Chapter 21
After all the schedules of the Inter-year Exchange Competition were completed.
A warm breeze circulates in Olympia, welcoming late spring.
It was perfect weather for exercising.
Pat, pat, pat.
The footsteps running along the academy's path are light.
I had been out running since morning, leaving the dormitory.
It's the same daily routine as always, but there's one thing different from usual.
That's the students' reactions.
─There he goes running again. That Herak guy.
─He's really working hard. It's admirable.
─He's been running every day without fail, right? That guy's magic, I guess the body is really important.
─Hey! Herak! Keep it up!
'...What's going on?'
I didn't mind the Knight Department students, as we've always been indifferent to each other.
But the Magic Department students were particularly friendly towards me.
The contempt and mockery that had been directed at me until now were nowhere to be seen.
At some point, the gazes looking at me began to be filled with admiration, encouragement, and such.
The problem is that I don't understand why.
The only thing I can think of is winning the Inter-year Exchange Competition...
'I don't think I did anything that amazing.'
Didn't I just beat up Jackson a bit?
Of course, I did properly write the underdog's revolt story of the last place beating 7th place.
But is that enough to erase the prejudice they've had until now, and even reverse it?
I can't help but tilt my head in confusion.
"Fufu. You have a puzzled look on your face, senior."
A clean and gentle voice comes from beside me.
Isolet, my running mate who I'd feel lonely without now, was smiling at me.
"Is it that hard to understand? The change in attitude of the Magic Department students."
"Well, honestly, it is. I haven't really done anything special."
"That can't be true."
Rather, Isolet denies my thoughts.
She calmly explained the reason to me with a gentle smile.
"From what I've heard, the Knight Department often won in the 2nd year. Since you took the championship, wouldn't that evaluation be reversed?"
"I know that too. But it's strange that they're even cheering for my running."
"It was shocking."
Isolet recalled the memory of that day.
The birth of a trendsetter that all the students in the Colosseum witnessed.
"Many students must have been captivated by the overwhelming martial arts you showed... Above all, the fact that you opened a new horizon that didn't exist before is significant."
"...That Battle Mage thing or whatever?"
"Yes."
She nods vigorously.
That concept that already flows so naturally from Isolet's lips.
'Battle Mage', I felt awkward to death about it.
"It's a very hot topic in the Knight Department too. An innovation that transcends the boundaries between knights and mages. Even us 1st years can't stop talking about it."
"......"
What on earth is this situation?
So, to summarize what she's saying.
The fighting style I showcased in the Inter-year Exchange Competition shocked others.
As a result, they started to see me as a special and unique existence, and their evaluation changed positively.
From what I hear, my fighting style is a fresh approach that mixes only the advantages of knights and mages...
'What are they talking about.'
Who said that?
Me?
...Feeling like my head would start hurting if I continued this topic any longer, I passed the baton to Isolet.
"Come to think of it, it's a shame. You deserved to win too."
"Hmm. That's right."
Haha. Isolet laughs awkwardly.
The 1st year top student match that I watched, led by Helene's hand.
The duel between Isolet and Irina ended in a draw.
After lengthy discussions, the school administration came to a conclusion about it.
If it's difficult to say which side won or lost.
They decided there would be no winner for the 1st year division.
As a result, Isolet ended up not winning despite fighting so well.
"Honestly, it would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed... But Irina is clearly skilled too. It was a good match, so I have no regrets."
"That's admirable."
As expected, this one has become a proper person.
Maybe because she's a protagonist, it's amazing how clear-cut she is.
Isolet surely won't cause me any trouble.
"Ah, there's just one thing I regret. I wanted to become Herak senior's first disciple, but I failed."
"What?"
First what?
Looking at Isolet at this nonsensical remark.
She looked up at me with a firm face without a hint of hesitation.
"Actually, I'm very interested in senior's 'Battle Mage' too. I was already not finding the Knight Department lectures interesting. If I could receive guidance on senior's fighting style, I would be really happy."
"...You too with that?"
"Fufu. I know you're troubled, but please understand it as a young junior's greed."
Isolet, who said this with a bright smile, was quite beautiful.
Flawless fair skin, a lively expression.
She's truly a praiseworthy junior without any faults, but...
"I'll think about it."
I really didn't expect her to be so fixated on Battle Mage or whatever and become bothersome. Truly.
Feeling too sorry to completely ignore Isolet, I vaguely went along with it.
She politely bowed her head even while running.
"Thank you. As expected, there's no one but you, senior."
"...Don't flatter me."
