Chapter 7: A Chance Encounter
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light over the academy grounds. Hiroshi couldn't sleep. Tomorrow's combat exam weighed heavily on his mind, so he decided to take a walk, hoping the cool night air would calm his nerves.
As he wandered through the academy's courtyard, lost in thought, he suddenly collided with someone turning the corner. "Ow!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
Hiroshi quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was—" He froze mid-sentence as he recognized the girl standing before him.
"Aria?" he asked, surprised to see her again.
"Yeah, it's me," Aria replied, rubbing her arm where they had bumped. "What are you doing out here so late? Shouldn't you be resting for the exam tomorrow?"
Hiroshi scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "I couldn't sleep. Just trying to clear my mind."
Aria nodded in understanding. "That's understandable. The combat exam is tough, but you seem capable. If you're worried, I could give you some tips."
Hiroshi's eyes widened slightly. "You've taken the exam before?"
Aria smiled proudly. "Yep. Passed it last year. It's how I got into the academy. The exam isn't just about strength or skills; it's about strategy too. You need to think on your feet."
"Strategy, huh?" Hiroshi murmured, considering her words.
"Yeah," Aria continued, her tone softening as she shared a memory. "I remember being terrified before my exam, but I reminded myself that overthinking would only slow me down. Just trust your instincts."
Hiroshi looked at her, impressed. "You're really something, Aria. You must have been amazing to pass on your first try."
Aria's cheeks flushed at his compliment. "W-well, I just did my best... It wasn't that big of a deal." She averted her gaze, clearly flustered by his words.
Hiroshi noticed her reaction and couldn't help but smile. "No, really. I think you're incredible. I mean, you're here, right? That says a lot."
Aria's blush deepened, and she stammered, "I-It's nothing, really. You'll do great too."
Before Hiroshi could respond, a familiar *ding* echoed in his mind. The system interface appeared before him, revealing a new entry:
---
[Heroine System Update:
New Entry: Aria Silverwind
Level: 12
Affection: 15/100
Special Bond: "Easily Flustered - Aria's heart beats a little faster when Hiroshi compliments her, and she finds herself more drawn to his kind and honest nature."]
---
Hiroshi's eyes briefly flickered over the new information before he quickly dismissed the interface, not wanting to seem distracted.
"Thanks, Aria. Your advice means a lot," he said, genuinely.
Aria, still blushing, gave a small nod. "I'm glad I could help. Just… don't overthink it tomorrow, okay? You've got this."
"I will," Hiroshi promised. "And if I make it through, maybe we could, you know, talk more? I'd like to learn more about how you managed to do it."
Aria's blush returned in full force, and she looked away, clearly flustered again. "S-sure. I'd like that too."
With that, they both shared a quiet moment, the night around them peaceful and still. After a while, they said their goodbyes, both retreating to their rooms to get some much-needed rest.
As Hiroshi lay down, a small smile played on his lips. He wasn't just looking forward to the combat exam now—he was also looking forward to seeing Aria again.
The tension in the arena was thick as Hiroshi and Lady Selene faced each other. The noble girl's posture radiated confidence, and her sharp eyes bore into Hiroshi as if he were an insect to be crushed.
Selene began her assault with swift, precise strikes, forcing Hiroshi on the defensive. Her attacks were aggressive, each swing of her blade accompanied by a cold, disdainful remark. "You really think you can match me? A mere outsider? Pathetic."
Hiroshi gritted his teeth, focusing on dodging and blocking her relentless attacks. Selene's arrogance was palpable, her every move calculated to showcase her superiority. But Hiroshi wasn't just defending; he was observing, analyzing the rhythm of her attacks, looking for an opening.
As the fight wore on, Hiroshi saw his chance. He dodged a particularly forceful strike and countered with a quick, well-placed blow, causing Selene to lose her balance slightly. Her eyes widened in shock, but she quickly masked it with a scowl.
"You got lucky!" she spat, her voice laced with anger. "Don't think for a second that you're my equal!"
