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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: 2-1. Coincidence and Fate Aren't All That Different.
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As I headed to school, that familiar status window started popping up in front of me again. What, trying to give me a quest now?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Calculating Grand Route Ending Achievement Rate...] [Kainel♡Ariel 12%] [The First Step Begins! Congratulations!] [As a reward, here's a piece of advice!] [- Joining a club might lead to something good!]
"...Still can't get used to the pink color."
So, all I have to do is fill their Love Meter to 100%? And now there's another heart. Blech.
"At least it's not making me go hunt the Demon King..."
That'd be impossible for my current body. Unless I did something insane. I grimaced and kept walking.
Along the way, some familiar faces came into view.
"Hey, it's Helmet Guy!"
"Licht, you wearing that helmet even to the entrance ceremony?"
It was Kainel with his golden blond hair and Ariel with her fiery red locks. They were already much closer to each other. Maybe I should check their affinity toward me.
"Hold on, Miss Ariel. Do you know what the horned duck's favorite mineral is?"
"What?"
"Orichalcum."
"Is he insane...?"
"...? What does that mean?"
Good. No affinity there.
Kainel's face was filled with contempt and disgust. Ariel just looked confused.
At least this means I can stick close to the Saintess route. A weight lifted off my mind.
I could just ignore the mutt who looked like he'd bitten into a rock while eating. If he'd laughed, that would've meant some affinity.
"...Don't ever try comedy again."
"Got it."
"Wait, what does that even mean?!"
Before long, the three of us were walking side by side and arrived at the academy.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
'It's huge. So this is the empire's academy?'
It was only ever mentioned in passing in the previous games.
I hadn't expected much, honestly.
A massive statue of the Ten Heroes dominated the center of the school grounds, with two steel wolves guarding the gates behind it.
A place showcasing the history of the Granasia Empire.
The intersection point for characters in the original and sequel, and the starting point for the heroes.
The entrance ceremony for Grand Hearts Academy was underway.
'Those are the Ten Heroes, huh. My master looks so young.'
A young man wielding a Western-style longsword as tall as himself stood out among the rough stone statues.
Dragon Slayer Drake.
He looked pretty cool like that.
'Except when he's training my body...'
"Whoa, is the guy at the top His Imperial Majesty the Emperor?"
"There's the First Saintess here too."
The square was packed with people. I scanned for white hair. Why not? The wolf-eared Saintess might be here too. There must've been a reason she told me to come to the academy.
"Hey, Licht. No white hair, it seems?"
"...Keep that a secret, please."
"What's that about all of a sudden? Kai?"
I whipped my head around, and there he was, smirking like he was getting revenge for a few days ago. No more lame jokes. Spare me.
"It's a secret between us guys."
"Talking about another girl?"
"..."
You just broke it. As I mentally landed a hit on Kainel, someone stepped up to the podium.
"I am Laplace, headmaster of Grand Hearts Academy."
The old man's finally here.
One of the Ten Heroes who stopped a continental war. Seventh in combat prowess among them.
'Librarian Laplace.'
Seeing his face after so long made me oddly glad.
"My ability is rather insignificant."
"It's the power to light and extinguish fires without touching them."
It might seem trivial.
"But thanks to one very special person—"
Snap.
The sound of fingers clicking.
"—I've reached this level."
In an instant, the area plunged into total darkness.
A total solar eclipse.
"What...? It got dark all of a sudden!"
"The headmaster's power is real!"
"This is kinda scary..."
"As expected of one of the Ten Heroes!"
"Look! The sun's gone black!"
'What a crazy power.'
The crowd buzzed in shock.
He snapped his fingers again, and the light returned.
"Thus, our academy's motto is this."
"Find what is precious, what must be protected, what must be done."
Typical pure-hearted guy. Those three words all point to one woman. He doesn't need my help.
"May the blessing of the God of Wisdom, Akaas, be upon you new students!"
"Woooaaah!!"
"Yaaaay!!!"
The short ceremony ended amid cheers. While the crowd roared, we chatted briefly.
"...That was a flashy entrance ceremony."
"Can I become a mage like that someday?"
"You will. Definitely."
I nodded, recalling their exploits in [Black Heart]. You two are munchkins too. It'll probably work out. I know because I've cleared it without you.
"What elective are you taking, Licht?"
"Magic."
"I'm doing combat magic too! Nice! Helmet Guy! Kai!"
Guess I'll learn some magic this time around.
