章 6: [6] Separation

1 (Alice)

It has been less than 2 weeks since we arrived in this world. I would have loved to learn more about our situation but we were not allowed outside of the castle grounds ever since the last assassination attempt.

Sneaking out would have been easy for me, but the thought of Shana and what was to come kept me patient.

Thankfully, that girl quickly reached level 10 and even exceeded it by reaching level 15. She told me her true levels—which only the individual usually knew—were a mana quality of 3, quantity level of 2, and swordsmanship of 10.

In that way, I realized levels in this world worked by combining the various aspects you held. Though, the Heroic Relic, which she managed to successfully wield its first power, did not count towards it.

It was interesting, partly because seeing her grow reminded me of my past self, but mostly because I was still level 0 even though I had somewhat loosened myself and eased my boredom by joining her training—though, suppressing myself to an extreme degree.

Albein Mass, her instructor, did not care for me all too much after the ball party, but he did not mind my accompaniment if only to appease Shana.

"You seem to be able to handle the sword well," He complimented me on one particular day.

"Thank you," I smiled.

"It's below the level of even a novice, however."

I could only shrug at that statement and thought it none of his business.

His eyes were neither loathful nor arrogant. I could see it. He merely thought about the 0 he saw. He merely thought that level did not fit a hero.

Maybe he was right, however, because I wasn't a hero in this world. I was not supposed to be here.

"You know. . .I think they meant to summon you," I told Shana, "And I was simply roped in."

I had once thought it the other way around seeing as I had been summoned 5 times previously, but now that I looked at it, it was possible that she was the hero meant for this world and I simply tagged along.

It would make sense then why the system of this world could not classify me in the least bit. At least, that was my speculation.

Yet, despite my words, she shook her head and smiled.

"Either way, I'm glad we're together," She said.

Between us, the room had become our haven in the castle. We brought fresh bread from the kitchen per her request, added butter, and enjoyed our snack as we spoke to each other.

"Ooh, by the way, your advice really helped," She said as she swallowed.

"Hmm?"

"You know—the thing, the thing about calling upon your hopes and wishes when you use a heroic relic?" She tilted her head, "Also with not fearing the blade of an instructor as they won't harm me. . ."

Ah, those.

I 'mentored' her in addition to Albein's teachings. Well, it was more that she vented to me and I simply pointed her in the right direction.

"You would have been a perfect hero though. . .they should give you a chance. . ."

"Don't say that. Nope. No thanks. You can have the role."

She giggled, "Finnnne~"

I rolled my eyes.

The carriage rattled.

Shana nervously sat in front of me and Albein took a seat at her side. We were back in our training attire and the clothes we wore when we first came into this world was packed in our own individual suitcases along with identification.

I watched the passing streets through the corner of my eyes.

The slightly crowded and narrowed roads, the inns and shops that littered the place, and the carriages that rolled made me aware that this was the natural fantasy medieval world. The cobblestone beneath the wheels of our vehicle, the well kept cleanliness of the capital city, and the stationed guards we passed from time to time, dressed in military motif, emphasized that this was a slightly more advanced and methodological medieval world. At the very least, if we were comparing things here, it would be just before the industrial revolution of earth.

In essence, it was quite similar to the worlds I had resided in previously. Basically, I found it so mundane as to be boring.

"You two will be separating to take the test," Albein began, signaling that we were likely close to the place already, "We don't care much about what happens after, but this much will be done, do you understand?"

"Wh—what?" Shana looked between us two.

However, the man kept his eyes trailed to me.

"It can be quite harsh to pay for the academy, even if it's only a year long study. Do this much and we will be paying for your tuition as well. . .if you make it into the academy."

Was that how they played? This was cliched wasn't it? I'm guessing they didn't want me to be associated with Shana? Well, this was expected. Even the baiting filling his words as if they were doing me a favor was also expected.

"Why you-!" Shana was in the mind to flip.

However, Albein merely knocked on the carriage and it rattled to a stop. He continued to stare at me and only me.

"Spotting the entrance to the school will be easy. If you agree, please get off the carriage now."

I laughed.

". . .is there something funny?" He asked with furrowed brows.

I ignored him and was delighted to see his fist furl.

"Shana," I said.

She jolted and turned to me, "Y-yes?"

"I'll be seeing you at the academy. If they don't keep their promise. . .I'll come to take you back."

I descended from the carriage with the confused face of both Shana and Albein. As soon as my feet touched the ground, suitcase in hand, it drove away with the neigh of two horses.

I raised my head to the expansive blue sky and the burning orb that shined midday. There was bustling around my immediate surroundings and the majority of people walked leftward. Some eyes made their way to me, but in another world, a kid in the middle of the street was not the strangest sight to see.

How interesting.

They must think I couldn't make it into the academy. They must have wanted to separate Shana from me with that notion.

My mana rolled through my body as I grinned.

There must be an assurance that there was no way I was getting in. And, truth be told, it was probably the 0 displayed as my level. Although. . .I wouldn't put it past them to have 'other means'.

I stepped into the corner of the street and took a few steps towards the area the carriage traveled before turning into an alleyway.

With my next step, I disappeared.