Chapter: 56
I wasn’t that surprised when I suddenly heard someone wanted to fight.
Because Frey was always this kind of character.
She’s the crazy girl whose mind is only filled with swords and fighting.
She doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings and just moves as she likes.
If she thinks it’s worth fighting, she suddenly challenges you to a duel.
And she was a character I really didn’t like.
To put it simply, I hated Frey.
I didn’t like how she acted on her whims and bullied those around her,
I hated how she made her innocent face and shrugged as though she hadn’t done anything wrong,
But what I hated the most was how useless Frey’s performance was in the game.
It wasn’t that Frey’s stats were bad.
In the future, she would be known as a Sword Saint, and among close combat characters at Soul Academy, she was the strongest.
So what was the problem?
Frey moves however she pleases.
Whether the user gives directions or not, she just acts on her own.
How many times has our party been wiped because of the trolling she caused due to her achievements?
Have you ever heard of someone being captivated by overwhelming performance?
I came to hate her because of her terrible in-game performance.
Without a doubt, Frey was one of the worst characters in Soul Academy.
Even now that the game has become reality, I didn’t expect her personality or style to change.
So, I had zero interest in getting close to her.
I didn’t want her in my party at all.
Considering Agra’s Curse brings so many variables, why would I carry her around?
That’s suicidal. I’d rather go alone.
If it were easy to raise favorability even a little, I might have tried for the sake of completing the quest, but with her, even that was difficult.
“Did you not hear me?”
Was she curious why I wasn’t answering? Frey tilted her head.
I thought her in-game illustrations were stunning, but in reality, it was no joke.
Her eyes looked like they had jewels embedded in them.
Her hair seemed like it would flow away with a single touch.
And even though she loved being out and about, her skin was pure white without a speck of dirt.
I never understood those who used to fawn over Frey, thinking looks equaled performance, but now I kind of get it.
She was beautiful.
Anyone who saw Frey’s face from the front would never forget it.
Even while being with me, the students’ gazes were fixed on Frey, so I wasn’t the only one thinking this.
Though she herself seemed to not care at all about others’ attention.
“I heard you.”
“I heard. Shoddy Swordsman.”
Is Frey really a Shoddy Swordsman?
I really don’t get how names are given in this world.
Why do some people go by their nicknames and some don’t?
Well, I’m glad it wasn’t a nickname this time.
Like Sword Snatcher or Rough Young Lady or Party Destroyer.
There’s nothing good about any titles given to her.
“Shoddy Swordsman isn’t too bad.”
“Eh? Shoddy? Me?”
“Yes.”
“Then, is there someone else here besides you?”
“Hmm, I’m a Shoddy Swordsman? That’s a new nickname.”
Even though she was belittled, Frey didn’t seem too affected by it.
It’s like she doesn’t care how others see or call her.
Just like the game.
“Forget that! Answer me! Let’s fight!”
“No thanks.”
“Why would I fight a Shoddy Swordsman?”
“It’ll be fun.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Sorry, but I have no interest in fighting a Shoddy Swordsman.”
“Yeah? Still…”
Is she even listening to me?
I felt like I was talking to a wall, and it was suffocating.
Ever since I inhabited Lucy’s body, I had never felt like I was at a loss in conversations.
But today felt different.
To someone who blocks their ears and only speaks their mind, translations of the Mesugaki Skill mean nothing at all.
“So, I just need to show you that I’m not a Shoddy Swordsman?”
The moment Frey said that.
BAM!
Iron Wall shouted.
Time to raise my shield.
My body, trained to the point of spitting blood over the past few months, moved before I even thought.
Reciting a prayer in my mind, I created a Shield of Divinity with my arm and moved the shield as Iron Wall instructed.
CLANG!
Frey’s sword hit the shield and bounced off.
Her red eyes stared at me intently. The emotion inside was undoubtedly curiosity.
A child finding an interesting new toy.
“Wow. You blocked it, huh?”
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!
“Shoddy Swordsman! Have you lost it?! What’s the point of swinging your sword here?!”
“Well, since I blocked it, isn’t it alright?”
Damn it!
That’s why I didn’t want anything to do with her.
As Frey swung her sword, Iron Wall constantly warned me of incoming danger.
Each one could be fatal.
The moment I let my guard down, my skin would be shredded.
Reciting a prayer to buff myself, I defended against her sword and waited for an opening.
Frey was undoubtedly strong for her age, but she was nothing compared to the knights of the Allen Family.
What stood before me was a sword, and if he truly intended to smash me, my head would have already been rolling.
“Lady Allen! Get back!”
While I was barely holding on, Joy’s voice rang in my ears.
As soon as I heard those words, I deflected Frey’s sword and moved my body back.
At that moment, an ice wall rose between Frey and me, and Divinity descended, making the wall even sturdier.
Was it a collaboration between Joy and Phoebe?
“Are you okay?”
When did she get close? Phoebe looked at me with a worried expression.
Did she come to check on me because she was worried I was hurt?
Oh, Saintess. You’re my only hope.
Even if you keep calling me a Shoddy Swordsman, you still worry about me.
How can I show my gratitude for your kindness?
“Yes.”
“Of course! Shoddy Saintess! Do you think I can lose to such a beast?”
Confidently answered in Mesugaki, and Phoebe chuckled.
Looks like she’s getting used to the name Shoddy Saintess.
“What are you doing, Young Lady Kent?”
