I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 29

Chapter 29: The Dangerous Girl

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A murmur spread across the training ground.

“The instructor… He dropped to one knee!”

“That was water magic just now, right?”

Rine returned as if nothing had happened.

“Luka-sama, how was it?!”

Her eyes sparkled as she closed the distance between us. It was a smile you’d never expect from someone who had just pressed a blade to a man’s throat moments ago. The gap was terrifying. But she was cute, though…

“…Yeah, you’re strong as always, Rine.”

“Hehe.”

She gripped my sleeve, looking satisfied. With just that one gesture, someone could die from sheer adoration. The instructor, Gaius, slowly stood up. But at that moment…

“…Phew.”

One hand went to his lower back. His face twisted ever so slightly. The ones who didn’t miss it were a few in the front row and me. The instructor’s movements suddenly looked like an old man’s…

“Instructor?”

Dario frowned. Gaius tried to take a step forward, then stopped.

“…My apologies.”

His voice sounded strangely weak.

“My lower back is done. We’ll end it here.”

Huh?

The anticlimactic words left the instructor’s mouth, and the students gaped. Some were even holding back laughter.

“Those who came from the Magic Department will train under those from the Swordsmanship Department. And anyone laughing will have special instruction later.”

He stated it flatly. I couldn’t laugh…. Because the battle-crazed combat junkie in front of me was terrifying.

“Actual combat is harsher and more merciless than this. That is all. Dismissed.”

You’ve got to be kidding me…He really just left. After moving like that, his weak point was his lower back? I’ll aim for that too.

Still, Rine… wasn’t that a bit overkill? The person in question looked blankly surprised.

“W-Was that my fault?”

“…Probably.”

“Ehh?!”

But you looked a little happy about it, didn’t you?

Around us, impromptu pairs began forming. Those from the Swordsmanship Department took on teaching roles. For a magic swordsman, close-quarters combat was paramount. In that field, former Magic Department students were practically amateurs. Former Magic Department students would teach magic fundamentals to those from the Swordsmanship Department. They could move well, but were still unfamiliar with magic and unaccustomed to handling magical power.

First, you grew accustomed to one field in the elementary division. Those who excelled there would then take up both swordsmanship and magic. That was how the Magic Swordsmanship Department existed.

“Luka-sama.”

Rine tugged at my sleeve.

“Will you pair with me?”

When Rine got like this, you looked into her eyes. And when her eyes were this serious, you might actually get killed, so I refused (optimal strategy). She switched from small animal to combat mode way too fast. I didn’t know what to do with that. This was completely a battle-mode invitation.

“…No, I’m good. Why don’t you go play with someone else?”

This was the optimal move! 

I’m not ready to die yet!

“Huh? Come on~ There’s no need to hold back.”

“I’ll observe today.”

“But—”

“No, really. I’m good today.”

I took three steps back. Rine took one step forward.

N-No! No!

“Luka-sama, I can hold back, you know?”

“Sorry, that’s what I trust the least.”

That practice before the mock battle in the past… I haven’t forgotten.

“The idea that I would hurt Luka-sama now is unthinkable!”

“I refuse.”

“Just one swing…”

“Impossible.”

“I won’t use water.”

“That’s even scarier.”

A few people around us chuckled. 

If you’re going to laugh, at least take my place (angry).

Kyle was grinning at me.

“Running away~?”

“This is a tactical retreat.”

I’d deal with that brat someday. Cedric snorted. Cedric-kun probably didn’t want to fight Rine either. Just like me, he carried trauma. By the way, these guys really were close. They were always together.

While I was thinking that, Claris was diligently training with another pair, as composed as ever. In the end, I never paired up. Rine teamed up with another student and mercilessly beat them down.

That’s some admirable drive for improvement. Just try not to kill anyone, okay?

And then class ended.

“That will be all for today. Review on your own.”

The bell rang. The instructor wasn’t there, but the dismissal was called. The moment I let out a sigh of relief—

“Luka-sama.”

A familiar quiet voice came from behind me. A girl stood there, her tied black hair swaying slightly, her posture immaculate.

It was Yuka.

“…You’re early as always, Yuka.”

“Yes, Luka-sama tends to get lost immediately after all.”

How rude. I just go for a little walk and somehow end up alone (premeditated).

Her gaze slowly shifted to the side. Yuka’s eyes met Rine’s.

“Long time no see, Yuka.”

Rine smiled brightly.

“It has been a while, Rine-sama.”

A smile. But her eyes weren’t smiling.

“You seemed to be having quite a bit of fun today.”

“Yeah, because I’m in the same department as Luka-sama now.”

“It looked as though you were inviting Luka-sama.”

“Yeah, but he turned me down.”

“Well, of course. Rine-sama is far too strong.”

That’s right! Tell her more, Yuka! I was one small mistake away from dying, you know?!

Rine pouted.

“If Luka-sama trained with me, he’d definitely grow stronger!”

“Luka-sama is of a ducal house. There is no need for him to fight recklessly.”

“There’s nothing wrong with getting stronger, right?”

Smile and smile.

Is this what they call being surrounded by flowers? (Not quite.)

One of the students Rine had beaten—Dario—murmured quietly.

“…Scary.”

Kyle watched with amusement. Cedric quickly left the area. With a sigh, I spoke.

“Yuka, class is over. Let’s head back.”

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

“That wasn’t directed at you, Rine.”

…My stomach hurt. I prayed I wouldn’t be beaten to a pulp in retaliation.

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I was in a carriage ride back to the estate. The evening sky outside the window was dyed orange. And across from me sat a beautiful girl named Yuka.

“How was the Magic Swordsmanship Department today?”

“More violent than I expected.”

“I see. Even now, you could still transfer back to the Magic Department.”

“I’ve come this far. I’ll stick it out. I’ve already hit my limit with magic alone anyway.”

“….”

Yuka’s lips curved slightly.

“Rine-sama was the same as ever. You weren’t injured, were you?”

“No.”

The fact that she had to ask already made Rine’s abnormality stand out.

Making the instructor kneel on the very first day… What kind of protagonist does that?

I looked out the window.

“…I wonder if I’ll manage.”

“If it is you, Luka-sama, I am certain you will.”

Based on what, exactly… 

But it was honestly nice to hear. In the middle division, classes in the Magic Swordsmanship Department had begun. On a slightly happier note, since I’d advanced to the middle division, Mother granted me permission to go out into the royal capital. Of course, I was told to bring guards—Yuka and Moore—but for someone reincarnated like me, just walking through a medieval-style city was enough to get my spirits up.

And just as I was getting used to that, about two weeks later…

…I ended up buying my second slave.

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