Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Responsibility
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Only 10 days remained until the tournament.
To make it to the finals and claim victory.
It was crucial to push my current skills to their absolute limit.
*Swish, swish!*
I pictured an imaginary foe and swung my sword lightly.
Indeed, it was a world of difference from before.
Thanks to the passive skill [Mind's Eye], my senses had grown much sharper.
I also quickly grasped how to utilize the spirit.
It had already completed its training, so it adapted to me well.
The nimble weasel seeped into my sword.
It responded instantly to my will.
I couldn't dismiss it just because it was a low-level spirit.
As a spirit destined to become intermediate-level soon, it radiated potential.
While it couldn't match Sword Ki, its power was still considerable.
“Oh, right. Why did my Spirit Affinity suddenly appear?”
My little cutie.
How could you ask me that now?
It seemed like she'd let it slide, but in the end, I had to come up with a plausible reason.
“Well… it must be your influence.”
“My influence?”
“You’re the greatest spirit user, aren’t you? With so many spirits around…”
We’ve been together all this time, so that’s what happened. Anyway, that’s my story!
I blurted it out haphazardly, but she beamed as if she absolutely loved the answer.
The fact that she had helped me.
She looked incredibly proud of that.
From my perspective, I was just grateful, but was this really okay?
Aruru was a Hero candidate.
She had to compete in a league against rivals of the same class.
A total of nine matches.
Since it was a clash between S-ranks, a single match would drain all her energy.
They were given time to recover, but it felt insufficient.
I thought she should start preparing soon, but…
for some reason, Aruru didn't seem to mind.
“I’m fine.”
When I casually asked, she said it was no problem.
Beyond mere confidence, she seemed detached from victory or defeat.
“It’s mostly humans who fight the Demon King’s Army.”
Although other races like elves, beastkin, and dwarves have joined the fight.
The vast majority were human, so humans naturally took center stage.
“So, I think it would be best if a human became the Hero. That’s what I believe.”
“Hmm…”
Despite her appearance, her way of thinking was broad.
Perhaps because she was the head of her household, she was quite mature.
“And besides… I hope you become the Hero.”
“Huh??”
“Then I’ll be your very first companion!”
“…”
That’s all well and good, but the premise itself is a bit problematic!
Jace would have naturally aimed to be the Hero, but do I have to?
There were a whopping ten Hero candidates.
All of them had the minimum qualifications, so I could just step back.
This body was originally pushed out of the competition.
Getting involved unnecessarily might just complicate things.
The flow of events already seemed quite twisted, but did I really need to add more variables?
The best way was to support one of them.
It was more comfortable for me to remain as the Hero’s supporter.
“How about the other way around?”
“No way. It’s too much pressure. Most of all, it doesn’t suit me.”
A Hero who’s as cute as a doll.
Just as she said, there was a significant disconnect.
Allies might subscribe to the truth that ‘if it’s cute, nothing else matters,’ but…
what about from the Demon King’s Army’s perspective?
*That little kid is our sworn enemy, the Hero?*
Putting myself in their shoes…
I figured they’d lose the will to fight out of sheer self-loathing.
Even though they’re the enemy, I should probably consider their feelings…
“A Hero should be cool, like you.”
“…”
It was all the more awkward because I couldn’t deny it.
Once he regained his strength, he would fit the image of a Hero better than anyone.
Strong, handsome, righteous…
Damn it, why does he have to be so perfect and make my life difficult?
I closed my eyes and sank into thought.
There were probably quite a few people who believed in Jace, just like Aruru.
I wasn’t sure why, but even the system window was tempting me.
Should I aim to be the Hero?
The way things were flowing deepened my dilemma.
The Hero’s mission was to annihilate the Demon King’s Army.
They were granted great authority and received immense support.
If I recruited the other Hero candidates, I wouldn’t even have to struggle much.
‘The Demon King is the problem, though…’
As if intending to strengthen the Hero’s party.
he seemed to throw his subordinates at them one by one, so there probably wouldn’t be any great danger.
I could just safely reach max level and then charge in.
If things went well, becoming the Hero wasn’t a bad option.
Well, at this stage, it was just a meaningless hypothetical.
