Chapter 1: The Princess Who Came to Study Abroad
Hero Academy
Waiting in the professor’s office with Nirvana, a knock came at the door. Elise, seemingly curious about Nirvana, lingered by her side even after serving tea.
“Come in,” I said in Nord-speak.
“Pardon me.”
A tanned elf in a provocative white military uniform, like a personified battleship maiden, saluted and entered.
Needless to say, it was Barbara. Her figure was strikingly glamorous and marvelous.
After I’d reported through diplomatic channels that I’d protected an Oiraan citizen, she rushed over immediately. Her devotion to Nirvana was extraordinary.
“Nirva… Fana! Where have you been? I was worried sick!”
“Barbara, I’m sorry. I got lost.”
Barbara acted like Nirvana’s guardian, clearly putting on a performance.
It seemed Nirvana had been enjoying incognito strolls in Ackersen and had informed Barbara in advance, intending to keep her identity hidden.
“Barbara… I have a request…”
“What is it?”
Nirvana whispered into Barbara’s long ear, like a child sharing a secret with a parent.
“No way! That’s too much…”
“Is it no good?”
“?!”
Stared at with pleading eyes, Barbara blushed, her cheeks reddening.
A stoic tanned elf blushing…
Haa, haa, perfection!!
“Nord-sama?”
As I nearly ascended from the adorable scene between the beauty and the maiden, Elise peered into my face.
“Nothing,” I said.
Did she think I was into Nirvana?
I had to avoid gaining Nirvana’s affection or sparking Elise’s jealousy, lest the universe’s corrective force led to me getting stabbed.
As I shook off visions of a grim future, Nirvana and Barbara finished Elise’s tea and stood.
“Nord-dono, thank you for looking after Fana. I’ll express my gratitude later…”
“No need for thanks. Just put a leash on her—she’s got a habit of wandering off.”
What am I saying to a princess?!
Cold sweat poured as my Nord-speak slipped out, but…
“Indeed… I appreciate the advice,” Barbara replied.
For a moment, I felt a flash of killing intent from her, but it vanished quickly. As expected of an Oiraan military officer.
“Thank you, Nord,” Nirvana said.
“We’ll take our leave,” Barbara added.
As they left, Nirvana’s gaze fell on Elise.
“And you are…?”
“Elise Magdalia. Pleased to meet you.”
“Your tea was delicious.”
“I’m honored it suited your taste.”
I worried there might be tension between the heroines, but the handover went smoothly, and I sighed in relief. They bowed and left the room.
“Nord-sama, I have a bad feeling about getting involved with that woman, Fana. Stay away from her,” Elise warned.
Uh, Elise… That applies to you too…
“That’s my plan,” I replied.
At that moment, I thought Nirvana would return to the Oiraan Empire.
The Next Day
I was summoned by Lillian to the dean’s office.
“What’s this about? Calling me out of the blue?”
“I want to introduce someone to you,” Lillian said.
“Introduce? Shouldn’t it be the other way around—asking me to find you a good marriage prospect?”
“Tch! Always mocking me…”
Lillian nearly threw the dean’s plaque from her desk but stopped herself.
“Fine… Come in,” she called toward the door, placing the plaque back.
“Pardon me.”
As the door opened and someone entered, I couldn’t help but stand from the sofa.
“This is Fana Lunas, a student from the Oiraan Empire’s Hero Academy. She’ll be studying abroad in your offensive combat department, Nord,” Lillian said.
“Nice to meet you, Nord-sensei,” Fana greeted.
“Huh?”
To my annoyance, Lillian smirked at my confusion.
«Nirvana’s Perspective»
Yes, I had a fateful reunion with Nord Villance, whom I met as a child…
Five Years Ago
『Kukuku… You lowlife, you’ll regret blocking Nord Villance’s path!』
What’s that—argh!!
Take this—ugh!!
W-Waaah!!
As my half-brother Siegfried and his lackeys bullied me, Nord appeared. Just by passing through the garden, he somehow left Siegfried’s lackeys stuck in the bushes.
『Y-You’ll pay for this!』
S-Siegfried-sama! No way!
