Chapter 27

Yesterday, Haidiera called for me, and today during lunch, Seldienne sought me out.

And now, after class, Perjena suddenly grabbed me and was taking me somewhere.

It felt like a lot had happened in just two days.

“Hey, where are we going?”

I asked the girl with two-tone blue hair who wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

Her jade-green eyes flicked over my face, and she giggled, showing her fangs.

“Not going anywhere special. Just walking. Hehe.”

“Oh…really? You just wanted to take a walk, didn’t you?”

“Who do you think you’re calling a puppy? Well, I wanted to take a walk, that’s true.”

“So you wanted to.”

“Yeah, you got that right.”

This bluntness was part of Perjena’s personality, always saying how she really felt while getting riled up over little things.

If she, who usually preferred to be alone, suddenly wanted company, there had to be a reason for it.

In this case, it was only right for me as her disciple to follow along quietly.

“If you’re okay with me, I can keep you company as much as you’d like.”

“It’s not if, it’s because it’s you, idiot.”

I couldn’t tell if she was angry or paying me a compliment, but she turned away, looking a bit flustered.

“My social circle is so small that you’re the only one I can call when I’m bored.”

“But you’re friends with Tirisia.”

“Tirisia! It’s more like… she doesn’t act all noble, so it’s easier to get along. Plus, she was your girlfriend. Anyway, compared to those other weirdos, you’re the better option. Got it?”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“I won’t keep you for long, so don’t worry. We’ll just walk around this plaza and chat.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you kept me for a while.”

“Ugh, ever since you broke up with your girlfriend, you’ve been so relaxed. Ugh!”

Perjena’s light punch landed in my abdomen.

“Oof.”

Chortling, she released me from her shoulder hold and stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets as she started walking beside me.

“So, how’s your swordsmanship training going? Are you doing what I taught you?”

“I’m trying my best, but my grades aren’t that great.”

“If you’re struggling, it’s all my fault as your teacher. Don’t beat yourself up.”

“No, really, it’s thanks to you that I’ve come this far from being a complete newbie.”

“Hehe, that’s true.”

Perjena and I had been teacher and student since the early days of my first year at the Academy.

When I entered the Academy with Tirisia, I performed poorly in a tournament assessing the freshmen’s skills through dueling.

Back then, I was just a completely ordinary commoner with no talent other than having some magic.

Well, I’m still pretty ordinary even now.

However, Tirisia immediately secured the top rank for freshmen through that evaluation.

She was mostly evaluated as the most powerful magician to emerge from the great noble Bruerd family.

The person who battled against Tirisia in the finals of that competition was none other than Perjena.

Without noble blood, she willingly admitted defeat after battling Tirisia Bruerd out of sheer potential as an ordinary commoner—she was the former top ranker of the Academy.

She despises snooty nobles like Seldienne but seemed to secretly admire Tirisia, who is stronger but still down-to-earth and humble.

It was only natural for Perjena’s gaze to reach me, who was pitifully standing next to Tirisia.

She couldn’t understand why a noble she liked was fond of such a weakling.

Thus, she had suggested I become her swordsmanship disciple.

The intent behind that proposal was primarily for me to at least not embarrass myself standing beside a noble like her.

After that, under her guidance in swordsmanship, more than a year passed.

I’ve grown enough to score one hit against someone like Rusika, who is ranked 27 in pure swordplay, but compared to the strength of Perjena or Tirisia, I’m still a mere nobody.

No matter how hard an ordinary person tries, the sheer gap in talent is not easily bridged.

Of course, that doesn’t matter now since I’m no longer with Tirisia.

“I’m sorry.”

Perjena said as she ruffled my hair roughly.

“I wanted to make you strong enough to stand confidently beside that little Bruerd.”

“No, you’ve guided me very well. It’s me who should’ve worked harder.”

Facing less than ideal outcomes, Perjena gave a wry smile at our consolation to each other.

“So, now that you’ve broken up with her… have you lost your reason to get stronger? Disciples?”

“Reason to get stronger…”

Indeed, I believed I had been training to become someone that everyone would recognize, just like Rusika mentioned.

Even if others never acknowledged me, I thought putting in the effort was the least I could do to show respect to Tirisia.

But my direction has completely derailed now.

Tirisia chose another man, and I was just regarded as someone unworthy of being with her.

In the future, if Kerg Durakal, the chairman’s son, stands out, that evaluation will only solidify.

Being quietly forgotten as an ordinary nobody wouldn’t be the worst fate.

After all, excessive attention wouldn’t really be helpful in life.

If I were all alone, I might have chosen that route.

But now, things are a bit different.

Haidiera told me to prove myself from now on.

She said she wanted me to correct everyone’s distorted views.

Seldienne, with her ulterior motive of wanting me to grow, also wished for my strength.

Rusika was greatly disappointed in me for giving up on staying by Tirisia’s side and letting go.

It was infuriating to think that she considered me a fool.

Taking all of this into account—right now, I still had plenty of reasons to become stronger.

“Perjena.”

I smiled at the look on her face, as if she were expecting a certain answer.

“Nothing has changed. I may have broken up with Tirisia, but I still think my fundamental purpose remains. I want to get stronger. For others, for you, and for myself.”

“Is that so?”

With the hand that had been ruffling my hair, she playfully slapped my back, then turned to face me with a fierce smile.

