Chapter 115

Chapter 115

With a soft thud, as I placed my hand on the wall, Rodelin found herself cornered against it by me.

"Ze, Zero? What is this all about..."

"Keke, I will continue to do such dangerous things in the future. As long as it means I can protect my allies."

"..."

"However, I think I can restrain myself. If you would grant me just one request."

"...What is it?"

I asked, extending my index finger.

"Just once, allow me to stroke your head."

"My, my head?"

"Yes. If you permit it, I will do my best to avoid reckless actions in the future."

"This is unprecedented! A junior stroking the head of their senior!"

Huh? You dislike it? Then.

"Sob sob... To think you can't grant your junior's earnest request. I might as well go and sign a contract with a demon right now. And it would be a terribly unfair contract."

"That, that's...! Calm down! What meaning does this action have!"

Rodelin was visibly flustered.

Almost had her, it seems.

"It's about bonding."

"...Bonding?"

"That's right. In the event we find ourselves in such a situation one day, we'll remember this moment."

Sob sob, it's too hard. A demon is tempting me.

But Senior Rodelin said never to make a contract with a demon.

Right, for a junior, you even offered your head. Telling me to never forget this advice.

Everyone, rise up! Let's fight and win!

"That's what it is. An extreme exchange of emotions, even in tough situations, that reminds us of the senior's advice! A firm bond between senior and junior!"

...Now, I don't even know what I'm saying anymore.

But I had no intention of giving up.

Because teasing Rodelin is just too fun.

"It's a ritual to strengthen the bond between senior and junior. Just by being stroked once, you could save me. But surely..."

I whispered closer to Rodelin.

"You wouldn't refuse, would you?"

"Ah... Ah... Uh..."

Rodelin's eyes spun wildly.

Rodelin, not knowing what to do, suddenly bowed her head deeply.

Though I couldn't see her face in that position, it was clear she was blushing fiercely.

Her ears were so red they looked like they might burst into flames.

If you brought paper close to them, it might catch fire.

That's how hot Rodelin's face was.

"For the sake of a junior... I suppose I have no choice."

Permission was granted.

Sacrificing her own dignity for a junior.

What a senior, truly a senior.

"Then I shall proceed."

"...Please, be gentle."

Gentle, huh.

Provoking me with such a provocative (?) word.

'Using a word that turns all men rough...!'

Of course, I'm talking about the stroking.

A once in a lifetime opportunity.

To be gentle or rough, I had to think carefully.

'Alright, I've decided.'

Pretend to be gentle while being rough.

My grand strategy to enjoy both at once!

The moment I was about to place my hand on Rodelin's head, still with her eyes tightly shut.

A huge face suddenly wedged itself between us.

"Hmm... I didn't know you were that close to the young lady. This complicates things."

It was the nanny of the de Lucid household. She had squeezed herself between us.

At the same time, life began to return to Rodelin's eyes.

She had come to her senses.

'No! My stroking opportunity!'

To miss such a once-in-a-lifetime chance!

How regrettable...

"Nanny? Why are you here..."

"Before that, I have one question for the young lady. Are you in a relationship with Zero?"

"That's ridiculous!"

"I see. That's a relief."

The nanny pulled out a notebook and began scribbling something.

"He seems like a troublemaker despite appearances... This is problematic."

What's problematic? And I'm not a troublemaker, okay?

"Well, if he were to cheat, the eldest lady would chop him into pieces and confine him in the mansion, so there's no need to worry... But still, it's best to be cautious."

What?

"She might even mount him as a trophy. The lady does cherish her possessions, after all."

...I better just stay quiet.

[Fleur Family Style C].

Now that I've obtained a skill that can grow, not training would be foolish.

'...I can become the real deal.'

It would take a long time to reach S class.

But I had no intention of giving up. Because it's a chance to become 'real'.

'And I've prepared a little cheat.'

[Hard Worker: A]

Skill growth speed +15%

During lunch, I copied Alex's passive skill using [Divine Imitation].

With this, my experience points will increase during training.

'I want to become stronger quickly.'

I lost myself in thought while swinging my sword.

While reviewing my battles with Bineus and then Lérang, it occurred to me. Maybe.

'Could I have saved Lérang?'

After analyzing the timeline, I realized it wasn't entirely impossible.

If I had sought out Teacher Lérang as soon as I entered the academy and convinced him to abandon the demon sword.

And after converting him through conversation, received the [Fleur Family Style]?

'...Might the outcome have been better?'

The rewards, like titles, might have been different, but that doesn't matter.

Because I would receive a greater reward.

'If I had succeeded in saving Lérang, there's a high likelihood that a training quest would have been linked.'

The occasional quest that appears when inheriting techniques.

Under the guidance of a master, faster skill growth was possible.

'The problem is, doing so would mean the first chapter would be without a boss...'

Considering Bineus's case, there would have been preparations for that.

Indeed, this game is impressive.

The world I loved.

No matter how many thousands, tens of thousands of times it's played.

It shines with a different light every time, illuminating the world with its breathtaking beauty.

'...I want to try playing the game this way now.'

I found myself wanting to see Teacher Lérang guiding us in this training ground.

Another reason to clear the final boss was added at that moment.

* * *

While the training was in full swing.

"Hello~!"

The door to the training ground opened, and Yuridia made her appearance.

Her usual escort was nowhere to be seen.

Meaning, she came alone.

After looking back and forth between me and Luna, Yuridia spoke.

"Um~ What's this? You're not doing anything?"

"Keke, we are in the midst of training."

"No, no. I thought it would be a... heated atmosphere."

"...?"

"This is the training ground of rumors, right? I was expecting something... Ah, what a letdown."

Several incidents did occur here.

From physical altercations with Luna to Rezé's appearance and rope play(?).

But to expect that and come here. A pervert?

After wiping sweat with a towel, I focused back on training.

The Fleur family's swordsmanship. Lacking in flashiness but solid and weighty.

Truly a swordsmanship as strong as steel.

"What, ignoring me? Even after I kept your secret. This is troubling."

Yuridia voiced her dissatisfaction.

Secret.

Right. As Yuridia mentioned, a small secret had developed between us.

During the time confined in the infirmary, we lightly discussed and came to an agreement.

The user of [Demon Slave] that pushed Bineus to the brink of death.

It was made to appear as if Yuridia, not I, had used it.

'When I started chanting the spell, Yuridia yelled what I was doing, drawing attention for a moment...'

But given the demon in front of them and their focus on Bineus's [Demon Magic], there was no chance to look our way.

So, people think I helped Yuridia recover her mana in a strange (?) way.

Then, Yuridia used [Demon Slave].

That's the current belief.

'Almost became troublesome... Fortunately.'

If it had been revealed that I could use the de Rownter family's forbidden technique.

I would have been 100% suspected of being a suspicious person.

So, it worked out well.

Of course, there was one problem. Specifically...

"I have a favor to ask, will you listen? Oh, you don't have the right to refuse. Because I know Zero's secret."

Damn that Miss Yuridia.

--TL Notes--

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