Chapter-11 · EP-167

Episode 167: Rivalry

Murasakimura offered to teach Hikaru the technique I had taught him.

A technique I taught him? What was it… I searched my memory.

When we went exploring together the other day… no, before that? That thing, channeling Lightning Magic through a wooden sword.

It was a technique that, by channeling Lightning Magic through a wooden sword, added the effect of Lightning Magic to the sword's strike.

Indeed, even for Hikaru, whose arm strength was too weak and whose attack power with a wooden sword was markedly low, if she could enchant her sword with magic, she might be able to overcome that weakness.

But for that…

As I was thinking, Sendo, hearing Murasakimura's words, stepped between them.

"Wait, Kyoya! Class A is our enemy in the inter-class competition! There's no reason to give them an advantage!"

Hearing Sendo's words, I remembered. I had forgotten because I'd gotten too friendly with the young lady, but this academy has intense class rivalries.

Especially D-Class, which gathers people who don't think well of nobility. And nobles tend to look down on commoners in C-Class and D-Class. It's normal for them to be hostile towards each other.

"Your technique is a hidden ace. It's not desirable to show it to anyone else before the inter-class competition. That's why you didn't use it in front of those streamers, right?"

Now that he mentioned it, Murasakimura hadn't used his skill in front of the annoying streamers.

Since he was struggling against the Angry Goblins, using his skill should have made fighting them somewhat easier.

He must have deliberately hidden it because they were filming.

Murasakimura answered Sendo's words.

"Mamoru. The student council president gave me advice on leveling up, and Hikaru-san helped chase away Dokujima and his gang from Class B. I owe them both."

Sendo was at a loss for an answer to that.

It might indeed be petty to receive unilateral favors and not return them.

And Murasakimura continued.

"Besides…"

Murasakimura turned from Sendo back to the young lady and continued.

"I feel that the stronger my rivals become, the stronger I can become myself."

Hikaru's eyes widened for a moment, then she slowly spoke.

"…A rival?"

Murasakimura had declared Hikaru his rival.

But Hikaru, who only had the Analysis skill and was troubled because she couldn't deal proper damage to monsters, was stunned, not expecting to be told such a thing.

"Yeah. A rival. Takigawa-san and Ichinose-kun are also my goals, but they are also my D-Class companions. The person I most don't want to lose to, Hikaru-san, is you."

Hikaru, perhaps wondering if she was even worthy of being called Murasakimura's rival, tried to say something but faltered, unable to find the words.

"What do you say? If you want to decline, I won't force you…"

To Murasakimura's offer, Hikaru slowly spoke.

"Please. Right now, I'm ready to clutch at straws…"

Saying that, she slowly bowed her head.

Hearing her answer, Murasakimura smiled happily and then turned to me.

"Ichinose-kun. I went ahead and said I'd teach Hikaru-san the technique you taught me. Is that okay, even though I'm asking now?"

Having watched the whole exchange, I was surprised at being asked suddenly.

"Huh? Isn't it fine? Is it not allowed?"

It was just an application of how to use a magic skill, and there was no ownership of the knowledge, right?

I looked at Sendo's face as if seeking help.

Sendo sighed, then answered Murasakimura with a slightly exasperated look.

"If Hikaru-san becoming stronger makes Kyoya even stronger, then I'll support it."

With our approval, Murasakimura looked relieved.

"Thank you both. Well then, Hikaru-san. It's late today, so let's go to the dungeon together after school tomorrow and practice."

"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Murasakimura-san, and Ichinose-san, and Sendo-san."

If Murasakimura was doing the teaching, I didn't deserve thanks.

Then Sendo offered to accompany them.

"Tomorrow, we'll come along as well, just in case."

Sendo was probably worried. Hmm…?

"Us," he said.

"…Wait a minute, does that include me?"

"Of course, doesn't it?"

I ended up having to join their training session the next day.

Well, the young lady and Murasakimura aren't exactly friends, so it would be awkward with just the two of them. I guess I'll go along with them.