“…………Eh……”

　……Somehow, I had a scary dream.

　When I woke up, I was in a bed. Looking closely, this is one of the rooms of the inn.

“Hey.”

“You're awake! “

　When I called out, Silvia's lively voice resounded and she hurriedly grabbed my right hand.

“……Don't push yourself too hard. If you had lost this hand, you wouldn't be able to become the world's number one.”

　While gently stroking my right hand, Silvia spoke in a quiet voice.

“It's somewhat hard to say but, it wasn't that one, it was the left hand.”

“…………”

　Silvia's ears turned bright red.

“Ouch.”

　She silently pinched the back of my hand and then quickly left the room.

　Ahh, I feel relieved for some reason.

　I'm not sure why that is.

“Second! “

　Along with a bang, the door was forcibly opened and Eko jumped in.

　She then dove into my chest, muttering “I'm sorry, I'm sorry” while in tears.

　I'm not sure why she's being sorry though.

　But rather than being apologized to, this is actually a chance.

“Eko. I'll say it again. Healing Magic is suitable for you. Quit the school and come with me.”

　Even after everything I thought before, I'll take advantage of her. But I really think that is something that will become her salvation.

　Raising her face while still crying, Eko showed me full smile.

“I'm happy!　Will I be useful!? “

“Yeah. 一Let's go, together.”

　I pushed my invitation.

　Eko was about to nod with a smile…… But suddenly, a shadow descended on her face.

“Uh…… But…… But……”

　She seems to be troubled.

　I want to go, but I can't go. It looked like that kind of anguish.

　……Is there a reason for that?

“By the way… Is there a reason why you might not be able to drop out from school? “

“How do you know!? “

　Eko's rounded eyes looked up to me as she raised a surprised voice.

“Because I'll be the world's top. Here, tell me what it is.”

　I proudly said and waited for Eko to begin speaking.

“You see……”

　Eko began talking after wiping her tears.

　Apparently, she's from a demihuman village in a remote country.

　Since a young age, Eko has had a stupidly high amount of MP, and when her father, who knew of it, started proudly boasting about it to everyone, the whole village began to grow their expectation that Eko would have talent for Magic.

　The story began to grow and grow until last year. It was then that she was admitted into the prestigious 『Royal Magic Academy』 using the money that was collected from everyone in the village.

　A genius from a remote demihuman village. If Eko were to become a splendid magician, it would lead to the village revitalization. They probably had such shallow thinking.

　How did she pa.s.s the entrance exam? Just because Eko had low INT due to her particular growth type, didn't mean she had problems acquiring skills and magic knowledge. Rather, she was excellent. She had already acquired the Second Form of two attributes, earth and wind. However, the power of her magic was less than half of that of other students. Therefore, she was considered a failure.

“……That's the reason why I can't quit. I can't betray the expectations that everyone in the village placed in me.”

　The expectations of everyone in the village.

　What good can come from those?

　They are just a huge weight on her. One that has crushed this girl's heart and still continues to crush her even more.

“……Don't worry. Here I have a way out.”

“Ehh……? “

“A way out. Luckily there's a good way out.”

　Unlike for the past me.

“A good way out? “

“Yeah. So, rest a.s.sured.”

　I nodded deeply, then I told Eko.

“I will be the world's number one. The first place in the whole world. Do you get it?　The very top of the whole world. There won't be anyone stronger than me and you will be a member of that team. Think carefully. Is there anything more distinguished than that?　The Royal Magic Academy is just some bulls.h.i.+t. The court magicians have terrible judgment. The villagers will surely be satisfied and more than happy. They will build you a bronze statue in the middle of the village over your legendary glory, and that day will start a festival that will continue for three days and three nights, repeating every year. By the time you return to your village, you would have become someone so great that everyone there will prostrate before you.”

“…………Pu, fu fu fu.”

“Ahh, Eko-sama, we're happy you are finally back!　That's the first thing the village chief will say, right?　Next will be your father. Eko, please get me the autograph of Second-sama! “

“Kyahaha! “

“Then, you'll wonder, where are the men of the other villages?　Hey, are you blind? Look at your feet Eko. From the moment you walked in, these men have been on their knees! “

“Kyahahahahaha! “

　Eko laughed. Quite loud. She began hitting her knees. And holding her stomach. It's great that she cheered up.

　Weirdly enough, I also started laughing along with her.

　I can't even think of anything unpleasant. I'm just enjoying what's in front of my eyes right now. Just that, thinking of something else was quite difficult.

　After laughing for a while, Eko spoke.

“Second!　I'll go with you! “

　And thus, the Muscle Monk demihuman Eko Leafret joined our group.

Thank you for reading.

＜Status Details＞

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Swordsmans.h.i.+p

Archery

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.