Entering the Game with a Cheat Physique

Episode 9 Secret Room

Episode 9 Secret Room

School had started, but my daily routine hadn’t changed much.

I couldn’t skip exercise if I wanted to increase my muscle mass, so, as always, I was running from the morning.

But there were definitely some changes.

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【Strength has increased!】

【Stamina has increased!】

【Agility has increased!】

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“Hmm.”

For one, my body was improving.

I no longer even needed to cheer myself on with ‘one two, one two’.

It’s already been quite some time since I started running.

Which meant my body had already finished adapting to the routine.

“What are you looking at?”

“It’s nothing. But you’re really putting in the effort, aren’t you? It must be hard to keep up with my routine.”

“It’s okay. It’s more effective than exercising alone.”

Changes, two of them.

A tightly bound, silver ponytail, the pale nape of her neck peeking out beneath.

A casual t-shirt concealing her petite frame.

The main character from the Knight’s Route, Isolet, became my running mate.

‘How did this even happen?’

The trigger was a trivial coincidence.

My route, encompassing the entire academy grounds, included the Knight’s Department lecture halls.

One morning, while running, Isolet and I locked eyes.

Then, she spoke.

—Senior. Do you run every day?

—Yeah. Why?

—Then, would it be alright if I joined you? I was actually looking to exercise.

—……?

At first, I didn’t understand.

What restrictions would there be for Isolet, a Knight’s Department student, to work out?

Of course, there was a reason.

—It’s… a bit difficult to exercise with my classmates.

—Why?

—Because I’m the top student, I guess. They keep their distance. They seem to have trouble approaching me. And being a different gender also plays a part.

—Ah.

Her overwhelmingly superior performance compared to her peers.

And the fact that she was a different gender from most of the male students in the Knight’s Department.

These reasons combined meant that Isolet ended up training alone.

“So you don’t use the Knight’s Department gym at all?”

“Actually, I don’t really like working out with other people bumping into me. I prefer solo weightlifting.”

“Then what am I?”

“Senior, well, you can be considered an exception.”

She said that with a faint smile, like a picture.

Truly the beauty of a protagonist.

……In the end, she didn’t tell me *why* I was an exception though.

Anyway, for that reason, Isolet and I had been running together for a while.

Originally, I’d tried to refuse, since I was reluctant to get involved with the protagonist… but then.

‘It’s good to know the progress, though.’

＜Song of Sword and Magic＞ has a dual-protagonist system.

In this world, where even a male lead doesn’t exist, it’s hard to tell who’s driving the story forward.

So, I’m gauging the story’s progress by talking with Isolet.

Like this, for example.

“How’s it been lately? Anything interesting happen?”

“There was a bit of a commotion when the head instructor’s cat escaped from its room. I had to help look for it in the dead of night, it was quite a hassle.”

Chapter 2 of Act 1, ‘The Midnight Cat Commotion,’ seems to be cleared.

“I heard the Knight Department’s second-years were cracking down on the juniors lately. Any trouble?”

“They backed off when they saw how skilled I was. Being the top student has its perks. …But how did *you* know about that, when you’re in the Magic Department?”

Chapter 3 of Act 1, ‘Establishing Discipline,’ also seems to have gone smoothly.

‘No major issues.’

The flow to Act 1, Chapter 4 is continuing very naturally.

If it keeps going like this, it should be fine.

“Ah, come to think of it, there’s a rumor going around that I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“The secret room in the library. Have you heard of it?”

“Huh?”

Oh.

A hidden piece here?

A side story of ＜Song of Sword and Magic＞, ‘The Martial Arts Secret Manual of the Library.’

Only available during the short period between Chapters 3 and 4 of Act 1, it’s a story that offers a cheat-level hidden piece.

At the late-night library. If you go to a secluded space and push on a bookshelf, you’ll get to a secret room.

Defeating the monsters there will give you a reward.

‘You can add a unique trait, even.’

A ‘unique’ trait that most characters don’t possess.

Obtaining it is also quite difficult.

But this side story allows you to add a unique trait with a skill book, a martial arts secret manual.

It’s a hidden piece that only the protagonist could possess in the original story…

‘I think it might work?’

I know of a martial arts manual sleeping there.

Leftover data the developers put in for fun.

A martial arts manual that, in the setting, the protagonist isn’t even supposed to use.

“I know. You want to go to that secret room where the martial arts manuals are hidden. Right?”

“Yes. I might stumble upon something fortunate. I just want to go and check it out.”

“Hmm. Then just go? You didn’t need to ask me… Ah-ha.”

Why would Isolet talk about a side story she can only do alone?

I remembered the ‘Library Martial Arts Manual’ entry condition.

‘Isn’t it supposed to be the male lead?’

I forgot because it’s natural for the male lead to be the default in the original story.

Isolet, being the female lead, can’t enter.

“You have to apply for cleaning duty to stay in the library at night. But they only accept applications from men, so there was nothing I could do.”

“I see. So that’s why you’re asking me?”

“Yes. If it’s possible. It would be good if we could look for the martial arts manuals together.”

She seems pretty serious. Especially considering she’s asking me for a favor.

I had no reason to refuse either.

‘I can get a hidden piece, of course, I have to do it.’

Thank you, Isolet!

