Two days later, on Sunday.

"Ah, I feel better now."

It seemed my body had fully recovered. I could still feel the fatigue from yesterday's training, but I'd consider myself in top condition at this point.

And there was a significant gain. My previously desperate Tenacity stat had increased to 4.

I think yesterday's training, while still suffering from Overload's aftereffects, was the deciding factor.

"Great."

With a Tenacity of 4, I'd now reached the edges of being an average person.

My Strength and Stamina remained at 7, but with consistent training and attention to nutrition, they should increase soon.

If I continue to collect hidden pieces and acquire at least one more useful trait, I should be able to graduate.

However, graduating with outstanding grades seems difficult.

I did defeat Ralph, who was ranked 37th, but that was only because my tailored strategy worked perfectly. I was also quite lucky.

I must relentlessly hone my skills.

'Let's head to the training ground right after washing up. The practical evaluations start tomorrow, so I shouldn't overdo it.'

I thought this while eating the high-protein meal Amy prepared for me.

Oh, I should also stop by Professor Mari's office. I kept forgetting because I was so busy.

In the original work, Mari was a workaholic who would be in her office by 8 a.m.

I should visit her tomorrow morning. There might be some unexpected gains.

The Hero Department's training ground is closed on Sundays.

After showering, I immediately headed to the third training ground.

'First, I'll practice swordsmanship, then physical training.'

Upon arriving at the third training ground, I promptly opened the door to the swordsmanship training area.

Creak.

Perhaps because it was Sunday, there was only one person inside the swordsmanship training area. Someone I knew well.

Irene, with her long purple hair tied back, was swinging a wooden sword.

Whoosh, whoosh

Irene seemed deeply focused, as she didn't pay any attention to the sound of the door opening and continued to swing her wooden sword tirelessly.

I took in the sight of her.

'...Hmm.'

As expected, Irene's swordsmanship was excellent.

Observer's Eye isn't just useful for learning new techniques; it also helps in gaining a deeper understanding of familiar ones.

Now, my eyes could clearly see the intricate details that I couldn't discern before.

The width of her stance, the snap of her wrist, the movement of her shoulders. The clean trajectory of her sword was visible.

Her swordsmanship, like her appearance, was elegant yet devoid of any unnecessary movements, similar to an assassin.

As I admired her swordsmanship from a distance,

"...Theo?"

Irene wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her pale hand and looked at me.

***

Irene, who had been swinging her wooden sword, turned her gaze to a familiar presence.

There stood Theo, who had been troubling her thoughts lately.

"Theo?"

"Nice to see you, Irene."

However, Theo's demeanor seemed utterly nonchalant. Irene couldn't help but feel irritated.

"...Is that all you have to say?"

"I wanted to see you, Irene."

Irene's face turned red.

'Why is he suddenly being so direct?'

She had intended to retort, but she forgot what she wanted to say. She thought it was fortunate that her face was already flushed from swinging the sword when she spoke.

"Fine, I understand. I don't know why you never visited even once... So, have you decided to go back to the way things were? You're not on the carriage either... What's been going on lately?"

Irene's voice was tinged with thorns. It might be trendy for students to play push and pull games, but this was too much.

Shouldn't he at least come to see her after school if he really wanted to make amends?

Theo calmly replied, "I've been busy. I've been doing something as important as honing my skills. I also took the time to reassess my physical condition."

At his confident attitude, Irene found herself at a loss for words.

"Of course, rest is as important as training, though I wouldn't really know. But what important thing are you talking about?"

It might be considered a rude question, but Irene couldn't contain her curiosity.

Theo nonchalantly answered, "I've been participating in club activities."

"What?"

Irene was dumbfounded.

It wasn't because he referred to club activities as something important. She was well aware of the significance of clubs in the Hero Department.

For heroes, connections are just as important as their abilities. And there's nothing better for building connections than joining clubs.

However, that only applies to people who can mingle and get along with others.

