I Became The Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 – Spirits Reflect Human Emotions – 3

 

—–CROW—–

 

After Drake’s class, Mardol ran off somewhere.

 

Leaving behind the exhausted Kainel and his companions, who were worn out from mountain climbing, Mardol had somewhere to be.

 

*Creak—*

 

A dark, seemingly empty place.

 

A cathedral in a corner of Grand Hearts Academia.

 

As Mardol opened the door and entered, someone’s red eyes met theirs.

 

“Phine! You came!”

 

“Shar (older sister).”

 

“Oh my! You should have come sooner!”

 

“Sorry.”

 

The Vampire Saint hugged Phine tightly.

 

The Glass Knight flinched.  Their wolf ears twitched inside their helmet.

 

“Presence. No good.”

 

“Why? It’s fine.  No one else is in this cathedral besides me!”

 

“One person, is here.”

 

Confused, the knight pointed a finger towards a shadowy corner, their arms flailing cutely.

 

“I’ve been found. Ah, I almost got away with it~”

 

A small purple flame, barely visible even with squinted eyes.

 

It was Nex Aureus.

 

“Yo! Mar… I mean, Your Highness. Long time no see!”

 

“Nex, 오빠 (older brother)…?”

 

“Yeah, it feels like just yesterday we saw each other as the Ten Swords, and now you’re entering the academy.”

 

“Different person, seems like.”

 

Seeing him raise his hand, Phine seemed relieved and exhaled. The purple-haired man just kept smiling, and

 

“I’ve changed a lot, haven’t I? Right, Shar… Ow!  Don’t hit me again!”

 

“Nex, you surprised our Phine!”

 

“…That’s right.”

 

He gave Chartinese another excuse to hit him.  As if he had no intention of retaliating, he maintained his composure and endured the divine power punch.

 

“Ugh, it still stings. How can a vampire use divine power?”

 

“Then why are you a Phoenix instead of a fox, Nex?”

 

“Probably because of my family. I want to run away from this damn house.”

 

“You can live in our church as a priest?”

 

“…Should I?”

 

Nex gave a hollow laugh, and the Second Saint smiled as she looked at him.

 

“Cute.”

 

“Chirp!”

 

Looking at the spirit perched on Shar’s hand, Phine, wanting a closer look, took off her helmet.

 

“Oh, it really is Her Highness.”

 

“Your hair has grown a lot, Phine.”

 

“Yes, Shar, 언니.”

 

Pure white, long hair cascaded down.

 

Her golden eyes widened slightly as she looked at the sparrow.

 

She was usually expressionless, but perhaps relieved to see familiar faces after so long,

 

“…It’s been a while.”

 

Phine’s face softened slightly.

 

“Your Highness is still like this because of them.”

 

“Honestly, I’m angry. They’re the ones who did wrong…”

 

“My fault.”

 

The two sighed, looking at the Glass Knight’s armor.

 

‘How did our white wolf become like this…’

 

At least in Shar’s memory, Phine was a girl who liked cute things and didn’t suit heavy armor.

 

“It’s no use saying it twice… So, Locke’s daughter, how’s school?”

 

“I’m managing.”

 

“…”

 

They changed the subject.  They noticed her droopy ears.

 

They thought she might cry if her tail drooped too.

 

“…I lost, for the first time.”

 

A topic she barely managed to bring up to lighten the mood.  An unexpected answer came.

 

“Phine? What did you just say?!”

 

“…I’m surprised too.”

 

“Strong person, is there.”

 

The dejected Phine from a moment ago disappeared, and her ears and tail perked up, regaining their energy.

 

A sense of competitiveness.

 

“Who is it? Your Highness, even so, to defeat Locke’s daughter…”

 

“A peculiar person.”

 

“Hmm… I’m worried you might have made the wrong friend…”

 

“Rain-soaked puppy.”

 

The purple-haired man racked his brain, piecing together the cryptic words.

 

After a few minutes, he came to a conclusion.

 

“…Could it be… that Black Knight?”

 

“Oh, oh? That boy who looks like Phine with just a helmet?”

 

“Licht, you know him?”

 

As soon as they said the name, her wolf ears twitched.

 

Observing the change in Phine,

 

‘Strange.  She’s not usually like this.’

 

The Purple Fox seemed to have noticed something and recalled the events of this morning.

 

‘Judging by how they insulted the head of family, they had guts.’

 

He didn’t think they approached Phine because of her Imperial bloodline or power.  They wouldn’t have insulted Asha Aureus otherwise.

 

‘And they didn’t say anything about Mardol.’

 

No one would be foolish enough to mistake the heavily armored knight using an alias for the Princess. They looked more like the son of the Northern Duke or the Knight Commander.

 

“…Your Highness, how do you know Licht?”

 

“Same class.”

 

“Is that all? Isn’t that too simple, Phine?”

