Lecture (1): The Heroines Have Regressed Too
While staring at the author’s message, I spaced out for a moment. So those girls remember everything, just like me? The instant the thought hit, goosebumps raced up my spine. I glanced around to see if any of them were nearby, but—
“Phew…”
Fortunately, none of them were close yet. Well, no matter how crazy they are, they must be pretty shaken right now. At least I knew why the regression had happened. They had no clue. They were definitely sitting somewhere completely bewildered by the situation.
Anyway.
You damn author! Why the hell did you regress them too?!
I cursed at the author, but the bastard stayed stubbornly silent. I was sure he was ignoring me on purpose.
“Huu…”
As much as I wanted to smack the back of his head right this second, worrying about the future came first. I slowly closed my eyes and examined the mana inside my body.
Tsk. Of course.
Just as I expected, every bit of mana I had built up was gone. My body had already reverted to its old, frail state. The loss of mana wasn’t a surprise.
It’s a little disappointing, but I can always get stronger again. More importantly, this is what matters most.
Since I already knew exactly how to restore my mana and physical abilities, that part would be easy. What truly mattered was the legendary holy sword—also known as Jukchang. This was the one thing I couldn’t lose. Even if I had grown weaker, as long as I had it, I could still beat the crap out of most opponents.
If I have to make another one from scratch, I’m screwed…
I had poured so much into creating it. The World Tree branch and dew I’d obtained through coercion—no, cooperation—with the elves. The elixir, the massive amounts of mithril and adamantite, and the countless magic crystals infused with both curses and blessings. I’d commissioned the dwarves with all those materials and barely managed to have it made.
I clearly remembered what they’d said: “This is a masterpiece for the ages in dwarf history, sir!” Even the dwarves had been awestruck. No wonder the thing had gained its own soul. Of course, the downside was that this guy was missing a few screws, just like the other heroines.
Hmm. Should I try calling it?
Because of our contract, Jukchang-i and I were linked by soul. In the previous timeline I could summon it from anywhere, but there was a good chance the regression had erased that connection. Still…
You never know.
The author wasn’t omnipotent. There was a chance Jukchang-i had regressed too.
Jukchang-i, come forth!
The moment I called out in my mind—
-Whirr!
A green bamboo spear suddenly appeared in my vision. My eyes flew wide open.
“What?! It’s exactly the same!”
Not a single thing had changed. As I stood there stunned, the spear spoke.
-Master! Why has your body suddenly gotten so weak?!
Jukchang-i immediately started throwing facts at me. I brushed it off lightly and asked,
No, more importantly—do you still have all your memories?
-What are you talking about, Master?
Um… What’s the last thing you remember?
-I remember Master beating the Demon King with that really satisfying smack and being about to get caught by those crazy women. The way you’re talking… it looks like you regressed with your memories too, just like me.
What? Why did this one regress?
The author had definitely said the heroines had come back with their memories. Ah… To be precise, he said “your heroines,” didn’t he? Which meant the heroines from the novel itself hadn’t regressed.
Wait… does that mean this one counts as my heroine?
That was ridiculous. Sure, it had sentience, but it was originally a weapon made from every random material imaginable. Even when it transformed into a human, it became a little girl.
The author bastard really is trying to turn me into a lolicon.
If I ever met the real author, I would give him a thorough, equal-opportunity education with the jukchang. As I made that silent vow, Jukchang-i asked,
-Master. What are you thinking about so hard?
Nothing important.
-Anyway, Master! Why did your body get so weak? And why are we suddenly here?! Weren’t we at the Demon King’s castle and you were about to get kidnapped by those… yan…
Yanderes.
-Yes! Yanderes! You were about to get kidnapped by the yanderes, right?
Hmm. How should I explain this? Since she hadn’t regressed, telling her the truth outright wasn’t a bad idea. So I told Jukchang-i everything.
Her response was immediate.
-Master. Did the yanderes mess with your memories or something?
She didn’t believe a single word. Honestly, I would have reacted the same way, but I hadn’t expected her to sound so pitying.
Well, my story does sound less believable than that.
Still, even while saying that, she was probably believing me. Otherwise the current situation made no sense. I ignored her reaction and continued.
