The words, telling her to sever the roots of her memories, sounded sorrowful to Olivia. Because she didn't know what words to use to express this feeling.

[Please forget me.]

"Why are you telling me to forget...!"

The hand holding the letter was trembling. Because she didn't know what expression to make while looking at the suicide note disguised as a letter.

He must be serious.

This fool must have written this letter without a single lie. Because that's what Ricardo would do.

Even in the vision from the viewing.

Even in the moment he died in place of the hideous me, that fool chose to say goodbye with a smile....

"Just why..."

Without even letting me run away....

Why is he so foolish?

Olivia couldn't raise her head at Ricardo's words whispering of farewell.

What if.

If Ricardo hadn't overcome the black magic, the future me would have been reading the letter Ricardo left behind.

I would have resented the one who took all the blame and disappeared.... Or, while cursing Ricardo who had disappeared without a word, I would have accidentally found the letter and been filled with belated regret.

"..."

In that time that didn't happen, I would surely be cursing myself.

It was just that I was lucky.

Along with the overflowing guilt, the endlessly rising waves continued to whisper sadness to Olivia. 'Do you understand Ricardo's feelings?'

The tear stains left on the paper had become wrinkles, revealing the hidden emotions.

The sadness of Ricardo, who had tried to hide what situation he was in and what pain he was in, was revealed in the wrinkled tear stains, exposing the emotions he had hidden.

This fool.

[Every moment was good.]

That he had shed tears for an irredeemable fool.

-Swoosh.

At the very bottom of the letter, a square piece of paper was attached. A faded photograph where the oldest memories shone.

-Come here!

-I don't want to.

-Let's take a picture together!

Two smiling kids.

A boy with red hair, gaunt and thin, and a mischievous girl with her arm around his neck.

-Grip...

The moment she saw the picture, Olivia clenched her fist. Because she had no right to ruin a precious memory with a sadness that had nowhere to go.

-One. Two. Three...!

-Eeeek!!! Smile!

-Haa...

-Click!

Olivia, who was caressing the childhood image of the smiling Ricardo with her white fingers, let out a low sigh and then squeezed her eyes shut.

"Don't do this..."

Today, for some reason, she hated that foolish guy. She hated Ricardo for bringing up the pain she thought had subsided.

Because it made her afraid that Ricardo would leave her side. She hated Ricardo because she knew she would struggle to hold onto his hand.

Even though there was a better path.

Even though there was a long way to go, she didn't have the confidence to let go when Ricardo, who was always by her side, said goodbye.

-Grip...

She hated herself for wanting to hold onto him with a selfish heart, which was now surfacing.

The most frightening thing.

Was the anxiety that Ricardo, who kept repeating his sacrifices, would leave her side forever.

If something like this happened again.

This fool would surely write a letter just like this.

"You fool who knows nothing...."

Ricardo doesn't know.

He probably doesn't know how big of a person he has become to her. To her, Ricardo's shade is a happier shade than any other, but Olivia was afraid that Ricardo's stubbornness in leaving a farewell in a letter would repeat itself.

Because she was an immature fool.

Many thoughts and worries came to her.

Because of the suicide note disguised as a letter.

"Don't do that..."

Every time she saw the words written with a firm hand, she found herself whining like a fool.

[If... if I really had gone far away to a place I couldn't reach.]

"Don't say that...!!!"

[If I had succumbed to the illness and disappeared into memory....]

"What... am I..."

I held it in.

I tried not to act like a child....

I tried so hard not to cry this time.

[Please forget me.]

"...Please."

Tears burst out because it felt like Ricardo, who was perfectly alive and well, had left.

"..."

Because I don't understand.

Because I can't dare to guess what kind of heart Ricardo had when he wrote this letter, filled with sorrow. Because all I, a fool, can do is cry over the pain of the past.

So.

-Drip.

I had no choice but to cry like a fool.

"Huuuung....!!"

"Sob... don't say such things.... "

"You're alive and well.... sob... sniffle... huuuung!!!"

I miss you.

Today, for some reason, I missed Ricardo so much. So much that if my legs could move, I would want to run to him right away.

"Sniffle..."

I missed Ricardo.

"...Sniffle."

At that moment, as she was staring blankly at the letter and shedding tears.

"Muuuuung..."

A red octopus tentacle was wriggling to wipe away Olivia's tears.

"Hmph... don't touch me!!"

"Muuuuung...!"

"I said don't touch me!"

"Muuuuuuung..."

Tangtang tilted his head as he stared at Olivia with wide, unblinking eyes.

It's okay, so don't cry.

"Mung..."

Olivia, who was sniffling, looked at Tangtang and bit her lip hard.

"Sniffle..."

For some reason, it felt like she was being comforted.

