1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

76. The Unfit Instructors (1)

Koulo, sipping tea in the mansion’s office, widened his eyes in surprise.

“Belen, you say?”

Aol replied with a bitter tone.

“She must have arrived at Frost Heart by now.”

“The reason for her going there is obvious. It’s surely for the drink, isn’t it?”

She had always been a problem with alcohol.

Thanks to her past glory, it was easy for her to serve other houses, but she was perpetually drowning in drink, often cast out.

With such occurrences becoming commonplace, no family would take her in anymore.

Koulo clicked his tongue in pity.

“Tsk, the fate of one once called Empress is indeed bitter.”

Belen, the wandering knight who had once made a name for herself as a swordswoman in her youth, now reduced to this.

Hearing that she had completely fallen apart was not a pleasant thought.

“Being blood-related, I wonder if my decision was too harsh.”

At Aol’s words, Koulo shook his head.

“Didn’t the Grand Duke already grant her a chance, even bending the rules? He allowed one who abandoned the family name to re-enter the mansion.”

The reason she left was merely to follow a fallen noble, defying opposition and stepping out on her own.

The head of the house had been enraged by this, stripping her of her status and completely disowning her name.

Though they had become entirely estranged, Aol still chose to accept her, reminiscing about old ties.

—

“I know there are pressing circumstances, but he has drowned himself in drink to the point of being unable to act like a person. It’s as if he has sunk entirely into a swamp…”

The moment of acceptance had come precisely when the twins turned three.

Belen, an adult not fit for the children’s emotions.

There were reasons for his expulsion.

“When I think back, I wonder if it was Belen who ruined the eldest. He was in his adolescence at that time, after all.”

“That cannot be true. The boy had shown such tendencies even before his aunt arrived. He was always eyeing my liquor cabinet.”

“Hmm, indeed, he did show signs of it from the start.”

A person is born as they are.

Koulo and Aol nodded in agreement.

“Still, I hold some hope. For him to have quit drinking is nothing short of a miracle. Perhaps it might bring about a good influence.”

At Aol’s words, Koulo nodded vigorously.

If one were to ask who among the northeastern folk would find it hardest to quit drinking, the entire continent might echo with a resounding “Hershel!”—and yet, that very Hershel had given it up.

“Perhaps he might emerge a changed man,” Aol mused.

“I’ve sent the letter. He must take good care of himself.”

“He won’t behave as he did before, so worry not. As you know, Your Grace, the eldest has changed quite a bit, hasn’t he?”

Aol grinned slyly.

“That is true. I never imagined I would feel this proud of him one day…”

Koulo remained silent, observing Aol’s trailing words.

He did not wish to interrupt a father’s pride in his son.

* * *

It would be troublesome if Aol found out that I had enrolled in the Magic Academy.

Eruzel had heard from the mistress and was keeping quiet, as I had learned from our conversation in the dining hall.

“Brother, why did you go to the Magic Academy? I was so surprised when I found out.”

“Why? Should I tell Father?”

“I would like to, but I received a letter from Mother. I wish she had sent it a bit sooner…”

Of course, it would be discovered eventually, but an early revelation would bring no good.

Aol is an alumnus here, a powerful man who could visit whenever he pleased.

But if he found out before that…

“Ugh.”

I couldn’t help but imagine my head being crushed in his grip, unwanted.

—

Given the circumstances, it was only natural that meeting someone connected to Aol would not be a welcome affair.

Though the likelihood was low with Bellen in such a near-wrecked state, there was always the chance she might whisper something to Aol.

Of course, this all hinged on the assumption that she truly was my great-aunt.

‘She might be suffering from alcoholic dementia.’

‘It wouldn’t do to provoke her rashly, Hessel. Even in her frail condition, a formidable aura still flows from her.’

Well then, shall I test the waters?

I wore a grin like a police officer confronting a drunken citizen.

“It seems the drink has clouded your mind. My surname is not Arbana, but Tenest.”

Yet Bellen stared at me as if I were a fool.

