Chapter 14

"Ultimately, I couldn't become friends with the residents of 1-3."

Vain, who had come early in the morning, said with a somber look on his face.

"Well, you can't be friends with everyone, so I think it's better not to worry about it."

"Is that so, even though we are the same humans?"

He must be thinking a lot in his head, even if he doesn't say it. We've known each other for about two weeks, but I'm gradually starting to understand the kind of person he is.

"People can love each other, and they can hate each other. What is the difference?"

"Yeah, it's not something you think about in your daily life."

"..."

I tried to indirectly tell him that it's better to stop thinking about something that won't lead to a conclusion, but Vain closed his eyes and started thinking anyway.

He has a serious and earnest attitude towards such enormous matters.

As for me, I still break out in a sweat when I face him directly, so I focus on my blacksmithing work.

Having a conversation while doing something can surprisingly make communication smoother.

For a while, the only sound was the pleasant clanging of the tools.

"Shouldn't you prepare for tomorrow's practical test?"

Vain broke the silence.

It's the test for class placement that takes place a week before the start of school.

Since the details were written in the admission notice, of course, I have been preparing.

"The written test should be fine. I study for a few hours every morning.

I'm not particularly worried about the physical test either. I've been training since I was a kid."

"I see. I have confidence in the physical test, but the written test is a bit... Well, I'll do my best to get as high a rank as possible."

It was so exactly as I imagined that I wasn't surprised at all.

"The top 40 will be in Class A, right?"

"Unless there are special circumstances, that's correct."

Most of the main characters, including Iris, are in Class A.

To prevent Eliza's rampage, my entry into Class A is a top priority.

Thinking about that, maybe I shouldn't be forging iron? But, there's no point in getting anxious before the real thing; the results won't change dramatically.

It's best to do what you love and face the real thing.

By the way, Vain, if you're worried, you should study.

Why are you pondering eternal human themes in my room without studying?

"Help me!!"

"It's coming from the door."

A loud voice echoed from outside during our conversation. It sounded like a woman's voice, and it had the momentum of someone about to challenge someone to a duel. Had someone stolen her lover?

"Is it outside this room?"

I have no memory of stealing anyone's lover or being challenged to a duel.

"I don't think so."

"Help me!!"

The voice grew even more intense.

"It must be in front of this room. I'll go check."

Vain stood up from his chair and headed to the front door.

"Oh, well, it's fine."

It sounds like a troublesome guest.

If they are shouting in front of someone else's room, that's fine too.

If it's not something important, they'll probably be shocked by Vain's appearance and leave.

"What is it?"

Vain's voice, devoid of any kindness, came from the front door.

By the way, he has no ill intentions.

"This is the room of Kuri Helan, right?"

An incredible scream.

I'm confident I wouldn't scream like that even if heaven and earth were reversed.

The woman coughed a couple of times and calmly resumed her conversation.

"I can't see your face, but I assume you are Kuri Helan. I have come to ask for a favor."

So, Vain's face doesn't fit in the door frame.

I don't think he would bend his waist to accommodate.

I could easily imagine the current situation.

"It's not Kuri."

"What? It's not? I heard Kuri's room is 1-1."

"That's right. But it's not me."

"What!? Are you a friend of Kuri? If so, could you call him?"

"I can't. Go away."

Why!?

I was the most surprised by this response. Why are you sending them away so easily?

"You! Are you here to do something nefarious to Kuri?"

"Then what would you do?"

"I'll make you leave until you do!"

As the atmosphere between the two became tense, I hurried to the front door.

"Why are you both so hostile? You've only met for less than a minute."

"Well, he was rude."

Ah, he's still upset about being shouted at.

"I'll handle it. Vain, wait in the room."

"Alright."

It felt like reluctant consent.

"Hello, I'm Kuri Helan. Nice to meet you, right?"

I greeted the woman in front of me.

Like Vain, she was neatly dressed, with her blonde hair tied in a single braid.

She stood there with a straight posture, her large eyes watching me. To put it simply, she was a beautiful woman. If I had to rate her, I'd give her an A+. By the way, there's no standard for this.

"Yes! I'm Crossi Amiral. It's an honor to meet you.

I was relieved to see you as I imagined."

"Oh, thank you. So, what brings you here?"

"I, Crossi Amiral, have come to become your disciple!"

"Huh?"

A silly sound escaped my lips.

"I've heard that you are skilled in both swordsmanship and magic. I want to become strong. Please, please, teach me your strength."

"Huh? Ah... Why don't you come in?"

"Yes!"

This isn't good.

Recently, whenever something troublesome happens, I tend to delay thinking about it and end up inviting people into my room.

Becoming a disciple is definitely a problem. I should tell her to read books and send her away.

"It's an honor to be allowed into Kuri's room."

