Fate
With my confinement finally over today, I crossed the threshold of the academy's main building for the first time in ages.
But there was no thrill of excitement. If anything, the thought of sitting through those boring classes again just made me sigh.
As if sensing my gloom—just like she'd promised last night—Nanga, who'd been quietly sheathed, started rubbing her hilt against my hand.
"Yeah, yeah... good girl...."
Impressed by her loyalty to her master, I whispered those words and gently stroked Nanga's hilt.
Of course, I didn't forget to pet Yoroi-doshi behind her. She might not have a soul, but she was still one of my precious katanas—no favoritism allowed.
"...Ian?"
I was heading to the central hall, murmuring sweet nothings to my two blades, when that voice rang out.
I turned to see Hori gazing at me with pitying eyes, like I was some poor lost soul.
"A-Are you okay?"
"Uh...."
Sure, a swordsman pouring love into his blades was perfectly normal. So why did I suddenly feel like dying?
I pulled my hand away from the hilt and approached Hori, who was backing off from me.
"I get how this looks like a total misunderstanding. But I'm not crazy—calm down."
"Not crazy...? Well, now that I think about it, you talking to your sword isn't that weird for you, Ian. Why'd I even freak out?"
Before I could even explain, Hori muttered that to herself and nodded.
"Sorry for overreacting. Ian."
"No, I mean...."
Explaining further would just hurt my mouth, so I tapped Nanga's scabbard instead.
[Woof!!]
"Huh? Wha—?! Th-The sword just barked like a dog...!"
"See? I was talking to her."
I explained the whole story, and once Hori got it, she eyed Nanga with keen interest.
"You said you were forging a new sword, but I never imagined it'd be a Demon Sword...."
"Yeah, a happy miscalculation. So, which class do you think you'll land in?"
Today marked exactly one month since I enrolled, and with all the exams done, it was time for official class assignments.
Hori pondered my question for a moment before speaking up.
"Based on scores so far, probably C-class or B-class? I aimed around there... but we'll see what happens."
"I see...."
Hori knew how commoners had to navigate the academy.
There were three types of people at the Royal Academy.
First: those aiming upward.
Students hoping to advance to higher-ranked classes—usually from prestigious families. Trained from childhood, they were proud and endlessly competitive.
Jessica the roll-bread lady, and probably the next Sword Saint's sister, fell into this group.
Second: those seeking social connections.
They only learned swordsmanship or magic at a cultured hobby level. Mostly lower nobles like viscounts, barons, or baronets.
They hadn't come to truly study but to network for the future, so class promotions didn't interest them much.
The lesser nobles at Victor or Jessica's salons were like this.
Third: those aiming outward, not upward.
Commoners who'd entered via exams to find employers or patrons. Unlike nobles who just submitted applications, their skills were at least B-class level.
But promotions to B-class or higher were rare.
Once they advanced, they'd compete directly with potential future bosses.
No matter how talented, nobles trained from youth saw losing to a commoner as utter humiliation.
They'd pull every dirty trick to crush the intruder. Even if you overcame that, you'd burn bridges with patrons—nothing good came of it.
'That's why commoners just lingered in mid-tier classes, pinning their hopes on the occasional tournaments.'
Tournaments weren't supposed to bar high nobles, but it was tacitly understood they didn't participate.
The point was scouting talent, not showcasing it—no high noble risked the shame.
"Being a commoner sounds tough all around...."
"Feels like complaining, but... honestly, yeah. If I'd been a noble, I could've run way more experiments...."
"...More experiments?"
If this mad scientist had real power to mobilize people...
A hellish vision flashed in my mind—my hands trembled, chills running down my spine.
"Hori... you're the type who should never get money or power."
"What're you talking about?! For alchemy's progress, people like me need to hold power!"
"That's some next-level delusion...."
[Woof!!]
Look, even my katana Nanga was barking in agreement.
"...What exactly are you all doing in the academy entrance?"
"Huh?"
That cute voice ringing in my ear—I'd recognize it anywhere, even after just a few weeks.
I whipped around to see Jessica, her roll-bread hair a bit longer than last time, arms crossed and glaring at me with clear dissatisfaction.
"Jessica!!"
"Shut that loud mouth. And who's that over there...?"
Jessica pointed at Hori, who'd quietly put some distance between us.
I grabbed the fleeing Hori and pointed at her terrified face.
"This is my friend. Oh yeah, you said you'd bully anyone who became my friend, right? Go nuts!!"
"Eek...!! Ian! What are you saying?!"
"Hmmm...."
Jessica stared at the teary-eyed Hori I was holding, then brushed my hand off her shoulder.
"No way a guy like you has friends. Must've been rough dealing with a weirdo like him. Go on, get outta here."
"Uh... Oh, yeah! See you later!"
Caught off guard by the unexpected kindness, Hori bolted for the central hall.
I watched her go, whining a bit.
"Jessica! You're all warm to Hori, but cold to me?! Why?!"
"You really don't know?! After what you did to me, it's a miracle I haven't smashed your head in right now!"
"What'd I even do that bad?! If I did it, just forgive me cool-like!!"
"Grr...!!"
I didn't need to provoke her anymore, but something about Jessica's face kept making these words spill out.
Was it those plump, satisfyingly punchable breasts?
Or some demonic charm in that roll-bread hair that made me pick fights?
"I don't even know why these words keep coming out around you... I can't figure out my own feelings!"
"That mouth of yours...!! Hah... But what's that suspicious potion in your hand?"
"Huh? This?"
Jessica sighed, then spotted the poison in my hand and shot me a suspicious glare.
"What crazy stunt are you planning now...? Never mind. Even you wouldn't pull anything weird with the headmistress here."
Knowing the original story, her infinite trust in Marina felt oddly naive to me.
Hell, if I wanted, I could massacre everyone in the central hall right now.
"Weird stuff? As if I'd do that."
Today's weirdo was Peter. I'd scratched his pride hard, but if he didn't act... well, that'd be that.
"I'm not doing anything weird, but we might see something fun today."
"...You're plotting something again."
"Who knows? If you're that worried, wanna try stopping me? You've been training hard these past three weeks without me, right?"
Her muscles had bulked up nicely, and her aura felt stronger too—not just slacking off.
"...."
Taking my offhand tease seriously, Jessica swallowed hard and slowly reached for the hammer at her waist.
It wasn't as good as the one I'd smashed last time, but it looked serviceable.
For a second, I wondered what face she'd make if I wrecked that too—but no way I'd start a brawl before the ceremony.
"Kidding! Don't take it so seriously! And Jessica suits 'ohohoho!!' noble lady laughs way better than scowling!"
"Urgh!!"
Leaving the fuming Jessica behind, I hurried to the central hall like I was fleeing.
Unlike last time, second- and third-years were packed in too, making it as crowded as orientation.
Before it got worse, I grabbed my seat assignment from the entrance and headed to my spot.
And moments later....
"Wh-What...?! Why does this keep happening to me!!!"
The face I'd parted from just five minutes ago was right in front of me. Grinning, I said,
"Jessica, believe in fate?"