Chapter 3: Is It Wrong to Seek Fun in Field Training?

“Huuuugh...”

A voice called my name from within a pleasant, hazy drowse.

When I forced my heavy eyelids open, my vision was filled with golden hair that sparkled as it caught the morning sun streaming through the window. I blinked at the sudden radiance, only to hear the sound of a soft, amused giggle.

“Good morning, Hugh. It’s already light out. You’ll be late for training if you don’t hurry!”

“Mnn... morning, Tia.”

Lucretia, who usually woke up well after I did, was currently propped up on her stomach, looking down at me. She must have been shaking my shoulder with her left hand. Since she was leaning forward, her shoulders and collarbones were fully exposed. There was a slight gap at the neckline of her lime-green negligee, and my eyes were—against my better judgment—drawn toward it.

Stop it, stop it. Because my self-restraint had nearly shattered last night, my thoughts were veering dangerously into that territory. Stay calm, stay calm... I just needed to focus on morning training.

With that resolve, I started to sit up—only to freeze in place.

“Is something wrong?” Tia asked, tilting her head curiously as I stayed glued to the mattress.

I wanted to get out of bed and change more than anything in the world, but there was a certain... physiological reality preventing me from doing so. My emotions had been running high when I fell asleep last night, and as a result, the “unruly stallion” in my pants was currently at a level that was impossible to manage. There was no way I could let Tia see this.

“Um, Tia? I need to change, so... would you mind turning around?”

“Okay!” she chirped.

She then promptly covered her face with her hands, but left her fingers wide open so her sapphire eyes could peek right through.

She doesn't get it at all!

What was I supposed to do? If I just sat here until things settled down, I’d be late for training, and Alyssa-san would never let me hear the end of it. But if I stood up, the embarrassment would be lethal.

...I guess I had no choice.

“Tia. Look, men have certain... uncontrollable physiological phenomena. I’m asking you to, uh, read the room.”

“Huh...?”

“Just! It’s embarrassing, so please don’t look!”

“............Oh.”

Apparently, she wasn’t entirely lacking in knowledge. Realization dawned on her, and she let out a small gasp before spinning around. I could see the heat rising from her exposed shoulders to the nape of her neck, turning her skin a deep crimson.

“S-s-s-sorry! Right, of course! You’re a boy, Hugh! If you sleep with a girl, of course you’d... feel a little strange!”

“I mean, well, yeah...”

It didn’t necessarily happen just because I slept with a girl, but denying it felt wrong in its own way, so I just nodded. Was it my imagination, or did Tia sound strangely... happy?

Regardless, now was my chance. While her back was turned, I grabbed my clothes and bolted for the washroom. Once I finally managed to settle the unruly stallion and get dressed, I called out to Tia—who was currently flailing her legs while hugging her Noko-noko (a stuffed horse-deer native to this world)—and headed out for training.

The moment I stepped out of the dormitory, I felt the heat of the sun, which was already hanging high for this early in the hour. A summer breeze carried the distant chirping of insects. The season was definitely changing.

When I reached the clearing behind the faculty housing, I found Idiot swinging a wooden sword alone. There was no sign of Alyssa-san, who was usually the first one here. I doubted someone like her would oversleep, but...

“Ah. You’re here, Hugh. Good morning,” Idiot said, pausing his rhythm.

“Morning, Idiot. Where’s Alyssa-san?”

“She was summoned back to the castle by a messenger from Prince Lucas immediately after our session yesterday. She mentioned she would return by the time classes start.”

“I see...”

It must have been an urgent matter. If she was expected back by class, it probably wasn't a catastrophe, but it still nagged at me. I just hoped it wasn't the start of more trouble.

Piling my faint anxiety aside, I began training with Idiot. Without Alyssa there to run our usual practical drills, we focused on the fundamentals, refining our form and posture.

“That’s it, Hugh. Drop your lead foot back half a step. You’ll get more power behind the point that way.”

“Right, like this...?”

“Hoh. You’re a natural!”

