Chapter 8 The Height of Summer and Our Improving Days
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
By the time August rolled around, a full month had passed since Her Majesty Queen Elaine of the Fairy Kingdom granted me her blessing.
Summer had reached its true peak. The sun over the Seyfried lands burned white-gold, beating down on the training yard until the air itself seemed to shimmer. Even out here, far from the capital, the heat pressed against my skin like a weight.
My life, however, had not cooled down in the slightest.
Sword training with Orphen-san was still the same lethal routine as ever. About six times an hour, I took a blow so heavy it should have killed me, and then I frantically poured healing magic into myself just to stay on my feet.
”…All Heal, All Heal, All Heal.”
Light flared along my arms and sank into my chest, knitting everything back together before my body could remember how to die.
At this point, this kind of near-death experience had become normal. Maybe that was why Alexia and Layla-chan had stopped panicking every time I collapsed. They simply watched from the shade, calm, as if this were all part of the schedule.
I really wanted to believe that meant they trusted I would never actually die.
’I’m not going to die. I can’t die. Not yet.’
At least, that was the hope.
”You two are doing great-ssu!” Raichi-sensei shouted from her spot by the fence, waving one hand lazily. “If you both crush the entrance exam to the magic academy and get in as first and second place, Raichi-sensei’s grand return plan to Alys Magic Academy will be complete-ssu!”
I almost dropped my sword.
So that useless adult really had a plan.
She’d been fired from the academy, and now she actually thought she could crawl back into respectable society? Was she serious?
No. I couldn’t let that happen.
I already had my own plan for Raichi-shishou. Once Alexia and Layla-chan entered Alys Academy, I would deliberately fail the Alys Magic Academy entrance exam. Then Raichi-sensei would stay here as my private tutor, tied to me instead of the academy.
And later… during some intense magic training, Raichi-shishou would “accidentally” fire a powerful upper-tier spell straight at me. I would take a terrible wound and she would flee in panic.
I would become the boy who never came home.
I would be buried, mourned, and written out of this world.
And while everyone believed I had vanished forever, I would slip away to some quiet, remote corner of the kingdom and live a slow, peaceful life.
For that plan to work, I needed Raichi-sensei to be my human sacrifice.
”I absolutely cannot let your little scheme succeed,” I muttered under my breath as I watched her. “You’re a key pillar of my second life. There’s no way I’m letting you go back to being a teacher at Alys Magic Academy.”
Right on cue, chaos broke out near the edge of the yard.
”Yaaah!! You thieving black cat maid!” Alexia shrieked.
”Sh-shaaah!! You clingy, two-faced noblewoman!” Layla-chan snapped back, her tail puffed and ears flat under her maid headband.
”Yes, yes, that’s it-ssu!” Raichi-sensei cheered, beaming. “Use the exact words I taught you and insult each other-ssu! Ahh, two little girls fighting over one boy… this is art-ssu! Once that bad brat sees how nasty he can be, we’ll shatter his pure image in sweet Layla-chan’s heart and turn all that broken maiden love toward our ojou-sama, Alexia-chan-ssu. Then we’ll have the perfect twisted love triangle-ssu!”
I nearly choked.
”Hey, hey, hey!” I shouted, but my voice died under the crash of blades. “What kind of disgusting language are you teaching them?! And why do you think they’re fighting over me? That doesn’t make any sense!”
Still, one part of her rambling stuck in my ears.
Layla-chan’s maiden heart… turned toward Alexia?
I had started the morning determined to sabotage Raichi-sensei’s every move. But if she was planning to push Layla-chan’s feelings in Alexia’s direction…
’Wait. Isn’t that actually… good for me?’
Raichi-sensei’s return to the magic academy absolutely had to be stopped. On that point, I would never give in.
But Alexia and Layla-chan growing closer to each other? From my point of view, that was unbelievably convenient.
If they started their life at Alys Magic Academy already overflowing with affection for each other, then even if I lost my head—literally—before they graduated, the two of them would still be able to cherish each other and find a happy ending together.
