Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 17

WeTried Translations

Translator: Botanica

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight

Chapter 17

──────

Episode 17. Spirits represent human emotions.

Before I knew it, I had joined the two people sitting there. Nex, who seemed in a good mood, even paid for the drinks.

Chocolate drinks are the best, after all. I can't drink anything bitter.

“Ah, thank you.”

“I feel so refreshed. How picky, hahahaha!”

The purple-haired man put his arm around my shoulder.

Honestly, I was worried it might fail. I still feel a little uneasy, but it's better than the Crown Prince route.

“Nex... no matter what, slandering one of the Ten Greats... is bad.”

“Char, she herself awakened her spirit with true love, yet she's trying to force her son into a political marriage. She deserves to hear some bad words.”

“That's true, but still...”

As the black-haired nun spoke to Nex with a worried tone, he emptied the remaining ice from his glass into his mouth and chewed.

Crunch. Crumble. The sounds echoed.

“I'm not fond of such things either, Young Master Aureus.”

“Just call me Nex, Junior! I'm a second-year!”

“Thank you.”

As I agreed, a foxy smile spread across Nex's lips.

“Your name is Licht, and you're a first-year?”

“Yes, Senior Nex.”

“I don't know how a guy like this ended up enrolling in the Academy. It's truly amazing.”

“I do hear that I'm a bit unusual quite often.”

I chuckled, a bit dumbfounded. This is something I heard a lot in game communities before.

‘How can a guy like this like the Saintess?’

Do you need a reason to like someone? I'm not sure now. If it bothers them, they can just train more and come back.

Just then, Nex, as if puzzled, asked me a question as I drank my beverage.

“But why did you suddenly badmouth the family head, Junior?”

“...Because I've wanted to be close with you since a long time ago, Senior?”

“You're good at flattery, Junior.”

In fact, Nex is a "restrainer" in <Knight Heart>.

A rival who picks fights and derails the player if they try to create a harem.

A character who appears to be a playboy prevents the player's self-righteousness.

The creator of the first installment once said in an interview that love is a contradictory emotion, so the character was designed that way.

Unlike the sequels, the original only supported 1:1 romance.

‘In the game, the Saintess even said that Nex didn't seem like a bad person when they first met.’

If it weren't for her, would I have been swayed by other heroines and severely crushed by Nex?

..No, I probably wouldn't have even started the game in the first place. Thinking about it that way, a single word suddenly flashed through my mind.

“Seniors, by any chance, do you know of the 'Nameless Saintess'?”

Since it came to mind, I decided to ask someone who was a cleric. I asked the nun, Chartiness, about the whereabouts of our Saintess.

“...? The Saintess? There's no one but me?”

“Hmm... Junior, where's the fool who would ask the Second Saintess that?”

“Huh?”

My brain couldn't accept the result. As far as I knew, the First Saintess was someone else, and the next one was the wolf-eared Saintess.

It felt like cold ice had been poured down the back of my head.

“W-what do you mean? Surely the Second Saintess...”

“That's right. Chartiness Saint-Mary, right before your eyes, Junior.”

“Nex. I told you not to call me by that name.”

“Sorry, I made a mistake. I was surprised too.”

Saint-Mary. I'd heard it somewhere, but my situation was too urgent to recall anything.

She's not the second?

Cold sweat trickled down. I couldn't breathe. Is there any possibility in this situation?

‘Something's twisted. Think.’

It was, from the start, a noble position chosen by the God of Light.

“Really... are you the Second Saintess?”

“Yeah, you didn't realize because Char is so pretty, right? That's understandable.”

“Nex, stop with the pointless talk!”

“Ow, that hurt! Don't hit me with divine power, Char!”

There's no way the Saintess would be replaced by someone else. I tapped the table with my finger.

The only plausible thing right now is that I might have misunderstood her as the second. My chest felt tight.

‘Rack your brain. She couldn't have died. The in-game screenshots said so. The status window's reward is also still there.’

I kept swallowing dry. It tasted bitter.

‘Even if she's a supporting character, she's not an extra. If I attend the Academy, something will surely come up. There's no way it's all for nothing after being transmigrated into a game.’

I took a breath again. I almost became emotional for a moment. It was possible I didn't know which generation the unidentified person belonged to.

Because I didn't know a character named Chartiness. And the wolf-eared Saintess had a ton of foreshadowing.

“I-I must have mistaken someone. I apologize.”

I bit my tongue. No matter how much I thought about it, I became too weak-willed when she was involved. To the point it interfered with the Grand Route strategy.

“Are you okay, Junior? Your hand is trembling.”

“Oh, it really is. Junior. Shall I heal you?”

“I'm fine. I know a skilled healer.”

If I think negatively, there's no end to it. I should be swinging my sword instead. Anyway, I can't receive healing with this body.

“...I'll take my leave now. Morning lecture time is soon.”

“Ah, Junior Licht, go carefully!”

I felt a slight dizziness. If the person who is the Second Saintess doesn't know her, it means she's safe. There's no need to worry.

“Junior. Just a moment.”

I barely managed to steady my stumbling body.

Just then, the purple-haired man called out to me, stopping me.

“Yes? What is it?”

“Here, it's the phoenix's blessing. Go carefully. You really look tired.”

Nex patted my shoulder.

“Chirp.”

A purple sparrow circled once above my head. In the game, it was a fatigue-relieving ability. Spirits are definitely good, too.

“See you next time, Junior Black Knight.”

He was waving his hand widely at me. I could see the concern hidden within Nex's foxy smile.

“...I'll see you later.”

I just ran towards the lecture hall. My steps felt a little lighter.

***

As I sprinted, I ran into the Hero's party.

“Oh, Licht.”

“What's wrong? It's not late yet.”

“Helmet Guy! Hello!”

“I thought I was late and ran, but it seems I wasn't.”

There were some reasons for that. The area around my neck became shiny with sweat. I feel a bit better now.

“Did you enjoy your meal with Ariel?”

“...Can't you tell by looking?”

“I ate with Mardol!”

“Yep.”

It seems he got caught by the Crown Prince. Kainel, you and I are similar today. I felt pity for a comrade who had experienced the same situation.

The red-haired Mage opened her mouth.

“Has everyone thought about their specialties? Kai?”

“I'll probably do something related to light.”

“It already exists.”

“Professor Dennis knows my situation, so it should be fine, right?”

The Yellow Dog, who seemed to be up to something, and I, who felt a little annoyed, replied. When did Mardol get close to Ariel again?

It'll be fine, right? Fortunately, I've already discussed it in the club, so there won won't be a rain of F's on my report card.

Someone was looking at me, who was feeling relieved.

“Licht, swordsmanship.”

“If I push that as my specialty, others will believe it. Thank you for the advice.”

“Yep, that's right.”

“How did you understand that, Helmet Guy...?”

The Glass Knight nodded slightly, as if satisfied. He's a somewhat easy person to understand.

“It's my specialty.”

I've grasped the way Lupus speaks. Game strategy starts from understanding patterns. Even if it's different from the second installment, this much is familiar.

“So, what's that cake in your hand, Kainel?”

“Ah, th-this? I bought it to eat myself.”

“Really? Don't you dislike sweets?”

“Licht, how did you know that?!”

Of course I knew. Kainel was a character who tried to eat sweet things when he married Ariel.

The scene of him frowning disgustedly while eating a chocolate-covered crepe was vivid in my mind. Looking at it this way, <Black Heart> had some good parts too.

“That's from the patisserie we just saw? Kai, you didn't buy it for me, did you?”

“Ariel?! Uh, uh... yeah. Actually, you're right.”

“Thank you! Let's eat this together after lunch!”

“...Alright, let's do that.”

The red cat is perceptive, as expected. Before he could make an excuse, I noticed the Hero with his hands behind his back. Humming, he hugged the box containing the strawberry cake.

“It's a bit cold. It looks like he even used ice magic!”

“They didn't do things like this in my rural village. The Empire is certainly different, I guess...”

“A good shop.”

The blonde guy's face was red. Being this honest is good for everyone. Why does he act so tsundere these days, when it doesn't even work anymore?

“Licht, you, I'll see you during this practical class.”

“Anytime.”

He was vowing revenge as he looked at me, but,

[Kainel♡Ariel 24% ‘NEW!!’]

I looked at the text on the status window and smiled.

It's nice that it's so quick-witted in times like this.

***

Upon arriving at the lecture hall, Dennis took out a sphere in one hand, where several magic circles were condensed, and used it to teleport all of us.

“Oh? Wow... it's teleportation magic?”

“This must be expensive, right? Ah, this is the Academy, after all.”

“It's amazing... I've never seen anything like this before.”

“Is it thanks to that magic circle? If so, the circuits should get tangled... Is it because he's a professor?”

A sudden movement, as if a stage set had changed.

The other students, including myself, were dumbfounded.

‘The protagonist really is something else.’

To master the three-dimensional magic circle right away. Honestly, I was half-skeptical.

In <Knight Heart>, he said he had awakened it through his own research, so there shouldn't be any contradictions.

“Today, as announced previously, you will defeat the training slimes behind me using your specialty.”

He gestured towards the slimes, which were spaced out in a wide field.

“Unique swordsmanship, magic that twists concepts, one's own spirit, weapons made with divine power. Anything is fine.”

“Everyone will be graded on a curve, and each individual will be given one slime.”

“Catching it quickly gives extra points.”

“Then, the practical session begins now. My cadets... no, students.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than other students headed towards the slimes for the mock battle.

“Then, I'll head this way. Good luck, everyone.”

“Helmet Guy! See you later!”

“I won't lose to you today. Just you wait, Licht.”

After bidding a brief farewell to my companions, I also approached a slime for the evaluation.

Then, a cube-like barrier unfolded. It was a type of protective magic circle.

Oh, this totally feels like a 1v1 training ground.

“It's been a long time.”

The walls often seen in training grounds in games. So, this magic originated from the Academy.

I looked at the bouncy green monster.

“Training... slime, huh...”

Feeling particularly troubled today, a random thought popped into my head. It seems my condition isn't good at all.

“...I should be able to forget it by now.”

A wiggling slime with a red core in its center. An evaluative monster that grows stronger the more it divides.

I have memories related to this.

A sudden event.

After the Hero and Mage's wedding in <Black Heart> ended. The Nameless Saintess suddenly disappearing from her seat came to mind.

If the player immediately heads to a nearby training ground, they can find her, who had run away.

Honestly, I did a lot of save-loading. Because she wasn't someone who would disappear without a reason.

A woman who sat down, sobbing, far away from a training slime.

[Knight...? How did you get here...?]

Because of the barrier, it was originally a place where no one but the person involved could be discovered. Wiping away her tears, she put on an indifferent demeanor.

If only she could act as well as Nex.

[...It seems the story of someone without a name should be forgotten, after all.]

The Saintess's expression, trying to laugh it off while stroking her long white hair, was etched in my mind. The Platinum Wolf, lying with moist eyes.

[Watching Kainel and Ariel's wedding, I grew envious.]

Her desperate attempts to hide the fact that she watched the surrounding characters become happy with sad eyes.

From <Knight Heart> to <Black Heart>, there was no happy ending for her.

Is she really here in this place?

“Ha.”

A sigh escaped me. My chest felt tight. An unpleasant feeling squeezed me. Is she unhappy somewhere in the 3rd installment too? Will she cry alone again? I was worried.

[It has always been this way, but I am disqualified as a Saintess.]

“...”

