Chapter 54: Skipping the Summary of Previous Volumes in the Light Novel’s Second Volume
My mornings begin with anguish and conflict.
…It might sound like I’m a literary genius or philosopher constantly grappling with the meaning of life, but in my case, it’s not that profound.
“Munyuu. Hyu~… Shukii~…”
Every morning, I’m tormented by the overflowing affection I feel for this adorable creature that crawls into my bed, alongside the unavoidable desires that come with it.
My roommate, with her lustrous silver hair shimmering in the morning sun, clings tightly to my body. Her slender fingers grasp the collar of my pajamas, refusing to let go. Her legs, exposed from the dress she wears as pajamas, are entwined around my left leg.
She’s unusually close today… While I’m glad she trusts me, if this continues every morning, I might lose my rationality…
I must never cross that line. After all, she is a member of the royal family.
The Seventh Princess of the Kingdom of Reese, Lucretia von Reese.
That is her full title. Currently, she is attending the Royal Academy disguised as a male student named Rogue Vect.
Our story began with a chance encounter during the entrance exam, where I saved her from a human trafficking organization. By a twist of fate, I learned her true identity and became involved in the succession war with her brother, Prince Lucas.
…Yeah, it’s confusing. How did it come to this?
It all started when I died from overwork after joining a black company in my previous life. Before I knew it, I was reborn in this world as Hugh Pnosis.
The Pnosis family, where I was born, is a small, impoverished baronial house located in a remote corner of the Kingdom of Reese. Our territory is surrounded by rugged mountains, in a depopulated area suffering from an aging population. It’s likely that our house will vanish within my generation or the next.
That aside, every person born in this world receives a special power, known as a Skill, from the gods upon turning fifteen. These skills vary widely, from Firekinesis, which allows one to create fire, to Swordsmanship, which enhances one’s sword skills. The Skill I received from the gods is the ability to manipulate anyone I make eye contact with through Brainwashing.
I quickly discarded any thoughts of living freely with this power. My goal in this life is to enjoy a leisurely, carefree lifestyle. I don’t need excessive power.
Moreover, the Brainwashing Skill has the rather inconvenient limitation of being able to manipulate only one person at a time.
If it becomes public knowledge that I possess this Skill, I would undoubtedly be executed. A power that allows one to manipulate others at will is extremely dangerous for the royal family and nobility in this country.
…Well, two people have already found out about it.
Currently, the only ones who know the true nature of my Skill are Prince Lucas and the marquis’s daughter, Lily Puridi. Lucas figured it out through my Skill, while I confided in Lily.
I still haven’t revealed my Brainwashing Skill to Rogue. It took a lot of courage to confess it to Lily, and I feel that revealing it to Rogue will require even more.
Checking the clock, it’s just before six in the morning. It’s still too early for breakfast, but I need to get up soon since I have plans.
First, I need to wake Rogue…
“Good morning, Rogue. It’s time to wake up.”
“Feh… Is it morning already?”
“Yeah, it’s morning.”
Rogue groggily sits up in bed, rubbing her sleepy eyes. As she does, the straps of her dress slip down, nearly exposing her chest.
I quickly avert my gaze and get out of bed.
This is too stimulating for the morning…!
“Good morning, Hugh.”
“Yeah, good morning. Sorry for waking you up so early again.”
“No, it’s totally fine~”
With that, the sleepy Rogue smiles brightly. She really is adorable, damn it.
“Muu, I might still be a little sleepy…”
“Got it. I’ll come back to wake you up when I’m done. Until then, sleep well.”
“Okay~”
Rogue hugs her plush toy, Nokoko (a creature resembling a horse with deer antlers), that had fallen to the floor, and rolls over onto my bed. She’s not going back to her own bed, huh…?
It’s a bit unsettling to smell the sweet fragrance of her golden osmanthus from her bed, but… well, it’s fine.
After changing into my gym clothes, I head to a small vacant lot behind the faculty dormitory, a bit away from the student dormitory. There, a woman with purple hair tied to the side is swinging a wooden sword.
Her youthful face is taut as she swings the sword, repeating each motion as if confirming her technique. At first glance, her movements seem monotonous, but upon closer inspection, they are executed with flawless precision, leaving me in awe.
How much training must one undergo to reach such a level without a Skill? As a complete novice in swordsmanship, I can’t even begin to imagine.
Noticing my arrival, Alissa wipes the sparkling sweat off her brow, glistening in the morning sun, and turns to me.
“You’re late, Hugh. Were you having fun yesterday?”
“Good morning, Alissa. I’m not late at all, and please refrain from asking such vulgar questions in the morning. What would you do if I said yes?”
“I’d tie you up and drag you to the Royal Castle.”
…As expected of a current knight of the kingdom, her judgment is swift. She asked the question, yet shows no mercy.
“Well, I’m not worried about that. Watching you during your usual academy life, it’s clear you don’t have the guts for that.”
“I don’t feel like I’m being complimented here.”
“Of course, I’m mocking you.”
This girl…!
“By the way, how long have you been practicing like that?”
“About ten years now.”
“Ten years?”
“Without that, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with that person’s right arm.”
That person must refer to Roan Ashblade, the vice-captain of the Royal Knights Order, who possesses the Sword Master Skill. Indeed, the swordsmanship I witnessed from Roan at the ball two weeks ago was truly breathtaking.
And Alissa’s ability to keep up with him without any swordsmanship-related Skills is genuine.
If I’m going to learn swordsmanship, it has to be from Alissa. I thought I’d give it a shot and surprisingly, she agreed to train me every morning at this time.
“Let’s get started, Hugh.”
“Thank you very much…!”
Today marks the fifth day of training. In the sparring sessions, I hadn’t managed to score a single point until yesterday, getting thoroughly beaten up. Determined, I ready my wooden sword.
An hour later, I once again ended up with zero points, thoroughly beaten.
Author’s Comment:
The second part begins. The daily academy life will progress leisurely for a while. (´ω`)ノ