Hellmode ~A Hardcore Gamer Becomes Peerless in Another World with Retro Game Settings~

It was the beginning of the year, March. Allen was checking his equipment. The Mithril sword he bought as a reward for keeping Madegarsh away from the city was working without dulling its blade.

I clutched my beloved sword, which I had been using for over a year. I am not wearing a cloak because it makes it difficult to move. I am dressed as a manservant. I don’t have any clothes that are any more comfortable to move in than them, so I guess this is okay.

Mihai is right in front of me. But something seems different about him?

Mihai was able to successfully graduate after three years of Academy life. Cecile was overjoyed at the thought of being able to live with Mihai in the mansion again.

Mihai came back on the magic ship after three years, but he had something to do with Allen.

‘I want you to fight me for real.’

Mihai, who held a smile and was always somewhat smiling, did not have a smile on his face.

‘Yes, sir.’

I’ll fight seriously.

I replied. For some reason, he wanted a real fight. We are starting the battle right here in this garden. As usual, the Baronial family will be in attendance to watch the battle. The Knight Commander will be the referee.

Last year and the year before, I had a match with Mihai. This year, however, the atmosphere seems to be somewhat different. I feel an extraordinary determination from Mihai.

I pulled out my Grimoire and checked my status.

[Name] Allen.

[Age] 10

[Talent] Summoner

[Level] 34

[Strength] 865 + 400

[Mana] 1340

[Attack] 472 + 400

[Endurance] 472 + 600

[Agility] 883 + 600

[Intelligence] 1350

[Luck] 883

Skills: Summon <5>, Create <5>, Synthesis <5>, Strengthening <5>, Grimoire Expansion <4>, Inventory, Sharing, Delete, Swordsmanship <3>, Throwing <3>

[Experience] 1,490,410 / 7,000,000

Skill level

[Summon] 5

[Create] 5

[Synthesis] 5

[Strengthening] 5

Skill Experience

[Create] 1,256 / 10,000,000

[Synthesis] 1,820/10,000,000

[Strengthening] 2,455,180 / 10,000,000

Summonses that can be obtained

[Insect] DEFGH

[Beast] DEFGH

[Bird] DEFG

[Grass] DEF

[Stone] DE

[Fish] D

Holder

[Insect] 30 D-rank

[Beast] 20 D-rank

[Bird]

[Grass]

[Stone] 

[Fish]

I am now 10 years old, so I no longer have status subtraction based on age. My status is much easier to read now.

Unlike the past two years, I changed the composition of the card with the intention of going for the win. I don’t have a single Grass card. I also put away all of my summons that I had been using <Sharing> on i.e Summon Squad.

“Thank you.”

“Huh?”

Mihai thanked me? Somehow, he seemed to have sensed that I was going to fight for real. After saying that, Mihai also drew his sword and took a stance.

“Master Mihai, Allen. Are you ready?”

In the middle, the Knight Commander asked if both of us were ready for the match. Both of us answered, “Yes.”

“Let’s begin!”

At that moment, I, whose [Agility] has finally exceeded 1400, closed the distance at once. I intended to end it in an instant.

Mihai was surprised for a moment, but he accepted my sword attack.

(Mm, I can take it. No, I’m faster than you!)

Mihai’s movements convinced me that I was the faster one. Hence, I started my attack.

There was no look of frustration on Mihai’s face as he took a defensive stance against me. He continued to receive the attack politely. It was as if the same thing had happened to him in class.

I was faster, but Mihai seemed to have more power. Every time Mihai and I clashed our swords, I was pushed back. However, I didn’t care and continued to fight with his sword.

The Baron had a strange look on his face as he watched the match between the two. The Baroness, Thomas and Cecile were watching the match with amazement on their faces.

(Mmm, he can match me. I don’t know what it is, but is he reading my sword movements? Is it because my <Swordsmanship> skill level is too low?)

Mihai’s exemplary <Swordsmanship> had me on the back foot. Even though I was faster, the difference in skill level between us gave him an advantage.

I was attacked by Mihai, who was quick enough to close in on me, I got pushed back. It’s as if for him I am just a fast dummy with monotonous movements.

And then, as I continued to move and gasped for breath, a sword came at my throat.

“That’s it!

