Chapter 14
Not a sound could be heard in the sparring arena.
Everyone had expected it.
No one thought Aiden Starfive would lose.
It wasn’t a logical conclusion, like thinking he was strong or that his recent actions meant he would win.
It was simply because he didn’t look like someone who could lose.
With such an ominous aura surrounding him, the people watching couldn’t imagine him losing.
So when Aila Seed managed to push him back, even if only for a moment, people were surprised.
Aiden Starfive wasn’t someone who could be pushed around.
And when Aila Seed was sent flying by his attack and slammed into the ground, people were surprised again.
Because of the full-force attack, which showed not the slightest consideration, and the sheer power behind it.
Aiden Starfive looked at Aila Seed.
“…”
After a brief silence, he spoke.
“I have no intention of teaming up with the weak.”
With that, Aiden Starfive turned and walked away.
Wherever he went, people hurriedly moved aside, the crowd parting like waves.
Leaving Aila Seed lying on the ground, Aiden Starfive disappeared into the classroom,
“…Phew.”
Holding her side, Aila Seed got up and looked in the direction he had disappeared.
“…Urgh…”
Aila rubbed her side and furrowed her brow in pain.
That one landed squarely. It’s going to hurt for a while.
She staggered forward.
No one came to support her or offer help.
Aila wasn’t particularly sad or upset about it.
It had always been this way.
“…”
Wincing with one eye from the pain, Aila Seed watched the man’s back as he walked farther away.
The man walking ahead was no different.
No one congratulated him on his victory.
Winner or loser, they were both just lonely outcasts, with no one beside them to sympathize.
“Ugh…”
Holding her side, Aila staggered along.
Not toward the classroom where the victor was headed, but toward the infirmary, where the loser ought to go.
He said he had no intention of teaming up with the weak?
Then I’ll prove it.
That I’m different.
Thinking that, Aila raised one corner of her mouth.
As she turned away, she didn’t see the brown-haired saint candidate hesitate before following the man.
Nor did she see the blonde princess watch the scene impassively before going on her own way.
*
“…A-A-Are you okay?”
At the voice from behind, I turned around and saw Lydia trembling as she looked at me.
“…”
“Ah, I-I’m sorry.”
When our eyes met, Lydia lowered her head again.
I looked at the crown of her head and spoke.
“I’m fine.”
“Th-That’s a relief…”
She murmured in a trembling voice.
“I was really startled when you were attacked, too.”
“…”
Is she not afraid of me?
Thinking that, I listened to Lydia.
“I’m glad… I was worried you’d lose if things went badly.”
I was planning to lose.
I would’ve lost, too, if that warning hadn’t suddenly popped up.
“…”
Anyway.
I recalled the status window that had appeared earlier.
It said my negative trait would manifest if I lost.
Wait, does that mean I have to win every time?
Does that make any sense?
My ankle is creaking even now.
And it’s not just my ankle.
From my wrist to my arm, my whole body is tingling.
This is probably less from using Cursed Swordsmanship and more because my body just isn’t used to exercise.
I really need to build up my basic fitness.
Anyway.
A negative trait that manifests if I lose.
“…”
Of course, I don’t know whether my mental fortitude stat can resist it, but the warning message I’d seen was still etched chillingly in my mind.
As long as I’m in <Dark Fantasy Saga>, I can’t avoid fighting.
Leaving the academy on missions or setting out to reclaim the continent are unavoidable paths, too.
And I have to win every time?
“…”
Let’s figure out the conditions. The assumption just now was that I’d lose, but maybe running away is okay…
As I was sorting through my thoughts, someone entered the classroom.
Wasn’t class over?
“Everyone, pay attention. I have an announcement.”
It was Professor Albert.
When his eyes met mine, he flinched for a moment. Then he cleared his throat and spoke.
“As you know, the first proficiency test is in ten days… no, it is.”
Oh, right. There was a proficiency test.
The proficiency test.
It was an event where you formed a party with the protagonist and their companions, then competed for a score. Sort of a reward event and an Affinity event rolled into one.
