[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 15 - Spring [Interlude]
The day after my duel with Professor Lucas.
After finishing my morning classes, I sat on a bench along a quiet path, one rarely frequented by other cadets, and recalled the duel from yesterday.
‘He was strong.’
Just as I had expected.
Professor Lucas possessed a level of skill far beyond the diocre cadets I had faced since my return.
‘But it wasn't a level I couldn't beat.’
To be honest.
A part of even thought, "Is that all?" during the fight.
‘It’s a bit funny that I had such thoughts even after losing, though.’
But it couldn’t be helped.
The reason I lost the duel against Professor Lucas wasn't due to a lack of skill or experience—it was purely because of the overwhelming gap in our mana reserves.
‘Well, considering the circumstances, it’s impressive that I managed to hold my ground.’
After all, I was sowhat satisfied that I made Professor Lucas use his "blessing."
At least.
I could tell that the ti I spent training alone in a world that had been destroyed wasn't in vain.
‘Although, most of the techniques I can’t fully utilize in my current state.’
Of course.
The swordsmanship, martial arts, and magic used by heroes are all based on the assumption that they are powered by mana.
Techniques without mana are re imitations.
Like the fake food models displayed outside restaurants.
Even if it looks similar on the outside, techniques without proper mana cannot exert their full power, just like you can't compare a food model to real food.
‘And right now, there aren’t many techniques I can use to their full potential with my current mana.’
The one technique that stands out is "Sky Flip," which is specialized in using the opponent's power against them.
In fact, even that technique could be much more powerful if I had enough mana.
"In the end, it all cos down to mana."
Clicking my tongue, I sighed in frustration.
"Did I... do sothing wrong?"
A voice full of fear ca from behind .
"Ah."
Now that I think about it, he was still here.
I turned my head toward my "friend," who had been diligently massaging my shoulders while I was lost in thought on the bench.
"Seems like your strength has weakened since earlier?"
"I didn’t go softer..."
"Oh, so I'm just imagining things?"
"N-no! That’s not it!"
"Then what?"
"S-sorry! I’m at fault!"
Juliet, with a terrified expression, bowed deeply.
I burst out laughing and patted Juliet on the shoulder.
"Haha. I’m just kidding, man. It’s just a joke between friends, so why are you so scared?"
"O-okay."
"By the way... It’s been almost a week now. Have you managed to get the money?"
At the ntion of money, Juliet’s shoulders trembled slightly.
He spoke up with a tearful voice, as if the struggle to gather 1 million gold had been quite the ordeal.
"I-I think I can get it by tomorrow!"
"You think?"
"N-no! I will get it! Yes!"
"Alright, alright. Thanks, man. It must have been tough to gather 1 million gold."
"W-well... since it's a friend’s request."
"Ah..."
Gathering 1 million gold in such a short ti for a friend... it’s enough to make my eyes water with emotion.
"Isn’t friendship great?"
Helping each other out in tis of need—that’s what friends are for.
Juliet’s eyes were also red, probably feeling the sa way.
"Shall we grab so lunch now?"
"Y-yeah. Should I get the usual bread?"
"Sure. Today’s a special day, so let’s go with sausage bread."
"I’ll go get it right away!"
Juliet quickly turned around and dashed off to the store.
His quick movents conveyed the deep bond of friendship (?) between us.
"Hmm..."
As I leisurely waited on the bench for Juliet to return,
-Ding!
a clear alert sound rang out, and a hologram window popped up.
[If you’re free, would you like to have lunch together?]
It was a ssage from Iris.
Without a mont's hesitation, I replied.
[Sure. Where are you?]
[At the main building cafeteria.]
The main building cafeteria?
That’s where the children of prestigious noble families and conglorates usually dine, isn’t it?
‘I’ve never been there before.’
In my previous life, I had never set foot in the main building cafeteria because the prices were so exorbitant.
Even though I had to spend 1 million gold on research tomorrow (though it wasn’t my money), I hesitated montarily.
