Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death Chapter 5: Two Year Later

Two years have passed since the block-headed goddess threw into this strange world.

I went to school and studied quietly every day, struggling day and night even in my sleep preparing for the day of disaster.

Ti passed in a blink of an eye.

But there are still four more years until I can return ho!

It’s so far away!

I an, these days my stomach hurts whenever I think about the remaining ti I’d be stuck here. A throbbing sort of pain. I’m completely stressed out. Goddess, I demand worker’s compensation for this ailnt, with your misrepresentation of this job’s description as the main reason!

The goddess hasn’t contacted even once. What’s going on? I’m so anxious… No way, she couldn’t have forgotten , could she?

It’s scary thinking how highly possible it is… She looks like she has a flower growing from her head, after all…

No, I have to believe. Those who believe shall be saved. If not, well, then my heart will break.

Right now, I’m fourteen years old.

How many events are there left during this year? I’ll have to dig through my diary later.

Let’s see, the next big and main event is… Oh, I rember.

That’s it.

It’ll happen next year.

The sumr a year from now, a slightly problematic battle event will occur.

Ahh, my head hurts. So bumd out. It’s depressing.

And the event has to be completed in one shot.

I’m counting on you, future Hero… You’re the only one I can rely on.

But before then, I have to train him well.

Today’s sword lesson.

We practice a crushing blade technique that draws a beautiful arc dancing through midair.

I turn the tip of the sword toward Alfred, who falls on his butt. Then, I flash him a little smile, putting on a cocky appearance. How’s that? My acting has sowhat improved. It’s been two years in the making!

Shrill screams erupt from the outfield where the three bullies, the girls, and even so other boys are watching. I can understand why the three lackeys are flustered, but for the other boys to blush as well… How scary…

This world seems a bit lenient in that aspect.

I’ve also seen several sa-sex couples on campus. Truly a world made by that soft and fluffy Goddess. I wonder if elsewhere is this way as well. Isn’t that bad? I seriously have no clue, but…

Well, if it’s love then there’s no helping it, and I’m not particularly interested in other people’s business. As long as everything is mutual and the people involved are happy, then A-okay.

Just don’t involve in it! My dream’s to start a beautiful family with an older woman!

I’m getting a bit distracted.

Calm down.

That’s right, my lines.

There’s a small confrontation event going on, with a bit of dialogue from Lian.

“Hehehe. Still not up to par, Alfred! You’re too weak! You don’t even reach my feet!”

Alfred angles his sight at with a sullen face.

Although he seems to be in a bad mood, his eyes are their usual shade of sky blue.

Well.

What the heck.

Lately, I haven’t seen much of Alfred’s temper.

He inherited a trait from the ancients, irises bleeding gold when angered. A feature that’s really easy to understand.

His disposition has cald slightly. He’s probably maturing, boiling point increased.

However, it’s nice to win a match today, too.

Nowadays it’s risky and difficult to beat Alfred in a fight, so I asked my father to hire a famous sword master from the capital to tutor . Being rich is aweso!

Though, I trembled when I heard the price of the tuition.

In order to do this seriously, to pull way ahead of Alfred in the sword, I pushed myself to the fullest. Otherwise, it’d be a waste of money! I couldn’t let it be spent for nothing, or karma would bite in the ass! I’m a common person afraid of expensive things. Money must be used carefully.

I especially want to shout this to Lian’s mother and elder brother. Those guys drown themselves in their hobbies… Money cos and goes!¹ One of these days, it’s going to run out!

Well, that’s the way it is.

Because I’ve been working hard, the fruits of my labor are ripe. Thank goodness.

I can’t afford to lose yet. I sheathe my blade after waving it around, peering down on Alfred with my arms crossed, and sigh slightly.

Helping the church stay afloat with part-ti jobs is important, but doing so without break is troubling. He had to practice the sword more. It wouldn’t do if he didn’t get stronger.

If they’re so short on money that he has to take more part-ti jobs, then should I increase the monthly donation the church receives? Anonymously, of course.

That way, Alfred will have more ti to touch up on his sword skills.

Mm, good idea. Let’s do that.

“Alfred. If you wish to win against , then you should practice more, hm? You have too many wasted movents. Too many openings. You rely on brute strength, so your openings are even more obvious. What have you been practicing all this ti? Think carefully about the weight and speed of the sword, about your swordsmanship. Be gentle with it. Put just enough force in every strike. If your movents flow, then you don’t need much power.”

…Or sothing. Yes, this is what the sword-fighting teacher always says, lesson after lesson. A regurgitation of his words. Every now and then, he coaches the future Hero, though it doesn’t seem like his advice has been taken to heart.

Alfred pushes himself slowly to his feet, brushes off the dust, and looks at .

Our eyes et.

We’re finally the sa height. Damn it.

Did he get his growth spurt? It seems it’s only a matter of ti before his height shoots past mine.

Lian’s got his too early, and now his body’s taking a break. You can do this, body of Lian!

“Look. There’s a limit to relying on futile brute force and bursts of physical power. Even if you can take the other party down with strength, you won’t pass .”

Alfred hums in reply.

What a half-hearted coback.