Siegfried abandoned his lackeys and fled alone… After he left, I remember a faint smell like urine lingering.
『Hmph, small fry like you aren’t worth remembering,』 Nord said, cutting the air with a hand chop, as if shaking blood off a sword.
I timidly called out to him from behind.
『Thank you.』
『Hmph, no need for thanks. Get in my way, and you’ll end up like them.』
Despite his words, he took my hand, helping me up after the lackeys had pushed me down.
Maybe he was a boy acting tough to hide his embarrassment, I thought.
It was a brief encounter, but his unyielding demeanor left a strong impression. Bullied by Siegfried and his group, I’d thought boys were scary. Nord was the first kind boy to appear before me.
Back then, Nord wore a jabot tie, jacket, vest, and shorts, exuding the air of a noble’s son. Now, reunited, his boyish innocence had given way to a rugged, more masculine charm…
Having never dated a boy, I felt my heart seized.
And now, he was the youngest professor in Hero Academy history, skipping grades entirely.
“Nirvana-sama, Nirvana-sama, what’s wrong?!”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” I replied, snapped out of my reverie by Barbara’s voice. Truthfully, I wanted to linger in that moment a bit longer…
I was staying at a merchant’s annex in Ackersen’s capital. Relaxing on a round chair, Barbara stood from the opposite seat, leaning on the round table to plead with me.
“Nirvana-sama, even if Ackersen is a friendly nation, it’s unwise to wander too much. You were lucky Duke Villance’s son saved you, but if the commoner faction had kidnapped you…”
“Barbara… I’m sorry for worrying you. But I wanted to see it properly—not as a princess, but as Fana. I’m to marry Ackersen’s King John someday, so I need to see how people live, how they survive… I can’t become a queen without that.”
“Sigh… When you say things like that, I’m at a loss for words… Despite your high status as a princess, your kindness to even the lowliest people makes you my hope, Nirvana-sama.”
“You’re exaggerating again, Barbara. I only helped you because I liked you. You don’t need to devote yourself to me. Live your own life.”
Barbara clasped her hands, placing her fist over her left chest.
“Never. My heart is always with you, Nirvana-sama. If you command it, I’d gladly give my life.”
“Then what if I told you to live freely?”
“That’s not allowed.”
I nearly slid off my chair, protesting to Barbara.
“What?! You said you’d gladly give your life!”
“That’s different…”
“Ugh, you’re so mean, Barbara!”
As I puffed out my cheeks, Barbara’s shoulders trembled. She was definitely holding back laughter.
“Yes, to protect Nirvana-sama, I’ll be as mean as I need to be.”
Though she held back laughter, Barbara’s eyes were serious.
“Hehe, I don’t dislike that side of you, Barbara,” Nirvana said.
“Thank you. Your words alone bring me utmost joy, Nirvana-sama,” Barbara replied.
Barbara could be strict and rigid, but it came from a place of love, and it was no wonder her subordinates adored her.
“By the way, what’s happening back home…?” Nirvana asked.
“Yes, that vixen is seriously scheming to sideline you from state affairs, Nirvana-sama. And, unbelievably, she’s appointed Siegfried as a commander,” Barbara reported.
“I see… Maybe there’s no place for me in the empire anymore,” Nirvana murmured.
“That’s not true! Without you, Nirvana-sama, they’ll run rampant. It’s clear as day the empire’s people will suffer,” Barbara insisted.
“Then what should I do…?”
“I propose you stay in Ackersen for a while,” Barbara suggested.
“?!”
I hadn’t expected such a suggestion from Barbara, and I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. But the thought of seeing Nord again… It pained me to think of the empire’s people, but just imagining being near him made my heart race.
«Nord’s Perspective»
The Next Morning
“Nord, wake up.”
“Ngh?!”
A voice unlike Elise’s startled me, prompting a fluffy, almost comical yelp, like something from a dark-themed cartoon with a cutesy art style. As my eyelids snapped open like retractable headlights, Nirvana stood before me. Somehow, she was already wearing the Hero Academy uniform—a burgundy blazer that barely covered her bra and a navy pleated mini-skirt so short you could glimpse her panty strings.
