At last, he had managed to level up. Every day in blood and sweat, he had tried his hardest and had managed to level up in four years. Of course, he understood that this was a rather average result, but it was better than taking ten years. But his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shove in the side. Before he could open his mouth, he was preempted.
– Congratulations, Rein!
– What? On what?
He looked at him questioningly.
– Of course, on leveling up!
His eyes narrowed; only a few knew about his level-up, and they definitely could not have told, or so he thought.
– How did you find out?
He had been with him for three years now. And even though they were from different familias, all the hardships lived through together had strengthened their bond so much that he had begun to consider him a sworn brother, who would always help at the right moment.
– Ha-ha-ha, that will remain my secret.
Putting a finger to his lips, he smiled with a playful note, looking at him. At such a reaction, Rein smiled, for he had known from the very beginning that he would do that, so he simply remained silent.
– Hey, wait, where are you off to? – Grabbing his arm. – We need to celebrate this.
He wanted to be alone today, but looking at the pleading face of his friend and comrade, he could not refuse.
– … Why not.
– I knew you'd agree. I've already prepared the place. Oh, we've already prepared the place where we'll celebrate your level-up; let's go.
– You already told everyone?
– Did you doubt it?
– Ah…
Rein exhaled, understanding that if he already knew, then the others knew too. He could have guessed this from the very beginning.
– Enough wasting time, let's go!
– And what kind of place is it, anyway?
– Don't worry, you'll like it. Be sure of it.
– Well, if you're saying that, then I definitely won't like it.
At these words, his comrade clutched his heart. And looked at him with feigned pain in his eyes.
– How cruel… But don't worry, now you'll definitely like it.
– That's what you always say.
– No, I don't!
– Really? – He said with a smirk. – And remember…
But before he could say it, he was interrupted.
– Alright, I get it! It was only a couple of times, – scratching his head, he admitted. Starting to quicken his pace so as not to look into those eyes, he continued in a confident voice: – Today, you definitely won't be disappointed… probably.
– We'll see.
Sitting at a table and watching all his friends having fun, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. He was having fun after all, seeing them happy.
– What are you sitting here alone for?
Raising his gaze, a man he immediately recognized stood before him.
– You know yourself that I'm not that kind of person… but still, thank you for today, Albert.
– You're welcome. – He said, sitting down next to him.
– Of course, I'm surprised.
– By what?
– That you're not drunk yet.
– Is that what you think of me? That all I can do is drink?
– I don't think, I know.
Looking into each other's eyes, they both laughed.
– Will you confess to her now?
– Do you think she'll agree?
– Of course not, have you even seen yourself in the mirror? You're just ugly.
– No, I'm serious. – Kicking him in the leg out of irritation.
– Speaking seriously… but you understand it yourself. Compared to her, we're just ants. We can only admire her from the shadows and should be glad for it. So better find yourself an ordinary girl.
– For love, everyone is equal.
– Yes, love like in the novels, where beauties fall in love with monsters and so on. But there's one minus – it only exists in novels. And besides, in novels, the monsters are a hundred times more handsome than you.
– You just have to hope, and then everything will work out.
– It would be nice if it really worked like that. But know, the more you hope, the greater the disappointment. Be ready for the worst outcome.
– Thanks for the advice, Albert. I'd rather try and get rejected than not try and regret it my whole life.
– Enough of the sad stuff, let's have fun.
Getting up and joining the fun. After Rein was left alone with his thoughts again, he could not help but worry about the day when he would confess, for all his efforts had been for her. He had tried with all his might to close the distance between them, but at the same time understood that he would not succeed, however hard he tried.
So a week passed. For him, this week was the hardest, because today the Loki Familia expedition returned. Because of such thoughts, he had not descended into the dungeon and had abandoned training – he simply prepared for the coming day with impatience. All for her.
But however hard he tried to forget, Albert's words kept creeping into his head, making him hesitate more and more. And at last, that day came.
– Sorry, I'm not interested in relationships right now.