The Knight Commander ended the match. Mihai won.

(Geez, I lost. I was faster than him, but I couldn’t attack him. Is this because of the difference in skill level? Should I raise my [Agility] a little more? No, his [Attack] was much higher than mine, and I almost collided.)

I began examining the power increase and hit rate correction due to the difference in status and skill level between you and Mihai.

“That’s amazing, Cecile’s manservant.”

Mihai seemed to be out of breath as well.

“Yes, thank you.”

(What? No handshake?)

For the past two years, we shook hands after the match, but not today, it seems. I went back inside the building with the Baronial family who had watched the match.

Time passed and it was evening.

Allen was a waiter.

“‘And yet, Allen is so strong, isn’t he?”

The Baroness gave me a compliment that she didn’t have time to say at the end of the match.

“Thank you, I’m not as good as Mihai.”

“Yes, you’re not as good as Brother Mihai. You should start learning swordsmanship tomorrow.”

Cecile said with a grin. She was happy that Mihai came back to the mansion, but she’s also happy that her own manservant is strong.

“Yes, I would like to have your guidance with the sword again when you are free.”

I then lightly bowed to Mihai and answered Cecile’s words.

“That’s the thing, Cecile.”

“What is it? Brother Mihai.”

“I will be working for the Royal Family for the next three years or so.”

“What?”

Mihai, who I thought would be staying at the mansion from today on, said he would be leaving the mansion for about three years. Cecile froze in shock.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“Huh, when are you leaving?”

“Maybe tomorrow.”

“…”

I’m even more shocked. I couldn’t even speak anymore.

“Don’t worry, I’ll write you a letter next time.”

Cecile froze in shock and didn’t seem to hear Mihai’s words no matter what more he said.

(He’s leaving tomorrow on Royal Order? Something about that reminds me of what Viscount Carnell said.)

I remembered how Viscount Carnell was happy that his own children were not gifted. I had wondered if the Talented would have some kind of troublesome job after graduating from the Academy, and it seems that I was right.

After working hard in the Academy and graduating, they would be semi-forced into a job after being away from home for three years for the next three years.

It was the morning of the next day. While I was eating breakfast, the Butler came into the servants’ dining room to tell us that Mihai would be leaving at nine o’clock and that everyone should see him off.

I asked the head manservant, Rickel, what this was about, but he said he didn’t know. Thinking that there are things that even the head manservant with 12 years of work experience doesn’t know, I headed for Cecile’s room.

Mihai leaves at 9:00, but I have to take care of Cecile from 8:00.

When I was cleaning up the room, I saw Cecile with her clothes changed but she still looked down. Three years is a very long time, and I remember Mihai telling me that the Royal Family’s work doesn’t have anything like a spring break, so it’s just letters.

The servants gathered at the entrance. The front door was wide open and a carriage was already parked in front of the entrance.

The servants stood in two lines at the entrance, flanking the staircase that extended to the second floor. I, the youngest of the manservants, stood at the end of the servants. Since I was the youngest, I was next to the front door.

Cha-ching

(Armor? You’re going to the Royal service in that form.)

Mihai, clad in armor and holding a sword from his waist, came down. Everyone from the Baronial family followed behind him. Cecile’s face was down the whole time.

Mihai patted Cecile on the head as he continued downstairs.

“Brother Mihai, we’re waiting for you.”

“Yeah, see you later, Cecile.”

With that, Mihai headed for the door.

Have a good day, huh?

I thought he was just going to leave, but he came straight up to me.

I stared at Mihai as he came towards me, wondering what he was thinking.

Then Mihai gave me a hug.

(What?)

“Allen, take care of Cecile for me. Protect her.”

“Yes.”

Mihai, who is a head taller than me, hugged me and asked me to protect Cecile. I was surprised, but I managed to reply.

Mihai broke free from my embrace and took a few steps toward the front door, announcing the carriage behind him.

“Then I will go and fulfill the duties of the Granvelle family.”

Mihai got into the carriage, being seen off by the entire Baron family.

(Huh? He was shaking, wasn’t he?)

When Mihai hugged him, Allen felt as if he was trembling somehow, though he couldn’t tell for sure because of the armor he was wearing. Thus, Mihai left the mansion again on the order of the Royal Family.