouraging me, I can’t gain strength even if I want to. I think I’d gain strength if you help and cheer for me by the side.”
“You are really crazy, huh?”
“Because it’s a world where one can’t survive with a sane mind. The world made me like this.”
Renoa?
Of course scary.
But what can I do. What changes if I’m scared.
I’m already caught as a slave?
I die if I stay still anyway?
If the situation doesn't change even if trembling, I should act confidently at least. Then at least my insides are comfortable.
‘And, Renoa can’t throw me away anyway.’
It’s true because Renoa already shouldered the risk.
Renoa is the very one who pushed me, a slave, as a knight, enduring negative gazes around and declining reputation.
It absolutely can’t be good will, she must have some scheme. Because that calculative Renoa wouldn't buy a loss.
Such Renoa’s true feelings.
‘Renoa, isolated in the family, wants her own knight.’
Quest content that came out during sparring with Gerard.
This is Renoa’s true intention. She wants to make me a knight.
I don't know the detailed reason, but at least for now, we are companions heading towards the same place.
There is no need to act just servilely.
“So can’t you help this pitiful slave just a little?”
“You....”
“I know the Princess considers ability more important than anything.... Ultimately, I just have to prove it in the end, right?”
“.......”
Renoa narrowing her eyes and glaring at me. The sign of displeasure was evident.
But maybe because I relaxed my mind. It only looks like a child throwing a tantrum. Actually, it is such an age too.
I didn't avoid and smiled slyly.
While such a tense staring contest continued for a long time.
—Thud.
Along with a short sigh, Renoa closed the book and rose from the seat. Slowly started approaching me.
What is it. This ominous feeling.
Did I act too rashly.
“I apologize. Actually not sincere. Just words I tried because momentary enthusiasm was ahead.......”
“Shut up.”
Renoa cutting off my words at once. Soon she takes a position behind me sitting on the sofa.
“You’d better keep in mind. If you fail to meet expectations, you won’t die nicely. I will make you regret this moment.”
Along with the cool voice, my vision darkened. Something covered my eyes.
Cold yet soft texture.
Don’t tell me this is?
“Focus properly. Because I’m doing it just once.”
Oh.
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