Whenever I received instruction from Idiot, I was reminded that his prowess wasn't just a result of his skill. It was built on a foundation of relentless effort. The combination of that discipline and his 〈Guardian〉 skill was what made him so formidable.

Furthermore, Idiot was actually a great teacher. Alyssa-san was all about "learning by dying" and never gave technical advice, but under Idiot’s guidance, I could feel my movements improving by leaps and bounds. He was honest—bluntly so—about what was good and what was bad. If he weren't the heir to the House of Hortness, he’d have made a fine combat instructor.

After a productive session, I returned to my room, showered, and headed to the cafeteria with Lucretia, who had reverted to her Lugue persona.

It was the peak rush hour. As we looked for a spot to sit with our breakfast trays, hands went up from two different tables. One was Lily and Lecty; the other was Rosalie and Cicely-san. Both tables had exactly two seats open.

Ideally, we’d all sit together, but there wasn't a table for six anywhere.

“Let’s split up, Lugue.”

“Good idea. I’ll go sit with Rosalie and the others.”

I watched Lugue head off and made my way to the table where Lily and Lecty were waiting.

“Good morning, Hugh-san!”

“Morning, Lecty.”

I returned the greeting and took the seat next to her. Immediately, Lily leaned across the table, her face inches from mine.

“Did you seal the deal?”

“Of course not.”

What kind of question was that to ask first thing in the morning?

Lily let out a massive sigh of relief and slumped back into her chair. “Good. I was the one who suggested the idea, but I was worried sick that your self-restraint wouldn't hold. I’m sorry... I just felt so guilty toward her that I couldn't say no.”

“Don’t apologize. It probably would have happened sooner or later anyway.”

We both knew our "ignorant role-play" had reached its limit. Even without Lily’s interference, it was only a matter of time before Lucretia started acting like herself when we were alone.

“Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit better. But... did nothing happen?”

“Well... it wasn't exactly nothing.”

I couldn't really elaborate in a crowded cafeteria. Lily seemed to catch my drift, or perhaps she misinterpreted it.

“R-right. Of course. We can't talk about that kind of thing here!” she stammered, her cheeks flushing a faint pink.

Actually, I was referring to the reveal of Lugue’s true identity, not anything scandalous, but explaining that would just make me look desperate. I decided to let the misunderstanding slide.

A few minutes later, Idiot appeared with his tray. I cleared it with Lily and Lecty and waved him over. There was something I had been wanting to discuss with the three of them.

“A discussion?” Lecty asked.

“Yeah. I’ve decided it’s time to stop running and face my skill head-on.”

The 〈Brainwashing〉 skill I’d received from God... I needed to know exactly what it was capable of. The incident at the cathedral had been the catalyst. If I’d mastered my skill back then, I might have stopped Lecty’s kidnapping or saved Rosalie before she mutated into a monster.

I’d avoided using it on anyone but myself because of how much I loathed the nature of the power, but if that hesitation meant I couldn't protect the people I cared about, then I was failing in my priorities.

“I want to know what I can do. I want to be ready when the time comes to protect someone. So... I need your help.”

The three people at this table knew my true skill and had accepted me regardless. I knew I was leaning on them, but I needed perspectives I didn't have—and I needed them to act as my moral compass if I ever started to lose my way. And if the worst came to the worst...

“I see,” Lily mused, tapping her chin. “I agree. We should figure out the extent of your abilities while we have the chance. Your skill seems difficult to modulate, and its applications are practically infinite. We need to expand your repertoire one step at a time.”

Lily understood my predicament perfectly.

By using 〈Brainwashing〉 on myself, I could theoretically swap my skill for anything. It sounded convenient, but in practice, it was a nightmare. Skills had specific names. If I wanted to fly, I couldn't just swap to "Flight Skill." I had to use specific terms like 〈Soar〉, 〈Aviation〉, or 〈Levitation〉. And I’d never know exactly how those worked until I tried them.

If I used 〈Soar〉 indoors, I might launch myself through the ceiling. If I used 〈Levitation〉 to dodge an attack, I might only float a few inches off the ground, leaving me a sitting duck.