And.

-Gom.

As always, Gomtang bit Olivia's head.

"Eeeeeeeeeek!!!"

----------------------------------------

The depths of the underground dungeon.

"We arrived in three days."

Having cleared the dungeon that had appeared in the side story, I smiled lightly as I looked at the hidden magic sword in the depths.

[Hungry Dragon's Tooth.]

It wasn't a sword that directly affected the story, but I had obtained the weapon that had received comments from readers like, 'They should have used this weapon from the start,' because of its fraudulent abilities.

As a reader, I felt good about obtaining a rare item.

Looking at the sword that was exuding an ominous aura with a satisfied expression, I smiled and spoke to Hanna, who had an expression as if she was about to die.

"Hanna."

"...Yes?"

"How is it?"

Hanna, who was panting heavily, barely raised her head and gave an awkward smile.

"I can't move anymore."

"Haha... I was asking about the sword."

"The sword...?"

Hanna, who had just now discovered the sword, looked at me with shining eyes.

"Are you giving it to me...?"

I nodded at Hanna. Other students might be disappointed, but the sword, which was in the form of a rapier, was the most suitable sword for Hanna.

I lightly stepped aside and said to Hanna.

"Would you like to hold it?"

"...Gulp."

"It's a reward for your diligent participation in the class."

Malik gave me a sharp look for praising only Hanna, but soon conceded and clenched his fists in anticipation of the next time.

"Do I get a gift if I listen well in class too."

"I can at least create a special move for you."

"I hope it's a flashy one."

I smiled slightly at Malik's wish and looked at Hanna.

Because I was curious about what kind of reaction I would get.

The sword that Mikhail, who had lost the Holy Sword in the side story, had temporarily used.

It was an unfortunate sword that couldn't be used properly because the penalty of 'Hungry Dragon's Tooth' was brutal, but I was confident that it could be reborn as a fraudulent weapon if only the penalty could be overcome.

Yes.

"Gulp..."

If only the penalty could be overcome.

-Thump.

The moment Hanna's hand touched the hilt of the sword, a red light shone on her hand and it began to tremble greatly.

"...Oh."

Hanna's expression hardened in an instant.

'Hungry Dragon's Tooth' is a sword that increases the total amount of aura....

"Aura is...!!!"

It had a strange penalty of eating the user's aura.

"Hnng....!!!"

Hanna tried her best to stabilize the sword. She probably wanted to show me a strong and dignified appearance, but it was a sword that had put countless swordsmen in a near-death state in the original story, so she couldn't overcome it with just determination.

Therefore.

"That's enough."

I took the sword from Hanna's hand and smiled slightly. Because from now on, there was something new to conquer.

Aura control and operation.

This was the subject I would teach Hanna.

Helping the weakened Hanna to her feet, I looked at the students and said in a gentle voice. I had to reassure them that I wasn't just favoring Hanna.

"You've all worked hard so far."

"..."

"There's no need to be jealous that I only gave a gift to Hanna. As the class progresses, I have prepared gifts for all of you."

"..."

"You can look forward to it. I can teach you a secret technique that can defeat a powerful enemy, and I can give you a weapon like I did for Hanna, so as long as you all continue to follow along diligently, I think you will be able to achieve good results."

To the students whose faces were brightening up, I added a slightly bitter remark.

"So... from now on, I'm going to divide you into two groups and teach you."

At my words that I would openly discriminate and teach the students, a slight tremor began to form on the students' lips. Because dividing meant comparison.

"Rohan. Luke."

"Yes!"

"You two can't use aura, right?"

Rohan and Luke, who had squeezed their eyes shut at my blatant reprimand, let out a sigh and nodded their heads.

"From now on, the two of you will have a special class to awaken your aura."

"...Are you saying you'll make us use aura!?"

"Yes. It will be really hard, but by the end of the class, you will be able to awaken your aura."

Leaving behind the students whose faces were beaming, I turned to Hanna, Malik, and Mikhail and continued to speak.

"Students who can use aura will now have to perform the tasks I give you."

I said.

The direction I would teach them.

"Don't the three of you have something in common?"

"Something in common...?"

"Something in common?"

"I... no, I'm not family."

To the perplexed students, I looked at the insignia engraved on Malik's sword and said.

"Didn't all three of you learn the Histania swordsmanship?"

"...Ah."

I smiled slightly and said to them, who had ominous expressions on their faces.

"As you know, the strength of the Histania swordsmanship is its area-of-effect and destructive power, which can deal with multiple opponents."

"..."

"As for its weakness, as you all well know...."

I lightly held the 'Hungry Dragon's Tooth', which I had failed to tame, and said.

"It's the fact that it uses a huge amount of aura."