Is this bastard listening properly? I’m going out of my way to teach him too!

For so reason, Alfred’s coming over.

W-what, what is it? Is he finally blowing up?

I watch his movents closely and internally prepare myself. If he punches , even I wouldn’t be able to go unscathed. “W-w-what?”

No response.

Alfred’s silent and wears an impassive mask (scary!), and when he’s standing in front of , he grabs my wrist in a flash.

“Woah! Ow…”

My right wrist hurts a bit from receiving his senseless strength. It’s becoming red and swollen. Truly a freakish strength! Especially now! My body’s delicate so I wish you’d be more gentle! But that’s probably impossible!

“O-ow…! L-let go!”

While lifting my wrist, Alfred takes out what seems to be a white candy ball from his pocket, breaking it in half. A healing crystal. This popular healing aid is the Band Aid of this world.

He cradles the glittering white sand in the palm of his hand, and coats my wrist with it.

His palm gradually transmits heat.

At the sa ti, the throbbing slowly disappears and I breathe out a sigh of relief.

I thought he was going to punch .

So he just wanted to heal , huh? He noticed that I injured my wrist during the spar.

“T-thank yo—”

I held my tongue.

Crap.

Damn. I thanked him out of reflex. It’s because my grandfather pounded it into my head so many tis to always be grateful, no matter what happens, and it eventually turned into a reflex. Ahhh geez.

Read this at perpetualdaydreams

Alfred lifts his head.

He’s staring at . What’s he looking at? Is there sothing on my face? Since he’s expressionless, I can’t read him at all. Scary. I feel like running away.

“W-what?” I say.

Since I couldn’t stand the look in his eyes and asked a question, he flashes a little, troubled smile. “…No. This is my fault. I can never control it properly. Sorry…”

He actually apologized!

“W-what are you saying?”

“…Recently, there are tis when I can’t control my strength…” Alfred drops his gaze, a slight sigh escaping his lips.

“Huh? I-is that so?” I ask.

He nods. What the. I wonder if he’s in good health. “…I keep almost breaking things… It’s really troubleso,” he says.

Is it the wildness of youth? Or, sothing totally different? I don’t really understand, though. Anyway, you’ve really got too much strength.

As he stares at my wrist, his brow wrinkles and he breathes out again. For so reason, he seems a little tired. Now that I look at him, his face seems a little pale.

“…Alfred? Are you… okay?”

He tilts his head upward. Eyes flitting open just a tad.

I shouldn’t have said that, damn it. This is out of Lian’s character. I ssed up.

Sure enough, there is wonder in Alfred’s eyes as he stares at … and he smiles softly. “…Are you worried about ?”

“Huh?!”

Not good. I’ve got to correct this.

“Y-you’re w-wrong! Y-you’ve misunderstood ! It’s, I was just wondering, is all.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

Alfred hums again.

Hey. He’s smiling. Don’t direct your smile at ! That handso guy’s smirk is no use against ! Go flash it at a girl!

For so reason, this situation makes feel like making a break for it. Let’s run away. This is bad. I’ve no idea how to handle sothing like this. I jerk my gaze away, shaking off Alfred’s hand on my wrist.

“Pa─”

“Pa?”

“Pa-part-ti job! Your body’s getting worn out from your part-ti jobs! Idiot! Go practice the sword more! Good grief, the current you cannot be my opponent! Well, who knows, maybe my strength is just too incredible!”

As usual, I spit out a sarcastic parting remark and run—no, walk away.

The three bullies dash over my way.

“Lian-sama! Are you okay?! What did that guy say?!”

“N-no? N-nothing… He didn’t say much,” I reply.

“Is that so?! That’s good but…”

“Recently, that guy’s been getting carried away! The urchin’s too familiar and touchy with Lian-sama! I’m envi… I an, he should know his place, right?”

“That’s right! You feel the sa way too, right Lian-sama?”

“I-indeed…”

Indeed, it’s troubling.

These days, because I receive reactions that are different from my expectations, sotis I grow pretty confused. It’s extrely troubling.

If he’d just react in anger, it’d be easier to respond to, and I’d be at ease.

After all, in the story, the Hero and Lian always quarreled and it was volatile between them. Like that, I can just recall Lian’s lines and reuse them.

A volatile relationship, huh…

Should I do that?

But how exactly?

I feel like I’m doing as much as I can but… I’m supposed to say very disagreeable things. I’ve been sprouting lines full of disdain but…

Could Alfred have gotten used to it? Does he no longer feel a thing about the nasty things leaving my mouth?

That’s terrible…what should I do? Uuughh. I’m troubled.

Ahh shit. I suck at improv!

My heart always beats fast and I get flustered.

I should have practiced with my friend in the theater club more without dragging my feet about it. In hindsight, I was wrong for skipping out on those sessions, Koichiro. I’ll never complain again. When you said this skill might be useful one day, you were right, my friend. I’ll treat you to a special deluxe A-set lunch next ti. So please switch places with ! You’re the perfect person for this role!

Haah.

In order to play Lian’s role properly, I need to be more careful from now on.

I’ll be in trouble if things start to differ from what I know, so I should follow the story as much as possible

I hug my aching stomach, letting out a sigh.