WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Oblivious

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Weakest Knight Became a Swordmaster, But Only in Dungeons ◈

Chapter 44: Third Hierarchy

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I spent several days cooperating with the investigation and having my condition checked.

Then, on the final day, I returned all the borrowed equipment and completed my mission as a Special Training Cadet.

Eastern Base, the commander’s office.

The commander, who wore an eyepatch over one eye, shook hands with Elise Lorendia and Lara Twisloff in turn as they exchanged farewells.

Then came my turn.

“Ron Hazely.”

“Cadet Ron Hazely!”

“It’s truly fortunate that you weren’t injured. You’ve worked hard.”

The commander firmly covered our clasped hands with their other hand.

What was this?

The knights watching us while standing at ease, Elise, and Lara all looked equally bewildered.

‘What’s with this guy? This is a lot of pressure.’

After completing the report procedures with that question in mind, I left the commander’s office.

“Heyyy, cuties.”

As we passed through Eastern Base, saying our remaining goodbyes to the soldiers on our way to the main gate, Mary, the messy-haired female knight, approached us and spoke in her usual drawn-out tone.

Just listening to her was enough to make me drowsy.

“The White Wing Knight Order will be taking charge of your protection. The reason is to keep you safe, and...”

Mary looked at Elise and me with a relaxed smile.

Elise and I exchanged puzzled looks.

Out of nowhere?

“The White Wing Knight Order...? Ah.”

I got it.

‘Master must’ve been really worried.’

She hadn’t done this for Elise in the original story.

Then I was probably the reason.

‘It’s reassuring to have our big sis watching over us.’

Come to think of it, hadn’t the Eastern Commander been unaware that I had been offered the position of the White Wing Commander’s personal squire?

This must have been quite a shock for them. If I had been the commander, I would’ve broken out in a cold sweat, thinking, If Ron had died, we would’ve been screwed.

Only then did I understand why a commander had clasped my hand with both hands.

“And, cutie.”

“Cadet Ron Hazely!”

Mary gently stroked my light brown hair with her gauntleted hand.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

“Thank you for surviving. I’ll remember you from now on as well. Become a great knight, Ron Hazely.”

Mary earnestly offered her warm encouragement.

‘Ah... She’s still mistaken.’

Was it because I had worried about Mary when the Demonkin captured me? It seemed she had grown fond of me.

I couldn’t exactly explain it to her...

Since things had come to this, I should at least give her a heartwarming farewell.

“Yes, Senior. Please stay well too!”

“Mm. This is as far as we guide you.... Go on to the main gate.”

Mary withdrew with a languid smile.

Elise, Lara, and I exchanged salutes with the Blue Wing Knights and headed for the main gate together.

Then, I heard a distinctly displeased voice behind me.

“Hazely... You look happy.”

“Hm?”

I turned around and saw Lara staring at me coldly.

“What is it? What are you dissatisfied with now?”

“What? I just said you looked happy.”

Soon, I remembered what Lara had said to me on the first day of the mission.

‘Why are you staring like you’ve lost your soul? Are you jealous because that senior is stroking her head? Or do you want to stroke Elise’s head too?’

Hm, was that why?

“Lara, do you want someone to stroke your head too? I can do it if you want.”

“Huh...? Wh-what are you talking about...?”

“You looked jealous.”

“Why would I be jealous?!”

Lara suddenly stopped walking and flared up.

Just as I thought. Holding both hands in the air, I pretended to stroke Lara’s head and spoke theatrically.

“For noble Lara’s head, I would devoutly scrub my hands clean first and stroke it with all my sincerity...! Ghk! It would be an honor just to imagine it...!”

“Stop saying weird things! I-I don’t want that! Ugh, just imagining it gives me chills...!”

Lara threw both hands over her pale blue hair beneath her beret and took a step back in alarm.

Before I knew it, a blush had spread across her face, which had been full of displeasure.

I snickered and looked at Lara.

“Really?”

“...”

Lara moved her lips soundlessly and lowered her gaze to the side. Her lips were still pouting.

A strangely trembling voice carefully slipped from her mouth.

“I think I could endure it, just a little...”

Mm-hm, sure.

“So you are jealous.”

“No, that’s not it...!”

Lara flared up again, while Elise snickered beside her, struggling to hold back her laughter.

Before long, we reached the main gate, where a carriage from the White Wing Knight Order and knights in white uniforms awaited us. Just as Mary had said.

“For the Empire.”

“For the Empire.”

We exchanged salutes with the White Wing Knights.

“By our commander’s orders, the three of you will be under our escort until you arrive at Griffin Knight School. All of you, follow instructions properly.”

“Yes!”

Then I could head back and sleep easy under the protection of my big sis master.

...

Escorted by the White Wing Knights, we arrived at Griffin Knight School.

After the barren scenery of Eastern Base, seeing the knight school again made me realize that this place was rather fresh and lively by comparison.

“Are you seniors returning right away?”

