Chapter 96 - Social Distancing (2)

And so, the time of the break after the end of the semester began to flow.

From Rain's perspective, it was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow, having to take on the strange mission of deliberately avoiding his female acquaintances.

However, regardless of Rain’s feelings, there was no doubt that it was an effective plan.

Although a significant number of cadets had returned to their hometowns, many eyes were still on Rain as the Princess's closest aide.

This was not only a way to appeal but also an act of creating an escape route in a war of public opinion.

It meant that having clear evidence to argue 'that's not true' against an opponent's sabotage was certainly important.

It was hard to think that Khan or Elwin had considered it that far…… but according to Regina's review, accompanied by a burst of laughter when she later heard about this incident, that was the case.

However, even within this plausible plan, there was a fly in the ointment.

No, should it be expressed as a fly in the ointment? To be precise, it was that a rather unfavorable problem had arisen from one of Rain’s judgments.

It was a trivial and personal problem, to the point where it was embarrassing to use the expression 'unfavorable'…… but anyway, that problem stemmed from one of Rain's decisions.

‘I don’t think there’s a need to tell them about this, is there?’

It was the thought of whether he needed to tell the parties involved in the rumors with him—that is, Serene, Yuna, and Arien—about this matter.

For reference, Regina was also one of the women Rain interacted with, but the reason she was excluded was that she was not at the academy right now.

‘Did she say she’d be back in about a month?’

Anyway, to continue the story, it was the judgment of whether there was a need to say something like, I need to keep my distance from you all to dilute the rumors about us.

And the basis for that judgment was quite plausible in its own right.

First, Rain didn't feel the need to tell them in advance, as he wasn't the type to frequently schedule separate meetings with each of the women in the first place.

The only times he met with each of them, aside from lectures, were for regularly scheduled meetings.

In Arien's case, it was the study sessions, and in Serene and Yuna's cases, it was the late-night training.

Because of this, even if he kept his distance, the time they spent together wouldn't decrease dramatically.

Also, since the semester was over, the time they met would naturally become less frequent and much shorter than before.

Rain's calculation was that there were plenty of ways to naturally keep his distance without having to say anything.

Furthermore, this was also a kind of consideration.

‘It will only be uncomfortable if I tell them they’re involved in such rumors.’

They were busy enough taking care of themselves, so it wasn't good to make them waste time on such useless things. That was his thought.

From another perspective, there might have been a concern that this story would make each of them unconsciously hesitant to become close to him.

Thus, from Rain’s perspective, it was a rational judgment with its own basis…… but this was only from Rain’s perspective.

How others would feel was another story.

***

The days after the end of the semester were different in many ways from my daily life until then, but somehow, my time was rolling along just fine.

In fact, if you looked at it, there wasn't much that deviated from the plan I had set up before.

Just waking up early in the morning, eating as usual, training…… days like that.

If there was something that was slightly different from my thoughts, it would be that I became close with the male members of 's main cast during this break.

Kaang-!

The sound of sword clashing against sword rang out in the early morning training ground.

They were training swords with blades that weren't even properly sharpened, but the sound of the swords clashing was impeccably clear.

Yes. I was crossing swords with one of the protagonists of , Elwin Van Cardenas, from early in the morning.

He, along with Khan, was a proven training addict in the original , so I was keeping him company from this morning.

To be precise, the expression that I was following him would be more appropriate, but anyway.

I had been training with him since the first story of Arche, , so it wasn't a new story, but…… every time we crossed swords, I couldn't help but be amazed.

‘Indeed…… in terms of swordsmanship, he’s on a different level.’

As he proudly bore the title of ‘Sword Saint’ in the original work, it meant that in terms of the perfection of his technique, he surpassed even Serene.

Of course, considering overall strength, he couldn't be compared to Serene, but that alone was impressive enough.

“Hmm, this is good!”

Graciously, the fact that Elwin said something satisfactory every time he sparred with me…… showed that my level had also risen to a decent level.

Swordsmanship Proficiency[A]

: The degree to which your swordsmanship is proficient.

: Currently at a [Senior Knight] level of swordsmanship.

Well, I also possessed A-grade swordsmanship, which was rare to see at the cadet level.

There was probably no one among those who possessed this level of swordsmanship who was as physically weak as I was…… so from Elwin’s perspective, it might have felt fresh.

I, too, was able to gain various inspirations while crossing swords with Elwin. In terms of swordsmanship, of course.

‘In this situation, this guy reacts like this.’

I would catch the instinctive movements of the guy who would later perform feats not shameful of the name Sword Saint, and apply them to my own movements.

That was definitely helping my growth greatly.

However.

Tung-!

The exchange, as it usually did, did not last long.

There were times when I won by catching him off guard with the difference in combat experience, but most of the time, I was prone to losing my weapon or being subdued due to the difference in skill.

It was the same this time.

Clatter.

The training sword, which flew away with a cool sound, spun several times in the air before rolling on the floor of the training ground.

“With this…… is it 3 wins and 19 losses.”

A win rate of less than 15%, an absolute disadvantage.

Hmm. I muttered as I stroked my chin.