All three of us had the same lecture. Good thing it's not like reality where you eat lunch in the bathroom. Lucky break.
'Huh?'
I admired the professor names on the bulletin board. They don't reveal their surnames. Aiming for equality by hiding family backgrounds.
Pretty innovative.
Pushing that thought aside, I headed to the lecture hall with the hero couple.
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A tall man with striking blue hair and white eyes staggered into the lecture hall like he was drunk.
"Pleased to meet you all. I'm the one handling [Basics of Combat Magic]."
"As you've probably heard, my name is Dennis."
The protagonist from [Knight Heart] part 1.
He's a professor here now. Makes sense; he would've graduated by this point.
'Drunken Dennis.'
...I still can't touch this guy.
A pang of regret hit me.
He was the first character I met in the game, but he won't help unless I beat the Demon King. Is there really no way?
"I believe people change only when pushed to the extreme."
I racked my brain for options, but nothing yet.
"So today, we'll start lightly by figuring out your aptitudes..."
Then,
Rattle. The back door slid open. A strong presence filled the room.
A figure like a walking crystal entered.
Polished helmet and armor, a slender longsword on his back. From head to toe, he gleamed like a knight from a fairy tale—an otherworldly sight.
His pure white ensemble shone with luster.
I'm just wearing a helmet, and he's fully geared.
'What the heck is that...?'
A character I'd never seen before. If the game spits out a random like that,
'He's the protagonist of part 3.'
It happened in parts 1 and 2 too. Means he's important. My gamer instincts kicked in. That's why they told me to come to the academy.
"...Sorry I'm late."
The giant bowed deeply. Don't bow. It's scary.
"...What's your name?"
"Mardol."
"Ha... Fine, take a seat."
Dennis rubbed his temples like his head hurt.
The mysterious knight sat next to me, the empty spot, thudding down with his massive frame.
'I have to pursue his romance story no matter what.'
I was convinced by his awful naming sense. It's up to me.
The core of the [Knight Heart Trilogy] is love.
Today's status window pointed to that too. I'd never heard the name 'Mardol' in any game I'd played.
Two helmeted knights in one classroom. What a bizarre coincidence.
"What, are they a set?"
"Shh, class is in session."
"One's the Black Knight, the other's... White Knight? Nah, more like glass."
"Call him Glass Knight then."
"They know each other? Two of those in one class?"
I can hear you. I don't know him either.
Ever awkwardly greeted someone thinking they're a friend, only for it to be a stranger? That's me right now.
Ignoring the whispers and stares, the guy next to me spoke up.
"You're Licht?"
His voice echoed like from a cave.
It sounded masculine because of that.
"Yes. What is it?"
'Wrong guy. Aaaah.'
Staring at the faintly glowing golden eyes inside his helmet, I barely hid my panic and replied.
A giant knight talking to me. Terrifying. Cold sweat dripped.
"I see."
He just nodded and focused on the lecture. He didn't talk to me again after that.
What was that? Don't bring up stuff only you know.
How do you know my name?
"Huh, similar to you, Helmet Guy?"
"Is that the trend in the empire? Should I try it, Ariel?"
"Stop it, Kai. You'd look ugly."
The hero couple behind me laughed as they looked at the guy who resembled me. I'll remember this, mutt.
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"Anyway, today's about discovering your aptitudes."
Dennis drew a small circle on the board—a protective spell he often used in the game. Then he pointed at a student.
A red-haired mage. Ariel.
"Student Ariel, what's your aptitude?"
"Fire magic!"
She shouted with eyes squeezed shut. Full of confidence.
"And what kind of magic is that?"
"Magic that handles flames!"
Dennis stroked his chin. Not satisfied, huh.
"Besides flame control?"
"...Uh. That's..."
His white eyes gleamed.
"Well... you see..."
"Time's up. Fire magic thoroughly ignores 'laws'."
He shook his head.
Guy loves practical theory.
"It doesn't need fuel, can burn over low-temp ice. And,"
He conjured a tiny flame and ice in the air, continuing.
"...A skilled fire mage can use it freely even underwater."
Magic's such a cheat.
A spark burned inside the ice.
"So, what fuels the fire to make this possible? Ariel?"
"Burning mana...?"
She shrank like a startled cat.
"Correct. You know the basics."
"Mana fundamentally grants spells, swordsmanship, spirit arts, holy power—the power to ignore reality."
Listening to Dennis, I grew gloomy. I have no mana, though.
「Water Ball.」
A water orb formed in his palm.
