Serelin.

When she first saw the young wizard, her initial feeling was 'indifference.' She thought, She must be just another girl who came here because of Aswell's popularity, ability, and looks.

Thus, she didn’t bother to voice her opinion and merely agreed with Raphiere's words.

Although Raphiere joined later than her, in matters like this, she and Aria had entrusted their judgment to her. Moreover, most of what Raphiere said was something Aswell understood and accepted.

But this time was different.

“She manifested spatial magic without incantations or magic circles.”

Aswell defended the new wizard for the first time. It was the first instance he stood firm against Raphiere’s opposition.

In the end, she joined their party, and that choice turned out to be an excellent one.

With her overwhelming magical talent and the tremendous magical tools she created, the gloves and shoes she casually made became Serelin’s new arms and legs.

If she could swing a sword once before, now she could do it two or three times in that same period. The need to take three steps back to evade an attack was reduced to just one.

In battle, the efficiency of every action and technique had drastically improved.

Just by wearing the equipment... the previously insurmountable realm began to come into view.

Swordmaster.

A peak that only three individuals in the empire could reach, the highest realm achievable by swordsmen. In fact, her reason for joining the hero’s party was not only her affection for Aswell but also to get a glimpse of the Swordmaster level.

However, no matter how many enemies she fought or how much she trained alongside the talented Aswell, the wall of Swordmaster remained out of sight.

There was, in fact, something she hadn’t shared with her companions.

It was that she sometimes felt a sense of alienation.

Aswell, Aria, and Raphiere were all outstanding, with promising futures laid out before them. But what about her? Though she had risen to a lesser noble through swordsmanship, if she couldn't reach the Swordmaster level, that was as far as she would go.

She didn’t have the many aristocrats and imperial patronage that came with being a hero like Aswell. She lacked the influence of the entire church like Aria. And she didn’t have the royal status of being a princess of the Elf Kingdom like Raphiere.

A knight who was a lesser noble but failed to become a Swordmaster.

After defeating the Demon King, Serelin worried about what would be left.

But then...

“...The new wizard is named Louis. Please take care of her.”

Things changed when she entered.

Louis, the pure white wizard. Unbeknownst to her, she filled the void in Serelin's heart and body.

She made up for the movements and techniques that felt lacking with magical tools and support, and she filled the emptiness in her heart by relaying Aswell’s compliments to her. Especially the praise... it was something she unconsciously craved.

The Master of the Hero. Lesser Noble. Lady Knight.

All the many titles that referred to Serelin did not offer her praise or encouragement.

“She’s the master of the hero, so she must be noble anyway; she’s even achieved knighthood as a woman.”

In the end, when the wizard, Louis, conveyed Aswell’s compliments, she felt her heart being filled.

“So, when you eliminated the jackal pack last time, Serelin’s judgment was very sharp...”

“Ugh...”

In the end, she began to eagerly await the wizard’s praise.

They were almost there.

No? They had long surpassed it.

“So, um, Louis, what do you think of me?”

“Of course, you’re amazing.”

“Eep.”

“And sexy.”

“Se, sexy...”

“You’re a knight I can rely on more than anyone.”

“~!!!”

With every compliment, her expression changed dramatically, as if she were about to leap.

With such vibrant reactions, it made me enjoy giving compliments too.

Once the stormy praise session ended, Serelin had a refreshing expression. Then, blushing, she spoke to me.

“Um, Louis, you’re also a really good wizard.”

Countering with a compliment?

Unfortunately, such praise wouldn’t be enough to move me.

“Your gloves and shoes are very helpful. I was able to get to you quickly because of the shoes...”

“...”

“Aswell also casually complimented the gloves and shoes.”

“...”

“So I really think it’s fortunate that you joined our party.”

“...Hmm.”

I turned my gaze away from Serelin. I didn’t want her to see my twitching lips. Absolutely not! I wasn’t pleased to hear compliments or anything like that.

Purr...

“...What was that? Lux's gaze felt strange just now.”

It seemed to be looking at me with a hint of scorn...

Well, it was probably just my imagination.

Anyway, now Serelin was practically on my side too.

What I needed to do now was set up an event to connect her with the hero.

“By the way, Serelin.”

“Hmm?”

