Who Was It Again?
The bowstring, pulled far beyond its limit, began to tremble like mad. The bow that looked ready to snap at any moment somehow held together until the arrow was loosed. It had originally been crafted for Aura Users, boasting far greater tension than the bows issued to ordinary soldiers, but by channeling Aura into it, one could draw even more power than its design allowed. The arrow that flew from that bow wasn't the work of a single archer—it tore straight through the target as if launched from a massive ballista, shattering everything in its path.
“……Kyle Meyer, 100 points.”
“Thank you.”
Kyle gave a casual nod, set the bow down, and headed back to his seat. An Aura Master's body granted him solid archery skills even without formal training. He couldn't quite hit a coin from hundreds of meters away, but striking a human target was no problem. That was more than enough. After all, Kyle was a Sword Saint, not a Bow Saint.
When he returned, Arthur was staring at him in amazement.
“That was incredible, Kyle. When did you learn archery?”
“When I was a kid? They said a knight should be good at everything, so I tried it once. Didn't suit me, so I quit.”
“That just now didn't suit you?”
“Shooting from far away, all timid and pokey—it's not manly.”
“Manly……? What's that?”
Arthur tilted her head, but Kyle just shrugged and brushed the question aside. While the two of them chatted, other students began edging closer.
“Um…… Kyle?”
“Yeah, what?”
“Could you teach me how to shoot a bow too?”
The one who spoke was a female student with an impressive bust. Her face was plain, but her figure was anything but. Those oversized breasts got in the way of proper form, so her archery skills were mediocre at best. Kyle looked her over, nodded, and stood up.
“What don't you know?”
“Well…… actually, I don't even know how to hold it right.”
“Got it. First, the grip goes like this—”
Arthur watched Kyle begin teaching with hands-on guidance and let out a wry smile. Anyone watching would assume he had ulterior motives, yet he never touched the student except to correct her form. To Arthur, it was obvious—Kyle was simply kind to women with large breasts. When she'd asked him about it later, he'd given the most unhinged reason imaginable: the more large-breasted women there were, the more the world would eventually be filled with them, so he had to protect them.
‘Even when he acts all clingy, he never actually crosses the line…….’
Arthur knew the truth. Despite how much Kyle seemed to love breasts, he never laid a hand on anyone. Even with his large-breasted fiancée right beside him—someone who would gladly let him touch her—he still kept his distance. He genuinely just liked breasts in the purest sense. As if he had no other desires at all.
“Arthur, what are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“You haven't learned archery either, right? I'll teach you. Come here.”
“Ah, okay. Thanks.”
That was why she could never bring herself to hate him, no matter how he acted. Arthur dusted off her rear and stood, walking over to Kyle.
“—Next week, you'll have the mid-term test.”
At Professor Gawain's words, the Knight Department students swallowed hard. The test that would determine their rankings was already next week. Gawain smirked at their stiff expressions.
“Don't worry so much. It's your first test as first-years, so it won't be that difficult.”
“—Professor, could you tell us what the test will cover?”
“Ah, right. I'll explain. You Knight Department students won't have a written exam.”
“Ooooh—!”
The students cheered at the news. Neither Kyle nor the others were fond of studying theory. Gawain chuckled at their delight.
“Don't get too excited. The reason there's no written test is simple—everything you learn in theory is meant to be used in practice.”
“Professor, what exactly do you mean……?”
“Tracking, camp construction, mercenary tactics, stealth and camouflage, strategy and tactics. We'll be checking whether you've actually mastered all of it through a practical exam.”
The students who had been celebrating groaned. It meant Gawain had prepared a practical test that would actually use those skills. The professor grinned wider.
“Ah, and—the testing grounds were built by the Magic Department students…… which means this is also their exam. Every time something goes wrong, their scores drop. Keep that in mind.”
“—Understood.”
“That's all for the mid-term test explanation. Good work today. Dismissed.”
Gawain left without waiting for a salute, but the class representative's loud response echoed behind him. Students began filing out—some heading straight for the dorms, others making for the training grounds to prepare. Kyle did neither. He wasn't slacking off, but he wasn't training either.
‘Who was it again…… who did I fight in this test?’
He tried to recall the game. He'd fought so often that the details blurred together. He couldn't even remember what he'd eaten for lunch two days ago, let alone a game he'd played fifteen years ago. Still, one thing was certain—this test wouldn't end normally.
‘What was it…… there was definitely something…….’
“Hey.”
‘Who was it…… some rude bastard, I think…….’
“Ignoring me?”
Thud—
Kyle looked up at the person blocking his path and tilted his head. When he finally turned, Hundread stood there. A former mercenary, not a commoner. That background made him the Knight Department's number-one problem child, shunned by nobles and commoners alike. Since they'd never interacted before, Kyle simply shrugged.
“Oh, I was thinking. What's up?”
“—You. Stop messing around with women.”
“What? Messing around how?”
“Quit hitting on the girls. It's disgusting to watch.”
Kyle blinked in confusion. Hitting on girls? Him? When? He thought it over and came up blank.
“Never done that.”
“Ha, I saw you today—approaching girls and touching them.”
“They came to me first.”
“Bullshit. You ordered them around because you're a noble. They couldn't refuse.”
“—Aha. You like that girl, don't you?”
Kyle grinned, teasing him. Hundread's face hardened, his glare sharp enough to suggest a punch was coming. Kyle didn't care. Even if the guy swung a sword instead of a fist, he had no intention of backing down.
“Too bad. According to you, no one would go for a guy who's not even a noble.”
“Y-you bastard—!”
“Oh? Want to hit me?”
Provoked, Hundread swung immediately. Typical mercenary—proud of having no patience. Kyle understood; in their world, being underestimated meant being devoured. Still, old habits died hard.
Whoosh—
Kyle caught the fist, twisted the arm, and pinned Hundread with ease before giving his rear a light tap and shoving him away.
“Y-you…….”
“Can't fight, not a noble, and ugly to boot. Who'd like you?”
“This fucking—!”
Before Hundread could draw his sword, Kyle grabbed the hilt and slammed it back into the scabbard, whispering in his ear.
“Don't draw it.”
“—Huh?”
Thud—
Kyle pushed him away and patted his shoulder with a smile. Hundread stared blankly, realization dawning too late. In the mercenary world, the first rule was gauging your opponent's strength. His instincts finally screamed a warning: if he'd drawn that sword, he'd be dead.
“If you want to fight that badly, see me at the test.”
Leaving the frozen Hundread behind, Kyle turned and walked off—only to immediately pinch his nose in disgust.
‘What kind of guy pisses himself over something like that…….’
His nose felt like it was rotting. Even at times like this, an Aura Master's heightened senses were nothing but a nuisance.