LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 21
Serelin.
The first emotion she felt when she saw the young mage was ‘indifference.’
She thought, “She must be a girl who only came because of Aswel’s popularity, skill, and looks.”
Therefore, she just agreed with Rapirie’s words without voicing her own opinion.
Even though Rapirie had joined later than herself, she and Ariya trusted her in this regard.
And most of the time, whatever she said had Aswel understanding and being persuaded by it.
But this time was different.
[She manifested Space of Space magic without chanting or a magic circle.]
Aswel was defending the newly arrived mage for the first time.
It was the first time he stood firm against Rapirie’s opposition.
In the end, she joined our party, and that choice proved to be an excellent decision.
With overwhelming magical prowess and the incredible magical tools she created.
The gloves and shoes she made for Serelin became her new limbs.
If she could swing a sword once before, now she could swing it two or three times in that same time.
The need to step back three steps to evade was reduced to just one.
The efficiency of all actions and techniques in battle increased dramatically.
Simply wearing the equipment… began to reveal a realm she thought she would never cross.
Sword Master.
The highest peak that swordsmen can reach, with only three exist even in the Empire.
In fact, one of the reasons she joined the hero’s party was because she liked the hero, Aswel, but also to get a glimpse of the Sword Master realm.
However, no matter how many enemies she fought and how much training she did with the talented Aswel, the wall known as Sword Master was still out of sight.
There was something she hadn’t shared with the other comrades.
That sometimes she felt a sense of alienation.
Aswel, Ariya, and Rapirie all had outstanding abilities and bright futures ahead of them.
But what about her? She had risen to minor nobility through swordsmanship, but if she couldn’t reach the Sword Master level, that was as far as it would go.
She doesn’t have the support of countless nobles and the Emperor due to the title of Hero like Aswel.
Nor does she have the influence of the entire Church like Ariya.
She doesn’t hold the status of a princess of the Elf Kingdom like Rapirie.
A female knight, unable to become a Sword Master, who has even defeated the Demon King.
Serelin worried if that was all that would remain after her journey.
But then.
“…I’m the newly arrived mage, Rui. Nice to meet you.”
Things changed with her entry.
Rui, the pure white mage.
Unbeknownst to her, she filled the void in Serelin’s heart and body.
She compensated for the movements and techniques that felt lacking with magical tools and support, and relayed Aswel’s praises to her, filling the emptiness within.
Especially the praises… they were something she unconsciously craved.
The mentor of the hero. Minor nobility. Female knight.
The many titles that referred to Serelin did not bring her praise or encouragement.
Because she was a hero’s mentor, because she was somewhat noble, and because she became a knight as a woman.
Ultimately, when the mage, Rui, relayed Aswel’s compliments, she felt her heart filling up.
“So, about that time you dealt with the jackal pack, your quick decision-making was impressive….”
“Ugh…”
Eventually, she began to look forward to Rui’s praise more and more.
*
They had nearly crossed over.
No? They had crossed over a long time ago.
“So, Rui, what do you think of me?”
“Of course, you’re amazing.”
“Ugh.”
“And sexy.”
“S-sexy….”
“The most reliable knight anywhere.”
“~!!!”
Every time a praise was thrown, her expression changed like a whirlwind.
With such vibrant reactions, I felt motivated to praise her even more.
Once the storm-like compliment time ended, Serelin wore a refreshing expression.
Then, blushing, she spoke to me.
“Well, uhm, Rui is a pretty good mage too.”
Counter-praising?
Sorry, but compliments alone won’t move me.
“Your gloves and shoes are a tremendous help. Thanks to them, I was able to reach you quickly this time….”
“….”
“Aswel casually praised the gloves and shoes too.”
“….”
“So I really think it was fortunate that you joined our party.”
“…Uh-huh.”
I turned my gaze from Serelin.
I didn’t want to show my twitching lips. Absolutely, absolutely, I wouldn’t say I was happy to receive a compliment.
Purr.
‘…? Did something just feel off about Lux’s gaze?’
It seemed like he was looking at me with disdain…
Well, it must be my imagination.
Anyway, now Serelin was practically on my side.
What I needed to do next was set up an event to link her with the hero.
