Three figures walked along the academy’s connecting corridor.
Normally bustling with activity, the hallway was nearly deserted due to the long break. Aside from a smattering of students who, like Ren and his companions, had returned for remedial classes, the silence was broken only by the rhythmic echo of their own footsteps.
As Ren finished recounting recent events, Fiona spoke up.
"You’ve been worried about that magic sword for a while, haven’t you, Ren?"
The Water Magic Sword was a blade born from the magic stone of the water spirit, Undine. To be more precise, Ren had acquired it indirectly from the Wadatsumi, Messenger of the Giant God—a beast that had apparently been bolstered by consuming that very stone. However, as his tests had already proven, the weapon was far too weak to truly be called a magic sword.
"I can't help but feel like I should be able to draw more power from it," Ren admitted.
"Ahaha... I suppose that's true," Fiona replied.
To compare it to the Flame Magic Sword was almost an insult. The two were entirely different entities. If one even attempted to weigh them against each other, it felt as though Asval—the source of the flame sword’s power—might resurrect out of sheer indignation.
"But isn't it possible the Flame Magic Sword was just uniquely incredible?" Fiona suggested.
"I was thinking the same thing! What do you think, Ren?" Lithia chimed in.
Fiona had witnessed the flame sword’s strength in the Baldur Mountains, and Lithia had seen its fury during the Roses Kaitas incident. Those memories remained vivid for both girls.
"It’s possible, I suppose," Ren said, "but that would be a bit depressing in its own way."
Since it was a magic sword bearing the name of an element, he couldn't help but harbor high expectations.
"Come to think of it, were you able to master the Flame Magic Sword from the very beginning?" Lithia asked.
"No, not at all. When I used it in the Baldur Mountains, there were... other circumstances. Or rather, it wasn't a normal magic sword back then."
"What do you mean?"
"It was far stronger than it usually is, but I still don't understand the reason why."
Ren had never forgotten the name Flame Sword Asval, but even years later, the catalyst for its transformation remained a mystery. He suspected Fiona’s power as the Black Priestess had played a role, but he couldn't be certain.
The Saintess and the Priestess, both privy to the secrets of Ren’s power, wondered if it was a phenomenon similar to Magic Sword Evolution.
"Was there a specific trigger that allowed you to handle the Flame Magic Sword better?" Fiona asked.
"It started a few years ago, after I crafted armor using Asval's materials."
Lately, however, Ren had found himself capable of wielding the sword effectively even without the armor. He attributed this to a combination of experience and his own personal growth.
"Back then, the sword just drained far too much energy. The equipment mitigated that, which made it easier to use. That was the main thing."
"I see... I wonder if it’s because of its connection to Asval’s essence."
The Water Magic Sword was different. It wasn't that the sword was draining him; on the contrary, the power filling Ren’s body was barely being consumed at all.
"Perhaps you’re missing a catalyst, similar to how you needed Asval's materials," Fiona suggested.
Lithia nodded, and Ren found himself agreeing. However, if Fiona's hypothesis held true, it presented a new obstacle.
"In that case, I’d have to start by finding an Undine."
"Ahaha... but searching for one would be nearly impossible. And even if you found one, it's not the sort of being you should be picking a fight with," Fiona noted.
At this rate, the Water Magic Sword was essentially useless. None of them said it aloud, but the reality was obvious: there was no future for the blade in its current state.
"I’m starting to think it might be easier to look for items related to the Water Goddess instead of an Undine," Ren said.
His idea stemmed from the words etched into the weapon’s identity: It is the power dropped by the Water Goddess.
The girls seemed to find potential in the suggestion, nodding in contemplation.
"Is that why you went on that secret trip the other day?" Lithia asked.
"Is it just me, or did those words have a bit of a thorn in them?" Ren asked.
"Oh? You must be imagining things."
"..."
"I'm telling you, it's just your imagination," Lithia insisted, offering a saccharine smile.
Ren knew better than to argue. He had felt a twinge of guilt for leaving without telling her, so he chose not to offer any excuses. As he averted his eyes from the White Saintess, he saw the Black Priestess pressing a slender finger to her lips in thought.
"I... since it was winter break, I would have been happy if you had invited me as well," Fiona admitted softly.
Though their nuances differed, the girls were in complete agreement.
"Since it was the holidays, I felt like I shouldn't disturb you..."
"Perhaps that's where you were mistaken?" Fiona countered.
"W-Why!?"
