Chapter 9
Although school has started, my daily routine hasn't changed much.
To increase my strength, stamina, and agility stats, I can't stop exercising, so I was running as usual from the morning.
However, there are certainly some changes.
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【Strength has increased!】
【Stamina has increased!】
【Agility has increased!】
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"Hmm."
One is that my body is developing.
I don't need to use cadences like "hut, two" anymore.
It's already been quite a while since I started running.
In other words, my body has already finished adapting to the routine.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing much. But you're really working hard, aren't you? It must be tough to keep up with my routine."
"It's fine. It's more effective than exercising alone."
The second change.
A tightly tied silver ponytail, a glimpse of a fair nape beneath it.
A casual T-shirt covering a small frame.
The knight route protagonist, Isolet, has become my running mate.
'How did it end up like this?'
It started with a trivial coincidence.
Since I run through the entire academy grounds, the Knight Department's lecture building is included in the route.
One morning, Isolet and I, who were running, made eye contact.
Then she said:
─Senior, do you run every day?
─Yeah. Why?
─Then, may I join you? I've been wanting to exercise anyway.
─...?
At first, I didn't understand.
What constraints could Isolet, a Knight Department student, have in exercising?
Of course, there were circumstances.
─It's a bit awkward to exercise with my classmates.
─Why?
─*Because I'm the top student, they keep their distance. They seem to find it difficult to approach me.
Being of the opposite sex doesn't help either.*
─Ah, I see.
Overwhelmingly superior performance compared to her peers.
Plus, being of a different gender from most of the male students in the Knight Department.
These reasons combined led Isolet to train alone.
"Then don't you use the Knight Department's training hall at all?"
"Actually, I don't really like exercising in a crowded environment. I enjoy solo weight training."
"Then what am I?"
"Well, you're an exception, senior."
Her faint smile as she says this is picturesque.
As expected of a protagonist's beauty.
...Though she didn't explain why I'm an exception.
Anyway, for these reasons, Isolet and I have been running together for a while now.
Originally, I was reluctant to get involved with the protagonist and was going to refuse, but...
'It's good to know the progress.'
< Song of Sword and Magic > has a dual protagonist system.
In this world where there's no male protagonist, it's not easy to distinguish who's pushing the story forward.
So, I'm gauging the story progression by talking with Isolet.
For example, like this:
"How's it been lately? Anything interesting?"
"There was a bit of a commotion when the guidance instructor's cat escaped from the room. I had quite a hard time helping in the middle of the night."
Looks like Act 1 Chapter 2, 'The Great Midnight Cat Commotion' has been cleared.
"I heard the 2nd year Knight Department students were disciplining their juniors recently. Nothing happened to you?"
"They tend to avoid those with skills too difficult for even seniors to handle. Being the top student is fortunate in this case. ...But how did you know about this, being from the Magic Department?"
Act 1 Chapter 3, 'Discipline' seems to have been smoothly completed as well.
'No problems so far.'
The flow up to Act 1 Chapter 4 is progressing very naturally.
This should be fine if it continues like this.
"Ah, come to think of it, there's been a rumor that's been bothering me recently."
"What is it?"
"The secret room in the library. Have you heard about it?"
"Huh?"
Oh?
A hidden piece here?
***
< Song of Sword and Magic >'s side story, 'The Library's Martial Arts Manual.'
This story, which can only be progressed in the short time between Act 1 Chapter 3 and 4, provides an overpowered hidden piece.
The library at midnight. If you push a bookshelf in a secluded space, it leads to a secret room.
If you defeat the monsters there, you get a reward.
'You can even add a unique trait.'
The 'Unique' trait that most characters don't have.
It's not an easy thing to acquire.
But this side story allows you to add a unique trait through a skill book called the martial arts manual.
In the original work, it's a hidden piece that only the protagonist can get, but...
'I think I can do it.'
I know of one martial arts manual sleeping there.
Surplus data that the developers added for fun.
A martial arts manual that the protagonist can't use in the setting.
"I know. The secret room where martial arts manuals are hidden. Do you want to go there?"
"Yes. We might encounter something extraordinary. I'd like to at least go and check it out."
"Hmm. Then why don't you just go? There's no need to ask me... Ah, I see."
I was wondering why she's talking about a side story that Isolet could clear alone.
Then I remembered the entry condition for 'The Library's Martial Arts Manual.'
'It has to be a male protagonist, right?'
I forgot because in the original work, it's natural for the protagonist to be male by default.
Isolet can't enter because she's female.
"You need to apply for cleaning duty to stay in the library at night. But they only accept applications from men, so I couldn't do anything about it."
"I see. So you're asking me to do it?"
"Yes, if possible. It would be nice to search for the martial arts manual together."
She seems quite serious. To go as far as asking me for help.
I had no reason to refuse either.
'If I can get a hidden piece, of course I should do it.'
Thank you, Isolet!
"Alright. Then today... no, come to the library tomorrow night. I'll apply for the cleaning duty."