“Okay. Then come to the library tonight… no, tomorrow night. I’ll apply for the volunteer work.”

“Huh? Why tomorrow specifically?”

“I thought of a guy who’d be good to go with.”

Of course, I need to keep the protagonist’s balance in mind too.

*

After finishing all my classes, I came to the magic department’s 1st-year lecture hall.

Perhaps because a 2nd-year senior suddenly appeared, the juniors blink and watch from afar.

—Who’s that senior?

—I don’t know. Why did he come?

—But he’s kind of handsome. And looks like he’s in good shape too…

“Yeah, right. You here to check out the girls?”

Looks like they don’t know my rep, seeing as how no one’s exactly sneering at me.

That’s fine by me, less hassle.

I stop in front of the classroom door, marked 1-B3.

Inside, students who haven’t left yet are clustered in small groups, chatting.

But those extras aren’t my target.

A woman with bright red hair in pigtails, shoulders bare.

That’s the one.

“Hey. Irina.”

“……?”

A hush falls over the classroom.

A guy they’ve never seen just clearly singled out one girl.

Naturally, the new students’ eyes swing to the called-out person.

“……Uh, what, what is it?”

Irina, looking dazed, glances around.

Her eyes meet dozens of gazes, then finally…

settle on my face.

“Come out here. I need to talk to you.”

“W-what?”

I leave her muttering something, probably still rattled, and head out.

It’s a pain to keep hanging around the juniors’ playground.

I lean against the wall in the nearby hallway, where she can find me easily, and the sounds of excited voices echo from the classroom.

─Hey, Irina. Who’s that senior?

─Do you know him? He was good-looking.

─Congrats. You got a boyfriend already without us knowing?

─N-no, I don’t… !

‘Kids these days.’

At that age, all they care about is dating, I guess.

Still, to compare Irina, the top of the first-year class, to me, a second-year reserve…

Tsk tsk. Irina’s gotta be feeling it.

* * *

BANG! Thud, thud, thud.

Right after, Irina burst through the door, flinging it open roughly as she rushed at me.

“A-Are you, are you crazy?!”

Her voice was filled with anger, face tear-streaked.

The others must have teased her quite a bit.

“What were you thinking! If you call me like that, what does that make me!”

“Sorry. I forgot that the kids are still at the age where they swoon over love.”

“Eek…”

She pounded on her chest like she was getting a fit. It looked squishy, like it wouldn’t do anything, but why does she keep hitting it.

“…So, why?”

“You wanna do a job with me?”

“What kind of job.”

“Just keep your night free. Then I can give you something good.”

“N-Night? Something good?”

Whoosh—

Her face flushed crimson, imagining something.

“Aren’t you crazy? Calling a girl at night, you—”

“Stop your adolescent fantasies. Nothing like that’s going to happen. And why are you suddenly talking informally?”

“……Never mind. Yo.”

Ahem!

That small clearing of her throat was awfully irritating.

I have no idea what these girls think about at this age.

“So, what’s this ‘good thing’? Yo?”

“Well, it’s hard to explain clearly. Just think of it as a way to get a powerful strength.”

“A powerful strength…”

“The inter-grade exchange is coming up, right? It’ll definitely be useful then.”

“……”

Irina’s green eyes became quietly still.

She must be doing a lot of calculations in her head.

Let’s wait patiently. She’s smart, so she’ll weigh it all out well.

“……Indeed. You, that’s what you’re scheming. Yo.”

But Irina’s conclusion was the opposite of what I expected.

“Giving power to me, the top student of the first year. That must mean teaching me magic. You want a disciple only you, someone comparable to the Headmaster, can teach.”

“What?”

“Right, if I can learn from a mage as outstanding as you, I’ll become stronger. And the fact you call me out at night, well, if it’s for that purpose, I can overlook it. Yo.”

What nonsense.

I let out a dumbfounded laugh.

It seemed Irina was already immersed in her own conclusion, as she didn’t lose her confident smile.

*Snap!* She pointed a finger at me, declaring.

“However, I, Irina, the rightful heir to the Magic Tower. I’m by no means so weak that I need your teachings.”

“……”

“I will definitely become stronger through my own power. And, I will defeat you. Yo.”

‘What the hell is she even saying?’

Teachings? Me teaching Irina?

It’s so absurd I could die. It’s more likely Irina would teach me, not the other way around.

Besides, I have mana insensitivity. How could I possibly teach Irina?

“Huhu. It seems I hit the nail on the head, judging by your silence, right?”

Irina, interpreting my expression somehow, puffed out her chest with a haughty smile.

She looked genuinely stupid.

“Now, please leave. I’ll just accept your good intentions this time. Yo.”

“Sure, whatever.”

Anyway, that must mean she’s refusing.

‘I’ll have to clear the “Secret Martial Arts Manual in the Library” with Isolt alone.’

That’s what I concluded, and left the first-year lecture building, but…

The questions filling my head wouldn’t go away.

*You want a disciple only you, someone comparable to the Headmaster, can teach.*

*Right, if I can learn from a mage as outstanding as you, I’ll become stronger.*

‘Has Irina lost her mind?’

Mana insensitivity, Herak Leonhardt.

Somehow, without my knowing it, I’ve become a mage comparable to the Headmaster.

……Why the hell?