The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 51: A Woman's Heart Is Hard to Understand

“…………”

A beautiful girl stood in front of me, puffing out both her cheeks.

Her name was Sheila Calera.

Naturally, she was an acquaintance of mine. Until just a while ago, we had gone together to the mine to hunt a dragon.

This girl was expressing her dissatisfaction with her face even more than with her mouth. The pressure was incredible.

While somewhat confused, I tried asking:

“What’s wrong with that face? You’re ruining your cute face.”

“I am angry.”

“Angry enough to use polite speech.”

“That’s not the important part. Where is this?”

“Where… it’s the royal capital.”

What an obvious thing to ask. This familiar scenery was nothing other than the royal capital.

“Stop making that ‘what an obvious thing to ask’ face.”

“You read that well.”

“Luka-sama’s expressions show. Especially when you’re exasperated, it’s prominent.”

“Seriously?”

I thought I had been maintaining quite a poker face, but apparently I was mistaken.

I shrugged my shoulders in disappointment.

“So, why are you so angry?”

“Don’t you understand?”

“Not at all.”

“Sigh… this is why Luka-sama is…”

“Oh, you’re really laying it on thick. Speak clearly, Sheila-kun.”

“Kun?”

“I tried imitating Sheila’s polite speech.”

“That’s not polite speech.”

“You’re nitpicky.”

Either way was fine. I just wanted to know why she was angry.

Even though I had just returned from defeating a dragon together with Lucia.

I had properly brought back the heart too. A dragon’s heart was a convenient item that gave power to whoever ate it. Honestly, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this was what I wanted.

“I went to the mine together with Luka-sama.”

“We did go. Good thing we’re safe.”

“I ran away as fast as I could. But that’s not the problem.”

“Which means?”

“I want to ask about Lucia-sama, who returned with Luka-sama!”

Sheila brought her face closer with a whoosh.

She wanted to ask about Lucia? There wasn’t anything particular to talk about… could it be about that forbidden designated magic?

“I haven’t heard about the forbidden designated magic from Lucia yet. That girl fell asleep in the carriage on the way back.”

“Not that, how did you become friends with Lucia-sama? You looked extremely hostile to each other.”

“Ah, that.”

How unexpected. I never thought Sheila would care about Lucia.

Both were called geniuses as magicians. Maybe they were conscious of each other in various ways.

I pondered how to explain while stroking my chin with my hand. However, I couldn’t say anything careless. I honestly told her the facts.

“After I saved Lucia and we escaped together from deep underground, I defeated the dragon in front of her. Also, from now on she’ll join our training too. Since she’s from the Morgan ducal family, she should be able to use her family’s power to come to the academy almost daily.”

“!”

Sheila made an expression as if to say “that’s ridiculous.” I wondered why she looked regretful.

Training Lucia had benefits for Sheila too. I had promised to exchange information with her. The stronger Lucia became, the more techniques I could teach Sheila proportionally.

Forbidden designated magic was one of those. Naturally, I would teach Sheila too.

However, Sheila’s expression, who should understand this, was slightly dark.

She opened her mouth as if flustered.

“I understand the situation. But I can’t accept it. I couldn’t do anything at the mine. I couldn’t even find ore, and Luka-sama comes back flirting with Lucia-sama… it’s just one misfortune after another.”

“We weren’t flirting.”

Don’t say things that cause misunderstandings.

I merely formed a contract on equal terms.

I still didn’t understand how Lucia thought of me. There was a possibility she hated me inwardly.

“Besides, we’re going to the mine again, so you can gather ore then.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. We couldn’t carry the dragon’s corpse. We’ll return to the mine tomorrow or so. If other monsters haven’t eaten it, it should have various useful materials.”

Personally, I wasn’t interested in parts other than the heart. I planned to sell them randomly and use the money for research funds.

“I-I see… that’s right. Ehehe.”

“?”

Sheila suddenly became cheerful. She was even smiling softly.

I couldn’t grasp her change of heart and tilted my head, but Sheila didn’t tell me the reason.

From there we normally walked home through the night streets.

“—Ah, that’s right. I’ll tell you beforehand, but the coliseum will start soon, so get ready. If you lose to small fry, expect a three-hour lecture.”

“Needless worry. Do you think I’d lose to anyone other than Luka-sama?”

“No, you can’t beat Cornelia.”

“Hmph! I’ll win at the coliseum. I’m strong in actual combat.”

“Our usual training is like actual combat too though.”

But what Sheila said also had merit.

Practice versus real matches where something was at stake? The difference in motivation level and usable cards was also truth.

When the two actually fought, which would win… I was slightly interested.

While I was at it, should I invite the other magical genius—Lucia too? There should still be room for entry.

Under the indigo-dyed sky, our steps as we walked the streets were light.

I had a lot to do and was busy.