Of course, the teammates’ relationships often fell apart, leaving players tearing their hair out, but an event was an event.
In <Dark Fantasy Saga>, the protagonist formed a party and submitted it.
“Please find your party members over the next ten days.”
Professor Albert continued explaining as he looked around.
“Your party members don’t have to be from this class, and each party must have four members.”
The students murmured as they looked at one another.
“If, by some chance, you fail to form a party, you’ll be assigned one at random, and your score will be penalized.”
His gaze briefly turned to Lydia and me. When his eyes met mine, he immediately looked away.
Once again, I opened my mouth to say I’d go alone,
“That concludes the announcement.”
Albert beat me to it.
“…”
Before I could say anything, Albert hurried out of the classroom.
“…”
Thanks to that, I was left with my mouth open, unable to say anything.
Why was he so fast?
The moment he left, the students began chatting in little groups.
“You and me, and that person over there…”
“Hey, I just had a great idea…”
Everyone’s really enthusiastic.
“…”
I watched the students enjoying their youth with a fond smile, then suddenly thought of something.
This isn’t the time for that.
As Professor Albert said, if I didn’t form a team, we’d be assigned random teammates.
What happens when teams are assigned randomly?
You end up with hellish combinations like four DPS, four tanks, or four healers.
Then I don’t get any rewards, my mood gets ruined, and I have to retry…
Anyway.
Let’s find people to form a party with.
First, the people I know.
Benjamin. Dead.
Lydia. No. If she goes crazy, I die.
Laura. No. If she goes crazy, I die, too.
Aila. I just smashed her side, and if she goes crazy, I die, too.
“…”
This is bad.
I closed my eyes and thought.
I don’t have anyone to bring along.
If only I could bring Gert.
No. There’s still a chance.
I just need to form a team.
I scanned the room like a hawk, looking for a party I could join.
First, that trio chatting happily over there.
Maybe I could go ask them to let me join?
Honestly, I’m a pretty good option, right?
I stood up and headed over to them.
As I approached, their quiet conversation stopped,
“…W-We were being too loud, weren’t we?”
“Sorry… We’re leaving…”
Then, before I could say anything, the three of them stood up and left the classroom.
I just wanted to ask them to form a team with me.
I tried approaching the other groups, too.
“Sorry, we’re leaving!”
“Come on, hurry…”
And they ran away just like the others.
Before long, only Lydia Straw and I were left in the classroom.
“…”
I knew it, but I didn’t think it’d be this sad.
I’m at a loss.
I turned to look at Lydia.
“Umm…”
Lydia started to say something, then lowered her eyes to the floor.
Should I bring her along, at least?
Lydia isn’t a bad character, even if she can’t heal.
If she were a bad character, people wouldn’t call her a crazy bitch when her negative trait activated.
She’s just strong enough to be called a crazy bitch.
But…
“…”
The game’s text came to mind.
<Lydia Straw was already exhausted.>
<In the end, her wish was never fulfilled, and she, too, was devoured.>
<Boss, Lydia Straw, has appeared.>
I shouldn’t bring her after all.
I left the classroom, lost in thought.
At this rate, I had no choice but to get randomly assigned teammates.
It can’t be helped. Honestly, unless my teammates are completely hopeless, I can probably carry them on my own.
All right. Let’s do that.
If thinking about it won’t change the outcome, I might as well shut my eyes and take my chances. That’s life.
I just have to avoid the bombs, right?
Thinking that, I walked away from the classroom.
Right. Tomorrow’s me can deal with tomorrow’s problems.
*
Ten days later.
Unfortunately, not a single person had come to ask me to form a team during those ten days.
Even after I’d shown such skill, no one had approached me. Everyone really had no eye for people, I thought, and yet…
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
I looked at the three people standing before me.
“W-Well, it just sort of…”
Lydia Straw, repeatedly brushing her hair back.
“…”
Laura Crown, her lips pressed tightly together as she crossed her arms and looked away.
“Long time no see? Oh, my side’s all better now!”
And Aila Seed, waving enthusiastically as she looked at me.
“…”
That’s right. I’m screwed.