The Day Before
"This example demonstrates the tremendous correlation between mana and sword aura. So, all of you, make sure to commit this to memory..."
Tomorrow was the day the Slave Market would open—a event that would shake the Empire for days. The one and only main quest of the second semester, the highlight crowning the first-years' finale, was finally about to begin.
"Yaaawn..."
"Frey, focus."
I'd been trying to mask my tension with a nonchalant expression, only to yawn and catch an earful from Isolet.
"If the guy at the absolute bottom of the class in both swordsmanship grades and skill skips lessons too..."
"I'm not interested in swordsmanship. Magic lessons are a hundred times more fun."
I shot her a bored look as I said it, and the nobles around us started stifling their laughs.
...It's true, though.
Yeah, I could see how a supposed swordsman fumbling his blade while yapping about magic would be hilarious. But I'd already mastered swordsmanship. Sorry, Isolet, but magic lessons that helped me wield the Star Magic I'd gained from that fateful encounter last time beat rehashing stuff I already knew.
Lost in those thoughts, the bell signaling the end of class rang out.
"That's all for today's lesson. Anyone with questions, stay behind in the classroom."
Isolet ignored the noise from me and the nobles, trying to press on, but she closed her book at the bell and made the announcement.
Most of the nobles shot up from their seats, while the commoners sat ramrod straight, eyes wide and sparkling, staring at Isolet.
"And Frey, you stay too."
I'd been inwardly praising the commoners' diligence as I stood, but her sharp words made me tilt my head and toss out a question.
"Why all of a sudden..."
"Stay."
But Isolet just fixed me with a stern glare, saying nothing more.
"...?"
Flummoxed for a moment, I scratched my head and plopped back down.
"Professor, I don't get the part about the similarities between mana flow and sword aura flow..."
"To reach the realm where you can fluidly shape sword aura, should we focus our training on technique, or on raw power?"
"In real combat against a mage, is it more efficient to slash through spells with sword aura? Or just use it as a deterrent..."
The commoners who'd stayed behind started firing questions at Isolet in unison. Made sense—they were getting direct feedback from the girl dubbed the next Sword Saint.
"Do you think it's possible to infuse magic into sword aura and launch it?"
"...Hmm."
She'd been kindly fielding the commoners' questions for a while when someone asked that, and she paused, deep in thought.
"Chasing dreams, are we?"
A normal professor would've shut it down as pie-in-the-sky nonsense. But Isolet smiled warmly at the student and began her tale.
"Thanks to those who've pursued that very conundrum, swordsmanship has advanced leaps and bounds over the past millennium."
With that, Isolet smiled and wrapped it up.
"Which is why—who knows? Maybe you, or one of you here, will crack it someday. Alright, questions over..."
"...What about you, Professor?"
About to end the Q&A, she glanced at the kid who'd asked her directly and sank back into thought.
"I've hit a wall."
"A wall?"
"Yes. Not just me—the Knight Commander of the Imperial Knights, the Warrior Chief of the Western Continent, the Sword Sovereign of the Eastern Continent. Everyone who's poured their lives into swordsmanship over the past millennium has failed to surpass it. A cursed wall."
The kids swallowed hard at her words, and Isolet gazed into the distance, adding softly,
"...But I believe. Someday, one of my disciples—or their disciples—will shatter it."
Silence fell over the classroom.
...I can do that.
Hearing Isolet's speech, I quietly mulled it over.
Well, yeah. Mine's basically a cheat.
I could infuse magic into sword aura because of the Star Magic I'd abnormally integrated into my body through that fateful encounter. Not a legit breakthrough.
But Isolet, casually admitting she'd reached the wall, had every qualification to smash it. Her moniker "Sword Saint Reborn" wasn't hype—she had the potential to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sword Saint who'd toppled the Demon King a millennium ago.
So, if I tackled her awakening quest starting second year, she could probably...
"That's enough questions for today. Everyone except Frey, out."
Lost in thought, Isolet suddenly cleared the room.
"........."
"What are you waiting for? Get out."
She even shooed the five main heroines who'd lingered, staring at me. Now it was just her and me.
"Planning to hit the Slave Market starting tomorrow?"
"...How'd you know?"
"I'm not an idiot, Frey. I know that much."
Isolet fixed me with a piercing glare as she said it.
"Don't go there, Frey."
"Why not? It's not just me—most of the nobles in this class are going."
"...Last chance."
Her voice turned icy. As I scowled, she radiated killing intent.