Because I can swap to anything, choosing the right thing is the hard part. I’m not fast enough to improvise the perfect skill in a split second, so I need to prepare patterns in advance.

During the entrance exam, when I saved the kidnapped Lugue, things went well, but I couldn't count on that kind of luck forever. In fact, when I tried to increase the number of targets for my 〈Brainwashing〉, I almost put myself in the hospital. I was hidden at the time, so I only had to deal with the agony, but if I’d been discovered then, it would have been game over.

“Of course I’ll help, Hugh,” Lily said firmly.

“Hugh-san, please let me know if there's anything I can do!” Lecty added.

“You don’t even have to ask! This Idiot Hortness shall lend you his full support!”

“Thanks, everyone. I mean it.”

I was deeply grateful to the three of them. I’d have to find a way to pay them back someday.

“We can't exactly talk specifics here, though,” Lily whispered, glancing around. The morning cafeteria was the most crowded place on campus; you never knew who was eavesdropping. We agreed to pick the conversation back up during lunch.

Once breakfast was over, we met up with Lugue and Rosalie (Cicely-san had already left for the faculty office) and the six of us headed to the classroom.

“Oh, I am so looking forward to the field exercise!” Rosalie chirped, clapping her hands together. Lugue gave a wry smile and muttered, “She’s still on about that...” It seemed she’d been talking about nothing else during breakfast.

“We’re getting the briefing today, right?!”

“Yes, that’s what we were told,” Lily replied.

The exercise was only a week away. Today was the scheduled orientation. It reminded me of the "group planning" sessions before school trips back in my old world.

“This isn't a vacation, Lady Rosalie. It is an exercise. A military drill,” Idiot reminded her sternly. He was right; the Royal Academy’s exercises were effectively military maneuvers. Treating it like a field trip was a good way to get hurt.

“I know that! But that doesn't mean I can't be excited! Right, Lecty?”

“Huh? Me?” Lecty’s eyes went wide at the sudden question. She thought about it for a second before nodding. “Well, yes. I know it’s a serious exercise, but I’m a little excited too. It’ll be my first time leaving the capital, and I’m happy to be traveling somewhere far away with all of you.”

“Indeed! Lady Lecty is absolutely correct!”

“Men with no consistency are quite unattractive, you know,” Rosalie noted, giving Idiot a cold stare as he immediately flipped his stance.

Consistency aside, I felt the same way as Lecty. I was actually getting a bit of a buzz from the school-trip vibes.

“By the way, do we know where we’re going yet?”

“Not yet,” Lugue answered. “The exercises are held in dungeons that match the class’s skill level, so the destination is different for everyone. I don’t know where last year’s Class A went, but I’m sure we’ll be going somewhere new.”

“Matched to our skill level, huh...”

Our Class 1-A was packed with talent—we’d even been considered favorites for the Class Competition over the upperclassmen. Plus, our homeroom teacher was a veteran knight from the Kingdom Knights known for her brutal training.

Idiot seemed to have the same realization I did. We’d better be ready for something intense.

“I imagine Alyssa-sensei will explain everything shortly.”

“I just hope she doesn't drag us somewhere completely insane.”

I was also thinking about how Alyssa had been summoned to the castle by Prince Lucas. I hoped the two things were unrelated, but...

With a trace of unease, we reached the classroom. After chatting for a while, the bell rang to signal the start of the day. A few moments later, Alyssa-san arrived, accompanied by Cicely-san.

“Alright, listen up, you fledglings. I’m going to announce the dungeon for your field exercise.”

She picked up a piece of chalk and wrote a name on the blackboard in large, bold letters.

『Drefon Great Labyrinth』

The room erupted into murmurs the moment the name was written.

Drefon... That was the name of the Black Dragon in the book Lugue had been reading last night.

“Why...?” Lugue whispered beside me. I glanced over to see her sapphire eyes wide and trembling. She didn't just look surprised; she looked disturbed.

