Chapter-03 · EP-042

Chapter 3: Sword and Pride

Episode 42: I Think They Found Out

Monday morning.

The spot where the Hobgoblin hit me yesterday was sore. When I checked in the bath last night, it was indeed bruised. It hurt quite a bit when I touched near my ribs. They might be cracked.

I didn't want to waste a potion, so I thought about going to the nurse's office later to have Professor Jonouchi heal it, or maybe asking Yuno. I entered the classroom with such thoughts.

When I opened the door, I felt like my classmates were staring at me. Was I drawing attention? No, maybe I was being overly self-conscious.

I silently made my way to my seat at the very back of the classroom and sat down.

"Ichinose-kun!"

The one who came over to me was Kyoya Murasakimura.

"Good morning."

"Ah, yeah. Morning!"

I could see Mamoru Sendo with him as usual, but for some reason, other classmates also started gathering around me as if forming a circle.

"What's going on?"

I felt a mix of slight fear at being surrounded and the confusion of a social introvert unused to being the center of attention.

Speaking for the group, Murasakimura addressed me.

"Sounds like you had quite an experience."

"Eh… What about?"

Did they know about the big fight when I was surrounded by goblins on Saturday? Or about me defeating the Hobgoblin, the Floor Boss of the third floor, yesterday? But how did they know?

I was confused and couldn't speak.

"You don't have to hide it. I heard about it. On Friday, you fought the Huge Slime to help some A-Class students, right?"

"Ah, yeah… that."

Friday already felt like a distant memory after the weekend.

"'That'? What else is there?"

Murasakimura pressed. It was a hassle, so I tried to deflect.

"No, nothing. Hahaha…"

I tried laughing it off.

"I heard from Hayasaka-san. Even though we just enrolled, you're already level 2. That's why you could easily defeat the Huge Slime."

"Ah, yeah. I'm level 3 now, though…"

"Huh?"

"Ah…"

Seeing Murasakimura's surprised face, I realized I'd slipped.

Being level 3 when we'd just enrolled was probably pushing it.

I decided to do my best to cover it up.

"Ah, no, I meant I'll get to level 3 soon. Level 2 is just a stepping stone! Hahaha…"

"I see… That's some strong ambition. I entered as the top student, intending to stay at the top of the grade throughout, but it seems you've surpassed me. But I'll catch up soon!"

"Ha… hahaha… Let's both do our best."

I really didn't handle Murasakimura well. He was too serious, making it hard.

Once the conversation with Murasakimura ended, I was bombarded with questions from other classmates. What was the Huge Slime like? Did the A-Class students thank me? I answered vaguely, internally wishing they'd let me go already.

Just then, another student entered the classroom. The students around me started buzzing, their attention shifting.

Who came in? Since I was the only one sitting, I couldn't see the newcomer.

The noisy bunch had fallen silent, making the classroom suddenly quiet.

Seriously, who was it?

I peeked through the crowd to see the student who had entered.

"Ah, it's Maika."

Maika walked towards me and greeted me.

"Ah, um, Shirou-kun, good morning."

"Hey, good morning!"

"Did you lose more weight?"

"Y-yeah. I lost it all over the weekend, I guess…"

"I see! That's great."

Maika had used her magic extensively in the dungeon with us on Thursday and Friday to treat the obesity caused by Magical Power Accumulation Syndrome. The results had apparently shown, and she'd succeeded in losing weight dramatically. Her jawline and waist, in particular, were noticeably slimmer.

"Eh! Momota-san?!"

The surrounding students started making a fuss.

"You've become super cute! I thought some idol transferred here!"

"Th-that's not true…"

"It is true! How did you lose so much weight all of a sudden?"

"W-well…"

Now the classmates gathered around Maika, bombarding her with questions.

If she'd changed this much over the weekend, it would certainly be surprising to those who didn't know.

The area around Maika was very lively.

And around me, there was no one.

…It's not like I'm lonely or anything.

"Hey, Ichinose-kun."

"Eh?"

I was startled by the voice. I thought I'd been completely forgotten by the class, but apparently Murasakimura still had something to say to me.

"Would you like to go club-hunting with me today?"