“Ha, this wretched brat has gone so far as to abandon his own family name and treat me like a stranger?”

…My family name?

“Enough of your prattle. Bring me some drink. You must have stashed away something expensive, haven’t you?”

Ah.

I had made a foolish assumption.

In this world, it was customary for a wife to take her husband’s surname upon marriage, so it wouldn’t be strange at all if I were not a Tenest.

This meant Aol’s letter hadn’t been misdelivered, and the one referred to as ‘the one to be well cared for’ was indeed Bellen…

What was I to do with this revelation? I pondered deeply.

From behind, Leana narrowed her eyes.

I hesitated, not wanting to disrupt the unfolding event, and aimed to respond appropriately before retreating.

“I was merely jesting. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.”

But Bellen showed no intention of releasing her grip on my shoulder.

“Does my great-aunt’s words not make sense to you? Hurry and bring me some good drink, hiccup.”

“…It’s been a year since I quit.”

At this, Bellen blinked in disbelief, then let out a scoff.

“Damn it. What nonsense is this from a brat who’d die with a bottle in hand?”

I met her gaze steadily, responding calmly.

“I have indeed quit. Your health is worth considering; you should do the same, even now.”

Perhaps sensing the sincerity in my words, Bellen’s expression shifted to one of bewilderment.

“Are you… serious?”

“I am.”

Then, she sniffed the air, her eyes widening in disbelief.

“Huh? There’s really no smell of alcohol? Am I dreaming right now?”

…It seemed there was no more absurd notion than the idea that I had quit drinking.

“Looks like I must have really gone overboard today. Heh.”

Well, I suppose there’s no need to worry for a while.

I’d likely be lost in a drunken haze for some time; would I even be able to write properly?

The only means of contact here would be letters, and it was unlikely I’d be reaching out to Aol.

Of course, I would soon quit drinking and regain my senses, but that was a matter for later.

I decided to think slowly about how to silence that mouth of hers.

I moved my feet as if to leave.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Yet, as if she cared not for dreams or reality, her drinking showed no signs of stopping.

“Oh, this is perfect. I was feeling lonely with no one around, so I suppose I should drink with my dear nephew for a change?”

Leana, standing behind me, flicked her gaze between my face and the back of Velen’s head.

Soon, her eyes dimmed, like a puppy that had lost its owner.

“I told you I’ve quit.”

“Are you really going to refuse the drink offered by an adult, you little brat?”

“Yes.”

To be honest, I answered, and a not-so-gentle hand from an elder flew to my back.

Smack!

[Shock detected.]

[Ability activated.]

[1-second invincibility cooldown: 59 seconds]

Of course, it didn’t hurt.

But Velen clutched her wrist, crying out in pain.

“Ah!”

…Surely, the hand meant to teach me swordsmanship isn’t broken, right?

Though the old woman was in a predicament, it was her own doing.

Seizing the moment, I quickly made my escape.

* * *

“Ah, my hand… What kind of beast has a back so hard?”

Bellen let out a groan.

While the professors stood bewildered, Leana approached with a worried expression, assessing the situation.

“Sir Bellen, are you alright?”

“Ugh, my joints are already a mess… But more importantly, why have you been all over me since earlier? Hic.”

Bellen hiccupped, leaning against the professor.

“Ah, my head is spinning. You lot, lead me to my room. Grab some bandages. And, oh, bring some alcohol too.”

“Yes, yes…”

Leana stared blankly at the retreating figure of Bellen, supported by the professor.

The shock was immense.

She was starkly different from the old man who had once wrapped her in a blanket against the cold while they rode together.

Above all, the greatest sorrow was forgetting the self she had been back then.

Even as a wave of regret washed over her, Leana smiled.

Just as Bellen had saved her then, she thought it was her turn to help this time.

To do that, she needed to understand what had happened to her.

Leana’s gaze drifted toward the Shulafe coffin.

‘…Great-aunt?’

If he was indeed kin, he would know what had befallen Bellen.

