Chapter 29

Released:

In the Simulation Ruin game, bad endings were really hidden everywhere.

Now that I had entered the academy, it was as if the nightmare had officially begun.

The only saving grace was that the system informed me through achievements whenever I successfully prevented a bad ending.

Moreover, the interface was designed like a game UI. It was even notifying me of anything I might have missed.

There were square slots with circular achievement markers, most of which were still labeled with “???” But so far, I had managed to prevent bad endings tied to achievements one and two which confirmed my progress.

“I guess I can’t leave those two alone anymore.”

I realized it was best for the three of us to stay together as much as possible, rather than leaving Iris and Estelle alone together.

If I left them alone and failed to avert even one of those outcomes, there was no telling what kind of bad ending I might face.

While most of the game’s bad endings involved the destruction of the world, there were also endings where one of the main characters ended up dying.

So, if possible, I absolutely did not want either of the two people I was already close to die.

That meant I had to prevent both the world-destruction endings and the ones where either of them died.

From now on, yes, I had to start defending against bad endings.

No, actually, it had already started against my will.

“By the way, Sir Theo, did you receive the class assignment sheet?”

While we were waiting for the weapon to be completed, Iris brought up the topic of class assignments during our casual conversation.

“Yes, I did. I’m in Class A.”

At the academy, Class A was reserved for the most skilled students.

Although there was an S-Class above it, that was only for fourth-years, the graduating class. For us first-years, Class A was the highest rank available.

“I’m in Class A too! We’ll get to spend time together at school as well!”

Watching Iris speak so excitedly, I couldn’t help but smile.

Of course, one of the main characters like you had to be in Class A.

After all, the two protagonists were elites destined to stand out.

“I’m also in Class A, Sir Theo. I’m not too happy about being in the same class as Iris, but oh well, I suppose I can tolerate it since I’m in the same class as you.”

Estelle’s annoyingly smug comment made me feel irritated for no reason, so I flicked her forehead lightly.

“Oho, is that how you talk to a friend, Estelle?”

“Ah, ugh… I get it, I’m sorry.”

“Fufu, serves you right!”

“Iris too, is that how you act when your friend gets scolded?”

“Ugh… s-sorry….”

Though I lightly scolded both of them, I didn’t really think it would improve their relationship.

No, it wasn’t that their relationship wouldn’t improve; it was just that those two were always like this.

In the game, most of the time it was Lina von Maria who was stuck in the middle and scolded them like I just did. But no matter how often Iris and Estelle got scolded, they’d never tire of arguing, over and over again.

Honestly, I had no idea how such people ended up falling in love, but well.

It’s probably one of those “You’re the first person who’s treated me this way” things.

“The sword is finished. Would you all like to come and check it out?”

While we were caught up in our conversation, the shopkeeper called out to us. It sounded like the sword was ready.

“I’ll just go alone—”

“I want to see it!”

“Sir Theo with a sword? I absolutely have to see that…!”

I couldn’t leave the two who reacted so eagerly, so I went with them to the clearing behind the shop to check out the sword.

“It would probably be easier to test the sword’s performance with a sparring partner. How about Your Highness the Crown Princess serving as his opponent? We can lend you any sword from our shop’s inventory.”

I knew full well that Iris had been wanting to spar with me ever since earlier.

After all, if Estelle was the magic specialist, Iris was the one with exceptional skill in swordsmanship.

It must have been obvious, as the shopkeeper proposed the duel.

But… even if I was relatively strong, wasn’t it a bit much to go toe-to-toe with the protagonist?

“Oh, may I? But, um, Sir Theo, are you okay with it…?”

Iris immediately asked for my opinion, and after a brief moment of hesitation, I agreed to the duel.

Whether I won or lost, I planned to take Iris’s abilities into account and adjust accordingly.

Besides, it would undoubtedly be a valuable experience for me, so I didn’t see a reason to refuse.

“It’s been ages since I last sparred with anyone besides Uncke Duncan, so I’m really nervous.”

And considering Duncan was a master skilled enough to fight on the battlefield at any moment, he’d always gone easy on me. Thinking about a serious duel made me a bit uneasy, so I subtly asked Iris for a favor.

“You’ll go easy on me, right? It’s my first time properly sparring with anyone.”

“Hmm, I don’t know. If I hold back, I feel like I’ll end up completely crushed instead.”

