Heroine-Saving System: Reborn In A Third-Rate Manga As The Protagonist-Chapter 39: Magic Weapons

"I’m not interested," Kōya said immediately.

Everyone across the table flinched visibly... the maids who were serving, the servant who had brought him here, and even Miyuki.

Did he not want to hear what it entailed?

Or did he not realize how lucky he was that an heir of one of the Great Twelve Clans had decided to scout him personally?

There were many conflicting thoughts running through their heads.

"You don’t even want to hear me out, eh?" Itsuki asked as a maid poured him tea.

He lifted the cup to his lips with perfect elegance, drinking down the steaming hot liquid without flinching.

"It’s very obvious what you’re doing," Kōya said as a cup of tea was poured for him as well.

He lifted it up... his form was not elegant at all, but he didn’t particularly care.

"You see me as a person who can challenge you in the future, and so you want to secure me ahead of time by presenting terms that will be very lucrative for the average commoner."

Itsuki’s hand trembled slightly, the tea rippling in his cup.

"I admit... you’re smarter than I gave you credit for," he said after a moment. "However, that changes nothing. Would you like to hear the terms that the Aozora family is presenting you with?"

’Even if I decided to join up with them, I’m sure Hakua would intervene somehow,’ Kōya thought.

However, he hadn’t seriously considered accepting anyway.

Despite how this bastard looked and acted with surface-level politeness, he was a tyrant through and through.

"Sure," Kōya said with a shrug.

Itsuki gave the servant a subtle hand signal, and she immediately bowed deeply.

"Amagi Kōya-sama... The Aozora clan is offering, first, a monthly stipend of 500,000 crowns as well as a monthly allowance of 90,000 IP which will be added to your Academy IP allowance. Second, you will have access to the Aozora clan training facilities and even our proprietary techniques, including our signature water-based combat styles. If you awaken the Water Element affinity, then you will gain access to several B-rank and A-rank spell scrolls from our private archives."

She took a small breath, maintaining her perfect posture.

The other members of the elite section had been drawn to the conversation, including Akari, who was practically fuming at her own table.

She had suddenly been tasked by her father to apologize to Kōya for everything she had done.

’Fuck... fuck... fuck... why do I have to apologize to a filthy commoner?’ she thought viciously.

She wondered desperately who was backing this man with enough authority to make even the Kagutsuchi clan wary.

’I refuse to believe that he’s on speaking terms with that devil, Hakua Shirogane.’

Back at the table, Marina continued.

"And lastly, you will receive complete political protection... nobody will be able to spread rumors about you, harm you, or threaten any of your loved ones anymore without facing Aozora retaliation."

She curtseyed gracefully and backed away.

"What do you think of the terms?" Itsuki asked. "The Aozora clan is very interested in having someone of your talents within our sphere of influence."

They needed to strike first before the other Great Clans got their hands on him.

"I’m grateful that you decided to approach me with such a generous offer," Kōya said respectfully. "However, I’m still not interested. Being affiliated with a Great Clan would give me significant resources, but I prefer the path I’m on now."

He met Itsuki’s eyes directly.

"And I don’t think I’ll be joining any clan regardless."

He could feel intense stares from other nobles throughout the section.

"Well, if you’re not interested, then I won’t press the matter," Itsuki said, though annoyance flickered behind his eyes. "However, the offer remains open. Since I’ve already invited you for lunch, please feel free to enjoy the meal at my request."

"If you insist," Kōya said, then looked at the table.

It was completely covered with elegant platters and specialty drinks... it was nothing like the regular cafeteria.

"Alright, Marina, please tell us all the dishes we’re having today," Itsuki said.

