A week had passed since he had been sentenced to be expelled from the school. Here Masamune stood in front of the main gate of the Ficianatica School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, looking up at the white school towering before him.
The current Masamune is not "Nito". His appearance is an ordinary thing, wearing only a brown miscellaneous robe with hair that has grown a bit since then. The status level of 8 is also set at a level that will not cause discomfort to your "friends" who you have not seen in a while.
The main reason for killing Kyogoku is that he could be a threat to himself, but if I were to say the biggest one, I'd say the skill "Concealment" was the goal. And Masamune is now trying to fulfill what he came up with when he learned of the existence of this skill.
But that's not an exaggeration. What has Masamune come here to do?
It was nothing else but coming to meet them.
Then Masamune took a deep breath and headed to the 'training ground' while sensing the magic of the students. And although there was no particular meaning to it, he put on his hood and hid his face. You can see the room in the shadowed expression. The corner of the mouth, which was raised slightly, made me think so.

''Let's all........celebrate our reunion.......''

Words without inflection. It's almost as if he feels no emotion. What is Masamune thinking right now?
Only Masamune himself will know that. For there is no one else in the world today who knows Masamune's true intentions and true nature except Masamune.





â





　Fischanatika's training ground. The remaining brave men and women were each working hard at training their magic to the extent that they could now. It's been ever since that day when Saeki, Kawachi and Kotori left the school.

'How many times do I have to tell you?　I told you that a minimum amount of magic would be enough.　There's a lot of wasted chanting, let's start over.

And the one teaching them magic was Kenshiro Sonoda. Sonoda, who had [War Devil Strategist] as his profession, was skilled at fighting with an overall view of the situation due to his characteristics.
[Priest] Majima was an important recovery position for the party, but he could also go on the offensive at times.

''Majima, you're in charge of logistical support. But depending on the situation, you will also be in charge of attacking from mid-range. As a [Shield Fighter], Kihara is both offensive and defensive. But basically, the priority is on defense, the role is to catch the opponent's attacks, stop their movements, and create an opening. And that's where the four of you, Kida, Iida, Sato, Chosokabe, and you are the most important. You guys are good at close quarters combat, so you're a good match for the [Shield Fighter].

Kida is a [Senior Knight], Iida is a [Spear Master], Sato is a [Twin Swordsman], and Chosokabe is a [Samurai].

Mitarai, Hiiragi, and Kamii will be engaged in attacking from mid-range or long range. When the four in close proximity have finished attacking and moved back, it's time to go. Or we can use it as a lookout.

Mitarai is a [Crystallographer], Hiiragi is a [Archaeologist], and Kamii is a [Librarian].

Kato, the 【grandmaster】, will be assisting them. Mainly Mitarai and Hiiragi will be given grants, and as they grow, they will be able to grant grants for all of us in the future. And then there's Yamanaka....

Jessica Yamanaka is a [Senior Trainer]. But due to her inexperience, she was still unable to control her power well.

''If truth be told, I'd like Yamanaka to use monsters to increase the strength of the war effort, but.......well, that's fine. It's impossible for you to do that now. We'll have to figure that out some other time. In the meantime, don't neglect your training, okay?

Uh, yeah I get it.

Jessica is not interested in fighting. She is afraid of fighting. And it's the same with Chosokabe Haruhiko.
They are two lovers. They are two lovers, just like each other, right?　Sonoda figured out the best strategy he could do now to take advantage of everyone's strengths and gave each of them a role to play.
Sonoda's tone of voice was very high and mighty. Of course each of us has our own thoughts. But as it stands now, regardless of their anger, they have no choice but to follow Sonoda's lead.

I'll be the leader. It's more suitable for me, and the role I've given you is only temporary, and you don't know what will happen in a real battle.　I'll take a look at the whole thing and turn to you for support in the moment.

Sonoda speaks in a terribly thin, emotionless voice as he follows the print. Even such a person is a lifeline for them.

'Hey Sonoda?　You talk a lot about the actual battle, but what about yourself?　If not.....

Kida asked as if the idea had occurred to him.

''Oh, then I've been going into the forest by myself on an occasional basis since I was in Grayberg. There were a lot of monsters there, plus if you went deeper into the woods as you grew, some of them were that much higher level, and it was a great place to gain experience.''

The forest is the 'Mira's Forest' beside 'Mira, the town of beginnings'. That forest is so vast that you can't see what's ahead of you, and the further you go into the forest, the higher the level of the forest becomes. However, if you go too far back, you will enter the demon kingdom territory and no one will come close to it.

