Chapter 94

It has been 25 days since the first meeting of the Student Union.

There are 25 days left until the start of the Founding Anniversary Ceremony — the ceremony where the Student Union's establishment will be officially recognized.

There are 15 days left until the last possible moment to leave the National Academic Institute and head to Jarazak.

There are 5 days left until Claude starts the mock battle with Instructor Mikhail.

Thinking about it this way, there isn't much time left.

"Hmm... The tea Ravia makes is delicious."

"Really? That makes me happy."

Hikaru and Ravia were in a room they had borrowed from Scalazard.

After breakfast, tea was one of Hikaru's daily pleasures.

Ravia seemed to be particular about tea leaves, buying them from various stores and comparing brewing methods.

Perhaps she had figured out Hikaru's taste, as the tea kept getting better day by day.

"So, we have the Kiriharu and Kotobi votes now, right?"

"That's right. Also, we received a letter from Sylvester, who has returned to Tsubura."

A single letter was placed on the table.

It began with, "Please pass this on to League." Of course, Sylvester could not send a letter directly to League due to prying eyes. That's why he sent it to Hikaru.

— Last night, I convinced my father. Let's meet at the Founding Anniversary Ceremony.

That was all the content.

It seems he chose to stay in Tsubura until the ceremony.

"That makes three votes. All that's left is Jarazak."

"What about Claude?"

"…Soon, I think."

Ravia seemed to immediately understand what "soon" meant.

It was time to use the Soul Board.

"Claude, Ivan."

"Hikaru."

"Oh, you finally showed up."

When Hikaru appeared at the small sword lecture where training was taking place, Claude and Ivan, along with the Jarazak members, were already there, even though Instructor Mirei hadn't arrived yet.

Roye hasn't been seen for a few days. It seems that another Romanian noble lady has been added to League's entourage, and Roye has been called to attend to her.

As a result, Hikaru hasn't been able to talk to League about the Student Union.

However, League has an important role at the Founding Anniversary Ceremony, so it's necessary for him to act normally and not draw attention for now.

"Were you sparring? How does Claude look to you, Ivan?"

"Ah, just as you said, he's a lot more mobile now that he's using a shield. If we fought now, I'd say Claude would win 3 out of 10."

"I see."

"Also, the boss of Jarazak contacted me yesterday. He said, 'There's someone who wants to challenge the boss and win.' He was thrilled when I told him."

Hikaru's cheek twitched. "Combat maniac..."

"..."

Claude looked glum.

"Claude, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"...What is it?"

"I need to talk to you alone."

Hikaru and Claude moved to a shaded area away from Ivan and the others.

The summer sun was still strong, but the nights were starting to get chilly.

The short summer was waning.

"Claude, you look troubled."

"...Hikaru, is this enough? Can I really win like this..."

Despite feeling his growth in the battle with Ivan, Claude still felt he wasn't ready.

The enemy was much stronger than Ivan.

"Claude, do you have your Soul Card?"

"Huh? Oh, right, you said to keep it with me during training."

Unlike the Guild Card, the Soul Card is issued by the temple. It's often held by nobles and the wealthy, and the metal used in the card is expensive. Some people don't carry it, but Hikaru had reminded Claude just in case.

Claude took out his Soul Card.

"Claude, your 'Occupation' was 'Common One-Handed Sword Ritual God: Swordman of Honor,' right?"

"Right."

"Can you check if anything has changed?"

"No, Hikaru. 'Occupations' don't change easily. It's not that simple..."

"Just do it."

Reluctantly, Claude took out his Soul Card.

"...Huh?"

He froze.

"What changed?"

"Huh? Ah, huh?"

"Tell me."

"Ah... 'Common One-Handed Sword Warrior God: Sword and Shield,' and there are five more characters! 'One-Handed Sword Technique God: Technical Swordman'!"

"Right."

Hikaru had already finished operating the Soul Board.

【Soul Board】Claude = The Hard = Kiriharu

Age 18, Rank 7

9

【Life Force】

【Stamina】1

【Magic Power】

【Spiritual Affinity】

【Wind】1

【Strength】

【Strength Level】1

【Weapon Proficiency】

【Sword】3

【Shield】1

【Agility】

【Burst Power】1

【Spiritual Power】

【Mental Strength】1

【Charisma】1

He had allocated 1 point to "Sword" and 1 point to "Shield."

Later, he planned to add points to "Strength Level" and "Burst Power."

Making "Sword" 4 would be a last resort.

"You know that changing your 'Occupation' can affect your actual combat ability, right?"

"But... this is something given by the gods..."

"People can change as they grow. I did, too."

"Hikaru, too? What 'Occupations' do you have? Could it be... more than five characters...?"

He couldn't say just two.

"...Never mind about me. Try changing your 'Occupation.'"

"O-Okay."

He seemed to have changed it to "One-Handed Sword Technique God: Technical Swordman."

When Hikaru and Claude returned,

"What's going on? What did you tell Claude? He was looking so gloomy, but now he's full of confidence!"

"I wasn't looking gloomy."

"Ha. You say that, but you were complaining every day, getting scolded by Ruka."

"Actually, Ivan, you're too familiar with Ruka!"

"It's fine since we're all in the same union."

The Jarazak members cheered.

(...While I was in the capital or meeting the alchemy king of Kotobi, everyone seems to have gotten closer...)

Hikaru felt a little left out, but

"Hey, Hikaru, why don't you come to 'Cheers to the Drink' with us?"

Ivan brought up the topic.

"You guys go there?"

"Since Instructor Mirei is there, it's safe, right?"

"That's the most dangerous part... Besides, didn't she say not to drink?"

"She said it was fine while you were away. You were the one making her drink during the day, right?"

"...I guess that's true."

"So, Hikaru, come with us. Let's have a good time with some boys' talk!"

"..."

The Jarazak guys, starting with Ivan, looked about 10 years older than their actual age. Yet, they were talking about "boys' talk"...

(Being invited... isn't such a bad feeling.)

Talking to someone as straightforward as Ivan was refreshing.

"Sure, I'll think about it. But Ivan, spar with Claude."

"Sure. I'd like to see what's making him so confident."

Ivan smiled, but

"The spell I cast is powerful, you know?"

Hikaru also smiled back.

Hikaru tried to adjust the Soul Board with minimal changes, attributing everything to the "Occupation" change.

Meanwhile, the other members had somehow become closer.

It's a strange feeling when you find out later that people you introduced to a place are hanging out there without inviting you...

Announcement:

The serialized work "Fishing Life in Another World" (formerly "Fishing in Another World") has been decided for book publication by Shueisha.

This is also a story about reincarnation in another world, with the theme of "fishing and gourmet."

If you're interested, I hope you'll give it a read.

http://ncode.syosetu.com/n5698du/