Chapter 17

It’s a pity that I couldn’t greet my future roommate in the same room first, but since I originally planned to casually greet them and head straight to meet the Hero, it wasn’t a major issue.

After all, I would have to return to the dormitory in the evening anyway, so I could just greet them then.

‘Ah… I wish I could see with my own eyes…’

I’ve been reflecting on when I joined the Academy.

It has already been over 2 years since I came to this world, but I still can’t forget the awe I felt when I first saw the Academy as a newbie.

I want to feel that awe once again.

‘Is it really impossible to fix?’

If I had known that I would come to this world, I would never have included being blind and deaf as demerits.

If I were to include anything, I would have rather added something else; I would never have done such a thing as to include these two.

Of course, if that were the case, my body would have become much weaker and I might have turned into nothing more than a healing vending machine that could barely cast a heal spell, but if my body were to become like that, it would be even more painful than it is now, so maybe it wouldn’t have been that bad.

Rather, I hate not being able to see anything at all.

I think it’s not bad that I came to this world, but the fact that I can’t see it with my own two eyes or hear it with my own two ears is overwhelmingly painful.

‘Will I ever be able to see?’

I hope I can see the world that I loved so much as soon as possible.

As I walked along to soothe my complicated feelings, I soon arrived at the training ground.

‘Is this the training ground?’

It looks exactly like what I saw in the game.

I had just barely suppressed my desire to see the world with my own eyes a moment ago, but seeing a form that triggers nostalgia from two years ago made me feel sad once again.

Although it’s better than being completely blind or deaf, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss.

…

Isn’t that exactly the case?

If I had seen limbs being torn off or entire halves of bodies disappearing with my own two eyes, it would have been very difficult for me.

Maybe the reason I still feel detached even now is that it feels just like a game.

‘Since I have to meet the Hero soon, I should stop with the distractions…’

I slapped my cheeks with both hands and steadied my mind. Changing my expression back to normal, I walked into the training ground.

If my expectations are correct, finding the Hero should be relatively easy.

Just like I have my own story as a Saint, the Hero, known as a default character, also has a story.

And among the stories I remember, what was the very first incident that happened with the Hero again…?

‘Ah, I remember!’

The day before the entrance ceremony, I had a big fight at the training ground and was suspended, which caused me to miss the entrance ceremony.

Even though I was suspended, I secretly came to the training ground out of boredom and encountered a Demon who was preparing an ambush while I was swinging a sword.

At that time, a Magician, who was late and had lost their way, ended up having a three-way confrontation with the Demon that I unexpectedly fought alongside due to that chance meeting.

At first, since I was playing, I didn’t think it was that strange, but looking back on it now, it seems quite contrived.

Anyway…

‘Perhaps the best option is to refrain from fighting and just make acquaintances.’

No matter how much I enjoy the pain I get from healing others, hurting someone just to gain that pleasure is enough when it comes to the time I transited to being a Saint.

I didn’t think this far at first, but after witnessing so many deaths in the Realm, my thoughts changed.

So now, rather than disturbing the Hero and preventing them from fighting…

No, wait.

‘Can’t I just engage myself…?’

What a good method this is?!

There’s no need to stop the Hero from fighting and get suspended in the process.

It would be better if I dealt with the Demon myself after being suspended right after the entrance ceremony.

Since I have come into this world, there’s no guarantee that things will flow according to the story, and besides, I can’t even catch the intermediate Demon that appears at the beginning of the Academy…

Isn’t it more beneficial for me to handle it myself?

There’s no longer a reason for me to stay idle.

I immediately lit up my eyes and started searching for the Hero.

‘There are a lot of people…’

Even before the entrance ceremony, many people were continuing their training inside the training ground.

In the game, I could gain experience by fighting monsters I had defeated myself, albeit less than I would from real monsters.

It was explained that it was a kind of illusion magic that allowed the user to extract past memories in the form of thoughts and enable them to fight again, using some sort of technology that blended magic and science.

But at the time, I thought it was a ridiculous concept and just a workaround to address the gameplay limitations…

But seeing it in person was quite impressive.