I wonder what kind of status I have in Isolet's mind.
I suddenly became curious.
***
Today is the day for [Theoretical Magic Studies] lecture.
The Theoretical Magic Studies instructor Margaret is a woman wearing round glasses.
True to her typical scholar type, she was famous for wearing white clothes and giving boring lectures.
Most students either sleep or half-listen.
For those who don't need to fill up on knowledge like me, it's practically the same as not listening at all.
Therefore, I didn't think much as I entered the classroom.
The students would be lying on their desks killing time as usual, and no one would pay attention to me coming in late.
That's what I thought, but.
Slide.
The moment I opened the classroom door and entered, all the students' gazes in the classroom turned towards me.
Then one by one they stood up from their seats, and eventually rushed towards me.
It was an inexplicable welcome.
"Hey, Herak! I heard you went running today too? That's amazing!"
"The way you blew away Jackson last time was so satisfying. It was really cool."
"What's that magic? Or is it not magic? That Battle Mage thing or whatever!"
They're all pouring out words as if they have many questions.
Seeing my dumbfounded expression at this sudden situation, the commotion died down again.
Then, one by one, they looked at each other, gauging the atmosphere.
Swish.
One student approached me and spoke.
"Herak."
"What."
"Well, um... I'm sorry for everything until now."
"...?"
What's with this Hidden Leaf Village-like development?
As I stared blankly at this sudden apology.
He scratched the back of his head and apologized.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you as the loser until now. I thought you had no talent at all, but you actually had your own magic."
"And you even beat Jackson! That annoying bastard!"
"Yeah. Anyway, I'm sorry for everything until now. I mean it."
With that, he deeply bows his waist to me.
Moreover, not just this guy, but all the students surrounding me bowed their heads to me.
I quietly observe this scene.
I don't know how it looks to them, but my heart felt quite bitter.
'You've got the wrong person.'
It's not me you ignored, but the original Herak...?
I just possessed this body and did what I had to do with my physical cheat, nothing more.
Even if I receive such an apology, honestly, I feel like asking what they want me to do about it.
But I can't just say that straightforwardly.
In the end, I nodded appropriately to accept their apology.
They're just kids who've barely become adults.
I'll let it slide because they're young enough to make such immature mistakes.
"Well, alright. I get it. It can happen."
"...! Yeah, thanks, Herak!"
The students' faces light up at my forgiveness.
They then seemed excited and introduced themselves one by one.
These guys, don't tell me they hadn't even properly introduced themselves to Herak...
"I'm Samson!"
"I'm Thomas."
"Sophie. Nice to meet you!"
"Oh. Yeah."
No, I get it, so can you go away?
Can I go to my seat?
But the students still show no sign of backing off.
While the commotion continued at the classroom door.
Slide!
From the opposite door, Instructor Margaret rushed in hurriedly.
"Now, now. Quiet! Everyone, take your seats!"
"Yes, yes...?"
The students who were initially answering obediently and returning to their seats now have question marks on their faces.
It was because this was a tension that Theoretical Magic Studies Instructor Margaret had never shown before.
"Now! Hurry! Are you all seated? Then I'll call the roll. Penel─"
However, Margaret, not paying any attention to the students' reactions.
She pushed up her round glasses and quickly recited the student roster.
The usual static tone and stiff lecture atmosphere had gone somewhere.
"Samson, Thomas, Sophie─"
As if she couldn't bear wanting to call someone quickly.
Margaret hurriedly called the roll and.
At the very end, she called one student who had been the loser.
"And. The 2nd year Magic Department student, the winner of the Inter-year Exchange Competition who beat an opponent dozens of ranks higher, and the creator of Battle Mage that broke down the boundary between knights and mages. Herak, are you here!"
"Huh?"
What?
There were a lot of modifiers, weren't there?
As I answered the call with a bitter face.
Margaret was so excited that she gestured for me to come over.
"Now. Herak. Come out here please. Today, your place is next to me."
"No, Instructor. What do you mean?"
"Oh my. Did I cut off the beginning and end because I was too excited? I understand. I'll tell you right away."
She, beyond her round glasses.
With eyes burning with scholarly obsession, declared to me.
"This lecture ignores the existing lecture plan."
"What?"
"Let's throw it all away. There's no topic more important than 'Battle Mage'. However, as I don't know enough to teach it myself, I'd be grateful if Herak could be a one-day assistant!"
So, what was it.
To summarize Margaret's words, she's asking me to help her.
And to lecture on Battle Mage at that.
"...???"
...I don't know about it either?