Hanna's eyes, who had experienced failure once, began to tremble. Because she thought it was a sword that even her father couldn't tame easily.

At the same time, Malik's eyes and Mikhail's expression also began to tremble.

It's a good expression to see.

I said with a bright smile.

"From now on, you will have to clear the dungeon with this sword that absorbs aura."

"..."

"With this one sword alone."

Malik said with a trembling voice.

"Don't be ridiculous.... How can we do it with just one sword."

"Haha... well, you can just take turns."

"...Ah. I see?"

"It's a problem that can be solved if another person uses it while one person is unconscious."

"..."

Malik thought seriously.

"Is it possible to withdraw."

"No."

I want to run away.

[Side Story - Special Class Observation Journal]

★Swordsmanship Department Edition★

-Author: Swordsmanship Department Professor Ricardo-

----------------------------------------

I received the list from Malik.

A list of about 15 people.

"..."

Honestly, I thought over a hundred people would apply, so I was surprised by the lower-than-expected participation rate. The academy wasn't a private educational institution in the countryside, after all.

It was a place where renowned geniuses of the empire came, yearning for knowledge, so I was honestly flustered by the number of only 15.

And I, not knowing that, had asked Malik to reduce the number to about 100.

But still.

(Participant List)

● Swordsmanship Department

Mikhail, Histania Hanna, Sigor Look, Rohan, Eliria Veilin

● Magic Department

Luin, Tetra Shuen, Leocard Chartia, Adrian Folkner, Airi

● Healing Department

Yuria, Sophia, Gail, Lin, Mira Silvaren

I wasn't disappointed because there were many talented individuals.

Because teaching 3 people who are trying to gain something has a much higher expected value than teaching 200 mediocre people.

I saw a few characters who appeared as extras in the novel, and especially since a student named 'Eliria Veilin,' who was rumored to have no presence in the novel, had applied, I thought it would be fun to teach.

Because if I polished her well, I thought I could raise her into a competent assassin.

[Day 1]

The long-awaited first class began.

I was happy to see many familiar faces, but I also thought I needed to get my act together. If we socialized in a public setting, the atmosphere would be ruined.

Let's set some simple goals.

Hanna: Increase the total amount of aura and reduce excessive aura use.

Mikhail: Lay the foundation to use more than 60% of the holy sword's power.

Rohan: Create a sturdy sandbag that can defend against the archbishop's attacks.

Look: Make him into a mad dog that isn't afraid.

Malik: Make him so he won't die no matter where you throw him.

And.

Veilin: Since she has no presence, make sure to call attendance.

I think I can do about this much.

The most surprising thing in the first class was not Rohan's challenging spirit or Malik's participation in the class, but Veilin's presence.

"That's all for today's class. The students who have woken up, please wake up the fainted students."

",,,"

"One... two... three, four, five... one person is missing?"

"..."

"Ah. Student Veilin was fainted."

I was surprised that Veilin's lack of presence, perhaps because of her quiet personality, was greater than described in the novel.

She was a gag character in the novel too.

-Veilin?! Where did Veilin go!

-...I'm here.

-Veilin!!!

-I'm right here...

I thought she was a student with incredible talent.

Although I only made them faint in the first class, seeing the students participating in the class with passion, I thought I could produce a decent result.

[Day 2]

A fight broke out.

Between the Swordsmanship, Magic, and Healing Departments.

I was honestly disappointed with the students who started a fight without knowing how hard the upcoming classes would be. I was also amused that Malik, whom I had secretly expected to play the role of a mediator, participated in the fight more vigorously than anyone else.

-We won.

-...Are you bragging?

-It's been a while since I've clashed with young blood, so I think my blood was boiling.

-Then I will increase the class intensity by 3 times.

-I will restrain myself.

Really.

He was a person you couldn't hate.

Because he was a person with a lot to learn, from his passion for learning to his attitude of admitting his mistakes.

Anyway, thanks to the trouble that happened last night, I decided to postpone the originally planned class and start a joint class. I was originally planning to set the stage when the class was about to end, but since the students dug their own graves saying they wanted to die.

-Please save me!!! Butler!!!

-I was wrong.

-Stop... stop!!! We were wrong!

-You son of a bitch!!!!

-Be quiet-yot! Green algae head! I, Shuen, am having fun-yot!

It was good to see them getting closer to each other.

[Day 3]

Today, I sent the Swordsmanship Department friends to a dungeon.

Since they had survived the joint class last night without dying, I thought they could handle it.

The dungeon's ecosystem consisted of goblins and spiders.

It was a place where unique monsters that were not easily seen outside resided. The demon's den, full of monsters that were visually unpleasant and tricky to deal with, was also an undisclosed dungeon unknown to adventurers, so it was an optimal place for a class.