"For today’s lunch service in the Erīto Kizoku section, we will be serving a five-course meal curated by our head chef," she announced. "The appetizer course consists of toro sashimi with wasabi foam, A5 wagyu beef tataki with ponzu reduction, and uni served on artisanal rice crackers with microgreens. For the main course, you have a choice between premium sushi omakase featuring today’s freshest catches, whole grilled sea bream with seasonal vegetables, or matsutake mushroom rice with truffle oil. Side dishes include seasonal tsukemono, miso soup with abalone and matsutake, and edamame dusted with black truffle salt. For dessert, we offer matcha tiramisu with edible gold leaf, seasonal fruit parfait, or premium mochi ice cream in yuzu and black sesame flavors. All meals are accompanied by your choice of sencha green tea, gyokuro, fresh-pressed fruit juice, or imported mineral water."

’What are all these????’ Kōya thought while maintaining his poker face.

"I’ll have the sushi omakase and green tea," Kōya said. "I’m not that hungry."

"An excellent choice, Amagi Kōya-sama..."

She leaned toward his side and touched a hidden mechanism... a compartment smoothly extended outward.

She placed the sushi omakase platter there with careful precision, along with green tea.

"Please enjoy, Amagi Kōya-sama."

Kōya looked at the eight pieces of pristine nigiri arranged with artistic precision.

He set down his chopsticks and picked up the first piece with his fingers, dipping just the fish side lightly in soy sauce before eating it in one bite.

The flavor hit immediately... He moved to the next piece and savored the fatty tuna that melted on his tongue.

He sipped his green tea between pieces, the bitterness balancing the richness.

"It’s really good," he muttered.

Itsuki smiled. "Of course, this is from the Erīto Kizoku section. It’s leagues better than what they serve in the common sections."

He didn’t press further as Marina served him and Miyuki then Itsuki noticed his sister glancing at Kōya.

"If you had any romantic interest in my sister..." Itsuki said coldly, "I’d advise you to quench it immediately, as she already has a fiancé from another Great Clan... the Kurohane clan. A simple commoner like you can’t hope to compare."

’I remember.’ Kōya thought calmly. Kurohane Takeru was the name of her Fiancee and he was surprised that Itsuki let such a toxic person be around her. Takeru was well-known in the novel for being very misogynistic after all.

"I see..." Kōya said. "Why should I be worried about her fiancé? We’re just friends, after all."

Murderous intent flashed in Itsuki’s eyes and Miyuki’s lips curved upward slightly, she was genuinely happy.

’I’m glad Kōya-kun still thinks of me as his friend...’

Kōya stood up shortly after, finishing his tea.

"Thank you for the meal."

He walked off and only after he’d left did Itsuki grab Miyuki by her hair, yanking her head backward viciously.

"Didn’t I tell you to cut off that friendship with him?!"

"I-I-I... di-d." she stammered, tears streaming down her eyes. If she tried to resist, then he would just increase the pressure...

"I think that’s enough, Itsuki-san."

Shion stood from her table, her purple eyes crackling with lightning. "No brother should treat his sister like that."

Itsuki released her immediately. "Whatever."

He walked off.

...

「ⓘ Heroine: Aozora Miyuki’s affection has increased to 5」

’Eh? Why?’ Kōya thought. ’And when did we start recording affections?’

「Since Host has decided to embark on seducing women for FP, then I will help you scan their affection」

’I didn’t agree to thi-’

「ⓘ Heroine: Aozora Miyuki’s affection has increased to 8」

’What the hell is going on in Miyuki’s head?’

RING!!!

The lunch bell rang, and everyone began vacating the cafeteria. Kōya and Renji regrouped as they walked, with Mio visible up ahead.

As they reached the Class 5 building, a muscular figure blocked the doorway.

"Oho! So you all are the Class 5 students that flunked that simple test!"

The man was completely bald, his head shining like polished metal. He was shirtless too, flexing impressive eight-pack abs. A red crest marked his forehead which meant he leaned more to physicality than magic, that was what it meant to be a red-liner.

"I’ll be your Magical Weapons Instructor. Follow me."

...

In the training hall, a long shelf filled with various weapons lined the wall... everything except swords and they were wearing their tracksuits now.

"These are magical weapons supplied by the Academy," he explained. "You can take any one you want. Before we start, I should introduce myself."

