WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 018

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Episode 18. Spirits represent human emotions.

After Drake’s class, Mardol ran off somewhere.

Leaving the Kainel party, exhausted from hiking, behind, there was a place she had to go.

-Creak.

A dark, seemingly empty place.

The chapel in a corner of Grand Hearts Academy.

As she opened the door and entered, someone’s red eyes glowed.

“Phine! You’ve come!”

“Sister Char.”

“Oh dear! You should have come sooner!”

“Sorry.”

The vampire Saintess hugged Phine tightly.

The Glass Knight flinched in surprise. Wolf ears moved within her helmet.

“Presence. No.”

“Why? It’s fine. There’s no one in this chapel but me!”

“There’s one.”

Perhaps confused, the knight adorably flailed her arms and pointed a finger at a shadowed spot.

“Caught. Ah, I almost tricked you~”

A tiny purple flame, visible only by squinting.

It was Nex Aureus.

“Yo! Mardol... no, Princess. Long time no see!”

“Brother Nex...?”

“Right, it feels like just yesterday we Ten Greats last met, and now you’ve enrolled in the Academy.”

“Different person, you seem.”

Seeing him raise his hand, Phine exhaled in what seemed to be relief. The purple-haired man merely maintained his smile, and,

“I have changed quite a bit, haven’t I, Char... Agh! Don’t hit me again!”

“Nex, you startled our Phine!”

“...Right.”

He had once again provided Chartiness with an excuse to hit him. With no intention of fighting back, he endured the divine power punch, maintaining his expression as best he could.

“Ugh, it still tingles. By what principle does a vampire use divine power?”

“Then why are you a phoenix and not a fox, Nex?”

“Probably because of the family. I really want to run away from this damn household.”

“Will you live as a priest in our church?”

“...Perhaps.”

Nex let out a hollow laugh, and the Second Saintess smiled, looking at him.

“Cute.”

“Chirp!”

Seeing the spirit perched on Char’s hand, Phine removed her helmet, as if wanting to see it up close.

“Oh, it’s indeed the Princess I knew.”

“Your hair has grown quite long, Phine.”

“Yes, Sister Char.”

Her pure white long hair cascaded down.

Her golden eyes widened slightly as she looked at the sparrow.

Though she rarely showed emotion, perhaps seeing familiar faces after a long time put her at ease.

“...Long time no see.”

Phine’s face had relaxed slightly.

“The Princess is still like this because of those guys.”

“Honestly, I’m angry. They’re the ones who made the mistake…”

“My fault.”

The two people opposite sighed, looking at the Glass Knight’s armor.

‘How did our White Wolf end up like this...’

At least as Char remembered, she was a girl with a girlish sensibility who liked cute things like just now and didn’t suit heavy armor.

“There’s no point in saying it twice... Right, Rook’s daughter. How’s school these days?”

“Are you attending fine?”

“...”

The two changed the subject. They noticed her white ears drooping.

The thought that she might actually cry if her tail drooped too crossed their minds.

“...I lost, for the first time.”

A topic barely squeezed out to lighten the mood. An unexpected answer came from it.

“Phine? What did you just say?!”

“...This surprises even me.”

“Strong person, there is.”

The girl she was just a moment ago vanished slightly, and her ears and tail regained vitality, perking up.

A competitive spirit, one might say.

“Who is it? Princess. No matter what, to defeat Rook’s daughter...”

“Unusual person.”

“Hmmmm... I’m worried you might be making the wrong friends...”

“Puppy getting rained on.”

Combining words of unknown meaning, the purple-haired man racked his brain.

The conclusion reached after a few minutes.

“...Could it be that guy? The Black Knight?”

“Huh, huh? That boy who only wears a helmet and resembles Phine?”

“Licht, you know him?”

As soon as the name was spoken, her wolf ears twitched.

Seeing Phine’s change,

‘Strange. She’s not usually one to react like this.’

The purple fox, as if catching on, recalled what happened this morning.

‘Seeing his attitude, putting down the family head, he was a guy with backbone.’

He likely hadn't approached Phine for her imperial lineage or power. Otherwise, he wouldn't have insulted Asha Aureus.

‘And he didn’t say anything to us about Mardol.’

No fool would mistake a heavily armored knight using an alias for a princess. By all appearances, he’s closer to a Northern Grand Duke or a knight commander’s son.

“...Princess, how do you know Licht?”

“Same lecture.”

“That’s it? Isn’t that too simple, Phine?”

“Yes, and strong.”

Fortunately, there was nothing concerning. He knew the Princess was obsessed with strength.

