Kazuto woke up earlier than usual, adjusting his messy hair and washing his face and brushed teeth. Hanamori was still rubbing her eyes, but when Kazuto grabbed his bag and yawned, she tilted her head.
"Eh? Where are you going this early? School doesn't start for another hour."
Kazuto smirked, stretching like some kind of anime protagonist who thought he was cool (spoiler: he wasn't).
"To town. I have something to buy."
"Something to buy? That's unusual."
"Yeah but I have to. For now I'll off! See ya!"
The town was already lively at that morning. Merchants yelling prices, children chasing each other, and knights walking around in armor. Kazuto wandered through the cobblestone streets until he spotted a blacksmith's sign hanging from a rusty chain.
"This blacksmith looks cool.This shop must have good weapons with good qualities."
Inside, the shop, there were lot of swords, spears, and shields, etc.. displayed at the walls. Kazuto's eyes locked onto one.
A long, shining, black one-handed sword. Its blade shaper than any sword around there.
Kazuto's eyes sparkled.
"Oh… oh my god. This is it."
The shop owner, an old man with arms like steel beams, raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm.. you got a good eye kid!"
Kazuto looked excited.
"I have a request."
"Can I… test it?"
The shopowner nodded and accept.
"Go ahead, kid. Just don't damage it."
Kazuto held the sword and gave it a swing. He tried a few moves. His movements were far from pro-level, but for him it was good enough for him to fight.
"Perfect…!"
But then—his eyes darted to another identical sword hanging on the wall. His lips curled into a grin.
"Wait… what if I…"
The shopkeeper crossed his arms.
"Don't tell me you're thinking about dual-wielding."
Kazuto replied to him.
"Yeah.. but dual-wielding is not suitable wiht long sword..."
"So, maybe next time... but for now I will take this."
The blacksmith blinked.
"Oh ho ho.. What an interesting kid!!"
"Looks like you have experiences."
Then Kazuto paid the price of the sword.
"All right.. here is your sword.." the blacksmith said.
"Thanks." Kazuto thanked.
Moments later, Kazuto walked out of the shop with a black sword strapped on his back. The sword was not too heavy but not too light, just weight enough to be balance than normal. But his smile was brighter than before.
"I have to train sword too. So, I can attack or defense myself if anything happened!"
Hanamori spotted him the moment he stepped onto campus. Her eyes widened, pointing at the sword.
"Why do you… have a sword on your back?! Don't tell me..? Are you going to change into swordman?"
Kazuto puffed out his chest.
"No..No.., Hanamori. I can't use magic, but if I still want to fight, I need weapons."
Hanamori's expression surprised.
"Ohh.. I see…That makes sense! So then, are you going to fight? Hanamori asked.
"I guess so." Kazuto answered.
"Besides, anything could happen to me. So, I have to prepare. Kazuto added.
"That's a great idea!" Hanamori said.
Then they walked back to their class and saw a poster in front of their class and said—
"Attention, students! The dungeon clearing competition will be held soon! Those who wish to show their skills can be registered from your teachers after class!"
Hanamori looked for a while and turned to Kazuto.
"Dungeon clearing …huh..? Hey..Kazuto"
He still looking the poster. At that time she realized.
"Don't tell me you're thinking—"
Kazuto smirked for a second and said.
"Of course I'm joining!! This is literally my chance to clear my rumor!"
"Well that a great idea! You should not waste this chance."
"Yeah.. I'll rewrite my story."
After classes, Kazuto and Hanamori walked straight to the teacher's office. The instructor glanced at Kazuto's F-rank badge, then at the black sword.
"You want to join Dungeon clearing…? Are you sure, kid?"
"It's not like you are F-rank. You can't even use magic."
Kazuto smiled and said confidently to the instructor.
"Yes! I'll join no matter what happen! That's why I have this sword!"
Instructor smiled as if he found something interesting.
"Ohh.. interesting.. A mage using a sword.."
"That's strange to report this to principal."
"But he will accept if there was a reason. So, don't worry about it."
Hanamori just stood beside him, looking him with smiling awkwardly. Then she decided.
"If you joined then…I'll join too, sensei."
Instructor is about to wrote their name but then Kazuto said something.
"Hey sensei.. I have something to ask."
Instructor looked surprised.
"Sure! Go on!"
Then Kazuto asked Instructor directly.
"Can I form a party with Hanamori? Because the poster didn't said to be solo."
Instructor looked a little surprised that Kazuto found out it.
"Well Kazuto, the poster didn't said to form a party either." instructor calmly replied.
Kazuto smirked. He knows a good reason for instructor's reply.
"Then sensei, if we form a party, isn't it more effective for us to practice as a party? And also party is more effective than solo in defeating enemies. As I remember correctly most of all adventure were party. It's rare to find a solo adventure like a diamond."
Instructor looked he is interesting about Kazuto's reason. He clapped.
"Hmm.. Well done, Kazuto! I didn't think anyone would think like you. You have experience that doesn't fit with F-rank."
"All right! You can form a party with Arisa."
The teacher wrote their names into the registering paper, shaking his head.
"Sigh.. Well good luck on your goal kids!"
"Kazuto have potential to rise his rank later."
"I found an interesting kid..."
Back at the apartment, Kazuto tapped his chin.
"Hanamori, I'm heading to the library for a bit. I have something to search something."
Hanamori crossed her arms, leaning on the doorframe.
"Don't stay out too late, okay?"
She gave him a gentle smile. Kazuto's face went red instantly.
"U-Uh… yeah! I won't be late! Maybe!"
Kazuto thinking. Damn it, if she still doing this I'll start liking her... That's not good for my heart.
The academy library was massive, lined with towering shelves. Kazuto strolled through, eyes checking at every title.
"Mana control for beginners? Pass. Fireball theory? Pass. …Oh, this one—'About the heroes.' Found his interest in it."
He reached out for the book, but at the same moment, another hand reached too. Their fingers brushed.
Kazuto froze. The girl beside him, with light lavender hair tied into a braid, immediately pulled her hand back, her face turning pink.
"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to—"
Kazuto calmly replied.
"Nah, I don't mind it. You can take this book."
She fiddled with her braid nervously.
"U-Um… were you going to read this book too?"
Kazuto hesitated. Then, with a smile, he pushed the book toward her.
"You can take it. I'll find something else."
Her eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
"Of course. It's just a book. Besides… it looks like you wanted it more." Kazuto replied.
She hugged the book to her chest and gave a shy bow.
"Thank you… My name is Lyria."
"I'm Kazuto Hoshin! Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you Hoshin...Umm I'm in hurry I must go now."
Lyria gave him a small smile before hurrying away, her braid swaying behind her. Kazuto scratched his head.
"Damn..She is soo..Cute."
Then he glanced at the clock. His eyes widened.
"Oh crap! Hanamori is gonna kill me if I'm late!"
Kazuto bolted out of the library like his life depended on it.
Dear readers, if I don't make it back in time… don't know what will happen next. So guys, wish me luck!