Tch! As expected of the Hero Academy’s eroge-inspired uniform—when a beautiful girl wears it, it’s insanely cute…
She straddled my waist, shaking my body back and forth.
“What?! Why the hell are you here?!” I demanded.
“Because I’m your childhood friend, Nord. It’s universal for a girl to wake up her childhood friend in the morning,” she replied.
“Don’t invent such nonsense…”
I couldn’t quite follow her logic.
Sure, this was an eroge world, but since when was that universal? I wanted to grill her on it, but her straddling me was the bigger issue. And, as if on cue, Elise walked in. She’d come to wake me as a morning call.
“Nord-sama, good morn—”
“Oh, you’re late,” Nirvana interrupted.
Elise and Nirvana locked eyes. Elise froze, dropping her tray. After a moment of shock, she regained her composure and pointed at Nirvana.
“What are you doing?! Barging into Nord-sama’s room without my permission!”
“Me? I’m Nord’s childhood friend. He didn’t tell you?” Nirvana said.
What?!
I never said that, and I didn’t even consider her a childhood friend, so I immediately called her out.
“Wait! We only met once—calling that a childhood friend is a stretch!”
“Huh?”
Elise and I both stared at Nirvana, but…
“Even a single meeting in the past makes us childhood friends,” she declared, crossing her arms and snorting with a smug hmph.
“W-Well, I’ve met Nord-sama many times in the past!” Elise countered.
“Trying to one-up me with numbers? Don’t you know the phrase ‘once-in-a-lifetime encounter’?” Nirvana shot back.
“I don’t know that phrase! Nord-sama and I deepened our bond with every meeting!”
Neither of them is my girlfriend, so why does this feel like a cheating boyfriend’s love triangle showdown?! Damn it, if I weren’t in my pajamas, I’d escape to the professor’s office…
“Both of you, quiet down! And Nirvana, get off me!”
“Ugh…”
Nirvana reluctantly slid off my waist.
But…
“That’s my special seat!” Elise declared.
“From today, it’s my special seat,” Nirvana countered.
“No way!”
“Don’t do that!”
Elise alone was trouble enough, but adding another was exhausting… And if Mao showed up too, my head would ache so much it’d redefine pain.
It took twice as long as usual, but I managed to make it to class on time—or so I thought. Then Kain pointed at Nirvana and spoke.
“Hey! You’re that cute girl from yesterday! I was worried Nord had kidnapped you!”
Kain, in Oiraan, you’d lose a finger for lese-majesty with talk like that.
“Nord, kidnap me? What are you talking about? He’d never do that,” Nirvana said.
Tsun!
Nirvana glared at Kain as if he were filth.
My feelings were complicated.
After all, in [Unlimited Hero], Nord did something akin to kidnapping and took Nirvana’s virginity…
“Nord! Not only did you use dirty tricks to claim Elise, but you even defiled a lost, beautiful girl?! Unforgivable!” Kain accused.
Yes, I’m sorry… Having seen Nord’s atrocities in [Unlimited Hero], I almost apologized to Kain. But Elise and Nirvana, who’d been flanking me like a harem, furrowed their brows and glared at him.
“Hey, did you know? This guy forced my childhood friend Elise to be his maid and makes her service his lust every day. He’s awful, so stay away from him,” Kain said, tattling to Nirvana like a kid to a teacher.
Her response was clear.
“There’s nothing wrong with a great noble lord having a maid or two tend to his lower needs. In fact, failing to do so would be a man’s shame!” Nirvana declared.
Whoa, Nirvana, that’s too understanding!
But her words seemed to embarrass her, her face flushing red. She’s age-appropriately adorable, but definitely not someone I should touch.
“I’m saying this for your sake. Being with Nord will make you miserable. Trust me, I’m a hero,” Kain insisted.
“Really? That girl, Elise, doesn’t seem miserable at all. If anything, she looks like she wants to serve him forever,” Nirvana retorted.
“That’s… Elise has been brainwashed by Nord. No matter how much I plead, she won’t listen!”
“Of course. And your name is…?”
“Kain! Kain Soap, this country’s hero!”