"My answer is a secret," she replied playfully.
Despite Ren’s honest attempt to explain his consideration, it clashed with the girls’ desire to have been included precisely because it was the holidays. Neither Lithia nor Fiona was truly angry; it was more of a playful jab.
"Regardless, we also need to test your Sword of Authority," Lithia reminded him.
"Right. I have to find a way to confirm its effects soon."
The Sword of Authority was the ultimate proof that a Strong Sword User had attained the rank of Sword Saint. It was the new Art Ren had unleashed against the Wadatsumi. Unlike the Star-Slayer art, which specifically nullified magic, the effects of a Sword of Authority were said to be unique to each individual. Beyond its immense destructive power, it manifested a distinct energy wave.
"So far, all I really know is the color of the wave," Ren said.
The color varied from person to person, and Ren’s was particularly unusual.
"If I remember correctly, it was silver-white and..."
"Jet-black," the girls finished in unison.
In Ren’s case, the Art manifested in the two colors that represented the White Saintess and the Black Priestess.
Why are they our colors!?
I'm glad it wasn't just one of us, though...
The girls kept these thoughts to themselves, their mouths working silently as they processed the implications. If the wave had been only silver-white or only jet-black, it might have sparked a different, perhaps more possessive, sort of pride. Having both felt like a comfortable middle ground—even if that comfort was a bit indulgent.
"Do we still have no idea how the color is decided?" Lithia asked.
"Apparently not. Lady Estel told me it's been researched for centuries without any clear answers."
This was something Ren had confirmed during his recent medal ceremony.
"I’ve tried to see if it has properties similar to magic, but nothing has clicked yet. I'll just have to keep testing things one by one."
"That sounds like a long process," Fiona noted.
Ren had a gut feeling that the silver-white and jet-black waves held a profound power. He hoped to turn that intuition into certainty as soon as possible. Eventually, the conversation drifted back to the Water Goddess.
"Items related to a goddess would be Sacred Relics. Most are likely held by the temples or the state," Lithia said.
"Some might be in the private collections of high nobility, but tracking those down would be a nightmare," Fiona added.
Despite the uncertainty, Ren didn't seem particularly worried. He had been disappointed by the lack of results during his recent trip, but he had a lead. He remembered the name that had come to him that day: Windea.
Now, it’s just a matter of when to go, he thought.
He believed he was keeping his plans hidden, but—
"Do you have a plan?" Lithia asked.
"Ren, it's written all over your face," Fiona added.
The girls caught him immediately. Since there was no real reason to hide it, he admitted he had a lead, though he explained he couldn't act on it just yet.
"There's no point in going right this moment."
"Is that so?"
"For now, yes."
It wasn't just for the Water Magic Sword; there was another reason he wanted to visit that place. However, the logistical difficulty of reaching it was a major hurdle he couldn't clear immediately.
Ren made his way to the library and stepped into the small back room where the Third Prince was waiting.
Remedial classes had ended at noon, and Ren had come alone to keep his appointment with Radius. The Prince was sitting in a chair, passing the time quietly with a book. They had met in this room many times before, often for business regarding the Executive Committee.
"Sorry, am I late?" Ren asked.
"No, not at all," Radius replied with a smile.
As he turned toward Ren, his silver hair swayed slightly.
"My apologies for the sudden letter yesterday."
"It's fine. It's better than us missing each other entirely."
It was rare for Radius to send a personal letter. Yuno the maid had delivered it to Ren the previous night.
If you have time tomorrow or another school day, I would like to meet at the academy. I will be reading in the usual room, so perhaps sometime after noon?
The letter had added that Ren shouldn't worry if he was too busy. Radius had been incredibly occupied since the previous year, but things were finally settling down, allowing him to spend a rare day off reading at the academy.
"Still, I see you haven't changed a bit, Ren," Radius said with a chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, really. It's just that you're so... normal."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Think about it. When was the last time we actually sat down like this?"
"Was it when we talked about the Leonall family’s party?" Ren guessed.
"Exactly. Shortly after the recovery of their secret treasure, the Silver King Shield Airia. To be precise, it was before you went and slew the Wadatsumi, Messenger of the Giant God."
Essentially, it had been just before the winter break. Radius had been so overwhelmed with work that they hadn't had a single chance to meet until today. The award ceremony had been handled by the Lion Holy Chancel rather than the palace, and the Wadatsumi crisis had forced a mountain of unexpected work onto Radius’s plate.