“Quiet down! Starting next week, you’ll be conquering the 『Drefon Great Labyrinth』. It’s called a ‘Great Labyrinth,’ but that’s mostly because it’s huge. The monsters aren't that tough, so it’s an easy dungeon.”

I took Alyssa’s definition of "easy" with a massive grain of salt, but the rest of the class seemed worried about something else entirely.

“Um... what about the curse?” asked Anne Trage, one of Idiot’s former sycophants.

That opened the floodgates. Multiple students started shouting questions about the “curse.”

What were they talking about? Both nobles and commoners were reacting the same way. Apparently, in the capital, the 『Drefon Great Labyrinth』 was synonymous with "curse."

As I was wondering about this, I felt a hand cover mine on the desk.

“Is everything okay?” I whispered.

“Ah—no, it’s nothing!” Lugue stammered, pulling her hand away as if she’d done it unconsciously. I reached out and caught her hand, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. I wanted to let her know that whatever it was, it would be fine.

“...Thanks, Hugh.”

She seemed to get the message. The tension in her face eased, and she gave me a small smile.

Still... what was this curse everyone was talking about?

“Hahaha! The curse is just a superstition!” Alyssa laughed, waving off their concerns. “It wasn't a curse; it was an epidemic. Though I can’t blame you for wanting to call it a curse.”

She brushed it off to ease the class’s anxiety. So the "curse" was actually a plague? Given that medicine in this world was primitive compared to my old one, I doubted they’d discovered bacteria or viruses yet. It made sense that people would attribute an outbreak to a curse.

...Then again, this was a world with supernatural powers like skills. A literal curse or a divine grudge wasn't out of the question.

“Don’t worry. The Adventurer’s Guild has given the dungeon a clean bill of health. The Academy sent a team to double-check, too. There’s nothing to worry about.”

She gave us a wink. Well, our class did have Lugue (Lucretia) in it. Even if her identity was a secret, they wouldn't send the Seventh Princess into a truly dangerous dungeon. I was sure the guild, the Academy, and the Kingdom Knights had all verified the safety of the place.

The class finally settled down after Alyssa’s explanation, but Lugue didn't let go of my hand. Sensing something was off, I looked over at Lily, who was sitting on Lugue’s other side. Lily had clearly noticed Lugue’s distress as well; she gave me a small, knowing nod. She definitely knew something.

“I will now distribute the itinerary for the exercise. Please take one and pass the rest back,”

I looked over the document. The exercise would last for about a month, starting next Monday. The 『Drefon Great Labyrinth』 was located to the west of the capital, in the Spen region on the far side of Lake Reese. We would travel by ship and then on foot, a journey that would take a week each way. We’d also be practicing outdoor camping along the way.

On paper, it looked like a grueling schedule. There were rest days, but for a solid month, we’d be constantly moving or fighting. It was going to be a test of mental and physical endurance.

After Cicely-san finished explaining the rules and the schedule, the first period ended. Once the rest of the morning classes were over, it was finally time for lunch.

“Lunchtime!” Rosalie cheered, leaping out of her chair the moment the teacher left. Her palate, which had been dulled by the modest meals at the church, had been completely conquered by the world-class chefs at the Royal Academy. “Let’s hurry to the cafeteria, everyone!”

Lugue and the others followed her with wry smiles. I caught Idiot’s and Lily’s eyes and gave them a signal.

“Sorry, I’m going to pass on lunch today.”

“Huh? You’re not coming, Hugh?” Lugue asked.

“I feel like my morning training was a bit lacking. The exercise is coming up, so I want to get a few more swings in. Idiot, you mind helping me out?”

“Not at all. I was itching for more work myself.”

Idiot played along perfectly, standing up and rolling his shoulders. Lily followed suit.

“I’ll join you. I’m in the mood for some exercise today.”

“““““WHA—?!”””””

“Why are you all shouting?” Lily asked, tilting her head.

I mean, everyone knew Lily hated exercise. This was the girl who’d turned down dance invitations by claiming both her legs had suffered multiple compound fractures. Hearing her volunteer for physical activity was a shock to everyone’s system.

