When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master. - Chap 37.2: Will Visits the Knight Training School

Once upon a time, I was called Hero Sakura. It was my destiny to become a hero. At first, that was what I desired.

However, I suddenly became fearful. The enemies, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Demon King—they were the embodiment of terror.

But then I realized that when someone is compelling, overwhelmingly so, you can’t sense their strength at all.

Hero Dan was precisely like that. In his case, he had a gentleness about him that made him non-threatening.

Even so, it was clear that I could never win against him. The moment he appeared, I understood that I was inferior to him as a living being.

I felt no desire to act. It seemed pointless.

He was that powerful.

And yet, he never misused his strength. He would protect.

In other words, he’s incredibly cool! Love! But let’s leave my feelings for him aside for now.

This person is a mystery. I caught a glimpse of his overwhelming strength and thought it was incredible. However, now that I face him, I feel nothing.

I’ve seen plenty of influential individuals. I have a particular knack for gauging people.

But standing in front of me is an adventurer named Ban. I sense nothing from him.

“Alright, I’ll make the first move.”

“Okay.”

Although I said I’d go easy, that was a lie. He’s a formidable opponent, so I swung my sword with considerable strength, but he effortlessly blocked it with his blade.

Something’s off. No one in this school’s A-class can block such a powerful swing.

“I went relatively light, but you blocked it well.”

“Thanks.”

He looks nonchalant, but it doesn’t seem like he’s lying. It seems like his true feelings. How much power does he have? I felt the need to test him further. I didn’t use any magic to enhance my physical strength. But, using about eighty percent of my full power…!!

With all my might, I motioned to swing down from above, but it was a feint. I purposely missed his blade and swung down. Using the distraction to disrupt his timing, I quickly changed the direction of my swing, aiming for a spot where he was completely open.

With this, he should at least show a hint of his true abilities…

“Huh?”

I inadvertently let out a strange noise. He had used the hilt of his sword to stop the tip of my upward swing.

No way, how did he do that…? Stopping a blade with the hilt, especially with that angle, is impossible. If the tip is slightly off, it won’t stop like that.

And that matter-of-fact look on his face, what’s that about?

A brief silence enveloped us when my sword was halted.

“Aren’t you going to counterattack?”

“I am.”

A light sound, ton, could be heard—a truly soft sound.

The counterattack was already over. He had lightly placed his sword against me. And before I knew it, he was behind me.

“Wha, huh?”

In actual combat, I’d have undoubtedly been defeated. If he were a demon, I’d have been killed. I couldn’t even see the slightest movement he made. He’s clearly on a different level from me.

Lost? Even though I was once called a hero?

How pathetic.

Regarding swordsmanship, I believed that aside from Hero-kun, there was no one I could lose to.

Yet, strangely, I didn’t feel any displeasure. It felt like my defeat was only to be expected.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“You’re powerful, aren’t you?”

“Thank you very much for the compliment.”

It’s not so much humility in his face, but rather a look of it being a given. He’s confident in his strength.

“I was called the Supreme Swordsman in the Hero’s party. I didn’t expect to lose.”

“I just got lucky.”

“You don’t believe that. Which school of swordsmanship are you from?”

“It’s more like my own style.”

“Your style, huh… Where have you been up until now? It’s strange that someone as skilled as you isn’t well-known.”

“I lived in the mountains until recently. Just came down to the populated areas not long ago.”

“You’re such a liar.”

I can’t figure him out at all. Rin-chan told me to leave him be and not tell anyone about his abilities. But it seems dangerous to let someone of his caliber roam free.

Maybe I should secretly consult Hero-kun later. Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll bring a homemade bento, and we can discuss it over lunch.

I should also ask him if he has a girlfriend. Yeah, that sounds like a plan.

“Well, never mind. Let’s continue the school tour. Thanks for indulging me with that mock battle.”

“Not at all.”

As we walked, I continued showing him around the school. Next, I introduced him to the research rooms.

“We have what we call research rooms. They’re places where you can study history, magic, swordsmanship, and the like outside of regular classes.”

“So it’s like a high school club activity?”

“Koukou…? Bukatsu?”

High school? Club activities? I have no idea what he’s talking about.

“Sakura-sensei.”

“What is it?”

“I wanted your opinion on this document from the ancient civilization.”

“Ah, that’s a bit…”

A female student showed me an old history book. The super-ancient civilization is related to the first-generation hero, so it’s forbidden to teach about it. Only a select few, like the successive heroes, can read it. Or rather, they shouldn’t be allowed to read it.

So, I can’t teach her about it.

“Sorry, I can’t tell you anything. But I’m rooting for you.”

“Okay.”

With that, the female student began looking at the document again. The research room dedicated to studying history is filled with numerous research materials. The truth is, I can’t read all of the ancient characters. I had begun learning, but then Hero-kun became the Hero, so I stopped.

“There’s a lot written here.”

“We have relics and old documents.”

Ban-kun was also casually looking at the artifacts in the history research room. Most of what’s here is from ancient civilizations, so it should be incomprehensible…

“…To the right resides a god, to the left a demon. The god and the demon god, leading angels and devils, instigate wars. The god feels pain, and the demon retreats—evil scatters. Angels are torn apart. Gathering the torn fragments, they build civilization. An entity that wields civilization. Later called a hero.”

“──What?”

He murmured. Could it be that he can read it? I looked at where he was looking, but my rudimentary knowledge of ancient script meant I couldn’t understand it.

──Could he possibly read this?

As I wondered, he suddenly clutched his chest and seemed in pain.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ugh, it reminds me of that embarrassing notebook I wrote in middle school. This document has such poetic expressions that poke at my second-hand embarrassment.”

“Huh?”

What’s he talking about? Is he joking? I was so shocked, thinking he could read it. In this era, only Hero-kun can read it after all.

“Ah, when traveling, I used such cringey phrases in my diary. Sometimes, I remember them while lying in bed and agonize over it.”

What a strange guy. I don’t understand what he’s saying.

“Ah, sorry, I need to head home now.”

“Huh? So suddenly?”

“Take care.”

He dashed off in a flash. What a peculiar individual. I never really got to know his true identity. But he doesn’t seem like the wrong person.

“Sakura.”

“Whoa! He-Hero-kun!?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Um, what’s up?”

“Well, nothing much. Just stopped by as a part-time instructor after a long time.”

“Oh, I see. Since you have time until your class, do you want to have lunch? I made too much for my lunchbox.”

“If it’ll tantalize my taste buds, sure.”

“Absolutely! Leave it to me!”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Before I knew it, Hero-kun was there wearing his iron mask. As always, he moved so quickly that I barely noticed him. But I got to invite him for lunch, so it’s the best lunchtime…

“Miss Sakura!”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, another teacher approached with a panicked expression.

“Mysterious creatures have appeared in the nearby wasteland, and the students are fighting them!”

“What?! I’m on my way!”

I was ready to rush to the rescue immediately. I tried to get Hero-kun’s help, but he had already vanished.

He was already on his way to the scene.