Episode 2: A Two-Person Team
Three trees stood tall as True expressed his gratitude to Fei. Despite feeling that their compatibility was poor, he had to thank Fei for saving Maria.
True disliked Fei, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that Fei had saved Maria.
After saying his thanks, True wanted to leave as quickly as possible because he was instinctively afraid of Fei.
Out of a sense of humanity, True forced himself to express his gratitude, but his mind was preoccupied with leaving the scene immediately.
(Still… I can’t overcome this fear… How pathetic… But I can’t forget this terror. The abyss… it’s like a deep-seated fear, similar to self-loathing. It’s a fear that grows stronger. It’s a monster beyond my comprehension. I can’t handle this…)
An unknown fear gripped True. The presence before him didn’t seem like the Fei he once knew. Fei seemed to belong to an entirely different realm of existence.
Humans naturally fear the unknown.
True had faced this unknown abyss at the age of thirteen, An impossible obsession. He does not know what it is, but the overwhelming power of it is etched in his instincts.
It felt like a curse for anyone who had glimpsed even a fraction of the soul’s abyss, which even gods couldn’t comprehend.
── It was no wonder True was terrified. Fei was a delusional person who mistook himself for the protagonist, so True’s fear was understandable.
“……”
“……”
(Quick, let’s get out of here.)
Just as True was about to head towards the orphanage, a pair of individuals approached Fei and True. One had fiery red hair and eyes that seemed to burn like flames, while the other had icy blue hair and cold eyes.
(I remember them…)
True recognized the pair. They had pestered him during his probation period.
In the novel game “Legend of the Round Table Heroes,” True is often harassed by this duo, leading to several combat events.
Arthur also encounters these two and defeats them together, raising their mutual affection levels.
── *Note: Due to Athena’s intentions, the event where True and Arthur are harassed by this duo does not include Fei and has been cut.
“Again, you two?”
“Yeah, it’s us again. Let’s fight! A mock battle!”
The red-haired boy looked at True with a combative gaze. But True, not wanting to engage in a pointless fight, shook his head.
“We’re also curious about your skills. Your ability to handle multiple elements is intriguing.”
The blue-haired boy gave True a cold stare, indicating he wouldn’t back down.
“Sorry, but I’m not—”
“Geez, what a coward. Well, it’s not like I expect much from an orphan like you. You haven’t fought like us.”
“…What does being an orphan have to do with it?”
“Ah, I don’t mean it as an insult. But we’ve been adventurers, constantly fighting. Someone who grew up in an orphanage can’t have the same skills.”
“Interesting.”
Fei stepped in between True and the red-haired boy, looking slightly belligerent look in his eyes.
“What you’re saying implies that orphans are inferior. Let me take your challenge instead. I’m an orphan too, but I didn’t grow up in comfort. I’ll show you.”
“…Fine by me.”
“I was more interested in True, but this should be fun.”
“I don’t mind taking on both of you.”
“If it’s us, we won’t need True to take you down.”
Clearly, they were being underestimated, and True would have no problem with it if it were him personally, but to be mocked for being an orphan and told that he was inferior made him felt insulted not just for himself but for the family at the orphanage.
(Why is he accepting the fight? Does he have a reason? Still, I don’t like the insinuation that orphans are inferior. He saved Maria and is trying to change the perception of orphans. Should I back down here?)
True wrestled with his fear and pride. But after much internal struggle, he made a decision.
(I promised to move forward… Am I going to let fear win again? Even if I can’t overcome it, trying to do so has meaning… If that’s the case—)
“I’ll fight too. It’ll be two against two.”
“Good. It’s not exciting otherwise, right, Fubuki?”
“Yeah, exactly, Glen.”
The red-haired boy was Glen, and the blue-haired boy was Fubuki. In the original scenario, Arthur and True would easily defeat this pair.
“Let’s decide the match by either knockout, dropping or breaking the wooden swords, or surrender.”
But the outcome changes with the presence of an anomaly.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
They all took their stances with wooden swords. True grabbed a spare sword that Fei had set aside, while Glen and Fubuki drew their own.
Fei moved first, kicking off the ground to rapidly close the distance. Fubuki intercepted him. Although Fei’s star magic-energy enhancement was incomplete, Fubuki’s was more refined.
In terms of swordsmanship, Fei had the edge, but he lacked the raw power to capitalize on it.
