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Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes
Claude’s Training
After the student alliance conference, everyone left including League. At the end, League asked Silvester to be the first president to which the latter agreed. The members were surprised, since Rumania was the most powerful country in Forestia. Yet League chose someone from Zubura. But seeing the crown prince readily accept (apparently they already talked about it beforehand) they didn’t object.
「Catherine.」Hikaru called to her as she was about to leave.
「What is it?」
「I want to talk to you about something.」
「I’m not going to apologize for disagreeing with your proposal. Besides, it’s impossible to implement—」
「I wanted to thank you.」
「…What?」
「Thank you for offering a dissenting opinion.」
「………」
Catherine stared at Hikaru, unblinking.
「Are you okay? Is this a new form of sarcasm or something?」
「No. It’s extremely dangerous to proceed with a meeting without anyone opposing or analyzing risks. In that sense, you were a great help.」
「It’s no big deal. I just pointed out what I thought was wrong.」
「You would’ve agreed if the others disagreed, though. Am I right?」
「………」
Hikaru seemed to have hit the mark as she went silent. He thought Catherine didn’t just express her opinions because of her negative personality. As proof of that, when asked how to realize the plan, she offered ideas. She had the ability to analyze important points, not just express her own personal opinion, and think about the direction of the meeting. Nothing less from someone who comes from a family of government officials.
「Hmm, I see it now. Rumania isn’t the one we should be wary about, but you.」Catherine said.
「What are you talking about? League is a great man. He’s smart too.」
「Ponsonia sure is a terrifying kingdom. They have the Master Swordsman, Lavia, a sensitive lady of letters, a cunning guy like you…」
「Hey, Catherine!」Lavia cut in.
「See you at the library, Lavia.」she said and then left.
「Strange friend you got there.」
「She seemed the quiet type when we were talking in the library.」
「What did she mean by a “sensitive lady of letters”?」
「…No comment.」
「Oh, come on. Tell me. It’s not fair that she knows something about you that I don’t.」
「No comment!」
Lavia strolled to the other side of the counter, beet red from embarrassment. Grinning, Hikaru followed her, and the two of them washed the dishes.
「Anyway, we got more problems now.」
Lavia chuckled.
「Why are you laughing?」
「You’re the one who suggested stuff. You might end up helping with the mass wedding too.」
「I’m sure they’ll handle that.」
「But you’re the only one who knows anything about it.」
「…I guess.」
「To be honest, I was surprised to hear you say you’re going to convince the queen yourself. You didn’t seem that interested in what League is doing.」
「My role is to convince the queen. At least, that was my plan. I expected that Queen Marquedo’s assistance would be needed for the student alliance’s activities. But I didn’t think we’d need it that quick.」
「What about helping Claude?」
Hikaru’s hand stopped as he was wiping a cup.
「You’re asking if I’m using the Soul Board or not, right?」
「Yeah.」
「There’s no doubt that tweaking his Soul Board is the quickest way to make him stronger.」
「How much stronger would he get?」
Hikaru shrugged.
「Very strong.」
「…Really?」
「I think he can become the strongest swordsman in the whole continent.」
「You’re joking.」
「It’s true.」
Claude had twelve points available. He already had two points on Sword. Add eight more and he would have ten points. After that, just put more points on his Strength and he’d be the strongest swordsman around. Ponsonia’s Captain Lawrence had six points on Great Sword. With ten points on Sword, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say Claude would be the strongest.
Hikaru wore a serious expression, and so did Lavia.
「That strong, huh?」
「He would excel in one field for sure. I don’t want to use it if possible. It would be too obvious that I did something.」
「But then we won’t get Jarazack’s vote.」
「I should maybe help him just enough that it wouldn’t seem unnatural. Or I’ll just say he’s hypnotized. Either way, I need to see him fight for real first.」
For some reason, Claude’s trained during short sword class.
「Aw, sheesh. More students?」Mille said, sounding irked. She was sitting on a chair under a shade just outside the storage room, i.e., lecture building C.
Claude, Luka, Silvester, Ivan and his friends were present as well. Catherine was probably in the library with Lavia, and Katy in her laboratory. It appeared League couldn’t lose his watchers (the girls).
「All right, Claude. Show me what you’ve got.」
「Hey, Hikaru. Isn’t this supposed to be my class?」Mille asked.
「You’ll get your turn later.」Hikaru said.「For now, I want Claude and Ivan to fight.」
「Wait, I’m not fighting you?」Claude asked. He wanted to know if Hikaru really was strong as they said.
「You’re going to fight a great sword user. Ivan is the better choice.」
「All right! Leave it to me!」Ivan yelled as he stood up.
「Go, Ivan!」
「Don’t you dare lose to Kirihal!」
His friends were cheering him on.
「Good point. All right, I’ll fight Ivan with all I’ve got.」
「Wait a minute.」Hikaru stopped Claude as he was readying his short spear.
「You’re going to use a one-handed sword. Short spear is not exactly your forte, is it?」
「How’d you know?」
「We don’t have much time. We should work on what you’re already good at.」
「………」
Claude hesitated. As for why, Ivan gave the answer.
「Hikaru, a sword is no match against a great sword.」
「What do you mean?」
「A one-handed sword is just an inferior version of a great sword. The latter has faster swinging speed and power.」
「Say that after you’ve hit me at least once.」
「Y-You’re not normal, okay?!」
「Yeah! You’re a special case!」the onlookers said.
Hikaru nonchalantly ignored them and turned his attention back to Claude.
「Then all the more reason to try with the one-handed sword.」
「How are you so confident? It’s true what Ivan just said. My weapon is just a smaller version of the great sword. It’s mostly for self-defense and formality.」
「That’s exactly what the opponent would think. And that’s why you have a chance to win.」
「Really?」
「There’s no way to get instantly strong in a short amount of time. But by studying the opponent, there’s a chance you can win in an all-or-nothing fight.」
「I see. You might be right. All right, let’s try with a one-handed sword.」
「Thank you.」
「Oh, and one more thing, Hikaru.」
「What is it?」
「Could you not talk to me politely? You’re my teacher right now.」
「But…」
「At least talk like we’re equals.」
「………」
Hikaru thought about it for a bit.
「All right, sure. I won’t hold anything back, though.」
「Bring it on.」
Claude was fired up, but Hikaru simply sneered. Seeing his smile, Ivan and his friends yelped.
「The devil just smiled!」they screamed.