Under the leadership of their seniors, the first-year students of Adelle Hall were subjected to additional nightly training sessions. They ranps around the training ground, engaged in strength exercises, practiced swordsmanship, and trained in magic.


    Already overwhelmed by their regr sses, the first-year students found the continuous training sessions to be torturous.


    “Huff huff, I’m so thirsty….”


    “Ugh, I almost threw up what I swallowed.”


    “I’m going crazy. I even had after-school sses today.”


    They had no choice but to endure it. Although it was said to be voluntary, who could refuse when the representative of Adelle Hall was watching them with sharp eyes?


    “Don’t me me too much. It’s not like I enjoy torturing people.”


    They couldn’t argue with him, as he too participated in the training, setting an example. He did this while wearing what looked like heavy iron armor.


    “The moon is already up? Let’s call it a day.”Bernthal, the representative of Adelle Hall, sheathed his sword and gathered the students.


    Despite his friendly demeanor, his imposing presence made some students gulp nervously.


    “As I mentioned before, you’ll soon be taking the dungeon practice test. Some of you may have heard from your seniors that it’s far more dangerous than the third test. But since you’re from Adelle Hall, I’m not too worried. I wasn’t nning on this training, but…”


    Bernthal lowered the smile that had been on his lips.


    “Recently, the Scphe Hall guys defeated the Buerger Hall. Now they’re baring their teeth at us. I’ve heard there’s a first-year who even took down Emeric.”


    The first-year students of Adelle Hall, who lived with the goal of joining the top ten, had a vague idea of who Emeric was. It was rumored among the seniors that it was only a matter of time before he took one of the top ten positions.


    “We can’t afford to get lower scores than those Scphe Hall guys. Especially as your representative, I won’t allow that guy to take the top spot in the dungeon practice. The top scores must always go to Adelle Hall. It’s tradition.”


    Actually, losing a few other ranks to other dormitories wouldn’t matter much.


    In the first semester of the first year, sometimes students from Scphe Hall would shine.


    However, Adelle Hall had never lost the top spot in any test throughout history.


    If such a mishap urred, it would not only be a disgrace to the graduates but also to the future students.


    “That’s all I have to say. Of course, training continues tomorrow. It’s tough, but endure it for a month. If you must hold a grudge, me those who caused this situation.”


    After Bernthal left, Si copsed onto the training ground.


    “Ah, I feel like I’m dying….”


    Leana, who was next to her, wiped her sweat with a handkerchief.


    “Aren’t you tired? You’ve been climbing the mountain every day to fetch ice. It doesn’t even seem like a proper ss. If it were me, I’d have given up.”


    “It’s fine, Si. This kind of training is something I do every night.”


    Si pouted at Leana’s refreshed expression.


    “Take it easy. Watching you work so hard makes me tired.”


    As Si looked up at Leana, she noticed a tall man descending the stairs.


    “Hey, your husband is walking by!”


    “That joke doesn’t work on me.”


    Despite her words, Leana’s head turned slightly.


    Seeing her expression turn cold, Si smirked.


    “This time I’m right, aren’t I?”


    “I’ve told you many times, Hersel and I are not like that!”


    “Really? Then why do you keep looking at him?”


    Si continued to watch Hersel.


    Sure enough, he was standing in ce, just staring nkly.


    Then she saw a small man following him down the stairs.


    “What?”


    Si squinted at the shy fashion and goofy hairstyle in the distance.


    “It’s too far to see clearly, but could it be…?”


    “What do you mean?”


    Leana blinked in curiosity.


    Si stood up and closely observed the two men.


    The man next to Hersel was indeed who she thought.


    Si smiled wickedly and asked Leana.


    “Leana, did Limberton Bel Delcy, that duck, enroll here?”


    “Yournguage is too coarse.”


    “Okay. How about this? Did the empire’s biggest idiot enroll here?”


    This seemed much milder.


    Leana, finding it eptable, nodded.


    “Yes. Didn’t you know? He’s always with Hersel.”


    “Why would I notice? There was a joint ss, but…”


    “Maybe you didn’t see him because he’s so short.”


    In fact, he was almost the same height as Si, making him short for a man.


    “Hasn’t he grown at all over the years? Still as pathetic as ever.”


    Si erased the smile from her lips.


    If he was with Hersel, then he was definitely in Scphe Hall.


    Thanks to the Scphe guys, she had to endure this month of hardship.


    He was perfect to vent her stress on.


    “Great. Time to beat him up a bit.”


    Si cracked her neck audibly.


    Despite that, her eyes fixed on her target like a predator.


    Sensing something wrong, Leana asked with concern.


    “Si. Are you okay?”


    “Huh? What?”


    “Your expression… never mind.”


    Leana swallowed her words.


    Although it was brief, Si’s expression had been as fierce as a lion’s.


    ***


    Today’s after-school ss endedte.


    I paused in the middle of the stairs, feeling bemused by Limberton’s presence, and stopped halfway down.


    The first-year students of Adelle Hall were copsed on the training ground.


    It looked like they were doing some special training.


    Did this ever happen?


    No, I didn’t recall it.


    Trainingte into the night a month before the dungeon practice was unprecedented.


    I shook my head, dismissing my worry.


