Chapter 19: The High Elf [3]

'I had a nightmare, dreaming of being caught eating meat by a human. Goosebumps ran down my entire body. But it was fortunate because this was just a dream. If I open my eyes, I will return to my peaceful daily life, where I am always receiving attention.

"Umm..."

With a small groan, Hiresia's eyelids opened. Her focus slowly came into view.

And.

"Did you sleep well, sir?"

A guy who talks with a bitter smile. Hiresia's face froze as she suddenly realized the reality.

"Uh, uh..."

Her pupils began to shake violently again.

* * *

'Princess of the Forgotten Forest' Hiresia. I know her well. One of the most important characters in the third year and a named heroine.

However, she was notorious for being one of those heroines whose hearts could never be won.

Basically, because she is of mixed race.

That's why she couldn't fully understand humans. Conversely, the protagonist could not fully understand her either.

That invisible barrier became an obstacle to narrowing the distance. Many users have failed, and I have failed too.

But I changed my thinking there.

If I can't get close to the heroine anyway, why not try to exploit her weakness?

The method that came to mind was this method now—my own strategy that I haven't told anyone else.

But the effect was clear. At least when it comes to leveling up in archery, she is the best archer, who would be sad to be second.

"Senior, hold on tight. Your mind keeps trying to run away from realty."

I said to Hiresia, who was frozen with a half-souled expression, because she was on the verge of escaping from reality.

Even when I spoke to her, she remained unmoved. I moved because it seemed like I needed to somehow pull myself together.

I went over and picked up the bird meat that had fallen on the floor, brushed the dirt off of it, and brought it back.

"Here's the meat."

"Oh, meat?"

Her eyes came back into focus like a ghost.

As expected, she can't stand meat.

But she instinctively opened her mouth and put her head in front of the new meat. Soon, she realized the reality and glared at me with resentful eyes.

"This... this bad human being! How dare you make fun of this body!"

"Fun? I prescribed a forced remedy because my senior was trying to escape reality by losing her mind."

"Ugh."

"Yes, that's it. Even if it makes you angry, you have to face reality."

I nodded as if I thought I did well. Her gaze grew fiercer at my words, which were like adding fuel to the fire, but at least she wouldn't lose her mind and escape reality any longer.

"How did you find out about this place?" Hiresia questioned.

"By chance."

"A coincidence? Nonsense. This is an elaborate plan."

That was fortunate. Now that she was recovering from the shock, her head seemed to be working normally.

"Damn it, I, a great high elf, fell for such a trick. I let my guard down. I let my guard down. Oh, why did I let my guard down!"

Thud thud.

It means that the threat was very effective.

I know. It's because of this time that this kind of threat works on her. She still lacked the cold-blooded coolness of a knife.

Yes, that's right. She has definitely stepped back now. I can tell just by looking at the way she responds.

The current difference in skill between her and me is like heaven and earth.

If she put her mind to it, she could easily break a magical crystal ball for recording as easily as twisting a baby's hand.

If she break the magic crystal ball, all that will remain is my mouth to testify.

There's no way people would believe what I, a problem child, say. If they believe her, she is a noble person and a model student.

Yet she didn't use physical force on me.

No, she couldn't. Because, as I said, she's still immature.

She becomes almost a completely different person once you get past the mid-game, but it didn't matter since she was someone I had never been able to recruit as a companion in countless playthroughs.

The best thing to do was to just practice archery and keep an appropriate distance.

"Okay, if you don't respond, I'll share this video with the Academy right now..."

"Ugh... Ah, I see."

She answered with a face that said she hated it so much she couldn't help it.

"What did you say? I can't hear you very well."

"I got it, you shameless person!"

I was demoted from an arrogant person to a shameless person, but I smiled. The goal was cleared.

"Thank you, senior."

That was the end of my business, but I opened my mouth again.

"But."

"What now?"

"Why are you so reluctant to teach archery?"

I asked that even though it was obvious she would ignore me and not answer like in a game.

Just because I was curious as to why.

And.

"Because it's annoying."

"Yes?"

When I got the answer, I was actually embarrassed. But the content is...

"Because it's annoying, you idiot!"

"..."

Was that all there was to it? No... It's just that, but why do I sympathize with it so much? It seems that regardless of race, people do not want to do annoying things.

... I'm sorry for bothering you.

I became silent for no reason. Hiresia spoke to me like that.

"This time, let me ask one thing."

"As much as you want."

"You've been acting like you know me all this time. Who the hell are you?"

"..."

This time, I blankly lost my mind.