''In other words, Sonoda has some experience in actual combat?

Kyogoku and Saeki floated in Kida's mind as he asked that. Saeki is no different than any other student, especially when it comes to actual battle experience. But when it comes to Kyogoku, it's different. Kyogoku had spoken about the secret of his strength before. When I said I spoke, I only answered appropriately, but that was about 'real battles'. It is said that Kyogoku used to frequent the Mira Forest during his time at Greiberg. It is said that while the other students spent their time in 'lukewarm training', he was asked to join the adventurer's guild in Mira, where he would spend his time as an adventurer, earning a living. This is why he didn't appear in front of the students very often at the time, but Saeki told him that he had only told him about it.
The 'real battle' they are talking about is mainly about whether or not they fought for their lives.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that I'm not as enthusiastic as Kyôgoku, and I'm not that familiar with the term "actual battle", but I'm sure I'm more than a little bit more than you guys are, right?

It was as if he knew what Kyogoku had done before his death. Kida felt uncomfortable with that, but he didn't ask about it.

As lunch approached, the seats in the auditorium were empty. Still, the brave men would not stop training under Sonoda's guidance. They must at least improve their strength to the point where they can get a result in next year's battle against the school. Everyone was pressed for time and in a hurry. Even Sonoda, who should have been lazing around in the library reading books, did not neglect his magical training. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

'By the way - I've been curious about you since a while ago, what are you staring at in that place?　You want to mix it up with your training?

Suddenly, Sonoda changed his gaze from the exercise area to the auditorium. Then, in the middle of the open auditorium, a person wearing a brown robe and hiding his face with a hood was sitting there. Sonoda questioned the person and waited for an answer with a superior attitude. Then the person stood up. Then he slowly left the auditorium and walked down the stairs and into the field.
He stopped his hand from the one who noticed Sonoda's irritation and turned his attention to the suspicious person in the audience. Their vigilance had been greater than ever since the Imperial messenger had appeared at the school a week ago. But that was partly because of Sabrina's broadcast, "If you see a suspicious person, avoid contact and inform the teachers around you as soon as possible.

'Sonoda, what's going on?'

Kida was the first to slowly walk up to him. Then the other brave men approached as well, each looking tired and out of breath.

''Well?''

The brave men stared at the one who hid himself in the brown robes. Sonoda himself stared at the one with a question mark on his face, looking troublesome.
Then the person who entered the field stopped in front of everyone and unexpectedly opened his mouth.

''Long time no see ... everyone.''

What?

It was Kida who first blurted out a question.

''What's wrong with Saeki-kun?　What about Mr. Kawachi and the birds?　And I can't even see Ichijou-kun, but...

They were all puzzled by the man's words. "What in the world are you talking about?" ........A vague question struck them.

''You........could it be.......''

But the question was noticed by one of the smartest people in the room, Sonoda. But at the same time, that person took off his hood and revealed himself.

''Lie........right........''

--shocking.

It's not just Kida. The first emotion the brave men had was astonishment. It was astonishment. The brave men were taken over by astonishment, their minds went blank and they could only turn those gazes on the one in front of them.
The one who had been summoned to this world with twenty-one men and left them first. The one who was cursed for his incompetence as the weakest, and then banished.

''Hidaka... you... you... live...''

It was Kida who leaked the words in a familiar manner. The same astonishment as the other students could be seen in his expression. And he was upset to the point of choking on his words.

''Kida-kun, it's been a while...''

Masamune smiling at her with a smile. There was no vengeance or anger on his face.

''Hidaka... why...''

Hiiragi couldn't hide her agitation and looked to the "living dead" in front of her for answers. Aside from Saeki, Ichijo, Koizumi and the others and Kida, the rest is probably just Kawachi and Kotori?　It's not that close to those who remained here and Hidaka, but Hidaka never had anyone close to him in the first place, and now that he's been sent to this world, it doesn't matter if Hiiragi speaks to him in a familiar way.

"Hidaka!　I thought you were dead!　Are you really Hidaka?!

It was extremely rude. It was Majima who opened his mouth without any hesitation.

I mean, you're a healer, so why are you still alive?　Isn't that funny?!

Kihara spits out words like a raging breath. Masamune can only smile at the situation.
There is no one close to Masamune. That's true, but Majima and Kihara are also a little different. Before they were summoned, these two were, let's say, "Ichijo's Hun", but every time Ichijo spoke to Masamune, he showed his disgust for Masamune. He looked down on Masamune in a mocking manner, and when Masamune mumbled about something he couldn't understand, he would spit out a heartless curse, calling him "disgusting.
Doesn't Masamune remember that?　Just Masamune had a big smile on his face, as if he was celebrating a reunion.

