Status Window Chapter 40 : Suddenly, Seris

40. Suddenly, Seris

“Waaah! Why won't anyone battle me?!”

I slumped face-down onto my desk, my arms dangling lifelessly at my sides as I let out a pathetic wail.

I had tried striking up conversations during every break since then, but the result was a total shutout. Not a single person would take me up on a battle.

Wait, what is this? Is this world designed so that if you deliberately try to trigger an event, the targets run away?

But an event won’t trigger unless I make a move… Am I stuck? Am I soft-locked here?

“Rio, are you okay?”

“Urgh… I want conflict… I want a battle where blood washes away blood, where souls crash against souls…”

“T-That’s no good! You’ll get beaten to a pulp, won’t you?!”

Rumel, who sits next to me, frantically stepped in to stop me. Her concern was perfectly valid, which honestly made it sting even more.

That’s not it. It’s not like I want to get hurt. I just want to trigger an event and earn points!

Still face-down on the desk, I turned just my head to look at Rumel. I made my eyes water and activated my full-power “Abandoned Puppy Mode.”

“Rumel… won’t you battle me?”

“Eh… I-I don’t think I can do that… I don’t really like fighting…”

“Uuggghhh…”

Figures. Rumel is a hardcore pacifist. She’s the type who believes the world should be one big happy family and that fighting should stay strictly within the realm of fiction.

I could see the future clearly: if I forced the issue here, all the Affinity and Affection stats I’d built up with her would come crumbling down with a crash.

I can’t do that. Absolutely not. But—

“What am I supposed to do with this frustration…?!”

I screamed internally, burying my face back into the desk. Someone! Anyone! Is there any Event NPC out there who will snap back at me at the drop of a hat?!

◇

“Sigh… No event triggered.”

“An event?”

Shoulders slumped in defeat, I walked out of the classroom. Rumel, walking beside me, asked the question with a puzzled look.

“Is this related to your skill again, Rio?”

“Mmh, something like that.”

“Oh, is that it? In that case, shouldn’t you have just told everyone it was for your skill and asked for their cooperation?”

“Gah!!!! I never thought of that!!!!”

Why didn’t I realize that?! If I say it’s related to a skill, the chances of everyone cooperating go way up. Then, an event might have actually happened!

“In that case, Rumel! It’s for my skill, so let’s battle!”

“Geez, Rio. I’m still not doing it.”

“Urgh… No good, huh?”

As expected, Rumel really draws the line at fighting. It can’t be helped; I’ll have to give up on her.

“Then, the day after tomorrow when we come to school, if I say ‘Let’s battle because of my skill’…”

“There might be a possibility, right? Though, I think they’ll just take it as another one of your weird quirks.”

“I’m used to that! More importantly, events and points!”

“It’s amazing you can just brush your reputation off like that, Rio.”

We left the school building together and headed down the path toward the street—when I saw a conspicuously standout figure standing in front of the school gate. A person clad in armor. And clearly, they had an aura that said they weren't just some random passerby.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“Eh… A knight?”

As we watched in wonder, the knight noticed us and spun around. The moment I saw that face—I couldn't help but shout.

“It’s Seris!”

Her beautifully tied silver ponytail swayed softly in the air. The nostalgic figure looked at me and smiled gently.

“Hey there, Rio. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah! Same to you, Seris! What’s up? You’re here all of a sudden?”

“I just stopped by while on patrol. I’ve been wondering if you were doing well.”

I ran up to talk to her, and Seris answered in her usual calm voice. Hearing that composed tone after so long was somehow healing in itself.

“Rio… Who is this?”

Suddenly, a small voice came from behind me. I turned to see Rumel tilting her head, looking at us.

“This is the knight who looked after me during my work experience.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Are you Rio’s friend? Nice to meet you. I am Seris Ardia of the Second Division.”

“N-Nice to meet you!”

Receiving such a formal introduction, Rumel straightened her back and bowed, looking a little nervous.

“I was thinking of walking Rio home today, but… since she’s with a friend, perhaps I should come back another time?”

“N-No! I’m fine! Please, you two go home together! Bye, Rio! See ya!”

“Eh, Rumel?! W-Wait…”

Despite Seris’s gentle proposal, Rumel shouted her refusal with surprising force, her face bright red, and practically fled the scene.

Left behind, I could only watch her retreating back, my hand still half-extended in mid-air.

Seris lowered her brows, looking apologetic.

“I did something bad to your friend.”

“It’s fine! She was probably just nervous seeing a knight.”

“You think? But we need to make knights a profession the citizens feel more comfortable with. If they’re so nervous they avoid us, I’d much rather they feel friendly enough to gather around.”

It’s true that knights are respected figures. They protect the city, maintain order, and risk their lives on the front lines when it counts. That’s exactly why most people keep their distance—trying not to get in the way, trying not to be rude.

It’s a sign of respect, and the correct attitude. But—

“If we become so intimidating that people hesitate to call out when they’re in trouble, we’re putting the cart before the horse. A knight’s job is to be relied upon, not to be watched from afar.”

Her words made me catch my breath. Strong, noble, unapproachable figures. That’s what I thought knights were, but Seris was looking at something entirely different.

“That’s why I want to smile back when greeted, and if a child speaks to me, I want to look them in the eye. I’d be happier if people understood that knights are humans, too. Wouldn't that be better?”

She said this with a slightly bashful smile.

Ah, I see. Before being a respected figure, Seris wants to be a guardian close to home.

The moment I realized that, a warmth spread deep in my chest. You don’t have to be nervous in front of a knight. You don’t have to stand on ceremony. It’s okay to just talk normally.

“…Yeah. A knight like that would suit you perfectly, Seris.”

“Hearing you say that makes it all worth it.”

Her voice was soft, sounding somewhat relieved.

Wait, don’t hit me with such noble thoughts! My Affinity for you is going to go up! Honestly, Seris, you’re too much!

“But if you felt more familiar with me, Rio… that would make me happiest of all.”

See! I told you that kind of thing raises Affinity and Affection stats!