"Hm? Is there a reason for doing it tomorrow specifically?"
"I thought of someone who'd be good to do it with."
Of course, I need to be mindful of the protagonist's balance too.
***
After finishing all the lectures, I came to the Magic Department's 1st year lecture building.
Perhaps because of the sudden appearance of a 2nd year senior, the juniors blink and watch from afar.
─Who's that senior?
─I don't know. Why is he here?
─But he's kind of handsome. His body looks good too...
─Yeah. Did he come to see a girl?
Judging by the fact that no one is badmouthing me, it seems they don't know about my reputation.
Thanks to that, it was comfortable without any annoying situations.
I stand in front of the classroom door marked 1-B3.
Inside, students who haven't left yet were gathered in small groups, chatting.
However, my target isn't these extras.
A woman with bright red hair tied in twin tails, her shoulders clearly exposed.
That's the one.
"Hey. Irina."
"...?"
Suddenly, silence falls over the classroom.
A situation where an unfamiliar man clearly calls out to one woman.
Naturally, the freshmen's gazes turn towards the person called.
"...Uh. W-What?"
Irina looks around with a bewildered face.
After meeting the gazes of dozens of eyes looking at her.
Finally, she looks at my face.
"Come out. I have something to tell you."
"W-What?"
Leaving her muttering in confusion, I step aside.
It would be inconsiderate to keep taking time in the juniors' hangout spot.
I lean against the nearby corridor wall to make it easier for her to find me, and then excited voices erupt from the classroom.
─What's going on, Irina? Who's that senior?
─Do you know him? He was handsome.
─Congratulations. You've already got a man without us knowing?
─N-No, that's not it...!
'Kids these days.'
At that age, they're only interested in love stories, I guess.
But to compare Irina, who's clearly the 1st year top student, with me, the 2nd year loser.
Tsk tsk.
Poor Irina.
Bang!
Thud, thud, thud.
Then Irina came running towards me, roughly throwing open the door.
"A-Are you crazy?!"
A voice full of anger and a face on the verge of tears.
Her classmates must have teased her quite a bit.
"What were you thinking! What do you think this makes me look like!"
"I'm sorry. I forgot that kids that age are still obsessed with love talk."
"Eek......"
She pounds her chest as if she's about to have a fit. I don't know why she's hitting it when it looks so soft, it probably won't have any effect.
"...So, why?"
"Want to do something with me?"
"What kind of thing."
"Just keep your evening free. Then I can give you something good."
"E-Evening? Something good?"
Flush─
Her face turns bright red, who knows what she's thinking.
"Are you crazy? Calling a woman out at night, you─"
"Stop with the pubescent delusions. Nothing like that's going to happen. And why do you keep speaking informally?"
"...If that's not it, then fine. Sir."
Ahem!
Her small fake cough is quite vexing.
I really don't understand what girls this age are thinking.
"So what's this good thing? Sir?"
"Well, it's hard to explain clearly. Just think of it as being able to gain powerful strength."
"Powerful strength..."
"You'll be participating in the Inter-year Exchange Competition soon, right? It'll definitely be useful then."
"......"
Irina's green pupils turn calm.
She must be calculating various things in her mind.
Let's wait patiently. She's smart, so she'll weigh things well.
"...I see. So that's your plan. Sir."
However, the conclusion Irina reached was the opposite of my expectation.
"Giving strength to me, the 1st year top student. That means you're going to teach me magic. You want to take on a disciple that only you, comparable to the Chairwoman, can teach."
"What?"
"Yes, if I could learn from an excellent mage like you, I would become stronger. If that's the purpose of calling me out at night, I could even overlook it. Sir."
What nonsense.
I can't help but laugh in disbelief.
Irina was already immersed in her own conclusion, maintaining a confident smile.
Snap!
She pointed her finger at me and declared:
"However, I, Irina, the rightful successor of the Magic Tower, am not weak enough to need your teachings."
"......"
"I will definitely become stronger on my own. And, I will defeat you. Sir."
'What on earth is she talking about?'
Teachings? Me teaching Irina?
This is ridiculous beyond belief. If anything, Irina should be teaching me, not the other way around. Moreover, I have magic insensitivity. How could I possibly teach Irina?
"Fufu. Seems like you have nothing to say because I hit the nail on the head?"
I don't know how Irina interpreted my expression. She flashed a haughty smile and puffed out her chest.
She really looked stupid.
"You can leave now. I'll accept your intentions this time. Sir."
"If you say so."
Anyway, I guess that means she's refusing.
I'll have to clear 'The Library's Martial Arts Manual' with just Isolet.
Having reached that conclusion, I left the 1st year lecture building, but...
The questions filling my head just wouldn't go away.
You want to take on a disciple that only you, comparable to the Chairwoman, can teach.
Yes, if I could learn from an excellent mage like you, I would become stronger.
'Has Irina lost her mind?'
Herak Leonhardt, with magic insensitivity.
Without my knowledge, I've apparently become a mage comparable to the Chairwoman.
...Why on earth?