Class.
From [Night Heart], a classification of jobs.
[Why did I become a Saintess..?]
Among them, I chose the Black Knight.
Thanks to what she said, I even used my nickname change privilege to rename myself to ‘Pure Love Black Knight’.
[Well, I guess I woke up and suddenly heard a voice…]
My skill tree was Sword Mage. Wielding both swordsmanship and magic, I swept up the enemies.
It was easy in a game where magic is overpowered. A white-haired woman looked at me, her wolf ears perked up.
[..Ah, you just had a strange thought, didn’t you.]
I had optimized my skills to protect her— a non-combat role, merging with those of the Paladin.
The scent of roses wafted as her golden eyes drew near.
Wolf-like eyes. They certainly shone brighter than human pupils.
[The God of Light is quite contemplative, and often, the people of the world don’t notice. But I thought you wouldn’t be like that, knight…]
She puffed her cheeks in a pouty expression.
In the lobby of the inn, where players first log in, she and I stood alone together.
[How can someone who can’t even answer their name be a Saintess..! I’ve heard this a lot.]
No matter how many times players asked her about her name, she would respond with silence or say she didn’t know.
There were times when it was joked that even the Demon King of All Knowledge didn’t know.
[She’s just a half-assed priest who can’t even use Divine Power properly.]
That was true. In the gaming community, they often compared her to the ‘1-Star Saintess’. Her wolf ears and tail drooped, perhaps feeling down.
[Title: Analysis of the character performance updated today.. (Long post warning)]
If there were a post like this,
[Absolutely a 666 Saintess tier, right? Wow, even with basic skills, she’s at full health, and the extra healing fills up a shield?]
[An Ancient Elf but a Priest? Healing while using a bow? This isn’t an elf!!]
└[‘That saintess’ lost badly today… No wait, since she’s a wolf, it’s not that she lost badly.]
└[Pure Love Black Knight: You’re the worst.]
There were many malicious comments like that. I later added them to my block list.
No matter how much she couldn’t heal, I liked her. And besides, the job of Saintess was only hers apart from our blue rose.
It was her pride that no one could take away.
Because of that, I was so surprised when I learned about Schartines, the second Saintess, after I possessed her.
[Hehe, I’m still a Saintess. I believe that a title or name should have a position and effort that matches it.]
Once again, her white ears and tail found their place, forming a fox-like line at the corner of her mouth, the Nameless Saintess.
[The same goes for you, Knight. You should show a more ‘Black Knight’ like appearance! Ugh.]
She would play pranks, stealing my helmet that was an in-game equipment item and running away,
[Your ‘Pure Love’ is lacking. This isn’t love…]
Even when reading romantic novels saying she liked it, she would sigh and have a headache in between.
[Scars from burns…? I don’t really care about that. You’ll always be number one in my heart..!]
Thinking of each little merit made her all the more adorable.
[Lee Soo-hyun.]
“…”
[I’m sorry for being weak all this time.]
[..May you find peace.]
I wanted to protect her.
I wished for just one happy ending.
This time, it would be okay to be weak.
*
“..This dream is uncomfortably realistic.”
I woke up like that. Sometimes, when I dream like this, it makes me realize that this is reality. Even if it’s a world in a game.
Outside, the sunlight peeked in, brushing against my eyelids in the morning. I had slept deeply for the first time in a while. Perhaps because I used Void Slash a lot.
“Plus, it’s about the Saintess again… Did I talk with that mutt yesterday for no reason?”
I thought I wouldn’t dream again. It’s been years, yet I haven’t changed at all.
“Ha… seriously.”
I sighed long. Somehow, time should wash away memories, yet only good ones keep circling my mind.
I lifted the visor of the helmet.
“No matter what, I can’t protect the Saintess now.”
I’m different from the Black Knight Licht in the game. I can’t use magic or Divine Power.
I rubbed my tired eyes. They felt a bit damp. Did I cry? You idiot. I shook my head to regain my senses.
“At times like this, I should just wield my sword.”
I lowered the helmet again, covering my face. Certainly, my condition has been off since yesterday. I picked up the Pure Love Injector Mk.2 next to me and stepped outside the tent.
“Licht. Good morning.”
“Good morning, Mardol.”
As soon as I stepped out, I met the Glass Knight. Is he also practicing swordsmanship? Seeing him repeat the same motions many times, it looked like the swordsmanship of the Grancia Empire.
Oh, but something seems off. It’s like several transparent figures are overlapping around one person….
“What are you doing..?”
