In my room, Yukina and Rena are confronting each other.
However, Yukina doesn’t seem surprised by Rena’s appearance.
“Good day, Ms. Rena Luvell. I was just talking with your brother. Could you step out for a moment?”
Yukina, still expressionless, said that.
She has an incredible mental strength.
To suddenly come in and tell the sister of the room’s owner to leave.
I couldn’t do that.
“I see. I understand you have a matter to discuss. However, I have a prior engagement. I need to discuss dinner plans with my brother, so please leave.”
“It will be over soon.”
“Please leave.”
Saying that, Rena steps between Yukina and me.
It’s shameful for a brother to hide behind his sister.
But in my heart, I’m hoping she’ll drive her away.
However…
“It’s suspicious, isn’t it? Perhaps Mr. Luvell has some secret?”
“There’s no secret…”
“But you admit that you usually don’t try your hardest, right?”
“My brother gets tired when he puts in effort because of his constitution!”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
“Even so, it’s true that he’s hiding his real abilities, isn’t it? I believe his true abilities are greater than mine, but what do you think, Rena?”
Oh?
Before I know it, we’re having a conversation.
It was supposed to be about driving her out.
“My brother is capable if he tries… but not to the extent of matching you, Yukina.”
“He might be hiding it even from you.”
“There’s no reason for my brother to hide anything from me!”
“Is that so? There might be some secret. The fact that he usually doesn’t try hard might be related to that secret.”
“That’s not true!”
“But he did see through my full-on feint, didn’t he? That’s not something a swordsman of ‘capable if he tries’ level can do. There’s no doubt he’s hiding his abilities, and they are greater than mine. At least, that’s what I believe. The reason for hiding… maybe there’s some circumstance, and he wants to leave the academy somehow?”
Scary, scary.
This girl is sharp.
Rena falls silent.
What to do? Shouldn’t I leave it to Rena?
That’s what I’m thinking.
“Even so… please don’t force my brother. And for a woman to come to a man’s room alone… it’s unhealthy!”
“I came to verify a swordsman’s abilities. If you say that’s unhealthy, then within this academy, you are the unhealthy one. You wear black, he wears white. You’re in the Magic Department, and he’s in the Magic Sword Department. There’s a rivalry between the two departments for mutual improvement. So, familiarity is not favored. Even between brother and sister. Besides, a middle school student shouldn’t be in the high school dormitory.”
“It doesn’t concern us! Please just go back! My brother is being troubled by this!”
You can’t win with words.
So, Rena tells her to leave quickly.
But Yukina doesn’t move.
Seeing this, I sigh.
“Really… Yukina, I don’t have the strength you think I do. Why won’t you believe me?”
“I trust my intuition as a swordsman and what I see with my own eyes. You are strong. That’s why… I want to learn from you. To become a Sword Saint.”
“There’s nothing for you to learn from me.”
“…Honestly, there are hardly any swordsmen stronger than me in this academy. Even the teachers haven’t been teaching much lately. That’s a problem. I want to become a Sword Saint like my grandmother. I’m here because I want to protect my homeland. I don’t intend to leave the position of Sword Saint to a wandering swordsman forever. For that… I don’t want to lose any opportunity to learn.”
I’m taken aback by Yukina’s words.
She’s like a personification of ambition. Her purpose is clear.
Honestly, I find it interesting.
Ever since I became a Sword Saint and demonstrated my power, there have been hardly any who tried to take the title from me.
They either give up, thinking they can’t compete, or they justify it by saying it’s beneficial for the country.
I didn’t like that attitude.
It’s their country. They should protect it themselves.
It’s understandable to rely on outsiders. But don’t be content with the status quo.
That’s what I thought. So Yukina’s words are refreshing.
She’s greedy to become stronger, willing to bet on even the slightest possibility.
I like that attitude.
So…
“Then… do as you like. But I won’t teach you anything. If you think you can learn something from me, then steal it with your eyes. I don’t mind that.”
“Brother!?”
“You can’t steal what isn’t there. You’ll give up eventually.”
“I understand. Thank you, Mr. Luvell.”
Yukina stands up and bows her head.
Then she lets out a small smile.
She must be trying her best in her own way. The teachers at this academy are excellent. But even so, it’s not enough for Yukina.
In a way, Yukina is hitting a wall. A wall to reach the next level.
So, she’s trying to do everything she can.
She has enough talent and motivation. Maybe I’ll give her a hint when I see an opportunity.
If that helps her grow, then it might be worth training her as a true successor to the Sword Saint.
I can’t retire without a strong successor.
With that in mind, I add more words.
“Just promise me one thing. Don’t wake me up forcibly. In fact, let me sleep in the morning.”
“Unhealthy habits are poison to the body, you know?”
“If you can’t keep that promise, then forget this conversation. Don’t follow me around.”
“…I understand. I’ll do as you say.”
“Good. So, I have plans to discuss tonight’s dinner with my sister now.”
I point to the door.
Yukina obediently follows and starts walking.
As she leaves…
“See you tomorrow, then.”
With that, Yukina leaves the room.
Meanwhile, Rena looks dissatisfied.
“Is that okay? Isn’t that the kind of trouble you dislike, brother?”
“If she learns there’s nothing to learn, she’ll give up.”
“If brother is okay with it, then I guess it’s fine…”
While saying this, Rena pouts her lips.
To cheer up Rena, I change the subject.
“What about tonight’s dinner?”
“That’s right! Vegetables were cheap, so I was thinking of making a hot pot!”
“Sounds good. Shall we eat together?”
“Yes!”
Rena smiles.
Just like Yukina wants to protect her country.
I have something I want to protect too.
The reason I keep playing these silly multiple roles is that if the Kingdom of Albios and the Empire of Lutetia are defeated, the Grand Duchy of Belrant will be exposed to danger.
Some may think they can live under the Empire’s rule. But the Grand Duchy of Belrant is different.
Five years ago, an incident occurred where many children of the Grand Duchy were abducted by the Empire’s infiltration unit.
It’s not clear why the Empire’s infiltration unit did such a thing.
But one thing is certain: Rena was among those abducted children, and when I arrived, the infiltration unit had been annihilated by the power Rena unconsciously used.
Since then, the Empire has started to seriously invade the three countries. Since no one returned, they probably only have vague information that somewhere in the Grand Duchy, there is someone with strong qualities. But still, the Empire is targeting the Grand Duchy. In other words, Rena is being targeted.
That’s why I’m keeping my true identity hidden, and if possible, I want to pass on the titles of Sword Saint and Great Sage to a proper successor. That way, I can protect Rena by my side.
To protect Rena and my family.
It’s cliché, but that’s my reason for fighting.
Twelve years ago, in place of my mother who lost her life on the battlefield… I will protect my family.