Believe it or don’t, whatever. More importantly, turn into a ring for now.
-Huh? Why? I like this form the best. It feels better when Master does that to me.
It’s more convenient for me too. The problem is, if the yanderes realize I’ve regressed they might lock me up. Then I won’t be able to do that anymore.
-Tch. Can’t be helped, I guess.
With a sulky grumble, Jukchang-i transformed into a small ring. I didn’t put it on my finger; I slipped it into my pocket instead. The last thing I needed was the heroines noticing I’d regressed.
They know habits of mine that even I don’t know about.
While I was checking over my body,
-Young Master. May I come in?
My personal maid, Jane, knocked politely. I told her to enter.
“Yeah. Come in.”
-Creak.
She opened the door without hesitation. I studied her for a moment. Jet-black hair that fell all the way to her waist. Sharp, idol-level features that perfectly suited her elegant aura. And of course, that impossibly majestic chest. In the past I would have been mesmerized, but now—
I can’t afford to stare.
She was one of the heroines who had chased me all the way to the Demon King’s castle. There was no absolute proof she had regressed, but she was definitely a prime suspect. Anyone who followed me that far was basically a heroine already.
As I watched her warily, she tilted her head.
“Young Master?”
Her expression seemed to ask if something was on her face. Feeling awkward, I scratched my cheek.
“Ahem. Sorry. So… why did you come in?”
“It is time for your lecture, Young Master.”
“Hmm. I see. I’ll get ready and head out. Wait outside.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
With those graceful words, Jane left the room. I finished preparing exactly as I had in the previous timeline and headed for the academy.
***
An awkward silence hung inside the carriage. I stole a glance at her, but her face remained perfectly expressionless as always.
Hmm. Did she not regress?
-Master. Do not let your guard down. Remember everything this woman has shown us so far.
Just as Jukchang-i said, thinking about Jane’s past behavior made lowering my guard impossible. She was a top-class assassin raised by the family. Controlling her expression was as easy as breathing for her.
Still, if someone regressed, shouldn’t they show at least a little confusion?
-Aren’t you acting right now too, Master?
That’s different.
At least I had some idea of what was happening. She didn’t. No matter how skilled an assassin she was, she was still human at her core. And humans usually showed something when they were confused.
Hmm. Either way, I won’t let my guard down.
-Master. That is a very good attitude.
While I was silently chatting with Jukchang-i, Jane spoke.
“Young Master. We have arrived.”
We had reached the academy before I knew it. I stepped out of the carriage and looked up.
It really has been a while.
The grand Western-style building stretched out before me. It was so huge it could pass for a castle. I started walking toward the academy.
The next moment—
-Buzz, buzz.
People kept glancing at me and whispering. It’s been a while since I received this kind of welcome. Not that I ever wanted it. I couldn’t hear the exact words, but I could guess what they were saying. Things like…
“Young Master.”
Jane’s voice was as cold as ice. When I turned, she was radiating killing intent.
“Shall I deal with those people right now?”
“Uh, um… No, it’s fine. Are you angry?”
“Not at all. It is simply that insulting you is the same as insulting the family.”
She said that, yet the murderous aura pouring off her was anything but calm. Jukchang-i immediately warned me.
-Master. I think that woman with the nice hands has regressed!
Yeah… I think so too.
Of course, even before “that incident” she had been like this, so it could just be my paranoia. Still, it was better to stay cautious. We ignored the whispers and headed for the lecture hall.
Before long—
It really has been a while.
We arrived in front of the classroom. Even with the door closed I could hear the students chatting inside. The moment I opened the door without hesitation—
“…….”
“…….”
The students clamped their mouths shut as if they had rehearsed it. I ignored them and walked to the podium. Then I scanned the room.
Look at those eyes.
They were exactly the same disdainful stares I had seen outside. Given what Elric had been like before I possessed him, their reaction was understandable. The guy really had used connections to get this position.
Hmm. I see a few yandere candidates too.
-Be careful, Master. I guarantee at least one of them is here.
You don’t have to tell me.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“Then let’s begin the lecture right away.”
And so, my first lecture after regressing began.