A Nightmare Tale for Someone -4- Midway Through the Peaceful Hamel Mountains, As Always
-Squeal! "That's one down!"
Arms crossed, I was yawning while keeping an eye on the students' safety and pocketing my easy paycheck like some kind of Lupin. Three days of just standing around for 300,000 gold. "Sweet."
I should've found a gig like this ages ago. A bitter smile crossed my face as memories of my dumbass days swinging a hammer on construction sites bubbled up, and I nodded to myself. The boss is always right. Everything the rich boss tells you to do has a reason. Why the hell did a lowly possessed soul like me have to question it?
Sending up a silent thanks to Malik for teaching me the wisdom of life, I bellowed, "Group 3! You're going too far out. Unless you want your body and head connected by Bluetooth, get back here!"
"Group 6 too! That's elite orc territory!"
The students, their rational reins snapped at the sight of orcs crumbling weakly, were charging toward the summit without restraint. It had been a while since they'd seen friends, and they were thrilled to show off and test their academy skills in real combat. That's how they'll end up dead.
I let out a deep sigh and shook my head. Ah. I don't wanna work. Trapped in the harsh truth of life that you have to work to eat even if you dream of being a NEET, I plastered on a wry smile and scanned diligently with my eyes.
And off in the distance, a bit away from me, I spotted the current state of Ruin—laboriously firing off spells.
"Gah!"
Ruin went flying from a single orc punch. Apparently dreaming of merging with the grass someday, his clothes were caked in dirt from all the rolling on the ground. The magic blooming from Ruin's hands made a pathetic "Pew..." and couldn't even pierce the orc's skin.
It must be a nightmare opponent for Ruin, who'd lost the foundation of his talent. In the novel, Ruin relied on his unique ability Flame Letters as his main weapon. An power that exponentially boosted fire-attribute efficiency. He had more abilities, but this was the limit of what he could pull off right now. Of course, it was all for sale at the moment.
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck...!"
Ruin was fighting his best. Rolling on the ground. Spewing brutal curses. Desperately. Though his group mates were watching him with sour expressions.
Ruin's magic, falling way short of expectations, was surely a burden on them. They'd probably counted on it. Figured grouping with the magic department's pride and joy would breeze them through the assignment. But now he was dead weight—they wouldn't be happy. Especially since the guy was a hot-tempered asshole who didn't know the meaning of teamwork. If he were as capable as me, it'd be different, but nah. Ruin was just a fallen prodigy with a foul temper—nothing more, nothing less.
Heading out to a remote spot to hide his downfall from me was probably his idea too. It wouldn't be easy. Regaining his magic. Mending lost bonds. Unlike the smooth sailing of before, everything would keep going wrong. Not my problem, though. No need to overthink it.
I shrugged and looked away from Ruin. He'll figure it out. It was his fault for blowing the countless chances he'd been given.
While reining in students straying from the designated area, a familiar girl's voice rang in my ear.
"Butler!"
Light footsteps approached. I turned slowly and looked at her face.
"Hanna."
"How's it going? Not too tough?"
Hanna Histania stood there, hands behind her back, gazing up at me. Her innocent look as she tilted her waist slightly made me smile and shake my head.
"Nah. I wanna go home."
"What? It's only day one."
"Tell me about it. Day one, and I'm already beat."
"Slacking off, huh?"
"And what about you, saying that?"
Her bone-chilling retort made Hanna grin sheepishly as she looked up at me.
"I'm a student. Gotta have some free time, right?"
"If you're resting, rest with your group. What'd you do, ditch 'em?"
Hanna averted her eyes with a troubled look. Seemed like she'd really ditched them.
"Dunno."
I gave her an ambiguous "Tsk..." and said, "That's a problem if you don't know."
Hanna clicked her tongue and turned away. Spotting Mikhail and Yuria taking down an orc at the forest's edge, she muttered softly.
"They can handle themselves."
"True enough."
Those two definitely could handle themselves. Heroine and hero, after all. Still, ditching the party for a break wasn't cool.
"Even so, sneaking off alone..."
As I started to scold her—
"Hmph!"
Hanna threw herself into my arms. Flustered by her sudden warmth, I burst out laughing at her beaming smile.
"What's this? Tackling me out of nowhere."
"You were about to nag."
"Not nagging. Just the right thing to say."
I stroked her head and replied. "Mikhail might submit the assignment without your name. Tell the professor you did jack shit."
"It's fine. I'll just take first in the rankings."
"What’s with the cocky talk?"
"You said it. Humility's just annoying."
Hanna smirked and buried her face in my broad chest. My face flushed at her sniffing breaths—it was bonus.
"I taught you something bad, huh."
"Hehe... Your fault, butler."
"Oh dear..."
Hanna took a deep breath and glanced around. Her eyes, taking in the place where we'd trained together a year ago, held complex emotions. Happy memories. And nightmares.
In a subdued voice, she said, "It's been forever since I've been here."
"Yeah. About a year."
"Already?"
Hanna gave a wry smile, staring at the spot of our first lesson. "Hard to believe it's been a year since you ditched me here, telling me to figure something out. Time flies."
"...Well, that was unavoidable for a smooth lesson. Time was tight..."
Recalling how harshly I'd trained her, Hanna seemed to have a lot pent up. Can't say much when you raised 'em tough. She burst into bright laughter at my flustered reaction, then murmured low.
"I get it... Why you taught me that way. And..."
"If it weren't for you, butler, I..."
Hanna looked at me with eyes full of grim emotion. Her embrace tightened like she was clutching a lifesaver. She shook her head, wiping away her sad smile. Refusing to let go, she buried her face in my chest again, inhaling deeply and rubbing against me.
Her puppy-like antics. Like her boss-man brother—such a tease.
"Time for you to get back to work, butler."
"I'm a butler by trade."
"True, but today you're the teacher."
"That too."
Hanna pouted like she didn't want to let go, then reluctantly released her grip.
"Gonna head back."
"Yeah. I'll be cheering."
"Hehe. Thanks."
Hanna trudged toward Mikhail. She glanced back with a sulky expression, and I waved with a smile.
As she got farther away, I called out.
"Hanna."
"Yeah?"
"Looks like rain."
"Rain?"
Hanna blinked in confusion and looked up at the sky. Under the cloudless blue, she held out her palm and said, "Yeah. Feels like it."
I smirked at her words. "Not questioning it?"
"If you say so, it must be."
Damn, makes me wanna do right by her. Not many people take my word without a doubt.
Hanna's face fell like big trouble was brewing. Worried about the rain, she said, "What do we do? I didn't bring an umbrella."
I smiled and replied, "Lucky for you, I brought extras. Come grab one—special freebie for you."
"Free's no good... How about we share yours?"
"No."
"Tch..."
Hanna backed away, staring straight at me. Her leisurely steps, trying to tease me longer, kept making me chuckle. I yelled, "Hurry up!" but she stopped dead, refusing to budge.
"We're sharing!"
"No thanks!"
"Why not!"
"Too cramped?"
"I'll lend you my shoulder."
"Isn't that the guy's job?"
"You said it's cramped!"
Unable to resist her puffed cheeks, I gave in to her stubbornness. "Fine, we'll share."
"Promise?"
"Yeah."
As she walked off, gazing endlessly at the sky, Hanna muttered, "Hope it pours."