Though reluctant, she had no choice but to meet him and ask directly.

How had Bellen become a drunken wreck…?

Then, suddenly, the image of Hessel, who had left the ailing old man behind, came to mind.

“Just walking away, that wretched human…”

* * *

She approached the wardrobe to retrieve her coat.

Henderson’s summons had come sooner than expected, when she thought it would take a few more days.

Her hands moved quickly, fueled by curiosity about what kind of magic had been used for the selection.

Creeeak—

A few garments were missing from the dilapidated wardrobe.

Two had been lost during the self-destruct spell test, and one in the field.

“Hm.”

I thought it was a somewhat useful offensive technique, but through testing, I discovered it was riddled with various issues.

While it’s one thing for my clothes to tear with an explosion, using it in real combat is exceedingly tricky.

The time it takes to draw the spell makes it vulnerable to interruption, and unless it’s a surprise attack, it can easily be neutralized.

If a simple attack puts the ‘1-second invincibility’ on cooldown, then it’s utterly useless.

Above all, the most fatal flaw is that it takes a staggering three hours to use it again.

This means it consumes all the mana and magical energy within me, necessitating a recharge time, and naturally, during that period, I cannot cast any spells.

In essence, the conditions are too demanding, and the risks are far too great—it’s nearly worthless.

…To be honest, defeating Emeric was merely a stroke of luck.

It was only possible because the conditions aligned: a mobile force and a stronghold ripe for ambush. Without that, I wouldn’t have dared to engage at all.

“From now on, I can consider it almost useless.”

I need a more practical offensive technique.

With that thought, I made my way toward the stronghold.

As I exited the Shulafe corridor, the courtyard was in disarray.

A few men were hastily unfurling a tent to cover something enormous.

“It’s Hursel.”

“Shh.”

They were too busy avoiding my gaze.

They were doing the same yesterday, and I didn’t want to bother with it, so I walked on, ignoring them.

Just another instance of their usual nonsense, I figured.

But then, a woman from the patrol stood in my path.

“Hursel.”

Leana spoke with a voice tinged with anger.

It was a stark contrast to her usual cold demeanor.

Sensing something was amiss, I decided to ask about the matter directly.

“What’s going on?”

“Lord Bellen has injured his wrist. How can you just leave him like that, being family?”

What am I supposed to say to that?

“He’s not an ordinary old man.”

“That may be true, but shouldn’t you at least show some concern?”

“Is it right for you to meddle in someone else’s family affairs?”

—

I am already a busy body.

I tried to pass by as if I didn’t care.

Once again, Leana stood in my way.

Thud.

This time, I nearly collided with her.

A sigh escaped my lips in the end.

“To be honest, if I were to take care of Auntie, you would have found that even more unnatural, wouldn’t you?”

“Well, that’s true…”

As soon as she accepted it, I felt a twinge of discomfort.

Perhaps I should tease her a bit.

“That’s strange. I wouldn’t think a few words from me would change anything for you. Yet here you are, coming all this way, which makes me wonder…”

I trailed off, grinning mischievously.

“Are you perhaps disappointed that the engagement fell through?”

Leana stepped back, her rigid expression contrasting sharply with her serious demeanor.

“Oh, I see. You mentioned I was overly persistent. But what am I to do? As I said before, I see you as a woman—”

“It’s best if you don’t say any more.”

Even with her fierce tone, I chuckled leisurely.

“If that’s not the case, then I suppose you have no business with me.”

“Actually, I came not to scold you, but because I have something I want to ask.”

Does she think I’m some kind of encyclopedia?

Whenever we meet, she always tries to ask me something.

However, this time, her question was unexpectedly commendable, almost making me gasp in admiration.

“Could you tell me how Lord Bellen ended up like that?”

To have Bellen as a mentor, I must change her heart.

I need to earn her recognition, open her heart—such is the proper way.

Yet, Leana insists on taking the long way around, seeking clues from me.

Perhaps she thinks that, being of blood, I might know something.

“Why should I tell you that?”

Leana bit her lip.