A Friend's Ambition
“So in the game, that guy was……”
“No, we have to think realistically. That’s how it was in the game, but……”
Ever since revealing that she came from the real world, Sera had grown strangely close to Izna. In a way, it was only natural. Sera had learned about this world through the game, while Izna had lived in reality and absorbed all kinds of information. The synergy between the two was beyond imagination.
‘Besides, there’s no need to despair or give up just because this world is a game.’
Even if the original form of this world was a game, or if this world itself was something someone was currently playing, those living inside it could never confirm that fact. Everyone born and raised in this world believed the one they saw and experienced was the real world, and anyone claiming otherwise would simply be treated as a madman.
“Hero, Hero.”
“Hm? Ah, Saintess.”
“You don’t have to speak so formally. You’re a year younger than me, but…… in reality, that’s not the case, is it?”
The Saintess tilted her head as she asked. Just as she said, his actual age was more than double his current one, but……
“It’s fine. Here, I’m fifteen.”
“Hmm…? Are you embarrassed about your age?”
“It’s not that…… Well, let’s just say it is.”
“Heeeh. Then, Hero. Would you try calling me ‘noona’?”
At the Saintess’s words, Kyle’s eyes flashed as if to say, What kind of nonsense is this? But the Saintess simply smiled brightly and looked at him without saying anything else.
Even though he had said he was fifteen, calling a sixteen-year-old ‘noona’ felt a bit off. Even if the Saintess had the big-breasted older-sister vibe.
When Kyle kept his mouth firmly shut, the Saintess chuckled and let him know it was just a joke.
“I’m sorry. For some reason, I just feel like teasing you whenever I see you……”
“……Please don’t joke around.”
“Yes, I’m sorry～.”
Leaving the smiling Saintess behind, Kyle let out a deep sigh. She really did have a more frivolous side than expected. Perhaps because she had to maintain the proper conduct and appearance befitting a Saintess in front of others, showing him a side she didn’t show anyone else meant she trusted him that much……
‘That scared me.’
Being told to call a Saintess who was barely sixteen ‘noona’? He’d rather call Sera ‘noona’ instead.
……No, cancel that. This one’s worse.
* * *
Even though the unprecedented event of the Saintess transferring schools had occurred, the academy students’ excitement didn’t last long. While having someone of her stature transfer was certainly remarkable, it didn’t mean much to the students right now…… and besides, the academy wasn’t lenient enough for them to pay attention to a mere transfer student while still keeping up with classes.
“Mana Eater. This monster, which looks like nothing more than a single large floating eyeball, is the natural enemy of all mages……”
“Dark mages are a type of priest who serve demons. The priests would throw a fit if they heard this, but from a magical theory perspective—”
“This great undertaking begun by the Second Great Emperor, Shine Light Dairos, was only completed during the reign of the Third…… This part will definitely be on the exam.”
Even the Knight Department classes, which supposedly required almost no brainpower, were at this level. Students learned the characteristics and weaknesses of monsters that existed in nature, and studied potential future enemies of the empire or historically significant events. These weren’t even essential subjects for the Knight Department—they were merely general education. When it came to required courses, moving your body well was the bare minimum; you had to wrack your brain to achieve greater results with less damage.
They trained their bodies, learned swordsmanship, unarmed combat, horsemanship, mounted spear techniques, archery, and all sorts of martial arts with both mind and body. Simply swinging a sword well or having a slightly good head on your shoulders wasn’t enough to get good grades.
Of course, if you could swing a sword insanely well, that was a different story.
“Kyle Meyer, first place.”
“Again……”
“Hey, isn’t that guy not even an Expert? I’ve seen Experts who couldn’t last more than a few exchanges.”
“So then, maybe……”
Brushing off the murmuring of his fellow Knight Department students as if it were nothing, Kyle nodded as if it were only natural. If an Aura Master couldn’t take first place among mere students, that would be truly shameful. It would be like a math professor failing to get first place on a middle school math exam.
However, taking first place so naturally created another problem.
‘Looks like one or two people are starting to catch on.’
Though he hadn’t drawn an Aura Blade in front of everyone at the academy after hearing the principal’s words, he hadn’t tried to hide his skills either. What was another name for an Aura Master? Sword Saint. Hiding a single Aura Blade wouldn’t make his outstanding swordsmanship disappear. Seeing only that swordsmanship, the students were gradually beginning to realize Kyle’s true identity.
