"Sorry, Fee. Not only did I put you in danger, but I also ruined any chance of you having a peaceful lunch..."
"Don't worry about it. Like you said, Brother—they were the ones in the wrong. More importantly, I can't believe you've already mastered the Blaster to that degree! It’s been less than a day since I gave it to you, and you’re already firing Magic Bullets. You’re amazing, Brother!"
A short while later, the two of them picked up some bread from the shop and tucked themselves away in a corner of the garden for a late lunch. It was Hugo’s current "residence," and they sat there as if trying to hide from the rest of the world.
Their roles had flipped; now it was Fee offering the encouragement. He prattled on, his voice bright and excited as he heaped praise on Hugo’s performance in the duel.
Hugo didn’t fully understand the weight of his achievement, so he just gave a noncommittal smile and asked about something that had been nagging at him.
"Say, Fee... is this armor really an outdated model? Even if he wasn't fully guarded, the fact that I could one-shot someone in similar gear makes me think this thing is actually top-tier."
"Not at all. To begin with, Full-body Armor-type Magic Items are considered weak in general. And that Blaster is just an old mass-produced model from decades ago."
"Seriously? It looks so cool, and the defense seems solid. Why does everyone look down on it?"
Hugo didn’t hide his shock at the idea that full-body armor was weak. Sensing his brother's confusion, Fee patiently explained the technical hurdles.
"It's true they provide defense, but it’s not a massive jump. Any Magic Knight Apprentice worth their salt can use Magic Power to boost their physical stats and manifest a Magic Barrier. They can become just as sturdy as if they were wearing armor, but they stay much more agile. There’s really no reason to weigh yourself down with heavy plates, is there?"
"Hmm, when you put it like that, it makes sense... but tech is always advancing, right? Couldn't they just make new armor out of some lightweight, super-durable metal?"
"Forging metal infused with Magic Power to be both tough and flexible, then embedding crystals to act as conduits... the labor and materials needed for a full suit versus a single sword are on totally different scales. It's not viable for mass production. Even for a custom, one-off piece, you could make several different types of gear for the same cost. Plus, it’s a matter of utility. The Blaster lets you coat your limbs in Magic Power, but that’s it. If you have to switch to other Magic Items to actually attack, the armor just gets in the way."
"I see... thanks for the breakdown. Although, I feel like you just shattered my dreams a little."
"It’s not like they've gone completely extinct, though. Some of the high-ranking noble families still pass down ancient suits of armor as heirlooms."
Transforming heroes were cool and all, but in a world where people were just as strong without the flashy suit, efficiency trumped aesthetics every time.
His heart aching over a reality devoid of "Rule of Cool," Hugo turned his attention back to Fee and asked the question that had really been bothering him.
"Say, Fee... why are you so nice to me? I know it’s weird to ask about myself, but I’m basically the most hated guy in school, right? So why do you go this far for me?"
"...Because you’re my benefactor, Brother. You probably don't remember because of the amnesia, but in that house... you were the first person who ever showed me kindness."
In the brief time since his reincarnation as Hugo Clay, he had felt the sheer weight of the world's loathing.
From the glares of the students in the dorms to the hecklers at the duel, the message was clear. Even Marcos, despite his own flaws, clearly looked down on him. Amidst all that vitriol, only Fee looked at him with admiration.
When Hugo finally voiced the question he’d been holding onto since yesterday, Fee began to speak softly, sharing his side of the story.
"I was born with a weak body, and I'm the son of a concubine. I didn't have the talent to be a Magic Knight—I was a 'failure.' Our parents treated me like trash because of it, and I started to believe I was worthless. But you changed everything, Brother."
"I did?"
"Yeah. You told me: 'You don't have the talent for a Magic Knight, but you have the talent to be a researcher. When I take over the family, I'm making you my right-hand man.' You said that to me, the son of a mistress. I was so happy... just knowing there was someone who saw value in me meant the world. I had a goal then: to become a man worthy of standing by your side. That's why I worked so hard. It's the only reason I made it into Luminous Academy. If it wasn't for you, I’d still be rotting away in that house, hiding in a corner with no place to belong. I’m only standing here today because of you, Brother."
Reflecting on his past, Fee looked Hugo straight in the eye.
Hugo saw the absolute trust and gratitude shimmering in those eyes as Fee broke into a smile.
"You were amazing today, Brother. You said you wouldn't lose, and then you went out and proved it. It was so cool. I’m never going to stop believing in you. And as long as I believe in you, you’ll keep winning, right? You won't let these people or their insults bring you down. I know you won't."
"Fee..."
Hugo caught his breath, deeply moved. Despite everyone calling him a piece of human garbage, his brother still held onto that old debt of gratitude and believed in him.
He felt a surge of strength from Fee's gaze—a look that said he truly believed Hugo could cut through the darkness and find a future. Hugo smiled and reached out to vigorously ruffle his brother's hair.
"I see... Well, I guess I can't afford to mope around, then. I’ll keep moving forward. I'll become someone the world respects—a brother you can actually be proud of."
"I know you will. I'd bet everything on it. You aren't trash, and you aren't a monster. You're my hero!"
It had barely been twenty-four hours since he’d woken up in this world. To be honest, he hadn't given a single thought to what he was supposed to do here.
But now... he wanted to live up to the expectations of this boy who believed in him with such pure, unadulterated trust.
Even if he was starting from absolute zero, he was convinced he could make it work. Believing in his own future, Hugo gave Fee's head a gentle pat and smiled.