I Became a Genius Swordsman in the Pretty Girl Game

Honestly, it was a bit awkward with Alice.

With the other members I had already spent a lot of time together, and once I realized they had feelings for me, I had grown so close with them that I wondered how I hadn’t noticed before.

“So, I wanted to ask you something.”
“…If I like Instructor Jin Yuha or not?”

Hmm. But I’m no longer her instructor—does she plan on keeping that title for me?

“Yes, that too. Also, because, you know, my relationship with the party members isn’t exactly ordinary.”

Yoo-ri, Do-hee, Se-hee,
Ga-eul, Sophia, Ichika, and even my mentor.

One man with several women.
It’s insane.

Considering that this is a world of strict meritocracy and stark discrimination, it’s even crazier.

In other words, in the context of my previous life, this would be no different than multiple men sharing one woman.

Luckily, the process of the party members being affected by the “Curse of the Demon of Love” was broadcast live this time. Without that, we would have undoubtedly faced significant backlash.

“So, you still have the chance to choose. To meet a better man than me and pursue a normal relationship.”

As for the curse of the Demon,
Well, I could always explain it away by saying the curse only lightly affects those without real feelings.

To be honest,
Alice is the party member who is the closest to my ideal type in terms of appearance.

Blue eyes, lustrous silver hair, a straight nose, and red lips.

Even though I heard from the Sword Emperor that this was all fabricated, it didn’t change the fact that Alice was my type.

To the extent that when I first heard Alice was being introduced, I spent money I normally wouldn’t on microtransactions just to obtain her.
And to equip her exclusive items, I preemptively rolled the gacha.

But if Alice declared here that she would withdraw?

Hmm. It’d be a bit disappointing,
But not unbearably so.

“Alice is charming, but… my feelings for the other party members have already taken up too much space in my heart.”

I explained what I thought, taking plenty of time.

I told her it wasn’t that I disliked her.
And that this was something that needed thorough consideration.
I urged her to think again if she was simply going along with the flow of the other party members.

“Instructor.”

After listening to everything, Alice spoke in a small but resolute voice.

“Yes?”
“I’m actually incredibly stubborn.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Even though my grandmother told me for over ten years to use a spear, I stubbornly stuck to the sword.”

The Sword Emperor had mentioned it—her stubbornness was truly unparalleled.
Even though the Sword Emperor, the pinnacle of swordsmanship, advised her otherwise,
Alice had essentially retorted, “So what, old man?” Truly, a bullheaded persistence.

“How long do you think it took me to fall in love with the sword?”
“How long?”
“Just a single moment. The instant my grandmother lightly swung a sword for practice, I was captivated. I held onto a sword for ten years after that.”
“…”
“So, you must know what I’m going to say.”
“Don’t tell me it’s because I saved you and the Sword Emperor—”
“No, it’s not that. Of course, I’m deeply grateful and consider it a debt I’ll repay for the rest of my life, but I didn’t fall for you because of that.”
“Really? Then when?”

Curious, I asked sincerely.

“When you handed me a sword for the first time.”

With that, Alice pulled out a long, spear-like sword from the dimensional tattoo and caressed it.

“All my life, I only ever heard from my grandmother that I had no talent for the sword. But you were the first to give me permission to wield it.”
“Oh.”
“So, I’m going to be stubborn again because of the emotions I felt back then.”

Alice looked at me with clear, determined eyes and spoke.

“And, well… it hasn’t been long, but… I think I’ve seen a good bit of the world.”
“And?”
“No matter where I look, I can’t find anyone as cool and handsome as you, Instructor.”

Ha.

Really.

A straightforward confession from a beautiful junior.

I noticed Alice’s trembling hands and feet.
She must’ve mustered every ounce of courage she had to say this.

I couldn’t help but smile.
What on earth did I do to deserve such feelings?

Alright. I should respond to her earnest confession just as sincerely.

“I probably don’t like you as much as I like the other party members yet.”
“…”

Hearing my words, Alice’s mood turned somber, as if she thought I was rejecting her.

“So, show me.”
“…Show you?”
“Show me what you like, what you dislike, what interests you. Show me who you are. I promise I won’t neglect getting to know you better.”

Alice’s blue eyes began to shine.

“…Y-Yes! O-Okay!”

That’s right.

I’d already resolved to embrace the party members.

After Alice, who is my ideal type, thoroughly thought it through and even swallowed her pride to step into my world—
Rejecting her would be cruel.

But this is the limit.

The other party members must have trusted me enough to send Alice to me.