”…It’s not a bad route,” I murmured. “No, really. That’s not a bad route at all.”
A heavy impact slammed into my side.
Bone cracked. The world spun. I flew across the yard and crashed into the packed dirt hard enough to leave a crater.
Thud. Crack. A deep boom rolled up my spine.
”This is a technique called Fang of the Wolf,” Orphen-san said calmly above me. “You left yourself wide open, Shin-sama.”
”Guh—” My lungs refused to work for a second. I had been so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t even tried to dodge.
The sun spun lazily overhead. For a breath, everything blurred.
”…All Heal, All Heal, All Heal!”
I poured magic into myself in a panic. Warm light flooded my limbs, repairing ribs and organs so fast it almost hurt.
I really didn’t want to die. Not yet. Especially not like this.
Honestly, “I Don’t Want to Die, So I’ll Just Go All Out With All Heal” sounded like the title of some silly novel I might once have read. I gave a weak laugh, then swallowed it. This was not the time.
”Why are your strikes stronger than they were a month ago, Orphen-san?” I wheezed when I could finally breathe again. “If this keeps up, even layering All Heal several times won’t keep up with the damage.”
He did not answer. He only shifted back into stance, sword gleaming in the sunlight.
The training continued.
* * *
Steel rang out with a sharp “thunk!” as swords crossed nearby.
”No, Shin-kun is someone I need,” Alexia said, her blade locked against Layla-chan’s. Her voice was low but firm. “And wanting both of you is too greedy. I think you’re being a bit too selfish, Layla-chan.”
”I know I’m greedy,” Layla-chan said, biting her lip as she pushed back. “But I… I care about you both so much, Alexia-sama and Shin-sama. That’s why…”
”That’s enough-ssu!” Raichi-sensei clapped her hands, eyes shining. “Wonderful, wonderful-ssu! That was some very intense acting, you two. I’m deeply moved-ssu!”
Alexia let out a long breath and lowered her sword.
”Fuu… Raichi-sensei,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to fight with Layla-chan. She’s important to me. I don’t want to say cruel things to her.”
”Yes, that’s right,” Layla-chan added, nodding fast. “Also, I don’t want to say cruel things about Shin-sama either, Raichi-sensei.”
”Ahh, no, no, no-ssu!” Raichi-sensei waved her hands wildly. “You’ll never become strong magic users like that-ssu! Fierce emotions draw out stronger magic. They push your hidden ability higher and higher and lead you ojou-samas to greater hatred—” She coughed loudly. “I mean, greater heights-ssu! Then your great achievements will return me to my rightful place as a teacher at Alys Magic Academy-ssu!
”(If I just keep using all that pent-up emotion about that bad brat-ssu, I can crash it straight into him and trap all three of them in a real mud-soaked love drama-ssu. A stupid brat like that, loved by such cute little girls from such a young age-ssu? Let the heavens punish him-ssu, the precocious kid!)”
Alexia and Layla-chan stared at her with their mouths hanging open.
”…?” Alexia finally managed. “I don’t really know what you just said.”
”I also do not understand…” Layla-chan whispered under her breath. “But it sounds… frightening.”
Of course they didn’t understand. Raichi-sensei had used enough big words and twisted logic to strangle a dictionary.
Besides, I had a pretty good guess what she was really thinking.
I had mastered every bit of magic she could teach faster than she ever expected. She knew she couldn’t handle me by normal means.
But I had already gathered my own countermeasure.
She didn’t know it, but I had taken all of Raichi-sensei’s debt to the loan sharks and rolled it into one contract under my own name.
Her life and death were in my hands now.
If she ever started anything truly dangerous, I could throw her straight into Red-kun’s nest and let her live out her days as his pet.
I liked to think of that as my emergency option.
* * *
(Seyfried Family Library)
”Alexia-sama, Layla-san, you both missed one question,” our new tutor said kindly. “Let’s try that one again.”
”Uuu… studying is hard,” Alexia groaned, slumping over the desk.
”It gets harder every day,” Layla-chan agreed, her ears drooping.
