Kainel always thought he was different from the others.
Since being chosen by the Holy Sword, he might have been swollen with vanity.
And this is the result.
Hmm… I can do this without using mana.
He thought as he looked at the countless coins scattered on the floor. Come to think of it, it was the same when he faced the Shadow Wolf.
He almost cherished the Holy Sword due to his past. If he had done that, it would have been a huge problem. To be honest, he had become cocky thinking he had grown stronger.
His pretty childhood friend was by his side, and after going through some tough times, he overestimated his strength.
A body that doesn’t use mana is just too weak.
The Black Knight doesn’t seem to use magic either. How does he wield his sword so well?
“Licht, why are you so strong?”
“Me?”
After all the classes were over, he stopped while walking side by side with Licht on their way home. Those shining brown eyes behind the helmet.
“I worked hard because I wanted to achieve something.”
“What’s that?”
“I wanted to make unhappy people happy.”
“Are you talking about that person from before?”
“Yes?”
A beautiful white-haired woman. He opened his mouth as he recalled the previous memories.
Then, Licht’s steps became unnatural. His left foot and left arm were moving together. He looked like a creaking wind-up doll.
“Got it.”
“Ah… no… not…”
The response was a clear “correct answer.”
With such an easy-to-read friend, who could have captured the heart of that Black Knight? Someone like Ariel for me? Then it makes sense that he became that strong.
I felt I could understand that same feeling and a slight smile appeared on my face.
“I saw you looking around the classroom earlier searching for someone.”
“I…I wasn’t!”
“Well then, I don’t have to tell you about the person who looks like that?”
“Where did you see them?!”
I felt mischievous.
That guy knew well the habits of the Shadow Wolf. He was the Black Knight who had been trying to progress the relationship between me and Ariel. And Licht who sits next to me in class. They all seemed like different people.
“Just kidding.”
“Please save that for someone other than me, like Ariel.”
“No way. She’ll definitely throw a fireball at you.”
“That’s fair.”
If we could casually joke like this, doesn’t that mean we’re close? I thought for a moment.
“Licht.”
“Yes?”
Just like he had done, I felt a desire to grow stronger to protect Ariel. Right now, I was too weak to become her hero.
“Can I practice swordsmanship with you?”
Kainel decided to step a little closer.
—
At the Swordsmanship Training Hall of the Grand Hertz Academy.
Various types of weapons were decoratively displayed on the walls, and dozens of protective magical symbols were engraved on the shiny floor.
There stood a Hero and a Black Knight.
What’s this noise?
Seriously, I barely managed to avoid the steamy reunion training with my master, and now it’s the blonde Hero doing swordsmanship training?
My route is in danger… but that doesn’t seem to be a favorability check.
Is this a surprise event? I folded my arms, contemplating.
“In exchange, you must join the Magic Club with Ariel.”
“What did you say? I’ll think about it.”
As I considered the companion route in my mind, I responded to him. This way I couldn’t help but assist from the side.
I won’t lose anything. Kainel’s face showed a strange sense.
Is that all? His expression said, but I need you to establish a love line quickly. Nothing more is needed.
I pulled a sword from the storage.
Oh, this is in good condition. I wonder if I can take it with me.
“I’ll just say one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Do your best.”
“I’m already doing that.”
The blonde-haired Hero seemed to gather his determination. But that’s not what I meant; his mindset was wrong. I shook my head.
“It’s okay to be weak. Protecting people is what matters.”
“Then what do I need?”
“Make sure you do it so there are no regrets.”
“…I see.”
He finally looked like he understood. Someone truly obsessed with something is scarier than someone simply strong.
I was the latter and that’s why I worked hard.
I caught the Demon King for that reason before.
No matter how strong swordsman skills I teach Kainel, his flaw isn’t combat power.
The problem lies in his indecisive personality and his excessive faith in the Holy Sword.
It’s too unfair that it can detect beings with ill intent, right?
He probably doesn’t know the loopholes now. One of the reasons his nickname in the community is “the yellow one.”
How many times have I seen the post titled “Poor Kainel betrayed again today”? My smile faded.
Like Pavlov’s dog, he checks if the Holy Sword trembles first and makes judgments.
He trusts anyone and gets backstabbed.
His detection abilities seem flawless but don’t work on Demon Lords.
Even that legendary Dennis lives a life soaked in alcohol for that reason. To catch them, we’d need to gather the Ten Heroes again.
And there’s another downside.
“I’ll swing my sword, so activate the Holy Sword.”
“Are you sure? You seem to know something.”
“You can’t come here. How many magic circles are there?”
If I’m talking about cultists, infiltrating this academy is a suicide mission. There are a number of heroes who would send them straight to the grave.
“Let there be light.”
A light burst from Kainel’s Holy Sword.
“Now, I’ll present a question.”
“What is it now?”
“Is this now an act of ‘evil’?”
He swiftly sent out a few spells like Drake did.
Cling. Clang.
He skillfully managed mana in his body as opposed to the last class and slashed the coins.
“Hmm…”
He pondered while looking at the sound of metal clashing on the floor as the coin pieces fell.
“The Holy Sword has weaknesses.”
“What are you really? A traitor? Or a double agent?”
“Let’s just say I’m his nemesis. For now.”
I sighed. I almost said something that could trigger a seizure in Kainel. I must no longer touch on his past.
“There are two things: The subject judging evil is ‘self’ limited; and it doesn’t work against crazy people.”
