Chapter 10

"Huh, there's actually a healing spell for dark attributes."

"Yes, if it's just an arm, it can grow back."

The day after the field practice, I was summoned by Headmaster Ronald once again.

I got a scolding for blowing the monster-summoning whistle, but I wish he could cut me some slack since Patrick had already lectured me extensively yesterday.

"Growing back an arm... is that from personal experience?"

"Yes, I was hit right here."

As I pointed to my shoulder, Headmaster Ronald's expression changed unusually, his usual smile turning tense.

I recalled how it had been a close call at that time. If it had been a little off, it might have been my head, not my arm, that was lost.

"Well, let's leave my old stories aside. How about the princes and the central nobles?"

I asked about the results of the field practice for the prince and central noble group.

"Prince Edwin, William, and Oswald did pretty well, I think."

"Ah, so they were the only ones who defeated the monsters?"

The central nobles aren't very enthusiastic about leveling up, so that's understandable. However, why wasn't Alicia mentioned? Her light magic is essential in the battle against the Demon King.

"It seems they defeated all the monsters that appeared. It's not a good thing, but everyone just praises them."

"That's fine, but what was Alicia doing?"

She was admitted to the royal academy because of her talent in light magic, despite being a commoner. It's unacceptable for her to neglect her training, which means leveling up.

"She didn't defeat a single monster, just like everyone else. It seems the princes told her to do that."

"Does she seem motivated to do it herself?"

"Hmm, it seems Alicia was quite content being protected by the princes."

I sighed after hearing the headmaster's words.

At the academy, Alicia is always with the targets. If this continues, she might never fight on her own.

"It's the same as at the academy. She declared that she wouldn't lose to them, but what does she mean by that?"

"Well, we need Alicia to get stronger. I might have to ask for your support, so be prepared."

Alright, if that time comes, I'll throw her into a dark attribute dungeon. Only advantageous monsters will appear, so she should be happy.

After the field practice, my solitary life changed a bit. Patrick started talking to me more often.

Even when we had to form pairs for class, he would team up with me, who was left out, saying it was inevitable.

"Patrick, I'm sorry. You have friends, right?"

"Don't worry about it. I owe you, after all."

Does he mean for healing his injuries? He's quite meticulous.

"Don't worry about it. You probably had potions, right?"

"True, then I'll team up with someone else."

"Ah, don't take it to heart. I healed your injuries, remember?"

"You were also the one who caused them, though."

We've become quite close, to the point where we can exchange light-hearted banter. He might be the person I've gotten along with the best since being born into this world.

Now, it's swordsmanship class, so we face each other with wooden swords.

Even to a layman's eye, Patrick's sword technique looks flawless and beautiful. Perhaps things that pursue efficiency become beautiful. It might be an odd word, but his leadership during the practice could also be described as beautiful.

In contrast, my leveling up has been ugly and dirty, even though it's the result of prioritizing efficiency.

"Huff, huff, I give up."

While thinking about unnecessary things, I deflected his sword, and he dropped the wooden sword that was knocked away.

"Thank you for the match."

Patrick, catching his breath, spoke to me.

"Was I not a good opponent?"

"No, that's not it. Your sword skills are very helpful. I can't even compare to you in terms of technique."

I rely on high-level reaction speed and strength, so I wish he wouldn't look so disappointed.

"Do you plan to learn sword techniques? What are you going to fight?"

Now that you mention it... I can already defeat the Demon King in my current state. Is there any point in getting stronger?

However, this world is vast. There's a world beyond the game map. It wouldn't be surprising if there were someone stronger than me.

"Isn't it the Demon King?"

"The Demon King? Is it true that he will revive in two years?"

"I don't know. It's either Prince Edwin's delusion or something the king is hiding."

That's a lie; I actually know.

"It's hard to say it's not true."

The Demon King's revival is Prince Edwin's delusion, but the prince has been acting terribly lately.

He's been affectionate with Alicia everywhere at the academy. Recently, there was a rumor that they were feeding each other cake in the courtyard, which spread throughout the academy.

Some people are starting to doubt the Demon King's revival, thinking it's just the prince's delusion. However, the rumors that I am the Demon King haven't died down, and they seem to have reignited due to the field practice.

"Do you think I'm the Demon King, Patrick?"

"Wasn't the Demon King a man? And I don't like the reason that it's because of my black hair."

Noticing my slightly stronger tone, Patrick started talking.

"I used to be concerned about my hair being close to black when I was a child. It started when a relative commented on it. My family said it wasn't a big deal, but I always disliked my dark hair."

Patrick touched his gray hair as he spoke. I think it's closer to white.

"I think it's more white."

"Is it? Compared to Yumiera, it might be."

That's why I respect you, Yumiera, for being proud of your black hair. I swear I won't look down on you because of your hair color."

Patrick said this while looking into my eyes, making me feel embarrassed and look away.

It felt like a confession, even though it wasn't.

"Ah, thank you. I think your gray hair is beautiful."

"Thanks, I think your black hair is beautiful too."

Feeling too embarrassed, I tried to end the conversation by inviting him to another mock battle.

"Ah, um, do you want to do another round?"

"Sure, no problem."

Losing my composure, I misjudged my strength, and Patrick ended up flying through the air.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

I desperately apologized while using healing magic. The looks from the surrounding people, thinking I did it again, were painful.

Patrick opened his eyes and sat up. I was relieved he wasn't unconscious.

"I'm fine, the pain is gone. I've thought before that healing magic feels good."

"It doesn't look good, though."

He made a bitter face, probably remembering how his flesh swelled and healed.

"Yumiera is amazing, being able to use dark magic."

"It's just luck."

The attribute of magic one can use is almost determined at birth. When I denied his words, Patrick shook his head.

"That's not true. If I could use dark magic, I might have hidden it. Like with my hair, Yumiera doesn't deny herself. That's not an easy thing to do."

Hearing his words, I realized something.

"Could Yumiera use dark magic from birth?"

In the game, it was explained that Yumiera gained the ability to use dark magic after falling to darkness, but the truth might be different.

The game's Yumiera hid her ability to use dark magic while at the academy. If that's true, she must have hated the heroine who used light magic openly and was loved by everyone.

"Huh? Yumiera can use dark magic, right?"

When Patrick asked back, puzzled, I told him not to worry about it and started thinking about the game's me.