 

“Yes, and strong.”

 

Fortunately, there was nothing to worry about.  He knew that the Princess was obsessed with strength.

 

“I see. They didn’t seem like a bad person.”

 

“Hmm… I’m still a little worried.  I wonder if they approached Phine intentionally. They asked me if I was the Saint…”

 

“Licht. Peculiar.”

 

“Then should I check them out? I can participate in the lecture as a teaching assistant.”

 

“How, Nex?”

 

He had a somewhat trustworthy method.  Magic he had been researching alone to avoid being abandoned by his family.

 

“I’ll have my spirits talk to each other.”

 

He smiled like a fox.

 

—–CROW—–

 

“Ugh.”

 

“What’s wrong, Licht?”

 

I was observing Kainel’s posture while practicing swordsmanship with him.  Where did Mardol go after class?

 

“I feel a threat to my chastity.”

 

“What nonsense…”

 

A sudden chill.  Was it because I was juggling two routes?  Nex Aureus only had routes with the opposite gender.

 

‘They’ll keep each other in check.’

 

According to my experience, the Rival Route and the Crown Prince Route

 

couldn’t coexist.  Even if I was kidnapped by the Imperial family, wouldn’t Nex come to save me?

 

There were even regular posts like, [Always grateful to Elder Nex… He’s the god of harem escape!], showing how strong his influence was.  It was easy to derail the harem route with his help in <Knight Heart>.

 

“Try again.  A little faster this time.”

 

“Like this? It’s different from when we were fighting slimes.”

 

“Just focus on speed with Shine Strike.  That’s its strength.”

 

*Whoosh.*

 

A sword beam made of light flew and embedded itself in the wall.

 

A speed I could only follow with all my focus.

 

“Good.”

 

“Hmm… isn’t it supposed to have a wide range?  It’s light, after all.”

 

“Ariel is better at that.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

That’s so you two can use a combination skill.  Please get rid of those useless techniques and just unleash your power.

 

I crossed my arms and tapped my finger on my arm.

 

‘That’s such an overpowered skill.’

 

The small fry the Demon King brought? One use of that, and they’re all gone.  It was really convenient in the game.

 

Though it was difficult to master.

 

“If the speed is fast, it’ll be hard to avoid even with my technique.”

 

“Really? Are you sure, Licht?”

 

“I’m not lying.”

 

There were other ways to counter it, but… it was nice that he followed me like a puppy with just a little encouragement.

 

‘This is why Kainel’s companion route is so easy.’

 

This is what a true hero should be like.  Heroes these days were all distrustful of people.

 

“Wait, Licht. Isn’t that Mardol over there?”

 

Then, the blond Hero, as if he had seen something strange while swinging his sword, pointed in one direction.

 

“Oh, you’re right.”

 

A full set of armor, shining in the light.

 

Their obsession with swordsmanship was serious.  When did they start following us? I thought I hadn’t broken their flag yet. I approached the Glass Knight.

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

“Swordsmanship practice with Kainel.”

 

“My, turn, is.”

 

As soon as I approached, they stared at my sword.

 

I didn’t want to teach them. I wondered how long I could postpone it.  Should I just run away abroad?

 

‘I especially don’t like this person.’

 

There were levels to being a womanizer.  There were popular men like Nex who kept a distance from the opposite sex, and

 

then there were those like Rufus in front of me, with dozens of partners.

 

“Exchange, promise.”

 

“I’m still thinking about it.”

 

“…Before, lie?”

 

“I apologize.”

 

The type I really hated.

 

Who wears full plate armor to school?

 

If I just wore a helmet like this, I could at least pretend it was fashion.

 

I suddenly became curious.  Why were they so obsessed with strength? It was better to know information in advance.

 

“I have a question.”

 

“Yes, tell me.”

 

“Why do you want to become stronger?”

 

I barely managed to speak, facing the bowed Mardol. The joints of my helmet clattered.

 

“…”

 

After some time, they started talking.

 

“…Couldn’t protect.  If weak.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Weak people can’t do anything, Licht.”

 

“Ha.”

 

I sighed as soon as I heard that.

 

My expression twisted. This person, with such negative thoughts, was the protagonist of part 3?

 

They couldn’t see it because of my helmet, but that was a triggering statement, even if they were the Crown Prince.

 

At least Kainel had the goal of protecting Ariel.

 

Rufus in <Black Heart> was better.  The prequel was definitely a bad game too.

 

“…Who told you that?”

 

“Uh, Licht?”

 

“Why do you think ‘you can’t protect if you’re weak,’ like someone who’s given up on life?”

 

It was the same as Kainel.  Their mindset was wrong. Why was their self-esteem so low?

 

“You. Tone is.”

 

“There’s someone here with little mana, tangled circuits, and unable to use magic.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“But am I strong right now?  I’m considered weak by normal standards, aren’t I?”