"Leave as soon as you're done," Vain spat.

"What!?"

Vain and I were having a fierce stare-down.

Stop it. You won't win! He's a giant! He might eat you!

I had Crossi sit in a chair and asked her.

"Crossi, you're a classmate, right?"

"Yes! That's right."

"Why did you think about becoming a disciple?"

"I... need to become strong. I heard about you and decided to seek you out."

I wonder what kind of rumors. I'm a bit scared to ask, so I'll skip it.

Still, she wants to become strong. There seems to be some reason, so I won't ask too deeply.

"Why does a woman need to be so strong?"

Vain interjected.

"What's wrong with a woman being strong!"

Round two, fight!

But it didn't go that way, and I quickly stepped in.

"Besides, I'm not a woman! I'm a man!"

"Huh?" Another silly sound escaped my lips.

Vain also couldn't hide his surprise.

Her voice, appearance, and the pleasant scent from her hair all pointed to her being a woman.

Yet, she's a man?

I observed her again.

Yeah, she's a woman.

A pretty one at that.

But, a man.

A woman, but a man.

...Wait! What is a man?

I was getting a bit confused.

"Anyway, I must become strong! Please, I beg you to teach me your strength as my master."

"Strength, huh? If it's just about passing on what I've learned, it's possible. If that's okay with you..."

"Of course! That's why I came!"

"Then, I'll accept you as a disciple."

"Thank you! I swear to surpass my limits and master your techniques!"

No, that's too heavy! It's pressuring!

He must have been drawn to the word "strength."

After our conversation, Vain spoke up.

"If you want to become strong, start by building your body. You're too thin. Even if you can use magic, swordsmanship will be tough."

"Shut up! I won't take your orders! I'm Kuri's disciple!"

Their gazes locked again.

Round three, fight!

"Alright, both of you, calm down."

"Ah, if the master says so.

By the way, I want to start training immediately."

I thought about it.

What should I have her do?

"Build your body, that's the first step."

Vain's gaze was piercing.

But this is basic, right! Vain, I was going to say it even if you didn't!

"Understood. What specifically should I do?"

"Flexibility and basic strength are necessary for anything. Start by stretching your joints and muscles."

This is Vain's line.

Crossi was glaring at Vain out of the corner of her eye.

"Flexibility and basic strength are necessary for anything. Start by stretching your joints and muscles."

This is my line, but not my words.

"Understood!"

Please, get along!

Then I won't be needed in the middle!

"Stretch your legs more!"

Vain's strict guidance.

"..."

Crossi ignored it.

"Try stretching your legs more."

"Understood!"

Damn!

If I had gone to the door, this wouldn't have happened.

Then I wouldn't be in this troublesome situation.

"Take your time to build a solid foundation.

After a week, move on to running to build stamina. Until then, focus on improving flexibility."

"..."

"Think of his words as mine!"

I quickly added.

"Understood!"

Surprisingly, she accepted it easily.

"Spread your legs wider."

Vain's strict check. He seems to get fired up when it comes to training.

"Don't touch a woman's inner thighs!"

Vain's hand, which was helping her spread her legs, was bothering her.

"You're a man, right?"

"Yes! But don't touch!"

"Shut up. Just spread your legs more!"

"Don't touch there!"

Yeah, they get along well.

Vain seems to be good at taking care of people. His tone is strict, but his guidance is meticulous and detailed.

They are noisy, but it seems they can get along well.

I returned to my blacksmithing work.

"Look at this flexibility. My legs can easily touch my head. I won't let you move to the next stage until you reach this level."

"Your boasting doesn't matter. Ouch, ouch, ouch, you're pushing too hard! It hurts!"

"The pain is because your life has been lazy."

"Shut up, are you mocking me?"

"Just do it quietly. Endurance leads to strength."

"I know that without being told!"

Yeah, they definitely get along well.

Can't they do this in their own room?

"Spread your legs wider."

Vain's strict check.

"Don't touch a woman's inner thighs!"

Vain's hand, which was helping her spread her legs, was bothering her.

"You're a man, right?"

"Yes! But don't touch!"

"Shut up. Just spread your legs more!"

"Don't touch there!"

Yeah, they get along well.

Vain seems to be good at taking care of people. His tone is strict, but his guidance is meticulous and detailed.

They are noisy, but it seems they can get along well.

I returned to my blacksmithing work.

"Look at this flexibility. My legs can easily touch my head. I won't let you move to the next stage until you reach this level."

"Your boasting doesn't matter. Ouch, ouch, ouch, you're pushing too hard! It hurts!"

"The pain is because your life has been lazy."

"Shut up, are you mocking me?"

"Just do it quietly. Endurance leads to strength."

"I know that without being told!"

Yeah, they definitely get along well.

Can't they do this in their own room?