Hiroshi's patience was wearing thin. Her constant belittling, combined with the intensity of the fight, was starting to get under his skin. He decided to change tactics, moving with a sudden burst of speed that caught her off guard. Closing the distance between them, he managed to disarm her with a swift maneuver and sent her crashing to the ground.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Hiroshi barely noticed. His focus was entirely on Selene, who lay on the ground, her pride clearly wounded. Without thinking, he extended a hand to help her up.
For a moment, Selene just stared at his hand, her expression unreadable. Then, with a haughty toss of her hair, she swatted his hand away and got to her feet on her own. "Don't think this means anything. I don't need help from the likes of you."
Hiroshi pulled back his hand slowly, offering her a calm, steady gaze. "It wasn't about help. You fought well."
Selene's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, something softer flickered in her gaze—disbelief, perhaps, or a reluctant respect—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Hmph. Whatever," she muttered, brushing the dust off her uniform.
Without another word, Selene turned her back on him and walked out of the arena, her posture rigid with pride. The crowd's murmurs followed her, a mix of admiration and judgment at her reaction. But Hiroshi knew better than to take her words at face value. He could sense that there was more to her than the cold, arrogant exterior she showed the world.
The announcer declared him the winner, and the cheers of the audience filled the air. But Hiroshi's thoughts lingered on Selene's departure. He didn't need the approval of the crowd; he had his own goals, his own path to follow. And Selene, with all her haughty pride, was just another obstacle on that path.
As he left the arena, Hiroshi felt a strange sense of resolve. Whatever challenges awaited him next, he would face them head-on. And perhaps, one day, he would understand the mystery behind Selene's icy demeanor.
Hiroshi sat on his bed, the faint light from the lantern flickering softly across the room. His thoughts wandered back to the events of the day, from the combat exam to his moments with Aria. But as night settled in, his mind returned to the system interface. With a flick of his hand, he summoned it once more.
"I should see what's available in the Skill Store," he murmured to himself.
The familiar grid of skills appeared before him, and his eyes were immediately drawn to a new section—magic. It wasn't something he'd explored much, but after watching Elysia fight and seeing how versatile magic could be, he knew it was worth considering.
He scrolled through the list, pausing on a particular skill that caught his eye.
- [Flame Conjuration: 4 SP]
The description was brief but enticing. The ability to create fire at will. Hiroshi imagined how useful that could be, both in battle and outside of it. He could almost feel the warmth of the flames in his hand, the heat ready to be unleashed.
"Fire, huh? That could definitely come in handy," he thought, recalling Elysia's use of magic in their encounters. Without overthinking it, he decided to go for it, a rush of heat flooding through him as the knowledge became part of him.
Continuing to browse, another skill piqued his interest—a defensive one this time.
- *[Arcane Barrier: 4 SP]
It was a protective spell, a way to shield himself or others from harm. He had seen how easily a strong defense could turn the tide of a battle. Hiroshi smiled slightly, picturing himself standing firm against an onslaught, shielded by a barrier of his own making.
"Defense is just as important as offense," he mused, purchasing the skill with a sense of satisfaction.
As he was about to close the interface, one last skill caught his attention.
- [Spell Crafting: 4 SP]
The name alone intrigued him. The idea of creating his own spells, combining different elements—it was like the ultimate tool for someone who liked to think outside the box. Hiroshi's curiosity got the better of him, and he quickly bought it, eager to see what possibilities it would unlock.
"Who knows what I might come up with?" he thought, feeling a surge of excitement. The skills he'd gained were powerful, but they were also tools—tools he could shape and refine as he grew stronger.
Satisfied with his choices, Hiroshi closed the interface, letting out a contented sigh. The weight of the day began to pull at his eyelids, and he knew it was time to rest. He laid back on the bed, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought about how much he had grown since arriving in this world.
"I'm getting there," he whispered to himself, as sleep began to take hold. His mind drifted into dreams, thoughts of magic, combat, and the friends he had made along the way mingling together as he prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.