Chapter 31: The Humility Virtue Is The Weakest?

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Humility Virtue Is The Weakest?

Chapter 31: The Humility Virtue Is The Weakest?

"So this is the power of the fragment of Humility, huh?"

The girl from the train, who had been walking not far behind him, overheard the remark and frowned.

’What is he talking about?’ she wondered.

---

Inside a large auditorium hundreds of students sat nicely and neatly as they listened to the headmaster of the University of Tokyo speak.

The old man stood up on the stage wearing a formal black suit as he talked of the beginning of the new academic year, discipline, grades, and the prestigious history of the university.

He encouraged the students to take their studies seriously and to make the most out of the opportunities given to them.

Ren sat near the front. He had been one of the first few students to enter the auditorium as the power of the Virtue fragment had felt most powerful here as he arrived.

Now, however, the power had lost its fixed presence. It felt as if it was now moving about the campus.

’Claire... Can it be that someone already has the fragment? Which is why it moved after I sensed it?’

[Mr. Ren, that is not possible. The fragments of the Virtues cannot be touched by people who have not experienced death. You, on the other hand, have.]

’Then why is the aura fading?’

[Because its power is growing weaker with time.]

’So if I do not find it soon... will it lose its power completely?’

[Exactly, Mr. Ren. If you take too long, the fragment’s power will diminish.]

As the headmaster spoke of the new school year Ren continued to ask Claire quiet questions in his mind about how the fragments functioned and what would happen if he failed.

---

After the assembly had ended Ren wandered the long and wide corridors of the University towards his first class. The hallways were nice and clean, lined with tall windows letting light pour in, polished floors, and notice boards covered in academics notices.

His classroom was upstairs, and as he made his way up the staircase he again felt the aura of the fragment... only for it to disappear almost as if it were toying with him.

As he entered the classroom the girl from the train was already there, sitting near the middle, a soft giggle escaping her lips as she found something amusing on her phone. The moment she saw him her eyes narrowed slightly, watching him with an open suspicion.

Ren ignored the look and quickly found a seat at the back of the classroom. This was the same girl who had casually said "Hi" to him on the train and was clearly inspecting him now.

As he sat there lost in his thoughts the aura of the fragment again pulsed strongly and Ren stood up immediately.

’Where is it, Claire? I need to find it now.’

[Mr. Ren Sato, the Fragment of Humility has been located. It is in the cafeteria on the third floor of the east block.]

’Okay. Thank you, Claire.’

He walked out of the classroom with his hands in his pockets completely unaware that the girl from the train had silently stood up and was following him.

He climbed a set of stairs that led to the third floor of the east block, the girl following closely behind, careful to make no noise.

---

The cafeteria was empty. All other students were in class, only Ren and the girl who had followed him were left.

He searched the tables, looking between them, looking under them but found nothing until his hand brushed against a small object as he crouched.

He pulled it out.

It was a single white feather. Simple, light, almost weightless. It looked completely ordinary, and yet a soft pure light shimmered along its edges as he held it in his palm.

’Finally, I found it. That was easier than I expected.’

[Fragment of Humility has been found.]

[Fragments of Virtues Found: 1/7]

It may look like a simple feather but its power is incredible.

[Ren, you have company. You were followed.]

He turned around sharply.

Standing a few steps behind him was the girl from the train. His mind went blank for a moment but Claire’s voice rang out in his head.

[Due to you holding the feather, she can now see it as well. This is your chance to make her a vessel of the Virtue. She is 100% compatible with it.]

’I can’t do it without her consent.’

Even back in Alderia John had always believed in requesting consent before doing anything.

’The goddess told me that not just anyone can receive a fragment.’

[Mr. Ren, her affinity is extremely high. I can see it clearly.]

As Claire said that Ren looked at the girl more closely. Something about her presence felt different to him now, clearer, lighter, almost pure.

The two of them stared at each other in silence.

---

Later Ren sat back in his classroom, mulling over the problem in his head. How exactly was he supposed to give her the fragment? How exactly could he even begin to explain?

’Will she believe me if I say there’s another world... and that I need her help to stop the Seven Deadly Sins?’

[Mr. Ren Sato, if you continue to delay, the fragment will lose its power. You will eventually fail the quest and remain stuck in this world forever.]

Claire’s voice grew sharp as she spoke.

[Don’t you want revenge on the higher-ups? Don’t you want to see your ladies again? Remember that you still need to face Aiko’s feelings. Snap out of it, Mr. Sato. This is no time to hesitate.]

Ren closed his eyes for a moment.

’Thank you for the pep talk, Claire. I was beginning to hesitate... but my mind is clear now. I need to return to Alderia.’

He stood up, walked over to the girl’s desk and quietly spoke.

"Can I have a moment to talk with you?"

She looked up from her phone and studied him for a moment before responding.

"Yes."

They left the lecture hall and returned to the empty cafeteria on the third floor. Ren sat down at one of the tables and the girl took the seat next to him.

’Where should I start?’

With Claire guiding his words Ren told her everything - about the other world, about his death, about the goddess, and about the Seven Deadly Sins. He did not leave anything out.

The girl listened in silence for a long time. Then she spoke, her voice filled with a strange mix of doubt and hope.

"There’s another world? Are you lying to me right now...? Is there magic over there?"

Ren explained the system of classes, ranks, and skills to her as clearly as he could.

"What I’m saying is... I need your help to destroy the Sins once and for all."

She was silent for a few seconds. Then a small smile appeared on her face.

"I’ve always wondered if there was another world... ever since my sister died."

She looked him square in the eyes.

"Yes. I’m in. Either way... I’m tired of this world."

Ren slowly took out the white feather and held it out towards her. The moment her fingers brushed against it a soft light wrapped around her body as the fragment fused with her soul.

[The Humility Virtue Fragment has been fused with Yuna Fuyuki.]

Ren’s eyes widened.

"What...?"