Chapter 37

^{The Seemingly Weak Skill, [Bubble]. Bursting, Expanding, Contracting, Tension, Proliferation, Floating… Huh? Is the Enhanced Bubble the Strongest?}

The riverside of the academy becomes a place where you can play in the river during summer, and for orphans who have nothing, it’s one of the few playgrounds available. Luke throws a random stone he picked up into the river. After skipping across the water a few times, the stone wobbles uncertainly but somehow manages to reach the other side.

“Wow…”

“Hey, is that rumor true?”

“…Sorry. Lately, all sorts of rumors have been exaggerated, so I don’t know which one you’re talking about.”

“The rumor that you entered the temple. Everyone around me has been talking about it…”

“That part is true.”

“Seriously…? So, did you meet the goddess too…?”

“I met her.”

“…”

For a while, Luke stood there like a statue, gazing at the clear sky. “I guess asking about the goddess would be tactless…” he added with reverence, then continued.

“Does entering the temple mean you’ll also join the ‘Sword of Cladia’s Favor’?”

“It seems Lady Raffilia let me into the temple with that intention. She invited me to become her disciple.”

“You’ve really gone all the way, haven’t you? You’ve reached the peak, as high as it gets.”

“I haven’t done anything extraordinary myself…”

“Don’t say that. The Luna group that fell to the second layer would have been wiped out on the spot under normal circumstances. But you saved them. They said they were able to stay calm because you kept talking to them.”

“Do you know the Lunas?”

“We’re in the same class. Robin and Scott too. Everyone was surprised when I told them you’re the same age. They didn’t even know about you.”

“Are they doing okay? It must have been quite a traumatic situation.”

“Luna… She said she doesn’t want to go on expeditions anymore…”

“I see… If you see Luna, could you tell her that everyone was saved thanks to her light?”

“Got it. I’ll make sure to tell her you said that.”

Luna even stripped to provide light. And judging by her blue uniform, she’s from the noble group of students. Even though her silhouette was blurred by the light, exposing herself in public must have taken tremendous courage. Without her bravery, I wouldn’t have been able to move. I hope it doesn’t turn into a serious trauma…

“Sigh… So you’re a hero now, huh? You’ve gone so far that it feels unreachable. At this rate, I won’t be able to catch up with you anymore.”

“Haha, don’t worry. Nothing like what the rumors say will happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“I plan to decline joining, and I won’t become Lady Raffilia’s disciple either.”

“What!? Why!?”

“My dream is to become an adventurer and travel the world with Luke. We promised, and we even shook hands.”

“Yeah, we did promise, but…”

“If I became the goddess’s guardian, I’d lose my freedom. Now that I’ve finally gained independence and can live freely, I don’t want to give up my dream just to become a hero.”

“…Are you really not going to regret this? A hero, man! The strongest clan!”

“I won’t regret it. Absolutely not. That’s my dream, so there’s no helping it. Anyway, here, this is a gift.”

“What kind of conversation is this…?”

I handed Luke the sword I had just bought. As soon as he took it, he sensed its contents, unwrapped the cloth, and immediately drew the sword.

“Try channeling your magic into that sword.”

When the magic reacted, the magical formula engraved on the sword glowed blue and created a barrier around it. The duration was only two or three seconds. It seemed more suited for emergency evasion rather than sustained defense.

“It has a defensive array imbued, and when you channel magic, it activates automatically. It seems to block most attacks. The magic consumption is only 0.5% per use.”

“…You’re giving this to me?”

“Yeah. Sorry it’s a bit late, but consider it a graduation gift. I thought this sword would protect you in critical moments.”

“How much did this cost?”

There’s no way I can tell him it was a 10 million Diel sword. If I gave him a sword better than mine, Luke might refuse it out of consideration.

“I-I think around 10,000 Diels? You know, considering incidents like the Luft Caves, and practical combat training starting from middle school, having something like this would be safer.”

“This is an amazing sword… Thanks. I’ll take good care of it.”

Luke swung the sword elegantly, testing its feel. The sound of cutting through the air was crisp and clear. Just watching his mesmerizing movements made it obvious how much effort he puts into practicing every day.

“What kind of sword do you use?”