“Is it really that surprising? I’m just trying to build up some stamina for the exercise.”

“I mean, I guess, but...”

I wanted to point out that a few minutes of training wasn't going to build stamina, but I knew she was just creating an excuse for us to pull away from Lugue and the others, so I stayed quiet.

“Well, in that case, I...” Lugue hesitated.

“Lugue-san, why don’t we go to the cafeteria?” Lecty cut in smoothly. She knew I hadn’t told Lugue about my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill yet, and she was covering for me.

“Oh, okay. See you later, Hugh.”

“Yeah.”

I watched Lugue, Lecty, and Rosalie head off before we left the classroom. We headed for the clearing behind the faculty housing. No one came here during lunch, so we could talk freely.

“It’s hot...” I muttered. Just walking here had made me start sweating under my uniform. Summer uniforms were supposed to be issued tomorrow; I couldn't wait for short sleeves.

We settled down in the shade of a large tree.

“I think we can talk here,” Lily said.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

“I understand keeping it from Lady Rosalie, but surely we can tell Lugue?” Idiot asked. “I find it hard to believe he would shun you just for knowing about your 〈Brainwashing〉 skill.”

“You’re probably right...”

I knew Lugue would do her best to accept me. But... what if she rejected me? That tiny shred of doubt was enough to keep me silent.

“I don’t think there's a need to tell him just yet,” Lily countered. “Given the nature of the skill, the fewer people who know, the better.”

“I suppose. But he can't keep it a secret forever. If he’s going to face his skill, keeping Lugue in the dark is only going to make things harder, isn't it?”

“Yeah, that’s the problem...”

If Lecty hadn't intervened just now, Lugue would have followed us, and we wouldn't have been able to talk about the skill at all. It was going to become a bottleneck as I started experimenting more. Avoiding Lugue would make her suspicious and hurt her feelings. As Idiot said, I couldn't keep this up forever.

Still, I couldn't find the courage to come out with it. Honestly, confessing my love felt easier than this.

“Idiot is right, but if he’s going to tell Lugue, he needs to be careful,” Lily said. “I don’t think he’ll reject you, but we can't be one hundred percent sure.”

“...Yeah.”

I was surrounded by supportive people, so it was easy to forget, but 〈Brainwashing〉 was an objectively terrifying power. Under normal circumstances, it was the kind of thing that would get you lynched. I couldn't afford to forget that.

“For now, let’s focus on learning what you can do. Whether or not to tell Lugue is up to you. Does that sound fair, Idiot?”

“I have no objections. Sorry for pushing you, Hugh.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s my own cowardice that’s the problem. I appreciate you guys looking out for me.”

“Of course. We’re here for you,” Lily said.

“Indeed! We are friends, are we not? You can always count on this Idiot Hortness!”

“Thanks, you two.”

Their support brought a lump to my throat. Looking back at the entrance exam, it was hard to believe I’d ended up with friends like these. Life is full of surprises.

“Now then, let's get down to business. Hugh, tell us everything you currently know about your 〈Brainwashing〉 skill. Whatever you’re comfortable sharing.”

“Right.”

Lily was being considerate, but there was no point in hiding anything from them now. I gave them a detailed breakdown of everything I knew about my ability.

“Hmm... Hearing it all at once, it really is a terrifying power,” Idiot mused.

“It really is. I’m truly glad it was you who received it, Hugh,” Lily added, looking a little pale. “If someone with malice had this power, I shudder to think what would happen to us and this country...”

“There are limitations, so it wouldn't be that bad, hopefully...”

“About that—could you bypass some of those limitations by swapping to a different, similar skill?”

“A similar skill? Like... 〈Hypnosis〉 or 〈Suggestion〉?”

“Let’s find out. You’ve got two guinea pigs right here.”

“You’re calling yourself a guinea pig now?”

Well, she was right. It was worth a shot. If I could use a skill with a similar effect on multiple people, it would be a huge asset.

“Alright. ...Release 〈Brainwashing〉. Hugh Pnocis, your skill is 〈Hypnosis〉.”

