Chapter 94

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Claude Zahard Kirihal’s Progress

Twenty-five days had passed since the first gathering of the student alliance and only twenty-five days to go until the Foundation Anniversary where the meeting to get the establishment of a student alliance approved would be held . Fifteen days until they headed for Jarazack . Five days until Claude started his practice matches with Professor Mikhail . Considering all this, they didn’t have much time left .

「Hmm . The tea you make is simply the best . 」

「Really? I’m glad to hear that . 」

Hikaru and Lavia were at their apartment in Scholarzard . The tea after breakfast was one of Hikaru’s pleasures . Lavia tended to be very particular with her tea leaves . She went around different stores to buy some and compare them . She seemed to have figured out Hikaru’s taste; the tea was getting more and more delicious every day .

「So this means we have Kirihal and Kotobi’s vote, right?」

「I think so, yes . I received a letter yesterday from Silvester who’s back in Zubura . 」

A lone letter lay on the table . The first part read “Please tell League too” . Silvester wouldn’t send a letter directly to League . People watched the latter’s every move . So Silvester sent it to Hikaru instead .

“I convinced my father last night . I’ll see you at the Foundation Anniversary” .

That was all . It would seem Silvester chose to stay in Zubura

「That’s three votes . All that’s left is Jarazack . 」

「How’s Claude doing?」

「It should be about time . 」

Lavia knew immediately what Hikaru meant . It was time to use the Soul Board .

「Claude, Ivan . 」

「Hey there, Hikaru . 」

「Come on, man . You gotta show up more often . 」

Hikaru arrived at the short sword class which had become training session for Claude and Ivan . Professor Mille wasn’t around, only the two guys and the other Jarazack students .

Hikaru hadn’t seen Roy these past few days . Apparently more ladies followed League around now, so Roy was sent to keep them company . As such, Hikaru couldn’t talk to League about the student alliance . The young heir had an important role during the anniversary . As such it was best if he didn’t draw unnecessary attention at the moment .

「A practice match, huh? How’s Claude doing, Ivan?」

「Like you said, ever since he learned to use a shield, he’s moved better . Right now he can win against me three out of ten . 」

「I see . 」

「By the way, I got a message from the boss yesterday . I told him there’s someone who wants to fight him and he was overjoyed . There hasn’t been anyone young to challenge him recently . 」

「Th-That’s great . 」

Damn maniac… Hikaru’s cheeks twitched .

「………」

He shot a glance at Claude who looked dispirited .

「Claude, do you have a minute?」

「What’s up?」

「I need to talk to you . 」

They moved away from Ivan and the others . The sunlight was strong as always, but the nights were chilly – a sign that the peak of summer had passed .

「Why the long face?」Hikaru asked .

「Can I really win the way I am right now?」

While he knew he was improving from his training with Ivan, Claude knew it wasn’t enough . His opponent was much stronger than Ivan .

「Do you have a Soul Card?」Hikaru asked .

「Ah, you did mention keeping it with me at all times even during training . 」

Unlike the Guild Card, Soul Cards were issued by temples . Mostly owned by nobles and wealthy people, the card itself was made with expensive metals . As such, not a lot of people carried theirs around . But Hikaru advised Claude to keep his with him .

Claude took out his Soul Card .

「Your job class was Ordinary One-handed Sword Ritual God: Swordsman of Honor6, correct?」

「Yeah . 」

「I want you to check if more was added . 」

「More job classes appearing is rare . It doesn’t happen that often . 」

「Just check . 」

Claude reluctantly took out his Soul Card .

「…What?」

He froze .

「What did you get?」

「Huh? Ah, sorry, what?」

「Tell me . 」

「Ah, yes . Ordinary One-handed Sword Warrior God: Sword and Shield, and one that has five characters! One-Handed Sword Technique God: Technical Swordsman5!」

「Ahuh . 」

Hikaru finished tweaking Claude’s Soul Board .

【Soul Board】Claude Zahad Kirihal

Age: 18 Rank: 7

9

【Vitality】

. . 【Stamina】1

【Magical Power】

. . 【Spirit Affinity】

… . 【Air】1

【Physical Strength】

. . 【Strength】1

. . 【Weapon Mastery】

… . 【Sword】3

… . 【Shield】1

【Agility】

. . 【Power Burst】1

【Willpower】

. . 【Mental Strength】1

. . 【Charisma】1

Hikaru put one point on both Sword and Shield . He was considering adding points to Strength and Power Burst a later time . Getting Sword to four points would be his last resort .

「You know that by changing job classes, your abilities change as well, right?」

「B-But this is something from the gods…」

「Some people change when they grow stronger . Just like me . 」

「Really? What kind of job class do you have? Don’t tell me you have something with less than five characters?」

Hikaru couldn’t tell him he had a two-character class .

「Forget about me . Try changing your job class . 」

「O-Okay . 」

After setting it to Technical Swordsman, they headed back to the other guys .

「What’s going on? What did you say to Claude? He looked down in the dumps earlier, but now he’s looking confident . 」

「I wasn’t down in the dumps . 」

「Yeah, right . You got drunk every day and complained . You even made Lukamad . 」

「I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, Ivan . You’re getting too close to Luka!」

「What’s wrong with that? We’re members of the same alliance!」

It looks like they’ve all been getting along while I was gone .

Hikaru felt like he was left alone .

「Right . You should come with us to Three Cheers for Booze too, Hikaru . 」Ivan said .

「Wait, you’re drinking there?」

「It’s safe . Professor Mille’s also there . 」

「That actually worries me… Wait, I told her not to drink . 」

「She said it’s fine since you weren’t around anyway . You only allowed her to drink during the day . 」

「Eh, I guess it’s okay . 」

「You should come too . We’ll have some boys’ talk!」

「………」

The men from Jarazack looked like they were ten years older than their actual age . It felt a bit weird calling it “boys” talk…

I guess being invited isn’t so bad…

There was something refreshing about talking to someone like Ivan who said whatever was on his mind .

「I’ll think about it . Anyway, try fighting Claude again . 」

「Sure . Let’s see why he looks so confident . 」Ivan said, grinning .

「I’ll have you know, I cast a powerful spell on him . 」

Hikaru smiled back .