‘Well, it can’t be helped.’
There was nothing he could do about it now. What if it was revealed that he was an Aura Master? So what if they found out? What could the academy even do?
‘They can’t do anything anyway……!’
Over the past few months, through various matters involving the academy and several territories, he had come to realize something. The principal had said that if his Master status became known, he would have to quit the academy due to interference from all sorts of nobles, but that wasn’t actually the case. There weren’t many people who could order an Aura Master around. Unless it was the Emperor himself, a mere noble couldn’t push him around. Besides, wasn’t he the son-in-law of the Northern Archduke? Even by title alone, he wasn’t inferior to others.
“Kyle. Long time no see.”
While thinking this and heading toward the cafeteria, a refreshing handsome man with blond hair approached. Kyle smiled in greeting at the sight of that face.
“Leon, long time no see. I thought you were dead.”
“Ahaha, if a prince died, the entire empire would have been in mourning.”
It was none other than the Third Prince of the Dairos Empire, Bellion Dairos. His first friend, whom he had met at a birthday party when they were young. Bellion naturally stuck close to Kyle’s side and walked with him. At that sight, stares flew from all around and stabbed into them.
Being a prince of a nation meant exactly that. Someone who became the center of attention for who they were close with, what they did and where, every single action they took. Feeling those gazes, Kyle clicked his tongue.
“Must be annoying for you too.”
“I’ve gotten used to it by now.”
Even if he said he’d gotten used to it, it was a feeling one could never truly get used to. The sensation of strangers knowing and watching you. He would always have to carry the anxiety of not knowing when, where, or what kind of attack might come.
Feeling a bit of sympathy for Bellion, Kyle carefully opened his mouth.
“If it gets tiring, just say so. I’ll take you somewhere without any eyes on you.”
“Oh, really? A place like that exists?”
“My mansion.”
“Ahaha, that’s a bit far to go right now.”
If Kyle carried him and ran, it wouldn’t be that far, but Bellion shook his head as if to say it was fine. In truth, he hadn’t come looking for Kyle because he was tired of the stares, but because he had something to discuss with him alone.
“Kyle, how much do you know about my brothers?”
“Your brothers? You mean…… the First Prince and Second Prince?”
“Yeah. To be precise—about the succession rights in our empire.”
In the Dairos Empire, excluding the Emperor and Empress, there were a total of five imperial family members. Three princes and two princesses. Among them, Bellion was the fourth in line. The Third Prince, with two older brothers and one older sister above him. Naturally, he was far removed from the line of succession to the throne.
“I know the gist of it?”
「……Even about my position?”
“You’re the Third Prince, right? Completely detached from succession rights.”
“You’re right. Third Prince. Becoming emperor is a distant, distant story.”
When Kyle looked at him with an expression that seemed to ask why he was suddenly bringing this up, Bellion let out a sigh and opened his mouth.
“—Kyle, if I asked you to support me, what would you do?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I mean, what would you do if I aimed for the throne?”
At those words, Kyle stopped in his tracks and stared at Bellion. He wondered if this guy was being serious. Aiming for the throne? That meant pushing aside the First Prince, Second Prince, and First Princess to take the seat himself. It also meant making enemies of his three other siblings. And the Third Prince, who had no backing or connections!
“You’re giving up, right? You’d be better off just being satisfied with what you have and living as a member of the imperial family.”
“Kyle, could you give up in front of a dream you want to achieve?”
“No…… Being emperor isn’t necessarily a good thing, is it? Why do you have to become emperor?”
He couldn’t understand. The other imperial family members weren’t crazy enough to kill all their relatives if they became emperor. If they had been that kind of person to begin with, they wouldn’t have become emperor in the first place. Even if such a person existed, it would be more realistic for Bellion to lend his strength to one of his other siblings rather than becoming emperor himself. No one would welcome him becoming emperor.
「……Are you serious?”
“I’ve always been serious.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
However—Kyle decided to support his dream. Rather than the other imperial family members whose faces and names he didn’t even know, he chose to back his one close friend.
Thud—
Kyle lightly smacked Bellion on the back and grinned as he spoke.
“I’ll help you, friend.”
At those words, Bellion immediately made a request, as if he had been waiting for this moment.