Well, it wasn't a good connection, to be honest.
We first met during the seasonal remedial classes last year, both of us stuck retaking Principles and Understanding of Magic. Yeah. That class. The one every cadet passes by just showing up and pretending to take notes. But somehow, we both managed to fail it.
They say fools recognize each other. I guess that's what we were—two walking disappointments, naturally pulled together by the gravitational force of mutual failure. He was called the disgrace of the Ryu family. And me? I was just the usual dead-last loser in the rankings.
"Dale, they're saying you knocked out Professor Lucas with one punch… brought the next Sword of the Holy Kingdom to her knees with just a gesture…" Berald trailed off, squinting at me like I was a wild animal in a cadet uniform. "Also, I heard during the demonic beast incident, you single-handedly cut down dozens of them. Is that true?"
"Well… some of it."
"Some of it?" He looked like his brain was short-circuiting. "So those rumors aren't completely false?"
I sighed. Yeah, to someone who knew me before all this, that kind of sudden power-up sounded like fantasy.
"Did you find some kind of magic potion in the mountains or something?"
"Not exactly…" I thought about explaining. About death, the Primordial Flame, revival, pain, fire, and more death. But nah. That was way too much. "Let's just say I had an epiphany."
"An epiphany!" Berald's face lit up like he'd just discovered the meaning of life.
I nodded, suppressing a laugh. Epiphany. That catch-all explanation for shonen power-ups and conveniently timed breakthroughs.
Honestly, it's a ridiculous excuse. No matter how enlightened you suddenly become, you don't jump from bottom rank to professor-slaying overnight. But—
"Ah! I knew it! I knew you had it in you, Brother!" Berald puffed out his chest, practically vibrating with excitement.
"…Really?"
"Of course! Didn't I always say that from the very start? That you'd become a great hero one day?"
Well. He did say that.
Even in my past life, when I graduated dead last and couldn't even land a real mission without help, he said it.
Don't worry! I know you'll become a great hero one day!
He had no reason to believe it. No logic. Just faith. Dumb, unwavering, almost frustrating faith.
"Haha! You must've gone through so much!" he laughed, patting me so hard on the back my organs trembled.
"Yeah… thanks, man."
After a moment, his gaze shifted to the boy beside me.
"By the way, who's this?"
"Oh. This is Juliet Kang. He's my friend."
"Aha! So he's your friend!" Berald stepped up, flashing his usual grin and offering a giant hand. "Nice to meet you! I'm Berald Ryu!"
"Uh, hi. I'm Juliet."
"Hehe. So, how'd you meet Brother Dale?"
"…Well, that's—"
Juliet's face went stiff, a sweat drop was sliding slowly beside his face.
I tapped my Hero Watch.
"Let's see. He's got a very interesting hobby, actually…"
"NO! Don't!" Juliet yelped.
I smirked at the panic in his eyes. This was something you want to remember for a millennia.
"Why?"
"What do you mean, why?! You promised you wouldn't show anyone!"
"Hm? What kind of hobby would make someone scream like that?" Berald leaned in, clearly intrigued.
"N-Nothing! Really!" Juliet scrambled to change the subject. "Anyway, you said you're Berald Ryu… as in, that Ryu family? The same as Headmaster Lionel Ryu?"
Thunder God Lionel Ryu. Rank three on the Hero Rankings. A living legend and the headmaster of Reynald Hero Academy.
For a brief moment, Berald's smile cracked. Just a flicker. Then he recovered with a sheepish laugh.
"Yeah… but I'm just from a branch family. Not much connection with the Headmaster."
"Oh. Still, that's amazing," Juliet said with genuine admiration.
Juliet's family had its own reputation in the Republic, but compared to the Ryu family? Not even close. The Ryu bloodline was one of the most established in the world—up there with the Empire's Bastian mages. Their legacy stretched back even before Korea's descent into this world five hundred years ago.
"…Is that so?" Berald said quietly.
Juliet didn't catch it. But I did.
He hated hearing that kind of praise for his family. I remembered.
He'd been mocked his whole life for being the only member of the Ryu line without a lick of magical talent. Just a big, honest brute with no mana control. That's why they called him the disgrace of the Ryu family.
That's probably why we got along.
A bottom-ranked failure and a black sheep noble.
What a pair.
"But anyway," Berald clapped his hands. "Did you guys eat before coming out?"
"Yeah, we had lunch. You?"
"Heh. Just finished a big meal."
"Oh yeah? What'd you have?"
"Stir-fried pork, obviously."
I grinned. "A man of culture."
"Heh heh. You had stir-fried pork too, Brother?"
"Come on. If you're a citizen of the Republic, it's the only real choice."
"Haha! You and I really are on the same wavelength, Brother!"
Berald let out his usual booming laugh and, before I could dodge, threw his arm around my shoulders. Then he started bouncing. Literally bouncing. Like we were two kids skipping down the street. Unfortunately, his muscles were made of steel and it felt like getting tackled by a mountain.
'This brings back memories…'
Back when we traveled the continent together, fighting the Demon Church. Around a campfire, arms slung over each other's shoulders, drinking until dawn like idiots.
Come on, Brother! Down this drink in one go!
Alright! Let's drink until we drop dead tonight!
Haha! Even if you die, you'll come back, right?
You all know we have to get up early tomorrow, right?
Hey, don't be so stiff!
I smiled faintly. It was stupid. Nostalgic. A little painful.
He didn't remember any of that.
But I did.
And somehow, Berald still believed in me—again, in this life, for no reason at all.
I didn't deserve it.
But I was glad he did.