Clank. Clank.
A sword appeared in thin air and started floating around trying to unlock the lock to the window.
My eyes squinted as I looked at the absurd scene happening in front of me.
Rubbing my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
Yet I can still see a plain sword trying to turn the lock around, missing every time it tried.
Countless questions appeared in my head, but only one thought remained.
'...this is ridiculous.'
A sword designed to slay countless demons is struggling to open a simple lock.
With a slight cough, I said trying to keep my laughter inside.
"Hey, aim it a little bit here and put enough force that you make it in one go."
I said while pointing at one of the edges of the handle.
[ Okay ]
Click—
Then finally one of the two locks was turned around, and the other lock was shortly turned around as well.
Click—
The window was all unlocked and I slid my hand under one of the ledges and pulled up.
A gush of warm air hit my face, and I climbed in slowly. Making sure I wouldn't make any additional sound.
Once through, I turned around to close the window slowly and approached Ryder's desk.
Trying to be sneaky since right now my plans are now changed.
It was filled to the brim with study materials, books, and schoolwork. Signs of hard work were evident on the papers.
This just made me realize how hard he was trying to reach the top. Yet how easy such position was for the original Alyssa.
'...Putting in this much effort just for the Rank 1 spot. What's the point of such a spot if the world is going to end.'
I thought and sighed.
I sat on his chair and glanced towards the floating sword. Who was quiet the whole time since I entered the room.
"Why can I hear your voice?"
I spoke in a whisper, trying to not wake Ryder, who should've been awake ever since I was in the room, but he was sleeping soundlessly.
But what was mostly absurd was that I could hear the Holy Sword's voice. Even so, it should be impossible for anyone to hear.
[ That I don't know off. Ever since that day when you asked about the Saintess, I felt I could talk to you. But you are a mortal with no connection to the Divinities. Yet you could still hear me. I am left confused as well ]
With a slight nod to acknowledge what she just said, I thought about multiple reasons on why I could hear her.
… but things just got a lot more complicated.
I sighed and looked over towards Ryder.
Activating 'Appraisal', I can still see his pitiful stats.
My face turned grim as I continued to read down.
These stats are much lower than the expected stats for him in the game as of right now. Many events in the future relied on such absurd stats. Only did I know how much influence the hero can have.
Looking at the bottom, multiple skills were blurred out.
'Blurred-out abilities means that even I don't know of such abilities.'
I, who played the game mostly knew almost everything except for some early-game bosses such as the Jester.
Up to now, I thought I mastered everything, but to my dismay, I didn't even know the new skills that the Hero had gotten. This means the skills never appeared in the Nightmare mode.
Interesting.
I can feel my inner self getting excited, Hero with unknown abilities? I want to explore everything with those kinds of new stuff.
I nodded slowly, my voice dropping to a near whisper as I addressed the sword.
"...You realize the Hero is dangerously underprepared, don't you?"
My eyes flicked to Ryder's still form, a sense of urgency gripping my chest.
'If he can't even survive a skirmish with the Jester, how will he ever face what's coming?'
With my finger pointed at him, I somewhat saw his body twitch a little bit.
…
'... I must be tired.'
The Holy Sword took some time before she spoke like she was being aware of something.
[ ..yes I agree that he is... A little bit weak. ]
Clasping my hands together, I voiced out my countless complaints.
"Not just a little bit weak."
I continued.
"He is way too weak as of right now. Remember that Jester during the attack? He was supposed to have enough prowess as of right now to stall that dude long enough."
"Yet he didn't even last a few minutes against that bastard."
The Holy Sword remained motionless and stayed silent for some while.
I subconsciously reached out from my pocket as I tried to get something.
Only to be met with an empty pocket and disappointment.
'...right, I don't have that anymore.'
I sighed and leaned my head backward, staring at the ceiling.
It was then that the Holy Sword moved onto my lap and asked.
[ ..You're currently thinking that Child is way too weak as of right now? ]
She asked me like she was bewildered by my words.
"Is he not?"
She continued
[ Compared to other races and humans, he is growing the fastest. But this generation group of kids is way more talented than other generations. The top student in 2nd year of this institution is only graded with the 5th tier. While the 3rd and 4th top students are only graded with the 6th tier.]
I was left baffled by what she just said.
Taking a moment to process what I just heard.
From what I understood, the current Academy level is a grade behind what I expected, but their talent grade should be a grade higher.
But in contrast, the growth of the students is way too slow.
'...is this the consequence of having such a high talent grade..?'
If so, then everything makes sense on how fast I grew yet how slow other students were.
…
Nah, that's still no excuse for why he is so weak.
The world depended on him, I can't let him be this lenient.
I voiced out again.
"No, this bastard is still way too weak."
This time, I could see a twitch in his eyes.
