Late night.

　I lie in bed in the inn and try to find a way to save the environment.
　I wonder if I can't somehow save Eco.

Is he really that incompetent?

　If he is incompetent, how is he able to go to witchcraft school despite being incompetent? That's what I'm wondering.

　The royal school of magic is divided into six classes from A to F for each grade, and it is said that the closer you get to A, the more excellent students you will gather. However, even though it's Class F, this is one of the most elite magic schools in the kingdom. Since Eco was able to enter the school, she must have some knowledge of magic, and should be able to handle more than a little magic.

　Then why are they called 'dropouts'?
　There are several possible reasons for this.

　One, her growth type is combat-specialized and her magic-related stats are low on the charts.
　I've read that this would be the most likely cause. Even if she can handle magic, if her INT is low, she'll only do scum damage. It's no wonder he's called incompetent.

　For one thing, he's mastered magic, but he doesn't have enough MP.
　This is also quite possible. No matter how much magic you learn, if you don't have enough MP you can't use it.

　One, he has enough MP, but he hasn't mastered the magic.
　It's unlikely that an eco-friendly person like that can read that small grimoire. This possibility seems likely.

　One, because she's a beastman.
　I don't want to think about this too much, but according to Silvia, "In the Castal Kingdom, discrimination against beastmen and persecution of dark elves are deeply rooted. However, it's just one factor. I think that the discrimination against beastmen, coupled with his own lack of ability, is making things bigger.

　Hmm. Well, what's up with that: .......

　I spent this night in agony, worrying about what to do.



　And the next morning.
　After spending the night thinking about it, I came to a conclusion.

　It was--.

'Sylvia. I'm going to try to recruit Eco.

　Eco as a companion.

　I then asked her to show me her status, predict her growth type, see what she was not suited for, and find out what position she would be good at as well as Sylvia.

　She had tried her best to be helpful to others, but as it was, all that effort would be in vain. I figured that it would help to create an environment where she could be useful.

'...... Lord Second. My path is with you and your path is with me. I couldn't be happier. I am a rewarder.

　Sylvia seemed to want to do something about Eco, too, and she knelt down to me with a look of admiration on her face. I would like you to stop playing knights in the morning.

''I don't know if Eco will take the talk yet. If not, I'll just ask her to show me her status, and I'll give you some advice on the path she's suited for.

　Being one of us means you're out of school. It's not an easy decision. I'm going to approach Eco with the premise that he's going to say no.

'Mm, that's a good idea. Without the advice of Mister Second, I would never have discovered my hidden talents. I hope you'll make her realize it too.

　Sylvia nodded.

　With the policy in place, we went to school feeling a little refreshed.




'Nah ......!'

　Sylvia calls out as we pass the school gate.

　Ahead of us was Eco, sitting in the middle of the road, covered in mud.

　...... obviously strange. I feel intensely uncomfortable.

''What's going on?　What happened!

　Sylvia was the first to run up to me.

　I observed my surroundings as I ran over. The cause of the discomfort was immediately apparent.

　None of the students on the street wanted to talk to Eco.

　Bypassing them. Pretend not to see. Ignore them.

　I sensed a strong sense of malice.


"Hey, Eco. How are you doing?　You okay?　Did you fall down?

　I asked, reaching out my hand.



'It's all right!　Don't talk to me!



　It was a scream of rejection.

　Eco shook off my hand and stood up in a desperate manner and ran off to escape.



　Ah ...... this. This. That's it. It sucks.

　I've only smelled that smell once, that smell.

　It's the smell of desperation.


　I don't know what happened to her.

　But I do know this. Eco was still aware - of the "futility" of her efforts.

　And then it was confronted.

We can't change the reality of our situation if we keep trying in vain.

　I was forcibly forced to face the reality that I had turned away from for so long, in the form of despair.


　I can't do that. It's too sad.

　It's okay for everyone to dream. Isn't it?


Let's save it." ......

　I muttered to myself and followed Eco. It might be impertinent. I was uneasy. But, needless to say, Sylvia will follow.

　Our paths are together.
　I understand what Sylvia was saying.

　It's good to be in good company.
　It's nice to be a part of something together.
　I mean, if this is what you want, I want you to be a part of it, too, you know?



Don't come here!

　I drove Eco to the cul-de-sac.

　It took me over an hour to bring him to this situation. The class has already started.

　Anyway, this guy is really slow. But when I caught up with him and grabbed his arm, he shook it off with considerable force and ran away again.
　The next hour was a repeat of that, and Sylvia finally got tired of it. Eco looks like she still has some SP left.

　Her legs are slow. Stronger; more SP. And a low INT ......?

　--maybe.

　I had a theory running through my head.


That's okay, sweetheart. We're just here to talk to you.

　Sylvia said under her breath as she gasped for air.

'There's no such thing as a nonsense!　Instead!

　Eco stubbornly rejects it.

"Leave me alone!

　Tears welled up from her eyes. She must have been holding back until now. Eco crouched in place, crying raggedly. I want to ask her what happened, but that doesn't seem to be the case right now.


　No, I can't talk about it.
　But if I let it go, that's not good enough. He could kill himself.

　What to do, what to do...... I thought about and came up with one thing.

　It's a gamble.

　A big gamble.

　...... Well, I'm going to do it.

　If I don't expect it to be right, it's a terrible idea, but it's the only bet I've got right now--and it's the only one I've got.


Sylvia, don't be alarmed.

　I tell him a word, and he approaches Eco.


'Come on, no, by!

　Eco rejects it weakly.


　In front of her, I drew my sword in front of her.



''Second-dono, what--?

　Sylvia is impatient. But I won't stop now.




　Immediately after, I slashed off my own left hand.