*
While fighting against Rock Grancia, I felt one thing.
I was incredibly weak compared to him.
I had been living with arrogance up until now.
‘In the end, if I can’t protect Pina, then it’s all for nothing.’
Like embers spreading, my worries grew.
I was swinging my sword at the Swordsmanship Training Hall as usual.
Better to do something than to toss and turn unable to sleep.
In battle, timing is everything.
My grip tightened on the now-discolored hilt.
Relying solely on ability would leave my body stiff in a critical situation.
I had let my guard down, thinking I could evade just because I was overconfident in Ki-Woo’s ability.
In the end, those who call themselves swordsmen need to know how to use their teeth in unexpected situations.
‘…Did Emperor Rock swing an axe like this?’
I closed my eyes and recalled the figure of him I saw during the sports meet.
He looked like an angry wolf, but his attacks were clean and precise.
Cold and sharp, like the tip of a blade.
I relaxed my whole body, shaking off unnecessary strength. With focus, I gathered everything into my hand gripping the sword, like ripples on a calm surface.
Until now, I had relied too much on skills. What made me strong until now was none of those trivial things.
I was impatient. In my desire to become stronger quickly, I was missing something important.
Slowly, I raised my sword high toward the sky like a priest offering a prayer, ready to let go with all the strength I had.
…Now.
With all my might, I swung my arm down like letting go of a taut bowstring.
Waaahhh─. The sound of slicing wind and a sensation of breaking splintered the wooden floor.
“…Ah, I broke it.”
At that moment, I opened my eyes at the sound of someone speaking nearby.
“Pina..?”
A girl from the Inrang Tribe, with her white wolf ears perked up and her tail wagging gently, was looking at me.
It was Pina Grancia.
How did she know to come here? More importantly, does she not need to hide her identity?
“No, Mardol.. where did you put the masterpiece…?”
“You don’t need to use a pseudonym. This place only has your scent.”
That’s even scarier. The entrance to the Swordsmanship Training Hall was blocked by a translucent glass wall.
“Licht always works hard, doesn’t he?”
Pina flipped her hair back with her hand and showed me her wrist.
“I just practice swordsmanship out of habit, so I end up… ah.”
She pressed a slightly damp, cold towel against my neck.
“Cool..?”
It was so cool it was cold. It was the damp cloth that had just been soaked with water, wiping away my sweat.
“Thank you..”
Pina giggled softly, her gentle smile blooming.
Had she been watching me practice swordsmanship for a while now?
After the sports meet ended, we returned to our everyday lives.
One thing had changed.
“Pina, what are you doing awake?”
Because she moved to the girls’ dormitory at the academy, she stuck close to me like this.
It was dawn.
“I can just sleep during morning classes.”
Pina answered as she yawned.
Her little mouth wide open like a lounging hamster was adorable.
Seeing her pouting face felt strangely refreshing.
“You should also go to bed early, Licht.”
Is she comfortable? Lately, she’s been showing me many expressions only she shows.
Like that subtle smile or the way her eyes twinkle when she teases me.
Why is this happening?
Could it be because of the suddenly rising affection level?
I hadn’t fully sought permission from Rock.
To catch the Demon King of the Hero Church.
So it aligns with my purpose of not letting Pina Grancia become the Nameless Saintess.
‘Is this only 35 percent..?’
It feels strange no matter how I look at it. I thought she’d treat me like a pervert and ignore me.
Even when I playfully kissed her ears, the distance between us didn’t grow.
“….”
gulp.
As I cooled off and wiped my body with a towel, Pina swallowed slightly.
“That’s indecent..”
Her cheeks flushed and her ears fluttered. It’s obvious what she was imagining.
“So.. why did you come here, Pina?”
She must have had some strange thoughts from the books again.
I asked the girl who definitely followed me.
“I haven’t been able to sleep lately…”
Looking closely, there were dark shadows around her eyes. Pina lowered her head and sighed.
“..Why?”
Has she developed insomnia? If so, that’s a big problem. What items are good for sleep?
While I sorted through usable items in my mind.
“I.. don’t know.”
Pina looked at my face thoughtfully, mimicking my action. She rested her chin on her hand, deep in contemplation.
Could it be that I approached her, and she immediately took a step back?
Seeing her do that makes it clear why.