“Come on, that’s ridiculous.”

Iris had already mastered aura by this point and was one of the strongest individuals, even compared to anyone in the Imperial Knights.

The reason the two of them were admitted to the academy had been purely for the sake of the peace treaty between the two nations, not because they needed someone to teach them.

And now, I was supposed to spar with someone like that, only to hear that if she went easy on me, she’d end up being battered? No matter how strong I might be, that was just absurd.

“Anyway, I’m counting on you!”

Once the duel was arranged, I received a sword from the old man.

“What’s this made of?”

It didn’t seem like ordinary iron or any common ore. The blade felt exceptionally light yet fit perfectly in my hand, giving a remarkably solid grip.

The edge was finely honed, and it looked sharp enough to slice through most wood with a single swing. It was a truly high-quality sword.

“It’s made of White Carbon Ore. Have you heard of it?”

“White Carbon Ore…?! You’re saying this sword is made of that?”

White Carbon Ore was a mineral unique to the Simulation Ruin world and was known for its outrageously high price.

Its value made sense; White Carbon Ore was both lightweight and easy to sharpen, yet it boasted incredible durability, making it one of the most expensive materials used for forging weapons.

“That’s right. The Headmistress provided it. She said it could be used whenever a suitable student needed it, so don’t feel burdened.”

Even so, I never imagined I’d be handed a sword made of White Carbon Ore at this point in my life.

Iris using a sword made of White Carbon Ore was something that only happened much later in the game’s storyline.

Of course, she hadn’t bought it from the academy store. Instead, she had crafted it herself using White Carbon Ore obtained during an early field practice in a dungeon.

“A sword made of White Carbon Ore… This is exciting.”

Iris’s expression changed.

Her usually calm and composed gaze was now blazing, as if she could hardly wait to start the duel.

Well, it made sense. Even in the game, there had always been descriptions of Iris eagerly engaging in duels without hesitation.

“I’m jealous. Once the staff is finished, please spar with me too, Sir Theo.”

“Why are you all so desperate to beat me?”

“Come on, it’s not about beating you. We just want to learn from you.”

Estelle said with a genuine smile. I sighed deeply in response.

“No matter how strong I am, that’s only compared to commoners. How could I possibly win against any of you?”

I ruffled her hair lightly, and since we had decided to spar anyway, I grabbed my sword and took up a position in the clearing.

“Let’s give it a try!”

***

“No matter how strong I am, that’s only compared to commoners. How could I possibly win against any of you?”

After patting Estelle on the head and saying those words, Theo headed off to spar with Iris. Estelle watched him intently and pondered.

Why does he think that way? Sir Theo is much stronger than he realizes.

She remembered the ice magic she had once used against him. It was not in a real magic duel, but that was simply to offer him a sparring partner before the exam. Even now, the memory of that magic sent a faint tremor through her hands. It wasn’t unreasonable to think that Theo didn’t fully understand his own power.

Of course, if he were at the level he was back then, maybe I could have won.

But that hadn’t even been a proper spar, and back then, she hadn’t yet sensed the overwhelming strength Theo possessed now.

The problem was, this wasn’t something from years ago. It wasn’t even months ago.

It had only been a matter of weeks.

How on earth is he growing so quickly? If he had any talent for divine power as well, there’s no doubt he’d be called a Saint.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, divine power was something one had to be born with, and Theo had not been blessed with it.

Should I consider that a relief?

If he had been born with it, she wouldn’t be standing in her current position as the Saintess.

Or should I think of it as a pity?

Estelle had never been particularly fond of her role as the Saintess, and her feelings were rather complicated.

Of course, there was nothing more futile than imagining scenarios that could never happen.

In any case, it’s likely that his swordsmanship is a step above Iris’s as well.

She wasn’t the one sparring with him, nor had she seen Iris’s swordsmanship firsthand, but she had heard enough about it to make a rough estimate of her skill level.

Iris might have improved since then, but Theo was the anomaly. For most people, growing stronger took a considerable amount of time.

My heart’s racing.

Whatever the case, watching Theo in action and seeing his growth up close was bound to be quite exciting.

One response to “Chapter 29”

  1. JimmyJohns05 Avatar
    JimmyJohns05

    sounds like she may have realized her feelings are romantic

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