Chapter 84

Hikaru returned to Scholarzard, where the academy was located, from the capital of the Forestia Federation, Forestzard, and heard that Ravia had already finished talking to the Eulaba students.

It seemed she had done a good job, and the Eulaba students had agreed to meet with the League.

"Well... then, I'll go see the Kirihar students."

Holding the letter of introduction from Her Majesty the Queen, he headed to the administrative building alone. The staff still seemed to be afraid of Hikaru, and when they saw him, they fled to the wall. A female staff member, who was apparently chosen by rock-paper-scissors or some other method, trembled as she approached the counter.

"A, a, a, ah..."

"I'm looking for a student."

"Ah!"

The female staff member, still trembling, retrieved what seemed to be a student roster.

"A, a, a, ah, what is the name of the student...?"

"Claude Zhard Kirihar."

"Ah!"

She flipped through the pages.

Hikaru realized that "ah!" meant "yes."

"...T, they are indeed enrolled."

"Can you contact them?"

"W, well, the only thing we can do here is to post a notice on the bulletin board in front of the administrative building..."

The administrative building was a place where people only came when they had business.

It would take some time.

"Is there any way to know which lectures Claude is attending?"

"Ah!"

The female staff member read the roster's entries with trembling fingers.

"I, I don't know for general students... but for lectures related to the 'Nine Paths of the Martial Deity,' instructors sometimes record the students' names..."

Thinking that Instructor Mirei probably wouldn't have recorded his name, Hikaru asked:

"Is Claude's name on the list?"

"Y, yes. It's the short spear lecture."

"......"

Hearing "short spear lecture," Hikaru searched his memory.

"Um, who is the instructor for that lecture?"

"It's Instructor Kurenko."

Kurenko was the one Mikhail, the great sword instructor of Jarazak, had called a "fucking bastard" even when speaking modestly. Hikaru had met him a couple of times in the headmaster's office.

(Kirihar and Ludansha are like cats and dogs, right? If the queen introduced Claude, he must be the son of an influential person... but why is he attending a lecture by a Ludansha instructor?)

Despite his confusion, Hikaru headed to the sports field where the short spear lecture was being held. It was a small-scale field surrounded by trees, making it hard to see from the outside. When Hikaru arrived, it seemed the lecture was in progress, with about 20 students surrounding Kurenko.

"Listen up! Today, I'll show you one of the most famous short spear techniques in Ludansha, the 'Dragon Cloud Short Spear Technique'—"

Hikaru activated "Stealth" and approached. From behind the students, he checked their names with his Soul Board. The content of the Soul Boards was unremarkable, with levels ranging from 1 to 2 at most.

(Oh, this student.)

【Soul Board】Claude Zhard Kirihar

Age: 18, Rank: 7

12

【Vitality】

【Stamina】1

【Magic】

【Spiritual Affinity】

【Wind】1

【Strength】

【Strength Level】1

【Weapon Proficiency】

【Sword】2

【Mental Strength】

【Strength of Heart】1

【Charisma】1

Compared to other students, Claude's Soul Board had many more unlocked entries.

(Hmm? This is a "short spear lecture," so why does he have "Sword" at level 2 in "Weapon Proficiency"...? Considering he's a Kirihar student attending a Ludansha lecture, something definitely seems off.)

Claude had a tall, well-built physique, standing over 180 cm. He had a cool profile, with blonde hair and red eyes, just like Queen Marqued. His gaze was fixed on a single point, but it wasn't directed at Kurenko.

After the lecture ended, Hikaru tried to approach Claude. However, Claude, still holding a practice weapon, didn't return to the changing room but walked into the woods in a secluded direction.

(Hmm?)

Hikaru, who was about to call out to him, noticed something was off. As he was thinking this, a girl appeared from behind a large tree.

"——"

"——"

Claude and the girl were chatting happily. The distance between them was—close. They were holding hands with their free hands.

(So, it's like that...)

Hikaru felt like grabbing his head. The girl also had a short spear, meaning she had been in the lecture. She was the one Claude had been looking at intently. Hikaru had already checked her name with the Soul Board.

【Soul Board】Lyca Roadgrade Ludansha

Age: 16, Rank: 2

8

【Magic】

【Magic Level】1

【Spiritual Affinity】

【Water】1

【Dexterity】

【Tool Proficiency】

【Instrument】1

【Intuition】

【Inspiration】

【Music】1

The "Ludansha" in her name. Claude and Lyca were either in a relationship or very close to it—despite being from the rival nations of Kirihar and Ludansha. She had short blue hair and, unusually for this world, wore glasses. She seemed like a quiet girl, but her profile looked happy when talking to Claude.

(There must be more to this... So, he's attending a Ludansha instructor's lecture to create opportunities to meet her.)

Even League, who was from Kotobi, hesitated to attend Katie's lectures. It would be even harder for someone from a nation that was like cats and dogs with his own. Yet, Claude prioritized his relationship with Lyca—considering this, he might be a brave man. Or perhaps just naive.

As they were about to walk further into the woods, holding hands, Hikaru decided to act.

"Claude!"

He deactivated "Stealth" and called out.

"!?"

"!!"

Claude, startled, turned around, and Lyca hid behind him. She was small enough to be completely hidden.

"Who are you!!"

Claude shouted, gripping his short spear. As expected, he was extremely cautious. After all, his secret rendezvous had been discovered.

"Ah, don't be so cautious. But I guess you have to be, right? I was introduced to Claude. Please read this first."

Hikaru took out the letter of introduction from Queen Marqued and approached.

"......"

Claude, with a cautious look, snatched the letter and read it.

"......? ?"

His gaze shifted between the letter and Hikaru. Hikaru hadn't read the contents, as it was sealed.

"......Claude, what's wrong?"

Lyca, unable to bear it, asked Claude.

"T, this is a letter from Her Majesty the Queen!"

"Wh-what!?"

"Here!"

"Can I, can I see it?"

"The content is harmless, so it's fine."

Lyca also read the letter, her gaze shifting between Hikaru and the letter.

"Did you understand that I'm not an enemy?"

After they seemed to have understood, Hikaru asked:

"The letter says, 'Do not trust him under any circumstances,' 'Report any trouble immediately,' 'Report even if there is no trouble,' and 'Be cautious of a man in a mask and robe'—so, while I'm not an enemy, the content makes me look like one if I make a single mistake."

He looked at Hikaru suspiciously.

(Queen...)

Hikaru glared in the direction of Forestzard, where the queen was, despite her unreasonable request. It seems I have over 40,000 points. Thank you. I hope to continue writing as much as possible in the future.