Raphne was frightening when she was angry.
Of course, she wasn’t angry at me, but when she asked about Mary and Emily with that terrifying gaze, she looked like a carnivorous beast.
“… I’m going to steal Ken. … I’m going to steal Ken. … I’m going to steal Ken.”
Even after her rage trait faded, Raphne, mumbling while biting her nails, was terrifying.
If that rage were directed at me… shiver-shiver
‘I can’t keep going like this.’
I was threatened by Raphne’s life.
And after being bullied by Emily recently, I realized something painfully.
I need to get stronger faster.
‘Wasn’t there a place I could go right now?’
I’m too weak now.
I can generate momentary strength through skill and trickery, but the risk is high.
After using Calorie Burn, I need to eat food within the time limit.
With just this, I won’t be able to protect myself when things go south.
Then, losing weight is the solution.
‘…Raphne’s food is just too delicious.’
And on top of that, there’s a lot of it.
If I leave some food to reduce the portions…
‘…K-Ken. Why did you leave this? Was it not tasty? You don’t want to eat it anymore? Aah, no! If there’s no rice, Ken will leave! I’m sorry, I’ll make it again right now! P-Please give me one more chance…!’
I imagined Raphne trembling in fear.
To reduce the rice portions, I’ll have to spend time persuading Raphne.
The remaining options are two.
Increase exercise.
And master skills.
‘If I train repeatedly, I can definitely gain skills.’
I learned something recently while being bullied by Emily.
In this place, skills that were originally obtained through items or skill trees in the game can be gained through repetitive stimulation.
So if I hone my swordsmanship, I’ll gain sword skills.
If I study magic, I will gain magic skills.
Then, the person I can train with most reliably right now…
I came to find that person today.
“…Excuse me.”
creak
The rusty hinges squeaked as the door opened.
From beyond the door, a refreshing breeze and the sweet scent of flowers wafted in.
I visited the rooftop garden located on the main building’s roof.
There, a man with black hair was watering the flowers.
“…Who is it?”
‘I found him.’
It was one of the main characters in the game [Epiris Academy].
Siegfried Gardner was there.
“Are you asking me to teach you swordsmanship?”
Siegfried Gardner.
He is a third-year student at Dedris Academy, one year above us.
A character in a vanguard position with a unique trait called [Indomitable Will], and as his name suggests, he specializes in swords.
And as if the creators deliberately named him Siegfried,
He will gain the title of the 9th Sword Saint of the Kingdom of Lilias in the future, slaying dragons and earning the title of Dragon Slayer.
‘What’s even more impressive is his ridiculous unique skill.’
He is strong.
Surely strong enough to withstand Raphne’s attacks to some extent.
However, in this world, strength lies in unique skills, and his skill was somewhat special.
[Name: Siegfried Gardner
Unique Skill: Watering Flowers
Unique Trait: Indomitable Will
– Possesses a strong will and has high resistance to mental attacks.]
A summary of his status appeared before my eyes.
‘Is there even an anti for the guy who actually thought up this skill?’
The creators clearly made a character focused solely on “effort.”
That was Siegfried.
As if to emphasize that he had no natural talent, even that important unique skill is a ridiculous daily skill called watering flowers.
Thanks to that skill, all the flowers he tends are lush and bloom beautifully.
Of course, it’s utterly useless in battle.
That guy, solely through effort, will one day become a Sword Saint.
His strong will and mental strength.
He is perfect as a teacher to guide me and push me not to give up.
In other words, a diet trainer.
“I’m sorry, but I must refuse.”
“…Huh?”
He flat-out rejected me.
“W-Was that too sudden? I’m sorry. But could you at least tell me why?”
I didn’t expect him to refuse, but I didn’t anticipate such a swift answer either.
Thus, the reason was important. If I know the cause, I can solve it.
And his answer to my question was simple.
“I’m not someone who could teach anyone. Find someone better.”
Indeed, he couldn’t possibly teach anything given his lack of talent.
“What do you mean! I can’t think of anyone other than you, Senior Siegfried!”
Like Raphne’s tenacious insistence.
Of course, I wouldn’t grab his pants’ legs, but I realized recently that both Mary and Raphne.
When someone persistently asks, no one can help but ponder.
“Do you know me?”
“Of course! You swing your sword on the rooftop every day without fail and have gained that strength without any proper skills!”
And people are weak to those who recognize and acknowledge them.
So I flatter him with compliments.
“I respect you! I want to get stronger just like you, Senior!”
“…Hmm.”
The desire to get stronger.
His understanding of that desire would be enough to become a point of infiltration for me.
As evidence, even just a moment ago, the resolute expression on his face showed some hints of uncertainty.
But that was momentary.
“I’m sorry. But I don’t have the ability to teach anyone.”
Rejected again.
‘As expected, just asking won’t cut it.’
I hoped he would accept without other means if possible.
After all, Siegfried is one of the main characters in [Epiris Academy].
I was a bit worried that my interaction would change things.
‘But if it comes down to it, I can switch to Adrian’s route.’
Right, if Siegfried and Emily fail to build enough rapport…
Emily can end up with Adrian.
