It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 54

 Chapter 54 :

Seria and the others were dumbfounded by Ragna’s acceptance of Hazel’s golem duel proposal.  

It was a natural reaction. Ragna was a complete novice who had never properly handled a golem. The reason Hazel proposed a golem duel was simple: to publicly humiliate Ragna.  

It seemed she was still hung up on how easily she had been outwitted and embarrassed that day.  

“You should really reconsider.”  

Liliana’s serious advice was echoed by Anita and Seria. But Ragna shook his head. He had anticipated that Hazel would propose a duel to some extent.  

He hadn’t expected her to suggest using golems, but that was still within the realm of acceptability.  

No, it might even be advantageous for him.  

With that in mind, Ragna smiled and declared he would accept the duel proposal. Seeing his confidence, Seria and the others, though unconvinced, nodded reluctantly in acknowledgment.  

Still, it was undeniable that Ragna was a beginner when it came to handling golems.  

At the very least, he needed to learn the basics of golem operation from someone.  

However, neither Seria nor the others had the time to spare to teach Ragna.  

Unlike the male knights, who were given relatively free rein during afternoon training sessions almost like being let loose to roam the women were subjected to endless training regimens.  

As a result, Seria and the others were at a loss, trying to figure out how to make time for him.  

But Ragna declined even that offer.  

When the three asked what he planned to do, Ragna only gave an enigmatic smile.  

That was because, the moment the topic of golems came up, a certain person had come to mind. Ragna intended to ask that person about golem operation.  

---  

The next day, in the afternoon.  

The bell rang, followed by Instructor Fiona’s announcement that class was over.  

The students began packing their things and getting up from their seats.  

Ragna, too, packed his belongings and stood up.  

But he didn’t head toward the main entrance of the classroom. Instead, he made his way to the front row, specifically to an isolated seat near the wall. There sat Eric.  

“Hey, mind if I interrupt for a sec?”  

“Huh?”  

Without waiting for a response, Ragna plopped down in the seat next to Eric, right by the aisle. This left Eric trapped, unable to leave, looking flustered like a mouse in a cage.  

With that in mind, Ragna spoke to him.  

“So, how’d things go? Did you sort it out?”  

“…Sort what out?”  

“You know, yesterday you said something and then just disappeared when Seria and the others showed up.”  

“…! Oh, that. Yeah, it’s… more or less sorted…”  

His attitude was vague, almost evasive.  

The camaraderie they had built up until yesterday seemed to have vanished.  

Even so, Ragna pressed on undeterred.  

“Hmm, more or less, huh? Well, most things are like that.”  

“…”  

“So, you haven’t returned the book yet, right?”  

“Huh? …Oh, no. Things wrapped up faster than I expected, so I already returned it…”  

As Eric said this, glancing warily at Ragna, Ragna mentally clicked his tongue.  

Just as he’d suspected.  

“…Is that so? Not that I’m complaining or anything.”  

“…Sorry.”  

“It’s fine, no need to apologize. By the way, how about grabbing a bite? My treat, something simple.”  

“Food? …No, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about me. I mean, you can eat with those… uh, ladies from yesterday.”  

“Those ladies?”  

“You know… the girls you were with yesterday.”  

At that moment, Ragna understood.  

So that’s what it was. It seemed Eric’s sudden wariness stemmed from that misunderstanding.  

“…I think you’re misunderstanding something. There’s nothing going on between me and Seria.”  

“Huh?”  

“It’s just… Seria happens to be staying at the Steiner estate, and since I’m also staying there, we commute together. Naturally, we end up talking during the carriage rides. But that’s it business is business, personal is personal. There’s nothing like that between me and Seria.”  

“…”  

“It was pure coincidence that I ran into her friends. I didn’t expect to meet them there either.”  

“…Oh, I see. That’s what it was.”  

After a moment of thought, Eric nodded, seemingly convinced by Ragna’s explanation.  

“Guess I got the wrong idea. I must’ve been rude to Seria.”  

“No worries, she’s not the type to care about that stuff.”  

At Ragna’s words, Eric’s expression brightened, and he nodded. The misunderstanding seemed to have been cleared up.  

“So, what’s your plan now, Ragna? Heading to the library?”  

“Yeah, since I didn’t go yesterday.”  

“I’ll show you the way after we eat. I owe you for breaking our promise yesterday.”  

“Thanks. …Oh, but before that.”  

“…”  

“There’s something I’d like to ask before we head to the library. Is that okay?”  

“Huh?”  

“Well, it’s just… things happened, and it came to this.”  

Ragna paused for effect, putting on a thoughtful expression.  

Eric tilted his head, puzzled.  

With a slight chuckle, Ragna spoke carefully, as if it were no big deal, anticipating Eric’s reaction.  

“Could you teach me how to operate a golem?”  

“Hm… Huh?”  

“…”  

“Wait, wait, a golem? What? Why a golem?”  

Eric’s face froze in shock, like a rabbit struck by an arrow. Ragna couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight.  

---  

“Wait, hold on, Ragna.”  

