Raphne, in her angry state, was terrifying.

Although she wasn’t angry at me, she looked like a wild beast as she interrogated me about Mary and Emily with fierce eyes.

“They’re trying to take Ken away.

They’re trying to take Ken away.

They’re trying to take Ken away.”

Even after her anger trait faded, Raphne, biting her nails and muttering to herself, was frightening.

If that anger had been directed at me, it would have been chilling.

After I left the tower I thought.

‘This madness can’t continue.’

Having faced life-threatening situations with Raphne and recent torment from Emily, I realized something deeply.

I needed to get stronger, and fast.

‘There’s probably a time for it now.’

I’m currently too weak.

While I can momentarily boost my strength with skills and traits, the risks are significant.

After using calorie-burning skills, I have to consume food within a limited time.

With my current level, I wouldn’t be able to protect myself in a pinch.

There are 2 options

1. Increase my exercise.

2. Master skills through practice.

‘If I train repetitively, I’m sure I can acquire skills too.’

I recently discovered that in this world, skills that were originally acquired through items or skill trees in the game can be obtained through repeated stimuli.

So, if I practice swordsmanship, I’ll gain swordsmanship skills, and if I study magic, I’ll gain magic skills.

Thus, the person who can best provide training for me now is the one I’ve come to find today.

“…Excuse me.”

Creeeak.

The rusty hinges creaked as the door opened.

From the other side of the door, a fresh breeze and the fragrance of flowers wafted in.

I had arrived at the rooftop garden of the main building.

On the rooftop, a man with black hair was watering the flowers.

“Who is that?”

‘Found him.’

It was one of the main characters from the game [Epiris Academy] Siegfreid Gardner.

“You want me to teach you swordsmanship?”

Siegfreid Gardner is a third-year student at Dedris Academy, one grade above us second-year students.

He is a frontline character with the unique trait [Indomitable Will] and specializes in swordsmanship.

He eventually becomes the 9th Sword Saint of the Lilias Kingdom, slaying dragons and earning the title of Dragon Slayer.

‘What’s even more amazing is his absurd unique skill.’

He’s strong.

Even now, he’s strong enough to withstand Raphne’s attacks.

However, in this world, where the superiority of strength is determined by unique skills, his skill is somewhat peculiar.

[Name: Siegfreid Gardner

Unique Skill: Watering Flowers

Unique Trait: Indomitable Will - Possesses a strong will and has a high resistance to mental attacks.]

The summary of his stats appeared before me.

Siegfreid was a character created by the developers with the concept of “effort” in mind.

Emphasizing that he had no innate talent, his unique skill is a trivial one: watering flowers.

Thanks to this skill, the flowers he tends are all lush and beautifully bloomed.

Naturally, it has no use in combat.

Yet, he achieves the position of Sword Saint purely through his effort and strong will.

He’s the perfect person to guide and push me to not give up. A perfect trainer.

“I’m sorry, but I must decline.”

“…What?”

The response was a swift and clear rejection.

“Did I catch you off guard? I apologize. But could you at least tell me the reason?”

I wasn’t surprised by the rejection, but I hadn’t anticipated such an immediate refusal.

The reason was important because knowing it could lead to a solution.

His answer was simple.

“I’m not someone who can teach others. Find someone better.”

Indeed, he felt that someone without talent like himself couldn’t teach anyone.

“What are you talking about! I can’t think of anyone other than you, Siegfreid-senpai!”

A bit of persistent pleading, Raphne-style.

Of course, I’m not grabbing his pants leg, but I’ve realized recently that whether it’s Mary or Raphne, people are prone to reconsider when persistently asked.

“Do you know me?”

“Of course! You wield your sword every day on the rooftop without fail and gained that level of strength without any notable skills!”

And people are weak to those who recognize and acknowledge them.

Thus, a bit of flattery and appreciation might work.

“I admire you! I want to become strong like you through hard work!”

“…Hmm.”

The desire to become stronger.

I knew that this appeal would be a good strategy to approach Siegfreid.

Sure enough, his initially firm stance wavered a bit.

But only for a moment.

“Sorry. But I don’t have the ability to teach anyone.”

He rejected me again.

‘Seems asking alone isn’t enough.’

I hoped to have my request accepted without needing additional measures.

After all, Siegfreid is one of the main characters from [Epiris Academy].

I was a bit worried that my approach might alter the progression of the game.

‘But if all else fails, Emily can take the Adrian route.’

Yes, even if Siegfreid and Emily don’t build a good rapport, she can still proceed with Adrian.

The direction of the story shouldn’t change significantly if that happens.

So then.

“Well, how about if I help you win first place in the upcoming tournament?”

“…”

Siegfreid’s face, which had been expressionless, showed a change.

“You seem to know quite a lot about me.”

