"For someone like you, Lord Leon, the Hero, this is a trifle, is it not?"
Serafina's words pierced Leon's heart like a blade.
A trifle—was it really? He couldn’t even begin to imagine what he would become after losing his emotions. Only a vast, yawning darkness of fear spread within him.
A shiver raced down his spine.
"Serafina."
"Yes, what is it?"
Serafina’s smile was the picture of pure, stainless innocence. Her eyes held nothing but absolute, unwavering trust in him.
—She was certain that Hero Leon would make the right decision.
"If I take this bracelet off... I’ll go back to normal, right?"
"Of course you can take it off."
Leon let out a breath of relief. If that was the case, perhaps he didn't need to be quite so pessimistic.
"After the wearer has died, that is."
"——!?"
The shock sent a jolt of tension through Leon’s shoulders.
"You mean... I can't take it off while I'm alive?"
"Exactly."
If he committed to wearing it, there would be no turning back. His lost humanity would be gone forever.
It was terrifying—beyond terrifying.
(But if this is what it takes to get stronger, is it unavoidable...?)
He knew his own weakness. He knew how much he lacked. He had already resolved to endure any effort or sacrifice required to bridge that gap.
But this was something else entirely.
Leon’s throat went dry. He tried to swallow, but his muscles refused to cooperate.
"Now, please. Take it."
Serafina held out the Bracelet of Saint Agatha.
(——!)
Leon couldn't reach for it.
The weight of his duty as a Hero pressed down on his mind. As the hope of all humanity, why was he hesitating? Was his vow to defeat the Demon King even at the cost of his own life a lie?
And yet, he couldn't even make his fingers twitch.
"...I'm sorry, Serafina. Let me think about it for a while."
"Of course. It is only natural to be startled by such a sudden revelation. You likely need time to prepare your heart, Lord Leon. I know that you will ultimately choose the correct path."
"Serafina—"
"Yes?"
"...Don't you feel afraid? Of your own emotions just... vanishing?"
"I do not," Serafina replied instantly. "If it is the will of the Almighty God, there is no reason to hesitate."
Her voice was devoid of doubt. From the terrifying clarity in her eyes, it was obvious that she would have made the choice without a second thought if she were in his shoes.
(...Serafina is so strong. And yet, I...)
The fact remained that he lacked the courage to cross that final line.
Hero Leon clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Leon and Serafina had left the grounds, but our class continued.
"Now then, let’s get back to the lesson—"
Just as the teacher spoke, another faculty member hurried through the entrance. He jogged over to the swordsmanship instructor and whispered something in his ear.
After a brief nod, the messenger returned to the door and escorted a woman dressed in unusual attire back with him.
...Ah, I knew that face.
The swordsmanship teacher addressed the class.
"This girl is an International Student transferring in as of today. Go ahead, introduce yourself."
"This one is Kaname, having come from the Eastern Country of Ya-pan, it is so. My age is sixteen. By profession a Samurai, I excel at vanguard combat. Having a certain interest in the martial styles of the West, I desire to witness the prowess of everyone here, it is so."
—This one, it is so.
True to her archaic speech and the "Eastern Country" label, she had glossy, long black hair, dark eyes, and a classic Japanese cast to her features. Her outfit was traditional Eastern dress, the left and right sides overlapped at the center and secured with a sash, featuring billowing sleeves and hems. At her hip, she wore a Katana that traced a graceful curve.
Incidentally, this academy permitted International Students to wear their national dress instead of the standard uniform.
Kaname was another character destined to join the Hero Party. Compared to Knight Klaus, her defensive capabilities were lower, but her attack power was top-tier. Her lightning-infused slashes were particularly devastating.
The students began to murmur in excitement.
"Whoa, incredible! A real Samurai!"
"I’ve never seen an Easterner before...!"
"That Katana looks so cool!"
To them, she was likely an exotic beauty. However, having lived a previous life as a Japanese person, I didn't feel much of a shock. Besides, I’d already dealt with Shiunin in this world...
"Well then, the lesson is starting, so please join the others," the teacher said.
