Chapter 18

After that, I underwent various tests "just to be safe."

The results were all normal—truly, I was in perfect health.

Finally, I was discharged from the hospital and immediately went to see Rea and Rose.

The two of them were genuinely happy about my discharge, and I was very pleased.

And now, I was heading to the principal's office with Rea and Rose.

Representing the three of us, I knocked on the heavy, dark door.

"Come in."

Mr. Reia's stern, businesslike voice came in response.

It's amazing how she can sound so composed while not actually doing any work. Women's vocal cords are truly impressive.

"---Excuse me."

With permission to enter, I slowly opened the door, and there—

"Ah, it's you guys..."

The teacher, who had just finished reading this week's Weekly Shounen Yaiba, was stretching widely.

"Good morning, Mr. Reia."

"Yeah, good morning. Allen, are you feeling better?"

"Yes. I underwent various tests, but there were no issues."

"That's good. ---Alright, then, as punishment for breaking the rules of the Great Five Holy Festival, you will be assigned to volunteer work."

The teacher said this and stood up with a snap.

Of course, I came here today with that in mind.

But there was something I had to ask first.

"Mr. Reia, before that... can you tell me the rest of the story that was cut off the other day?"

The day I regained consciousness.

The teacher was unusually busy with work, and the important conversation was left unfinished.

"Oh, sorry. That's right."

The teacher, who had completely forgotten, snapped her fingers.

"...So, what exactly was that thing that took over my body?"

"To put it simply, it was your 'Spirit Core.' ---Rea, who has already mastered Soul Armament, probably has a hunch, right?"

When the teacher looked at Rea, she nodded.

"Spirit Core...?"

When I tilted my head at the unfamiliar word, the teacher explained in detail.

"The Spirit Core is a 'clump of power' that is said to reside in every human soul. There are various types, such as ancestral spirits,幻兽, and spirits, and the 'Soul Armament' you aim to master is a manifestation of a part of this Spirit Core."

Finally, the teacher prefaced her conclusion with "This is my speculation, but—"

"At that time, you were in a state where your Spirit Core had taken control. This is the most plausible explanation."

"---So, if other swordsmen are taken over by their Spirit Cores, they would become like that?"

"Theoretically, yes. ...However, a Spirit Core with such a strong sense of self is not common. Yours is quite special."

"A Spirit Core with a sense of self..."

The idea of having another self within me was a very strange feeling, indescribable in words.

"Well, there's no need to worry for the time being. It dominated your body for such a long time, so it must have been severely exhausted."

"Is that so..."

From the way the teacher spoke, it seemed that it was quite difficult for the Spirit Core to take over my body.

"Alright, let's end this conversation here and talk about what's next."

The teacher clapped her hands as if to change the atmosphere.

"First, go to the Demon Swordsmen Association. I've already arranged it, so things should go smoothly."

"Thank you."

"As for the directions to the Demon Swordsmen Association... Rose, can you guide them?"

"Sure."

Why did she ask Rose?

As I wondered, she took out an iron plate from her pocket.

"I'm already a Demon Swordsman."

The plate had her name, Rose Valencia, and a registration number.

I remember this was to prove her identity as a Demon Swordsman.

"Wait, Rose is a Demon Swordsman!?"

Rea, surprised, exclaimed.

"Yeah, a little while ago."

Rose nodded.

"Well, that's how it is. Rose is a senior Demon Swordsman compared to you two. If you have any problems, ask her."

"Leave it to me."

Rose said, puffing out her chest.

"Then, we'll be going."

"Indeed. I hope this will be a good experience for you."

And so, with Rose leading the way, we left the Thousand Blades Academy.

■

Immediately after Allen, Rea, and Rose left the principal's office.

"---Eighteen."

Reia muttered.

"Yes, what is it, Miss Reia?"

The man, who had been quietly working in the corner, stopped his work and looked up for the first time.

"You will be Allen's bodyguard from now on."

"Bodyguard... Understood."

He bowed respectfully, immediately understanding Reia's intention.

"There are two board members who strongly demanded Allen's expulsion... According to Ferris, they even circulated backroom money."

"That's serious..."

Hearing about the backroom money for the first time, Eighteen raised his alert level.

"There's a possibility they might send assassins. If any suspicious individuals approach Allen, eliminate them immediately. It's a bit dangerous, but this time, the use of Soul Armament is permitted."

"Understood."

Thus, he was given a new mission and voiced a concern.

"---But, is it alright?"

"What is?"

"If I leave, it might interfere with the work..."

"---I'll allow you to take documents out. While keeping an eye on Allen, also continue your work."

"...Understood."

Eighteen, given the difficult task of being Allen's bodyguard while also handling the principal's duties, reluctantly accepted.

"---By the way, Miss Reia, may I ask a question?"

"What is it?"

"Since I will be guarding Allen, I will inevitably be with Rea and Rose."

"Of course."

"What a matter of course..." ---Reia thought, but waited for him to continue.

"They are so charming... It's hard to say, but..."

For Eighteen, this was unusually hesitant.

"Speak clearly, I can't understand."

Reia, slightly irritated, urged him to answer.

"---If there's an opportunity, can I... peek?"

"Are you an idiot? It's out of the question, control yourself."

"Ugh... Understood..."

Thus, Eighteen was tasked with three difficult missions: bodyguarding, miscellaneous tasks, and abstinence.