'Hidaka you, how did you survive?　I don't know where they sent you after that, but it wasn't supposed to be a normal world for you, the Healer, to live in.

An astonished hero. Masamune smiling. In the midst of all this, Sonoda looked unconvinced and felt uncomfortable. The astonishment had already disappeared from Sonoda's expression, and for some reason there seemed to be a look of doubt there. Then, leaving the brave men still unable to understand the situation and confused, Sonoda took the liberty of speaking about his doubts.

''From the looks of it, you don't seem to be having trouble making a living, but where are you now and what are you doing?''

"How are you alive, Healer, and why are you alive?" --Kihara, Mashima, and the others thought the same thing, but it was something akin to a "distraction," if you will. In front of Masamune, they remembered the guilt they had forgotten and were overly surprised and misled. Of course, they weren't not surprised, and that's not a lie, but in their hearts they were all smiling bitterly.
In the midst of all this, Sonoda was thinking about something completely different from the rest of them.

(Hidaka was alive, isn't that a pretty good thing?)

There is no movement in Sonoda's expression as he stares at Masamune, who is celebrating their reunion and talking with his friend.

(This guy ... doesn't seem to have noticed the change in himself.)

Sonoda began to notice the true nature of the discomfort he saw in Masamune for the first time in a long time.
Then Masamune quietly and slowly began to answer Sonoda's question.

''Well a lot of things happened after that. Now I've gotten used to this world to the extent that I can live a normal life.......

'I'm not, I'm asking where you are and what you're doing. You're not playing the adventurer, are you?

Sonoda had excellent insight and analysis. He saw "something" in the Masamune in front of him.
Masamune and Sonoda are not completely unacquainted with each other. He was bullied by Saeki and had no place in the classroom, so Masamune would occasionally visit the library. There, he picks up a book he doesn't understand, puts on earphones and blasts music. Then he would be immersed in that feeling, as if the world was his own. But that's only while the music is playing. When it ends, the world will end. At such times, Sonoda would occasionally speak to me.

'Adventurer?　Me?　I'm a healer, okay?　What makes you think that?　Healers are only healers. We're talking about heroes, Nito is a healer too, but that one is an exception. I've met a few healers in my life, and they've all had their share of disappointments, just like me.

Masamune lies in plain sight. Why did he come to see them rather than lie to them?

........right. I see........so what are you doing now?

The "adventurer" is a quick and easy occupation for aliens. I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure what it is. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. It's a good thing that the adventurers are a group of outlaws.
But Masamune says he's not an adventurer.

''Right now, well... how should I put it, it's not as good as recovery magic, but maybe because healing magic is reasonably rare, but sometimes it's useful. That's how I'm traveling right now, helping a lot of people.

In this world, there is 'recovery magic' and 'healing magic'. Holy attribute users such as Priest and High Priest handle the healing magic. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world," he said. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. But even with such magic, Masamune says there are times when it can help.

''Journey? ........So you're telling me you've been living for a living helping people with healer's magic for a living?

It's not a living, I don't get paid. But as long as you have food and a place to sleep, you can live, right?　Then, on my journey, I happened to see a magical communication. It said something about all of us, and I relied on that information to get me here.

I see.

Sonoda didn't seem to get it. That too. A normal person would wonder if a healer could travel. You can't do it alone. But Sonoda doesn't waste time talking. "By yourself? The reason is that Sonoda's question would not be resolved depending on his answer. Then the question is meaningless.

'By the way, I can't see Saeki-kun and Ichijo-kun, what's wrong with everyone else?

Then Iida answered the question.

'Saeki went to Greberg. It was only a week ago. Apparently, he wants to become a holy knight.

The Holy Knight?

'Yeah, I heard that the newly enthroned King Arthur of Greiberg has founded the 'Holy Order'.

Yeah, what.......what's going on with Kawachi-san and the little bird?

To which Kamii replied.

'The two of you betrayed us and went to the Empire.

The Empire?

Masamune was surprised by the unexpected response.

'By empire, do you mean Damescales?　Why the two of you?

We don't know. But they betrayed us. That much is certain...

Kamii's words were full of power. Even in that empire, Kawachi and Kotori were needed, that's why they were needed. That's why the two of them went to the Empire. Whatever it was, it was an opportunity for them in a situation like this, and the two of them could be said to have taken advantage of it. At least that's what Kamii thought. That's why the two of them left themselves and went to the Empire, or so he thought. There was also a sense of jealousy there.