“I see. He didn’t seem like a bad guy.”

“Hmm... Still, I’m a little worried. Whether he approached Phine intentionally or not. Given that he asked me if I knew the Saintess...”

“Licht. Unusual.”

“Then shall I find out? I’ll participate in the lecture as an assistant.”

“How, Nex?”

He had a somewhat reliable method. Magic he had researched alone to avoid being abandoned by his family.

“I’ll try talking among the spirits.”

He smiled like a fox.

***

“Ugh.”

“What’s wrong, Licht?”

I was helping Kainel with his swordsmanship practice, checking his posture. Mardol went somewhere after class earlier.

“I felt my chastity was threatened.”

“What kind of crazy talk is that again...”

What’s with this sudden chill? Is it because two routes are overlapping? Nex Aureus only had love lines with the opposite sex.

‘They’ll keep each other in check, I guess.’

In my experience, the Rival Route and the Crown Prince Route.

These two cannot coexist. Even if I’m abducted by the Imperial Family, wouldn’t Nex come to save me?

[Thank you always, Senior Nex... He’s the god of harem escape!]

His influence was strong enough for persistent posts like that to appear. In <Knight Heart>, it was easy to derail with his help.

“Try again. This time, a bit faster.”

“Like this? It’s different from when I fought the slime.”

“For Shine Strike, focus solely on speed. That’s its strength.”

Thwack!

A sword aura made of light flew and embedded itself in the wall.

A speed that required all one’s senses to be focused just to follow.

“Good.”

“Hmm... wasn’t its range good? It’s light, after all.”

“Ariel is better at that.”

“That’s true, but.”

That way, you two will use a combined attack. Please, stop with the useless techniques and relax your strength.

I crossed my arms and tapped my arm with my fingers.

‘How overpowered that skill is.’

The trash mobs brought by the Demon King? One hit and they’re all gone. It was really convenient in the game.

Though it was hard to master.

“If it’s fast, even my technique will find it hard to evade.”

“Really? Is that true, Licht?!”

“I didn’t lie.”

In truth, there are more ways to counter it. But it’s nice that he follows like a puppy with just a little encouragement.

‘Kainel’s comrade route is easier this way.’

This is what a true Hero should be. Nowadays, all these Heroes seem to suffer from misanthropy.

“Wait, Licht. Isn’t that Mardol over there?”

Just then. The blonde Hero, swinging his sword, seemed to spot something strange and pointed a finger in one direction.

“Huh? You’re right.”

Full-body armor, shimmering with reflected light.

Her obsession with swordsmanship is truly intense. When did she start following me? I don’t think I’ve broken the flag yet. I approached the Glass Knight.

“...What are you doing?”

“Swordsmanship practice with Kainel.”

“My, turn.”

As soon as I got close, he looked at my sword.

I really don’t want to teach him. I don’t know how long I can postpone it. Should I just flee the country right now?

‘Especially this guy, I can’t warm up to him.’

There are levels of playboys. There are popular men like Nex who put up walls against the opposite sex,

and there are octopuses like Lupus in front of me who juggle dozens of relationships.

“Exchange, promise.”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

“...Before, a lie?”

“I apologize.”

A type I truly despise.

Who comes to school in full plate armor?

If you only wear a helmet like this, you can at least claim it’s fashion.

A sudden question arose. Why is he so obsessed with strength? It’s easier to know unknown information beforehand.

“I’ll ask one thing.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Why do you seek to become strong?”

I barely managed to speak the words towards Mardol, who had lowered his head. The joints of the helmet rattled.

“...”

How much time passed, then he began to speak.

“...Cannot protect. If weak.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“A weak person can do nothing, Licht.”

“Ha.”

A sigh escaped me as soon as I heard those words.

My expression distorted. This kid, with such negative thoughts, is the protagonist of the 3rd installment?

I'm wearing this, so I won't get caught, right? Even if he's the Crown Prince, those words made my eyes pop out.

At least Kainel had the goal of protecting Ariel.

Lupus in <Black Heart> was better, even. The prequel is definitely a failed game too.

“...Who exactly says that?”

“Huh, Licht?”

“For what reason do you judge, like someone who’s lived their entire life, ‘If you’re weak, you

can’t protect’?”

It’s the same as with Kainel. His mindset is wrong. Why is this guy’s self-esteem so low?

“You. Your tone.”

“There’s someone here with little mana, twisted circuits, and who can’t use magic.”

“That’s right.”

“But am I strong now? By normal standards, aren’t I on the weak side?”

I felt stifled. His golden eyes narrowed, looking at me suddenly using informal speech.