The Theo that Irene knew was terrible at socializing. He lacked social skills.

In front of those superior to him, he would talk behind their backs, while stepping on those inferior to him.

It was hard to believe that someone who could be considered an embodiment of the aristocratic strong-weak-weak-strong mentality was engaging in club activities.

'I thought he had changed, but...'

To this extent? He had changed too quickly.

A sinister thought began to rise in Irene's mind.

'Could it be that he's found another girl?'

Mina's words came to mind.

Men are creatures who can't settle down with just one woman.

It's their instincts, so they can't help it.

That's why they need to be held tightly to prevent them from even thinking of cheating.

'How could someone seduce a man who's engaged...'

Although Irene didn't join a club, she knew what happened in them.

After gatherings, people would get together and eat delicious food, occasionally finding someone they like and starting a relationship... All sorts of scandals would occur!

"Why join a club all of a sudden?"

Irene looked at Theo with a suspicious expression.

"To manage my reputation."

His response came quickly, but Irene's doubt didn't vanish.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Is it really for reputation management?"

"Yes."

The answer came without hesitation. Irene wondered if Theo was pretending.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me, is it true?"

"..."

Theo silently stared at her. Irene's heart sank.

"Don't tell me, you really met another wo-"

"It's true. Irene, would I lie to you?"

At his words, Irene stared intently into Theo's eyes.

Deep within his ruby-colored eyes, a burning passion was contained, as if he felt wronged for not gaining the trust of his loved one.

Theo spoke.

"I don't lie to my people. I wish you would believe me."

At the same time, a powerful aura could be felt. Theo's eyes, as they stared at her, were fierce.

'My, my people...'

Today, his words seemed to hit her harder than usual. Feeling her face blush again, Irene lowered her gaze.

She couldn't look him straight in the eyes. It was too embarrassing.

"Ah, fine. I'll be-believe you. But still..."

Irene hesitated.

"Clubs are good, but at least visit me once in a while..."

Her voice trailed off, almost as if it was crawling away. Surprised by her own words, Irene turned her gaze away from Theo, her face flushed.

"I understand. I've been too careless."

"Huh?"

"I thought you didn't like me. That's why I thought you rejected my dinner invitation last time. You were so energetic, but suddenly you said you were feeling unwell."

Theo was referring to when Irene declined his dinner invitation after a sword practice session last week.

She had used her health as an excuse.

Irene immediately recalled her feelings at that time.

But back then, she had no choice.

Feeling too embarrassed and confused, she worried she couldn't control her emotions.

She was afraid that a moment of burning passion might lead to more regrets.

"That, that's..."

"Of course, I know. I'm a good-for-nothing guy, and people don't want to be close to me. But there's no use regretting the past."

"..."

"So, I'm trying to change. I want to become a better man."

Theo then slightly lowered his head.

'I want to become a better man...'

Theo was a very shy person.

Irene knew the words he left unsaid.

'For you.'

After her heart had already burned to ashes, she felt it flare up again.

"Ah, I understand. And it wasn't because I didn't like your dinner invitation that I refused it."

"Then, why?"

Theo genuinely asked, looking at her with innocent eyes.

'...He can be so cruel at times like this.'

Of course, Irene wasn't the type to openly express her true feelings either.

"Ah, anyway...! Since we're at the training ground, we should train! Let's warm up quickly! There were some unsatisfactory moments during the practical evaluation match. Of course, it was impressive, but..."

"Understood."

With that, Theo immediately began warming up.

'Tch...'

She had finally gathered the courage to praise him, but he didn't show any signs of being pleased.

'Of course, this is better...'

In the past, he would have been uncontrollably excited by a single compliment.

"I'm warmed up. Now, grab a practice sword."

"Okay."

Irene watched Theo's back as he walked toward the weapon rack.

His back looked like the hero she had dreamt of when she was young.

"..."

Irene sorted out her fluctuating emotions and admitted it.

She still hadn't forgotten him.

***

3/4

Enjoy the chappy!