I don't know when Osprey will return.
Until then, I decided to interfere as little as possible in this world.
Elodie and I have already broken all the rules set out in the letter that Osprey gave to the current Principal, Jane.
I told Elodie that she was forgotten by everyone due to the influence of the magic, and Elodie accepted it, but...
That's not all there is to it.
'...If I say this, other people will think I'm crazy, but...'
Elodie has too many gods.
From my experience living in this world so far, having a god by your side doesn't always mean good things. In fact, it's often the opposite.
The best example is Edwin, who was mentally manipulated by his god, Hephaestus. This ultimately led to a great sense of guilt for Edwin, and he no longer believes in gods.
'There's a possibility that Elodie being caught in Osprey's magic was the work of a god.'
It doesn't have to be Rudra. Elodie has five gods.
From my conversation with Rudra, gods have a completely different perspective from humans. The way they care for and love humans may be fundamentally different from what humans think.
'They say that the owners of a human's divine power are proof that they love that human, but...'
Love isn't always good. Even the love of a god.
It wouldn't be strange for one of the five gods to have a misguided love. From my point of view, Rudra is strange enough as it is.
Anyway, having a god doesn't necessarily bring good results for humans.
As proof of that,
"Ugh!"
Even now, Pielott is rolling on the ground in front of me because his god, Hypnos, was caught trying to steal my things.
The rumor that Pielott, the most promising freshman of the year, is being bullied by the worst sophomore is still rife at Constel.
That rumor will never die down.
Because it's a clear and undeniable fact.
"...Hmm."
Pielott is tested by me once a month.
It's not so much a test as a bet on whether I'll turn a blind eye to his criminal acts or not, which, from Pielott's perspective, is a gamble on his future life.
If he touches my body within 5 minutes, Pielott wins, but...
"Kugh!"
Looking at Pielott rolling on the ground after being hit by my Instantaneous Weaving once again, I feel a little bit sorry for him.
'...What should I do.'
I pondered for a bit.
Honestly, I have no intention of reporting Pielott. Whether I win or lose. This test has already gone beyond that point. It was like that from the beginning, and Pielott probably knows it too.
Therefore, I need to readjust my state to match Pielott's current level.
If I continue like this, it will really be nothing more than bullying.
'The combination of Obsidian and Instantaneous Weaving that I have works even on demons.'
Of course, the demons summoned by that Mizonaus guy were just numerous, not particularly strong. That would have been the limit with the gate forcibly opened using the Dragon Heart.
However, considering the characteristic of demons being able to use Aura as easily as breathing, it's clear that they have a significant head start compared to humans.
Pielott, who has a natural aptitude for Aura, has already mastered it before even acquiring proper swordsmanship. The title of the most promising freshman comes from that aptitude.
In other words, Pielott's talent starts at almost the same level as most demons. That alone is a tremendous talent.
'So, I did various experiments back then...'
Knowing that, I tried various experiments while I had the time to deal with the demons.
What's the difference between Obsidian's weaving and Menosorpo's weaving, can I handle them with Obsidian alone, how much can demons withstand the weapons of the gods, and how much of a gap is there between them and Constel freshmen.
...The fact I found out through those various experiments is that the combination of Obsidian and Instantaneous Weaving alone makes the opponent feel extremely difficult.
So difficult that there were countless cases of them dying while trying to cope. It means it's difficult enough to die.
'It was natural for the freshmen to have a hard time passing my test back then. I was wrong.'
From that perspective, Pielott is currently facing an opponent who is completely out of his league.
It's not that I'm strong, but rather that the combination I'm using now is excessively difficult. It was a combination that could handle dozens of demons attacking at once.
'But if I lower my skill level, Pielott's bad habits will come out again...'
The reason I'm continuing this bullying-like match is that I can't see into Pielott's heart.
Is Pielott ready to grow now? Will he return to his arrogant self like before? Will he forget again that the basics are just as important as Aura?
"I, I'm still far from it!"
"There's still time left."
I spoke coldly in response to Pielott's cry. I quietly observe Pielott as he charges at me with gritted teeth.
...He doesn't rush in recklessly like before. He's fully thinking and preparing. It's also because he's gotten used to my attacks, but his response has become faster, and he doesn't easily show any openings.
'Is this enough?'
Thwack!
"Ugh!"
Even if he gets hit somewhere, he doesn't panic or lose his balance. The option of getting hit was clearly imprinted in his mind.
However, there's something, a certain frustration that's different from the Pielott I've seen so far. It doesn't feel like he's giving it his all.
This is something I can't easily overlook.
Did Pielott notice that I wouldn't report him and is now fighting half-heartedly? My attitude towards Pielott becomes increasingly cold because of that suspicion.
...But as time passes, and I realize that Pielott's serious attitude isn't an act, I become even more puzzled. Is there another reason why he's not giving it his all?
"Pielott."
In the end, I decided to ask directly.
"Why aren't you giving it your all?"
"Th-That's not true!"
Pielott exclaimed in surprise. But from what I see, he's definitely not giving it his all.
"I'm not blaming you. Of course, I was thinking of doing so at first, but it seems like there's some reason I don't know."
"Th-That's..."
"If this continues, your pride as a warrior will be hurt before you're even reported for a crime."
At my words, Pielott bit his lip tightly.
After a deep sigh, Pielott said,
"...Do you remember the freshman skill test?"
"Of course I do."
"Back then, I ignored the strategy that Dier came up with and tried to attack you, senior."
At that time, Pielott had two choices: attack me or attack the key.
By choosing this binary option first, he could have gained an advantage over me, but Pielott was only looking at me, completely ignoring the key.
"At that time, because of my stubbornness, I ruined the strategy. It was a strategy that Dier was certain would guarantee our team's victory."
"...Guarantee victory?"
That's surprising. Just because you present the binary option first doesn't mean you'll definitely win.
"How could you guarantee victory? In that situation?"
At my question, Pielott hesitated and then said,
"...I can separate Aura and the actual sword and attack different targets simultaneously."
"......!"
I looked at Pielott in surprise at those words.
"...Back then, you could have struck me and the key at the same time?"
"Yes."
That's definitely a 100% winning strategy. Especially since I didn't know he had such a skill.
But then...
"Then you could use that skill even now when fighting me, so why aren't you doing that?"
If Pielott can attack simultaneously in two different trajectories, it wouldn't be easy for even me to handle.
As expected of Pielott, whose talent in Aura is different from others, he can even use such a high-level skill.
However, Pielott hesitated and then turned his eyes to the side as if embarrassed.
"Th-That skill has a fatal flaw."
"What is it?"
"...Well, how should I put it..."
Pielott pursed his lips, which didn't suit him at all, and then mumbled in a voice that was barely audible,
"...I have to sheathe the sword."
"...Huh?"
"In other words, it's 'Iaijutsu'." [T/N: A quick-draw sword technique]
Sheathe the sword.
That means, before using the skill, he has to perform a dangerous action of sheathing the sword, which is neither offensive nor defensive.
'Iaijutsu', while its image is cool, realistically speaking...
"...Why?"
Is the question that inevitably comes up.
Pielott's face turned red, and he muttered in a voice that trailed off,
"...When I was young, I thought drawing the sword looked cool."
"Cool?"
"I practiced it so much that I can only do it that way now."
"..."
I was about to say something, but in the end, I just closed my mouth.
The worries of Constel's most promising freshman were indeed extraordinary.
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