I ended my train of thought and gazed at Aruru.
*Become the Hero! I’ll support you all the way!*
She was waiting for my answer with that kind of expression.
“I’ll try…”
“Okay!”
That was the best I could do.
I couldn’t just crush the girl’s expectations, could I?
It wasn’t as if I didn’t mean it.
Regardless of whether I became the Hero or not, I intended to become that strong.
Suddenly, Aruru’s fox ears twitched.
I, too, sensed a presence approaching.
My sixth sense was active, allowing me to notice it even from a distance.
Light steps. A steady gait.
I estimated it was a female student of A-rank or higher.
‘It’s not Chloe…’
An unwavering grace.
Not many girls met that condition.
“Looks like we have a welcome guest!”
I didn’t know why my little cutie was so happy.
but I guessed Ceria had come to check on me.
Soon, she entered the training hall.
A face of striking clarity. Brown hair that reached her back.
Befitting the daughter of a prestigious family, she exuded a graceful beauty.
Even though I had prepared myself, my heart fluttered.
I feigned composure and met her eyes, and she responded with a smile as if she’d been waiting.
Meanwhile, Aruru began to circle around Ceria.
“That basket… it smells so good…”
It seemed she had brought a lunchbox this time, too.
There was no way to withstand her offensive of affection. I had already surrendered completely.
My little cutie.
Are you coveting my share right now? Anything else is fine, but not that!
She made it for her lover.
A third party should know to stay out of it.
Aruru seemed to know this, as she couldn’t bring herself to ask for some.
Instead, she used all sorts of gestures.
Pleading eyes. A heart-wrenching expression. Even the ultimate tail wag…
Come on, how could anyone resist that?
Sure enough, Ceria was completely won over by the fox’s antics.
“I’ll give you some.”
“Really?”
“I intended to from the start. I brought plenty.”
“!!”
No wonder the basket was a bit large.
Just as Aruru was moved by her kind heart.
I suddenly realized Ceria’s true intention.
She was going to tie my little cutie’s attention to the lunchbox.
and spend some time alone with her fiancé. It had to be.
As if proving my guess correct, she casually approached and sat beside me.
“Have you been well?”
She seemed to be asking how I was.
but then, as if she didn’t care who was watching, she naturally leaned her head on me.
“Thanks to your concern, things are going smoothly.”
“That’s a relief. Oh, right. The tournament is starting soon. We need to prepare for…”
As she spoke, the girl’s body moved on its own.
She wriggled this way and that to press as close as possible, then skillfully tried to link arms.
Ah, this sensation…
It feels so good it’s dizzying, which is why it’s dangerous!
Pushing her away would be a bad move.
Staying still with a stoic expression would also be a bad move.
If I didn’t react, she would become even bolder.
In that fleeting moment, my sixth sense activated.
I could read her heart from where we touched.
She was leaning more towards seeking a sense of security than anything sensual.
She wanted to feel the reassurance of this body.
I steeled myself accordingly and attempted the best course of action.
I wrapped my arm around Ceria’s shoulder and pulled her a little closer.
She flinched for a moment.
but then, as if she had been waiting for it, she slowly snuggled into my embrace.
Words were unnecessary.
We reveled in the atmosphere like a loving couple.
An already established relationship.
There was no need to waste mental energy on push-and-pull games.
It was so peaceful that I found myself wishing this moment could last forever.
“I’m looking forward to next year.”
“Next year?”
“Yes. In about a year, you’ll have more than fully recovered your strength. Then, with both our families’ consent, we can officially hold the wedding…”
“!!”
*Both families’ consent, officially hold the wedding…*
The meaning of her words snapped me to attention.
That’s right.
We were engaged. Therefore, we would become husband and wife in the future.
Ah, I’m still not mentally prepared…
Forget it, this is no time for frivolous thoughts.
This was real.
Until now, I had just thought of her as a girlfriend, but it didn’t end there.
I had been too busy.
so I was only now recognizing this obvious fact.
I stared blankly at Ceria.
Our eyes met, and the girl gave a gentle smile.
Pretty, kind-hearted, and capable—a first-class bride.