“You like the hero, right?”

“Uh, uh? Uh-huh?”*

At that, Serelin's face flushed bright red as she covered her cheeks with her hands.

To hit her where it hurts, I tossed in a line.

“You light up when you talk about the hero.”

“Ah, no, that... yes.”*

Serelin straightforwardly confirmed it.

I smiled contentedly and began to explain my plan to her.

“Then I’ll help you.”

“Eh? Help with what?”*

“To win the hero's affection.”

The hero was completely clueless, so if you didn’t approach him directly, it would be quite difficult.

Like a sales representative, I elaborated on the shortcomings of the hero and the reasons I needed to help.

Serelin gave me a puzzled look.

“But, Louis...”

“Yeah?”

“You... you don’t like Aswell, do you?”

“...No, I don’t.”*

How could that be? Absolutely not! I do not like the hero.

I firmly established that fact.

“Um, well, I get it. But if you change your mind, I’ll understand...”

“I’m telling you it’s not like that.”

Let’s drop that subject and set up a strategy to capture Serelin’s heart.

“So, Serelin, you’re currently standing in formation with the hero, right?”

“Yeah...”

“So, it feels more like a comrade or a fellow warrior rather than an affection for someone of the opposite sex.”

“...”

Serelin’s complexion noticeably darkened.

It’s quite amusing how emotions become richer when the hero is involved.

“Plus, being in a priestly relationship makes it even more difficult.”

“Ugh...”

“So what Serelin should aim for is the element of surprise.”

“Surprise... element?”*

“Yeah.”

It was a different form from the surprise element I had mentioned to Raphiere.

In Raphiere’s case, her everyday life and combat were friendly. So, I had advised her to show a serious side in the flower field.

Serelin needed to do the opposite.

“Within two days, arrange a dinner date with the hero. Just the two of you. Schedule it after both of you have had a tough battle.”

“Uh, uh...”

“It would be great if it were a restaurant that serves alcohol. After ordering food and drinks, you can exchange light conversation about the battle that day.”

“But that would be the same as usual, right?”*

“Aha, the key is after that. Then, share a light drink. And quietly smile at the hero.”

Even someone as clueless as the hero would focus if a beauty like Serelin smiled at him.

Then she would say something like this:

“Still... it feels nice to have dinner with you one last time.”

“Me? How could I say that...!”*

The key to the line is ambiguity.

It feels like there might be feelings involved, but maybe not; it leaves a sense of uncertainty.

Wouldn’t it be striking if a normally serious mentor and comrade lightly smiles and expresses relief about sharing a final moment together?

That would be irresistible.

In the original story, Serelin’s delayed entrance into the heroine's role was largely due to her inability to create a lighthearted yet affectionate atmosphere.

They felt burdened because they always tried to approach each other seriously.

“So, starting lightly with a drink would be best.”

It wouldn’t have the intensity of Raphiere’s flower field episode.

But for Serelin, ‘penetrating into the daily life’ was her secret weapon.

It’s crucial to evoke memories like, “This happened back then.”

And since they were the closest during combat, it would be quick and easy to set up a date.

“But, um, do you think Aswell would come to the restaurant?”

“Why?”*

“Because Count Alphares said he would provide all the meals. And there aren’t any suitable restaurants between the northern and eastern gates...”

Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that problem.

Geographical issues, huh? I guess I need to handle that.

“...Then, come to the central shopping district tomorrow night. I’ll make an excuse about buying magical tools and bring the hero along.”

I heard there are several magical tool shops in the back streets of Alphares, so if I say I want to go there and ask for an escort, he’ll follow.

After all, there won’t be many monsters appearing near the eastern, northern, and southern gates afterward, so the hero will agree.

“As for Aria and Raphiere... I’ll try to keep them away if I can. But we need to act quickly because time may be tight.”

“Uh, uh, okay.”*

Compared to Raphiere, the time left was extremely short.

However, Serelin’s instinctive movements and true feelings would surely connect.

Vroom...

“Looks like the spell is all wrapped up.”

“Spell?”

“Yeah. I was reinforcing the gates.”*

I patted Knight Lux’s head, who had been waiting quietly until then.

After recalling the master key, I headed towards the Alphares mansion with Serelin.

Tomorrow awaited.