 

I felt suffocated. Golden eyes narrowed as they looked at me suddenly speaking informally.

 

“No.  You are strong, Licht.”

 

“Then at least do your best and regret it later.  Don’t think like that.”

 

“…I don’t know.”

 

Did they see my swordsmanship during the practical training? My evaluation had increased.  So that’s why they followed me.

 

It felt like more than just breaking a flag; the words burst out of genuine frustration.

 

Someone was working their bones off for the Nameless Saint’s happiness.

 

You can’t protect if you’re not strong?

 

That was bullshit.  It was definitely not because I was upset about the Saint’s story this morning.

 

[Even if I’m weak, I’ll stay by your side, Sir Knight.]

 

“…”

 

“What happened? Tell me.”

 

As the nostalgic voice came to mind, I put my hand on the forehead part of my helmet.  My memory was uselessly good at times like these.

 

“Before, couldn’t protect.”

 

“And you can’t now?”

 

“Perhaps.”

 

The Glass Knight’s voice was subdued.  Why were there so many things I didn’t know?  Something felt strange.

 

‘They weren’t like this in <Black Heart>.’

 

Come to think of it, these guys were still first-year freshmen.  Calm down.

 

Being like this because of a girl was pathetic.  I took a deep breath and spoke.

 

“Mardol.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“You’re not completely powerless.”

 

“Really…?”

 

When I first transmigrated into the game, I was really weak.  I often collapsed after failing to do even a single push-up.

 

“You can protect even if you’re weak.”

 

“No, way.”

 

“Want me to show you proof?”

 

I rolled up my sleeve, revealing a long scar. A scar that looked like a bite from a beast.

 

“I was weak, so I used myself as bait. But I protected them.”

 

“Why, Licht…?”

 

That was quite a long time ago.

 

The Glass Knight asked, as if they couldn’t understand.  Rufus would have only seen my strong side.  It was natural.

 

Their eyes wavered, seemingly shocked.

 

“Everyone has times when they’re weak, Mardol.”

 

Five years ago, I almost died when I was surrounded by a pack of wolves.

 

But I managed to save a man and his son by creating a diversion, so it was fine.

 

I boasted, recalling my reckless bravery.  My arm was broken too, wasn’t it?  Where did I get that courage from?

 

The memory was a little hazy because I lost a lot of blood.

 

“It’s not a lie, right? Look at my hand, you’ll see.”

 

“…It’s true.”

 

“If you keep having those negative thoughts, you’ll only hurt yourself.”

 

I rolled down my sleeve again and opened my rough hand, calluses covering my knuckles.  Traces of relentless training.

 

They said magic could offer protection.  Honestly, it didn’t matter to me.

 

“So, do you understand now?”

 

There were days when I was bedridden with body aches after swinging my sword.

 

‘If I had given up back then, thinking I was weak, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have now.’

 

There were many times when I wanted to give up.

 

But every time, I remembered her suffering in the sequel, so I did my best,

 

and I grew stronger, cutting through the anxiety that gnawed at me.

 

Because I wanted to make her happy this time.  A common reason.

 

“You worked hard.”

 

The Glass Knight’s gauntlets covered my hand.  A smooth, cold touch.

 

Wait, their hands were smaller than I thought?

 

I snapped back to reality at the cold, alien sensation.  It was too late to take it back.

 

What nonsense had I just spouted in front of the Empire’s only prince?

 

‘My old habits came out again. Damn it.’

 

I also thought the Saint’s way of speaking didn’t suit me.

 

I kept losing control whenever it came to her. I wondered if I was doing this right.

 

It was better than informal speech, though.  Many people were afraid of me in real life.

 

I hung my head.

 

“Ah… I apologize. I got a little emotional.  I’ve been weak since I was young… so…”

 

“…My fault.”

 

Don’t be so depressed.  I felt like the Imperial Guard would appear and chop off my head.  Spare me.

 

I remembered the event in the game where four colorful figures appeared like ninjas and eliminated the player.

 

“Licht, peculiar.”

 

Amidst the confusion, our fingers intertwined.  Sweat started to form on my palm.

 

Wait, what was this?  Were they experiencing a major mood swing?

 

A knight holding my hand tightly.

 

“You can let go now.”

 

Golden eyes shone within the glass helmet.  They were quite beautiful.

 

I could tell they were attractive just by looking at their eyes.

 

“Still, don’t know yet.”

 

“Is that so…”

 

They needed time to think. They looked up at me again.

 

Was this a successful flag break? It seemed like it, even though it wasn’t intentional. I felt like I touched on a sore subject, though.

 

“What are you two doing, holding hands?”

 

I thought so, until Kainel spoke.

 

The chances I had been saving for the Nameless Saint were used up.

 

Hey, give me my first hand-holding back.

 

—–CROW—–