Three months had flown by since enrollment, and summer vacation was finally on the horizon.
Whoooo! Summer vacation!
I practically danced a jig.
The blazing midsummer sun! White sand beaches! Beauties in swimsuits! A myriad of seasonal charms were waiting for me!
—Of course, I had zero interest in any of that.
While classes stopped during summer vacation, the school grounds remained open. This meant I could finally devote every waking moment to my research into Ancient Magic.
While most of the noble crowd would head back to their family estates to relax, I had no such intentions.
I was going to spend my days cooped up in the silence of the library!
Originally, I was supposed to lead a quiet student life while being loathed by everyone, yet for some reason, my days had been nothing but a whirlwind of chaos. I just wanted to taste the tranquility of summer break—
However, a notice posted on the campus bulletin board thrust a cold, heartless reality upon me.
The header read: Regarding the Special Summer Training Camp and Participants.
Oh, I knew this one.
It was an event from the original game that took place during the summer break. It served as a training ground for the protagonist, the Hero Leon, while also functioning as a way to deepen his bonds with other potential allies.
The participants were exactly who I expected: Leon, Eliana, Luna, and Silvia. All the familiar faces were listed just as they were in the original game—until I saw the last name.
Albert von Kronstadt.
Wh-whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?
M-my name is on here?!
In the original game, the delinquent noble Albert definitely didn't participate. Yet there it was, "Albert," written in bold, unmistakable letters!
"A-are you kidding me..."
It was true that many things had diverged from the original plot.
In the game, Merlin was a mere bit player who did little more than hint at the existence of Ancient Magic. Here, he had overstepped his role and somehow ended up dead—something that definitely didn't happen in the source material.
I suppose it was inevitable that I would be swept up in the wake of those changes.
"Albert, how does it feel to be one of the 'Chosen Ones'?"
I turned around to find Princess Eliana standing there.
"Was it you? Did you pick me?"
"Hehe, I’ll leave that to your imagination."
...Imagination my foot. I knew perfectly well it was "Eliana’s Choice" because the game explicitly called it that.
"Can I turn it down?"
"Of course not. Please consider this the most important event of the year."
A resolute will flickered behind her beaming smile.
She wasn't lying about the importance. Though it was billed as a "Special Summer Training Camp," its true purpose was to forge Hero Leon and his allies into a force capable of defeating the Demon King in the coming decisive battle.
"Good grief. And here I thought I’d be busy with other things."
As I grumbled, Eliana leaned her beautiful face close to my ear.
...? Wh-what now?
She whispered softly.
"—The Demon King is on the verge of resurrection."
She stepped back, placing an index finger against her lips with an expression that looked like she was trying to hide a mischievous prank.
"Please keep that strictly confidential."
Then, she tilted her head curiously.
"...You don't seem very surprised. Did you perhaps already know?"
"No, I’m shocked. I’m just the type who doesn't show much on my face."
Of course, I knew everything.
That specific piece of information had no value to me. The real question was why she chose this specific moment to suddenly come clean about it.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Fufufu, because I have high expectations for you. I want to see how much of an impact the piece known as 'Albert von Kronstadt' can make on the game board."
I see. So I’d been officially drafted into Leon’s Demon King Subjugation Unit.
"Aren't you overestimating me?"
"For the student who took the top spot in our year? Hardly."
She had me there!
I really had no business saying that after I’d gone and scored points that exceeded the maximum possible grade!
Why did I get so fired up during those exams...?
"My expectations for you are quite sincere. Well then, I shall see you again soon."
With an elegant bow, Eliana walked away, looking thoroughly satisfied with herself.
Good grief. My dreams of a refined, quiet summer vacation had turned into a sweaty mess in an instant.
All I wanted was a peaceful school life, so why did all these Death Flags keep trying to wrap themselves around me?
...Life really has a way of not going according to plan.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Later that afternoon, Hero Leon was in the school training hall, swinging his sword with frantic intensity. There was something haunting in his expression; the very sweat pouring off him seemed to radiate heat.
He had been at it for hours—
Finally, having pushed his body to its absolute breaking point, Leon’s willpower faltered, and he collapsed to his knees.
"Haah! Haah! Haah! Haah! Haah!"
His lungs thrashed, desperately devouring the air.
His physical stamina had long since hit zero. Every muscle in his body was screaming in agony.
But even so—
(Not yet! Not yet! I don't have time to rest! Leon! You’re the Hero! Don't you dare think you can save the world with this level of effort!)
Leon rebuked himself harshly.
Day after day, Leon had been subjecting himself to brutal training. He had always been a serious, diligent student, but recently, his drive had bordered on obsession.
The trigger for it all was Albert von Kronstadt.
Seeing that overwhelming talent—
He had been utterly crushed by it.
Leon understood that he was still immature. Among his seniors at the Academy—even among his classmates like Princess Eliana—there were many stronger than him.
However, the strength Albert had displayed was on a completely different dimension from theirs.
The vivid, blinding flash of the lightning that had pulverized the testing doll was still scorched into the back of Leon’s mind.
It had shaken the very foundation of his self-worth as a Hero.
(Am I even necessary?)
If Albert von Kronstadt was there, could he not defeat the Demon King even without the Hero?
Could Leon ever hope to catch up to that kind of power?
—Maybe I’m not needed.
That wicked thought stained Leon’s heart, which was normally as pure as a white canvas.
For a while, he had lost faith in his strength, his future, and his mission. He had spent his days in a fog, unable to focus, a heavy weight pressing down on his soul.
But Leon was a Hero.
In the depths of his soul, he was a true Hero.
He had faced his demons and found his path once again.
(I am the Hero. I am the one the world was entrusted to. Even if Albert is an existence that surpasses me, that doesn't change anything. I must put forth every ounce of effort to fulfill my mission.)
The dark thoughts didn't disappear completely.
But by using even that negativity as fuel, Leon imposed even stricter training upon himself.
Beyond his state of mind, other things were changing as well.
For instance, Luna.
Leon and Luna went back a long way. As the chosen Hero and the girl with the potential to become a Great Sage, they had received special education together since they were children.
That relationship had continued even after they entered the Academy; Luna would often come to watch Leon train and cheer him on. But lately, she had been absent.
"Luna, I haven't seen you much lately. Are you busy?"
"Yes. Lord Albert has recognized my potential, and I’ve been receiving personal instruction from him. I’m afraid I won’t have much time to meet with you, Leon."
When he had asked, that was the only answer he got.
Furthermore, there was a shift in Princess Eliana’s attitude.
"Leon, the Special Summer Training Camp exists solely to forge you. You understand that, don't you?"
"Of course, Princess Eliana."
"Make sure you use this time fruitfully. I have used my authority to draft Albert von Kronstadt into the roster. I am certain he will be of great assistance."
"...Albert...!"
"His irregular power is expected to yield massive results in the subjugation of the Demon King. His participation was inevitable. I look forward to seeing—what he will achieve."
Eliana let out a soft, refined giggle.
"Saint Seraphina will also be attending. Hero Leon, please show us through your actions that you are truly the hope of the world."
The reason Eliana had added Albert was clear to Leon.
She wanted to force a competition between the Hero and Albert von Kronstadt.
Leon’s position was no longer absolute.
—He was now in a position where he was being measured against a new hero, Albert von Kronstadt!
Leon clenched his fists tight.
"...Albert, you are undoubtedly great. I respect you. But I am the Hero who carries the world on his shoulders. I can't afford to lose so easily—!"
He needed more training.
To even draw close to that brilliant, singular star.
Exhaustion was no longer an excuse. Leon gripped his sword once more and stood up.