Morning came.
I changed into my school uniform to the sound of birds chirping outside.
"Morning, big bro..."
"Morning, Saki. Your hair is a total disaster."
"Mmmgh... Taku...!"
"Yeah, yeah. Sis is as hopeless as ever in the morning. Here, sit on the sofa and wipe your face with this."
"Ahhh... the steaming towel is at the perfect temperature..."
"Sorry, Taku. I'm leaving everything to you."
"It's fine, I do it because I want to. Come on, Sis, stop swaying! I can't get the brush through if you keep moving your head!"
"Mnnn..."
She was as weak in the morning as ever. Saki was like a dress-up doll, leaving almost all her personal care to Taku. She had even publicly declared she couldn't survive without him. Well, she was sharp enough once she actually woke up, so it was a mercy that this state was strictly limited to when she first rolled out of bed.
By the way, Taku was so devoted that he'd even try to take care of me if I showed a lapse in concentration. Truly, the star of our household.
"Big bro, today is Aptitude Testing¹ day, right? I know you've been training every day. I hope you get good results!"
"Big bro's been working so hard... Good luck... yawn..."
"Thanks, Saki. Thanks, Taku," I said.
I felt like I was going to cry at their encouragement. It was no good; you got more tearful as you get older, even if I was only sixteen.
Since I realized I was just a Mob, I'd continued my training every day. It wasn't anything grand - push-ups, sit-ups, back extensions, and squats, followed by a light jog around the neighborhood. I'd just done that every single day without fail. I hadn't done any actual combat drills; it was strictly basic physical training. It was only "better than nothing" at best.
To make matters worse, I didn't have a lick of magic power. Well, okay, maybe a fragment. It wasn't zero. Apparently, if a veteran mage concentrated with everything they had, they could feel a faint trace. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of pathetic mana pool required a master just to notice it, but it wasn't zero.
On the other hand, my younger sister was the pride of the family. Even though she was only in middle school, she reportedly had enough magic power to put a Sage to shame. She'd already been scouted by Valhalla². She was scheduled to enroll next year, which would make me her upperclassman. If there were ever a sequel to Brave Fantasy³, she'd definitely be a major sub-character.
According to that pride of our family:
'Big bro has no talent for magic.'
She'd asserted it flatly. It stung. But hey, I was a Mob. It couldn't be helped. I still remembered steeled my resolve, telling myself that Mobs have their own way of doing things. Maybe it was that rebellious spirit that kept me going with the basic training.
As an older brother and her future upperclassman, I didn't want to look pathetic in front of her, even if I'd mostly resigned myself to my fate. By the time I finished the breakfast Taku had made, Saki finally looked human again.
"Morning, big bro."
"I already said that, but morning."
"Mmm. Is it just me, or does your memory just delete itself when you first wake up?"
"It happens," I replied. "Like people who black out after drinking too much."
"Is that really the best example you could come up with, big bro?" Taku asked.
I watched Saki and Taku sitting side by side with a warm smile. My sister and brother were as sturdy and cute as ever today.
"Big bro, don't look at us like that in public, okay?"
"Yeah. It's embarrassing."
What did I do? I was just looking at them!
"Sorry, sorry. Well, I'm heading out first. Make sure you lock up."
"Okay!"
"Sure thing."
With their voices behind me, I grabbed my bag and stepped outside. The warm sunlight washed over me, and then -
"Good morning, Sakaki-kun."
The voice was like an angel's. Standing there was Liesha Edelheit. I immediately pulled a hard 180 and walked right back into the house.
"Wait, Sakaki-kun!?"
Her voice called out from behind the door. Why? Why was she at my house?! While I was spiraling in confusion, the door swung open again.
"Um, I apologize for dropping by suddenly, but... was that really necessary? You didn't have to be so cold. My feelings are actually a little hurt."
"I-I-I'm sorry! I wasn't being cold! I just... I was surprised and it was a reflex!"
"Hehe, I suppose so. Well then, shall we? We can talk on the way to school, right?"
Oh, no. There was no escaping this. Behind that beautiful smile, I could see an expression that clearly said, 'I'm not letting you get away.'
"I... I'm going now..."
""Have a nice day!""
With my siblings' voices as my only support, I managed to take a step forward. I thought my trials wouldn't start until after the Aptitude Testing; I never saw this coming. Even the protagonist, Todoroki Rekka, never had a "romance flag" where a girl showed up at his house!
"Do you have a younger sister and brother?"
"Ah... yes."
"And why are you back to using formal speech?"
"Well... because I've always looked up to you."
"!? I-I see. Well, since you're so well-informed, I suppose you naturally know about me. Does that mean... in the process of learning about me, you... y-you grew to like me?"
"Something like that, yes."
It wasn't a lie. In reality, I became a total fan after reading the Sword Saint⁴ Liesha Edelheit route.
"I-I see. Thank you... wait, that's not something I should be thanking you for, is it?! Ugh, this is so embarrassing!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize, Sakaki-kun! Argh! You're totally throwing me off my game!"
What was this? I'd never seen her like this before. Even when she talked to the protagonist, Rekka, she was always the "Cool Beauty" type. She was only supposed to blush like that during a confession!
"A-anyway! I wanted to continue our talk from yesterday... that's why I was waiting!"
Right... the curse on Todo Seiya. That was the core of Liesha's story. Between searching for a way to break it and the final success, her relationship with the protagonist, Rekka, was supposed to bloom from friendship into love. That's how important Seiya was to her. This proactivity of hers was fueled by that devotion. Once I realized that, my feelings as a fan started welling up.
"W-what is with those kind eyes? Honestly... it's different from how every other guy looks at me. It's... it's almost like the way Todo-sensei looks at me. Wait, is that paternal affection!?"
"I'm only sixteen!"
"Pffft! I know that. But look, you finally spoke to me normally. Keep that up. It's hard to talk to you when you're being so stiff. The truth is... I was hoping we could be friends..."
"!!"
GUAHHHHHHH! Too precious! I stan this! How can she be this cute?! I could live on this feeling for a week! If I were just a spectator, this would be the greatest thing ever! But when you're the one she's talking to, there's no word more agonizing than "friends."
Liesha Edelheit, the Sword Saint. She's a major character who's always involved with the hero's party. Sometimes an ally, sometimes an enemy. She consistently ranked #1 in popularity polls, even beating the actual protagonists. Is there anyone who wouldn't be happy being told she wants to be friends? No!
But! BUT! As everyone knows, I am a Mob character! For a mere Mob like me to be her friend is unforgiv—
"Is that... a no...?"
"I would be honored to be your friend!!"
I couldn't help it! You can't say no when she makes a face that sad!
"R-really?! Thank you! You see, I've spent my life on battlefields, so I've never really had friends... I was a little nervous. You're interesting to watch, Sakaki-kun, and... even though you're close with that group, you didn't tell them about yesterday out of consideration for me, right? When I saw that, I knew you were someone I could trust."
"!!"
She was watching me even after we parted? I didn't feel her presence at all. As expected of her.
"So, I'm happy. I'll be in your care, Sakaki-kun."
"Yeah. Likewise, Liesha-san."
And just like that, I—a Mob—somehow became friends with the Sword Saint Liesha Edelheit.
Summary:
Sakaki prepares for school with his siblings, Saki and Taku, while reflecting on his lack of magic and his 'Mob' status. His routine is shattered when the game's top heroine, Liesha Edelheit, appears at his doorstep. After an awkward exchange, she asks to be his friend, effectively breaking his background-character status.
Trivia:
- Sakaki is exactly 16 years old.
- Taku is the one who does most of the housework and sibling care.
- Saki's magic power is so high she was scouted while still in middle school.
- Sakaki has been training for years, but it is only basic bodyweight exercise.
- Liesha was observing Sakaki even after their meeting the previous day
Character Insight:
Liesha reveals a vulnerable, lonely side due to her history on battlefields, while Sakaki struggles between his desire to stay a 'Mob' and his genuine adoration for Liesha as a fan.
Behind the Scenes:
The author notes a name change from 'Liesha Valentine' to 'Liesha Edelheit' as of August 4, 2025.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ Ability Measurement (アビリティメジャーメント): A standard status evaluation in this world to determine rank/potential.
2 ↩ Valhalla (ヴァルハラ): An elite academy or organization for high-potential individuals mentioned as Saki's destination.
3 ↩ Sword Saint (剣聖): A legendary title for the most skilled swordmaster, in this case, Liesha.
4 ↩ Brave Fantasy (ブレイブファンタジー): The name of the game world/story Sakaki has been reincarnated into.
Notes:
• Saki - Reo's younger sister, two years his junior. Handles housework and cooking. Has a kind but slightly blunt personality toward her brother. Highly concerned for her brother's safety. A middle schooler with Sage-level magic power who has been scouted by Valhalla.
• Taku - Reo's younger brother. Protective and prone to outbursts of anger against those who hurt his family. A middle schooler. Over 180cm (6 feet) tall with a massive, intimidating build. Skilled in sewing and housework.
• Liesha Edelheit - A student in Class E. Known as the 'Sword Saint' and the strongest sub-character. A young girl with S-rank strength and speed. She was saved by Todo Seiya in the past and blamed herself for his injury. She approaches Reo at the end of the chapter. Beautiful girl with silver hair that shimmers in the sunlight, long slender limbs, and an idol-like face. She admires Todo Seiya.
• Todoroki Rekka - Red-haired 'Brave Fantasy' true protag—hot-blooded, friendly Class A golden boy with sky-high phys/magic stats, 'Child Prodigy of East Middle.' Big Four member, body reinforcement magic ace, calls Reo 'buddy,' zero chill on personal space, popular frank dude with bottomless optimism.
• Todo Seiya - Great General and former Supreme Commander of the Military. Currently the homeroom teacher for Reo's class. Known as the 'Grim Reaper' by demons. Has a scarred/cursed dominant arm. He started his career at age 14.