Chapter 49

After returning from the Kingdom of Vestaria, I wanted to spend a peaceful summer vacation.

However, life wasn't that kind to me, and I was hit with various troubles, big and small.

(That was the day when Reia and Rose and I went to see a popular movie.)

Reia blurted out that she had gone to Vestaria, which was a terrible mistake.

Naturally, Rose, who felt left out, was in a bad mood...

I managed to smooth things over by promising to go out with her alone next time.

In addition, I apprehended a robber I encountered by chance, and was tormented by Cain from Ice King Academy, who had turned into a passionate stalker... Honestly, I had no peace of mind.

(Really, it was a dense summer vacation...)

Somehow, I managed to get through this harsh holiday unscathed,

"Alright... Reia, did you forget anything?"

"Nope, all set."

On the first day of the new semester, I went to Senrin Academy with Reia.

August 1st.

It was the height of summer, and the harsh sunlight beat down.

However, the humidity was low, and there was a breeze, so it felt refreshing rather than suffocating.

Glancing at her, Reia was humming happily.

(...It was worth going to Vestaria.)

Being able to attend Senrin Academy with her—such a mundane thing made me truly happy now.

"...W-What's wrong, Allen? Is there something on my face?"

Reia, noticing my gaze, touched her face and asked.

"Hehe, no, nothing."

Feeling the summer in the chirping of cicadas, we headed to the classroom.

■

When I opened the door to Class 1-A, there were already many classmates.

"Hey! Long time no see, Allen!"

The first to greet me was Tessa Vermund, the swordsman of the Zantetsu style.

"Good morning, Tessa."

When I raised my hand to return the greeting, he stared at me from head to toe.

"W-What's wrong, Tessa...?"

Confused by his sudden behavior,

"Allen, you... have gotten much stronger, haven't you?"

He muttered with a slightly regretful look.

"R-Really? I don't really notice it myself... If you're going to say that, Tessa, you must have improved a lot too. Your hands... you must have done a lot of practice, right?"

His hands, which had lost their calluses, were clearly a size larger and more muscular.

"Hey, you noticed! But it's not just practice. I've been doing some pretty tough training to keep up with you. Be prepared for our next fight!"

"Ah, I'm looking forward to it."

After that,

"Good morning, Allen!"

"Good morning! Allen-kun, Reia-san!"

Tessa's greeting was followed by greetings from the rest of the class.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning! Looking forward to the second semester!"

After exchanging greetings with everyone and putting my things in my seat, the door at the back of the classroom opened weakly.

"...Yawn."

The one who entered was Rose, who looked even sleepier than usual today.

She came over with unsteady steps,

"Yawn... Good morning, Allen, Reia."

She yawned and weakly raised her right hand.

"Good morning, Rose. You look as sleepy as ever."

"Good morning, Rose. You really have impressive bedhead..."

With the usual trio gathered, the familiar chime rang, and everyone took their usual seats.

The window seat I hadn't seen in a month felt nostalgic.

Then, the classroom door was opened with a loud bang,

"Good morning, everyone! Let's start the morning homeroom right away!"

As usual, the energetic Ms. Reia entered.

"There are some announcements, but... let's save them for the end-of-day homeroom. Alright, let's start the first period! Everyone, head to the Soul Armor training ground!"

After that, we continued our Soul Armor lessons from the previous term.

Some of my classmates had already manifested their Soul Armor and were working on controlling and enhancing it.

I watched them out of the corner of my eye... and felt a bit envious of their talent.

(...No, Allen and everyone else have different 'talents.' They didn't get into Senrin Academy through recommendation but through their own genuine abilities—elite of the elites. There's no time to be envious... an ordinary person like me can only work hard...!)

Shaking off these thoughts, I readied my Spirit Crystal Sword and focused my mind.

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

I sank my consciousness inward, deeper and deeper—toward my soul.

When I opened my eyes, a desolate wasteland stretched out before me.

Wilted trees.

