Volume 1 Chapter 7 Lady Margrethe Erik
That woman...
I knew her. Of course I did—she was from the game.
"What's your current ability?" she asked, glaring at me.
"It's just a simple palm strike," I answered. "But... you've never heard of karate, right? It's a mystical martial art from the East."
I made something up on the spot. In the original game, the fighter and ninja classes had techniques that looked like karate.
"Liar."
She crossed her arms, watching me carefully.
"You're hiding some kind of power, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
Her name was Margrethe. A fellow first-year and one of the game's sub-heroines. She started off hostile, but through school events, she'd eventually fall for the protagonist Blaze and join his group.
"If you're looking to bother someone, go annoy Blaze instead of me."
I tilted my head toward Blaze, who was sitting on the ground holding his head.
"Blaze is certainly strong," Margrethe admitted easily. "But I don't feel inspired by a strength I already understand."
Saying that in front of him? That's rough. Blaze bit his lip in frustration.
"You're different. You're hiding something incredible... aren't you?"
Nope. Just a bugged technique. She's totally off.
Still... being mistaken for a "Hero with Hidden Power" was unexpectedly hilarious.
Since she already misjudged me, I might as well mess with her a little. From now on, I'm no longer just some background character. I'm part of the elite Hero party.
"So, I was right," she said.
I let out a dramatic sigh.
"By the way, Margrethe, I have a prediction too."
"Wh-Why are you calling me by name?! We just met!"
She looked genuinely shocked, practically jumping on the spot.
"Could it be... that this is also part of your ability?"
"Who knows, Margrethe?"
"Only my father and elder brother may call me by name without honorifics. Use 'Lady Margrethe' or 'Miss Margrethe.'"
"Understood, Margrethe."
"You... really..."
She folded her arms, looking exasperated.
"Well, fine. Tell me your prophecy, then."
She was clearly curious. After all, I had guessed her name on the first try.
"Margrethe, you'll end up teaming up with Blaze over there. You'll become very close friends."
A few of the remaining onlookers gasped in surprise.
"N-No way... Don't say something so ridiculous. What are you even talking about?!"
Her cheeks turned bright red. She was clearly flustered.
"I hate men. They're weak, yet arrogant..."
Her voice trembled. Something about her words felt twisted. A stark contrast from Ran's straightforward honesty.
"I'll save the world with my own strength," she declared.
As expected from someone linked to the Hero party. Good mindset. I hope they do well against the Demon King. Me? I'm just here to live a quiet life with Ran.
"You're underestimating what men are capable of."
I said it firmly.
"N-No, that's not..."
"Then let's test it."
I reached out and gripped her arm.
"Try to shake me off."
Margrethe was a magician. A Mage-class character with low STR. Even a mob like me could overpower her physically.
"Stop it!"
She struggled, but in the process, ended up in my arms.
"See?"
"That's not fair!"
She looked up at me with frustration and a trace of regret in her eyes.
"If only I could use magic..."
She bit her lip in frustration.
"I understand."
I gave her a calm smile. Her expression softened.
"...You understand?"
"Yeah. You're a skilled caster and a good person. But in this world, strength matters too. If you ignore that, you'll die someday. Monsters aren't nearly as gentle as I am."
"...I see."
She stayed in my arms a moment longer, saying nothing. Her hair and skin carried a soft, pleasant scent—probably thanks to her noble upbringing.
"...Let go. I get it now."
"Alright, sorry."
Once free, she quickly straightened her clothes.
"Thanks... for the advice. I suppose I should thank you."
"You're welcome."
At least she knows how to show gratitude.
"Members of the Erik family are taught to show proper manners, even to commoners."
"I see... Thanks, Margrethe."
"Hey! I told you not to call me that!"
Flushing completely red, she turned and ran off.
Maybe I teased her too much.
But halfway down the path, she stopped.
She stood there for a moment before turning around.
"Your name's Mobu, right?"
"Yeah."
"I see... Mo... Mobu. Nice to meet you."
She muttered it and disappeared.
Ran watched her leave with a worried expression.
"...She was glaring at you. Is she okay? I hope you don't get bullied just for being SSS class."
"I'll be fine. She's part of Blaze's party. It's not really my problem."
"I see..."
She looked surprised.
"...That's the plan, huh."
"Mobu, you kind of see the future sometimes, don't you."
She looked up at me, smiling softly.
"I'll teach you both about the dormitory rules and daily life, but..."
The crowd had already dispersed. Blaze had vanished, limping away. He glanced back once, envy flickering in his eyes.
Then Ms. Lina approached Ran and me.
"Mobu and Ran will be living in the old dormitory," she said.
"Eh..."
Ms. Lina's eyes widened in surprise.
"Normally, we assign boys and girls to separate dorms..."
She tilted her head, puzzled.
"And how do you even know about the old dormitory?"
Easy. It's from the game. In the old dorms, all kinds of events pop up.
"Even though the academy provides food and shelter, they don't help with living expenses," I explained. "Most students get an allowance from home. But Ran and I are orphans. Right, Ran?"
"Yeah."
Ran nodded beside me.
"We're different from someone like Blaze."
He had already paid his tuition before enrolling, and as a scholarship student, it got refunded. He's basically loaded.
"So we'll live in the old dormitory, where there's no fee. Instead of giving us regular rooms, just pay us the equivalent in cash. We'll use that for our living expenses."
"I see..."
Ms. Lina looked impressed.
"That's certainly one way to handle it. You're surprisingly capable for a fifteen-year-old."
Well, yeah. I'm basically a worn-out office worker on the inside. If I couldn't come up with this kind of idea, I'd have broken down years ago.
She fell silent, seeming to consider something.
"You know the old dorm's being used as a stable now, right?"
"I do."
That's exactly what makes it valuable. Random mysterious events happen there. In the game, there were tons of off-route events in that place. Like someone falling into a well that leads to a mini dungeon, or a horse digging up ancient magic accessories.
Pretty sure the devs stuffed in all the deleted features that didn't fit the main story.
"You're okay with living in a stable?"
"We are."
"There are parts that aren't used for animals, but no one's lived there in years. It smells like horses, you know."
Ms. Lina glanced at Ran.
"Mobu might be fine, but Ran's a girl..."
"It's alright, Ms. Lina," Ran replied with a small smile. "We're both from the countryside. We like horses. We'd even be happy to take care of them."
"That would actually be a huge help for the academy..."
"But we'd like to be left alone as much as possible," I said. "We're here to live quietly."
The only reason I enrolled was to build a stable life with Ran. I don't want to become an adventurer.
Hearing that, Ms. Lina laughed.
"I like you two. You're different. Most kids come here hoping to make noble connections or join the royal guard. They're all so eager and ambitious."
She let out a long breath.
"Alright, then. The old dorm is a bit of a mess, but feel free to clean it up and live however you like."
She took our hands.
"I'll come visit now and then."
Notes:
• Margrethe - Female. A new student and sub-heroine character in the game. She is a Mage class with low physical strength. Her appearance is not described in detail, but she is noted to have a pleasant scent. She initially comes off as hostile but warms up to the protagonist, Blaze, over time. She is proud and insists on being addressed with honorifics, reflecting her noble upbringing. She has a strong dislike for men, considering them weak and arrogant. Her relationship with Mobu starts on a tense note, but she eventually shows a more vulnerable side, acknowledging her need to improve her physical strength.
• 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.
• 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.
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