"Luca. I heard the rumor. You're looking for a bride?"

"You've heard nonsense."

"A-a bride?"

Lunchtime, and the original group of four was back together. It seemed Milia had heard the rumor, and wore a sly grin.

"Well~ I heard Luca's type is a woman stronger than himself?"

"Gasp!"

"That's not what was said. The original statement was a woman strong enough to duel me."

"Oh~ So you're not denying it?"

"... Tsk."

Luca clicked his tongue and shut his mouth with a spoonful of soup.

Milia let out a stifled chuckle and continued.

"So? Have you found her yet? Your love?"

"I've dueled with a total of a hundred people over the last two days, and I haven't lost a single match."

"Wow~ Really? I heard some pretty impressive folks showed up yesterday."

"Exaggerated. From the start, under the academy's authorized dueling power level, there's no one who can beat me."

"There's one person, isn't there?"

"?"

At her words, Luca wore a puzzled expression.Milia grinned and pointed to the side.

"... Young lady, your jest is too much."

There certainly was someone. A member of Night who protected the imperial family—a woman strong enough to duel Luca.

Despite Milia's words, Isella did not bother to hide her annoyance, and Luca also shook his head.

"She's out of the standard. And not my type, appearance-wise."

"What a coincidence. I never liked your skinny looks either."

"Hey. I didn't point out your utter lack of femininity, so why bring that up?"

"And it's a little funny to hear that from someone whose face doesn't have a hint of masculinity."

"... That's it. A duel, for the first time in a while."

"Fine. Come outside, right now."

As the two left in the middle of their meal, Milia tried to stifle her laughter.

"Don't those two look good together?"

"To be honest, when I heard the rumor, I thought Luca was talking about Isella."

"Yeah, me too."

Ottbo ended up blurting out something he'd never dare say in front of Luca himself.

Honestly, among students their age, there was no one except Isella who might be able to beat Luca.

"But if Isella beats Luca here, wouldn't the rumor die out? His ideal type would be Isella."

"Ah, is that how it works?"

"Wow, is it finally springtime for Isella?"

Milia's face was filled with eager anticipation.

And, as if to meet her expectations, Luca and Isella strode back into the cafeteria.

"Pathetic, Isella. Is that all you had?"

"You... how could you, in such a short time...?"

"?"

Unfortunately, it seemed the two preferred ruining her expectations.

Luca looked triumphant; Isella looked deeply frustrated.

'Luca Traverse's physical ability was at this level? Was he hiding his strength?'

Isella had been sure she would win, but Luca's physique was even stronger than she'd thought, so she lost.

'Turns out that low-frequency therapy really helped. To have such results against her... I should keep working harder.'

Satisfied with his training with Whistle, Luca sat back down.

"Isella really lost? You weren't holding back?"

"Don't dishonor an honorable duel, Milia."

"... My apologies, young lady..."

If they went another round, Isella would probably win, but since she had lost this time, she had nothing to say.

"Ha... What a bore."

"A meal after victory is all the more delicious."

"By the way, Milia, have you found partners for next week's practicum?"

Ottbo quietly tried to shift the mood.

"Of course. Haven't you?"

"Uh... We'll probably find someone once it starts."

"I see. Need me to find one for you?"

Milia, who met other students to build her network when not with Luca, had already established at least a shallow relationship with many promising S-Class students.

"I've found one."

"Huh? Really?"

It was Ottbo who reacted in surprise to Luca's words.

Luca nodded slowly.

"During a duel yesterday, I met another first-year in S-Class. From the Magic Machinery Department, and quite talented."

"M-Magic Machinery Department? Wait. The duel yesterday... was it a girl?"

"Is that a problem?"

At his reply, Ottbo squirmed awkwardly.

"No, nothing like that... just..."

"She's called Moula Prington. The magic devices she uses are pretty impressive."

"... Moula Prington?"

When that name came up, both Milia and Ottbo looked at Luca, startled.Luca let out a faint grunt.

"Yes. I didn't think she was ordinary, but seeing your reaction, it must be serious."

"She's not exactly weird or anything..."

"She's a bit of an eccentric, maybe? I've heard she's a genius."

Ottbo scratched his cheek.

"At least her grades are guaranteed. I heard even the military is interested in the devices she makes."

"Oh, and you're not worried about being compared to her?"

"Our fields are entirely different, so it's fine."

"Fields?"

"I'm a pilot, and she's an engineer. Totally different."

"I see."

"Milia, who did you team up with?"

Milia, whose expression had turned strange at Ottbo's words, licked her lips.

"I had a plan, but looks like I'll have to change it a bit."

"Why?"

"Because of a certain playboy."

Milia glared at Luca as she said that, but he didn't respond.

'Was she after Moula Prington? Sorry about that, but you must have a Plan B ready. I'm desperate to secure even Plan A.'

He wasn't the kind of person to yield just because she didn't like it. Nor did he have the leisure for it.

Milia pursed her lips at Luca's response, then changed the subject.

"To maintain S-Class, it's best to get as many points as possible in this practicum. Luca's probably fine, but you, Ottbo, are right on the edge."

"Y-yeah."

"I heard each class goes to a different location. Do you know where S-Class is headed?"

The original protagonist had been in E-Class, and after causing trouble throughout, had never once made it into S-Class.

Of course, he had no intention of ever reaching S-Class to begin with.

So Luca had no idea of the difference between S-Class and the others.

"S-Class students are all pretty strong, right? So they go to a place where they can take on more advanced creatures."

"By advanced creatures, you mean...?"

"A place where monsters with magic stones generated inside their bodies, enhanced types, appear."

