Chapter-05 · EP-079

Episode 79: Hikaru Kujo (Part 8)

Iori Takigawa's older brother was an amazing person.

I didn't know exactly what level explorer he was, but he was undoubtedly very strong.

I had met first-rate explorers connected to the Duke Kujo family who accompanied my brother on his leveling trips. He was on par with them – no, perhaps Iori-san's brother, Kojirou-sensei, might be even higher level.

Having received instruction from such an amazing teacher was a very valuable opportunity.

What Kojirou-sensei taught me were posture and stance. I had received guidance from Iori-san before, but Kojirou-sensei pointed out several detailed points and corrected them.

What I learned was that my body movements had been disjointed. And because I was too tense, I relied too much on arm strength, which ironically made me weaker.

When I swung the wooden sword down from the posture and stance Kojirou-sensei taught me, I was surprised at how little arm strength I used, yet I felt the weight of my whole body connected to the sword.

Wanting to make that feeling my own, I had been practicing on my own whenever I found time.

This morning, I also woke up early and repeated practice swings before coming to school. I wanted to practice after school too, but I wanted to practice more before I forgot that feeling. Maybe I'd go to the club room during lunch break and ask to practice.

It was just as I was thinking about such things.

"Young lady…"

It was Ichinose-san.

Unlike last time, he quietly entered the classroom and spoke to me in a low voice.

Thinking it might be something he didn't want others to hear, we stepped out into the hallway to talk.

"Actually, I have something to talk to you about…"

What Ichinose-san told me was that he had been followed by students from Class 1-C on Okumoto-san's orders.

He seemed very troubled by it.

"I'll speak to him directly."

"Ah, wait. That guy will just deny it or get defensive. I don't want to talk to him."

Indeed. Given Okumoto-san's personality, even if I warned him, he would surely play dumb or get defensive.

"Then what do you think would be best?"

"Well, this is just a report that it happened. And if you think of a good solution, let me know."

"Of course…"

It was just as we were having that conversation.

"Oh? What are you two whispering about?"

It was Okumoto-san.

He must have noticed us leaving the classroom and came out as well.

"You're a pain…"

Ichinose-san was irritated. The fact that he was being followed was triggered by him coming to sell me a potion. It was indirectly my fault. I didn't want to cause him any more trouble.

Thinking that, even though Ichinose-san had tried to stop me, I decided to confront Okumoto-san.

"I'll ask you directly. Okumoto-san, did you order students from Class 1-C to follow Ichinose-san?"

Hearing my words, Okumoto-san, as I expected, feigned ignorance.

"What are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean."

"You're having them investigate how Ichinose-san obtained a Rank 3 potion, aren't you?"

"Oh dear, if Class C students are following him for that reason, it's their own goodwill. They want to be of help to me. I certainly never gave such an order."

Okumoto-san said, smirking.

He was clearly lying.

Exasperated by Okumoto-san's attitude, Ichinose-san spoke.

"Sigh. I figured it would be like this, but it's still annoying. When I talked to the Class C president about this, guess what he said?"

"Huh?"

"That anyone who goes against a noble is an idiot."

"Well, isn't that right?"

Okumoto-san answered.

Then Ichinose-san turned to me and said.

"Young lady, sorry, but could you ask the Class C president if he's willing to go against the Duke Kujo family? Her family outranks him, right?"

"Yes. Okumoto-san's family is a Count's house. Mine is a Duke's house."

"Wait! Kujo-san, please calm down. Bringing up family matters within the academy is forbidden. Within the academy, students are equal. We're not supposed to bring up noble rankings."

Hearing Okumoto-san's words, Ichinose-san said, exasperated.

"No, I'll throw those words right back at you!"

Realizing what Ichinose-san meant, Okumoto-san's expression changed.

"Are you saying I'm wielding authority? I'm a meritocrat!"

"But the Class C guys said they couldn't refuse because a noble asked them. No matter what you think, they take it as the word of a noble. You're so desperate. Is it that you're scared of the young lady's family? That your old man will get yelled at by her old man? Hahaha!"

"D-don't insult me! I'm here as a student, on my own merit, regardless of my father. My ability is superior to Kujo-san's, who can't even defeat a slime in one hit!"

"Is that all?"

"Huh?"

"Besides not being able to defeat a slime in one hit, is there anything you're better at? In terms of grades, no one in the academy can beat the young lady."

"Wha… As a dungeon explorer, strength is everything!"

"That's true. Then if the young lady can defeat a slime in one hit, she'll be as strong as you."

"There's no way she can do that!"

"She can. That's why she's practicing swordsmanship."

Ichinose-san declared to Okumoto-san. Surprised, I asked.

"How do you know that?"

"Iori told me. That Murasakimura and the young lady practice more than anyone. Especially the young lady, she heard that you were practicing alone in front of the girls' dormitory this morning."

"So Takigawa-san saw me…"

I felt embarrassed that someone saw me practicing alone, but at the same time, I was happy that someone had noticed my efforts.

"If you're going to go that far, fine. Kujo-san, let's go to the dungeon after school today. If you can defeat a slime in one hit, I'll tell the Class C students to stop following him. However, if you can't, you'll apologize for what you just said. …No, that's not enough. Yes, I'll do this. Sell me the Rank 3 potion you got from him yesterday. I'm not asking you to give it to me for free. I'll pay you properly. Fufu…"

Okumoto-san, thinking he had negotiated to his advantage, smiled smugly.

I couldn't easily agree to his proposal.

I was working hard, but I still wasn't confident I could defeat a slime in one hit, and I didn't want to sell the Rank 3 potion I had just received to Okumoto-san. I had no intention of agreeing to such an unfavorable bet.

"Unfortunately…"

Just as I was about to refuse Okumoto-san's proposal, Ichinose-san spoke.

"Fine!"

Huh? For a moment, I couldn't believe my ears. As if cutting off what I was about to say, he accepted the bet on his own accord.

"If the young lady can't defeat a slime in one hit, I'll give you this Rank 3 potion for free!"

Seeing the Heal Gem he pulled from his pocket, I caught my breath. It was different from the potion I kept in my locket pendant – meaning Ichinose-san had obtained two Rank 3 potions in this short period. How could he get them so easily…?

My mind went blank.

I still wasn't confident I could defeat a slime in one hit, and the potion was valuable to Ichinose-san too. Yet—

"Fine, I accept."

Okumoto-san said, looking pleased with himself, while Ichinose-san in front of me smirked. Without even confirming my intentions, the two of them made the agreement on their own.

My heart pounded. A sense of urgency squeezed deep in my chest. If I couldn't defeat the slime… Ichinose-san's potion would be given away for free. What should I do, what should I…

Struck speechless, I could only stare at their faces.