Black Haired King - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Path forward

Shi!

ShunThe sound of a blade slicing through the air rang passed my ear and stopped stopped just short of my neck. The cold blade pressed against my skin. Th-That was scary! Just a tiny bit more and it would have cut me for real!

Mistrea-san drew back her sword to sheath it and turned to look at me. Wh-What is it?

Mi-Mistrea-san?

I-Its embarrassing when you stare at me that intently. However, it felt like I would lose if I looked away, so I stared right back at her.

Well, I guess Ill give you a passing grade

Eh? You mean

This is the end of your temporary training. From now on, Ill train Redius as an official pupil of mine. Helen, give Redius his sword

Yes, obaba-sama. Here, Redius.

Th-Thank you Wait, huh?

How should I put this? Todays only the fifth day of the temporary training course, and it seemed like I was able to spread the Magic Armor evenly across my body without much difficulty, but, isnt this a bit too easy?

Come on, what are you spacing out for? Quickly draw your sword. You dont have the time to just stand there, right?

Right. Im racing against time. Also, I still remember the conversation with Mistrea-san and Helen-san from yesterday.

Being an adventurer is Tough, you say?

We were having dinner together after training, when Mistrea-san said this, the context was: What should I do to not be hated even though I have black hair.

Id always thought of myself as being weak and incompetent compared to other people, because of this hair color. I believed thats how it was in reality as well. As expected, things were completely different when I couldnt use any sort of magic.

I could charge at my enemy to hit them, but it would be over the instance they retaliated with magic.

For that reason, my current goal was training under Mistrea-san to become stronger and then coming back to become an adventurer. I thought that Id be accepted if I could raise my rank. However

About that Wouldnt the adventurers be the only people to acknowledge you then? Do you not care if the other commoners and nobles wont acknowledge you?

so I was told. That gave me the determination to be accepted. Furthermore

Besides, even if you became a successful adventurer, the nobles wouldnt acknowledge you. I would say that those who would accept you do exist, but the same goes for those who think of adventurers as ruffians as well. Some of them would say, That black hair is getting full of himself, and obstruct you, right?

Then what should I

When I mumbled that, Mistrea-san smiled; her expression was scary, I wonder what shes thinking?

You just need reach a position where those nobles arent even able to complain.

A position where the nobles cant complain? I was wondering if such a person existed, when Helen-san beside me made a surprised face while looking at Mistrea-san.

Obaba-sama! Even just saying that can get you charged with treason!

Dont worry, if they wanted to question me for my crime, theyd have to bring the army along. Beside, I want to do something about this system myself as well. Deciding everything based on ones hair color is foolish. In reality, there are purple-haired idiots who committed crimes, and there are excellent people with black hair, like Redius

It was the first time someone called me excellent. Im embarrassed.

Magic isnt necessarily everything, dont you agree? Theres also martial arts and knowledge. Thats why I think of this system where hair color determines everything is foolish. Well, its unconvincing coming from a purple-hair like me, though

Mistrea-san laughed as she said this. Id pretty much understood what Mistrea-san was trying to say. I wasnt so stupid that it wouldnt sink in even after shed said this much.

However, it was a pretty steep slope to climb. It might just exhaust me halfway through. But every man holds his dreams dearly!

Mistrea-san, youre telling me to become a king, right?

When I asked her this, Mistrea-san shook her head.

I didnt say that. You, yourself, were the one who came to that conclusion. That road is harsh. Youre also a black-hair. Its impossible for you to get through with some half-hearted resolution. But even so, if thats what you aim for, then Ill lend you a helping hand

Wait a minute, Obaba-sama! Redius, you too, you cant just decide so easily! Its easier said than done, you know!?

Helen-san opposed the idea with a frantic look on her face. Why is she like this all of a sudden? Shes never said anything like this before

Musha musha musha (chomping sound, its probably the rabbit)

Not minding the current atmosphere, Ropo sat on my lap, mutely eating some vegetables. What a carefree guy. But, it helped me calm down. I look towards Helen-san.

I understand, Helen-san. I know that I cant half-ass something like this, but this is something I myself want to do. Regardless of whether youre a black haired or a purple haired, I want to prove that anyone has the potential to become strong.

Redius Fine, I understand. I wont say anymore.

Then she sat there quietly after saying that. I guess she was just worried about me.

Well, either way, the first goal is to train and get stronger. Then, its to participate in the war that will occur within the next year between theAlbast Kingdom and the Britaris Kingdom.

Is that war definitely going to take place?

Its a story I heard a bit about in the adventurers guild before I got betrayed. That the war could occur at any time. I think they said that they were recruiting reinforcements for their military too.

Mmm, It will definitely occur. Prince William who was off studying at school will have graduated by then. Its meant to be Prince Williams first campaign, so theyll probably put quite a bit of force behind it.

..I wonder why she knows this kind of info Now that I think about it, she said she had an acquaintance who was a noble right? If I remember correctly, she was on her way back when she rescued me.

Either way, school huh. I wonder if elder sister is doing well..Thinking about this now is pointless I was already disinherited from that household after all.

Several years should pass by the time I go back to the Albast Kingdom. Im sure elder sister will have married by then. I doubt well ever meet again.

At any rate, War huh. Just last January, I didnt think Id ever be involved in anything like it. To think Id end up participating in one myself.

Well, that all depends on how the training goes anyways. Like I said before, If I think youre just going to get yourself killed, theres no way Id send you off. If Im unsure whether youll be able to survive the war, your dream will have ended before it even began.

Yes, I understand. Please look after me, Mistrea-san

I deeply lower my head in a bow. Ill ignore the whole war thing for now. Right now, I just want to be taught by this person. Thats how appealing cloaking is. On top of that, the way Mistrea-san wielded her sword which seemed like a dance was cool.

Ah, to reach that goal, train well in magic armor.

Yes!

Excuse me. Ill prepare immediately.

Thats right. I dont have the time to day dream. But, I cant wait to see what else Ill be taught.