I asked one of the White Wing Knights who had escorted us.

He answered calmly.

“We are returning, but part of the White Wing Knight Order will be stationed at Griffin Knight School. This has already been discussed with the school.”

‘Just as I thought, this is different from the original story.’

My signature color was the White Wing Commander’s hope. Since I had nearly died this time, she must have had quite a scare.

Wanting to overprotect me while still knowing where to draw the line was just like her.

Either way, she must have worried about me, so I should send her a letter. I needed to report my progress anyway, so it worked out well.

“Ron Hazely, I heard you will remain at the school during the break. If anything happens, seek help from the White Wing at any time. Understood?”

“Yes!”

“And Elise Lorendia. If you return to your family, an escort will accompany you. Is that acceptable?”

The White Wing Knight asked Elise.

‘That’s a relief.’

If the White Wing Knight Order protected her, I had nothing to worry about.

However, Elise smiled and gave an answer I had not expected.

“I have also decided to remain here for the rest of the break. I have already informed my family of my decision.”

Huh?

‘She’s not returning to her family? Why?’

In the original story, she always returned to her family, no matter which route it was...

Soon, Elise’s turquoise eyes turned toward me. When our eyes met, she narrowed them seductively.

Ah, I see.

‘This girl is staying because of me...’

She probably wanted to keep an eye on me. She must still suspect that I was some unidentified Swordmaster.

“I see. Understood.”

After parting with the White Wing Knight Order, we began heading back to the dormitory.

“But Elise, why did you decide not to return?”

“Mm... Just because? I thought it would be more fun this way?”

Elise smiled meaningfully.

‘She’s made up her mind. She really has...’

Knowing full well that she was doing this because she suspected me made it feel like I was in a horror movie.

Unless things took an unexpected turn, nothing major would happen during the rest of the break, though.

“I see.... Then is Lara the only one returning to her family?”

“No, I’m staying at the school too.”

“?”

Why were you staying too?

I teased her.

“Ah... Because you’re worried about me?”

“I-I’m worried about Elise, alright!? I’m only worried about you a tiny bit, just a speck of a tiny bit...! And besides...!”

With a blush on her face, Lara avoided my eyes with an annoyed expression.

Mm-hm, sure.

‘She’s a nice kid at heart.’

“Hey, Hazely.... You just had a really arrogant thought, didn’t you?”

“No way.”

Lara half-lidded her eyes and grumbled, but I lightly played dumb.

‘At least the rest of the break won’t be lonely.’

After reporting our return, we gave statements to the knight school about the incident at Eastern Base.

Then we went to the dormitory and rested from our travels.

‘I should write the letters later.’

I planned to send my foxkin big sis a letter reporting my progress and thanking her for worrying about me.

I also planned to send Violet a letter asking her to teach me some magic.

* * *

The luxurious mansion of the Blackgarden family, a prestigious magical family.

Violet was an outcast within her family. No family member wished to speak with her.

Even the servants only held formal conversations with Violet. They tried to keep even those to a minimum.

Violet had long grown accustomed to such treatment.

At least her mother still looked after her. That alone was enough for Violet.

Violet was not allowed to live in the main residence, so she stayed in an annex. Purple roses beautifully adorned its exterior.

There, Violet’s expression suddenly brightened.

‘A letter from Mr. Hazely...!’

A letter had arrived from Ron Hazely.

How could an ordinary envelope be so radiant?

Violet carefully held the envelope in both hands and pressed it to her chest. Her heart went thump-thump.

Afterward, she began reading the letter in her room with excitement.

“Huh...?”

At some point, Violet’s expression stiffened.

[What is it, Master?]

Scally, the skeletal dog that had been rolling around on the desk, straightened up and asked curiously.

Violet looked at Scally with shocked eyes. The hand holding the letter trembled, and anxiety seeped into her voice.

“Ms. Lorendia and Ms. Twisloff are staying at the school...?”

[Hmm....]

Scally let out a low hum, recognizing the gravity of the situation. After gathering their thoughts, Scally asked,

[Master, have you prepared everything you need from the family?]

“Y-yes...”

[Can you train sufficiently at the knight school?]

“As long as I bring my magical devices, yes...”

[This is not the time. Let us go to the school at once.]

Scally spoke resolutely.

“Huh...? B-but, there is no need to go that far...”

[Do not be soft. This is no time to hesitate. Will you let that leopardess of a woman spend every day of the break with Ron Hazely?]

“N-no, that is...!”

Suddenly, Violet remembered Elise smiling as she stroked Ron’s finger on the day he killed the Demonkin at Eastern Base.

An alarm rang in her heart, and her vigilance shot up.

[Did Ron Hazely not ask to meet you?]

“He did ask me to teach him more magic...”

[Then you have more than enough justification. Let us go, Master. You must win Ron Hazely’s affections before that leopardess of a woman does.]

“Huh? Y-yes...! Shall we be on our way!?”