I glanced at the workbook and sighed.
”These are university-level problems,” I muttered.
”It cannot be helped,” the tutor said. “Alexia-sama will someday stand beside Shin-young monk-cha—” She coughed into her hand. “Ahem. Forget I said anything. Now then, please try the question once more.”
The sun had already started to lower when we moved into the library for the afternoon. Sword drills and magic lessons gave way to magic theory and general studies.
Recently, thanks to Mother’s recommendation, expert tutors in each field had come to live on the estate and teach the three of us.
Apparently, when the king heard that Alexia and I had grown closer, he personally arranged for elite household tutors to be sent.
I still had no idea why the king of this country cared enough about us to assign his own trusted teachers.
It was just one more thing, in a long list of things, that made me feel like my so-called peaceful future was getting further and further away.
Honestly, it isn’t so bad. Alexia and Layla-chan are getting higher-level lessons before even entering Alys Magic Academy, and that’s more than most can say.
As for me, I already remember everything from my previous life. This head—Shin Seyfried’s head—is sharp enough that most things click after one look. Once I read a book, the words just stay. In class, one explanation and I’ve got it down.
Still, letting that turn into laziness would be the real danger. So I finish lessons quickly, then dive into new subjects for fun. Every day feels like a chance to play with knowledge.
Alexia and Layla-chan… they’re pure talent. After only a few months, they’ve mastered sword basics, magic control, and even the general subjects at a level that would impress any academy.
As expected of this world’s hero and leading lady. Their class is simply different. I can already see their bright future ahead… though I’ll probably be enjoying a slow life somewhere out on the frontier by then. It’s a little sad I won’t get to see how far they go.
* * *
Evenings slide into night the same way they always have—by heading out into the hills to play with our so-called Mabudachi, my monster friends.
While Alexia and Layla-chan share laughter among the flowers, I chase through the woods with Gōbu-kun and Sura-chan, turning wild monsters into new comrades.
”Dark Ball!”
Spheres of black fire burst out, followed by an orchestra of terrified shrieks.
”Gyaaah!!” “Giiyaaa!!” “Iyyaaah!!”
”All right, that settles it,” I said cheerfully. “You’re under my protection now—welcome to the crew.”
”Gob-gob!!” “Nyururun!!” “Gyauwun!!”
”Yes, yes, I know, you’ll join up,” I laughed, patting the nearest trembling goblin on the head. “Good kids are so easy to deal with. Another reliable workforce secured for my future slow life.”
If I kept this up, I’d have an entire community of Mabudachi ready for whatever quiet corner I retired to.
And speaking of safety measures, I had the insect-type beast Kab-kun reinforce the hollow tree that connects to the Fairy Kingdom with layers of resin coating. Now, no one from the other side could slip through.
A muffled cry echoed faintly from the sealed hollow.
”What the—? A dead end? It’s too hard, I can’t even scratch it?!”
Probably just my imagination.
Out in the moonlight, Alexia and Layla-chan giggled.
”Layla-chan, here—this flower hairpin’s for you.”
”Then I’ll make one for Alexia-sama too.”
Their laughter floated through the summer air, soft and light.
* * *
(Churidince Family Mansion)
At night, we returned to the estate for supper, and afterward I escorted Alexia back to her own house.
”Shin-kun, thank you for walking me home again… truly, thank you. Here—your reward, a big hug!”
”Ah, thank you, Alexia…” (A hug from my best girl—perfection!)
Alexia might be of royal blood, a noble with three hidden bodyguards shadowing her every step, but danger still lingered after dark. Escorting her was the least I could do.
In return, I received my daily ‘thank-you hug.’ It erased every trace of exhaustion.
”And Shin-kun,” she added sweetly, tightening her arms around me, “if you ever cheat, it’s off with your head.”
”Yes, I understand, Alexia.”
Lately, she’d been downloading new vocabulary straight into her brain—mostly romantic words, courtesy of one hopeless adult named Raichi-shishou. During idle hours she loved bragging about her past love stories, and somehow managed to teach words like ‘cheating’ and ‘affair’ to two six-year-old girls who should never have learned them.