“By the way, Serelin.”
“Hmm?”
“You like the hero, right?”
“W-wha? Huh?”
Her face turned bright red as she covered her cheeks with her hands.
I threw a line to hit her target.
“You perk up whenever we talk about the hero.”
“N-no, it’s not like that… um.”
Serelin boldly confirmed.
I smiled with satisfaction and shared my plan with her.
“Then I’ll help you.”
“Help with what?”
“To win the hero’s favor.”
The hero is completely clueless, so if someone doesn’t approach him, it’ll be very hard.
Just like a salesperson might lament over the shortcomings of the hero, I stretched out the reasons why I should help.
Then Serelin gave me a puzzled look.
“But Rui…”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t you like Aswel too?”
“…I don’t.”
No way. I absolutely! do not like the hero.
I firmly sealed that fact.
“Um, well, alright. But I’ll understand if you change your mind…”
“So, I’m not going to!”
Let’s stop talking about that and focus on devising a strategy for Serelin.
“Serelin, you’re currently standing in the front lines with the hero, right?”
“Yeah…”
“So, it’s likely that rather than seeing him as a romantic interest, you see him as a fighting companion or ally.”
“…”
Serelin’s complexion was visibly darkening.
It’s amusing how her emotions heighten when the hero is involved.
“Plus, with your mentor relationship, it’ll be quite difficult.”
“Ugh…”
“So what Serelin needs to aim for is the element of surprise.”
“Element of… surprise?”
“Yes.”
This was a different form of the element of surprise I mentioned to Rapirie.
Rapirie’s approach was to show a friendly side in daily life and battle. I advised her to present a serious side in a flower field.
Serelin needed to do the opposite.
“In the next two days, schedule a dinner with the hero. Just the two of you. Make it right after you both have gone through a tough battle.”
“Um, huh…?”
“A restaurant that serves alcohol would be ideal. Once you have a meal and drinks together, exchange light conversation about the day’s battle.”
“But that would be the same as usual, wouldn’t it?”
“Hey, the key is what comes next. After that, have a drink or two. Then quietly look at the hero and smile.”
If a beauty like Serelin smiles, even the most oblivious hero’s attention would be drawn.
Then, she should say something like:
“Still… it feels nice to have a meal with you, after all this time.”
“Me? How could I ever say that…!”
The essence of the line is ambiguity.
It sounds like it has affections, yet not really, that kind of feeling.
Could you imagine a usually serious mentor and comrade casually saying that she’s glad to have had a last meal together?
That would surely hit home.
The reason Serelin didn’t blossom as a heroine in the original was because she couldn’t create that light yet tender atmosphere.
Every time she tried to approach him seriously, they felt burdened.
‘So it would be best to start lightly over a drink.’
It wouldn’t have the intensity of Rapirie’s flower field episode.
But for Serelin, the key weapon is ‘incursion into everyday life.’
It’s essential to evoke memories of moments like ‘this happened before.’
And since they were in the closest distance during battles, arranging a meeting would also be quick and easy.
“But, um, will Aswel come to the restaurant?”
“Why?”
“Because Count Alfareth said he would provide all meals. And there aren’t any suitable restaurants between the Northern and Eastern gates….”
Hmm, I hadn’t considered that issue.
Geographical problems. I suppose I need to solve this.
“Then, tomorrow night, come to the Central Commercial District. I’ll bring the hero along under the pretense of buying magical tools.”
There are a few magical tool shops in Alfareth’s back alley, and if I mention wanting to go there while asking for an escort, he will follow.
After all, there wouldn’t be many magical creatures coming into the East, North, and South gates afterward, so the hero will agree.
“If Ariya and Rapirie….I’ll try to stop them if I can. But since time is limited, we need to work quickly.”
“Um, uh, okay.”
Compared to the time with Rapirie, the remaining time was fleeting.
But if Serelin’s instinctive movements and true feelings come into play, it should work.
Vroom.
“All the magic formulas are complete now.”
“Magic formulas?”
“Yes. I was reinforcing the gate.”
I patted the head of Night Lux, who had quietly waited until then.
After unsummoning the master key, I headed to the Alfareth mansion with Serelin.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow.