Chapter: Oliver

I sighed as I hung around the antechamber of the dungeon. I think I figured out why the staff was so adamant about not letting me in alone, and it wasn't for my safety as I had initially thought. They were trying to have me tutor someone.

Something about how nonchalantly the staff notified me felt off. The oddly flattering delivery at the very least dissuaded me of the idea that they cared about my safety.

At least they weren't dumb enough to assign me more than one first year. Aside from the risk of me losing someone, too many students now would end up making the actual class too sparse of fodder to protect the prince and his friends.

As I waited, I speculated who I would have to guide. I was currently split on a few possibilities. The most likely possibility, and the one I least desired, was if the protagonist was assigned to me. Even though it was not an event in the game, the game never had a character like me. I dreaded the idea of being a romance option.

I suppose this is just another one of those responsibilities I now have thanks to my promotion. Though, I suppose I could turn this to my advantage by giving her a couple of hints to maximize her growth. It would benefit me in the long run and would be a good way to make up for my taking Luxion away from her.

I still would rather do this alone... or maybe bring one of the girls along. Er... maybe not Julia or Brianna since they seemed too delicate to bring on a monster culling as a first-time experience. Christie would have been a nice addition.

Now that I was thinking about the girls, wasn't it highly likely that one of Julia's friends might have leaned on the staff to create a one-on-one situation? With how much Christie implied...

I was snapped out of my thoughts when a nervous voice called out, "Hello, I apologize for being late."

Refocusing myself, I recognized the source.

"Oliver?"

"Leon?" he responded in surprise.

Looking at the boy, he seemed... frazzled. There were noticeable bags under his despite the low light of the room hiding his features. His clothes also looked... inadequate.

"Are you okay?" I asked gently.

"Huh?"

"You look... tired."

The boy looked down in shame and said, "My apologies."

Oof. I was concerned with how defeated he looked. Oliver had it rough. His natural disposition likely did him no service in this school.

"None of that now. How about a little pick me up," I said as I pulled out one of Luxion's ration bars and handed it to Oliver. A single bite was supposed to be enough to get a soldier back on his feet within minutes for the rest of the day. Luxion mentioned it was a necessity with how bad the war got.

Oliver looked at it dubiously. I couldn't blame him. It looked like ass, but it tasted quite good.

"I can assure you it tastes much better than it looks," I said with a chuckle.

Hesitantly, he took a tentative bite. Once he tasted it, I saw him take another bite to confirm the taste and let out a sound of delight. And then he inhaled it. My eyes bulged at the sight.

"... That was supposed to be enough to feed six grown men," I said in my stupefied state.

"Eh?! I'm so sorry!" Oliver said frantically.

After a few minutes to ensure Oliver would not vomit from his overconsumption, we set off into the dungeon. It was a rather simple affair in which we would encounter monsters, I would leave one or two remaining, and I would point out the proper method of dispatching the monster while allowing Oliver to practice on the last one. It helped that Oliver was an eager student and knew I wasn't going to leave him to die when I had him face down a couple of giant ants solo.

We managed to take down several packs of giant ants, leaping monkeys, and descent lizards. We even managed to accomplish our main objective and took down the block's Rookie Killer. I had not intended on having Oliver face such a monster on his first dive, even if the staff stated we needed to slay the beast, but the monster had roamed up to the second floor and got the jump on us.

Oliver held his composure fantastically and didn't panic. It was only after the beast was dead and being told the details that he start panicking as the fact that he was dancing dangerously close to death settled in his mind. Amusing.

"With our job done, we should head back," I said with a slap on Oliver's back to break him out of his panic attack.

"Right!" the boy said with a slightly panicked tone as he turned towards the direction of the entrance. It was then that I noticed he was limping.

"Wait up, Oliver? Did you hurt your leg?"

"Ah, I think I sprained my leg with the last encounter. But when?"

"That'd probably be the adrenaline. Let me fix it up real quick," I said as I approached him and kneeled. Extending my hand over the injured leg, I chanted, "First Aid."

A light emanated from my palm as my magic entered his leg to repair the damage.

"You can use healing magic too?" Oliver gasped in awe.

"I am a solo adventurer. I'd be pretty stupid not to know basic healing spells. That's like asking for death."

"But how did you learn how to do healing magic so well? Texts on such magic are hard to come by since people rarely have an affinity for it," Oliver asked excitedly.

"Affinity? My affinity is towards lightning. I thought healing fell under neutral magic. In any case, I just read some ratty old scrolls in my attic before I set off on my expedition and thought knowing how to cure injuries and status ailments to be particularly useful."