“Still, if we were in a real battle, Rain-ssi would be much superior. I'm not just saying that to be nice.”

As if he had heard my muttering, Elwin offered me words that were half-comforting and half-sincere.

“And even if it’s 19 losses, what’s important is the content. I guarantee you didn't lose in vain.”

“……I appreciate that.”

Well, I didn't actually think it was a bad result.

With such a spec difference, it was a miracle I managed to get 3 wins at all.

And if it were a real battle…… isn't this a hopeful win rate, to the point where it's embarrassing to even compare it to the fights I've been through so far?

Well, anyway, I adjusted my posture. I had been sparring quite intensely since the crack of dawn, so I was thinking I should refresh myself a bit…….

Clack.

“Good morning. I’ve just warmed up, but may I request a spar?”

The one who opened the door of the training ground and appeared was a boy with a large scar on his face, speaking in his characteristic stiff tone.

Steam was rising from his body for some reason.

‘Just how on earth did you warm up……?’

It was a daily occurrence, but I couldn't help but be amazed every time I saw it.

“Then, just Elwin-ssi and Khan-ssi……”

“Of course, I am asking both of you.”

“……”

I was somewhat tired, so I tried to get out of it, but…… no chance, huh.

‘Haa.’

Well, those were the kinds of days I was spending.

Quite fulfilling, if I do say so myself.

While I myself was spending quite satisfactory days, one thing that bothered me was the suggestion Elwin and Khan had made.

To keep my distance from the female cast during the break.

And I hadn't told the female cast, the parties involved, about this. For various reasons.

There was no need to, it could be a burden if I told them, and I could also create a sense of distance with them.

Hmm, I couldn't quite tell if this was the right decision or not.

‘…….’

Well. It's only been three days. Let's watch a little longer and if it doesn't seem right, let's change course.

No matter what, there was no way something bad would happen in such a short period of time.

***

It's a bit of a rehash, but during the academy semester, Yuna, like most other cadets, had been desperately waiting for the end of the semester.

Well, it was partly because Yuna was also a student, but fundamentally, it was also because she had never experienced such rigorous training and studying on both fronts until she entered Archenia Academy.

At the beginning of the semester when she knew nothing, she was tricked by Rain Enlight's words and, in the blink of an eye, unknowingly confirmed a rigorous schedule for herself, which was the decisive blow.

‘Even if I’m grateful for it…… what’s tough is tough.’

That's why Yuna had been counting down the days until the end of the semester. Once these tedious lectures were over, she would rest well during the break and enjoy various things. She resolved to do so.

……Well, she did have the extra thought that it would be even better if she could spend time with the guy who had helped her so much and repay him in various ways.

And regarding that intention, Yuna expressed it while talking to her friends like this.

“Well…… hanging out with various people? Yeah. It’s not like I’m thinking of anyone in particular, you know? I do want to repay someone who helped me a lot……”

“Ah…… right, I'm sure you do……”

For some reason, Kaylee sighed deeply upon hearing those words, but anyway.

Anyway, it was the end of the semester that she had waited and waited for, but now, five days after the end of the semester, Yuna was living in a considerable low-pressure zone.

“Ughhhh……”

And the reason for that was exactly what everyone had expected.

‘It feels like he’s avoiding me…….’

In fact, Rain hadn't intentionally shown any signs of rejection or made it obvious.

It was closer to say that he had been as careful as he could be.

Rain had been careful not to show it, but…… as expected, he couldn't escape Yuna’s intuition.

There was a conversation that became the trigger for this, and it happened after the late-night training on the first day after the end of the semester.

“……Um, hey. We went out together once before, right?”

“Ah. We did.”

“There were a lot of things I was sorry for back then, and I received some things too…… Uh. This time, I want to repay you, you know? Yeah, so I was wondering about your time, that's what I meant.”

To say this one phrase, Yuna had agonized over and over again in her own way.

She couldn't specifically explain the emotions she was feeling, but every time she thought about saying these words, a certain…… ticklish feeling would rise up.

Overcoming that and bringing up this topic was a step forward that took quite a bit of courage for Yuna.

Though it was obvious she was rambling quite a bit.

However, the reaction that came back was somewhat different from Yuna's expectations.

“Ah……”

It was a very brief pause, but Yuna could vaguely understand the emotions contained within that short interjection.

Trouble, anguish, bewilderment…….

‘Ah.’

And the answer that followed that premonition.

“……I think I’ll be quite busy during this break…… so it might be a little difficult to make time.”

That answer, given while awkwardly avoiding Yuna’s eyes, was the finishing blow.

“Ah…… yeah……”

Yuna wasn't fundamentally good at reading others' emotions, but that was only because Yuna herself lacked the consciousness to try to read others' emotions.

However, this case was clearly different. It meant that, very rarely for Yuna, there was a will to definitely read the other person's emotions.

And because of that, Yuna’s unique, almost god-like intuition was activated.

But the result…… was only that she had become aware that Rain was implicitly troubled by her suggestion.

“Right……”

“……Yuna-ssi?”

Fwoosh-

The sound of something inside Yuna turning to dust and blowing away in the wind was probably just her imagination.

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