“Why me?”
“You’re causing a sword fight in the classroom.”
“I had to prove I’m not a Shoddy Swordsman.”
“Does that even make sense?”
While I was chatting with Phoebe, I could hear Joy and Frey talking beyond the ice wall.
As their conversation continued, Joy’s voice grew sharper, but Frey remained unfazed.
It’s scary when Joy gets genuinely angry, yet there she is, calmly replying. Just like Frey.
I felt like if I left them to this, Joy might really explode, so I stepped through the wall and approached the two.
“Joy.”
“Foolish Young Lady.”
“You call me Foolish Young Lady again.”
“I won, didn’t I?”
“The one who lost in the bet, the Foolish Young Lady, is quite talkative.”
“Ugh…”
You’d think by now they’d have checked the scores of the academy entrance exam.
They should know they ended up with another Foolish Young Lady, so admit it already!
I turned my gaze from the grumpy Joy back to Frey.
“Are you going to keep this up?”
“Nope.”
“You’re not going to? Shoddy Swordsman.”
“Eh.”
When I declined, Frey genuinely seemed disappointed.
Looks like she’s really starting to like me, huh?
I know she probably sees me as nothing more than a punching bag for her to fight with, but with her interest sparked, she wouldn’t let go no matter what.
This is troublesome.
If I just let her be, she’d probably try to fight me again.
For now, I’ll put a leash on that.
“Frey.”
“Shoddy Swordsman.”
“Hmm?”
“I want to duel again.”
“You want to fight me again?”
“Yes! Of course!”
That was the most lively answer I’ve heard from her yet.
I wish she’d respond this enthusiastically to other questions too.
“Then promise me not to do something like this again.”
“Then don’t do something so stupid again.”
“Why?”
I can’t answer this ‘why’ the usual way.
Frey is someone who’s endlessly far from common sense.
What could possibly change with a request for common sense from someone who can’t escape her own world?
The answer I need to choose here has to fit Frey’s world.
Just like the protagonist in the game did for her, I have to adapt to Frey.
“Frey, you are…”
“Shoddy Swordsman, you want to fight me, right?”
“Yeah!”
“Then…”
“Wouldn’t it be better for both of us to prepare fully and fight in the best place? Unless you’re saying you’re a Shoddy one who can’t win without an ambush?”
Hearing my words, Frey rolled her eyes and nodded as if she understood.
“That’s right. You’re really smart.”
Now that she seems to get it, I doubt she’ll come at me recklessly.
Though, I guess I’ll have to spar with her regularly, but let’s consider that part of my own training.
She seems decent enough as a sparring partner.
“When will we spar?”
“Let’s do it tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow. I’ll settle for this today, Shoddy Swordsman. Unlike you, I have my limits!”
“Okay. Cool. So it’s tomorrow?”
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Frey nodded, and Joy breathed out a sigh of relief.
Even though she’s probably annoyed calling me the pitiful prince, she still looks out for me!
You’re such a good person!
“Thanks, Joy.”
“Good job, Foolish Young Lady.”
“Ha. Don’t mind it. But Young Lady Kent, please be careful with your actions next time.”
“Hmm?”
Seeing Frey respond as if she didn’t know what she did wrong, Joy slightly furrowed her brows before retracting the ice wall and leaving.
Wow. That was really intimidating.
To see that expression and Frey still tilting her head, she’s really something else.
I guess that’s not something I can comment on.
Alright, the situation seems to have settled for now; time for me to find my spot.
I should sit where the professor won’t notice me.
If he calls me out and asks questions, I might end up blabbing something awful.
As soon as I took a step, Frey, who had been watching me, followed behind.
“Frey…”
“Shoddy Swordsman. Why are you following me?”
“Is that not allowed?”
Seeing her innocent eyes, I could hardly find the words.
It’s not that it’s not allowed.
I’m just annoyed that you’re showing interest in me.
Damn it. I can’t just tell her to scram.
sigh
“Do as you please.”
“Do as you please, Shoddy Swordsman.”
“Okay. I will.”
Her quick replies only to what benefits her really gets on my nerves.
As soon as I found a suitable spot and sat down, Frey naturally sat beside me.
So does that mean she liked me?
Guess I became a fun sandbag after hitting her earlier.
But what does that even mean, though?
In order for me to max her favorability to 70, I have to guide her towards an enlightenment regarding swords.
Of course, I could do that, but not until the second year.
From my perspective of needing to reach a favorability of 70 with two people by the end of finals, Frey’s affection doesn’t help at all!
As soon as I sat down and looked out the window, Frey began to hum a tune with her usual whimsical rhythm, and it gave me a headache.
Ugh.
If only her conditions weren’t so unreasonable, I could have gotten at least one person to reach favorability 70.
What a pity. Really.
At least I’ve got one person willing to sit beside me.
Let’s be satisfied that one side of what should have been empty has been filled.
*
Not long after that, the professor entered, and he gave the typical speech that teachers give on the day of orientation.
Talking about the schedule and things regarding school life, you know, the basics.
Since I’ve heard those stories so many times while playing the game Soul Academy, I barely paid attention, and before long, the professor finished explaining.
“Well then, with this, the entrance ceremony is completely over. Thanks for your hard work since morning, everyone.”
That was it for the entrance ceremony.
Now it’s free time, and we can do whatever we want.
Alright, as a veteran gamer in Soul Academy, let’s go gather the things I need!
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