    Then I remembered I was descending the stairs and spoke to Limberton.


    “Sorry, I got distracted for a moment.”


    “Limberton?”


    Why had he stopped without a word?


    I turned to look at him.


    His face was pale, and he was trembling as if in fear.


    “What’s wrong?”


    “Uh, nothing. Just checking out how the Adelle Hall girls look.”


    “Really?”


    Curious, I followed his gaze.


    It was too far to see clearly, but I noticed a striking red-haired girl.


    That must be Leana, and the short girl next to her…


    Light purple hair.


    They were always together, so it must be her.


    【Si En Lionheart】


    Lionheart, symbolized by a lion.


    A renowned family known for their charging sword techniques.


    Si, the eldest daughter, was a yable character and Limberton’s nemesis.


    “Let’s go, Hersel. It’s gettingte.”


    Limberton hastily descended the stairs.


    I sighed, looking at his head.


    Their meeting was inevitable.


    yable characters often faced trials from interactions, and if Limberton didn’t want to be written off in the narrative, he had to go through this.


    It was because of Limberton’s blessing.


    ◆ Blessing of the Wind Hermit


    [Don’t ask about me. I am nothing.]


    The mysterious god who didn’t even reveal their name had hidden powers that only appeared under specific conditions.


    Each yable character had different ways to unlock these powers, and for Limberton, the key was personal growth.


    The first step was Si.


    To gauge his readiness, I asked him.


    “Limberton, want me to introduce you to a girl? This time, seriously.”


    “Really?”


    “Sure. How about the girl next to Leana? If you y your cards right, I can introduce you.”


    As expected, Limberton quickly turned around and refused.


    “No thanks. I suddenly feel tired. I just want to go rest.”


    “Really? The guy who’s obsessed with girls is refusing? That’s strange.”


    I spoke with a teasing tone, trying to provoke him a bit.


    “Do you know her?”


    As expected, it was still too much for him.


    I didn’t want to dig up painful memories.


    “If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine.”


    I started down the stairs, thinking he would handle it when the time was right.


    But then Limberton, who had been silent, mumbled.


    “…Well, I guess I can tell you.”


    “Hmm?”


    This was surprising.


    Even though we had gotten closer recently, I was still someone who had given him bad memories.


    Limberton sighed deeply and continued.


    “I was ten years old. There was an event at the court ballroom… You know how noble children have separate gatherings? I attended one.”


    I knew all about this.


    Still, I pretended to hear it for the first time because he was speaking seriously.


    “I was just a boy then. It was scary to talk to girls, but there was one I wanted to talk to. So, I mustered up the courage. But… all I did was that…”


    Limberton spoke, almost on the verge of tears.


    “She suddenly poured stew on my head. All I did was talk to her!”


    This was a distortion of his memory.


    In Si’s recollection, a ten-year-old boy approached her with a nauseatingment, so she rightfully punished him.


    If Limberton hadn’t been ten, the police would have been involved.


    “My clothes were soaked. I was worried about exining it to my mom. Then she brought a pillow, tore it open, and covered me with duck feathers. That’s how I got the nickname ‘duck-pigeon Limberton.’”


    “Kidsughed at me, pointed fingers, and even cursed likemoners.”


    Limberton choked up, struggling to continue.


    Sure, it was too much for a ten-year-old to handle.


    After all, the court ballroom was a dream and a debut stage for young nobles.


    Gettingbeled as a fool in front of peers and showing up to parents covered in feathers was too much.


    “…That’s harsh. The feathers were too much.”


    “Duck feathers.”


    “Duck, chicken, same thing.”


    “A chicken means coward. Ducks are better, right?”


    At least, seeing him talk so calmly, it didn’t seem bad for him to face Si now.


    A lot of time had passed, and his confidence had been on the rise recently.


    Even though it was limited to Scphe Hall, his poprity had increased a bit.


    “By the way, Hersel, can I ask you something I’ve been meaning to ask?”


    “Sure, go ahead.”


    As we reached the dormitory, Limberton looked up.


    “Why do you hang out with me?”


    “That’s a broad question.”


    “Well, you and I are from different worlds, right? Different families, and I hate to admit it, but…”


    Limberton traced his face with his hand.


    I found it amusing and chuckled.


    “Ha, you’re really curious about that?”


    “Don’t stall, just tell me.”


    “Well, I think I already told you the reason.”


    It was probably during the monster defense battle.


    I had been berating him back then, so it passed lightly.


    -Limberton? I think you’re a cool guy. You may look pathetic sometimes, but you always do what needs to be done when it counts.


    -Oh, what apliment.


    -But whenever you talk about girls, it’s a total turn-off.


    -Hmph.


    It ended with a rebuke, but it was sincere.


    “I don’t remember. What did you say?”


    “I don’t like repeating myself. But if I had to add something…”


    I paused and looked at Limberton.


    “I respect your determination to pursue girls even after what you went through.”N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Talking to him just now made me think that maybe he was trying to ovee his trauma with girls by continuing to approach them.


    Or maybe not.


    “See? My path is right.”


    “No, it’s wrong. Keep thinking of girls as dragonflies. If you move too much, they fly away.”


    “Tch.”


    I guess he’s just naturally like this.


    <strong>(To be continued)</strong>