“Yeah?”  

“What are you even talking about? Asking me to teach you how to operate a golem… that’s something you should ask a teacher or someone like that. I’m not the right person for this!”  

Eric was flustered, speaking frantically.  

To him, Ragna recounted what had happened yesterday.  

“…”  

At first, Eric listened without much reaction, but as the explanation continued, he fell silent.  

His face grew increasingly pale.  

The climax was when Ragna described Hazel proposing a golem duel.  

At that part, Eric started coughing as if he’d choked.  

“You okay?”  

“I’m… fine. But seriously, why would you agree to something so absurd?”  

“It’s something that needs to be settled anyway. If one proper confrontation can end it, it’s a small price to pay. Plus—”  

“…”  

“—I don’t think I’m at a disadvantage. I think I have a decent shot at winning.”  

“…Says the guy asking me to teach him how to operate a golem?”  

“Exactly.”  

“…”  

Eric stared at Ragna, dumbfounded, before letting out a sigh.  

“Even if you think you have a chance, this is way too sudden. Why ask me of all people?”  

“Because I think you’re the best person for it.”  

“…”  

Eric looked confused. Ragna began to explain.  

“First off, I can’t ask the girls. They don’t have the time. Even if they made time out of kindness to teach me, who knows what might happen if we’re alone together? So, asking just any girl is out of the question.”  

“Then why not ask a teacher or someone like that?”  

“Same reason. Plus, there’s no guarantee a teacher would even agree to help.”  

“…”  

“And if I’m going to learn, I’d rather learn from another guy. Especially someone like you.”  

“Huh? Why me?”  

Eric was flustered. Ragna looked at him seriously and continued.  

“Because…”  

“…”  

*Gulp.* The sound of Eric swallowing echoed. Ragna explained solemnly.  

“Because you have a relatively low amount of magical power.”  

“…Huh?”  

“I didn’t come to the academy blindly. I did some research on how things work here. I heard there’s something called the mobility training course.”  

“Well, yeah, there is.”  

“The mobility training course is basically an endurance test measuring how long you can keep a golem moving. If you fail, you’re expelled from the academy.”  

“…”  

Ragna had heard about this from Seria. It was also the moment Seria first showcased her true potential. Her mobility training time far surpassed everyone else’s, and when the instructors measured her magical power, they discovered she possessed an extraordinary amount comparable to knights who operate Longsword-class golems.  

According to Seria, this training applied to both men and women, though the standards for men were lower.  

“But even so, failing to meet even that lower standard means expulsion.”  

“…Yeah, that’s true. But I barely passed. I’m not exactly skilled or anything…”  

Eric responded with a slightly bitter expression. Ragna nodded. It was true Eric’s magical power wasn’t impressive. Ragna had confirmed this by discreetly using a spell to check.  

But that was exactly the point.  

“Sure, maybe. But you said yourself you have very little magical power, yet you still passed the mobility training. Even if the bar is lower for men, you passed. Doesn’t that mean you have some kind of talent?”  

“…”  

Eric’s eyes widened at Ragna’s words. Ragna continued, explaining what he truly wanted.  

“That’s why I’m asking you. I want to learn how you managed to pass the training with such limited magical power. I want to know your secret.”  

“…”  

Eric was stunned by Ragna’s confession, staring blankly. Ragna looked at him earnestly.  

This was the real reason Ragna was asking Eric for help.  

When Eric first mentioned having very little magical power, Ragna had been skeptical and did some subtle investigation. He confirmed that Eric wasn’t lying—his total magical power, his “black mana,” was indeed minimal.  

This was further confirmed during today’s class when Ragna checked the magical power of other male students. Generally, men had unimpressive magical power compared to women. A few had power comparable to Hazel’s, but they were the exception. Most were significantly lacking.  

Among them, Eric’s exceptionally low level of black mana stood out.  

Ragna suspected that Eric might have some kind of technique for extending a golem’s operational time with such limited mana. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to pass the mobility training, even barely.  

“…I never thought someone would see it that way.”  

“Hm, really?”  

“Yeah. It’s just a simple trick, hardly worth calling a secret. I never imagined someone would call it a talent.”  

Eric muttered, his face slightly flushed.  

As he said, he never expected his small tricks to be praised.  

Typically, golem operation skill is tied to how much magical power one has. More mana means longer golem operation time, so the absolute amount of mana is considered the measure of golem-handling ability.  

As a result, Eric’s efforts were often dismissed as the desperate tricks of someone without ability. He never imagined someone would recognize or praise them.  

“…”  

After hearing Ragna’s words, Eric bit his lip slightly. Then, as if making up his mind, he nodded and said,  

“Alright, I’ll teach you. It’s not that hard.”  

“…”  

It was the answer Ragna had been waiting for. Nodding back, Ragna smiled and said,  

“Thanks. I know it’s not much, but I’ll definitely treat you to that meal.”  

“Yeah.”  

Eric nodded lightly with a smile. Ragna extended his hand, and Eric gave it a gentle shake.  

The deal was sealed.  

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id