■

We followed Rose's lead, turning right and left through the city of Aurest.

About ten minutes after leaving the Thousand Blades Academy, we saw a building that looked like the one we were looking for.

"We're here."

As expected, Rose stopped in front of the building.

"T-this is the Demon Swordsmen Association...?"

"Are you kidding...?"

The three-story building looked like it hadn't been renovated in years.

The brick walls, exposed to the elements, were in disrepair, and there were graffiti marks all over.

It clearly marred the surrounding scenery...

(Are Demon Swordsmen really a profession for barbarians...?)

Knights are serious and honest.

Demon Swordsmen are irresponsible and dishonest.

---This is the general image.

(I thought this image included a lot of old prejudices and biases...)

But looking at this building, it seems to be exactly as imagined...

As Rea and I stood there, taken aback by the unusual appearance,

"What's wrong? ...Let's go in?"

Rose, as if returning home, casually reached for the door.

"R-really, we're going in here? Is this really the Demon Swordsmen Association?"

Rea, a princess from a neighboring country, showed a clear reaction of rejection.

I felt the same way.

"Yep, it is."

Rose, still holding the door, nodded.

Rea and I looked at each other and nodded.

"W-well, we have no choice but to go in, right...?"

"Y-yeah... Let's go in, then..."

The interior might be normal, despite the terrible exterior.

This illusion was shattered in two seconds.

"W-what is this...!?"

"It smells terrible..."

"Really? It's usually like this."

As soon as we opened the door, a strong smell of alcohol greeted us.

It seemed there was a bar inside the Demon Swordsmen Association, and even though it was still midday, many people were drinking.

(T-this is...)

As expected, if not worse than the image.

Rea, who seemed to share the same impression, had a visibly tense face.

As we stood at the entrance, stunned,

"Hic... Who are you guys...? Haven't seen faces like yours around here...?"

A clearly drunk Demon Swordsman approached us.

"...Rea, Rose, step back."

I whispered and stepped forward.

"Hey, hey... Hic, look at these girls, they're pretty...! How about drinking with me...?"

He staggered over, clearly drunk.

...Dangerous.

I judged and said,

"---Sorry, we have business to attend to."

I stood between us and politely declined his offer.

"Ch... No one asked you...!"

He raised the bottle in his hand and swung it at my head.

It shattered on impact, and I was drenched in alcohol.

"Hey, what are you doing! Are you okay, Allen!?"

"What are you doing...!?"

"Hahaha! That's lame! You're all wet!"

The drunk man laughed heartily at me.

"You...!"

"Too cocky...!"

Rea and Rose glared and were about to lunge at him.

"---It's okay, both of you."

I calmed them down.

We were currently on suspension.

If we caused a commotion here, we would trouble Mr. Reia again.

"Besides---it's just being drenched in alcohol."

Indeed, if we got angry over every little thing, we would be exhausted.

"J-just being drenched in alcohol...?"

"Normally, it would cause serious injuries..."

"But, see? I'm fine."

I patted my head, which was covered in glass shards, to show that I was unharmed.

"R-really...!?"

"No injuries..."

This time, it was just being drenched in alcohol.

(I guess he pulled his punch at the last moment.)

Despite the bottle hitting my head, I had no injuries.

"Let's go."

"Y-yeah..."

"If Allen says so..."

We walked past him and headed towards the reception.

The other Demon Swordsmen, who had been watching, started laughing.

"Hehehe... Hey, Dread! You're being ignored!"

"Hahaha, lame! Being ignored by kids like this!"

"Pathetic! You're not fit to be a Demon Swordsman!"

Dread, the Demon Swordsman who was laughed at, turned red and trembled.

Really... They just make things worse.

"Hey, you...!"

His pride hurt, he pulled out his sword without hesitation.

"Trying to mock me, huh? Don't think you'll get away with it!"

He waved his sword a few times, as if to intimidate us, and pointed it at us.

(...This, I can't ignore.)

I looked him in the eye and said,

"A sword is not a tool for intimidation. Really... Are you sure about this?"

I confirmed.

I confirmed the meaning of a swordsman drawing his sword.

Dread, perhaps sobering up a bit, took a few steps back.

"Ugh...!?"

(Allen's killing intent...?)

(Heavy and oppressive...?)

Then,

"S-sorry... I was wrong, I was just drunk... I'm sober now, please forgive me..."

He immediately sheathed his sword and bowed deeply.

"...Understood. Be careful not to drink too much."

I accepted his apology.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I've made countless mistakes myself, and most importantly, there was no harm done this time. Just a bit of alcohol on my body and clothes.

If he sincerely apologized, that was enough.

"Y-yeah...! S-sorry! I'll buy you a drink next time...!"

He said and hurriedly left the Demon Swordsmen Association.

It's nice of him, but I'm still a minor, so no alcohol.

Then,

"A-A-Allen...?"

Rea called my name in a slightly hoarse voice.

She was probably shaken by the sudden confrontation with the Demon Swordsman. Her eyes had a hint of fear.

Are you okay, Rea? Do you want to rest somewhere?

"N-no, I'm fine. Just a bit surprised."

"If you're not feeling well, don't hesitate to say so."

"Y-yeah! Thank you, Allen! (It's good... It's the usual kind Allen...)"

We then proceeded to the back of the strangely quiet Demon Swordsmen Association and headed to the reception.