Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Tournament Preparations (4)
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Largo’s replacement was a taciturn-looking male student.
The Student Council emblem caught my eye.
Everyone in the Student Council was a ranker, so his skill was guaranteed.
An A-rank powerhouse.
He came bearing a sword, not bare-handed.
This made the conditions better than with Largo.
After all, the proportion of students who used weapons was overwhelmingly high.
However, I didn't know why he wanted to help me.
I thought about it, but no particular memory came to mind.
He had no connection to Jace whatsoever.
Hmm, could he have been threatened by Largo?
It was a fairly plausible theory, but I didn't get that impression.
“My name is Lauren. I wish to witness your swordsmanship.”
His speech and conduct were measured.
As befitting a member of the Student Council, he was a polite fellow.
In the past, this wouldn't have been strange, but now, I was far weaker.
“That's a line I should be saying. I hope you'll go easy on me.”
“Is that… a joke?”
No, I'm serious.
It'll be a problem if you think I was just saying it!
It seemed a stereotype was fixed in everyone's mind.
Jace was not the type of person to show weakness in any situation.
I was getting subtly stressed out because of it.
If only I'd possessed the body of a 100% pure scoundrel.
People would have praised me for just breathing properly.
This body, on the other hand, was a case of a young noble who became a scoundrel.
In other words, no matter how hard I tried, they'd just take it as, ‘For Jace, that's only natural!’
“…”
Should I call my situation pitiful?
No matter how I thought about it, it was too disadvantageous a fight.
My strength drained away, but then my fiancée's face came to mind.
The girl who believed in and devoted herself to me.
My little cutie couldn't be left out either.
My status as the heir to a prestigious family.
And even a body with the greatest potential…
After weighing everything, it seemed it wasn't something to complain about.
Soon, I stood facing Lauren.
His stance, the way he held his sword, was markedly different.
Judging by the aura he exuded, was he around the 70th rank?
I've had my own special training, so maybe it'll be something of a fight…
Enough idle thoughts.
I treated it as a real battle and swung my sword in earnest.
* * *
One win, nine losses.
I fought Lauren ten times and lost nine.
Indeed, the A-rank was still a realm beyond my reach…
Still, I managed to secure one victory.
It was because I exploited an opening well, thanks to the effects of the Mind's Eye and the spirit.
“It was a beneficial session.”
“The pleasure was all mine…”
It was surprisingly fun.
The flow was smooth enough to make me think so.
Yes, this is what a spar should be like.
Getting beaten one-sidedly by Largo was just an ordeal.
I glanced at Lauren.
For some reason, his expression hadn't changed since we first met.
I was satisfied, but from his perspective, it might have been a waste of time…
“You are recovering your skills quickly. To be honest, you were my idol.”
“---??”
“I looked up to you, wanting to become a fine man myself. There were probably quite a few kids like that.”
Uh, thanks for the kind words…
My face is burning; I can't listen to this.
I'd rather receive a confession from a girl.
Getting involved with a boy like this is a bit much!
“That is precisely why I made time for this.”
“Hmm…”
“Please become as strong as you once were. With that, I'll take my leave…”
As if asking me to be his idol once more.
Lauren calmly left his words of encouragement.
I felt both proud and burdened…
Just as I was feeling dizzy from the complex emotions.
“Ah, someone else is scheduled to come tomorrow.”
“---??”
An unexpected statement followed.
What on earth did he mean by "scheduled"?
For some reason, I had a feeling the next person would also be from the Student Council.
If that's the case…
It means the Student Council is supporting me on an organizational level.
‘They're supposed to be neutral… so why?’
The Student Council treats everyone equally.
No matter how distinguished someone was, there was no special treatment.
If anything, they were in a position to keep the Hero candidates' factions in check…
A few hypotheses came to mind.
But with insufficient information, everything was uncertain.
Well, it should be fine.
If I were on their bad side, it'd be one thing, but this was a friendly development.
They probably want something from me, but for now, I'll have to play along.
When you think about it, they were just providing a sparring partner, which couldn't be seen as a violation of their principle of neutrality.
* * *
Before I knew it, there were only two days left until the tournament.
During that time, I sparred with students from the Student Council.
It was as if they'd only chosen kids who had a favorable impression of Jace, so not a single problem arose.
Perhaps because I'd fought against various people, I gained a lot.
With this, I could probably aim for the championship with confidence.
I'll end the sparring today.
Tomorrow, I plan to meditate and do some image training…
“It's been a while.”
The last one up was Chloe.
We parted awkwardly after *that incident*.
Perhaps because some time had passed, she greeted me with her usual smiling eyes.
This was perfect timing.
I had something to ask her anyway.
“What is the Student Council's ulterior motive?”
“Hmm, I wouldn't call it an ulterior motive… Normally, I'd have to pretend I didn't hear that, but I don't want to hide it from you, so I'll tell you. It was none other than the Vice President's order.”