'I see........the Empire.......'

For a moment, Masamune's tone of voice changes, as if he has stopped acting. But he immediately came to himself and smiled at everyone. However, Sonoda was the only one who moved his eyebrows at the situation.

'What's wrong with you, Ichijo-kun?　Koizumi-kun, Tachibana-kun and Tadokoro-kun don't seem to be there either?

'Ichijo went on a trip. 'I heard he's working hard on that one,' replies Kida.

'I don't know about Koizumi but I'm sure they're alive somewhere.

Are you alive?　What do you mean?　Did you get caught up in something, perhaps?　Come to think of it, I think I saw an article like that in the demonic newsletter...

You killed him, didn't you?　I wanted to tsk. Masamune lied again, flatly.
Kida then briefly explained what happened during the fight against the school.
----.

'I see, so that's why there aren't three of you...'

Masamune is still lying. This smile is also a lie, and his reaction to almost every answer is sickeningly unnatural. But they haven't seen Masamune for a while, and they don't know that.
It was only when he talked about Kawachi, Kotori, and Saeki that he felt like he could see the untrue turmoil behind his eyes. Masamune himself probably didn't expect the three of them to leave the school.

''So the remaining brave souls are still students... what do we do now?''

Masamune is concerned, seeming to play pity on the seriousness of the situation. Then Sonoda replied to that.

'For the remaining four years, we will concentrate on training in magic here. After we graduate, we're going to form a large band of adventurers. I'm not sure about Saeki, but Ichijo said he'll be back in four years. Hidaka, what are you going to do?　You've been traveling, haven't you?

What about Masamune?　What did Masamune come here for in the first place?　I heard you came to see me. But why did you come to see me?　Since they were originally from the same world, the explanation that they had come to see each other should be enough. But that was not the case for Sonoda. Sonoda felt vaguely uncomfortable with Masamune's excessive smile and words from earlier, and he suspected something.

''I'm... going on another trip.

I see.

Masamune will not remain here. I assured him so. And Sonoda didn't particularly call him off.

'But, well ... four years from now, right?　Then I'll get back in the swing of things, and if you guys are willing to make me feel welcome, I'm sure I'd like to be included.

It's ... it's mine. You went to school with me, right?　There's no point in trying to kill me. And I regret it. For abandoning Hidaka back then...

Sonoda doesn't usually apologize for his actions. But surprisingly, Sonoda spoke up without hesitation.

'Me too, Hidaka, I really could have helped you.... but I didn't. I wanted to apologize for that........well, I wanted to apologize for that.......

Then the high-flying Holly (Hiiragi) was also apologetic.
Following Hiiragi, the brave men each apologized in turn. All the while, Masamune was looking at them with a smile on his face.

''That...Hidaka?　Saeki, too, said he wanted to apologize. And Koizumi..............................said it was their fault.

Kida spoke, scratching his head as if he was having trouble saying it.

'I feel the same way. Before I was summoned... and at school...''

Kida said he thinks so, but he still doesn't understand. I still don't feel that I was abusing him. But Saeki said something meaningful to him, and then he asked the brave men around him what was wrong with him, and why did Saeki say those things?　He was asking around about it. Kida was dependent on Saeki, after all. But come to think of it, even Saeki didn't feel guilty about it, as he said he did, even if he said he was bad with his mouth. In such a situation, there was no way the naturally insensitive Kida could notice.

''I...I don't really care. I just want everyone to be happy--'

Everyone looked surprised at his words.
Aries cursed him, Saeki cursed him, and Masamune was sent away in transition. At that moment, Masamune glared at them all and told them that he would definitely come to kill them one day. The voice of that time still lingers clearly in the brave men left here. I'm not sure why, but as time goes by, it comes to the surface. And it stays with me. It's as if it's a curse. It made them feel guilty. But Masamune says he doesn't hold a grudge anymore....

'Ichijo said that he was traveling to find Hidaka, that's what he said. I can't wait to let him know about this.......that he's here........

Then at those words, Masamune slowly smiled.

''I see.......then. I'll tell them that. I'm sure you'll see Saeki and Ichijo sooner or later if you're traveling, so please don't tell them.

Masamune was still smiling at them, as if he had nothing against them. But Sonoda, unable to understand his expression and words, tried to find an answer to this discomfort in Masamune.

''Hidaka........''

Hmm?

There was no inflection, but Sonoda's voice had a will in it.

"Will you fight me in a match?

...What?