Fubuki easily blocked Fei’s attack, and his demeanor changed dramatically.
“Hahaha!! You’re good! Making me say that is impressive!!”
The previously cool Fubuki now seemed like a battle maniac, and Glen’s demeanor changed to match.
“I forgot to mention… Fubuki’s personality changes in battle. He becomes reckless, but I can handle him.”
(These two… their personalities changed!?)
Their icy cold voices created the impression that Glen and Fubuki had swapped personalities, which surprised True.
“Tch.”
True clicked his tongue. He couldn’t support Fei with his magic because Fei’s constant movement made it impossible to aim. Glen and Fubuki also used Fei as a shield, complicating things further.
Their two-against-one tactics minimized movement and maximized advantage. Fei, fighting Fubuki, couldn’t handle Glen’s magic support.
A fiery arrow from Glen struck Fei’s shoulder.
“…”
Without showing pain, Fei’s left arm became useless. He continued wielding his sword with his right hand only.
True’s attempts to support with magic failed because Fei’s presence was too overwhelming. His mind was always preoccupied with Fei.
Glen’s magic needed to be countered, but True found himself more concerned about Fei than the enemies.
“It seems we really overestimated you… You’re not our match.”
Fei was blown away. In the next moment, Glen and Fubuki charged at True. Seeing Fei hurt with a head wound and bleeding mouth distracted him.
“Damn it, you guys! Put some spirit into it!!!”
Fubuki’s powerful strike sent True’s sword flying. True was too distracted by Fei, a complete mistake on his part.
“See? We’re the strongest. Even some magical talent can’t beat our synergy.”
“Hahaha!! Of course!”
The two acted as if the match was over. Fei’s wooden sword was also broken.
“Being cooped up in an orphanage doesn’t help growth… We were right to leave.”
“…”
With those words, they left. The defeated duo remained. Fei picked up True’s fallen sword and started practicing his swings again.
Already, the recent battle seemed to be ingrained in his mind. He was constantly improving.
“…I couldn’t prove that orphans aren’t inferior. I couldn’t do anything… Damn it, again…”
“…”
Fei continued to swing his sword without looking at True. That sight made True painfully aware of his own weakness and immaturity.
“Once more… I’ll try again… What about you?”
“…I must become stronger. Relying solely on others goes against my principles. But fine, I’ll join you. The rest is up to you.”
There was a strong determination in Fei’s eyes, a clear intent to test you. True felt something in that gaze.
(Is he testing me? Did he hold back in our last fight to gauge my abilities? He’s still as unreadable as ever… But for now, we share a common goal.)
◆
True’s first step was to understand Fei. How to comprehend him, how to coordinate with him.
The two of them had fought together. Their mutual understanding was flawless, which was why Fei and True lost. Fei was as usual, but True was too conscious of Fei, turning their combined strength into a weakness.
Fei was an enigma. Asking him directly revealed nothing about his true nature. Yet, True believed that without understanding Fei, they couldn’t coordinate effectively. So he thought about Fei while walking through the capital.
(How can I… Oh! Isn’t that Yuru-sensei over there?)
The swordmaster always with Fei. If anyone knew something about Fei, it would be her.
“Yuru-sensei!”
“Oh, True! What’s the matter?”
“Actually… [explains the situation].”
“I see… So you want to understand Fei. Well, even I find him hard to understand…”
Even Yuru-sensei found Fei difficult to comprehend.
“We need to defeat those two, so please, tell me anything that might help.”
“I’m a bit surprised that Fei and you lost. Glen and Fubuki are your peers, not veterans. True, you’re quite skilled, and Fei’s swordsmanship is impressive. I can’t say much without knowing the exact situation, but it seems you struggled to coordinate with Fei. Maybe you don’t need to focus so much on perfect teamwork. Fei could probably handle both of them on his own.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, as a teacher, I shouldn’t give you all the answers. But you’ll figure it out! You can do it! Good luck!”
“Uh, right.”
True felt more confused.
“Um, is there anything else you can tell me? About being good partners?”
“Partners!? Well, Fei is a bit rough and reckless. Maybe an older, nurturing woman would suit him. Someone who shares his love for swords… a silver-haired woman who also likes swords… Just kidding! What am I saying? How embarrassing!”
“…I see.”
(Who is she talking about…? Does gender even matter for battle partners? Yuru-sensei is surprisingly difficult.)
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