Kaname merely tilted her head.
"Teacher, if it is permissible, I desire a Mock Battle. This one wishes to see their steel firsthand."
"Oh!" the students roared. They clearly wanted to see her in action as well.
"Hmm... well, gauging your skill level is a priority." The teacher thought for a moment before pointing. "Silvia! You take her on!"
Since Silvia was also an International Student, he’d likely chosen her to build some rapport between them. He probably figured they should get acquainted as fellow outsiders.
...So far, this was exactly like the original story.
In the game, Kaname arrives out of the blue and ends up in a Mock Battle with Silvia. Silvia puts up a good fight, but she’s eventually defeated by Kaname’s Thunderclap—she was a showcase character, after all, so a loss was scripted.
That was how the event was supposed to flow.
...Lately, however, the scenario had a habit of going off the rails. What’s more, it usually deviated in directions I didn't like. For once, I wanted things to proceed exactly as they were written.
"Silvia, fight normally. Got it?"
By "normally," I meant "don't use Frenzy." If she triggered Frenzy, Silvia would win without question.
Silvia, standing at my side, gave a cheerful nod.
"Hai hai, leave it to me, leave it to me!"
Answering with her usual lightheartedness, Silvia stepped onto the sparring stage. She was calm and adaptable; I felt a sense of relief knowing she wouldn't do anything reckless.
"Hmm... so this is the Broadsword of the West... the balance feels somewhat..."
Kaname gave the practice weapon a few experimental swings, her brow furrowed in concentration.
The teacher called out to her. "You can't use live blades in a Mock Battle. I'll have a practice Katana with a blunted edge prepared for you later. If it's a hindrance to your movement, shall I hold onto your personal sword for you?"
"This is the soul of a Samurai; I cannot part with it. I thank you for the sentiment alone."
She turned to face Silvia, taking a middle-level stance.
"Then please, come at me, Lady Silvia. ...Or shall this one initiate?"
"Spell 'Magic Bullet'."
Silvia’s tactical choice was identical to the one Leon had used against Klaus. Using magic to keep a vanguard fighter at bay was an orthodox strategy, but—
Kaname reacted instantly.
"——!"
With a speed that made Silvia flinch, Kaname closed the distance in a heartbeat. She was a speed-oriented vanguard, a far cry from the deliberate, heavy style of Knight Klaus.
Kaname’s blade lashed out at Silvia.
"Kh!"
Silvia barely managed to react, deflecting the blow with her sword. But Kaname didn't stop there. A relentless, flowing chain of attacks was her true specialty.
The flashy movement had the students cheering.
"So fast!"
"Samurai are terrifying!"
—Actually, I wasn't so sure.
Kaname wasn't actually at full power. She was operating at maybe eighty percent. It wasn't that she was holding back; it was simply that she wasn't used to the western practice sword, and having her actual Katana strapped to her hip while using a different weapon was throwing off her center of gravity.
That was likely why she hadn't been able to finish Silvia off yet.
In contrast, while Silvia was focused on defense, she was steadily adjusting to the rhythm.
There—the counterattack.
"Ha!"
Silvia’s focused strike forced Kaname’s posture to break. Kaname managed to parry the follow-up, but she was forced to stumble back a considerable distance.
A reset—
However, Silvia was already beginning to adapt to Kaname's current speed.
"Hmm... the warriors of the West are indeed formidable. In that case, this one shall reveal a hidden technique as well."
Kaname readjusted her stance and took a sharp, focused breath.
"Thunderclap."
As the word left her lips, golden lightning began to coil around her blade. This was Kaname’s signature skill, "Thunderclap Slash." Its offensive power was immense.
Silvia should have been unable to withstand this, resulting in her defeat.
Up to this point, it was following the script, but—
I felt a sudden jolt of unease.
I recognized the color of that lightning. It had a brilliance far more vivid and intense than a standard Lightning Bolt.
"...Hey, doesn't that lightning look exactly like the kind Albert uses?"
I heard someone’s voice whisper the observation from the crowd.