Masamune's expression falters for a moment at the sudden offer. -- a face that seems to have a smile pasted on it. Is it a Sufiria transfer?　It seemed to waver for a moment.

'Hey, Sonoda?　What are you talking about?　We're so happy to see each other again and all of a sudden you're going to have a fight?

Sonoda ignores Kida's censure and doesn't look away from Hidaka. He seems to be waiting for Hidaka's words.

'Sonoda-kun?　As you know, I'm a healer, and a level 8 one at that, right?　It's not suitable for combat. And besides, you're the weakest to begin with...

Masamune expresses his sorrow with a face hardened with lies.

'Do you think so?'

When Masamune shifted his gaze downward as if to express his grief, Sonoda coldly gave him a question mark.

'What is it?'　I honestly don't know why I think that, either, but I get a funny vibe from you. Is it those eyes that bother you the most?

"I don't understand it myself," was Sonoda's bluff. Sonoda wasn't sure, but there was a logic that led him to that doubt.

'Eyes? ...What do you mean?

"Not the eyes of a weak man, are they?　When I was going in and out of Mira's town, I used to see guys with the same look in their eyes as Hidaka.

Like me? .....

Sonoda then guillotined and turned his gaze to Masamune.

''-- the eyes of a murderer.''

...What?

'The outside of his eyes droop more than they did before, if anything. There's an occasional murderer who has that characteristic look in his eyes. Besides, I know something when I'm confronted with them.

'I'm sorry, I don't know what you're getting at.

It's your eye. I don't like your eyes. Why are you looking at me like that?

"'Like that', I think I'm just being normal, but..."

'Before ... it was just dark. I could feel some kind of resentment when we passed each other. But now your eyes........what is it?　What are you looking at?　Why are you looking at it like that?

The way what? .....

"That's how I see it." ... "The way I see it" ... Sonoda thought as he struggled with his choice of words. He had mentioned that. Masamune just questioned the question. Masamune is not aware of it. In his own eyes--.

''It's as if........you're looking at things. Not a few emotional eyes, but somehow they don't seem to have any emotion in them...

Sonoda himself had seen it before, but he couldn't explain it in words.
Then Kida, who had been reserved by Sonoda, stepped in between them. As of now, there is no one left among the brave souls to rebel against Sonoda.

''Hey Sonoda!　Come on, man!　What's the matter with you?　We're finally meeting up, you know?

However, Sonoda is ignorant to Kida's appeal. He doesn't take any notice of it, and his eyes never leave Masamune's. Sonoda had slowly but gradually come to a certain degree of hypothesis about the current state of 'Hidaka Masamune' here.

''Man or beast race, I don't know that, but you still killed some of them, right?''

What?　How could I possibly kill someone?　I'm a healer, remember?　You can't use magic on a healer to hurt them.

But Masamune is tired of denying it.

'Why do you deny it?　I'm not blaming you, this is the kind of world we live in, and there were times when you had no choice but to live a normal life. Right, Hidaka?　Killing in this world is your responsibility. Kill or be killed, right?　You've lived out there, you know that, right?

-- so why do you deny it?　Sonoda didn't have an answer to that question, so he turned away from Masamune once and cleared his mind. Then Sonoda let out a sigh, as if it suddenly became clearer.

''I see... so...''

Masamune's eyes narrowed at his words. But his expression quickly returned to his original 'bitter smile'.

'What are you hiding? .....

What?

''Well it was strange from the beginning. The guy I thought was dead just shows up normally and smiles without any resentment despite all that happened. How could I not suspect that?　And in the end, you've never killed anyone before?　Are you trying to tell me you're innocent?　It shows in your eyes, okay?

'So what's the deal with the eyes?　I'm normal.

Sonoda narrowed his eyes and looked at Masamune.

''To put it bluntly, I can only sense an abnormality in you right now...''

Sonoda says his eyes are abnormal. In contrast, Masamune just played a bitter smile.
The brave men around them were silent as they talked. All were stunned by Sonoda's words, but they didn't try to say anything. They had to admit that Sonoda was the leader, and they couldn't be as honest as Kida was earlier.

'We can disguise the damage here. Even if I'm wrong, it won't matter. Let's play the game, we'll see if we can match up. Either I'm wrong or you're wrong....

....

Masamune found himself stopping to laugh and staring into Sonoda's eyes.

'I wonder if he'll be a good partner?　I'm the weakest healer, okay?

Masamune, after all, had a big smile on his face. Sonoda then chuckled and replied as if he could see through Masamune's lies.

''Huh ... which one is it?''