All of this is my fault.
“If you do this, you should be able to sleep better.”
“..Gah!”
I grabbed her by the head and chin with both hands, rubbing her.
“L-Licht… That tickles my chin…”
Don’t puppies enjoy having their chins scratched?
I heard they dislike it when you pet their heads.
I understood that slowly bringing my hand up from below is interpreted as an attack.
“Is it not good..? Or should I do it like I did last time…?”
“Ah, no.. just like this..! This way’s fine..”
She gasped when I mentioned the past.
Her fluffy wolf ears, which had been lying flat, perked back up like a spring.
I won’t do anything strange to her ears.
“Licht… do you do this to other girls too?”
“Probably not.”
The only thing I did was pet Pina’s hair when she was still the Nameless Saintess I met in a dream.
“Really…?”
I made sure to be careful not to mess up her hairstyle.
I had heard that girls are sensitive about their hair getting messed up.
Now that I think about it, does Pina use a comb or something?
I checked her pure white hair that fell to her waist. It was soft and shiny, doubtlessly well cared for.
“That’s enough now.. Licht..”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Getting too lost in the moment with Pina, I accidentally ran my hands through her hair for too long, causing her to bite her lower lip and give me a glare.
Did I touch her too much and make her mad?
She snatched away the towel draped around my neck.
“See you tomorrow, Licht..”
I could only reach out in vain as Pina’s steps quickened, growing distant from me.
I messed up.
*
The next day, when I arrived at the academy, something strange unfolded.
People were gathered and bustling about.
“…What’s going on? Did something happen?”
“I’m not sure.”
The crowd was so large it was blocking the way out of the dormitory.
It wasn’t even this crowded during the sports meet.
Did something happen at the academy?
As I pondered, just about to send a message to Pina, suddenly.
[The sports meet a few days ago was quite impressive, students of the Grand Hertz Academy!]
A familiar face appeared as a transparent magic circle formed in the air.
A long scar over his left eye, short black hair, and golden eyes.
“…What? It’s His Majesty the Emperor?!”
If I were to replace the prince Rufus from the sequel with a handsome guy, he’d look like this.
[The autumn weather felt like midsummer. Incredible.]
From far away, the voice of the Wolf King echoed.
The path we were taking out of the dormitory was the path leading to the stage where the emperor was speaking.
[Wolves hunt in packs. They never hunt alone.]
What could be the sudden revelation of his identity?
If the emperor frequently appears at the academy, Pina could be singled out.
[Games where everyone helped each other out. It was a very meaningful event for me too.]
I felt a heavy pressure as I watched Rock grit his teeth at the meaningful part.
Ugh, did I step on Pina’s toes for no reason?
He might have seen me expressing my affection for Pina during the Escape Room game.
[Therefore, I have decided that it would be appropriate for me to award a prize.]
A prize?
[Everyone will go to Calisium Valley to refresh themselves. Even wolves need rest to run across the plains for a long time.]
With one finger raised and a confident smile, the Emperor said that.
“..Calisium Valley.”
The place he mentioned was one I’d heard of before.
It was the place that appeared in the original [Night Heart].
“Why? Do you know it? Licht?”
“..It’s where Kuers reside.”
The place where the huge oak monster first appeared when Pina disguised herself during the summer festival.
As a mid-boss type monster, it would be tough for ordinary students to take it down, right?
[The duration is set to 1 night and 2 days. The staff will naturally accompany you for a brief rest.]
Rock might be hoping for my growth.
There’s no need to have a pointless rest.
At a time 5 years before [Night Heart], there might be items I couldn’t have found back then.
[But I won’t join. The old man shouldn’t interfere with the young people having fun.]
Or he might want to send me to have fun with Pina.
While listening to his speech, I felt my heart stir. Was I being recognized by him as someone reliable?
As he spoke those words, a slight smile appeared on his face, showing signs of relief.
He must be feeling like he has another protector for his daughter.
[So, students of the academy, find the precious things, the things you must protect, and the things you must do!]
Rock Grancia’s speech finished by reminding everyone of the academy’s founding purpose.
[..Licht. Are you going?]
Shortly after, a cheerful voice mixed with laughter echoed in my mind.
[Of course. Pina.]
I sent a reply to the girl who was more excited about going to the valley than anyone.