[Since you last prepared the al during the outdoor training, let treat you today.]
[I’m on my way.]
Ah, so sweet, kind, and even offering to buy a al.
‘Saintess, you’re the best!’
I dashed towards the main building cafeteria, where my lover from the previous life was waiting.
"...Oh, wait."
I feel like I’m forgetting sothing.
‘Oh well, it’s probably nothing.’
I quickened my pace, trying to clear my mind of lingering thoughts.
* * *
"Ah, over here, Dale!"
"This way."
As I entered the main dining hall, I saw Iris and Camilla waiting for , having already secured a table.
"So this is the main dining hall, huh?"
"Is this your first ti here?"
"Yeah."
I sat down at the table where the two were seated and glanced around.
The restaurant had a luxurious interior, reminiscent of a hotel dining room.
A pleasant fragrance wafted from the candles placed on each table.
"It's been a while since I've co to the dining hall as well."
"Oh, co to think of it, you usually have als prepared by a chef dispatched from the Holy Kingdom, right?"
"Yes."
So, they had skipped a professionally prepared al just to have lunch with ?
"Hmph. It's rare for the Saint to suggest a al like this, so consider it an honor."
"Oh, I'm truly honored to be invited to the Saintess's feast."
I stood up and exaggeratedly bowed, causing Iris to wave her hands in embarrassnt.
"P-please don't do that! Camilla, you shouldn't say things like that either!"
"Haha. Thanks to you, it's nice to be able to visit a place like this."
"Do you usually use the dining hall in the annex, Dale?"
"No, I just grab sothing from the convenience store."
"The convenience store?"
Iris frowned at the ntion of a convenience store.
"I've heard convenience store food isn't very healthy."
"But it's cheap and easy."
"Hmm."
Iris, who had crossed her arms with a dissatisfied expression, spoke up.
"Then how about joining us for lunch from now on?"
"S-Saintess?"
Camilla looked shocked by Iris's sudden proposal.
"Well, that's..."
"What? It doesn't make much difference to have one more person."
"T-that's not the issue..."
"If that's not the issue, then what is?"
Camilla looked conflicted.
It wasn’t that preparing an extra portion of food was a problem, but rather the fact that the Saint of the Holy Kingdom was having lunch every day with so unknown male candidate that was the real concern.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll eat lunch alone."
I gently shook my head.
Having lunch with Iris every day would certainly be appealing, but...
Not yet.
For now, I had too much to do.
So much, in fact, that even taking ti to eat seed like a luxury.
"Hmm... Oh, then how about this? We have practical combat training every Monday, so why don't we just have lunch together on Mondays?"
"If it's just once a week... that might be okay."
Even though I had a lot to do, there was no reason to refuse one al a week.
"He's agreed, so?"
With Iris staring at her, Camilla hesitated before nodding reluctantly.
"Alright... I'll inform the chef."
She seed to accept that there was no way to stop this plan and agreed with a complicated expression.
"Then it's settled for every Monday?"
"Got it."
"Yay! Sweet!"
"Huh?"
"Ahem. I didn't say anything."
"But just now..."
"I said, I didn’t say anything."
"Uh... okay."
Sure, let's go with that.
"Shall we eat then?"
"Yes! Just follow !"
Since the main dining hall was buffet-style, we had to serve ourselves.
With empty plates in hand, Iris and I headed towards the central section of the dining hall.
"Wow, what is all this?"
A line of dishes, each looking more appetizing than the next, filled the area.
"From here to there are Holy Kingdom dishes, over there are Imperial dishes, and on the opposite side are Republican dishes."
"They all look so good, I don't know where to start."
"Would you like to recomnd so Holy Kingdom dishes?"
"No, well... I'd rather not have Holy Kingdom dishes."
"W-why not?"
Why, indeed.
It was common knowledge across the continent that Holy Kingdom cuisine wasn't exactly known for its taste.