I pulled out my hand mirror and swapped from 〈Pyrokinesis〉 to 〈Hypnosis〉.

【Skill: Hypnosis Lv. Max ...... Relaxes the target, relieving stress and anxiety to open their heart.】

...That wasn't quite what I’d expected. I explained the description to them, and they both looked puzzled.

“It seems quite different from 〈Brainwashing〉,” Idiot noted.

“ ‘Opening their heart’ is a bit vague... Hugh, why don't you try it on me? We’ll learn more by doing. We don’t have all day, so let’s not waste time overthinking it.”

“Alright...”

I felt a little bad using Lily as a test subject, but reading a description only got me so far.

“Skill: 〈Hypnosis〉.”

I faced Lily and activated the power. I felt a familiar sensation as the skill took hold of her.

“How do you feel?”

“Well... I feel very relaxed. It’s a strange, fluffy sort of feeling,” Lily answered, her expression looking a little dazed. The fact that she could respond normally was already a major departure from 〈Brainwashing〉. She seemed to be in the "relaxed state" mentioned in the description.

“Do you feel like your heart is open?”

“I wonder... I already love you, Hugh, so I’m not sure there's much more ‘heart’ to open.”

“O-oh. Right.”

The skill was definitely working, even if she wasn't conscious of it. Otherwise, there was no way Lily would have said something like that with Idiot standing right there. It felt less like “opening the heart” and more like “stripping away the filter.”

“Hugh, try giving her an order,” Idiot suggested, seemingly unfazed by Lily’s confession.

“Right. An order...”

I tried to keep my cool. I couldn't think of anything on the spot. Telling her to act like a dog was out—I didn't want to see that, and I still remembered the regret of making my family’s old butler do it. I needed something else... something she’d normally hate.

“Alright, Lily. Go run three laps around the faculty housing.”

“No way. That sounds awful.”

Apparently, 〈Hypnosis〉 didn't have the same absolute command as 〈Brainwashing〉. I deactivated the skill, and Lily immediately buried her face in her hands and crouched down. Her pale cheeks were flushed all the way to her ears.

“I’ll never live this down...! I can't believe I said something so embarrassing in front of Idiot...!”

“S-sorry.”

It seemed the target retained their memories while under hypnosis. That was another difference; when I’d tested 〈Brainwashing〉 on Lily with Prince Lucas, she had no memory of the event.

“Do not fret, Lily Puridy. I couldn't care less about your feelings for Hugh, and I have no intention of telling anyone. Just make sure you invite me to the wedding.”

“Fine! I’ll make sure you're the first one on the list!” Lily snapped, clearly mortified.

I took a moment to reflect. It seemed 〈Hypnosis〉 didn't have a limit on the number of targets, but it was far weaker than 〈Brainwashing〉 in terms of control. If someone were swinging a sword at me with intent to kill, would 〈Hypnosis〉 stop them? Lily’s strong desire not to run had easily overridden the skill. It likely wouldn't work on someone with an iron will or a singular focus.

Ideally, I’d never be in that situation, but life was unpredictable. If Prince Lucas fell from power and my skill was exposed, I could find myself being hunted by assassins. Knowing the limits of these skills now was invaluable.

Lily cleared her throat loudly. “Well, we’ve got the gist of 〈Hypnosis〉. It’s certainly no substitute for 〈Brainwashing〉. You might be able to influence someone’s behavior with it if you’re clever, but 〈Brainwashing〉 is much more efficient.”

“Yeah. To be honest, I don’t think I could master this as well as I have 〈Brainwashing〉.”

The absolute control and immediate response of 〈Brainwashing〉 made it far more practical, for better or worse. We spent the rest of lunch testing other similar skills like 〈Suggestion〉 and 〈Charm〉. All of them were powerful, but none of them could compare to the raw, terrifying efficiency of 〈Brainwashing〉.

The fact that I only needed eye contact to exert absolute control... the more I learned about other skills, the more the sheer monstrosity of my own ability became clear.

“It’s almost time,” Lily said, looking toward the school buildings.

