Episode 116: To Think I’d End Up as the Best Friend Character…
Somehow, I slept soundly and woke up to morning. I got up for my training with Alissa-san, and left my room while being seen off by Rouge, who was puffing out her cheeks as if sulking. I could pretty much guess what Rouge was thinking, but…
That doesn’t mean I can accept it.
It’s a matter beyond my own resolve. Rouge is Lucretia von Reese, the Seventh Princess of this country, and more importantly, a fifteen-year-old girl right in the middle of puberty. Even if we’re the same age in actual years, I’m close to forty in mental age, so who’s going to put on the brakes if I don’t?
…Well, I seriously doubt whether the brakes will keep working properly until graduation. If things continue like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if brake fade occurs at some point.
I need to have a proper talk with Rouge when I get the chance… When I think about it, I haven’t even confessed yet, so I think I should make my feelings clear soon. I hope there’s a good opportunity…
While thinking about such things, I arrived at the vacant lot behind the faculty dormitory, which I use for training. Alissa-san and Idiot were already there.
“Haaaaaaah!”
“Too soft, sir!”
Alissa-san knocked away the swung wooden sword and thrust the tip of her wooden sword at Idiot’s throat. Idiot, having lost his weapon, raised both hands in a sign of surrender.
“As expected of the «Sword Master’s» right hand, to think I wouldn’t be able to score a single point.”
“Fufuun, I’m not that great, sir. Or rather, Idiot boy, you’re forbidden from attacking, sir. It’s obvious that the benefits of your Skill disappear the moment you switch to offense, isn’t it, sir?”
“What…? No way… Now that you mention it, it’s true…”
Idiot’s «Chevalier» Skill is a powerful Skill specialized in defense, encompassing «Physical Enhancement» and «Swordsmanship». Once he takes a defensive stance, even my Lv.Max «Swordsmanship» Skill couldn’t break through.
On the other hand, I don’t feel much threat from «Chevalier» when he goes on the offensive. In both my mock battle with him and this sparring session, Idiot was defeated after being counterattacked when he went on the offensive.
I see… «Chevalier» only exerts its true power when on the defensive, huh? It’s quite limited in its usage, but the Skill’s effect is immense. Skills are quite profound, aren’t they?
“You’ve arrived, Hugh boy, sir.”
“Good morning, Alissa-san.”
“Mu. You’re late, Hugh. We started ahead of you.”
“Sorry, I overslept a little.”
I apologized to the two of them and grabbed the wooden sword that was leaning against a nearby tree. It was only two days ago that Idiot started participating in my and Alissa-san’s morning training. It was right after Idiot returned to the Royal Academy after being away for about two weeks for House Hortness’s post-incident handling after the incident at the Grand Cathedral.
Apparently, Prince Lucas had recommended that he participate.
House Hortness was charged with attempted kidnapping of Lecty, had two-thirds of its territory confiscated, and its peerage was reduced from Marquis to Baron. The reputation lost as a result is immeasurable. It’s a fatal blow in a noble society where honor is valued.
Idiot, who inherited the House of Hortness, which was on the verge of ruin, in place of his father, who was ordered to remain confined, had to rebuild the House of Hortness. However, the means available to Idiot, who had just entered the Royal Academy, were limited.
So Prince Lucas proposed that Idiot gain military achievements with his sword. Specifically, accompanying the Royal Knights Order on missions to fight Monsters and criminals, or becoming an adventurer and delving into dungeons.
In any case, it seems that Idiot himself continuing to achieve accomplishments is the quickest way to restore the honor of House Hortness. It’s just like Prince Lucas to smoothly bring Idiot into the Royal Knights Order (under his control). He’s always prepared.
The training, which now included Idiot, became more practical under Alissa-san’s guidance. As expected, the difference in skill between me and Idiot couldn’t be bridged with just a month or so of training. Rather, by seeing Idiot’s swordsmanship up close, I was made aware of the difference between us.
I lack effort and resolve. Even so…!
The training ended as I desperately clung on. Once again today, I couldn’t score a single point against either Alissa-san or Idiot.
“Hugh, have you been practicing swordsmanship since you were a child?”
As we parted ways with Alissa-san and walked back to the Dormitory. Idiot, who was walking alongside me, asked.
“No. I only learned a little from my father when I was at my family home. My father was more of a bow and arrow person than a sword person, so I only really learned the basics.”
“Hmm. Then perhaps Lady Swift’s teaching method is good after all. For someone who only started learning swordsmanship in earnest after my duel with you, your swordsmanship isn’t bad.”
“Is that so? I’m not really aware of it myself… I still haven’t scored a single point against Alissa-san, have I?”
“What are you saying? Your opponent is Alissa Swift, who is known as the right hand of that Sword Master. She’s not someone you can easily score a point against. She’s one of the top five strongest people in the kingdom, you know.”
“She’s really that amazing?”
“It’s strange that such a big shot has been dispatched from the Knights Order to the Royal Academy.”
…It seems my brother-in-law was unexpectedly overprotective. I think sending such a person to the Academy is like advertising that someone important to Prince Lucas is at the Academy, but what do I know? …Is it too late now?
I parted ways with Idiot for a while, returned to my room, took a shower, and then headed to the School Cafeteria with Rouge, who was still puffing out her cheeks. At the School Cafeteria, I rejoined Idiot and shared breakfast at the same table.
“Hugh, did something happen with Rouge? She seems rather displeased.”
“Ah… well, it’s not that something happened…”
It’s more like she’s displeased because nothing happened. When I turned my gaze to Rouge, she turned her face away with a “hmph.” I might not be able to get her to talk to me for a while.
After continuing to eat for a while, I suddenly felt a gaze from afar. I thought it might just be my imagination since I didn’t use my «Ninja» Skill, but when I looked, there was a group observing us.
It was Idiot’s former entourage, including my classmate Ann. Come to think of it, Idiot used to eat with them often.
Idiot seemed to have noticed the gaze as well.
“Even if you don’t eat with them, how about at least talking to them?”
“I think it’s better not to. Being with them could lead to unnecessary speculation.”
“I see…”
The story of Prince Slay and Marquis Hortness ignoring the Royal Decree and planning to kidnap Lecty, and Idiot stopping them, has all come to light.
For the nobles who supported the disgraced Prince Slay, Idiot is a traitor. No one openly criticizes him, but I, who am by his side, can feel that he is not well-liked.
Ann and the others admire Idiot, so that gaze must be out of concern. That’s why Idiot is distancing himself from them.
By the way, the reason Idiot is acting with us is not because he doesn’t care about us, but because we are already collectively recognized by those around us as being in Prince Lucas’s camp. There’s no point in worrying about it now.
Well then. After finishing breakfast, I headed from the School Cafeteria to the classroom—on the way.
“I’m laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate!!!!”
A girl with pink hair jumped out from the corner of the hallway.