"So... why did you bring me here?"
I bowed my head abruptly and shouted right in front of Nico.
"Please teach me how to become stronger!"
He stood there, frozen, saying nothing.
"But aren't you already strong? You even defeated Elizabeth and Cleopatra in no time."
"No, that's not what I meant. When I turned into a Servant, it still felt like I wasn't strong enough to handle all this power."
"So?"
I pointed at Nico, eyes locked on his huge muscles.
"Can you help me build my body... to look like yours?"
Nico listened to everything I said with a calm, wise demeanor. He even gave me a few tips and laughed when he heard my reason.
"Hahaha! So that's what this is about? You just wanna bulk up, huh?"
"Yeah—something like that. Will you help me?"
"Sure thing! Leave it to me!"
I smiled widely, filled with hope as I looked at Nico. He placed a firm hand on my shoulder and gave me advice on how to avoid distractions.
"You'll need around six months—maybe three if you're fast, or a year if you're slower—to build real muscle."
That's fine. Three months from now would be around Christmas, right? I could probably set my goal at about 4 or 5 months to be safe.
"Okay! Got it—so when do we start training?"
Nico grinned.
"Haha! I love that energy! We'll start tomorrow. Leave the nutrition to me, I'll copy a meal plan for you. As for the workout program, we'll go over that tomorrow afternoon."
"So, we'll train after school every day?"
"Exactly."
"Every day?"
"Every. Single. Day."
"What about days off?"
"No such thing as a day off in training!"
He said that with full confidence. I really hope he's not trying to kill me.
"Alright then, starting tomorrow—please take care of me."
I held out my hand. Nico shook it with a smile. After that, we parted ways—he returned to his duties, and I went back to class.
Looks like I better prepare myself for what's coming.
---
The next day, in the afternoon...
I ran out of the school gate, rushing to meet Nico. He had given me his phone number and sent the location of our training spot.
Under the crimson sky of the setting sun, I ran as fast as I could, nearly crashing into an old man on a bicycle.
I leapt over a few fences and greeted some of the locals I passed by.
Isn't this a hillside area?
I ran further uphill. Just beyond the city's edge was a hill filled with gardens managed by the local government. It was probably 1-2 kilometers from school.
"Damn it! This is so far… where is he!?"
I checked my phone again to look at Nico's pinned location. I was short of breath, slowing down. It shouldn't be far now.
Is this it? A shrine? He's got to be kidding...
I stood at the foot of a hill with a shrine on top. Next to the entrance was a wooden signboard.
2,000 steps? Does he expect me to climb all that?
I texted Nico, and he told me I had to climb those 2,000 steps to get there.
He really is trying to kill me.
It took me 30 whole minutes to reach the shrine entrance. A huge wooden pillar stood before me. I passed through and turned around.
What a view…
From here, I could see mountains and hills stretching like a wall. I even saw the roads I'd taken to get here. But I couldn't spot the city center—probably because the trees blocked the view.
"Yoo! You made it!"
I turned around and saw Nico preparing equipment for me.
What the hell is he wearing?
"What are you wearing?" I asked as I walked up to him.
"This? This is a posing suit. Bodybuilders usually wear it. Wanna try it on?"
"No, thanks."
"Hahaha! So, what do you think? Pretty nice spot, right? So peaceful and beautiful."
"Why did you bring me here for training? Isn't this too far? Couldn't we just go to the nearest gym?"
Nico sighed.
"Look. This isn't just about building muscle—it's about connecting with nature."
"Connecting with nature?"
"Exactly. You've gotta let yourself blend into nature. That's how you can feel its essence."
"Does that have anything to do with training?"
"Of course! I'm not just training your muscles—I'm also training you to bond with your Servant."
"Huh, really? Can I even do that?"
"You can—if you're serious. Now, let's not waste any more time. Let's get started!!"
"Alright!!"
– –
Sylvia's POV
There was a knock at my door.
"Miss Sylvia, dinner is ready."
It was one of the maids.
"Oh? Okay. I'll be there in a minute," I said, closing my book.
"Very well."
She walked away, leaving my room in silence.
I opened the curtain-draped window, unlatched the lock, and pushed it wide open. I sat between the window frame.
A soft night breeze blew across my face, making my hair dance.