When ordinary monsters like goblins or orcs receive the blessing of mana, a magic stone forms inside them and their stats skyrocket.

They even gain intelligence, create groups beyond simple packs, and may threaten humans.

However, the magic stones inside these creatures are valuable resources for magical research and device-making.

That's why the kingdom specifically manages the places where such enhanced monsters appear.

"A bit harsh for students. It could be dangerous."

"They'll be accompanied by teachers. It won't be that risky."

"Anyway, if youearn a fief in the future, you'll have to hunt monsters too tough for knights or mercenaries, so it's practice in advance."

As mentioned before, high-ranking nobles in this world didn't want commoners gaining too much power.

So all nobles were required to have some martial power and defend their fiefs themselves.

The commoners needed only to produce resources, relying on the nobility's protection.

'Well, it's nothing that important though.'

The talk about the practicum finished, and while moving to their next class, Milia spoke up.

"Ah, by the way, Luca, are you free Friday evening?"

"Unfortunately, I already have plans."

At Luca's answer, Ottbo looked surprised as if it was news to him.

"Really?"

"The promise isn't with you, Ottbo. It's a personal thing."

"Oh, I see."

Ottbo sounded disappointed, but Milia said to him,

"Well, it can't be helped. Ottbo. You'll have to come with me instead."

Ottbo, who was suddenly chosen, looked startled.

"Me? Why?"

"There's someone I want to introduce you to. It's important, so wear something nice."

"Ah? Uh, okay..."

Amused by Ottbo's reluctant answer, Luca whispered to him,

"Have a good time."

"?!"

With just those words, Ottbo's face turned as bright red as his hair.

"What did you tease him about now?"

"Nothing much."

"Ottbo, you need to fix that shyness. It'll be a problem when it really matters."

Scolded by Milia, Ottbo just bowed his head and muttered,

"Okay..."

* * *

Time passed, and Friday arrived.

In the meantime, there had been plenty more duel requests, but as the afternoon classes that day were a three-hour-long block, dueling wasn't an option.

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

"You run quite well now."

"Huff! Huff! Yeah!"

Basic physical training class—a class Ottbo and Milia disliked the most, but by now they'd gotten somewhat used to it.

Ottbo especially had made great strides.

'I need stamina! So I can carry someone in an emergency!'

Having carried Luca on his back during Milia's rescue mission, Ottbo had come to appreciate endurance even more. So he trained with more zeal.

"Huff... huff... I.. Isella... I... I think I'm dying..."

"Just a little more, young lady! There's only 10 minutes left!"

But Milia still looked like she was dying.

"Well done, everyone! The drill instructor is proud to see so many of you showing a different side compared to the first day!"

Having started off calling himself a teacher, sometime later the man became 'drill instructor'—Professor Mantas Servoca. Old habits from the military, apparently.

"From today, anyone interested can move on to phase two training after one set of running! Come see me at break if you're interested!"

"W-w-what...?"

Upon hearing there was something even harder, several students looked shocked—notably Ottbo.

"L-Luca. Are you..."

"Of course I'm advancing to phase two. You should too."

"Ugh..."

Truth be told, he already felt like dying, but thanks to last time's experience, he could hang on.

But... an even harder course?

"I might die...!"

"The most admirable thing about Professor Mantas is he trains his students to the very brink of collapse, but never actually lets them die. She watches everyone during class, and pulls anyone in danger aside. So don't worry about dying."

"Ugh..."

"And if you keep up with Professor Mantas's training, you'll get into better shape than you ever imagined. Look at your scrawny arms. If you want to be popular with girls, it's best to follow me to the extreme in Professor Mantas's class."

"I-I don't want to be popular with girls or anything..."

Luca, who suddenly struck a nerve, left Ottbo flustered, but soon he wore a resolute look.

"O-okay! I'll do it!"

Thirty minutes later—

"Save... me..."

"If you're still asking to be saved, you must still be capable."

Ottbo, collapsed on the ground unable to move, his whole body trembling. Luca just let out a snort.

Phase two was a rotation: run for 15 minutes, rest 5, then 5 minutes of bodyweight exercises like push-ups or squats, rest five, and repeat.

It sounded manageable, but doing all this wearing the weighted training gear felt impossible.

"J-just kill me..."

"Hang in there, Ottbo. Think of a better version of yourself."

"Urgh..."

Tears in his eyes, Ottbo continued phase two until class was over.

"You all did well again today! Especially those who finished phase two—remember you might suddenly feel worse at the dorm, so be careful! Dismissed!"

Professor Mantas, true to form, left the training ground first.

The students, groaning, slowly drifted away, and Luca nudged Ottbo, still sprawled on the floor.

"Hey, Ottbo. I have to get going."

"Just one minute... let me rest..."

Unlike Ottbo, Milia had taken it easy and was in better shape. She approached him.

"By the way, what kind of promise was it? Is it something you can't tell us?"

"No. It's nothing. I just agreed to attend a party tonight."

"... Party?"

Milia looked surprised. Luca wasn't one to like such things.Luca replied curtly,

"I'm only going because of you, so don't get any weird ideas."

"Because of me? Why?"

"To find out your location, I asked someone a favor. In exchange, I'm attending this party."

With that, Luca checked his student diary.

Mika: So let's meet next Friday at 7, at Atimata Hall.Luca: ... Is this the payment?Mika: Yep. Don't like it?Luca: It's not that I don't, but...Mika: See you then~

"... Tsk. How troublesome."

Nine out of ten, he was about to meet his brother.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=I thought so...The only senior Luca knows at the moment is Mika【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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