I was originally planning to put them in a demon's den full of elite orcs, but since the students seemed more competent than I thought, I thought it would be okay to raise the level a bit.

"Butler, where is this...?"

"It's a dungeon. A dungeon that anyone can easily enter."

"...That's."

-Kieeeeeek!!!

"I hear a strange sound from inside the dungeon?"

I said to Hanna, who had a trembling expression.

"It's a perfectly normal monster. Don't worry and go in."

"...It's not an orc, is it?"

"Haha...! It's not."

Hanna shook her head and made a grim face.

[Day 6]

Their eyes have improved.

The dungeon, which I thought would take at least 5 days, they reached the deep part in just 3 days.

"I hate spiders... I'm going to kill them all."

The students' stomachs were also getting stronger, incomparably to before. Most academy students had not experienced actual combat, so they would easily panic.

Since there were many students who couldn't become protagonists because they were scared even with outstanding abilities, I thought this class would bring a good result.

-Here they come again...!

-Why is the spider web brown!!!

-I hate it!!!

With this level of stomach, I thought they could face a magician who controlled insects.

I also got a weapon for Hanna.

And since I had decided on the direction of the class, if I gradually increased the intensity...

That was when.

I realized I was making a big mistake.

"Excuse me..."

"...Huh?"

I looked at the gloomy girl covering her eyes and smiled awkwardly. She had been swinging her dagger more diligently than anyone else in this class, but I had forgotten about her.

"What should I do?"

"Ah... Student Veilin, you can learn aura polishing with Rohan and Look."

"Yes..."

I was sorry to student Veilin, who had a suspiciously lack of presence.

"Um..."

"Yes."

"Thank you for noticing me."

Sincerely.

----------------------------------------

[Histania Hanna's Diary]

[Day 1]

Today is the first day of class with the butler. My brother said he was a special instructor, so I was surprised that it was the butler.

-Hello.

How could he be so cool?

I thought I could have the best time this summer vacation with the butler who could make a girl's heart flutter with a small gesture.

Moreover, the butler is in charge of the Swordsmanship Department...!

'This is my chance...!'

I thought it was a golden opportunity to show off the charms I couldn't show until now. I couldn't appeal to him at the mansion because of the young lady.

Besides, Shuen also went to the mansion and earned points, so I couldn't just stand by.

-Ohoho~ I, Shuen, have been to the commoner's house!

-...What did you say?

-I went to appeal to the most beautiful person in the world! I'm beautiful too, but I have no choice if I want to make a living in the future!

-...Haa?!!

In order not to be pushed back by Shuen, I thought I had to seize this opportunity firmly. If my head doesn't work, then with my body...!

I was determined not to be pushed back by Shuen.

[Day 2]

The Magic Department kids caused trouble.

It would have been fine if they had just kept their mouths shut. Thanks to that 2nd year kid, I had to suffer so much that I was about to get angry to the point of my head exploding.

My brother should have just stayed still, why did he have to get involved...

-Swordsmanship Department, get up.

-What are you doing...!

-We had the hardest time.

-...No!

-Do you know how annoying it is to faint when the story is about to get interesting?

Appeal or whatever, I didn't even have the strength to move.

Tomorrow, I will definitely... give him a back hug. I must...!

[Day 3]

I hate spiders.

I really hate them.

Especially the monster that is a fusion of a goblin and a spider, I hate it even more. I'm scared it will appear in my dreams... and I have to go again tomorrow... I feel like crying.

I was going to hug the butler when he was off guard, but far from aiming for an opening, I felt like I was going to die because of the spider webs.

The spider web stuck to my hair won't come off, so I think I'm done sleeping for today.

[Day 4]

Ugh... I hate spiders.

No more spider webs...

[Day 5]

I will destroy them.

[Day 6]

I received a gift from the butler.

A sword with a screw loose somewhere.

I was really happy because it was a gift from the butler, but I was secretly disappointed to receive a sword that sucked up aura. Still, since I was the first one to receive a gift, I guess it's okay.

-You're disappointed, aren't you?

-What...?

-If the gift I gave you after a long time was a sword that absorbed aura, I would be upset too.

-Haha... no. I'm grateful enough just for receiving it.

-Haha...! Do you know that?

-What?

-I never give anything bad to the people I care about.

Since the butler said that, I was happy. Let's participate in the class more diligently tomorrow.

·

·

·

[Day 10]

This is big trouble.

The spiders look pitiful.

Until a few days ago, I hated them terribly.

-Kiiiing...

Strangely, they look cute, so this is big trouble.

*

I, who had written the class record for today, closed the notebook and muttered lowly.

"I should get going soon."

I should go see the young lady after a long time.