She…
was going to become my one and only partner in the world?
“…”
There was no way I had any complaints.
It was good, really good… but it felt so distant that it lacked a sense of reality.
I struggled to calm my shock.
Fortunately, I had plenty of time to think.
Ceria seemed to be painting a rosy picture of the future a year from now, but…
‘That’s not going to happen…’
Starting next year, the Demon King’s Army would become more active.
There were small skirmishes here and there even now, but this would be on a different level.
A full-scale offensive, no less.
The academy’s students were also scheduled to join the war.
How could one hold a wedding in the middle of a war?
It would surely be postponed until the Demon King’s Army was driven back.
Well, that was probably for the best.
If I survived until then, everything would be resolved.
Ceria and Jace were childhood friends of ten years.
On the other hand, I had known her for less than two months.
I needed time to bridge that gap. Only then could I feel I truly deserved it.
In the end, what mattered was surviving in one piece.
By the time the Demon King was defeated, I might even surpass the original Jace in every aspect…
Anyway.
I couldn’t possibly explain everything to the unsuspecting girl.
“I’m looking forward to it, too.”
It was a rare, bright atmosphere.
So I played along.
Once the war broke out, it would be difficult to have time alone together.
It was best to enjoy it while we could.
“Ceria.”
“Yes?”
“I promise I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”
“!!”
My toes curled with cringe, but I held it in.
One must frequently whisper sweet nothings to their lover.
Thankfully, the gravitas of this body somewhat neutralized the cheesiness.
Regardless, the effect was undeniable.
Even the girl who initiated physical contact without hesitation whenever she got the chance was blushing this time.
But only for a moment.
As expected of someone with a ten-year relationship history, she went one step further.
“You didn’t know? I’m already the happiest person in the world.”
“!!”
Ah, so bright!
A radiant light poured from her entire body.
It felt like she could change her class to Saintess and it would suit her perfectly.
Just as I managed to regain my senses.
as if this were only the beginning, she gently wrapped her hands around mine.
Not content with that, she fidgeted, trying to interlace our fingers.
How can she be so adorable…
For a moment, I thought I’d never be able to escape her.
And I love that even more!
Just as the affection was welling up and turning into a fervent heat.
Aruru, who had already emptied the basket, was standing before us.
“*Sniffle*…”
“…”
Why are you suddenly tearing up?
Was she moved by our affectionate display?
I can’t believe she’s getting emotional after eating so much.
As if figuring out the reason could wait, Ceria took out a handkerchief.
The moment she held it to her nose, Aruru blew her nose with a loud *honk!* as if she’d been waiting.
Even the way she cried was so cute that her snot seemed adorable.
“What’s wrong?”
“You two just… *sniffle*… you look so sweet together…”
“You were moved?”
“N-no, it’s more that I’m so jealous…”
“Huh??”
“It makes me want to be in a relationship, too!”
“…”
Trembling with rage.
She looked ready to demand why we were flaunting our relationship in front of a single person.
We hadn’t intended to, but that was the result.
“My younger siblings already…”
She wailed that her siblings had found partners long ago.
Due to their nature, beastkin progressed quickly in relationships.
Since the academy was mostly human, my little cutie was bound to feel lonely.
She must have a lot of pent-up feelings…
And of all times, it seemed to have exploded just now.
I should introduce her to a nice male beastkin when I get the chance.
Anyway.
I felt so sorry for her I couldn’t just leave her be.
To console Aruru, I gave her a light hug.
I could only hope my embrace would be enough (?) for now.
Given the situation, Ceria overlooked my action.
No, she was too busy stroking Aruru’s head to even pay it any mind.
“Aruru.”
“Yes?”
“You can think of us as family.”
“!!”
This time, as if she were truly moved, her body trembled.
Then she started rubbing against me, expressing the unique affection of a beastkin.
The three of us were huddled together.
From my point of view, we were already no different from a family.
Father, mother, daughter…
It was a dynamic I personally found very appealing.
Was that why? A sense of responsibility as the head of the family suddenly welled up inside me.
Next year, the year after… or perhaps forever.
To be with these girls, I would have to become much stronger than I was now.