Even on the night Knight Klaus suffered his crushing defeat at Albert's hands, Hero Leon made his way to the training grounds within the school.
It was his nightly routine to swing his sword in silence, bathed in the moonlight streaming through the windows. Tonight was no different; he set to work on his regimen—
But his movements gradually lost their edge, until eventually, he simply stopped.
"Sigh..."
A sigh, heavier than the chill of the night air, escaped his lips.
He had always believed that by constant training, he could ascend to greater heights. He had believed today’s self would inevitably be stronger than yesterday’s, and that his future self would be stronger still.
He had truly believed that his progress would, one day, reach Albert von Kronstadt.
And yet—that scene today.
Even Leon knew the extent of Klaus’s strength. Eliana herself had told him, "He will surely be a valuable ally to you in the Demon King Subjugation." There was much Leon could have learned from the man's swordsmanship.
For such a master to be broken so wretchedly.
Had Klaus merely lost in a conventional duel, Leon might not have felt so despondent. After all, he knew Albert was a genius. It wasn’t unthinkable that he had mastered both magic and the sword.
But that overwhelming power at the end—the way the powerful Knight Klaus was "crushed without resistance" was beyond all reason. To think the sturdy Klaus had been rendered unconscious in just three strikes.
That wasn't the kind of strength Leon understood. It was sheer, one-sided destruction.
His hands began to tremble at the mere memory of it.
(I... I thought I’d grown stronger...)
He had been building his strength day by day, even if it was at a snail's pace. He took pride in that.
But Albert was different. Before anyone realized it, he had attained a level of power that moved at the speed of a rabbit—no, even that comparison was crude. He was advancing at some unfathomable, superhuman speed.
The disparity in their abilities was now utterly hopeless.
Until today, he could spur himself on with the hope that he would eventually stand on equal footing with Albert. But after witnessing that, he could no longer believe his own lies.
Still, he had come to the training grounds as a matter of duty. Because he was the Hero. Because he had to be.
Yet his heart, now cognizant of reality, recoiled from the strain of practice. He had always believed that effort would be rewarded, but he no longer had the confidence to be sure.
(Maybe Albert should just do it...)
A moment of weakness he had tried so hard to suppress flickered through his mind.
As Leon stood there in a state of listless despair, the sound of footsteps reached him. He turned to see a woman in priest vestments standing near the entrance, her platinum blonde hair shimmering.
It was Saint Seraphina.
"Leon-sama, you’re working so hard even at this hour. As expected of our noble Hero."
Seraphina called out with a beaming smile. Given that he had actually been idling, her words pricked his conscience. Naturally, he couldn't tell her the truth.
"...I’m the Hero, after all. Have you settled into the school yet, Seraphina?"
"Don't ask for the impossible! I only arrived today, you know. Everyone keeps their distance because of my title, so I've been quite lonely."
Seraphina approached with a familiar air. As soon as she stood before him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her slender frame against him.
"But I'm not worried. Because you’re here, Leon-sama. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time."
"Haha, thank you..."
Leon and Seraphina were old acquaintances. As the Hero and the Saint, they had trained together since childhood for the Demon King Subjugation. Perhaps it was a lingering habit, but Seraphina was always very physically affectionate. Each time, the earnest Leon found himself flustered, unsure of how to react.
"Your chest is so comforting, Leon-san. I could stay like this forever."
She said it as she reluctantly pulled away. Leon, searching for an escape, changed the subject.
"...Thank you for saving Klaus. Your Healing Arts were as incredible as ever."
"Yes, well, that’s my only real talent. Please don't worry, Leon-sama."
Her beaming expression suddenly faltered.
"But, um... what exactly was that today? To see such a thing on my very first day..."
Leon understood the source of her unease immediately.
"That was Albert. He’s from the Ducal House of Kronstadt—and he’s the top student in our year."
"Albert...-sama? Is he really that strong?"
"Yes. He’s incredibly powerful. Even Princess Eliana has her eye on him."
"Princess Eliana is...?"
Which meant she viewed him as a vital asset for the Demon King Subjugation. Seraphina tilted her head slightly before posing a question.
"Could you win against him, Leon-sama?"
The question felt like a hand clutching his heart. It was the one thing he didn't want to be asked to his face right now. Not because he lacked an answer, but because he didn't want to voice it. To admit the truth would be to let his identity as the Hero crumble.
Seraphina’s eyes sparkled as she waited for the "expected answer." To her, Hero Leon was an ideal, absolute being.
(I can’t destroy her dream...)
"Let’s defeat the Demon King together, Hero-sama!" The promise they had made as children.
"I am the Hero. I won't lose to anyone."
"Oh, Leon-sama! That’s my Hero!"
Delighted, Seraphina threw her arms around him again. Guilt took root in Leon’s heart for winning her over with a lie. How much better would it feel to just vomit out the ugly emotions sitting in his gut?
"You are the God-Chosen Hero! There can be no error in His guidance! I will support you forever, Leon-sama!"
"Thank you, Seraphina."
Leon stroked her head, and she narrowed her eyes in happiness. Unlike her elation, Leon's heart was as cold as stone. A heart soaked in despair did not warm easily.
(...But even if it's just to turn this lie into the truth, I have to keep moving...)
If he could fulfill even one wish for the girl who believed in him—that was enough. That was the only thing keeping Leon standing.