That later pathway won’t change drastically either.
Then…
“Well, how about if I help you get first place in this tournament?”
“…….”
Suddenly, his previously expressionless face changed.
“…You seem to know quite a bit about me.”
He appeared cautious.
‘Ugh, did I push too hard?’
If he refuses again, I should present a condition he can’t refuse.
Therefore, I proposed something that would pique his interest.
It was a mini-event starting a week later.
A small swordsmanship tournament held in the city.
“Okay, let’s hear it out.”
He set down the watering can and led me to a table in the corner of the rooftop.
“What kind of tea do you like?”
“Ah, anything is fine.”
‘What a strangely domestic guy.’
Being a character from a female-oriented game, he probably calculated that a simple, indifferent man wearing an apron would be attractive to women.
And it seems like that calculation worked, as Siegfried competes with Adrian for the top spot in character popularity.
He soon left to prepare the tea and snacks.
‘Glad he bit the bait right away.’
The condition I presented.
It was the first place in the swordsmanship tournament taking place a week later.
I would help him achieve that result.
“Ah, I’ll drink well.”
“Hmm.”
Siegfried soon returned with tea and placed a cup in front of me.
A pleasant aroma tickled my nose.
“So, exactly what help are you referring to?”
Seated, Siegfried immediately cut to the chase.
‘Looks like he’s quite eager.’
In fact, the swordsmanship tournament event is a mini-event where Emily builds early rapport with him.
Starting from the Siegfried route, this event greatly assists in achieving a certain level of rapport.
The method to succeed in that event is simple.
“I’ll make you a weapon.”
“…….”
Providing good equipment.
Siegfried’s swordsmanship tournament event is his promise to his childhood friend Elise Granville that he will get stronger.
This is the first chapter in proving that growth.
“I’ll definitely get stronger. And I’ll protect you.”
“……Okay.”
Having lost their families to the demon race, they relied on each other to grow.
Elise struggled daily, burdened by the grief of losing her family and the fear of the demons.
For her, Siegfried made that promise.
Together, they worked hard and eventually entered the academy.
However, upon entering, Siegfried realized.
‘…I have no talent.’
Despite sweating more than anyone else and sacrificing sleep to practice, Siegfried faced despair as he could not defeat the naturally gifted students in the academy.
He felt he could not keep the promise to his beloved childhood friend.
It was in that moment of despair that,
“I’ll help you.”
The hand extended by a second-year junior he knew became his salvation.
The one offering that hand was the protagonist, Emily Epiris.
Thanks to her help, Siegfried won first place in the swordsmanship tournament, developing a strong affinity towards Emily.
From then on, as the one pursuing the Siegfried route, Emily Epiris would face off against the main antagonist, Elise Granville.
That was the summary of this mini-event.
‘Well, offering help only means giving him decent equipment from what I have.’
In the game setting, Siegfried cannot win first place without Emily’s help.
That’s a gap that cannot be covered solely by physically acquired abilities through effort.
It’s about bridging that gap with equipment.
‘And I can also increase my item crafting proficiency at the same time.’
Providing weapons to Siegfried, even if he doesn’t accept my request, I still gain benefits.
Now the question is, what kind of weapon should I make?
‘It’d be best if it could be enchanted….’
I learned another fact while making a raincoat for Mary.
That is, regardless of crafting skill proficiency, if I have an appropriate idea, I can still create something.
Then, if I apply the right knowledge, can’t I also implement enchantments?
So, the answer lies in the challenge.
“That’s why, from now on, I’m going to make various items!”
“…Ooooo!”
At my declaration, Raphne clapped her hands and cheered me on.
But there’s a problem.
“…But I lack important materials.”
“Oooo…”
Basic materials can be obtained from the market since Ken’s house seems to have money.
However, there are materials that cannot be gathered easily, even in the market.
The spirit stones used when creating the raincoat come to mind.
Spirit stones, the main ingredient for magical items, are snatched up by mages as soon as they hit the market, so acquiring them from monsters is the quickest way.
But I’m still in a fragile state.
Hunting to gather items is still too early for me.
Thus, gathering items for crafting becomes a significant hurdle….
“U-Um, Ken. …If you need anything, should I fetch it for you?”
“Huh? Is that possible?”
“Yeah, I can ask my servitors to bring them quickly since my family supports me.”
“Wow, thank you, Raphne!”
I grabbed Raphne’s hand and shook it to express my gratitude.
“Hee, heehee.”
Raphne smiled, blushing a little from timidity.
Thinking about it, Martinez is a well-known family in the Kingdom of Lilias.
It’s no surprise that the daughter of such a family would have sufficient material support while trapped in a tower like this.
“Well then, this one, this one… Ah, make sure to grab this one!”
caaw
I selected the materials and passed them to Raphne, who relayed the information to her newly summoned servitor.
As expected, the prestigious Martinez family…
The items I requested arrived at the tower in less than a day.
So that’s how they were getting all the delicious food.
With Raphne’s help, I had all the materials I needed.
“Great! Now, Raphne, can you help me a bit?”
“Yeah! Just tell me what you need!”
Now, it’s time to start crafting.