He looked wary.

‘Did I come on too strong?’

I needed to propose a condition that he couldn’t easily refuse.

I brought up the upcoming mini-event starting in a week: a small swordsmanship tournament held in the city.

“Alright. Let’s hear it.”

He set the watering can down and led me to a table in the corner of the rooftop.

“What kind of tea do you like?”

“Oh, anything is fine.”

‘He’s strangely hospitable.’

Probably because he’s a capture target in a romance game.

The idea that a simple, indifferent man in an apron would appeal to women was likely the thought behind his character design.

And that calculation seemed to have worked, as Siegfreid contends for the top spot in popularity with Adrian.

He left to prepare some tea and snacks.

‘Glad he took the bait quickly.’

The condition I proposed was to help him win first place in the tournament a week from now.

“Ah, I’ll enjoy it.”

“Hmm.”

Siegfreid soon returned with tea and snacks, placing a cup in front of me.

The pleasant aroma stimulated my senses.

“So, what exactly are you offering to help with?”

Siegfreid, now seated, immediately asked for the details.

‘He must be quite desperate.’

In fact, the swordsmanship tournament event is a mini-event where Emily builds initial rapport with Siegfreid.

It’s a useful event for gaining early favor in his route.

The success method for this event is simple.

“I’ll make you a weapon.”

“…”

Providing good equipment.

The swordsmanship tournament event for Siegfreid.

It is the first chapter of proving his promise to his childhood friend, Alice Granville, to become stronger.

“I will definitely become stronger. And I will protect you.”

“…Okay.”

Both, having lost their families due to the demon invasion, grew up relying on each other.

Alice, who struggled daily with the grief of losing her family and the fear of demons, was supported by Siegfreid's promise.

Together, they worked hard and eventually entered the academy.

However, once he entered the academy, Siegfreid realized: ‘I have no talent.’

Despite working harder than anyone else, sweating and sacrificing sleep, Siegfreid found himself unable to defeat the naturally talented students at the academy.

He despaired over his inability to keep his promise to his precious childhood friend.

As he was on the verge of giving up, he encountered: “I’ll help you.”

The hand offered by a second-year student he was familiar with became his salvation.

That hand was offered by the protagonist, Emily Epiris.

With Emily’s help, Siegfreid won first place in the swordsmanship tournament and developed strong favor for her.

From then on, in Emily Epiris’s route, Alice Granville appears as the main antagonist.

This summarizes the mini-event.

‘Well, the help is just giving him one of the decent weapons I have.’

According to the game’s settings, Siegfreid cannot win first place without Emily’s assistance.

His physical abilities, achieved through hard work, cannot compensate for the lack of skills.

This gap is filled by equipment.

‘And it will also help increase my crafting proficiency.’

By providing a weapon to Siegfreid, even if my request is not fulfilled, there is still a benefit to be gained.

Now, the question is what kind of weapon to make.

‘It would be best if it’s enchanted…’

Another fact I learned from making the raincoat for Mary is that, regardless of crafting skill proficiency, if I have the right idea, I can create it.

So, if I utilize the right knowledge, I should be able to implement enchantments as well.

That means the answer lies in taking on the challenge.

“Therefore, I will start creating various items from now on!”

“Oooooh!”

At my declaration, Raphne clapped her hands in encouragement.

But there is a problem.

“However, we lack important materials.”

“Oooooh…”

Basic materials can be obtained from the market.

Since my family seems wealthy, it shouldn’t be an issue.

However, some materials are not easily found in the market.

For example, the elemental stones used in the raincoat creation.

As the main material for magical items, elemental stones are quickly snatched up by mages as soon as they appear in the market, so the quickest way to obtain them is from monsters.

But, I am still too weak.

Hunting for items is premature for me at this stage.

So, acquiring items for crafting is a major obstacle…

“Um, Ken. If you need anything, I could get it for you.”

“Huh? Is that possible?”

“Yeah, we have a lot of support from home, so I can ask the summoned beasts to bring it quickly.”

“Wow, thanks, Raphne!”

I expressed my gratitude by grabbing Raphne’s hand and shaking it.

“Hehe.”

Raphne blushed and smiled shyly.

Thinking about it, the Martinez family is well-known in the Lilias Kingdom.

Since the young lady is confined to this tower, it makes sense that they would have substantial material support.

“Then, please get these and this. Oh, and make sure to get this one.”

“Caw.”

I selected the materials and handed them to Raphne, who then relayed the information to a new familiar.

As expected from a prestigious family.

The items were delivered to the tower in less than a day.

I had wondered why the ingredients for the meals were always so excellent.

Thanks to Raphne, I now had all the materials I needed.

“Great! So, Raphne, can you help me a bit?”

“Sure! Just tell me what you need!”

Now it’s time to start crafting.

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