“So, what would suit our first activity together?”
“T-Then! C-Could you teach me swordsmanship?”
“Swordsmanship? You don’t have to wait for a moment like this to request that. You can ask anytime. Do you really want this as our first activity?”
“…Yes, I’d like it to be with you.”

Alice nodded, albeit with some hesitation.

I chuckled softly.

“Alright. If that’s what you truly want, I’ll teach you with all my heart. It’ll be an intensive one-night, two-day session. It’ll make your initial training at the academy seem like a warm-up.”
“Yes, I’m prepared. Ah, and… if possible, could you call me ‘disciple’?”
“Alright, disciple.”
“…Thank you.”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of Alice and my swords clashing echoed late into the night.

Ding~♬

[You have acquired the trait – ‘Perseverance’.]

[When training alongside the target you aim to surpass, sword proficiency increases.]

.

.

.

And now, the final date.

My master.

Although my master appeared at the meeting spot with her usual expression,

“Mm.”

I could tell.

She was feeling extremely self-conscious and embarrassed.

She was probably wrestling with pointless thoughts like whether this kind of interaction was appropriate between a master and her disciple.

‘As expected, it’s up to me as her disciple to take the first step.’

Given her high standards for herself, subtle advances wouldn’t work on her. It would only make things awkward and distant.

A bold and unabashed approach was necessary with her.

“Master!”

Calling out to her, I closed the distance between us.

“Do you know how long I’ve been looking forward to today?”
“…Hm. Is that so?”
“Yes! It’s our first date, after all. Is there anything you’d like to do, Master?”
“Not particularly…”
“Still, think carefully. Whatever you want, I’m willing to make it happen for you.”

At that, my master averted her eyes and mumbled in a small voice,

“…Don’t say things like that.”
“If not you, Master, who else would I say this to?”

She tilted her head to the side with a stiff motion and handed me a neatly folded note.

Unfolding the note, I read it aloud.
“…‘What you desire is what I wish for.’”

Was saying that so embarrassing for her?

While my master was someone everyone feared and respected, only I knew this side of her—adorable and endearing.
It gave me an indescribable satisfaction.

In short, my master was telling me to do as I pleased.

‘Hmm. Is this what they call indulgence?’

I wasn’t sure, but one thing was certain:

She wanted me to be honest with myself. She would immediately notice if I tried to fake something or force a match.

“Don’t regret this, okay?”
“Alright.”

I took her hand and led her back to the house, straight into my room.

Thud.

I collapsed onto the bed.

“Honestly, what I want to do right now is rest.”
“…Rest?”
“Yes. Physically, I’m a bit…”

Seven consecutive rounds of overnight, 1-night-2-day marathons.

Spending time with party members had been wonderful and fulfilling,
but keeping up with it all had been as grueling as any forced march.

Especially after the full-fledged training match with Alice at the end, I was completely drained.

In short, I needed recharging.

“So, please hug me.”

Lying on the bed, I spread my arms wide toward my master in a “flying squirrel” pose.

She gulped, hesitated, and clumsily sat on the edge of the bed to hug me.

Hey. What’s with this “polite” hug?

Tug. Tug.

I took her hands and guided them firmly to my back and head, pulling her closer.

Then I nestled my head into her embrace.

“Ah, this feels nice.”
“Disciple, this… this is problematic…”

She tried to maintain composure but kept fidgeting.

I tightened my hold on her and spoke,
“Stay still, Master. You told me to do whatever I wanted, didn’t you?”
“But—”
“I said, no regrets.”

Ah. Soft and warm.

I felt the accumulated fatigue melt away.

‘This… this is satisfying.’

Feeling the warmth and presence of my master, I couldn’t help but feel a tight, brimming sensation in my chest.

In both my previous life and this one, I’d grown up as an orphan without family.

What I wanted most in the world was simple:
to fall asleep in the warm embrace of someone who truly cared for me.

Someone I could trust more than anyone,
someone who wouldn’t betray me even if the whole world turned against me.

Someone who would scold me when I made mistakes but also approach me repeatedly to offer a comforting embrace.

“Master, could you stroke my hair?”

My drowsy voice murmured.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The sight of this beautiful woman awkwardly but gently running her hand through my hair brought a smile to my face.

“Thank you, Master.”

Ding~♬

A sound chimed in my ears.

[You have acquired the trait – ‘Bond’.]

[Connected souls grant a 1% stat increase per bond.
Current Bond List – Lee Yoo-ri, Kang Do-hee, Shin Se-hee, Lim Ga-eul, Sophia, Ichika, Alice, Baek Seol-hee, Lina: Total 9% increase.]

‘What the…!?’

I opened my eyes wide in shock.

I could understand the others,
but why is Chairwoman Lina included in this…!?