Volume 1 Chapter 11 The World Line Diverged With Mysterious Flags
"You're not scared. You're strong, Thundermaru, even when you're hurting."
Tears welled up in Ran's large eyes, falling onto Thundermaru's soft, ash-colored fur.
"See? It's not scary at all."
She whispered gently, repeating soothing words by Thundermaru's ear. The creature slowly relaxed, her nose nuzzling Ran's cheek like a quiet thank-you.
"...Such a gentle girl. Don't cry. I'm here with you."
Ran stroked her gently, calming both of them.
"Alright. Now that she's settled, it's a good time. Have you finished discussing the magic?"
"Yes," Ms. Lina replied with a nod.
"RanRan will handle the healing magic. She can only use basic-level spells right now, but thanks to her high aptitude, the spell should be fairly effective. I'll add Support Magic to boost its effect. It will amplify both her casting and Thundermaru's ability to receive the healing. That should double the results."
"That's a solid plan," I said.
As expected of someone handpicked by the Royal Academy. She was making the most of what we had.
"Ran, let's switch. I'll take over calming Thundermaru. You focus on Ms. Lina and the treatment."
"Mobu..."
Ran gently guided Thundermaru toward me. I couldn't use calming magic—or any magic at all—but I had been helping Ran take care of her since the beginning. Thundermaru knew that. Even with the pain in her leg, she must've understood we were doing this to help.
"Easy now, Thundermaru. It's alright."
I stroked her snout softly. Her round eyes looked into mine, full of quiet trust. The faint scent of horsehair reached me.
"...She's calm. You can begin."
"Okay."
"Understood."
Ran and Ms. Lina knelt down on either side of Thundermaru's injured leg. They exchanged a brief glance, nodded, and began chanting in sync. A soft green light began to glow, wrapping gently around the limb.
After a few moments...
"Phew..."
Ms. Lina let out a breath, still crouched.
"Your turn, RanRan."
"Yes."
The two stood together, hand in hand.
"I wonder if it worked..."
"I think it did, Ms. Lina."
"Brrr..."
Thundermaru happily licked Ran's cheek, already standing more firmly on her front legs. She limped slightly, but it seemed to be from the splint, not a break.
"That was a success."
"Yes. The rest should heal naturally with time."
Ms. Lina turned to me, smiling warmly.
"I'm really glad I called for you two. I don't think I could've handled this alone."
"Just in case, please have the recovery mage teacher look at it tomorrow—Monday."
"I will. Though honestly, I doubt we'll need to. RanRan's magic was so strong, it was almost unbelievable. For initial-level healing, that was something else."
She looked genuinely surprised.
"After all, when I thought Thundermaru might die... everything went blank in my head."
"So that's what awakened your power. You did great, Ran."
I gently placed a hand on her head. Her eyes filled with tears again.
"I... I really thought I was going to lose everything..."
I couldn't say anything more. She leaned against me, trembling softly.
"You did well. You were very brave."
"...Mobu..."
She rested her head against my neck. Her breath was warm, and her voice came out in a soft whisper.
"...I don't want to die, Mobu."
The touch of her words lingered more than anything else. From the way she stayed close, I could almost mistake it for something more—a moment of closeness that said more than words ever could.
"I won't let that happen," I said quietly.
But the truth was... in the original story, I wasn't supposed to survive the Starting Village. Even I didn't know what path I'd take now. I was never meant to follow the main route. I wasn't a chosen hero.
I was something entirely new.
"Still, Mobu..."
Ms. Lina's voice reached us as she watched Ran clinging to me.
"You have sharp judgment and natural leadership. I'm impressed."
"I... I see..."
Honestly, I didn't really get it myself. I just couldn't let Thundermaru die.
Maybe it's because I'm mentally an old man. Back in my corporate life—those days in the Black Corporation hell—I often had those late nights. When you realize at 2AM that if you don't finish by sunrise, everything snowballs. I guess some of that stress training is helping now.
"Mobu, you don't seem like a Z-class rookie at all. Honestly, you're more suited to being a party leader. I'm starting to think Hector's exam criteria might need updating. I only gave you a Z reluctantly, but now... I wonder if that was even the right call."
"Thank you..."
I didn't care about ranks, to be honest. I just wanted to live here quietly for a while. Ran and I had things to prepare, and we needed to figure out how to survive long-term.