“Bane? Sounds like you’re about to soil yourself,” Nirvana quipped.
…
Did Nirvana mean to say “bowel movement”?
That’s a bit harsh.
“It’s Kain!”
Kain puffed out his chest, flailing his arms in protest, but…
“I don’t care to remember the name of someone who pesters me. Get that dull, half-asleep face out of my sight,” Nirvana snapped.
“No way! Nord, you’ve sunk your claws into this cute girl too?! Unforgivable! Duel me! Once I crush you completely, I’ll take Elise and this cute girl and…”
Kain trailed off, a creepy grin spreading as he sank into some unsavory fantasy.
Ignoring him, Elise and Nirvana each grabbed one of my hands and pulled.
“Let’s go, Nord-sama,” Elise urged.
“C’mon, Nord,” Nirvana added.
“Yeah, best to ignore idiots,” I agreed.
We left Kain behind and headed to the classroom.
Classroom
“Today, I’m introducing a student who’s joined my offensive combat department as a study-abroad student. Introduce yourself,” I said.
“Yes. I’m Fana Lunas from the Oiraan Empire’s Hero Academy. Nice to meet you all,” Nirvana said.
As Nirvana, a princess of the highest rank, gave an elegant bow, her wavy platinum-blonde twin-tails swayed. Clad in the Hero Academy’s uniform, she radiated a different charm than when she wore the Oiraan Hero Academy’s provocative military uniform—stunning… er, outrageous!
—Fana-chan’s seriously cute, huh?
—Gonna make a move!
—I’m signing up for her fan club!
The male students buzzed with excitement, like monkeys in a zoo when bananas are tossed in.
Man, this feels nostalgic. Back in my past life’s school days, a new transfer student would make the classroom erupt like this.
But I’m a professor now, no time for reminiscing.
“Quiet down, you lot! Start your introductions!”
I meant to say it gently, like “Everyone, please listen,” but my Nord-speak came out harsh. The noisy classroom fell silent instantly.
In the quiet, he stood up.
“You’re Fana-chan, right? Let me introduce myself again. I’m Kain, the hero who defeated Demon King Azrael. Honestly, I’m stronger than Nord up there playing professor. Fana-chan, wanna have lunch with me?”
Kain, you’re a real hero. To openly hit on someone in front of all these students, you’ve got nerves of steel…
“No thanks. I’ve got plans to study with Nord-sensei during lunch,” Nirvana replied.
Huh? No such plans exist!
All the students’ eyes turned to me.
—That’s some next-level support!
—Tch, if it’s Nord-sensei, can’t be helped.
—I want his extra lessons too.
No, no, Nirvana made that up! I didn’t say anything to her.
“Nord! Using your professor status to flirt with a student? That’s low!” Kain accused.
“Then become a professor yourself. Simple, right?” I retorted.
“Grr…”
Why am I even a professor at the Hero Academy? Couldn’t I just hand the job to Kain and live a slow life?
The thought crossed my mind, but seeing Kain hitting on every cute girl without discrimination, I could only hang my head…
Lunch Break
Nirvana and I were in an empty classroom in the old wing, a relic from the Hero Academy’s founding, now rarely used.
“Hold your hand over it,” I instructed.
“Okay…”
When Nirvana held her hand over the magic meter, a holographic number appeared.
Twenty-five.
Slightly below Glenn’s score when he entered my class—not bad for a Hero Academy freshman. But Nirvana was Oiraan’s princess.
“Sigh… It’s no good, is it…?”
Seeing the number, Nirvana let out a deep sigh, her head drooping.
In [Unlimited Hero], she sought to marry into Ackersen because the empire’s nobles’ magic capacity was declining with each generation.
“You’re not an offensive type to begin with. Know your place,” I said.
Couldn’t I say something kinder?!
I nearly scolded myself.
“Yeah, that’s so Nord. Encouraging me like that,” Nirvana said.
Huh?
When did I encourage her?
“I remember when you saved me in the garden and gave me a passionate kiss,” she continued.
“What?”
“And when Siegfried bullied me, you held me tight as I trembled.”
No, no, no!