“That’s the answer I wanted to hear, kid.”

She raised her arm and pointed a finger at my face.

“Then let me add one more reason to that desire of yours, as your teacher.”

“A reason?”

“Yup.”

Perjena revealed her fangs and this time pointed her thumb at her face.

“In the next martial arts competition, you better place in the top five in my stead, got it?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Ugh! I mean it! I won’t be participating in this martial arts competition, so I’m telling you to achieve my legacy instead. Do you understand?”

“Wait, you’re not participating? Why not?”

As I asked with wide, shocked eyes, she scratched the back of her head like it was a bother to talk about.

“Well, you know… it’s because of that accident from last year…”

“Ah…”

She meant the magic explosion incident that occurred last year.

When a magician forces their unstable magic circuits, they can explode and that’s one of the most critical mistakes a magician should avoid.

When magic circuits explode, the released magic can cause various damages and side effects throughout the body; torn muscles and broken bones are expected, and if you’re really unfortunate, the circuits could become irreparable, ending your lifespan as a magician.

In the worst cases, it could even result in death.

Perjena clicked her tongue and rubbed her arm as if feeling cold.

“I still haven’t fully recovered since that time.”

“I see…”

Perjena was someone who trained severely, always striving to break her limits as a commoner.

However, the excessive pressure she put on herself led to that magic explosion accident, leaving her severely injured all over.

After several months of recovery in critical care, she managed to be discharged safely, but it seemed she still carried the aftereffects, making it difficult for her to duel in the competition.

“Is it quite painful?”

When I asked with a worried look, she shook her head with a smirk, indicating that it was unnecessary concern.

“Nothing like that; it’s not like I’d have to spar with your ex.”

“So… you really want me to place instead of you.”

“Yeah, idiot. As your teacher, I want to see you flaunting yourself in front of those snobby nobles. You have every motivation to grow strong, but I’ll give you that extra push. Understand?”

As she leaned in, she poked me in the chest playfully.

“But you’re going to have to train hard until then. Can you do that?”

Looking at the grinning girl with blue hair, I nodded, smiling.

“Of course. But…”

“Huh? You got a problem?”

Staring at her with one eye squinted, I revealed an important matter.

“Uh, well… I already have two other people lined up for training…”

“What? Who?!”

“Haidiera and Seldienne.”

“Ugh?! Damn it!”

Perjena gasped, her mouth agape as she circled around me, deep in thought.

“Those damn girls… already making their moves? I’m gonna smack them all…ugh…”

She mumbled something as she worriedly gripped my shoulder and spoke.

“Forget it, I’ll gather all those girls tomorrow.”

“Uh… okay.”

“We need to settle who you’ll train with.”

“Understood…”

Even after accepting that command, she was still gnawing at her nails, muttering to herself.

“Unbelievable… damn scheming girls… they’ve been waiting for this moment, haven’t they? Damn it…”

I couldn’t hear everything she was saying, but her expression looked rather furious.

What is wrong with her, I wondered.

*

So, the next day.

In the middle of the Academy plaza after class stood five people.

A girl with black curly hair. A girl with golden rolled hair. And a girl with blue two-tone hair.

They stood in a triangle, looking serious and heavy in the atmosphere.

Next to them, Tirisia and I were smiling awkwardly.

Gogoogogogogogogog—!

The tense atmosphere made the air feel as if it were vibrating.

Even students passing by were startled by the scene and hurriedly took a detour.

“…”

What is going on here?

I could only quietly watch the flaming triangle with Tirisia.

“Hey, kiddos.”

The first to speak was Perjena, her eyes glowing blue.

“Let me ask you something. What’s with you weaklings wanting to train my disciple?”

The one who reacted with raised eyebrows was Seldienne Elconja, her crimson eyes gleaming from behind her fan.

“Oh-hohoho! A pathetic commoner thinking they can teach my Lord! That commoner over there should focus on wielding magic instead of swordsmanship! You ought to be the expert in that field! Care to refute?”

Just with the two of them, it felt like a battle between a dragon and a tiger, but surprisingly, there was one more random chick joining the fray.

“Both of you are wrong! What Lord Reto needs right now is guidance in shadow magic from someone like me! Moreover, I even plan to pass on my vision from the east, something unheard of in this area…! Ugghhh…”

“Huh? What do you mean with that stuttering little brat?”

“I agree! Just listening makes me lose it! Why don’t you step back, Aishidel?”

“I… don’t want to! I’m going to teach Lord Reto!”

“No way! I’m the one who’s teaching!”

“You’re the perfect candidate!”

“Eeehhh…!”

“Huh?!”

“You’re kidding me!”

Twiqwaaa—!

All three girls unleashed black, gold, and blue magic from their bodies, shaking the plaza.

“What is this?”

I snickered at the horrendous scene, only for Tirisia to say dryly next to me.

“Wow, Erto really has quite the popularity.”

“Popularity? I’d be lucky if I didn’t get eaten alive.”

I shook my head, but Tirisia mumbled something.

“It’s a bit… unexpected.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Hehe, no, it’s good that there are so many people willing to help Erto.”

“Is that so…?”

“Exactly.”

The elegantly smiling silver-haired beauty gazed with her aquamarine eyes at the girls in front of us.

“Yeah, that really is a relief.”

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