Chapter 17

Late at night.

I lay on the bed in the inn, pondering various things.

Thinking about how to save Eko somehow.

“Is she really incompetent?”

Even if she is incompetent, why can she attend a magic school? That’s what bothers me.

The Royal Magic School is divided into six classes from A to F for each grade, with the more excellent students gathered in A. However, even F class is one of the elite magic schools in the kingdom. Since Eko was able to enroll, she must have some knowledge of magic and should be able to use it to some extent.

Then why is she called a “dropout”?

There are several possible reasons.

One, her growth type is specialized in combat techniques, and her magic-related stats are uniformly low.

This seems to be the most likely. Even if she can use magic, if her INT is low, it will only deal negligible damage. It’s understandable why she’s called incompetent.

Two, she knows magic but lacks MP.

This is also quite possible. No matter how much magic she knows, she can’t use it without enough MP.

Three, she has enough MP but hasn’t learned magic.

I can’t imagine someone like Eko being able to read those complicated magic books. This possibility seems high.

Four, she is a beastkin.

I don’t want to think about this, but according to Sylvia, “In the Kingdom of Caster, discrimination against beastkin and persecution of dark elves are deeply rooted.” However, it’s just one factor. I think the combination of beastkin discrimination and her lack of ability has made the situation worse.

Hmm. What should I do...

Worried about this and that, I spent the night in deep thought.

The next morning.

After a night of consideration, I came to a conclusion.

It is—

“Sylvia. I think I’ll try to recruit Eko.”

I will make Eko a part of our group.

Then, I will have her show me her stats, predict her growth type, confirm her strengths and weaknesses, and find a suitable position for her, just as I did for Sylvia.

She has been trying hard, saying she wants to be of use, but as it stands, her efforts are in vain. I thought that creating an environment where she can be useful might save her.

“...Lord Second. My path is with you, and your path is with me. There is nothing more joyful. I am a fortunate person.”

Sylvia, who also wanted to help Eko, knelt before me with a look of gratitude. I wish she wouldn’t play knight in the morning.

“Eko might not accept the offer. If she refuses, I’ll at least get her to show me her stats and give her advice on a suitable path.”

Becoming part of our group means leaving the school. It’s not an easy decision. I plan to approach Eko with the expectation that she might refuse.

“Yes, that’s good. Without Lord Second’s advice, I wouldn’t have realized my hidden talent. I want to help her realize hers too.”

Sylvia nodded.

With our plan set, we went to school with a slightly refreshed feeling.

“Wha...!”

As we passed the school gate, Sylvia exclaimed.

In front of us, Eko was sitting in the middle of the road, covered in mud.

...Clearly something was wrong. I felt a strong sense of unease.

“What, what’s wrong!? What happened!?”

Sylvia was the first to rush over.

While running, I observed the surroundings. The cause of the unease was immediately clear.

None of the passing students tried to talk to Eko.

They walked past. They pretended not to see. They ignored her.

I felt an indescribable malevolence.

“Hey, Eko. What’s wrong? Are you okay? Did you fall?”

I reached out and asked.

“It’s fine!! Don’t talk to me!!”

It was a scream of rejection.

Eko pushed my hand away, stood up with a desperate look, and ran away as if fleeing.

Ah... this is it. This. This is it. The worst.

I’ve smelled it once before, that smell.

The smell of despair.

I don’t know what happened to her.

But one thing is clear. Eko had realized—her efforts were “in vain.”

And she was confronted with it.

“Continuing to make futile efforts and pretending won’t change reality.”

She was forced to face the reality she had always avoided, in the form of despair.

That’s not right. It’s too sad.

Everyone has the right to dream, right?

“...I’ll save her.”

I muttered and chased after Eko. It might be presumptuous. I was anxious. But Sylvia, without a word, followed me.

Our paths are together.

I understood what Sylvia meant.

It’s reassuring.

Companions are wonderful.

If you think this is good, you can join us too?

“Don’t come!!”

I cornered Eko in a dead-end.

It took over an hour to get her into this situation. Classes had already started long ago.

Still, this girl is incredibly slow. But when I finally caught up and grabbed her arm, she pushed me away with considerable force and ran away again.

This went on for about an hour, and finally, Sylvia was exhausted. Eko still seemed to have some SP left.

Slow. Strong. Lots of SP. And low INT...?

—Maybe.

A single hypothesis raced through my mind.

“It’s okay, don’t worry. We just want to talk to you.”

Sylvia said, panting heavily.

“No talking! Go away!”

Eko stubbornly refused.

“Just leave me alone!!”

Tears streamed down her eyes. She must have been holding them back. Eko sobbed and crouched on the spot. I want to know what happened, but now is not the time.

No, this won’t work.

But if I leave her like this, it will be even worse. She might even attempt suicide.

What should I do, what should I do... I racked my brain and came up with one idea.

It’s a gamble.

A big gamble.

...Well, I’ll do it.

If my guess is wrong, it could be disastrous, but this is the only gamble I can take now—

“Sylvia, don’t be surprised.”

I told her and approached Eko.

“D-don’t come here!”

Eko weakly rejected me.

Right in front of her, I drew my sword.

“Lord Second, what are you—!?”

Sylvia panicked. But it was too late to stop.

Immediately after, I cut off my left hand.

Thank you for reading.