Chapter 177 : Sigaro Isaac

The incident of Reinz's death and my being suspected was brushed over partly because Reinz's name value was so insignificant, and partly because the Academy had intervened.

However, even if the Academy hadn't intervened, Reinz's death would have been buried anyway.

To the reporters, the subsequent appearance of Sigaro Isaac and his visit to the Academy was a more tantalizing topic.

One look at the Royal Dream made it clear.

[The Empire's Greatest Magic Swordsman! Why Did the Sword that Protects the Emperor Leave the Royal Palace to Visit the Academy?]

[The Sleeping Black Lion, Finally Turning His Gaze to Nurturing a Disciple?]

Sensational headlines and articles.

Sigaro Isaac's movements were drawing the attention of many, and public opinion was writing down its own speculations about the reason and purpose of his visit to the Academy.

Reading them, I thought about the figure named Sigaro Isaac.

He has many titles attached to him, such as the continent's first magic swordsman, the Emperor's black lion, and so on.

The black lion became his symbolic animal because of the characteristic of black lions living alone, unlike regular lions that live in prides.

The king of the great plains who fights against magical beasts larger than himself to protect his territory.

They say it's similar to the life story of the man named Sigaro Isaac.

Anyway, he wasn't covered in detail, and he didn't have much contact with the player character, Ivan, so I don't know the details.

Still, what's certain is that his disposition is clearly 'good'.

I've seen the ending dozens of times, but there was never any description or explanation that he was a member of the cult.

"Did he really just happen to come by, find Reinz who had turned into a magical beast, and take care of him for me?"

For now, it would be reasonable to see it that way.

"Ah. Maybe it wasn't by chance? He came to see Yuria and witnessed such a thing."

As the articles speculated, the purpose of Sigaro Isaac's visit to the Academy was indeed Yuria.

I don't know the exact reason.

He might have been intrigued as a fellow magic swordsman, or he might really be intending to train her as a disciple.

However, out of consideration for the deceased, he only had a brief conversation with the professors before leaving the Academy.

And the day he said he would come again was today.

"When is he coming?"

I thought he would at least come late in the afternoon after finishing his daily routine, but his visit was earlier than I expected.

It was when I had an early breakfast and was training with Yuria as always.

After exchanging a round of swords with Yuria.

As I was about to sit on a bench to cool off and give feedback on the spar we just had, an announcement looking for Yuria rang out.

Chiiik──

[Ah, ah. This is a broadcast from the main building. 890th class Yuria, please come to the Vice-Dean's office on the 4th floor of the main building immediately. I repeat. 890th class Yuria, please come immediately......]

"Senior."

Honestly, it was a bit bewildering.

"Uh...... I guess he's here."

"I know, right."

Yuria looked at me with deep disappointment.

I too felt the flow being cut off here, and my brow furrowed automatically.

"Aish. I was just about to get fired up with the passion for learning. Right?"

"Yes."

"What's the rush that he came so early? The workload of the Royal Knights must be more relaxed than I thought."

"I guess so."

"What a cushy job. Let's try to get in there after we graduate."

Yuria nodded.

A chuckle could be heard from between her slightly raised lips.

A sense of pride spread through my chest as my joke landed successfully again.

Come to think of it, Yuria was great because she laughed well at whatever I said.

How do I know this? Because my jokes didn't land well with other women like Karina, Rachel, or Professor Ilai.

'As expected of my right hand.'

Naturally, I had no intention of letting Sigaro Isaac take Yuria away from me, not even as much as a mosquito's asshole.

'He wants to recruit her as a disciple? Absolutely not.'

How did I raise Yuria?

The saying 'to cook porridge and give it to a dog' does not apply to me.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

However, this could be purely my personal thought and greed.

What if Yuria herself wants to learn properly from Sigaro Isaac and become a great magic swordsman?

It's true that I was the one who first showed her the path of a magic swordsman, but the one who actually walked that path is not me, but Sigaro Isaac.

No matter how much I give feedback and become her training partner, a single word of heartfelt advice from an experienced person who has walked that path before could be more valuable to Yuria.

No, it most certainly will be.

So Yuria's thoughts could be different from mine.

This being the case, I'm curious about her true feelings.

So, while heading to the main building, I carefully asked her.

"Yuria."

"Yes, senior."

"In my opinion, I think Sir Isaac came all this way because of you."

"Why?"

......What do you mean, why?

Is she asking back because she genuinely doesn't know?

I looked at Yuria.

It seemed she really didn't know.

Her jet-black eyes staring at me were sparkling with pure curiosity.

'This is bewildering in its own way.'

Still, I felt good for some reason.

Her reaction had already given me the answer.

'She's not even interested at all. Hehe.'

Sigaro Isaac? So what.

The reaction Yuria just showed was exactly that.

Still, just in case, I decided to ask her directly again.

"He's been the only magic swordsman on the continent until now, so wouldn't he be interested that a new magic swordsman has appeared at the Academy?"

"Yes."

"So he'd be curious, and there would be various things he'd want to teach you. Right?"

"He wants to teach me? Why?"

"Well, because you'd have something in common."

A strange light appeared in Yuria's eyes.

"Being the only one might seem special to others, but it might not be for the person themselves."

Sigaro Isaac built up numerous proofs and results to be recognized as a magic swordsman.

However, people only focus on the results.

No one understands the blood, sweat and effort he shed to achieve them.

"It's a hardship that only another magic swordsman, someone just like him, can understand."

The loneliness and solitude he received from that, only he would know.

"But now, a new magic swordsman who can understand him has appeared at the Academy. How happy would he be? He'd want to meet you quickly, share stories, and teach you all the techniques, tips, and insights he has learned."