– … Alright, I understand. Sorry to have bothered you.
«After all, Albert was right… Unfortunately.» – he thought, saddened by the outcome of the situation. He had believed with all his heart that maybe it would be mutual love. After standing a little longer with his gaze lowered, someone patted him on the back.
– Ha-ha-ha, you should have seen your face; I told you from the very beginning that this would happen. Oh, right, you're probably the thousandth person she's rejected. So it's not all that sad.
– …
– Pull yourself together! You're not the only one!
Striking his back with all his might.
– Ow!? What are you doing? That hurts!?
– I just helped you come to your senses. Don't you like it?
– Of course I don't like it! Who would like being hit? Unless you're a damn masochist!
– Well, never mind that, let's go to the dungeon; everyone's already waiting for us.
Not waiting for an answer, he began walking, for he knew Rein would follow. He knew him better than anyone, and Rein knew him better than anyone.
– Hey, wait, you could have hit me lighter.
– Really? Stop whining, what are you, a girl?
Two months had already passed since the confession.
– Hey, careful!
Cutting the monster in front of him in two, he only watched as it vanished and a magic stone fell in its place.
– What's wrong with you, Rein? You're not yourself; did something happen?
– …
– He got rejected by the Sword Princess again.
– Seriously? How long can you keep bothering someone; just calm down, Rein.
– You just don't understand! I read in a book that one must not give up on the path of love; if you were rejected, make it so that she agrees! – Waving his hands, he shouted, casting an irritated glance at them that said he would not give up.
– Wow, you read books! How did…
Before he could continue, he was interrupted.
– How many times do I have to tell you that no means no. Enough, just calm down, before this leads to trouble. Do you understand?
Looking intently into the eyes of his companions, he decided to simply remain silent, for they would not understand him anyway. But he was fully confident that it would work, for the book said it works in ninety cases out of a hundred; you show the girl that you are confident in your choice and determination. So he was fully confident in himself.
– Ah, well, let's drop this topic; we have more important things than pointless arguments. We still need to descend to the twentieth floor today.
– Yes, I agree, these arguments will lead nowhere.
– Alright, captain.
Looking at Albert and Rein, in one he saw calm, in the other a hint of irritation, but even so, it was better. Turning away, they began their path to the twentieth floor.
– What's that?
Looking in the direction Albert pointed, they saw a running person. Because of the blood, it was unclear who it was – a girl or a boy, and what age. But when he ran closer, he could see him better and understood that it was just a boy. At this sight, displeasure appeared on their faces.
When he ran past, he tripped him. They laughed, seeing how he fell and rolled head over heels.
– Where are you running? Scared of goblins? Running to mommy's skirt? – After Albert's words, everyone laughed.
– Run, run! There's no place here for weaklings and cowards like you; scum like you. Cowards are not needed in the dungeon!
They watched as the boy got up and, ignoring them, ran on. They looked at him with contempt. They all disliked the weak, who could run away at any second. Just abandon everything for the sake of their own life. They understood that anything could happen in the dungeon. But even so, they all thought the same thing.
– Trash.
– Agreed, but what else can you expect from a coward!
The captain shouted after the boy. When he fully disappeared around the dungeon corner, the smiles vanished from everyone's faces, and they continued on their way. Their whole following path passed in silence. No one wanted to start a conversation first.
Some time later.
– Do you think we were too cruel?
– To whom?
Albert looked at Rein in confusion, wondering what he was talking about. He only sighed at such a reaction.
– Well, to that boy.
– Ah, I remember… I don't see anything wrong with it, Rein.
– Well, what else could I expect from you. And you, captain, what do you think?
– Cowards shouldn't descend into the dungeon.
– Why are you so sure he was running from fear?
– Have you forgotten what cowards did to you?
Hearing this, he involuntarily remembered that day, all the pain he had gone through and the betrayal of his party. What despair he had felt then. Biting his lower lip and lowering his gaze, he said, muffled:
– I remember…