Master Studies, So the Slave Wanders Alone – Oops, Ended Up Flirting with a Girl. If Master Finds Out...
I was perfectly content with any time spent alongside Sylvia, no matter when it was—even if it got a little boring. But fiddling with her constantly just to kill time, or burning through the gaps between lectures with edgy naughty antics right up to the wire, would inevitably disrupt her studying. So for her sake, I opted to split off for the rest of the class time.
Squeezing in among those tiny, pretty-boy cadets? Nah, that gave me full-body goosebumps. So I headed in the opposite direction.
The break room had tons of snacks and drinks...
After messing around with Sylvia, my stomach was rumbling a bit. At least some water to drink. But by my standards, the break room was a domain for those girly pretty-boys, all "ooh" and "aah" gossiping away. And the kicker? There was even a silver-haired boy who looked kinda like Sylvia. Thinking back on it, it was one creepy space.
Better skip that. I didn't bolt back to the classroom just to hang with Sylvia for nothing.
To avoid even a flicker of wavering loyalty to Sylvia—or my own sense of self—I had to steer clear of the break room. But I still wanted food, so naturally, the cafeteria it was.
Feeling awkward wandering solo, I swung by the room first and strapped Dark Bringer to my waist. I hid the embarrassingly shaped thing in a makeshift scabbard Sylvia had magicked up for me.
[Boyyy. Where's the master's master off to, wandering all alone?]
Why does she always call Sylvia "master's master" but me just "boy"? A sign of affection? Or just her shtick? ...Whatever, too annoying to ask. I brushed off the fleeting questions and answered her.
"Sylvia's in class. But you're okay left alone, right? Not feeling neglected?"
[This body is a magic sword. It feels no such feeble emotions.]
"Yeah, sure."
[Shouldn't you ask twice, boy?]
"Why? Were you lonely?"
[No! To one who can slumber its own ego, any time apart from you is but a fleeting moment upon reunion. Lonely? Preposterous!]
"Oh. Putting your ego to sleep? Sounds like it has an off switch."
Chatting idly with Dark Bringer as we walked, we reached the cafeteria. Not mealtime yet, so it was dead quiet, not a soul in sight. Peeking toward the kitchen deeper in, I spotted women working away. Thirsty anyway, I figured I'd ask them nicely.
"Excuse me."
"Yes? ...A man?!"
A woman about my height jumped at the sight of me.
"Shh! It's a slave. This is the ladies' workspace. What brings you here?"
Maybe because slaves belonged to nobles, their reactions were cautious. Like drivers keeping distance from someone else's luxury ride. I considered backing off after eyeing the busy workers, but to be a man worthy of Sylvia, better to carry myself confidently anywhere. So I changed my mind.
I paused a beat, then stated my business.
"Just hoping for something to drink. You all swamped?"
"...We are busy, but sending you away empty-handed feels off when we're working for that reason. Hold on... Hmm! You there, treat this slave nicely. I'll cover what you were slicing."
"M-Me!? I have to?"
The especially petite, slender woman startled like a deer. Put down the kitchen knife already. You're scaring me.
"Yes. Ugh, these are all uneven. You're the only one slim enough among us."
Using skill as an excuse? Escaping work sounds like a sweet deal. Why act like it's a hot potato? Unless she thinks I'm ugly!? ...My mind was racing everywhere. I stayed quiet and watched.
"But..."
"No buts. Do as you're told. Go on. And come right back when you're done."
She turned away before more protests, and the kitchen kicked back into frantic gear. The little one had no choice but to set down her knife and attend to me.
"...Please, have a seat."
"Sure."
I sat in the offered chair and waited, killing time by slowly taking her in. Her straight brown hair peeked from under her hygiene cap, forehead exposed. Not a fierce girl-crush type—her down-turned eyes made her look timid.
She kinda gives off bullied-maknae vibes at first glance. About to get water served too. Maybe toss her a compliment... Nah, who am I to do that? Wait, wouldn't anyone feel better hearing kind words from the opposite sex...? Nosy much?
Still, the situation had me feeling like a sergeant pulling a private aside to chat. Bored out of my skull, the move was obvious.