"My first disciple. The first bond I ever formed in a life devoted solely to the sword. And as your homeroom professor at this academy, my final chance to you."
"What happens if I don't?"
"...I'll oppose you with everything I have."
"You've been doing that already."
"I'll bring political pressure to bear."
I smirked at that.
"Cut ties with your family, and now you wanna rein me in? With what?"
"Plenty of ways. Don't regret it later—just heed me now..."
"Up we go."
She was patiently laying it out, but I didn't even let her finish, standing and heading for the door.
"Is that your answer?"
"See ya."
I ignored her trembling voice and made for the exit, but...
"...So the rumors of your body being in serious ruin are true."
Her words made me freeze.
"Self-inflicted, Frey."
"...Maybe."
"Get out."
Isolet eyed my quivering cane, then waved me off like she couldn't stand the sight of me anymore.
"...So, what illness is it?"
I didn't want to waste energy here either and turned to leave, but she murmured a question.
"None of your business."
I tossed back a bored reply and muttered as I stepped out,
"...She couldn't be worrying about me again, could she?"
Isolet was one of the few who'd fretted over me until the end alongside Serena in the previous loop. Even if I'd thoroughly disappointed her, I couldn't let my guard down. If she started caring again, I might get swept up in a Trial.
So... I need to drive the wedge in this main quest.
The Slave Market liberation mission was a major turning point for me. Nailing it would derail the first-loop story for real, cement my image as a true villain beyond mere wastrel, and ease my sister Aria's worries.
Clana was a wild card, though... With her Solar Mana—the strongest against black magic among the three lights—maybe she'd hold out?
...Focus on the quest at hand first.
Shaking off the idle thoughts, I steeled myself and walked on.
"Young master."
Suddenly, Kania grabbed me from behind. She'd been waiting by the classroom, it seemed.
"What's up?"
"...Are you alright?"
"Huh?"
Then Kania said something weird.
"From where I'm standing, young master, you look heartbroken."
"What're you talking about..."
"Have you been hiding your emotions behind that impassive face all this time?"
What was Kania on about? Heartbroken? Hiding emotions? I was thrilled Isolet wouldn't trigger a Trial. No sadness, no need to hide...
"You don't have to hide your feelings from me anymore. No need to manage your expressions either."
"Kania, what the hell are you saying?"
"Are you truly unaware?"
She scowled and muttered.
"...You've grown numb. Too many storms weathered."
"...?"
Tilting my head at her, Kania sighed and approached.
"Let me support you."
"Got my cane, no need..."
"Lean on me."
Stubborn as ever, she propped me up, then smiled.
"A cane's fine, but use me sometimes too."
"...Pfft."
Her joke cracked me up, and Kania smiled back.
Guess we've really grown close.
I kept smiling at her, soothing my stinging heart inside, desperately patching the mask that was coming loose around her.
Quietly lost in thought.
She sees right through it.
Humans are creatures of adaptation, they say. But even they shouldn't adapt to mental pain. It manifests as mental illness or violence.
"I'll escort you to the dorms. We can review tomorrow's plan there."
"What about the others?"
"Must we call them? Just us two is plenty for..."
But I'd already adapted. What could I do? Whining or crumbling would just hurt me.
So.
Trusting my ironclad mentality, hoping for eventual peace.
"We need to review properly."
"Your plan's flawless, young master."
"...Don't jinx it."
Just keep going forward, one step at a time.
Someday, light would come.
Meanwhile, as Frey headed to the dorms leaning on Kania...
"Thank you all so much!"
Thanks to her Penalty, Ruby—hospitalized— was preparing to check out.
"Don't overdo it from now on, or you'll collapse again."
"Bye, Ruby sis~!"
She bowed deeply to the hospital staff waving goodbye.
"If you feel sick again, tell us! We'll scrape together what we can, and even a saintess is..."
"N-No! I'm fine!"
At the mention of the saintess, she frantically waved it off.
"Well, I'm off!"
Bathed in their fond smiles, Ruby left the hospital.
"Time to get moving..."
She murmured with a smile.
"...And tackle the main quest."
The moment a crack formed in Frey's perfect plan.
"Master."
—Why the long face?
"I'll take some vacation."
—What?! No way, you punk!! I told you!! The Continental Magic Tower Exchange is coming up!! You cannot miss...
"Please take care of it."
—W-Wait...! Damn it all!! Why are all my disciples such...
Glare—who'd been cloaked in faint light, hiding—
"...This time, I'll definitely catch you with evidence."
—was glaring from afar at the info window that had popped up before the robed Ruby.