So cold...
I was still thinking about what happened a few days ago—how Andri defeated Elizabeth. And Cleopatra… who appeared out of nowhere. Everything was so tangled.
The reason Elizabeth attacked me... It was a rainy evening. I was walking home from school. My club activities were intense that day, but it wasn't too late yet.
On my way back, I heard shouting—male voices coming from a narrow alley beside me. It was quiet that night, so I ignored it at first. But the noise got louder and more chaotic.
Could it be...?
I ran toward the alley, still in my school uniform with my bag in hand. As I turned the corner, I was shocked.
Several bodies lay on the ground—dismembered.
"What the hell is this..."
I nearly threw up. They were factory workers—drunk and probably fighting.
Or maybe... this is someone else's doing...
"Oh? What's a little bunny doing here? Are you lost?"
Who's that!?
I looked up and saw a shadowy figure standing on a pipe stretched between buildings.
Her hair flowed in the wind. Then she leapt down—now she stood right in front of me.
A woman?
"Who are you!?" I asked, readying myself.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" The woman stepped closer. "Are you lost, little bunny?"
She wore a very revealing outfit. Black clothes. Long black hair. A large round earring dangled from one ear. She held a spear with a deadly sharp tip.
"Did you kill them?" I asked.
"You know... they started it. I was just enjoying the light rain, minding my own business. Then they grabbed me—talking about throwing a party."
"Isn't that disgusting? Trying to trick a gorgeous woman like me. Some of them even tried to touch me. Claimed it was an accident—but I knew their intent."
"Then one of them hugged me and tried to rip off my clothes. I reacted instinctively—cut his head off. Then the rest came at me."
"So you did kill them all!"
"Damn right. Just a bunch of monkeys driven by lust."
Right after she said that, she pointed her spear at me.
"And you... who are you?"
"Just someone passing by... tired from club activities."
"Hehhh... but to me, you don't look like an ordinary human. Right?"
That's when I transformed, drew my sword, and launched Elizabeth back.
Under the dim moonlight, with a gentle drizzle soaking the entire city, Elizabeth and I were locked in a fierce battle.
Weapons clashed—she wielded a sharp-tipped staff, while I fought with my sword. That night was the first time I met her. It was also the moment we unknowingly entered into a combat pact.
Something about her infuriated me—her ruthless and arrogant behavior was just too much.
I didn't go to school the next day. My body was covered in wounds from the fight.
But the day after that, I forced myself to go, even though I was still heavily bandaged and bruised. People stared and asked questions about my condition. I could only smile awkwardly and keep the truth hidden.
During lunch break, I went up to the rooftop and treated myself using a healing spell I'd taught myself.
It wasn't very effective, but at least it eased the pain a little.
That was when I noticed someone watching me—a boy, holding a couple of bread rolls, staring at me with curiosity in his eyes.
That was the first time I met him.
I guess everything that happened was just… a very strange coincidence.
Later that evening, I left my room to join my family for dinner.
"Sylvia, it's been a while..."
That voice—I knew it too well. I froze when I saw my father, who hadn't been home for over a month, suddenly sitting at the dinner table.
"Dad? When did you get home?"
"I actually got back yesterday. But a storm hit Tokyo and my flight was delayed."
Thank goodness he wasn't home yesterday… things could've gotten complicated if he had seen Andri here.
"Come, it's been a long time since we had dinner together like this."
I walked over and sat across from him. I grabbed some food while a servant poured water into my glass.
"How's school?" he asked.
"Eh, nothing special. Same old. Why do you ask so suddenly?"
"Isn't it normal for a father to ask about his daughter? Or… don't tell me—you have a boyfriend?"
I nearly choked on my food.
"W-What?! A boyfriend? I don't have time for stuff like that."
"Haaa… I see." My dad sighed dramatically.
"Then what about someone you like? There must be someone."
Why is he so curious about my love life?
I paused for a second, thinking. I had been spending more time with him lately… but it was just an alliance, right?
Sure, he could be cool and admirable sometimes, but he was also dumb and naïve. Honestly, I didn't even know how I felt.
Wait—why am I even thinking about him?
"N-no one," I mumbled.
"Huh? That doesn't sound convincing. So there is someone?"