“No. You are strong, Licht.”

“Then at least do your best and regret. Don’t think like that.”

“...I don’t know.”

Did he see my swordsmanship during practice today? My evaluation has gone up. That’s why he followed me.

To call it flag-breaking, words genuinely burst out from my heart.

For the happiness of the Nameless Saintess, someone is working themselves to the bone.

If you don’t have strength, you can’t protect?

That was bullshit. It’s absolutely not because I’m upset by the Saintess’s story I heard this morning.

[No matter how weak I am, I will stay by your side, Knight.]

“...”

“What in the world happened? At least tell me.”

As a nostalgic voice came to mind, I pressed a hand to the forehead of my helmet. My memory is only uselessly good at times like this.

“Before, I couldn’t protect.”

“Now, it’s not possible?”

“Perhaps.”

The Glass Knight’s voice was subdued. Why is there so much I don’t know? Something felt off.

‘At least in <Black Heart>, it wasn’t like this.’

Come to think of it, these guys are still first-year freshmen. Let’s calm down a bit.

Acting like this because of a girl you like is damn pathetic. I took a deep breath and continued.

“Mardol.”

“...Huh?”

“You truly aren’t capable of nothing.”

“Really...?”

When I first possessed this body in the game, I was really weak. There were many times I couldn’t even do one push-up and collapsed.

“Even if you’re weak, you can protect.”

“That’s, impossible.”

“Shall I show you proof?”

I pulled up the sleeve covering my wrist, revealing a long scar. A bite mark, as if from a beast.

“I was weak, so I once became bait myself. But I protected.”

“Why, Licht...?”

This was quite a long time ago, too.

The Glass Knight asked me, as if not understanding. Lupus would have only seen the strong parts. Of course.

His eyes were trembling, indicating quite a shock.

“Everyone has their weak moments, Mardol.”

In fact, five years ago, I had a near-death experience when I was surrounded by a pack of wolves.

But I helped some old man and his son escape and saved them, so it’s fine, I guess.

I deliberately provoked them and acted rashly. I think my arm broke then too. What kind of courage came out of me back then?

I bled too much, so my memory is a bit hazy, but.

“It’s not a lie, is it? Look, you can tell by looking at my hand.”

“...It really is.”

“If you have such negative thoughts from the start, you’ll only hurt yourself.”

After pulling my sleeve back up, I spread out my rough hands, calloused at every joint. The bumpy traces of practice.

They say magic can offer protection. Honestly, it didn't matter to me.

“How about it, do you understand a bit now?”

The day after I swung my sword, I sometimes groaned from body aches.

‘If I had thought I was weak and given up back then, I wouldn't have these achievements now.’

In truth, there were many times I wanted to give up.

But each time, I remembered her suffering in the sequels, so I tried my best,

and grew stronger by cutting down the anxiety that sometimes gnawed at me.

This time, because I wanted to make her happy. It was a common reason.

“You’ve worked hard.”

The Glass Knight’s gauntlet covered my hand. A smooth touch, no warmth felt.

Oh, his hand is smaller than I thought?

The cold, alien sensation brought me back to my senses. It was too late to take it back.

What kind of outrageous things did I just say in front of the Empire's one and only Prince?

‘My old habits are back. Damn it.’

No matter how I think about it, the Saintess's way of speaking doesn't seem to suit me.

I keep losing my composure when it comes to her. I wonder if I'm even doing well.

It’s probably better than informal speech. After all, many people in reality were afraid of me.

I bowed my head deeply.

“Ah... I apologize. I got a bit emotional. It’s because I was weak since I was young… that’s how it was.”

“...My fault.”

Don’t look so gloomy. It feels like the Imperial Guard will be called and my head will roll. Save me.

I remembered an event in the game where four colorful figures appeared like ninjas to eliminate the player.

“Licht, unusual.”

Amidst the confusion, our fingers touched. Sweat began to bead on my palm.

Wait, what the hell is this? Is there a significant change of heart?

One knight, firmly grasping me.

“You don’t have to look anymore.”

Golden eyes sparkled within the glass helmet. Looking like this, he’s quite pretty.

The feeling of beauty was evident just by looking at his eyes.

“Still, I don’t know.”

“Is that so...”

He probably needs time to think. He looked up again and gazed at me.

Did I succeed in breaking the flag? I didn’t intend to, but it seems I did. Though it feels like I touched a sore spot.

“What are you... two doing holding hands?”

I thought so until Kainel's remark burst out.

The remaining chances I had saved up to offer the Nameless Saintess might have been used up.

Hey, give me back my first interlaced fingers.

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