Re: Turning
The Princess' Offer

Shinnichi sighed. Trying to ignore the huge disappointment he felt. Currently, he was sitting in the palace garden. Far from the field where they were.

"Are you really a hero?"

After hearing Gregory's words, Shinnichi was devastated. He might be from another world, but at least he knew enough. His stat was low, his skills were useless, he did not even have a class. Totally useless.

Izumi and Yonaka tried to comfort her. He was happy, of course. But, those are just words full of sugar.

Received his status card, he asked permission to leave. Trying to calm the mind, the reason. In fact Shinnichi knew that he would only bother if he stayed. Gregory also understood that, he let her go.

And now, Shinnichi was sitting on a bench under a shady tree. Look at the lake in front of him.

"—Ne-sama?" A faint sound entered his sense of hearing.

Shinnichi doesn't care much. Right now, he could only daydream. He glanced at his status card. Make him breathe again.

".... I'm totally useless." He muttered. Hangs head.

"— Bane-sama." The voice was heard again. A slender white hand waved in front of his face. "Kurobane-s."

Shinnichi raised his head. Looking at the beauty of the Princess's face, again fascinated. Realizing that he stared for too long, Shinnichi's face flushed red.

"F-fiona-sama. A-r... I didn't realize your arrival." Shinnichi stands. Trying to speak politely, even though it sounds quite strange.

Fiona, on the other hand, chuckled. "Speak as usual, Kurobane-sama. I don't mind," he said in his delicate voice.

"O-oh, fine." Shinnichi nodded. Can't resist.

"What are you doing here? Aren't the Heroes training with General Gregory?" Fiona asked, sitting on the bench. "Is it finished?"

Hearing the question, Shinnichi fell silent. He felt disappointed coming back. But, he also could not silence the Princess.

"... I was gone." Shinnichi replied, after a while.

"You're leaving? But, why?" Fiona looks confused.

According to him, Shinnichi is the most enthusiastic person about this all. Fiona can see it from her reaction to magic and the words of Father. He could not find the reason why he left.

"I'm weak." Shinnichi smiled bitterly. Scratch his head. "See." Shinnichi gave her the status card.

"Well, I'm not a real hero." Shinnichi hung his head again. "Where is this weak Hero. Should be a—"

"Great."

His voice was cut off by Fiona. Shinnichi rounded his eyes. "Eh?"

"Your Skill is unusual, Kurobane-sama. [Appraisal], it was the first time I knew this skill." Fiona said, amazed. "Is this the same skill as [Identify]? Then, [Self-Magic Manipulation]. The magic? Does this include white magic? Really interesting."

"Me-pulling?" shinnichi asked confusedly. "What's so interesting? My stat is low, I can't fight. I don't have a Hero title either. I'm a nobody!"

Shinnichi lowered his head. He clenched both his hands. Feeling upset about himself. To him, his status was just a pile of trash.

"Is that so important to you, Kurobane-sama?"

Shinnichi raised his head. Fiona looked at him smiling. Can't answer the question.

"I think everyone in this world has their own role." Fiona raised her head. Staring at the wind-blown leaves. "Well it's heroes, knights, princesses, adventurers. We all have important roles that need to be filled. The question is not the strength or weakness of one's role. But, his ability to fill that role."

"... Still is." Shinnichi said slowly. His voice was almost inaudible. "If I'm not a hero, what's my role here?"

"Hm. I can't answer that either." Fiona put her hand on her thigh. Smiling gracefully, she looked like a beautiful painting. "Only you know the answer."

Shinnichi doesn't really understand Fiona's words. At least he understood that the Princess was trying to comfort him. He could only thank you.

"Together!" Fiona's hearing seemed pretty sharp. He patted the bench next to him. "Why don't you sit down, Kurobane-sama?"

Hearing that, Shinnichi felt a little troubled. There are two things actually. That the Royal Princess offered her a seat beside him and the Princess called out her surname while Shinnichi called out his real name.

Shinnichi sits next to Fiona. Look nervous.

"Er... Kurobane is my surname" Shinnichi explained. "In my home country, the surname and real name are reversed."

"Eh?" Now, replace the confused Fiona. "So... Shinnichi Kurobane?"

Shinnichi nodded.

"Ah, I'm learning new things." Fiona nodded, looking pleased. "But, everyone calls you Shinnichi right? Can I call you Kurobane?"

"Can... But, why?"

Fiona touched her chin with her index finger. Like thinking of a reason.

"Because I'm used to it." Taking the conclusion, Fiona smiled in satisfaction. "Maybe?"

"Why, that sounds dubious."

"Fufu, really?"

Finished exchanging words, the two of them stared towards the lake. It looks like a giant mirror. Reflecting blue skies and green plants.

"Ah, yes. It's." Fiona is aware that she has not returned Shinnichi's status card. "Thank you for letting me see it."

"Ah, equally." Shinnichi takes back his card. "Nothing's great, so I guess it's a little boring."

"Absolutely not." Fiona shook her head. He leaned his body towards Shinnichi. "Your status is truly unique! I have never seen such skills and titles before! Uh!"

Noticing the change in her way of speaking, Fiona looked embarrassed. His face was slightly red. However, due to the pale color of his skin, it was clearly visible.

"I'm sorry for my irreverence." Fiona apologized. Immediately straighten his body. "I'm too excited."

"O-oh, yeah. It's okay."

Shinnichi also looks embarrassed. Adjacent to a girl, no matter how many times it was, she was still not used to it.