"There are tasty Holy Kingdom dishes too!"
"Better than instant ran?"
"T-that’s..."
Iris trailed off, quickly turning her head away.
How could traditional dishes be worse than factory-made instant food?
What kind of place is the Holy Kingdom, anyway?
"Anyway! Since you ntioned you usually eat unhealthy convenience store food, today you should have sothing nutritious!"
"That's harsh."
As Iris dragged around, piling food onto my plate, I noticed sothing.
-Whispers.
A group of female candidates had gathered in one corner of the buffet section.
Thinking it might be a popular dish, I turned to look, only to see...
"...Yuren?"
Surrounded by the female candidates was not a popular dish, but a young man with golden hair that shone as brilliantly as the sun.
Golden hair and golden eyes.
Skin as white as snow and a naturally emanating noble aura.
An androgynous appearance that could easily be mistaken for a woman's.
He was Yuren Helios, my ntor who taught the Sun Sword in my previous life, and my inseparable friend.
“Ah, Yuren, are you going to eat in the style of the Holy Nation today?”
“Is there any food you particularly like? Our family recently hired a famous chef from the Republic….”
“We've obtained so premium wine recently. How about a glass with your al?”
“…….”
Yuren ignored the female cadets surrounding him, not even glancing at them, as he silently placed food on his plate.
“Hm? Oh, Helios family heir, right? Dale, do you know him?”
“…….”
Do I know him?
I swallowed a bitter smile and shook my head.
“I've only heard his na.”
Not yet.
It’s not yet ti to et you.
The day I stand before you must be when I can be more confident in myself.
‘Man, that guy sure is popular.’
Unlike Juliet, who was hanging out with the newly admitted freshn, the female cadets surrounding Yuren exuded an air of nobility at first glance.
‘Well, I guess….’
He's good-looking, from a powerful family, and his grades are top-notch—never missing the top spot in the comprehensive cadet evaluations since admission.
It's only natural that he'd be popular.
“Dale?”
“Hm? Oh, sorry.”
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Ah… well, I was just thinking he's as handso as the rumors say.”
“Aha.”
Iris turned her head slightly toward Yuren and then cleared her throat before speaking.
“He's handso, but he's not really my type.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m not particularly fond of people who look like they were sculpted by the gods.”
It’s quite ironic hearing that from Iris, who looks like she was sculpted by the gods herself.
“Then what kind of appearance is your type?”
“I prefer soone who looks more lively, like a weed growing on the street… soone with a more natural appearance. If I had to give an example….”
Iris shyly covered her cheek with her soft pink hair and glanced at .
“Soone like you, Dale.”
“…….”
So, what you're saying is.
“You think I look like a weed?”
“No.”
“This could be controversial, you know?”
“That’s not what I ant!”
“To think I'd hear soone say I look like a weed.”
“You jerk! That’s not what I ant!”
Iris, flustered and shouting, made burst into laughter.
“Just go eat already!”
Following Iris, who was huffing in annoyance as she headed to the table, I turned my head slightly to look at Yuren.
‘Iris, Yuren.’
And though I haven’t t them yet, Berald and Senior Sophia, who must be sowhere in the school.
‘I’ve really co back, haven’t I?’
For so reason, even though it’s been over a week since I returned, the thought suddenly struck again.
It was a March afternoon.
The long winter had ended.
Spring was arriving.
* * *
“Huff, huff! Huff!”
The place where Dale had left.
A young man with sweaty blond hair ca running, his hands full of bread.
“D-Dale! I brought the sausage bread you asked for!”
Juliet looked around, calling out for Dale, but there was no reply.
“…Maybe he went to the restroom?”
Cautiously sitting on the bench with his hands full of bread, Juliet waited for Dale to return.
“…….”
After 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours passed.
Juliet, whose stomach was growling, finally ate the cold sausage bread while waiting for Dale.
“Hng… Hnggg.”
The sausage bread, soaked with tears, tasted like the bitterness of life.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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