"N-no! There isn't!"
"Hmmm... okay, okay, I get it."
What do you mean you get it?! We haven't seen each other in over a month and now you're teasing me like this? Ugh!
I finished my meal quickly and stood up.
"Whoa, where are you going in such a rush?" he asked.
"Nowhere—just… school tomorrow."
"Hehhh… at least spend some time with your lonely dad. Don't you miss me?"
"Isn't Mom home? Didn't she go with you?"
"Your mom's busy with a friend. She'll be back tomorrow afternoon."
"I see… well then, good night."
"You've really grown up, huh…"
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"No, nothing. Go on, sleep well. You've got school tomorrow."
"Y-yeah. Good night."
I headed back to my room, leaving him alone at the dinner table.
It's true we hadn't seen each other in over a month, but I was used to that. He once went on assignment for a full year. That nearly drove me crazy. I even forgot what my parents looked like.
I lay down on my bed and soon drifted into a deep sleeslee
– –
The next morning, I got ready for school, put on my uniform, and went down for breakfast. I left the house while my dad was still fast asleep.
I passed the convenience store and the tennis court—people were already energetic even in this cold morning air. Winter had come, and Christmas was just around the corner.
I wonder… does he walk this way too?
Wait—why do I even care?
I sped up a little and finally arrived at the school gate.
Still no sign of him… shouldn't he be here by now?
Just as I was about to walk through the gate, I spotted a boy stumbling along among the other students.
There he is. Andri.
Wait—why is he walking like a zombie?
I walked over and stood in front of him.
"You look like a wreck. What happened?"
"Sylvia? Oh, it's nothing—just a little tired, haha."
"Hmmm… is that so?"
I walked beside him as we entered the school grounds together.
Something's off. He's definitely hiding something. A girl's instinct is never wrong.
"Are you working a part-time job or something?" I asked.
"No…"
"Are you being exploited by someone? Forced to work?"
"Eh?... No?"
"Then—"
"Wait, wait! Why are you asking all these weird questions? Are you interrogating me or something?"
"No—just… you look more exhausted than usual."
"Maybe it's just your imagination."
"Hmmm… is it though…" I replied, deep in thought.
"Ah! This is my class. See you later," he said, opening the door.
"Yeah. See you later."
Look at him—his steps are tiny, and he's dragging his feet. Could he be hurt? Maybe it's from our last fight. Maybe the wounds still haven't healed…
[Andri's POV]
I slowly made my way to my desk.
Damn it. This weighted gear is killing me.
Whose idea was it to wear 20-kilogram weights every day?
Can I really keep this training up?
Hahhh…
I sank into my chair, breathing a sigh of relief. Moving around with this gear is a nightmare.
Did Sylvia notice something strange about my walk?
I honestly wanted to keep this whole training thing from her. I didn't want to burden her anymore.
After all… I need to be strong enough to protect her.
"Morning, Andri!" Ghoell greeted me. "Why are you sweating so much already?"
"N-no reason, hehe…"
No way I'm telling them about the extreme training.
"Morning, guys!" Keant chimed in. "Whoa, Andri! It's still early and you're already drenched. Were you jogging or something?"
"Yeah… something like that."
Ghoell suddenly slammed my desk and stared at me.
"Don't tell me… you did it with Sylvia?!"
Huh?! What the hell is he saying?
"W-what do you mean?!"
"Don't play dumb, Andri. I know everything."
He pulled out a pair of glasses from his bag.
"You can't hide it from me. Plus, I saw you walking with Sylvia just now."
Seriously, what's he talking about?
"I have no idea what you're saying!"
"You slept with Sylvia, didn't you—"
I'M GONNA DIE.
Keant quickly shut Ghoell up, covering his mouth and dragging him into a headlock.
"Calm down, Ghoell. Clear those wild thoughts. It's still early, man."
"I'm honestly shocked your brain even went there…"
"Well—come on! They're always going off together. Even yesterday! Every single day! I'm so jealous…"
And just like that, he fell into a gloomy silence.
Well… to be fair, some of what he said is kinda true. But this is Sylvia. She's colder than the Arctic. There's no way she'd fall for someone like me.
I shook my head and tried to snap out of it.
No more crazy thoughts.