Several days had passed since my mock battle with Silvia, and I had started noticing a persistent gaze fixed on me.
It was Leon.
He was the protagonist of the original game, a commoner youth and a Hero Candidate.
With his mop of bright brown hair and emerald eyes, he radiated an air of wholesome vitality and relentless optimism. He dressed in the simple, unpretentious clothes of a commoner, but his physique, honed by rigorous training, possessed a reassuring sturdiness.
In the original story, Leon was the one who would eventually subjugate the Demon King and bring peace to the world.
And I was the mid-boss villain destined to die along the way.
That was exactly why I wanted nothing to do with him.
And yet—
For some reason, Leon had been watching me incessantly lately.
During lectures, I’d catch him stealing glances at me.
When I was in the library poring over ancient texts, I’d sense him lurking in the distance, observing.
Even when I tried to eat a solitary meal in the cafeteria, I could feel Leon’s gaze piercing the back of my head.
...What is wrong with that guy?
Is he actually interested in me?
If so, that was a massive problem. The boy was a walking death flag. There was absolutely zero benefit to letting him get close to me. My plan was to avoid Leon at all costs, but—
"Hey, Kronstadt!"
In the classroom after the final bell—
I turned around to find Leon standing right there.
His eyes were sparkling with anticipation, looking for all the world like an overexcited puppy.
...Ugh, how incredibly annoying.
"Get lost," I replied, my voice as icy as I could make it.
But Leon didn’t even flinch.
"Hahaha! Don’t be like that! I just really wanted to talk to you!"
Wait a minute. According to the game’s lore, Leon was a commoner. Why wasn't he showing the slightest bit of fear toward me, a high-ranking noble?
...Then again, I suppose the man destined to be the Hero wouldn't be particularly subservient.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"That’s okay, because I have plenty to say to you!"
Dammit! Even when I'm this cold, he takes zero damage?
In the original game, he was a silent protagonist, so his personality had always been a mystery. Turns out he’s just a total pain in the neck!
"Albert, that mock battle was incredible! How much do you have to train to get that strong?"
"I’m busy. I thought I told you to get lost."
I cut him off and swept out of the classroom.
However, the "steel soul" of a man destined to slay the Demon King was no joke.
The next day, and the day after that, Leon continued to seek me out. In the library, the cafeteria, the hallways—he was everywhere.
He’s basically a stalker!
And every single time, those eyes of his were sparkling with that same irritating light.
One day after lunch, Leon cornered me again.
"Albert! You’re incredibly knowledgeable about Magic Theory! How did you study all that?"
"...Nothing special. Same as any other noble. I read books and had a private tutor."
"Is that right? Do you have any tips? I’ve always been pretty bad at Attack Magic."
"It’s only natural to have strengths and weaknesses. You should just focus on what you're good at."
"Hmm, I don't know about that. As a Her—"
He cut himself off with a series of loud, obviously fake coughs.
"I mean, I want to be an honor student!"
He tried to laugh it off.
In this world, the fact that he was a Hero Candidate was supposed to be a secret. The title of the Hero who would eventually defeat the Demon King carried far too much weight to be public knowledge.
I only knew because of my knowledge of the game.
Of course, I had no intention of letting on.
"I see. Well, good luck with that."
I brushed him off again to create some distance, but the Hero Leon simply would not quit.
I didn't know where or how the scenario had deviated, but he was obsessed with talking to me. In the original game, we were supposed to be bitter enemies...
I finally reached my limit.
I had to make Leon hate me, once and for all.
The following evening, I waited for him.
I chose a secluded spot in the Academy courtyard. It was a place Leon was guaranteed to pass on his way from the training grounds back to the dormitories.
Sure enough, Leon appeared.
"Albert! What a coincidence seeing you here! Let’s walk back to the dorms together!"
"Leon. Let me make one thing very clear to you."
I hammered him with the coldest voice I could muster.
"I absolutely loathe people like you—self-righteous types who think they’re the center of the universe. Your purity, your 'effort'... honestly, it all makes my skin crawl."
Leon gasped, but I pressed on regardless.
"Someone like you is probably having some delusional thought about 'reforming' me or becoming my friend, right? Don't bother. I have no intention of associating with someone as tiresome as you."
I leveled my right hand at him.
"—Spell: Magic Bullet."
A concentrated burst of mana slammed into Leon’s chest.
"Gah—!?"
The direct hit sent Leon flying. He groaned as he tumbled across the grass.
"That was a warning. Don't ever come near me again."
Leon looked up at me, his face contorted in pain.
"...Do you get it now? This is the kind of man I am. I’m a piece of garbage, just like the rumors say. I’m nothing like you. I’m not some ally of justice. I’m the villain. If you hang around me, you’re going to get hurt."
I spat the words out, turned my back on him, and walked away.
Surely, after that, he would finally stay away from me.
Good grief, what a hassle.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Leon remained on one knee, watching Albert von Kronstadt’s retreating figure.
His eyes weren't filled with resentment, but with pure exhilaration.
His chest throbbed.
But the pain was almost intoxicating.
To think someone could deal this much damage through Leon’s natural defensive mana! Albert couldn't possibly be an ordinary student.
(And on top of that... he wasn't even trying!)
It was a terrifying level of strength.
The rumors Leon had heard were true.
He had first become interested in Albert after hearing how he had saved Luna. Leon was on close terms with Luna, since they were both among the few students from commoner backgrounds.
She had told him how Albert had suppressed Lady Cecilia with overwhelming, absolute power.
That claim had been proven true much sooner than expected.
Albert had completely dominated Silvia, an International Student renowned for her elite skills. It had been such a one-sided slaughter that Leon had been left breathless.
In that moment, he’d had an epiphany.
(To defeat the Demon King, I need a man like him by my side.)
As a Hero Candidate, Leon understood his mission. He had come to the Academy specifically to find allies who could stand with him against the Demon King.
And Albert’s overwhelming strength was exactly what he needed.
That was why Leon had kept approaching him, regardless of how much he was shunned or insulted.
He hadn't won Albert over yet, but—
He had just been granted a taste of that power.
It had been a total walkover. Even Leon, who had undergone the most grueling training a Hero could endure, had been completely helpless.
It hurt like hell, but it only made him smile.
What Leon craved more than anything was strength.
The stronger the better. And if Albert was already far more powerful than the Hero himself, that was even more magnificent.
(Albert... you are my ideal.)
Leon had been searching for the strong.
As a future comrade, and for now, as a rival to sharpen his own skills.
(Compared to him, I still have a long way to go.)
The realization filled him with joy.
Albert was the perfect goal—a signpost that would guide Leon toward becoming stronger.
(I want to... reach those heights with you.)
The sentiment took root deep in Leon's heart. Albert would likely continue to reject him, but that was fine.
He would use Albert as his benchmark and push himself even further.
(I've decided... I acknowledge you as my friend. Even if you refuse me a thousand times.)
Leon stared into the darkness where Albert had vanished.
The pain in his chest no longer mattered.
In his heart, there was only a burning, unshakable resolve.
Leon stood up and began the slow walk back to the dormitory.
A new light shone in his eyes.