So now, every night, Alexia ended our parting with the same quiet declaration:
”Shin-kun, you’re my one and only, all right?”
”Yes,” I answered softly. “I am, Alexia.”
It had become our little promise before goodbye.
* * *
(Seyfried Mountains – Remote Region)
After that came my private time. I slept hard through the first half of the night, then around two in the morning… it was party night.
I raced across the wilds with my Mabudachi, diving into dungeons, exploring other territories, hunting bandits, doing whatever I pleased. But lately, all that had taken a backseat to something else.
A new obsession.
”Kyurararara!!”
”Come to me, great lord of darkness! Tremble before the black flame of sorcery—Dark Nova!”
BOOOOM!
A mountain slope exploded, a crater opening like the scar left by a falling star.
”Kyuee?!”
The shocked cry of Red-kun echoed through the smoke.
I stared down at the blast site and whistled. “So the grimoire really is genuine… The Fairy Festival—one of the divine relics from ‘Maidens × Cross-dressing’—hidden in the game’s secret dungeon. I never imagined Queen Elaine herself would own it in the real world.”
I gazed up through the drifting ash toward the stars.
”And the ownership seal wasn’t even locked… that’s sloppy. Contract holder: Shin Seyfried.”
As I spoke my name aloud, seven radiant lights burst from the tome and vanished into the night.
”All right then,” I murmured. “The Fairy Festival is mine now. It’s the cheat item that holds the method for mastering every magic, every blessing in Alysphere. Dangerous thing to leave lying around… I’ll keep it safe. Queen Elaine, I promise.”
I tucked the book away and whispered, “Status, open.”
Text shimmered in the air, forming a floating panel:
[Species: Human – Shin Seyfried, Level 59]
[Class: Tamer / Wild Aristocrat]
[Magic: All elemental spells usable. All healing spells usable.]
[Skills: Sirius Style, Full Certification, Prostration Technique, Seduction Arts, Training Mastery]
[Blessing: Mutual Affection]
[Titles: Guardian of the Princess, Giver of Affection]
I blinked at the long list. “Why do I have so many special skills again?”
”Kyurara?” Red-kun tilted his head, scales catching the moonlight.
”Never mind,” I told him. “I’ll sort through it later.”
I smiled faintly as the night wind swept across the ridges.
”At least that’s one threat to Alexia’s world taken care of. Someday, I’ll disappear from her life. Before that happens, I need to make sure she and everyone else can live happily without me. I just… don’t want them to hurt when I’m gone.”
Saying it aloud, even just to myself, made the decision feel heavier.
Then I turned away from the mountains.
”I’ve grown stronger,” I said with a grin. “For the sake of world peace and love—and, well, maybe to collect a few more divine relics along the way.”
* * *
(Seyfried Estate – Shin’s Room)
”Home sweet home… and it’s already morning,” I yawned as I slipped inside. “Got carried away making new Mabudachi with Gōbu-kun and the others again.”
In a few days, my elder brother Saghir would return from Alys Magic Academy.
”Here’s hoping nothing weird happens when he does…” I mumbled, already half asleep.
Within moments, quiet breathing filled the room, and another long day of the height of summer came to
Notes:
• Orphen – The Seyfried family’s head butler and Shin’s swordsmanship mentor. He is a retired legend—the Demon Knight of the Kingdom and a former Holy Knight. He agreed to train Shin only after the child abandoned his pride and groveled.
• Layla – A maid-in-training for the Seyfried family. She is observing Shin’s dramatic change in behavior after the incident with Alexia.
• Raichi – Shin’s magic tutor. A former elite instructor at Alys Magic Academy, expelled for “creative misconduct” (embezzlement, harassment, etc.). A reckless mentor whose unorthodox methods, combined with Shin’s knowledge, fast-tracked his magic mastery.
• Saghir – Shin’s perfect older brother and the family heir. He is everything the parents adore and secretly despises Shin, viewing him as an obstacle. His slander helped push Shin toward villainy.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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