I wrapped up discussion with Rok.
─······So, you're saying we should go outside to draw them out of hiding?
─Yes. Their primary target has always been the first-year Hero Department students. We saw this during 'Monster Subjugation' and 'Artifact Exploration.' They're focused on the first-years. If we all step outside, the enemies are bound to make a move. It's a perfect opportunity to take them all out.
─Hmm, I see. I'll give it some thought. For now, Theo, we need to question the leader you've captured.
If Rok's considering it, the chances of him agreeing are above 90%.
Rok's approach to work is straightforward, much like a bald scalp devoid of a single hair strand.
"I'll take my leave then."
I bid Rok farewell.
"Be careful. I know it's tough, but keep up the good work. Your efforts will be always be rewarded."
While focusing on the report I handed him, Rok responded.
"Understood. I'll report if anything unusual happens."
Creeeeak─
I left Rok's room.
'I've shared all the information... The majority of the rats should be dealt with by the end of this week.'
If word gets out that the Hero Department first-years are heading outside for practical evaluations, they'll undoubtedly react.
But without their leader, they'll be disorganized.
And that's the moment we strike, hitting them all at once.
As I walked out of the faculty building, sorting out my thoughts,
"You've worked hard, young master. Here's the stamina recovery potion you asked for."
Amy, waiting nearby, approached and handed me the potion.
"Thank you."
I quickly opened the potion.
●Stamina Recovery Potion [Grade: Ordinary]
: Consumption slightly enhances stamina recovery.
However, the effect may vary by individual. [View Details]
Given the item details, I don't expect much.
'A placebo effect is all I can hope for.'
I thought back to the [Potion of Stamina Recover] that Siena gave me before.
I could really use a few more of those.
Maybe I should consider a trip to the Great Forest during vacation?
I downed the stamina recovery potion in one gulp.
"Let's go back."
"Understood, young master."
I retreated to my room and pulled out [Romeo & Juliet] from my bag.
Its design was a mix of glittering gems and gold.
The piece appeared to be the masterwork of a skilled dwarf craftsman.
However, it stood out excessively.
'I should to wrap it in a bandage.'
I encased the sheath in a bandage and then drew the blade.
Shing---
The blade emerged with a sharp sound, a subtle chill emanating from its flawless surface.
Indeed, hero-class items were on a completely different level from ordinary practice daggers.
Being a small dagger made it easier to hide.
"Hmm."
Assuming a stance, I swung the dagger around.
The art of the dagger was different from that of the longsword.
Both the weight and length varied.
'I should analyze the dagger techniques of Jang Woohee or Eshild when I can.'
Without a foundation, it feels awkward.
It was to the extent that I couldn't use it in actual combat.
However, throwing was another story.
I've seen the throwing techniques of Eshild and Jang Woohee before.
'I should try it in a training area.'
It'd be stupid to leave marks here in my room.
"Ah."
And I had yet to test the most crucial aspect.
I placed [Juliet] under the bed and grasped [Romeo] in my hand.
I then summoned it to my side.
"Just as I expected, it works."
There was no noise or spectacle.
As though it had been there from the start, [Juliet] returned to my hand.
Effectively, mini teleportation (Teleport).
Hero-class items truly stood out in numerous ways.
In this original game, Teleportation was considered high-level magic, of the 8th circle.
Its practitioners were few and far between.
You could count on one hand the number of magicians capable of teleporting people across the entire continent.
"Wonderful."
A smile naturally crept onto my face.
Afterwards, I cleaned up and fell asleep immediately, hoping the stamina recovery potion would do its magic.
The next day, Wednesday.
······ The effect of the stamina recovery potion was nil.
"Ugh─"
My body protested with aching muscles.
With my frail constitution, I barely managed to rise from the bed.
I wanted to stay in bed, but it was a weekday.
Luckily, I wasn't completely incapacitated.
I took my time with the shower and dressed up.
"Ah, it's heavy."
The uniform, not even weighing 2kg in total, felt heavy.
I slid [Romeo & Juliet] into my pocket and headed out to catch the carriage.
As usual, Irene climbed aboard the carriage to school.
Automatically, her gaze drifted towards the back seat, diagonally to the right.
"!"
Irene's eyes widened in surprise.
The person she had been searching for was there.
Absent on Monday and Tuesday, he finally showed up.
"What, you."
Irene briskly took the seat next to him.
"Good to see you."
Theo responded nonchalantly, which seemed to irk her.
"Have you been sleeping in lately? Haven't seen you around. As a hero, you should maintain a regular schedule."
Irene reproached him, giving Theo a friendly jab on the shoulder.
"······!"
Theo let out an inward yell.
'Ah, that stings.'
Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't hurt, but his current state of muscle soreness amplified the sensation.
The spreading ache caused Theo to grimace.
Irene looked taken aback.
"Wh, what? Are you hurt?"
"...Well."
It looked serious.
Irene's eyes widened in concern.
"Wh, what... With just a tap... Barely touched you..."
"I'm not feeling well. I've been pushing myself too hard lately."
"Ah, I see. It's muscle soreness then. Well, it's impressive that you're working out so hard to feel like this. My fault."
Irene reached out to Theo.
She started kneading his biceps and triceps.
"Is it better? This is a special massage technique passed down in the Aslan family. I learned it when I was young. You also wield a sword, so your sore spots should be similar... It should help."
Irene looked at Theo with an expectant gaze.
"...Stop."
Theo waved her off.
The massage felt good, of course, but... within the carriage, it was hard not to notice everyone's eyes.
[Twisted Noble's Dignity] activated, and a prickling sensation began to emerge.
"What? you don't like it? I'm sorry. It's my first time doing it for someone else..."
Irene's spirits seemed to dim.
"No, the massage itself was great."
With that, Theo moved closer to Irene.
And he whispered in her ear.
─There are too many eyes on us, Irene.
"!"
Irene's cheeks blushed immediately.
For a while, she muttered to herself, unable to lift her gaze.
"Oh, right. Next time, I will do it when, when... when we are alone... Since we agreed to go on a date on Friday. So─"
"I hate to interrupt, Irene."
Theo gently tapped Irene's shoulder.
"Yes, yes...? Why, why?"
Startled, Irene quivered slightly.
"Don't you need to get off? We're at the Knight Department."
"Oh! Yes, yes! I, I'll get going now! See you on Friday!"
Irene awkwardly descended from the carriage.
Sparring time.
While other students were busy forming pairs and sparring -
"......."
I was merely pretending to spar, choosing instead to observe Jang Woohee's dagger techniques.
‘Observing Jang Woohee's skills is more important.’
After all, the grades for sparring aren't worth much.
It's trivial compared to practical evaluations like the 'Monster Subjugation.'
That's why I had no qualms about using Overload yesterday.
Most students are aware of this, so no one spars as intensely as I did with Piel that one time.
Tarkan, my sparring partner, looked at me.
"You seem a bit off today, Theo."
"It's because of muscle soreness."
"Ah, the mark of a true warrior. They say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Muscle soreness is like a lifelong companion."
Tarkan grinned, baring his teeth.
“……Is that so.”
An orc's smile.
No matter how often I see it, it's hard to get used to.
To be frank, it's intimidating.
After my light sparring session with Tarkan, I took a break and sat on a bench tucked away in a corner.
That's when someone approached me.
"Student Theo."
It was Professor Mari who came to speak to me.
It's been some time since we last saw each other.
As I looked up at her, she wore a warm smile.
"Do you have a moment?"