"Here you go."
"Oh, thanks."
I'd expected just water, but she brought a drink and snack I hadn't anticipated, letting me fill my belly lightly. Makes sense—the pretty-boys' munchies had to come from here.
Crunch crunch.
Chewing the snack, I tested the waters for chit-chat—more boredom relief than concern for her. After gulping the grape-flavored drink to wet my throat, I spoke up. Best start with intros for this kinda thing.
"You're spoiling me without even knowing my name. I'm Jin Yuseong."
"P-Pardon? Ah... I'm Lucy."
I led with mine, and she hesitantly shared hers. Like I'd sensed earlier, she wasn't good at saying no.
"This here's my buddy. Eyeglass."
[This body is the magic sword Dark Bringer.]
"Whoa? It talks?!"
"Pretty neat, huh? Even better—it's a sword, but super intellectual."
[Kukuku. Wisdom forged over eons of experience. Wench, ask anything that piques your curiosity.]
"Then, do you know any secrets to great cooking?"
[...Regrettably, a realm beyond this body's ken. No other queries?]
"How about tips for spotless cleaning?"
[...This body is a sword. Cease questioning the blade.]
"Huh? Pfft. But you just said to ask...?"
"Ah~ Eyeglass here's actually pretty sharp. Probably playing dumb to entertain you."
[Indeed. Wench, that furrowed brow's easing. How fares my scheme?]
"Ah, so that's it."
She bought that? Nothing hooks interest like the bizarre. Nice one, Dark Bringer. With a chat partner now, I started enjoying the talk purely. Original intent was flimsy goodwill mixed with boredom, but hey, that's me. Never been the protagonist type who nails crisp starts and ends.
After ten-odd minutes of banter and small talk, I learned she was working to support her sick mom. She'd prayed hard for this academy cafeteria gig, but lagged behind the skilled pros and worried constantly.
"—So I try hard to keep up, but I keep getting called out..."
Whoa, dumping family woes outta nowhere...?
Mom was sick, sure, but details weren't that heavy—no terminal illness or coma, just bedridden. No massive debts or poverty either; she had savings for treatment but felt compelled to replenish them. Practical stuff.
"Sigh. Was that too much? You listened so well, slave sir, I just..."
"Haha. My bad?"
"Ah! Sorry! Not like that!"
"Kidding... If you're sorry, then—call me by name instead of 'slave sir'?"
"P-Pardon? But... I'm a commoner working here."
Fuck, so that's a no-go?
What was this hierarchy? I'd chatted casually with shop owners outside without issue. Nobles first, then slaves over commoners, then staff? Did we really need to slice it that fine? Tongue-tied, a memory surfaced.
Oh right! Heard this during sex. Totally forgot... What now? Eh, already brought it up—might as well push.
Sorting my thoughts quick, I tossed out a casual line.
"I call Eyeglass a friend. Can't I be friends with Lucy too? Friends use names, right?"
"Friends..."
"You call friends by name, not 'Miss So-and-so.' Yeah?"
"But... a boyfriend would be my first. Do they use real names...? You really wanna be friends with me?"
Boyfriend?! Why'd that pop up? Oh, 'cause I'm a guy—makes it 'boy-friend.' Shit, can I backpedal? Sylvia'd be pissed if she knew. Dammit.
Her sudden "boyfriend" drop had me sweating bullets. Me, think before you speak! Panicking, I threw out a pivot.
"If jumping straight to friends feels off, I'll probably hit the cafeteria every mealtime from now on. Chat a bunch, get close naturally—then it'd be fine, right?"
"Y-Yes...? Yeeaah...."
Lucy's cheeks flushed pink.
Fuck, what's my mouth spewing on its own!? Total pickup line!!
I sure wasn't handsome by any stretch—Sylvia called my face plain! But that wasn't her fault. My bad—I'd misread. In this isekai overrun by low-libido guys, a man approaching first was rare. Looks mattered, sure, but Lucy was hit with a dash from a guy she'd maybe only fantasized about.
I'd blundered into reckless territory and had no clue how to fix it.