I felt an invisible, dreadful feeling creeping up on me.
Sounding my concerns, I asked.
"Hey, is he awake?"
She quickly responded.
[No, he is currently asleep.]
Still, doubt lingered in the back of my mind.
"Great. Now do whatever you can to make him acknowledge me as his master."
I smiled as I voiced such swords.
The thought of an easy future made a grin creep across my face. If I played my cards right, guiding the Hero could secure me a comfortable life, free from the chaos that loomed ahead.
[ … ]
Another twitch appeared on his face this time.
I shrugged it off and glared at the Holy Sword to wait for a response, only then, did she give in.
[ .. I will try. But first, how can I make sure you are capable of being his master? ]
What a funny question.
I pointed at Ryder again,
"Did he beat the Jester?"
Silent ensued again.
"No? Exactly. But how did I defeat him? It's because I am that great."
I chuckled to myself and got up as I grabbed the Holy Sword.
Something I had forgotten suddenly came back to me, and I froze in place.
"Huh?"
[ What? ]
Both of us were in shock.
A fact that is known to all players is that only the Hero can hold the sword. If anyone in other characters tried to hold it themselves, then they would immediately be repelled. Usually left on the brink of death.
But I didn't get repelled.
A wave of shock coursed through me—how could I forget such a critical rule?
"...this is not normal."
[ … ]
It seems she also agrees with me.
I quietly set the sword down on the desk and walked towards the window. Opened it up and said my last words.
"Make sure you do what I told you to do."
I waved goodbye and in a quick second, I activated [Shinra's Steps].
Fwoosh—
---
[... You heard him, Master. ]
Ryder opened his golden eyes, illuminating its surroundings as he slowly got up.
With an indescribable look on his face leaned on the bed frame as he contemplated about some things.
Ryder himself was considered a genius of the century, one that even countless Masters and above paid attention to. The whole world was looking at him, some with malicious intent while others were slightly interested in him.
In his whole life, no one told him he was weak.
He was instead showered in praise from his friends, parents, and other strangers.
He was too strong for his age.
A prodigy that stands above all prodigies.
Yet a girl, from nowhere, who seemed weaker than himself was telling him that he should serve her as her master.
His goal of being the strongest was halted by a girl named Alyssa, who took the highest rank in the academy.
He tried his best to improve his abilities and learn more about the writing portion of the exams. Yet he couldn't best Alyssa.
But out of nowhere, she dropped down to the 37th rank and he rose to the 1st rank. But it didn't feel right.
'...she is letting me get this position.'
He feels like he is being played with.
There were numerous questions in his head right now.
How did she beat the Jester?
The ability to talk to the Holy Sword?
And that presence that she eluded. A presence that didn't suit her prowess.
"..Haah"
A stressful sigh was exited from his mouth.
"What should I do?"
"What do you think?"
He looked towards the sword.
"I declined all other requests of people trying to be my master since you didn't agree. How about now?"
He was expecting a similar response to other people's requests, yet he was left speechless as he heard what the Holy Sword said.
[Accept that person as your master.]
---
In a swift motion, I ran to the garden.
A common place where special romantic situations mostly occur.
But there should be no one here yet.
I walked past countless spots in the garden.
Benches were scattered everywhere, with a fountain in the center of this part of the garden. Countless flowers bloomed alongside the path, with multiple hangout spots for students and professors alike. The garden here spanned nearly two kilometers.
"Such a wonderful sight now that I can see it with my own eyes."
Everything in the game was scaled down.
Now, I can view everything in full.
"Heh."
I walked toward a flower, the same kind that Liora gifted me.
Bending down, I examined the delicate pink petals that made it stand out from the other flowers here.
"She knew how to pick them,"
I murmured to myself, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Hmm, I should ask someone what kind of flower this is."
After some time, I slowly got up and made my way toward the fountain.
Looking at the serene surroundings, I felt myself calming down.
'I should visit this more often.'
But time was almost up.
Checking the time, I made sure everything was on schedule.
[ 5:28 AM ]
'That girl should be arriving soon.'
Olivia Lancaster, who is the heir to the Lancaster Dukedom, and the only surviving child in the family. Her mother passed away when she was young, and her father was found missing after taking a mission from the Emperor.
'He didn't die, though.'
Every morning, she would head to the garden to enjoy the view while eating her homemade breakfast before heading to class.
And why am I here?
To make an agreement with her.
In the game, she was supposed to die during the attack, and if she survived, she was fated to die in an assassination attempt by her uncle, who wanted to inherit the Dukedom.
But her value didn't lie in her talent—it lay in the Dukedom.
So to make full use of her, I will make sure she doesn't die.
Step—
The sound of footsteps reached my ears, coming from the right.
I turned my head slightly, a small smile forming as I recognized the familiar humming.
'Looks like she's here.'