While I was watching intently, he stopped and asked me a question. Then I clearly saw the form of one person.
“Are you creating a hologram with glass? That’s fascinating.”
“Actually, no.”
I saw the tree in front of him didn’t even hit him yet he was slicing it, and something invisible was there without a shadow.
Magic ignores the world’s rules, so it was a plausible story.
“This glass magic. So, is it a real-like illusion?”
“Yup. That’s right.”
“You said you had a conceptual beat, like Professor Dennis.”
“..Steel. Shines.”
It’s like a clone technique. Magic sure is overpowered.
Twisting ‘shiny, reflects light’ from the concept of earth attribute to use glass would be possible.
“Then it must also be applicable. It must be incredibly sturdy.”
“Indeed, you’re strong and intelligent.”
Thinking about it, it’s an effective way. Glass takes on the properties of steel, having high durability and great adaptability for versatile use.
‘Was the Crown Prince an OP character all along?’
I left that thought expressively. With abilities like that, he should be well capable of protecting our Saintess. Gazing at the golden eyes behind the glass helmet, I felt envy.
Indeed, he was a descendant of the Ten Heroes. Nex Aureus is similar; blood can be overpowered. But why does he appear weaker in the sequel?
“But were you always this strong? Mardol.”
“No, I’m weak.”
“..Lying is bad. Please tell me.”
“I have to get stronger.”
Even when I tried to pry for information, he had an obsession saying ‘I must get stronger’. I glanced at the pristine full plate armor of Mardol from top to bottom.
“..Why? Licht.”
He hesitated for a moment, pondering. Something’s bothering me. Could it really be the same person?
‘Maybe this is the real Crown Prince’s personality. The Rufus I used to know could have been a double….’
Seeing him do magic, things were beginning to click. Each attribute is unique.
It’s strange for a character who twists earth attributes to turn into a mere Mary Sue.
The Nameless Saintess has the light attribute just like Kainel.
“What’s the reason for being weak and unable to protect?”
“…”
In [Black Heart], Rufus doesn’t have much weight. It would’ve been easier to portray him as a quiet character now, to encourage spending money.
“..Um, you don’t have to answer. I might have been too aggressive. I’m sorry, Mardol.”
“No, it’s my fault…”
Seeing the Glass Knight lowering his head, my heart softened.
Currently, he isn’t a bad person at all. I stepped a little closer to reduce the wariness.
“Mardol.”
We’re going to become teammates and hunt the Demon King together.
“..But please don’t worry too much. This time, I should be able to protect.”
“Yeah.. sorry.”
I should ask for our Nameless Saintess’s help. I decided to shift to a more gentle tone. I patted the shoulder part of his armor encouragingly.
“Ah, we haven’t taken down any 6-star monsters yet, right?”
“Yeah, Licht.”
To change the subject, I looked at the gathered spoils. Considering the results, it was acceptable.
But surely, we were short of what would guarantee an A+ grade. Teamwork didn’t earn good points since Ariel and Mardol weren’t present.
“Once Kainel and Ariel wake up, let’s discuss. Let’s target stronger and easier monsters.”
Right now, my condition, thanks to our platinum wolf and the dream we shared, was peak. I had to make up for what I lacked yesterday.
*
“Hmm…”
At that moment, in the Academy without Licht’s party.
“This shouldn’t happen…”
A white-haired woman wearing a sorcerer’s hat was fiddling with a barrier. Crackle. Making a sound, as an outsider tried to approach, it didn’t grant them permission this time.
“..It’s not fun.”
Displaying a disinterested expression, she rested her chin on her hand. Aside from her hair, her entire appearance was coated in black.
“Is it because of that Grim Reaper? The barrier has thickened.”
Her speech was formal at first, but it had switched to informal. Just how much time had passed?
“I guess there’s no other choice…”
She pulled out a black mask from her pocket and put it over her face. The smile it held could be seen as eerie.
“Finally, it’s passing through. My power is the most convenient..!”
As soon as she donned it, her attire changed to something commonplace like that of an Academy student, and even her face took on the shape of someone else.
“Oh, if I wear a mask, might my lord not recognize me?”
She fussed about her appearance, demonstrating her discomfort. The black mask she had just put on disappeared as if it had never existed.
“No, my lord would recognize me! Let’s trust him.”
Feeling elated, she even hummed a tune, the Demon King of Truth’s voice coming out in a cute woman’s tone.
“..It looks like it’ll get interesting after a long time. Hehe.”
Thus, a woman with striking white hair and golden eyes, concealed her identity and entered Grand Hertz Academy.
