SSS-Knight in a Hero World-Chapter 114: Poison

Yeah?!

Ferris almost took a step back from her sudden change in attitude. He didn’t expect her to be so enthusiastic.

He remembered his appearance back then when he met her, and he was sure that it didn’t exude a sense of heroism.

I wore a dirty mask back then, right? I must’ve smelled like shit. He almost choked when he thought of that, but he’d do it again if necessary.

He gave her an amused look.

"What’s making you this excited?" he asked.

"You! I know it was you in that mask. You were so cool!" Soleil shouted, and now that she admitted that fact to Ferris, it felt as if a heavy burden was removed from her shoulders.

She shook her clenched fist up and down, waiting for his reply.

. . .

Ferris covered his face when he heard her answer.

Well, she has really good senses, so of course she could recognize me in that mask. But... I wish to inspire someone while wearing something appropriate. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"...Thanks," he said with a half-formed smile. Alright, it’s good that she’s motivated.

Before continuing the subject, Ferris looked around in case Tailor was eavesdropping on them, but after sharpening his senses, there was no one around them within hearing distance.

After making sure no one was present, he returned his gaze to Soleil and prepared himself.

He knew that what he was doing right now was overstepping his authority.

Judas’ existence as a shard amongst many others made him extraordinary. Even the Dreamer had a certain attitude when he described him.

Likewise, it would apply to Soleil.

Someone who’s extraordinary cannot sit idly by.

"Don’t tell Tailor about this, alright?"

Well, at least not now, Ferris thought, but he didn’t bother imagining how the situation would unfold in the future.

However, Soleil was already an adult. If she could back up her wants with power, then even Tailor would have a hard time discouraging her.

That is, if she becomes strong.

She can barely even lift me with her psychic blessing...

"I won’t," Soleil quickly answered, crossing her arms to double down on her statement.

"I trust you. Now then, what you need now is..." Ferris paused to give her time to think.

Obviously, the first thing needed in order to become a hero is...

"Training."

The prospect enticed Soleil and pushed her imagination to run wild enough to make her sweat in excitement.

She imagined all sorts of things she’d be able to do.

Unfortunately, her tunnel vision prevented her from seeing the truth of becoming strong.

"Listen carefully." Ferris laced his tone with a cold essence.

"First, what’s important is to make sure you really stick to this intense training regimen..."

"100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10 kilometer run!" he said proudly. If it worked for him, then it would surely work for her.

Wait... I also did some meditation to increase the aspects of my essence.

Ferris rubbed his chin in thought. He wondered how it would work out for Soleil, who didn’t know how to meditate like him.

Blessings governed this world, so people who had blessings should focus on that.

"Oh, and lift yourself up using your blessing a hundred times."

That final statement felt like the final nail in her coffin.

"...R-really? I’m gonna do that?"

"How else are you going to become strong?" Ferris answered.

Seeing her depressed spirit, Ferris decided to change that.

Judas had an 8th layer when I checked his core back then, but I’m not sure about her.

"Turn around. I’m gonna do something really quick." Ferris twirled his index finger.

Desperate that there was a potential cheat skill, Soleil followed his words without a thought.

Without waiting, Ferris placed his palms flat on her back and started resonating with her.

Closing his eyes, he searched for the beacon of light that contained her essence core.

There it is.

Ferris felt the strange warmth of her core, however.

She doesn’t even have a layer?

That’s strange...

Ferris wondered why that was the case, but it didn’t deter him.

"Relax," Ferris warned. If she didn’t have a 9th layer, then he’ll make one for her.

To start with, he pushed her essence around to surround her heart.

Then he shaped it carefully into a thin veil with surgical precision.

Now that he was an 8th layer, this process became much easier.

There... it’s done...

Crack.

It’s shattering!!!

But it was perfect?!

Ferris screamed inside, but he maintained his focus and resonance.

Soleil doesn’t know how to control her essence as good as I can. If I break away, she won’t be able to survive this.

By increasing the resonance with Soleil, Ferris managed to patch up the openings of the veils.

However, as he covered and mended the cracking areas, even more appeared.

Yet still, he mended those cracks over and over again.

This is starting to become difficult even for me.

Am I doing it wrong? He questioned his capabilities until he began to realize something.

No... It’s not that I can’t do it, it’s the fact that this is impossible to do.

With a deep breath, he slowly cut away the precious veil of essence he created for Soleil.

The life-threatening shattering of an essence core can’t happen without an essence core anyways.

Thankfully, she was safe now.

As for Ferris, he was already having a severe headache from that accident.

Soleil turned her head slightly towards him. "Whatever you’re doing, is it done?"

. . .

Ferris decided.

"Yes, it’s done."

A hard lie.

Why can’t she form an essence layer?

I want to try again, but I don’t want to put her in any danger right now.

"So, did anything happen to me?" Soleil fully turned around and asked.

"I gave you courage," he answered with a fully extended thumbs up.

Soleil blinked.

And Ferris shrugged it off. "I’ll be lenient. Training starts tomorrow, but I won’t babysit you, so you’ll have to do everything by yourself."

"A-aren’t you supposed to coach me?"

Ferris chuckled. "You can’t be strong because someone wants you to be strong. I’m just giving you the opportunity to do so.

So be strong for your brother, and I need your strength to make Judas...

Walk and talk for himself..." He answered.

Compared to the need of becoming a hero, that reason alone engulfed her mind with passion.

"I’ll do it. 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, 10 kilometer run, and lift myself up 100 times!"

Hearing that, Ferris couldn’t help but feel proud and smile at her.

Ahh... Yaromech, my former teacher.

On this day forward, I will no longer be the only one subject to your horrendous training regimen.

Hmm. Ah!

A dangerous thought came to his mind. What if I multiply her training regimen by 5 like Yaromech did?

After a moment of careful consideration, Ferris disregarded the idea as a form of abuse.

"That’s great to hear, anyways..."

Ferris handed out his phone that had its contacts open. "Give me your number. I need you to send proof every day, a picture will suffice."

Soleil tapped the screen with practiced coordination, giving Ferris her number.

"Thank you." He took his phone back and glanced towards the forest where he came from.

"I’ll get Tailor to come here, so wait here and—"

Ferris cleared his voice. "As I’ve said, I didn’t tell Tailor about Judas’ state so I could protect your identities, but the decision of telling the truth is up to you...

Well, aside from the wanting to be a hero thing, don’t tell a soul."

Soleil clenched her fist. Despite being given that responsibility for her father, she was glad that she had such an option.

"Thank you... um?"

Ah, right. "Ferris."

He bowed slightly to Soleil before disappearing amongst the thick field of solar panels.

After disappearing from Soleil’s sight, he picked up his pace and arrived quickly to Tailor, who was nerve-wracked the entire time.

"Sorry for the wait." Ferris cheerfully smiled to Tailor.

Without dragging everything, Ferris told what Tailor wanted to hear.

"She’s fine now. You should go see her."

Tailor gasped. "W-were you a therapist in your previous life?" he genuinely asked.

"...No, far from it.

I’ll be going early. I’m sorry I’ve put you in this situation, but you should choose your daughter over me."

Tailor nodded solemnly before lowering himself before Ferris. "I’ll repay you someday."

"Of course you will," he replied before leaving the scene.

Looking behind, Tailor was already on his way to Soleil.

Although the situation was supposed to be a happy one, he couldn’t help but wonder what Soleil would choose in the end, but whatever it may be, Ferris would accept it as it is.

Now then, I can’t keep Magpie waiting.