"For me, I twist water magic like this to handle booze. You students have had your coming-of-age, so you can drink."
The clear water turned blood-red.
The scent of wine spread. The red orb spun. A hint of alcohol wafted.
"One basic 'concept' of water is vaporizing at room temp. Same for booze, but..."
The amount's on another level.
Dennis clenched his fist; the orb burst like a balloon, filling the room with thick grape aroma.
"Water magic alone gives me control rivaling other mages."
He opened his palm, recovering the spell. Water droplets swirled from the air into his hand and vanished.
"Ariel?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Now, try your fire magic."
Confirming no issues, he prompted her.
「Fi, Fire Ball.」
After her incantation, a head-sized fireball formed in her hand. Poor heat control.
Dennis stayed calm.
"Impressive mana reserves."
'Cheat character confirmed.'
Ariel had talent rivaling mage tower wizards. Watching her, I recalled her strength in the hero party.
Her AoE was insane.
"What's fire's basic concept, Ariel?"
"It shines?"
Her eyes lit up.
"Right. What's a prime example?"
She pondered.
"Sun, fireworks, candles...?"
"Focus on fireworks shining—not heat—and twist the spell formula."
"Got it."
She closed her eyes in focus. Multicolored flames sparked in her hand.
Red, gold, blue. Three hues.
Oh, this is taught here? Watching her prototype ultimate skill, I got nostalgic.
Remembered the flair with the hero's holy sword against Demon King minions.
'But those colors match Kainel's hair and eyes, and her own.'
Gazing at the flames, Ariel's cheeks flushed. Magic reflects the heart, huh? Kinda magical.
I'd overlooked the flashiness in-game.
'Huh...?'
Something weird caught my eye.
A tiny man's face forming over the flames. Stop—that's the mutt!
"Enough. You're doing well. Next week, mock battles with your aptitudes."
Disaster averted. If Dennis hadn't stopped it...
She sighed in relief. Almost a public confession, Ariel.
"First day, so we'll end here. Enjoy lunch."
Dennis, who'd watched intently, wrapped up class.
Early end on day one? Common courtesy.
Thanks. [Knight Heart] is the best.
'But I can't use magic? Screwed. Can't even emit aura, so my master chewed me out.'
Sudden self-pity hit. Then voices from the back.
"Those flames were gorgeous, Ariel. Impressive."
"Uh, yeah. Felt easy. You could do it quick too, Kai."
The light hero and blazing mage chatted at their seats.
I was dumbfounded. After that magic, Kainel's still oblivious.
Dark future ahead; harsh words nearly slipped.
'You really have zero tact, Kainel?'
Correction: our mutt has no tact at all.
I sighed and approached them.
"Um, Miss Ariel. You know magic reflects inner thoughts?"
"What? What're you saying?"
"Just now, Kainel's face..."
Words cut off.
"Kyaaah! Helmet Guy, are you crazy? No way!!"
Hands over my helmet.
She screamed, clamping my mouth. Ariel's face was strawberry red.
"Did you call me, Licht?"
"Yes."
"No! It wasn't!!"
Kainel stared blankly, clueless.
'Right... What was I expecting from 12%?'
I lamented inwardly. Childhood friends who just held hands? Elementary kids?
This is serious.
Having to ship these two? My future's bleak. It's an academy, not high school.
Handle your own romance. I kept teasing from the side.
"I can still talk. My mouth's not covered. Just now, Kainel..."
"...Playing dirty, huh, Helmet Guy."
"Ariel, wait, what're you doing."
"...? Why chant a spell all of a sudden..."
「Fire Ball!」
The air heated up. Spine chilled. Forgot tsunderes get violent.
"Gyaah! No fire magic on the helmet!"
"Shut up! Be quiet! You need to feel it too!"
"Ariel, I'm curious too. Try it. Revenge for the carriage."
I barely stopped Ariel from blasting me with fire. Didn't know no-magic life was this sad. Apologized profusely.
"Sorry! Sorry! Miss Ariel! Anything but fire!"
"It really won't come off. What're you made of?"
"...Kainel, Licht. Lunch later."
She was so pissed, she dropped our nicknames. I'm doomed. What now for my academy pure love Black Knight life?
I realized my mistake, bowed my head in regret.
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Because of the commotion, Licht at the time didn't notice someone next to him watching intently.
"...An interesting person."
She took interest in the helmeted Black Knight.
Her wolf ears twitched back slightly.