Wilted earth.

Wilted air.

(How many times have I come to this desolate world...?)

Then, I called out to the one lying on the giant rock.

"Hey... it's been a month."

"Ooh... you weakling is back again... Huh?"

I asked this viciously grinning one a single question.

"Hey... if I defeat you, I can really master Soul Armor, right?"

"Ooh, that's right. But even if you had a billion years, a snot-nosed brat like you couldn't do it, could you?"

"Good, I'm relieved to hear that."

There is a path.

The possibility is not zero.

If I can defeat this one—then I can use Soul Armor too!

"Let's go! First strike—Hien!"

"Huh, a weak slash... Huh?"

The battle after a month's absence was one-sided.

"Eight strikes—Yatagarasu!"

"Ha, what's this...! Is this all you've got...!?"

The direct hit from Yatagarasu, the eighth strike, was nothing to him—then he casually unleashed a fist he had raised high into the sky.

"Ha...!?"

Despite my perfect defense, that one blow dealt me a fatal wound.

(...He's strong.)

I thought I had grown stronger after overcoming many things, but I was far from his level.

In fact, it felt like the gap between us was widening.

(No, this isn't just my imagination...)

He is definitely stronger than when we first fought.

As I grow, he seems to be regaining his true strength...

"Damn...!"

Receiving damage beyond my limit, I fell forward.

"Huh, you're weak... Not even a warm-up... Huh?"

He spat out these words and jumped back onto his usual rock, sitting cross-legged.

"...Aren't you going to take my body?"

In my fading consciousness, I asked,

"Black Fist is probably nearby... Your weak vessel can't even withstand a single blow from that trash... If only you didn't have that initial lag, you could do anything..."

He twisted his face in deep frustration.

(...So, his strength does depend on my strength to some extent...)

With this final piece of information, I completely let go of my consciousness in this world.

"...Damn brat. You actually managed to scratch me... You've grown a bit, haven't you..."

■

When I came to,

"Ha... ha... ha..."

I was back in the real world.

"Damn..."

It's far.

The path to mastering Soul Armor is steep and endless.

But,

"I won't give up."

No matter how futile it may seem, as long as I don't give up, there's a chance.

"One more time..."

Just as I gripped my Spirit Crystal Sword again, the chime signaling the end of class rang.

Looking at the clock, it was already time for the second period to end.

"Alright, that's it! The next hour is lunch break! Hmm, right... The afternoon classes will be at the Soul Armor training ground, not in the classroom! Dismissed!"

After that, Reia, Rose, and I headed to the student council room with our bento for the nominal regular meeting.

The large building of Senrin Academy was already familiar to us, and we quickly arrived at the student council room.

Knocking on the door in front of us,

"...Come in."

After a moment, the president's voice replied.

It was not her usual bright and clear voice, but a more solemn one.

"Excuse me."

Despite the sense of something being off, I slowly opened the door to find—complete darkness.

The lights were off, and the curtains were closed.

And at the far end of this dark, spacious room, the president was sitting alone.

There was no sign of Secretary Rimu-senpai or Treasurer Felis-senpai.

"What's wrong, President...? Should I turn on the lights?"

I turned on the lights in the room,

"Hey, Allen-kun... I have something to talk about... Can you listen?"

The president slowly stood up from her chair and wobbled over to me.

"Y-Yes... What is it?"

She clearly didn't look normal.

(What happened to the president...?)

As I swallowed hard,

"I'm... I'm done for... Please, help me..."

She suddenly collapsed into my chest.

"President...!?"

A sweet scent tickled my nose, and an indescribable softness pressed against me.

My heart rate quickened, and I was at a loss for what to do when,

"President, that's not okay! Please, step away from Allen right now!"

"Excessive contact is not allowed!"

Reia and Rose quickly pulled the president away from me.

(Huh... What's going on now...?)

Just when I thought I could finally take a breath after the summer vacation...

The start of the new semester brought yet another troublesome situation.