The bell hadn't rung yet, but the faculty housing was a bit of a walk. If we waited for the bell, we’d be late for afternoon classes. We decided to wrap up our session.

“Thanks for sticking with me, you two. I feel like I’ve learned a lot.”

“Fufu. ‘Learned a lot’ is certainly one way to put it,” Lily teased.

“Will we be testing different categories of skills next time? You know where to find me,” Idiot said.

“Thanks, Idiot. I’d love to do this again tomorrow, but...”

I didn't want to avoid Lugue two days in a row. I didn't want her to think I was pushing her away, and honestly, I wanted to be around her. I wanted to deepen my understanding before the field exercise, but it was going to be difficult.

“Could you sneak out of your room at night?”

“That’s... complicated.”

Given what happened this morning, I hoped she’d give me some space, but Lugue (Lucretia) would probably continue to sleep in my bed. Sneaking out without her noticing would be a miracle.

“What about morning training? Alyssa-san is usually there, right?”

“Alyssa-san knows I can swap skills, but she doesn't know the true nature is 〈Brainwashing〉.”

I wasn't sure how she’d react if she found out. She might accept it, or she might cut me down on the spot. I wasn't willing to take that risk just yet. Prince Lucas knew the truth, so I could ask him for help... but I’d have to go through Alyssa to get an appointment. Making up a fake reason to see him would only hurt my credibility.

“If mornings are out, then lunch is our only window,” Idiot noted.

“Yeah. Ultimately, the solution is just telling Lugue the truth...”

I really needed to find the courage. Honestly, a romantic confession felt less daunting than this.

“Lugue already knows you can swap skills, right?” Lily asked.

“Yeah. I used 〈Physical Enhancement〉 during the Class Competition.”

When we were racing through the forest to save Lily’s group, I’d used the enhancement sub-skill of 〈Ninja〉 while carrying Lugue. After things settled down, I’d told her that I could switch between different abilities. Like Alyssa-san, she just didn't know the core skill was 〈Brainwashing〉.

“In that case, why don’t we focus on theoretical study for a while? If we check the library, we might find books about various skills. As long as you aren't actually swapping skills with 〈Brainwashing〉, there's no reason Lugue can't be with us.”

“—! You’re right! Why didn't I think of that?!”

I didn't actually have to use the skill to learn. I’d been so focused on practical testing that I’d overlooked the obvious. If I could find records of past skills and their effects, I could expand my repertoire significantly. I’d still need to test them eventually, but that could wait. The important part was that I wouldn't have to hide from Lugue.

I’d talk to her about it as soon as we got back. The bell rang just as we entered the school building. We had five minutes before the next class—plenty of time.

“Sorry, I need to use the restroom. Go on ahead,” Idiot said, darting off.

Lily and I continued toward the classroom. At the landing of the stairs, we both stopped. There was something I wanted to ask her while we were alone.

“Is there something about the 『Drefon Great Labyrinth』?” I asked.

Lugue had been visibly shaken during the announcement. Since Lily had known her since they were children, she had to know why.

Lily looked out the window, her gaze drifting. “It’s not the dungeon itself. It’s...”

“The name ‘Drefon’?”

“Yes. Hugh, do you know the story of the Black Dragon Drefon?”

“...I’ve heard the name.”

Technically, I’d skimmed a book about it, but I didn't know the details. I figured it was better to hear it from her.

Lily nodded and began to explain. “Two hundred years ago, a black dragon appeared out of nowhere and laid waste to the Kingdom. The damage was catastrophic. The Kingdom of Reese wasn't nearly as strong as it is now, and it was on the brink of total collapse. That was when a single adventurer stood up. He ventured into the dragon’s lair—a dungeon in the Spen region—and slew the Black Dragon Drefon. He was hailed as a savior, and the King granted him a title and the family name ‘Drefon’ as a reward for his achievement.”

So far, it sounded like a classic hero story. But I knew there had to be more.

“The House of Drefon became one of the most influential noble families in the Kingdom. They were so powerful that their daughters were often chosen as royal concubines. No one dared to mock them as 'former adventurers' because the feat of slaying the dragon was so legendary.”