That wasn’t in any CG or text!
“I never thought you’d be so kind. But then you appeared again in the city when that creepy guy harassed me, saving me from danger. You always show up when I’m in trouble…”
Delusion, fabrication, exaggeration…
Exaggeration—that’s it!
Nirvana sought Ackersen’s strong magical bloodline through her engagement to John. If she could develop strong magic herself, wouldn’t everything work out?
“What are you talking about? I’m not your hero. It’s time for you to be your own hero!” I declared.
“Me, my own hero…?”
“Yeah! You said I claimed you lack offensive talent, but…”
“Fool! Magic isn’t just about offense. I know you excel in support magic,” I added.
“You really saw me for who I am… I’m so happy…”
Huh? Nirvana, what are you saying?
She pressed her hands to her cheeks, blushing and squirming shyly…
Oh no… I remembered a CG of her struggling and despairing over lackluster results and let it slip.
“Plus, the Hero Academy is amazing. In Oiraan’s Hero Academy, I was treated like a pariah, unable to learn as an equal. Here, everyone treats me as one… Asking Barbara was worth it,” Nirvana said, closing her eyes, savoring the academy’s merits.
“No time to dawdle. Let’s start now!”
“S-So… right here, right now with you, Nord…? No, I’m not against it, but it’s my first time, so I don’t know how… Wait, let me prepare myself.”
Nirvana took a deep breath, her shapely chest rising. Exhaling, she closed her eyes and slightly puckered her lips.
“You don’t need to close your eyes and purse your lips for a chant. Get serious,” I said.
“Nord, you’re so mean!”
For some reason, Nirvana pouted angrily, but I chalked it up to the fickle moods of a teenage girl.
“Can you use «Fireball»?” I asked.
“No… «Light» is my limit,” she admitted.
“Fine, show me.”
“Okay.”
Nirvana nodded and began her chant.
“O fire spirit, grant me a ray of light! «Light»”
As she finished, a faint flame, like a candle’s, flickered at her fingertip, so weak a puff of breath could extinguish it.
«Light» was a lifestyle magic, not offensive, something even young Ackersen nobles could cast without chanting. That she needed a chant showed how far Oiraan’s magical prowess had fallen.
The magical circuits within the body must have worn down over generations.
Given Nirvana’s personality, there’s no doubt she’d rush to save her struggling people without regard for her own abilities. If that happened, she’d be captured and, due to her unparalleled beauty, subjected to unspeakable violation… I need to ensure she can protect herself now.
Time to do that!
It might be a bit drastic, but there’s no time to dawdle.
“Do you desire power?” I asked.
It sounded like a deal with a demon, but I looked straight into Nirvana’s eyes. Her clear, emerald-like gaze, radiant and unclouded, met mine.
“Yes! Nord… no, Nord-sensei… I want the power to protect the empire’s people. So… please teach me magic…”
“Fool!!”
“Eek?!”
Nirvana froze at my scornful words.
“If you want to protect the common folk, you must first gain the strength to protect yourself. If you fall easily, the people will only wait for death. Never forget that they depend on you,” I declared.
I wasn’t wrong, but why did it come out so preachy and overbearing…? No, maybe it’s better this way to avoid Nirvana’s affection.
“Yeah… I was wrong. I got carried away wanting to help everyone. If I failed to save anyone, it’d be a joke, right?” she said.
Tch, too pure!
My eyes welled up, and I turned away, wiping them with a handkerchief.
“Nord? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing! We start now,” I said.
“Okay…”
I laid Nirvana on a table used for placing auxiliary catalysts in summoning magic. Her anxious expression as she looked at me resembled the scene in [Unlimited Hero] where Nord took her virginity. It’s no wonder—auxiliary catalysts often involve sacrifices.
I had no intention of doing anything so cruel, but her beautiful eyes, filled with shy unease, stirred something in me, so I started quickly to avoid any strange urges.
I touched Nirvana’s head.
«Circuit Trace»
Through my hand, I could sense every detail of Nirvana’s body, as if I were holding it.