I had to shake off these negative thoughts.

I drew my sword from its scabbard. Kagak-. The silver steel screamed, clearly on the verge of breaking.

[If others can be happy, then I, a coward, should be satisfied with that, shouldn't I?]

Perhaps the Saintess's feelings were similar back then.

“Fourth Form.”

The hand gripping the sword became heavier than ever. My helmet reflected on the blade. Perhaps my expression inside was an angry one.

I kicked the ground hard. Wind began to gather in one place. Wind pressure swirled around my right hand. This signified the subtle art of creating sword energy purely through physical force, regardless of distance, and,

a novelty focused on cutting power.

The essence of Drake-style swordsmanship.

The fourth form, a reinterpretation of Wolf King Rook's appearance.

Brute force is replaced by technique, and lacking strength is compensated by skill.

[Not everyone can be happy, Knight.]

An unforgettable rose scent wafted, pressing down on me.

Even so,

Isn't it okay to be happy, just once?

A little too much emotion was imbued.

「Void Slash.」

The gathered air burst forth as if exploding. A natural phenomenon and will, created to slash the dragon before me, regardless of distance.

It would be hard to block even with magic.

Tua-ga-ga-ga-gak!!

Dust billowed up, and along with the slime, the protective barrier shattered.

***

- CRASH!!

The sound of the protective magic shattering from the Black Knight's swordsmanship echoed through the training ground.

A sharp noise, like dozens of glass panes breaking.

It became a long, fan-shaped mess, as if a bomb had dropped. Anyone seeing it would say he used wind magic or aura to shoot sword energy.

“Kyaaaah!!”

“What, what's going on?!”

“Did a typhoon pass through?”

“Is it magic? But why did the protective barrier break? That can't be...”

A gust of wind swept past, engulfing the slimes. The students were unharmed. It was a strange wind, seeming to deliberately avoid people.

“That's in Licht's direction.”

Kainel sighed, looking at the broken and fallen trees and the mucous fragments scattered everywhere, losing their shape.

He knew Licht was stronger than him, but this was different somehow.

‘It seems he couldn't control his strength.’

He thought quietly, looking at the extended scars. He, too, had trained with a sword as a Hero. He could tell how the steel had been wielded.

A rough and crude form, as if abandoning oneself to emotion.

he had been strange since morning.

It wasn't the controlled sword path he usually wielded. He had come running, dripping cold sweat, as if he had seen a ghost.

“Kai, what's going on?”

“Oh. Ariel? Did you come out during training too?”

“Yeah. Did Helmet Guy do this...?”

The red-haired girl approached him as he pieced together various circumstances like a puzzle. She too was filled with shock, looking at the surrounding area that had become a mess.

“It seems so. There's no one else with this level of ability besides Licht.”

“He's almost Sword Master-level, isn't he...?”

“...Probably so.”

“It's impossible... he can't even use magic, they said...”

It was a technique that blocked his Shine Strike, so he understood, but it wasn't mana-based.

The blonde-haired Hero's face showed an expression of tasting unfairness. Looking for the black helmet, he found Licht already apologizing to Professor Dennis.

“Professor, um... I apologize. I didn't know how quickly I was supposed to defeat the slime.”

“A decent result. It's not Dragon Slaying (龍殺), but this is also an 'ultimate'.”

“...I made a mistake.”

“No one was hurt anyway, so cheer up. My prospective assistant.”

The Black Knight continuously bowed his head and trembled before the man with glowing white eyes.

“Grad school... I'm not going...”

“If you pursue the integrated master's and doctoral program, you can graduate faster, Licht.”

“Still, I refuse, Professor Dennis.”

His clothes were plain, making him look like a theater actor.

‘People can make mistakes. But it seems he avoided people from the start.’

Kainel liked this about Licht. It seemed he wasn't just relying on his strength and rampaging.

It seems something bad happened, and it seeped into his swordsmanship.