“...But that isn't in our textbooks, is it?”

A feat like that should have been the first thing we learned in history class.

“The House of Drefon was wiped from history seven years ago. Right around the time of the epidemic.”

“The one Alyssa-san mentioned.”

“Judging by your reaction, the Pnocis territory wasn't affected,” Lily noted.

“...It’s in the middle of nowhere.”

In Pnocis, you didn't get news unless you went looking for it. When I was eight, I was too busy running around the mountains. My father might have known about it, and it might have affected trade, but as far as I knew, no one in our territory got sick.

“I was only a child, so my memories are a bit fuzzy. My father and I were living in our mansion in the capital at the time, but we fled back to the Puridy estate to avoid the sickness. People still died there, but it was much better than the capital.”

“Was it that bad in the capital?”

“...Yes. Thousands died, nobles and commoners alike. I believe Lecty’s parents were among them.”

“...I see.”

That explained why Lecty looked so somber during Alyssa’s explanation.

“Anne called it a ‘curse.’ What did she mean by that?”

“The truth is uncertain, but it’s said the first deaths occurred in the Spen region—the territory of the Earl of Drefon. As the disease spread to the capital, rumors began to circulate that it was the ‘Curse of the Black Dragon Drefon.’”

“Was there any proof?”

“No. Some said the dragon had brought plague with it centuries ago, but in truth, disease often follows war and chaos. If many people died during the battle with the dragon and the bodies weren't handled properly, an outbreak would be inevitable. The dragon didn't need to be magical to cause a plague.”

“Either way, the dragon was killed two hundred years ago. It shouldn't have anything to do with an outbreak seven years ago. It just happened to start in the Drefon territory.”

“Exactly. But many people didn't see it that way. People who lost their families needed someone to blame for their grief.”

“Don't tell me they blamed the House of Drefon.”

“My father said it was horrific. Statues and monuments to the dragon and the family were torn down. Books were burned. The family’s legacy was systematically erased.”

“...Is that why they’re not in the textbooks?”

Lily nodded. “A faction of the nobility argued passionately that keeping the records of the dragon’s slaying would only provoke its spirit further. It was less about history and more about superstition.”

“It’s like a cult of fear...” In my old world, there were traditions of worshipping vengeful spirits to appease them. The people of this world had decided the plague was the dragon’s wrath, and the only way to stop it was to erase the family that had killed it.

“What happened to the family?”

“The King confiscated most of their land and demoted them to the rank of Viscount. The official reason wasn't the curse, of course; it was for failing to implement proper quarantine measures and allowing the disease to spread to the capital.”

“So they were at fault, to some degree.” In a world without global travel, a localized outbreak could have been contained if movement had been restricted. If the House of Drefon had failed at that basic task, a punishment was warranted.

I finally understood why the class was shouting about a curse, and why the Drefon name was missing from the textbooks.

...And I finally understood why Lugue had been so shaken.

“...You said a daughter of the House of Drefon was chosen as a royal concubine. Is that it?”

“............”

Lily looked down without saying a word. Just then, we heard footsteps on the stairs. Idiot was coming back up.

“What are you two doing? Classes are about to start!”

“Right. Let’s go, Lily.”

“...Yes.”

We hurried back to the classroom. Lily’s silence was as good as an admission. If a woman from the House of Drefon had become a royal concubine, that meant she was the mother of Lucretia and Prince Lucas.

This was likely why Prince Lucas had struggled to gain support from the nobility for the succession. It wasn't just his eyesight; it was his lineage. The powerful family that should have backed him had fallen, and the nobles—fearing the "blood of the curse"—had flocked to Prince Slay instead. Even now, the prejudice against him must be immense.

And now, for the field exercise, Lucretia was being sent to her mother’s ancestral home.

It was no wonder she was disturbed. This couldn't be a coincidence. If the 『Drefon Great Labyrinth』 had been chosen specifically, then Prince Lucas had to be the one behind it.