As for Nirvana’s reaction to my touch…
“Hauun! W-What’s this… Nord-sensei… m-my body’s so hot…”
“Bear it for a bit. I’m channeling magic into you,” I explained.
“O-Okay… but… it’s resonating deep inside… ah, ah, aahn! N-No, it’s flowing there…! Noo! I can’t handle it!”
Nirvana reacted intensely to the magic I sent through her. Magic flows to conductive paths, and I was using a tiny amount to make her aware of her own circuits.
But a girl reacting like this? It’s a first… Her moans, almost erotic, threw me off as I continued.
I channeled the magic slowly, but images of Nord in [Unlimited Hero], laughing as he toyed with and killed enemies, flashed in my mind. If I misjudged the magic’s flow, it could burn out Nirvana’s circuits or even turn her into a husk.
“Just a bit more. Hold on! Here we go!”
“It’s… so intense… something huge is… grinding inside me…! I’m… I’m gonna…! It’s coming!! AAAAAHH────────!!”
Nirvana’s body twitched as if reaching a climax. Despite her moans and memories of Nord’s atrocities in [Unlimited Hero], I managed to successfully open her magical circuits, I think.
On the table, Nirvana lay limp, drenched in sweat, drool nearly spilling from her mouth. Seeing the empire’s princess reduced to a mere female stirred pity, and I pulled out a handkerchief, but…
“I got all sweaty… Can I wipe off a bit?” she asked.
“Do it quickly,” I said.
“Okay.”
As Nirvana sat up, I quickly pocketed the handkerchief. Wiping a high school girl’s body? That’d be a crime, and my heart was pounding… Oblivious to my nerves, she stood and briskly left the empty classroom.
Taking a while to wipe sweat…
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Nord-sensei…”
“You?! What are you thinking?!”
No wonder I was shocked—Nirvana returned wrapped in just a bath towel. Does she have a streak of exhibitionism?
“You said to do it quickly,” she said.
“Put some clothes on!”
“Okay…”
Nirvana nodded and let the towel slip off in front of me.
No way…
She stood completely naked, covering her breasts and groin like Venus in a painting. Her pristine white skin was simply beautiful… Blushing, she glanced at me with upturned eyes.
Her damp skin glistened alluringly, and her golden hair, still wet and clinging to her, gave her a mature air beyond her years.
If the usually steadfast Nirvana had said something like, “What do you think…?” my groin would’ve given a full thumbs-up.
Well, it already was…
In [Unlimited Hero], she rejected Nord, yet here she was baring her skin. It’s like she’s saying, “Go ahead and take me!”
But I won’t fall for it.
“What are you doing? I said put clothes on,” I insisted.
“As expected of a professor everyone respects. You’re too mature to be interested in a kid like me…”
She’s high school-aged, but her development is stunning. Like a sexy actress playing a schoolgirl… No, her development exceeds her age, with a youthful face.
In short, perfection!
I’m very interested, but touching Nirvana could trigger the universe’s corrective force, and Kain might kill me. Could she be trying to seduce me for protection…?
I don’t need a physical relationship to protect her.
“Don’t overthink it. While you’re in Ackersen, I’ll protect you,” I said.
“Okay… Thank you, Nord…”
Still naked, Nirvana leaned into me. Having seen her struggles in [Unlimited Hero], I wanted to hug her and praise her resilience, but letting her get too close could endanger my life.
“The extra lessons aren’t over. We continue,” I said.
“O-Okay…”
I pushed Nirvana away as she sought comfort, but if I died midway, no one would protect her. That could strip her of her princess status and lead to a tragic end.
I pushed her away to prevent that.
Talk about the courage to be disliked!
Behind me, Nirvana seemed to be putting on her bra over her ample breasts. If someone saw this, they’d think it was post-coital.
Good thing I chose the deserted old wing.
Dressed in the Hero Academy uniform, Nirvana called out.
“Sorry for the wait.”
“Hmph, next time, come properly dressed,” I said.
“Next time? So you’ll keep giving me extra lessons, Nord-sensei? I’m so happy!”
Why’s she so positive? Still, seeing her bright here is better than the despairing Nirvana in Oiraan…
Now in uniform, we headed to the shooting range.