"However, I'm not lying. Your status is indeed unique, Kurobane-sama." Fiona said again. "If you don't mind, I'd like to see you practice it."

"Ah, umm..." Having such a request, Shinnichi felt a little embarrassed. "Actually me... Don't know how..."

"...."

"...."

"Pff!"

"Don't laugh! I just came to this world! So, how do I know!?"

Ignoring their position, Shinnichi tries to defend himself. While Fiona tried to hold back her laughter.

"I'm sorry, I did something inappropriate earlier." Fiona apologized again. A smile was fixed on his face.

"... It's okay." It's okay." Shinnichi again forgave him.

"Ah, yes. In return, what if I teach you?"

"Eh?" Shinnichi was speechless. "Teaching me? Like teaching me magic and stuff?"

"Oh, b-is that right?" Shinnichi's vague answer made Fiona puff her cheeks.

"Do you doubt me? Look, this is my status card!" Fiona thrust out a black iron plate.

Unable to resist, Shinnichi accepts the plate. Seeing the princess's hopeful expression, he really could not resist. Shinnichi begins to read the status of the Princess.

『Name : Fiona Throst Victoria Ainsworth

Level 32

Race : Human

Class : Archmage

Stats

Agi 22

Tk :46 (+5)

Int :55 (+15)

Vits :16

Skill

[Ice Magic lvl.7] [Water Magic lvl.6] [Wind Magic lvl.3] [Cold Resistance] [Charisma Boost]

Titles

[Ice Princess] [Frost Witch] [Princess of Victoria]』

"Wow." Shinnichi let out a amazed voice. "Your status is really great."

"Fufu, didn't I say that?" Fiona again looks proud of herself. "So, how? Would you like to take my offer?"

Shinnichi was silent, doubtful. Not that he wanted to resist, far from it. He hesitated because he was offered by the Princess. Surely, a person as important as Fiona couldn't be so easy to offer teachings, could he?

"Just calm down, you don't have to bother yourself. I offer this only to you, Kurobane-sama." Fiona continued her words. It was as if reading Shinnichi's mind.

Shinnichi glanced at Fiona's status card. Ensuring that the Princess does not have mind reading skills.

"I can't read minds." Fiona interrupted.

"Your words really don't help." Shinnichi returned Fiona's status card while putting on a watchful expression.

Fiona just smiled knot. Receiving his status card, he turned his head towards the lake. Watch the family of ducks swimming on the surface of the water.

"So, can I be strong? Ah, naw. Useful." Shinnichi rectifies the question. "Can I be of any use if I study under you?"

"Of course not." Fiona replied instantly.

"Ja—!"

Before Shinnichi could speak the word protest, Fiona raised her hand. Stopping Shinnichi.

"It all depends on you, Kurobane-sama," Fiona explained, without looking at her. "If you keep trying, even if I don't teach, you can definitely be strong and useful."

Shinnichi was silent again. It seems the Princess has a knack for making it so. Slowly, Shinnichi also turned his head towards the lake.

"... All right," Shinnichi said a moment later. "I want to learn from you, Fiona-sama."

"Good." Fiona smiled happily. Clapping both hands. "From this moment on, you are my servant."

Gaining an unexpected statement, Shinnichi's brain freezes.

"Eh?"

✾✾✾✾

Meanwhile, in the throne room. The King sat on the throne with a shahdu expression. He lifted up his body that was beginning to age. Stand with honor.

Albert stepped into his study. His red robe was dragged on the floor. The knocking of his shoes sounded loud. Inside, he closed the door.

"Mist."

Albert called a name.

In the corner of the room, the shadows started to move. A figure appeared; At first two dimensions were now incarnated into a three-dimensional field. Now, that figure is clearly visible. The soldiers who escort the Heroes.

He knelt down to Albert. An inner voice emerged from him. "I'm sorry for the delay, Your Majesty. No greater greatness be—'

"Keep that banter. Get to the point." Albert cut the Assassin's words.

"Sure, Your Majesty. Forgive me, servant."

The soldier slowly stood up. With a swift movement, he tore his own face.

A black masked man. It is not clear whether a woman or a man. Old or young. If one looks at it, the impression one gets is just "simply".

"Hamba managed to deliver the Heroes to General Gregory unhindered." A different voice came out from his mouth. Now more muffled.

"I don't need that useless information." Albert snorted in annoyance. "The Heroes, I want to know their abilities, knowledge and experience."

"Sure, Your Majesty." Mist lowered his head again. "From the servant's observation, they were young and innocent. No sign of fighting or killing experience."

Hearing the words of his top-ranked assassin and spy, Albert smiled. "So, they are really kids? It's gotta be easy."

Albert started laughing. Glad he got his hands on some naive heroes. Easily controlled type.

"However, Your Majesty." Mist interrupted the King's joy.

Albert turned his body. Facing Mist. His smile disappeared without a trace. Like it never formed.

"There's one very strange person according to the servant, Kurobane Shinnichi."

"Ah, that black-haired boy? I think so too." Albert walked towards the window. He looked at his kingdom from the top of his castle. "Unlike the others, I can't feel anything from him. As if... He has no soul."

Mist said nothing. The killer felt the same way. There was something unusual about the young man.

"Keep watching him."

"As per your orders, Your Majesty."

Mist kneels. In an instant, it disappeared. As if there never was.

Albert kept staring out. Look towards the horizon. The direction in which the Demon kingdom is located, in the South continent.

"Now we'll just wait."

A smile was created on Albert's face. Wide smile. Sly smile.

Any minute....