The stablehand wages, the dorm fee refund we should've received from the boys' dorm mix-up with the girls' dorm... We were slowly building a small savings, but how long would that last after we left the academy? No clue. I wasn't even from this world. I didn't have a good sense for what "monthly living costs" looked like here. Ran was raised in the countryside, living off the land—so she wasn't much help either.
"If I get stuck again, I might ask you for help..."
Ms. Lina said that with a calm smile, her eyes soft.
"Being the academy nurse is busier than you'd think. I help students with more than just medicine—sometimes their problems too. If I can rely on someone as a leader, it would be a huge mental relief."
I let out a small sigh.
"I'm really not the leadership type. I'm more comfortable supporting someone stronger than me..."
She looked at me, eyes glowing with a quiet warmth. Thinking about it, she used Support Magic. Maybe she really was the kind of person who gives strength to others from the background.
Which meant... yeah. I could already see it coming. Future academy quests, nurse's office visits... it wouldn't be a surprise if the story started piling events around her instead of Class Z.
"That's fine. If it's something Ms. Lina needs, I'll help. Right, Ran?"
"...Yeah."
Ran nodded, her cheeks slightly red, still pressed against me.
"If Mobu decides it... I'll follow."
"Then it's settled. Mobu, I'll be counting on you."
Ms. Lina gently took my hand in hers.
"Alright."
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around my arm, softly leaning in. I could feel her warmth against me.
"Hehe. Don't forget, okay? Our promise... Leader."
Her voice was soft and teasing. And in that moment—a red ring of light appeared, glowing faintly above the three of us... and disappeared just as quickly.
"...Huh?"
Something definitely triggered. But the girls didn't react. Did they not notice it?
"...A flag just went up."
"Hm? What is it, Mobu?"
Ran looked up at me curiously.
"No, it's nothing."
Still... that felt like more than just a bond event. Could this be... a harem flag?
Ms. Lina was supposed to be 17—two years older than my current self. But from the perspective of my "true self," she felt younger. Not exactly in the strike zone. Almost a waste, even.
In the original game, she never joined the protagonist Blaze's harem, no matter which route you took. As a Support Magic user, she was just the reliable helper NPC who showed up for tough fights during academy events.
But now... this wasn't just a harem flag, was it? At the very least, it was clearly a party formation flag.
In normal game terms, this would be where an NPC says, "Nice to meet you," and officially joins your team. That moment when they go from background character to playable companion.
Usually, you'd go straight into your inventory and give them solid gear. But this was reality. I couldn't exactly yank off her lab coat and equip her with a +2 staff. Besides, I didn't even have spare gear—not even for myself.
"...So this worldline has branched again."
It was drifting further and further from the original.
A strange dizziness hit me.
This world is deeper than I thought. Just following the game's route with my old knowledge won't be enough.
Even this whole broken leg quest—nothing like it was listed under "possible random events in the old dorm" in the game. Not even on the strategy wiki.
The protagonist Blaze is just a puppet moved by the scenario writer.
Something like this? He'd never get to experience it.
And yet...
This was getting fun.
My gamer soul stirred.
Notes:
• Thundermaru - Female (horse). A calm and kind horse with a gray coat. Injured her front left leg due to a student's mistake. Comforts Ran despite her own pain. Well-cared for by Ran and Mobu.
• Ran - Female. An orphan and a close friend of Mobu. She has long, dark hair and a gentle appearance. Ran is kind and trusting, often relying on Mobu for guidance. She survives the demon attack by hiding in the secret base with Mobu.
• Ms. Lina - Female. The kind-looking elder sister at the academy's reception desk. She has a relaxed demeanor and a gentle smile. She oversees the entrance exams and allows Blaze's impromptu battle with Mobu and Ran, noting their shared hometown. She flips through documents casually, suggesting she is organized yet laid-back.
• Starting Village - A small, poor village located in a rural area. It was founded by the Village Head after he cleared the wilderness. The village is now safe from monsters, and Mobu and Ran are considering it as a potential base for survival.
• Hector - A prestigious academy located in the kingdom, known for training adventurers. It is primarily for the children of nobles and wealthy merchants, with a few spots reserved for those with true ability. The entrance exam is practical rather than theoretical.
• Blaze - Male. The protagonist of the game, born into the wealthy Rosinore family. He has blond hair and a heroic appearance. Blaze is kind and lacks arrogance despite his status. He is destined to become a hero and defeat the Demon King. His relationship with Mobu and Ran is complex, as they are not part of the main story.
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