“O spirits of flame, I seek your power. If you grant my wish, I vow to honor you for life! «Fireball»!!”
As Nirvana finished her chant, a fireball shot from her fingertip toward a wooden target. With a bang, the target split in half, its fragments engulfed in flames.
“No way! Nord-sensei, look, look! I did «Fireball»!! I’m so happy… It’s been my dream!”
That’s great!
Seeing her earnest joy, I pressed my eyes, holding back tears. Even as Nord, I could still cry. Her smooth, uninterrupted chant showed her effort despite lacking offensive magic talent.
“Don’t get excited over that, Nirvana! In Ackersen, nobles could do that before last night’s dinner,” I said.
“Huh? Oh, yeah… right,” she replied, her face clouding at my harsh, Nord-speak critique.
Damn it! Why’d I say something to dampen her enthusiasm?!
“But the power and accuracy were impeccable…” I muttered, not intending to lower my tone, but it came out as a mumble.
Am I a tsundere?!
“Yeah! Thank you, Nord-sensei!”
Nirvana caught my words and flashed a radiant smile.
We continued her training, but her aptitude leaned away from offensive magic.
“Keep your magic use a secret,” I warned.
“Huh? But…”
“Listen well. If it’s known you can use magic, your life won’t be safe. As they say, a skilled griffon hides its claws. Same principle.”
“Okay, I’ll do as you say, Nord-sensei,” she agreed.
“You can use «Storage», right?”
“It’s about my only talent…”
“Don’t belittle yourself. Be proud of what you can do,” I said.
Nirvana nodded, and I demonstrated «Storage» for her.
“Pour all your current magic into «Storage»,” I instructed.
“Okay!”
Closing her eyes and focusing, Nirvana’s «Storage» transformed into a box large enough to barely hold with both hands.
“Wow! It got huge!”
“Impressive, right?”
“Yeah, I never thought it could get this big… Amazing!”
We’re saying things that could be misunderstood, but it’s wholesome!
“Remember this: «Storage» changes with magic input. The more magic you pour in, the more it can hold and release at once. It can store endlessly based on magic capacity, but low magic means retrieving items is a hassle.”
Actually, the name changes based on the caster’s level and traits, like my «Treasure Vault», but that’s only visible with status disclosure…
As I explained, a sound interrupted.
Grr! Grr! Grr!
It was like hard objects grinding together.
I placed a hand on Nirvana’s shoulder.
“Nord-sensei?!”
“Don’t look back. It might be an assassin. We’re done for today,” I said.
“…Is it safe?”
Nirvana’s brows furrowed with worry as she leaned closer. Normally, I’d push her away, but with a potential assassin, I draped my cloak over her back, holding her shoulder.
GRRRRRRRRR────────!!
A louder grinding echoed through the shooting range. Frightened, Nirvana teared up, pleading.
“Nord-sensei!”
“Don’t panic. Ignore it and head back to the classroom,” I said.
“Okay… Nord… you’re so kind…”
“What’d you say?”
“Nothing.”
The noise drowned out her words. An assassin making only noise without attacking seemed like a new kind of debuff, but no status ailments appeared.
A month had passed since Nirvana arrived in Ackersen.
“Haa… haa… So intense, Nord-sensei… Don’t go so far ahead…”
“What are you saying?! Keep up!”
“Eek!”
I trained Nirvana whenever I had time. Strengthening her would help her avoid death flags. Plus, drilling her like Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket should lower my favorability.
We ran around the capital’s outer wall—about twenty kilometers per lap, by my estimate.
When she arrived, she couldn’t manage half a lap. Now, she breezed through three and hit her limit dashing up a hill on the fifth. Impressively, she never asked for a break. Even on two days when she was clearly unwell, she insisted on training, so I used «Sleep», a lower form of «Slumbering Darkness», to force her to rest.
As Nirvana caught her breath, hands on knees, I shared a maxim during a break.
“Stamina…!! Stamina solves everything…!!”
“Y-Yes…?”
Paraphrasing a culprit’s line from a famous detective’s grandson, I stressed stamina’s importance. In [Unlimited Hero], Nord lost to Kain due to stamina.
—Nord-sama!
—Keep it up!
—So strong yet still training!
Farmers working in the wheat fields around the capital spotted us and called out… I usually moved discreetly at night, but with Nirvana, daytime was unavoidable, and this happened.
“That’s why I didn’t want to move in the day,” I grumbled.
“Why do they admire you, Nord-sensei?” Nirvana asked.
“Hmph. I cleared monsters blocking the training path, and the fools started calling out. It’s a hassle standing out,” I said.
“That’s nice. Everyone admires you,” she replied.
“You’d get the same if you returned to Oiraan…”
“…”
Nirvana looked away, head lowered.
“No time to rest. Race to the central gate. If you’re slower than me, you’ll wear Elise’s maid outfit,” I challenged.
“Huh?!”
“Go!”
“Hey, Nord-sensei, that’s unfair!”
Kukuku… “No mercy on the battlefield!”
“If it’s that maid outfit, maybe it’s cute and could catch your eye…”
Nirvana’s muttered words stopped me. I turned to ask, but…
“Hm? Say something?”
“Nope, nothing! I’m going ahead!”
“Wait!”
“No waiting!”
Nirvana sprinted past me, eyes glinting.
She’s following my teachings—impressive!
“If you lose, you wear the maid outfit, Nord-sensei!”
What?!
She raised a hand, back turned.
At the central gate, Nirvana panted, hands on knees, while I leaned against the wall.
“Haa… haa… Thought I’d win…”
Kukuku… “Still too naive. On the battlefield, the careless die first. Remember that,” I said.
“Yeah!”
Farmers invited us for tea and offered bread, widening the gap, but I managed a tie…
With this leg strength, she wouldn’t be easily caught. Now, I just needed to set her up with Kain.
Closing Ceremony
Another month passed since our race, and autumn break approached.
Despite my efforts to set them up, Kain’s creepy behavior made Nirvana flee to me for protection, becoming a pattern…
Dozing with eyes half-open at the professor’s desk, I listened to Lillian’s speech on the stage, waking as it ended.
“Everyone! Don’t go too wild!”
Buzz, buzz!♪
The great hall erupted as Lillian, straight-faced, said something suggestive.
“Ahem… Don’t go overboard!”
That Lillian… Probably messed up at another ball. With her looks, she’d easily find a suitor if she didn’t do such things.
In Ackersen, the wheat harvest meant a break. Noble heirs were sent to oversee family estates’ harvests.
After the ceremony, dozens of carriages lined the academy’s gate, livelier than at the entrance ceremony. While seeing off students, Elise was in my room, chatting with Mari to pass the time.
“So, this is goodbye, Nord…” Nirvana said.
“Hmph, you’ll visit Ackersen again, won’t you?”
Yes, next time, she’d return not as Fana but as Princess Nirvana.
“Yeah… When I do… I won’t be with you anymore…”
Her reply was hesitant, like something stuck in her teeth. When she returns, I must ensure she bonds with Kain. But Kain’s creepiness needs fixing… I looked for him, but he was nowhere. Despite all his “Fana, Fana” talk, he’s absent when it matters. Not wanting to keep Barbara waiting, I spoke to Nirvana as she stepped onto the carriage.
“Farewell, then.”
As I turned, she grabbed my sleeve.
“Wait. Um… uh…”
Turning back, I saw her fidgeting, kicking pebbles restlessly.
“Hurry up. I’m not a damn hero with time to spare,” I said.
“Just stay still for a sec,” she said.
“Fine, that much I can do.”
A soft, warm sensation touched my cheek.
“What?!”
Nirvana had stood on her toes to kiss my cheek…
Pulling away slowly, she looked aside and dropped a bombshell.
“You’re the first besides my father… I decided I’d do it when we reunited…”
If Elise or Kain saw this… I scanned the area, but no one was there, and I sighed in relief. If they had, Kain’s resentment and the universe’s corrective force could kill me…
Nirvana didn’t elaborate, but my investigation suggested a purge of demi-humans and the underclass was rising in Tobils, possibly orchestrated to look like demon work. She’s likely returning to investigate.
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