"You don't have an affinity towards healing magic?" Oliver said with a disappointed expression.

"Sorry to disappoint," I said sheepishly.

Oliver's expression screamed immeasurable disappointment and a ruined day. He must have been desperate to find someone with a similar affinity as him.

The sad thing was that I could somewhat understand the feeling of not belonging. What made the situation worse was that I knew someone who could match him. The problem was that I couldn't since she was the protagonist, and I wanted to minimize the risk of upturning the plot.

Plus, it was probably better for Oliver's survival to not be involved in whatever political bloodbath Olivia would be involved in the future. It would be like throwing a helpless baby lamb into the meat grinder.

Even though I wasn't going to pair the two, my mind drifted to the pairing. Olivia and Oliver. Olly olly oxen free.

Surprisingly fitting shipping aside, I did find it odd that Oliver had similar proclivities to magic as the protagonist. Was it the result of the name? It seemed plausible since magic incantations invoked magic through words. Names could carry magical significance that influenced development for all I knew.

Waving my musings away, I looked back at the disappointed boy. He already had a hard enough time at this school that I wanted to do something to help alleviate his burden.

"You mentioned finding material for healing magic was difficult. Would you like my scrolls?"

"I couldn't possibly. Such things are exceedingly rare and valuable."

"They're just ratty old scrolls that were left forgotten in my attic."

"Even still..."

"Tell you what, I'll lend them to you. In return, I want you to transcribe it for me."

"Huh?"

"They are old, and if they are as valuable as you say they are, they should be preserved. Having you make copies will ensure such knowledge is not lost."

"I'm grateful for the thought, but I feel you are getting the short end of the stick. Transcribing such knowledge seems to pale in comparison to letting me learn what's on it."

"Then, could you also put your notes in the new copy? I had difficulty learning the basics and the more advanced spells were simply beyond me."

"Really, but your execution of First Aid was so flawless."

"That was months of study and practical experience at work. Something tells me that someone more attuned to the healing arts will have insights I wouldn't be able to see with my limited understanding."

"... Is it really okay?"

"You need to know when to just accept a gift."

"Why are you so nice to me?"

"Hey, us guys have to stick together," I said gently.

"... Thank you."

Side Plot-Luxion

Analysis of Oliver's magic is complete. Magical frequency is a sixty-four percent match with Master's healing magic. The efficiency of Oliver's magic is three times the amount of Master's. Data suggests that Oliver is the true Saint.

Data also suggests that Oliver is biologically related to Master. DNA analysis provides interesting results. Oliver's Old Humanity quotient is much lower, but DNA sequences associated with New Humanity have significant similarities. Holy magic inheritance is likely through the New Humanity bloodline. Will continue the revival of Old Humanity using Master as the progenitor.

Current plan is to allow Master to mentor Oliver. Mental evaluation suggests that Oliver's weakened psyche from bullying will push Oliver to become dependent on Master. Master's intervention will prevent Oliver from taking potential mates from Master.

AN:

1) You thought it would be Grace, but it was me, Oliver! But in also seriousness, I originally had it as Grace. It just didn't feel right though for some odd reason.

2) Somewhat minimum on Oliver's situation, but I felt that was reasonable since trauma dumping in an environment where you get bullied for weakness sounds like something someone abused would avoid doing. Oliver's backstory will be delved into in later chapters.

3) In many RPGs, many characters outside the main healer typically have lower-end healing skills. Using this logic, it would be reasonable for Leon to assume there are healing skills not tied to holy/light attributes. That being said, game mechanics do not necessarily translate to real mechanics.

4) Luxion: All according to keikaku.

Review Response:

1) NewFanDamz: I don't recall him complaining about his father so much as lamenting how he can't live up to his father's expectations. Very similar in nature, but one is criticizing his father and the other is criticizing himself. I could be remembering wrong since I read the novel a long time ago, and I have been reading too many fanfics.

2) RonaldVexidan: I'm thinking of also gender bending side characters. In that case, the beef would be with the mother. I would have to alter roles as well to make it work though. I have ideas, but it is definitely something later down the line.

3) Wandering Unpro: I'm leaning more towards everyone is gender bent at the moment.

4) HopefullyHelpful: I want the intro chapter of the five love interests to be separate from each other. If I mix introduction chapters, it will be because side characters get involved. As for the confrontation, I don't feel like it fits the story at the moment. I'll have a more definitive idea once I write Jill's.

5) Pembaca Sampah: I hope you are happy now. Look at what you made me do!

6) Guest: Yo, high praise.

7) Masked Guest: Luxion is a competitive Pokemon breeder.