‘Thoughts are flowing from all around…’

Some were terrified, some were intrigued, and others were expressing their fighting spirit against opponents they could never overcome in the past.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed since I became able to read thoughts is seeing what others are thinking, so I wish I could observe a bit more.

However, I need to find the Hero now.

Where on earth could the Hero be?

That’s the problem…

‘It’s hard to imagine they would use this training ground system.’

As mentioned earlier, unless one chooses the job for themselves, a default character will appear.

Having invested thousands of hours into this game, I still remember the details even two years later.

Among them is information about the Hero’s personality.

So, while I may not know exactly how they would behave, I could at least make some rough predictions.

I’m not the type to check such minor details thoroughly, and even if I did know, I valued fundamental aspects, so the chance of them utilizing the training ground system was practically nonexistent.

Since someone had fought here…

It was highly unlikely they would be here, fighting against illusions.

And…

‘For that swordsmanship fool, the most basic thing would definitely be swordplay…’

That leaves only one place.

I immediately turned my feet towards the swordsmanship training ground.

As soon as I entered the swordsmanship training ground, I was hit with a strong smell of sweat that nearly choked me.

‘Wow…! I think I’ve smelled this scent before…’

After a moment of thought, it became clear.

It was the same sweat smell I had encountered many times during my time in the Realm…

I couldn’t mistake such a familiar smell.

[To dare to underestimate my master’s sword…! I won’t forgive you!]

An intensely passionate voice echoed as I picked up thoughts, and from the words ‘my master’s sword,’ I deduced…

‘It’s the Hero!’

Had they already started fighting?

I swiftly traced the source of the thoughts and moved my feet.

If they were fighting, there would probably be quite a few people gathered around.

‘It’s around here…!’

Having reached that conclusion, I expanded my spatial awareness a bit more and focused on the shapes of people.

Sure enough, not far off, I saw two people facing each other, surrounded by onlookers.

As I quickly approached that shape, my breath came closer to the surface.

I took a deep breath and quickly assessed the situation.

Feeling their emotions escalated to the point where they ignored the gazes around them, they drew their swords.

‘Hmm, it seems there’s no time to think.’

My actions were quick.

“Phew…!”

I quickly cast a barrier between the two people who were about to clash with swords, not even using wooden ones but real swords.

Just at the moment they were about to clash, the two of them were taken aback by the golden holy barrier I cast.

I intended to conceal myself with the barrier and give them time to regain their composure, but then—

“Hey, you.”

Uh…

Ah…!!

“Using magic in the training ground is prohibited.”

Due to the angle, the Hero and the other male student who were about to clash didn’t see each other anymore, and instead, they had already focused their attention on me.

Immediately, a playful hit from above made me tremble.

‘That felt good…’

Is this the happiness of daily life?

Getting hit by a super pretty female professor felt even better than expected…

Ahem.

Sensing that the startled students were approaching from the opposite direction, I quickly adjusted my tone to continue speaking.

“[I-I’m sorry…!]”

I amplified my thoughts loudly for everyone to hear, as if to tell them not to come closer.

The suddenness of my actions caused the professor to freeze for a moment.

…

Oh, did that show?

“… As much as I would like to overlook this, it is strictly prohibited outside of designated areas, so I cannot help it. I’m sorry.”

So that was their reaction, as if I had committed a huge crime.

What a relief.

I let out a sigh of relief.

‘Well, I managed to avoid suspension.’

Now that I’ve been suspended, should I secretly catch a Demon on my own during the entrance ceremony and create a sacrificial concept for everyone?

In fact, I also want to check just how strong I am.

That way, I can set a clearer course of action for the future.

However, it was then.

“… Professor. I have something to discuss for a moment.”

The Hero confidently approached me and spoke to the professor.

Holding a real sword, no less.

‘Why is he doing that…’

…

Ah.

Oh!

‘Oh right! The personality!’

The default character of the Hero is, as expected, characterized by integrity, excellent character, and a good-hearted but foolish side…

Naturally, there was no way they would skip explaining their actions in this situation.

‘This is a disaster.’

My plan has gone awry.