“The Vice President?”
“Yes.”
Vice President Isabel Presti.
A ranker in the top 30s and the de facto representative of the Student Council.
Depending on your perspective, she held more influence than the Hero candidates.
“Why her?”
“She didn't tell me the reason. It was so obvious there was no need to ask.”
Hearing that, I thought I understood, too.
One of my many speculations had hit the mark.
The Student Council views the Hero candidates' factions negatively.
If it gets any worse, even the minimum level of order will disappear.
In that situation, my existence emerged as a variable.
They intend to put me forward as an alternative to stop the spread of factions…
I suppose it's something like that.
It must be difficult for them to get directly involved because of the Student Council's position.
Anyway.
For that to work, the premise is that I must fully regain my strength.
It seems they believe in me, but I don't know what they saw to make that judgment.
Well, there was nothing bad about it.
It's like the Student Council has my back.
I'm destined to clash with the Hero candidates eventually.
Until then, receiving all sorts of support was unconditionally advantageous.
“It won't be easy…”
“But you're the only one who can do it.”
“…”
“You don't need to feel too pressured, just make sure to take care of that bastard, Cedric.”
Ugh, this feeling is weird again!
With the school as the setting, it feels like a bunch of delinquents playing a ranking game, doesn't it?
The Windswept Transfer Student…
I'm not a transfer student, but it feels like I've been cast in a similar role.
The fact that the Student Council was backing me made it even more bewildering.
Alright. Let's think positively.
At least I don't seem to be the villain.
I was closer to the protagonist who solves the case.
‘The problem is…’
that I'm not the least bit happy about it.
Just leave me alone. If you want to fight, fight amongst yourselves!
I wanted to shout that from the bottom of my heart, but.
In the end, someone had to step up and quell the chaos in the academy.
By going through various events.
A being who ultimately stands tall above the multitude of students.
‘In this world's view, they call that a Hero…’
I mulled over that meaning before gazing at Chloe.
“I'll ask you one thing. I'd like you to answer carefully.”
“Yes.”
“Who do you want to become the Hero?”
“You.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Um, it just seems to suit you…”
“Give me any reason.”
She seemed to rack her brain for a moment.
Then she glanced at Aruru, who was sleeping in the corner.
“It'd be a little weird if that fox were the Hero, wouldn't it?”
That's true.
Her skills might be sufficient, but it's too awkward.
Both allies and enemies would be thrown into confusion.
Maybe they'd realize the value of peace in the face of her lethal cuteness and make a truce?
Forget it, I don't want Aruru to become the Hero.
I'd rather sacrifice myself than entrust that harsh job to my little cutie.
A pet, a family member, a little sister…
To sum it all up, she's an incredibly precious being.
Ilensia is a klutz, so I can't trust her.
Cedric and Gale are bad news, which makes me uneasy.
“…”
Wait, how come there are no decent candidates?
It's not that there aren't any, but it seemed like I'd do the best job.
I sighed deeply to myself.
I'm tired of worrying about it. To hell with it, I'll just become the Hero.
The academy students, of course.
And I'll work the knights, mages, and soldiers to the bone!
It's only fair if everyone suffers like dogs together.
How about shortening a war that would take about three years to just one?
Since it has come to this, I'll decide my destiny with my own hands.
Defeat the Demon King, inherit the family headship, spend my life with Ceria, make Aruru the family mascot… a happy ending painted itself clearly in my mind.
Good, perfect!
As soon as I made my firm decision, motivation surged within me.
“Let's get started.”
Chloe wields both sword and magic simultaneously.
Everyone in the Venice family did, but among them, Cedric boasted outstanding skill.
A genius with A+ in swordsmanship and A+ in magic.
I had a premonition that we would clash in a big way soon enough.
It would be best to deal with him as quickly as possible.
Right now, he just gives off the scent of a villain, but later, he might actually become one.
“Wait, I have something to say.”
The girl's expression suddenly turned serious.
She hesitated for a long while before speaking heavily.
“I'll tell you my family's secret.”
“---??”
“It's not exactly a weakness, but it should make facing Cedric somewhat easier.”
Hmm, it seems she's about to reveal ‘that,’ isn't she?
Wielding sword and magic at the same time is quite difficult.
Because their natures are different, a delay inevitably occurs.
It was choppy and made smooth combinations impossible, but the Venice family overcame that point.
By carving a mana circuit into a part of their body… I don't really know the principle myself. It's just part of the setting.
Anyway, it acts as a sort of weakness.
If the mana circuit is broken, they essentially drop from S-rank to S-minus.
It's a weakness, but just as one protects the body's vital points.
they take special care of it, so it can't be easily exploited…
“---??”
Chloe started to do something unexpected.