He cleared his throat.

"Welcome to Weapons Combat. I am Tetsuya Gorou-sensei. I will teach you every weapon known to man... and I will also teach you that swords are the weapon of choice for people who lack imagination. If you want to wave around a glorified metal stick, go watch a period drama. In my class, you learn weapons that actually WIN fights."

He folded his arms.

"As you can see, there are no swords or katanas available."

"Professor Tetsuya," Misora raised her hand. "Why do you hate swords so much?"

His expression darkened, his scarred hand clenching.

Then...

SHUTTER

A spotlight descended from nowhere, illuminating Tetsuya in dramatic light as the hall dimmed.

Sad piano music began playing... from somewhere as well.

"You want to know why?" His voice trembled. "Twenty-three years ago... I was a Class 3 student. Not the best. Not the worst. I was just... average. But I had a dream."

The light shimmered around him.

"I trained every single day with my sword. While others slept, I practiced. While others laughed, I swung my blade ten thousand times." His voice cracked. "I thought if I just worked hard enough, my sword would carry me to greatness."

Students leaned forward, genuinely invested.

"Then came the inter-Academy tournament. I fought so hard to qualify. I Beat fellow Class 3 students and even wounded a Class 2 student." A bitter smile crossed his face. "I was so proud and so hopeful."

The piano swelled mournfully.

"My opponent in the semi-finals? A nobody from the other Academy’s Class 5... with a rusty spear he’d probably found in a dumpster."

He touched the scar across his throat.

"I remember thinking, ’This is it. This is where my hard work pays off. I’ll show everyone that even a Class 3 student can shine.’" His voice broke. "He ended the match in four seconds. That spear came at me so fast, so simply... I didn’t even see it until I felt it against my throat."

A tear rolled down his cheek.

"I woke up in the medical wing. The scar was a reminder. ’Your sword couldn’t protect you.’ But I didn’t give up. I trained harder... Faster. I refined every technique and learned every secret sword form."

The light dimmed further.

"Two years later... I challenged a weapon master. A woman with twin axes. I thought this time would be different. This time, all my training, all my suffering..." His voice was barely a whisper. "She took my fingers in the first exchange. Just... just took them. Like they were nothing. Like I was nothing."

He raised his hand, showing the missing fingers.

"She said to me as I bled on the ground, crying... ’You’re skilled. You work hard. But you’re fighting with a weapon that makes you think you’re the hero of a story. Real combat doesn’t care about your story.’"

The piano crescendoed.

"So I gave up the sword. Learned every other weapon. Became a master of them all... except the one I loved most." He looked at them with hollow eyes. "And every day, I see students pick up swords with that same hope I had. That same stupid, beautiful hope... and I know most of them will learn the same lesson I did."

The spotlight flickered.

"That’s why I hate swords. Because I loved mine... and it betrayed me. Twice."

The light cut out completely... when normal lights returned, Tetsuya’s eyes were wet.

"Now pick up your weapons and prove me wrong."

Silence.

Misora looked moved, her hand was over her heart and Mio’s tired eyes were even sadder.

Several students were wiping their eyes.

Kōya turned to Renji, desperately trying to maintain composure but Renji was already looking back with the most strained expression ever... his cheeks were puffed out, his face was red and water was coming out from his eyes.

Their gazes met.

’If you laugh, I laugh, and we both die.’

"Any questions?" Tetsuya asked and not a single hand went up.

Kōya coughed very carefully into his hand and his shoulders shook while Renji made a strangled sound.

Their eyes met again.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

Both exploded into uncontrollable laughter, doubling over. Other students began snickering too.

Tetsuya’s face went from tragic to murderous. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"YOU’RE DEAD MEATTTTT!!!! DO YOU HEAR ME??!!!!"

He charged at them like an enraged bull.

"RUN!" Kōya let out.

"I’M TRYING!" Renji yelled back, still laughing.

They were caught by the Professor in a matter of minutes.