The Undying Spellsword

The moment the match ended, they tried to haul me off to the infirmary, but I spotted a split-second opening and made a break for it.

Phew, that was close.

If anyone saw my completely uninjured body, I’d be in deep trouble. I was seconds away from having to actually carve myself up just to maintain the act.

I slipped out through the players' entrance and began trekking down a deserted corridor.

I guess I’ll have to wait until next year to reveal the rest of my 33 Secret Techniques. Oh well, I’m sure another opportunity will pop up eventually.

"U-um..."

"Hmm?"

I was suddenly called out to by a student I didn’t recognize.

She was a PINK-HAIRED BEAUTY wearing the uniform of the Academy for Arts and Sciences. I had the nagging feeling I’d seen her somewhere before.

"Are... are your injuries all right?" she asked.

"B-barely..." I replied, casually clutching my chest as if nursing a mortal wound. "I think I... managed to avoid any permanent damage?"

"I’m so glad. I was watching your match."

"O-oh. I see."

"I don't usually watch the tournaments, but seeing you stand up over and over again... it was really cool."

"Wait, it was... cool?"

"Yes..."

Blushing slightly, the girl nodded.

Finding a mob character "cool"? This girl has some seriously weird tastes. Then again, with a crowd that big, I suppose a few statistical outliers were bound to find my performance moving.

"Um, this is for you..."

The girl timidly held out a small package.

"What’s this?"

"I baked some cookies. As a thank-you..."

I figured it was a "thanks for the good game" kind of gesture.

"Thanks."

Since she’d gone through the trouble, I accepted them. The girl gave me a happy smile.

"I-if it’s okay with you, I’d like to start as friends."

"Friends? Sure, why not."

With a few exceptions, I make it a point to live my life without making women feel embarrassed.

"Hooray! Look, Adoptive Father, I made a friend!"

Adoptive Father?

I followed the girl’s gaze and saw a tall man with slicked-back, graying hair walking toward us. I recognized that thin frame immediately.

VICE ACADEMY DIRECTOR RUSLAN.

He was the second-in-command of this school and, according to rumor, a former master swordsman who had once won the Bushin Festival.

And if this girl looked up to him as her father, then she was—

"SHERRY BARNETT...!"

"Yes?"

According to my own private research, she was the person most likely to be a "main character" over at the Academy for Arts and Sciences. In my head, I’d already cast her as the girl who gives the protagonist perfect advice, solves the plot's big mysteries, and crafts the legendary gear needed to take down the final boss.

Since students from that academy don't usually fight on the front lines, I’d basically written her off as irrelevant and forgotten her.

"You're Cid Kagenou, right?" Ruslan said as he came to a stop beside Sherry.

"Yes, sir."

"Are you sure you're alright? Those looked like nasty wounds."

"B-by some miracle, I'm hanging in there. Actually... maybe Princess Rose was holding back?"

"Hmm," the Vice Academy Director muttered, stroking his chin. "True. Rose-kun isn't the type to misjudge her own strength. Still, make sure you see a doctor."

"I will. Absolutely."

I absolutely will not.

Ruslan nodded and placed a hand on Sherry’s shoulder.

"This girl is devoted entirely to her research; she doesn't really have any friends."

"Adoptive Father!"

"Hahaha," he laughed. "She’s smiling now, but she’s been through a lot. Please, be a good friend to Sherry. I’m asking you this as a father."

Ruslan looked at me with a serious expression, while Sherry stood beside him with a bashful, troubled smile. It really wasn't the kind of atmosphere where I could say, "Sorry, I don't do non-mob characters."

"...Understood."

"Then I’ll leave the rest to you two youngsters."

The Vice Academy Director tapped my shoulder and walked away.

"Um, I look forward to getting to know you," Sherry said.

"Yeah, same here."

"So, what should we do now?" She tilted her head, then jumped slightly. "Oh, that’s right! We have to get you to a doctor first! I'm sorry, I got so excited I forgot."

"No, really, I'm fine."

"Eh? But..."

"The doctor can wait. I’ll go later. I promise. I'll definitely go. Actually, why don't we just go get some tea instead?"

"Um, are you really sure you're okay?"

"Totally fine. Don't worry about it."

"Wow... Spellswords really are amazing, aren't they?"

"Yeah... they sure are."

The beauty—who was anything but a mob—gave me a radiant smile.

After that, the two of us had tea and shared the cookies while we chatted for a bit before parting ways. My impression of her was just a normal girl, but she mentioned she was currently researching some precious Artifact at the request of the Knight Order. I told her that sounded "pretty cool." For what it’s worth, the cookies had a nice, simple flavor. They were delicious.

Well, she’s the furthest thing from a "mob friend," but I barely ever have any contact with the Academy for Arts and Sciences anyway. It’ll probably be fine.

The next day, I took five days off to "recover from my injuries" so as not to arouse suspicion.

When I finally returned to school, everyone in class was just a little bit kinder to me.