The Extra Saved the Terminally Ill Princess and Ran Away - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: White Night (1)

***

This fight taught me one thing.

Even if my skills were exceptional among first-year students, I was still nowhere near Finn's level.

And for me, the saying "A master craftsman never blames his tools" simply didn't apply.

I glanced down at the sword at my hip.

If I had a proper sword, not this flimsy piece of junk, I wouldn't have been in such a precarious situation.

I wouldn't have put Lili in danger.

I didn't regret not being as strong as Finn in his prime. Objectively, my skills were in the top 3%.

But I was still too complacent, and I lacked a weapon that could truly unleash my potential.

A weapon that could easily cleave through a Lycansthrope's fangs.

'Considering what's to come, I need a weapon that can cut through Lycansthropes like paper.'

That's why I didn't refuse Lili's offer to give me full compensation.

It was more logical, and safer, for me to wield a powerful weapon and eliminate any threats to her, rather than giving her a protective artifact.

Thud.

As the Headmaster led me down a secluded corridor, he began casting a spell.

A translucent barrier enveloped us.

I looked around, trying to understand what was happening. The Headmaster winked.

"The academy's treasury is just that, a treasury. We can't just reveal how to access it to everyone, can we?"

"So, this is a measure to prevent outsiders from finding the treasury… is that what you're saying?"

The Headmaster smiled, confirming my guess.

"That's why I came to meet you personally, instead of sending an assistant. Besides… only two people are allowed inside the treasury at a time. I couldn't entrust such a responsibility to a mere assistant."

"I see… So, am I allowed to witness the process?"

I asked, knowing the answer.

When Ian visited the treasury in the original story, the Headmaster had cast a "Disorder" spell on him, temporarily disabling his senses for a minute.

And as expected, the Headmaster explained that I would have to undergo the same process.

"There are no side effects."

The Headmaster placed his hand on my head, and just like before, the world blinked.

***

"This is the academy's treasury."

I had briefly wondered if I would be transported back to that void of darkness, but of course not.

I shouldn't expect such effects from a simple sensory deprivation spell.

The Headmaster's voice echoed through the chamber, suggesting a vaulted ceiling.

I opened my eyes to a network of categorized corridors.

What a convenient treasury.

I had imagined piles of treasure, haphazardly stacked, but this was completely different.

From the central circular platform where we stood, countless basalt corridors branched out, too many to count.

Starting from my right and moving clockwise: Shields, Bows, Swords, Spears, Armor, Artifacts, Staves…

Each corridor was clearly labeled with a large Roman letter above the entrance, indicating its contents.

I looked at the Headmaster. He gestured towards the corridor labeled "Swords."

Like a gentleman escorting a lady at a ball.

"…."

I didn't want to question why an old man was acting like this with another man.

I narrowed my eyes and walked towards the "Swords" corridor.

Thud.

As I entered, a heavy pressure, like a wall of rock, pressed against me.

I had braced myself, remembering the description from the story, but it still took my breath away.

'This is… a test to see if I'm worthy, right?'

If this were Earth, I would have laughed at such a notion, but this was a world of romance fantasy.

In a world where ego swords existed, it would be strange if treasured swords didn't have a sense of self.

It was like a fingerprint scanner for swords.

I endured the crushing pressure and took a step forward.

A bead of cold sweat dripped onto the floor. Another step.

As I fully entered the corridor, the pressure vanished without a trace.

"Congratulations on passing the first test, Berry."

The Headmaster entered the corridor behind me, as if nothing had happened.

Having just experienced the pressure myself, I couldn't help but give him a strange look, even though I knew why he was unaffected.

"Ah, I'm a mage. The swords don't consider me a potential wielder, so they don't bother testing me. It would be a waste of energy for both of us. Hahahaha!!"

"Ah, I see…"

"Well… if I suddenly tried to pick one up, they might attack me."

The Headmaster chuckled.

I sighed and continued down the corridor, not wanting to engage in small talk.

***

Thump thump.

After walking for about three minutes, a familiar sword caught my eye.

I stopped to look at it. The Headmaster, following behind me, began explaining, assuming I was interested.

"That's Durandal. They say it's unbreakable and unscratchable. It's a very discerning sword. No one has been able to wield it since it was created… Would you like to try?"

"…No. I was just curious about its appearance. I don't feel any particular desire to wield it."

To be precise, I couldn't wield it.

The story stated that only Ian could wield Durandal.

A sword that only the most righteous could wield. I had no chance.

While its special abilities were tempting, it was pointless if I couldn't even pick it up.

"Hmm, then shall we move further in? The deeper we go, the more ancient and discerning the weapons become…"

"It's alright. I haven't seen anything that appeals to me yet."

I continued walking, and soon, a very familiar sword appeared.

"…This sword is…"

A worn, scarred greatsword. The one the original owner of this body, the Sword Saint, had wielded.

"This is Solaris. They say it reveals its true form to a worthy wielder… but it, too, has yet to find its master."

An ill-fated sword.

Unlike Durandal, Solaris was described as "ill-fated."

Because unlike Durandal, Solaris looked like an ordinary, even unimpressive, sword until wielded by its true master.

"May I try this one?"

"You?"

The Headmaster looked at me skeptically. Can you even lift it?

It was a massive sword, too large for my current frame, but I had to try.

It was the most likely candidate so far.

And I needed a backup plan in case I couldn't find anything else.

"I have to try."

I reached for the hilt, and Solaris resonated with me, emitting a low hum.

"Oh…! It's resonating…? What's wrong, Berry?"

"I can't. I can't lift it."

The resonance was a good sign. I thought I could wield it.

But the moment I tried to lift it, my strength drained away, leaving my hand limp and powerless.

"It seems you've been rejected, albeit ambiguously."

I nodded at the Headmaster's disappointed sigh.

I had thought it might be possible, since I shared the Sword Saint's body.

But even with his talent and experience, the sword seemed to recognize me as a different entity.

'Or maybe there's a reason I can't use Finn's power yet.'

I had tried several times, channeling magic into my muscles like I had before losing consciousness, but it didn't work.

The magic only flowed to my eyes, feet, and the surface of my body, not into my muscles like Finn's.

"Well… it can't be helped. May I look around a bit more?"

"By all means."

I left the familiar, yet unattainable, sword behind and continued walking. Then, a sword appeared before me.

I had never seen it before.

I had never even read a description of it.

Yet, I couldn't take my eyes off it.

Its appearance, its color, was strange.

"What is that sword? The blade, the hilt, everything is white."

"Ah… that's 'White Night.' It's one of a pair. The other is 'Black Night,' but we haven't found it yet, so we only have White Night."

A moderately sized sword with a thin, leaf-like blade.

A diamond embedded where the blade met the hilt, and intricate white decorations.

White Night, the twin of Black Night, which was completely black.

I didn't know White Night, but I knew Black Night.

Or rather, I knew its abilities, even though I had never seen its appearance.

A demon wielding Black Night would appear later in the story.

And he would constantly talk about finding its twin, White Night.

'I can't carry a sword that's paired with a demon's weapon.'

I was about to walk past White Night when…

Hum…

It began to glow, its blade vibrating.

As if asking why I was ignoring it.

As if begging me to wield it, just once.

It pulsed with energy, desperately trying to get my attention.

"Well, I'll be… The top scorer of the Knight Department, chosen by White Night. What a sight to behold."

The Headmaster, watching me stare at the glowing sword, spoke, his voice a mixture of awe and amusement.

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