In the end, Violet was persuaded.

No, it was not as if she needed much persuasion in the first place. Violet’s heart had already quietly been in agreement with Scally. Scally had merely given her a push.

Soon, Violet sensed something strange. Heat rushed to her face.

Violet looked at Scally and protested with a flustered expression.

“W-wait! What do you mean, win Mr. Hazely’s affections...!? I do not look at Mr. Hazely with such impure intentions...!”

[I see. I will correct myself. Let us depart at once with the very wholesome and productive goal of improving the magical ability of our companion, Ron Hazely.]

“Y-yes! Th-that’s right...! For a wholesome and productive purpose...! Yes!”

Violet and Scally were in complete agreement.

Violet immediately wrote a reply and sent it to Ron. It said that she would return to Griffin Knight School.

* * *

“Violet!”

“Mr. Hazely...!”

Daytime, in a secluded part of the knight school.

A lovely female student sat on a bench. Her deep purple hair flowed down around her.

It was wonderful to see Violet Blackgarden again after so long.

When I greeted her as I approached, Violet’s face immediately brightened. She rose from the bench and strode toward me.

Swoooosh.

As always, Violet first cast a soundproofing spell.

“Have you been well?”

“Y-yes...!”

“I didn’t expect you to return to school altogether. What about your family?”

“Well, I didn’t think I necessarily needed to train at home, and I had already finished preparing various things to some extent.... Mr. Hazely also asked me to teach him magic, so I just came back. Hehe....”

Violet answered awkwardly, touching her fingertips together in front of her stomach.

‘I had planned to learn magic outside the school...’

Well, I could quickly guess why Violet had returned.

‘Right, she must be wary of Elise.’

She probably did not want Elise to take away her friend. It was a cute feeling.

When I smiled, Violet trembled slightly and waved both hands back and forth with a flushed face.

“P-please do not misunderstand.... I only came with the wholesome and productive intention of helping Mr. Hazely...! Yes, that is all!”

“What misunderstanding? Thanks for coming.”

I did not know why she had attached the unnatural phrase wholesome and productive intention, but it could not have been a big deal.

Afterward, Violet and I sat on the bench and talked.

“Mr. Hazely, you want to learn stronger magic, right?”

“Yeah, it’s time to move beyond the basics.”

My Circle was currently 1+1. My Mana Grade was C-.

In other words, it was time to move beyond the foundations of magic.

‘Strengthen my combat ability, train in magic, increase my mana.’

There would be no time to rest during the rest of the break either.

“Mr. Hazely will soon enter the third tier. You should be more than capable of using magic at a higher level than basic elemental magic now. But if you focus only on magic, that would be putting the cart before the horse. I think it would be better for you to develop your ability by applying aura. Naturally, it should be limited to combat magic, and then...”

“Violet, could you speak a little slower?”

“Ah, sorry...!”

She explained everything rapidly without stuttering even once in her timid voice, like a veteran player analyzing a newbie’s build.

Anyway, the conclusion was this.

“I think it would be best to aim for aura magic during the rest of the break...!”

Violet nodded as she spoke, clenching a fist.

Aura magic.

Ordinary magic was a phenomenon manifested by using mana as a resource, but aura could not be used as a resource for magic.

It could only be wrapped around a weapon or used for basic physical enhancement.

Instead, techniques that applied magical theory to control aura more effectively had developed. Academically, these were called aura magic.

The techniques Elise and Lara used while speaking Word Commands were aura magic as well.

“Hmm....”

“Why, Mr. Hazely?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just looking forward to it.”

Aura magic.

It had been mentioned often in the original story, but hearing it in person was another matter. The name had an undeniably unorthodox martial arts vibe to it....

Anyway.

The enemies in the original story did not appear only in Dungeons.

In other words, I needed to quickly build up my combat ability instead of relying on my unique ability that only made me strong in Dungeons.

Learning aura magic would undoubtedly strengthen my combat power.

‘Okay, let’s do this.’

I steeled myself.

...

To prepare for learning aura magic, I met Violet every day and received lessons in second-circle elemental magic.

Perhaps she unexpectedly had a talent for teaching. Violet taught me enthusiastically and barely stuttered at all.

Sometimes, when I praised or teased her, she would let out a hic! or flinch in surprise before quickly returning to her usual timid state.

From second-circle magic onward, I had to calculate spell formulas in my mind based on the contents of a grimoire. Even though the spells were relatively simple, they were difficult to handle. Still, that was something practice would improve.

When I reviewed what I had learned at the training ground, Elise would sometimes come alone and say, “Hi,” or bring Lara along. Then they would chat with me about trivial things and help me out.

Whenever I exchanged sword strikes with Elise, I consciously practiced second-circle magic whenever I found an opening.

As days filled with training passed, two weeks went by.

[You have surpassed a certain level of mana capacity.]

[Your Circle has increased.]

[Tier Increase: “2” → “3”]

The break was drawing to a close.

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