“Eh…”

Luke’s lowered gaze fixed on the sword attached to my belt. This is bad. Luke doesn’t usually go to the market, so he probably doesn’t know much about sword prices. But someone like Luke, who has handled swords for so long, could still judge the quality of a sword by looking at the blade, even if he’s an amateur. If I show him my sword, he’ll realize it’s inferior to the one I gave him.

“I-It’s a lightweight sword with an enchantment. Lady Raffilia helped me choose it. I bought it for around 100,000 Diels.”

“Hmm. So that’s the going rate for swords? Surprisingly cheap.”

I turned my back and sighed in relief. Thankfully, Luke didn’t know the market price of swords. Well, he’ll find out eventually, but by then, I should be able to get a decent sword of equal value, and Luke won’t complain.

◇

I was summoned to the temple again. Claudia asked me once more about my “path.”

“Ausel-sama. Do you have any intention of becoming my guardian?”

If I decline the goddess’s offer, will I be charged with a crime? Will she be angry? Behind me stand the twelve members of the strongest heroes. There’s no escape. Yet, strangely, I’m not afraid. My dream is clear. I don’t want to become a hero.

In front of the highest authority, I declared:

“I’m sorry… I deeply appreciate the invitation, but… I won’t join the ‘Sword of Cladia’s Favor.’ I respectfully decline.”

“I see… It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”

Claudia said this with a hint of sadness but softened her expression to avoid making me feel guilty. However, while the goddess forgave me, I couldn’t be sure the people behind me would let it slide. The overwhelming aura of the leaders trembled behind me.

“R-Raffilia-sama! Please, calm down!”

Rex’s panicked voice. I thought I’d be scolded for refusing the goddess’s offer, but that wasn’t the case. When I looked back, Raffilia, with a distant gaze, was spreading cold air, unsettling the leaders.

“Grain.”

“Understood.”

The man called Grain by Ruben walked against the tide of retreating leaders into Raffilia’s cold air, his body beginning to burn with flames. It must be a [Fire] skill or something similar. As expected of the leaders, heroes among heroes, known as the Twelve Heavenly Children of Cladia’s Favor. The heat was intense. Grain didn’t scream, standing beside Raffilia, continuing to burn. The cold air neutralized with Grain’s heat, preventing the spread of freezing. Around Raffilia, water condensed, forming a lake-like mirror reflecting the scenery.

The cause of the disturbance was undoubtedly me.

“I’m sorry, Lady Raffilia. Despite your invitation… and all the things you’ve taught me… but I have another dream I absolutely must fulfill…”

“U-Uh… Don’t worry about it… I’m… used to being alone…”

Raffilia, trembling with her shoulders shaking, cried uncontrollably like a child denied a toy, biting her lip. I made her cry…! All because of my ingratitude…!

“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I’m truly, truly sorry!”

The more I apologized, the more tears poured out of Raffilia like a flood.

“Ausel-sama. Could you please share your dream with us?”

The goddess asked. I felt embarrassed, not having some lofty dream worthy of telling a deity. But this is my dream. To others, it might seem insignificant, perhaps even laughable. But this dream is the only one I’ve ever found in my life. It’s the one dream I want to fulfill, even if it means losing everything else. I can’t hesitate. I have to confess this pounding in my chest, this dream that makes me want to run forward. While ordinary dreams are a dime a dozen, this is the one dream that only I can speak of, here and now. Selfishly, stubbornly, like the fierce power of nature, I must confess everything about myself.

“My dream is to become an adventurer with my best friend and travel the world.”

The goddess… smiled.

“Just by looking at your face, I can see how wonderful that dream is. There’s nothing purer or more beautiful than the dream you hold in this world. Pursue it without hesitation, and may you achieve it. I will continue to pray for your success from this place. And someday, when your dream comes true, I hope you’ll give me another chance to make the same request.”

“Y-Yes!!”

“That guy is still young. Welcoming him as a comrade can wait until after he’s seen the world and gained experience.”

“…”

When Ruben muttered this, Raffilia’s tears stopped.

“…Hot!?”

“…My apologies.”

The cold air weakened, and a burst of heat from the collapsing neutralization hit Raffilia. As Grain’s flames disappeared, the heat in the room naturally subsided.

End of “Each One’s Path” Arc