She pushed back her outer garment and undid a couple of buttons on her shirt.
With a soft rustle.
The girl's hidden collarbone imprinted itself on my retina.
W-Wait a minute!
I can see something, you know? That strap stimulates a boy's sensibilities!
I tried to avert my gaze, but one of her shoulders was already completely exposed.
*Gulp…*
I swallowed without realizing it.
It's not that I had any strange thoughts.
It was just a conditioned reflex, like one of Pavlov's dogs…
“Please look carefully.”
Aaaah, please, spare me!
I'm an engaged man!
It's barely safe for now, but I can't handle any more than this…
“As you can see, my mana circuit is carved here. Because of this…”
Hmm, so it wasn't a seduction…
Right, it was too out of the blue.
I made a ridiculous misunderstanding, but it's still not my fault.
Chloe, at one time.
had tried to defile a boy's innocence.
With a precedent like that, my thoughts were bound to go in that direction.
“I don't know the location, but it's carved on Cedric's body too. So…”
“That's enough.”
“Huh?”
“I knew that secret long ago.”
“---??”
Ah, I said it without thinking.
I should have kept quiet, but the atmosphere was a bit… you know!
I deliberately put on a serious air and muttered nonchalantly.
“To be precise, I should say I could feel it.”
She stared blankly, her mouth agape.
Then, as if she understood, she nodded.
With a look that said, since he's so amazing, it's not strange at all.
“Th-Then… I did something unnecessary, didn't I?”
“…”
“---!!”
When I affirmed with silence.
the girl's face flushed as she grew embarrassed.
She quickly turned around and straightened her clothes.
It's a good thing the location was her shoulder.
If it had been somewhere a little more private, recovery would have been impossible.
A long tail is bound to be stepped on.
I feel like I'm going to get caught by Ceria at least once!
In other words, it was important to restrain Chloe's impulsive actions.
I wasn't thrilled about it, but I decided to nag her like an old geezer.
“Chloe.”
“Yes…”
“I know why you did that, but you need to restrain yourself a bit. If you just come out with it like that, people might get the wrong idea…”
“…I'd like you to get the wrong idea, though.”
“---??”
“For anyone else, it would be out of the question, but I think it's okay for you.”
She furtively avoided my gaze.
Then she mustered her courage again and lifted her head to look straight at me.
The girl's posture felt poignant.
It's nothing new, but Chloe was quite pretty.
To the point where discussing preferences was meaningless, but still, my heart didn't waver.
“Those words…”
I'll pretend I didn't hear them.
I was about to say that, but she was a little faster.
“I already know.”
“…”
“I'll be more careful from now on.”
As if to say she was satisfied with their current relationship.
She forced a smile, said she'd see me later, and left just like that.
I stood there dumbfounded for a long time.
Hey, doesn't this make me look like the bad guy?
A sense of unfairness welled up inside me for no reason.
I pride myself on having handled myself well so far.
My innocence was without any flaws.
If there was any sin, it was only that this body was too damn handsome…
I suddenly realized the room was excessively quiet.
At some point, I could no longer hear Aruru's breathing.
Sure enough.
She had her eyes cracked open and was grinning slyly.
“You were watching everything, weren't you?”
“Yup. I was hoping for a more dramatic development, so it was a little disappointing.”
“…”
I wasn't flustered.
It's fine if my little cutie catches me.
This is actually for the better.
I should get some advice from her.
She looks young, so I'm a bit doubtful, but she was older than me anyway.
“Things are getting more and more complicated. What should I do?”
“Just accept reality.”
“Is that the best option?”
“It's the law of nature for multiple females to flock to a fine male. The reverse is also true.”
“…”
To summarize the answer of Sage Aruru.
I was born this way, so there's nothing I can do about it.
“Ah, if I were back in my hometown, the males would have been lining up for me…”
I imagined it without meaning to.
Lots of small, adorable fox beastkin…
A characteristic of beastkin.
Through human aesthetics, even adult males look cute.
Aruru was especially cute even among beastkin, so it couldn't be called narcissism.
Even so.
She's saying such carefree things in front of me.
Feeling mischievous, I started picking on her weak spot.
“Why are you suddenly tickling me… Kyahahaha!”
A girl who was sensitive in many ways.
Her reaction was so delightful that I couldn't bring myself to stop.
“Aaah! Groping all the way there is a bit…”
Huh? Now you say something?
When I stopped, she glared as if to ask why I'd stopped.
I didn't know which rhythm to follow, but she was so cute that whatever I did was forgiven.
“Heeh…”
“…”
After that whole commotion.
Leaving the girl lying limp with a satisfied expression, I began to meditate.
Rest when it's time to rest, work when it's time to work.
My worldly desires had all vanished thanks to Aruru's healing.
I cut back on sleep and continued to gather mana.
It felt as though the moment of enlightenment was gradually approaching.