“What?”
Mentioning the Demon King in front of a Hero would probably land me dragged before the Inquisition tomorrow morning. Either executed or vanish into the dawn for the empire’s peace.
Let’s tone it down to this for now.
“How do you know that?”
“Isn’t it strange to think about? The very existence of such a weapon.”
“But it’s the Holy Sword? Isn’t something like the Masterpiece also an artifact?”
“No, that’s not the issue. Human emotions are not simple.”
I sighed. At this point, I felt like I had shown sufficient proof.
“Kainel, do you believe that you can’t trust a sword that trembles like you’ve never seen before?”
“But it’s the sword that chose me. Back during the Shadow Wolf…”
“Weapons should not be the standard for judgment. If there were no weaknesses, it wouldn’t be a problem. But see this? What if Ariel is in danger and it doesn’t tremble like now?”
I picked up a split spell and handed it to him. He hadn’t reacted because the attack lacked malice, but it’s still a situation that could endanger others.
“…That’s true. Licht.”
Kainel broke a bit of a cold sweat. What good does it do to wear good items if it only hinders one from getting stronger?
The wielder of the Holy Sword must be the Hero, not the sword wielding the Hero.
But from my observations, Kainel was reversing the roles.
Maybe that’s why he ran away when fighting against the Magic Hat.
I had heard that in the Corruption Route, Kainel showed a refreshing side, but due to Saintess conditions, the information is lacking.
“I hope you can trust people more. There are so many good people in the world.”
Like the nameless wolf healer who was somewhere.
Ending the conversation, I adjusted my stance.
I signaled him to get ready,
and the two blades collided.
“I got it, this is doable now!”
“Do you really think so?”
I clashed swords with Kainel. The gap in power that no longer opened. Even with little combat experience, a Hero is still a Hero. It’s a bit unfair.
I slightly regretted showing off and giving unnecessary advice.
But I did have fun playing the game, so it’s fine.
I curved a smile on my lips.
I converse with him. We share blades like this. Training him.
It was like a sequence of situations I had only seen through in-game text.
Isn’t it delightful to be a player of Night Heart like this?
—
After about two more hours, exhausted, we left the training hall.
“Ah~~ Seriously!! Just a little more and I would’ve won!”
“It’s not about winning or losing. It’s training.”
“No, how did you block my Shine Strike, Licht?!”
“It’s a secret.”
He seemed frustrated about finally losing, and he was digging into what I had done. You’ll figure it out if you hike a few times with Old Man Drake. I let out a small sigh.
“So, how was it?”
“Not being scared is good in a fight.”
“Isn’t there an easy method?”
“Well, you could try running away from a bear. Or maybe if the Grand Sword Master comes at you hell-bent on a match, you might get better.”
For reference, that was my experience. In training with my master, all of it was real experience. Kainel, if you rolled around like this, it’d be odd if you weren’t getting stronger.
“What? Are you really acquainted with Old Man Drake?”
“We’re from the same village.”
“Where are you from? I’m from Lavrance Village.”
“I’m from Sprout Village.”
We strolled through the night streets, chatting about various things. Is this what friendship feels like? It’s been so long since I felt this sensation that it was awkward.
I wonder how that guy from my real world is doing.
—
“Eek!!”
Suddenly, a strange sound echoed.
In the direction of the scream, there were silhouettes.
A woman and two stout men.
To be precise, they were thugs pulling the wrist of the red-haired Mage.
Did they come to meet Kainel?
It was Ariel.
“I don’t want this!! I like someone!”
“Just a little fun, okay?”
“She must be an academy student. She’s pretty cute~”
She screamed for help, but the academy’s operating hours had long passed.
Unless it was someone who had trained swordsmanship for several hours, there were no people around.
“Hey, Licht. Look at that…”
“Why are we just standing here?”
“Right.”
Kainel, with his blonde hair fluttering, started sprinting toward her.
He’s even using mana to run. He’s really fast.
If it was the route in Black Heart, he’d have hesitated seeing the Holy Sword not shake here.
He’s a truly gentle person.
He would have likely just lectured the villains or watched the unfolding events. The villains would have made excuses that Kainel misunderstood. The aftermath would have been horrific.
But those kinds of flags have been removed long ago. That’s why I struggled during the cart scene.
“Are you crazy? What are you doing to our Ariel?”
“K…Kain?”
Kainel growled as he snatched the wrists of the thugs.
Just like a hero protecting her, he stood between the men and Ariel.
Now with Ariel behind him, they wouldn’t dare lay a finger on her anymore. After all, thanks to the Nameless Saintess, the only one whose companion route Kainel had was me.
“What’s with this blonde?”
“Looking at the clothes, is he also an academy student?”
Even the sudden appearance of Kainel didn’t cause the thugs to retreat a bit. They should have run away now, or they’d have been in great trouble.
“Uncle’s a bit scary, kiddo~?”
“Are you two filming a movie? Urrly urrlaent muhn ya~!”
“Bwahaha! This kid’s going to cry. Stop it!”
Completely unaware of their situation, they were bashing the hero who had just fought alongside me.
Oh well, they’ve crossed the line. The very act of boasting is what Kainel hates the most, and that too regarding Ariel.
I offered my condolences to the extras who were sure to face an unknown ceiling tomorrow after this.
Hey yellow one, go ask!
I recited a phrase that had been used as an emoticon in the community.