"For free?"

"Of course not. I think he'd probably ask you to come work under him after graduation. Someone of the rank of a Royal Knight should be able to employ a few personal knights."

"......"

"Wow, the more I think about it, that's an incredible opportunity, huh? To receive teachings under a Royal Knight. It's an unparalleled honor. You'd be a fool to refuse, a fool."

After praising it excessively, I sneakily turned my eyes to glance at Yuria's side profile, but Yuria showed no particular reaction.

Complete indifference.

......Or so I thought.

"What about you, senior?"

A question came at me like a hook.

"......Huh? What about me?"

"If, as you say, he wants to take me in as an apprentice knight, and I accept that offer. What about you, senior?"

You're even asking that?

Of course it would suck!

I wanted to say that.

But, my damn mouth spouted words completely different from my inner thoughts.

"That's your choice. It's not something I can tell you what to do."

"I see. I understand. Ah, we're here."

......Huh?

"Then I'll be back. See you in the evening."

Yuria, who had arrived at the main building's front gate before I knew it, quickly ran up the stairs.

Watching her back, I thought.

'She understands? What?'

Shit. I'm definitely seriously afflicted with the cool-guy disease, the nice-senior disease.

'What? It's your choice so I can't tell you what to do? You fucking idiot.'

I grabbed my forehead and screamed silently.

It was too late to regret.

She was already gone.

I sat down on a nearby bench for now.

As I pondered, I automatically brought my nails to my mouth and started chewing on them.

'What if Yuria really accepts Sigaro's offer?'

Of course, I believe Yuria won't.

From what I've seen of her for a long time, that's my feeling.

But isn't there always a 'what if'.

Also.

'I don't know what Sir Isaac will say to Yuria inside.'

I get that the person named Sigaro Isaac has a 'good' disposition, I get it.

But the problem is that I have no idea what sweet offer he will use to entice Yuria.

That has nothing to do with being good or bad.

'I can't stand the curiosity.'

So I decided to use that guy.

Peter.

My last familiar, a familiar that could also be called my other eye existing in the Academy.

As I drew up my mana and focused my mind, I felt a new sense open up as my bond with the guy who was staying in the auditorium connected strongly.

Sensory sharing that occurs when the rapport between a summoner and a familiar is high.

In that state, I moved Peter from the auditorium and sent him straight to the Vice-Dean's office.

But there was a problem.

'Let's go a little faster. Pleeease. Why are you so slow?'

The distance from the auditorium to the Vice-Dean's office was a bit far.

And since Peter was such a small and precious guy, there was a bit of a movement speed issue.

'Damn it. At this rate, the conversation will be over.'

And so, somehow, I arrived at the Vice-Dean's office.

As I passed through the narrow gap between the floor and the door, I could hear the sound of a conversation riding on the vibration of the air.

[Why? May I ask the reason?]

Fortunately, it seemed I wasn't too late.

***

Just before going up to the 4th floor where the Vice-Dean's office was located, Yuria looked out the window.

There was Gerard, covering his face and acting strangely before sitting down on a bench.

'Is senior going to wait for me?'

Maybe not, but with a glimmer of hope, a smile spread across her lips before she knew it.

The disappointment she had felt from Gerard's lukewarm answer a moment ago vanished as if washed away.

'Senior might be waiting, so I have to come out quickly.'

Yuria went back up.

As Gerard had said, the Vice-Dean's call was highly likely to be related to Sigaro Isaac.

If not, there would be no reason for him to be called alone.

In fact, that prediction was accurate.

Knock knock-

The Vice-Dean's office she entered.

There, besides the Vice-Dean, Karad, one man was sitting on the sofa, waiting for Yuria.

"You're here, Yuria. There is someone who wishes to see you. You probably saw him from a distance once. Please greet him, this is the Royal Knight, Sigaro Isaac. Sir Isaac."

"Hello. I am the 890th class hero cadet, Yuria."

"Yes. It's nice to meet you."

Sigaro's eyes, staring at Yuria, flashed for a moment.

"A magic swordsman?"

He didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"I haven't been officially recognized, but for now, I am being educated as such."

"Education? Was there a magic swordsman education course at the Academy?"

At Sigaro's question, the Vice-Dean shook his head.

"Of course there is no such thing. It's a temporary measure, but we are providing as much support as possible by assigning two supervising professors to give special guidance."

"Who are the two supervising professors?"

"They are Ronica Jasmine and Chaser Idna, we have assigned skilled individuals."

Hearing the names of the two, Sigaro nodded his head automatically.

Just having one of them attached to provide special guidance was incredible, but to have two attached was a tremendous privilege.

"That's unexpected. It must not have been an easy decision. There must have been some opposition."

"Haha. I can't deny it. It would have been difficult if not for the Dean's decision."

"The Dean? Is he still involved in the Academy's administration?"

"Of course. Well, he does pass most of it on to me. There was also the opinion of another friend."

"Another friend, do you mean the cadet named Gerard you mentioned earlier?"

"Haha. That's right."

At the mention of Gerard's name, Yuria's body flinched. Sigaro Isaac did not miss that minute reaction.

"Anyway, the cadet Yuria here has clearly proven her path and conviction, and we have accepted it as genuine. That is why we promised our full support."

"......"

"However, we also don't know how that process looks in the eyes of an actual magic swordsman."

Sigaro looked at Yuria.

Until then, Yuria had been sitting still on the sofa with her gaze fixed on the empty air.

"Do you know why I wanted to see you?"

"No."

"Is that so? Still, you must have a rough idea. I came here to make you an offer."

And the offer that came out of his mouth was even more surprising than expected.

"Leave the Academy and come work under me."