"After achieving such a feat, you’re still exactly the same. It’s amusing."
"Hey, how do you expect me to change?"
"That's fair. But even so, reaching the level of a Sword Saint at a younger age than myself... it certainly makes me reflect on my own progress," Radius said, closing his book and setting it on the table.
Ren took his usual seat and set his bag aside.
"So, what did you want to talk about? Is it something serious?"
"In some respects, yes," Radius said, his voice tightening slightly.
"A great deal happened while we were apart. Ragna has been looking into your ancestry, and I wanted to share what he found."
Beyond the news, Radius had also simply wanted to talk to Ren for the first time in a while.
"If it's Ragna-san, I assume this is about the Geno Orphanage in the Old Quarter?"
Eupeheim, the beautiful city governed by Ulysses Ignat, was known as the White Crown. Ren had visited twice: once on the Gardiknight and once during a winter training excursion with Estel. During his first visit, he had explored the submerged Old Quarter. A door that was supposed to be sealed had opened at his touch—a building that had once been the Geno Orphanage.
"It’s only been a few months since those letters were found. Is there something new?"
"Yes. Ragna is the type to produce results quickly, no matter the difficulty. He is relentless."
Radius reached into his coat and handed Ren a folded piece of paper. It contained the same information Radius had received from Ragna earlier. Ren read it quickly, but it took him several minutes to process the weight of the words. He looked up and sighed.
"Cecil Ashton... I wonder who he really was."
"I believe he was your ancestor, Ren," Radius said simply.
"I don't mean his name. I mean his identity—what kind of person he was."
"Who knows? He was clearly an exceptional individual. The same goes for the Corrosion Princess. We are still surrounded by mysteries, but we have certainly taken a significant step toward the truth."
"It feels more like we’ve finally reached the starting line," Ren muttered.
"That's still much better than standing still."
They agreed that the details regarding Cecil Ashton should remain private for now. Radius, Ragna, and Ren were all of the same mind: there were parts of this history that were better left out of the public record.
Radius stared out the window at the distant horizon.
"Hey, Ren."
"Yeah?"
"Aside from House Ashton, there's something else I wanted to tell you."
"I'm listening."
"It’s about why I’ve been so busy lately. The matter has finally been finalized, so I wanted you to be the first to know."
Ren had stood up to prepare some tea. He drew hot water from a magic tool and poured it into a pot. As the steam rose, it carried the rich aroma of tea leaves.
"I have been officially selected as the Crown Prince. The public announcement is still a ways off, however."
"Oh, really? That's great. Congratulations."
"Yes. My efforts and groundwork have finally paid off. The official ceremony will likely be in the summer or autumn, but most of the high nobility have already deduced the situation."
"So it's an unofficial appointment for now."
"Essentially."
Ren brought over a cup and placed it in front of Radius. Holding his own, he stood by the window and watched the snow. He took a sip, letting the warmth settle.
Then, a few seconds later, his brain caught up.
"...Wait. Did you just say Crown Prince?"
"Yes. I did."
After a long moment of silence, Radius frowned. "Is something wrong?"
"Is something wrong? Everything's wrong!" Ren sputtered.
He was horrified by how casually he had responded at first. Now that the weight of the word had truly sunk in, it was a different story. The Crown Prince—the man who would inherit the Leomel Empire.
"Are you serious!?"
"Why would I lie about this? Besides, you were the one who suggested it before. Didn't you say something about what you'd do if I became the Crown Prince?"
"I did, but I didn't think it would actually happen so soon! It's quite a shock."
Ren took a breath and tried to calm his racing heart.
"Seriously, congratulations. I always knew you were the right person for it, Radius."
"Thank you, Ren."
Radius gave a genuine, boyish smile—the kind he only ever showed to his closest friend.
"I wanted to hear your congratulations, but I also wanted to see that look on your face. It was worth the trip today."
"Well, I'm glad my heart failure was amusing for you."
Ren sat back down and took another drink of tea to settle his nerves.
"I'm sure you've realized, but this isn't entirely unrelated to Cecil Ashton," Radius continued.
"Hm? How so?"
"Have you forgotten? The Forbidden Library."
Ren let out a wry laugh. "I didn't forget, but I think the Crown Prince news shoved everything else out of my head for a second."
The Forbidden Library was a restricted archive on the lowest level of the Imperial Library. Ren and Radius had discussed it before—how the Crown Prince would have the authority to enter. They had joked about finding the Ashton family tree hidden in its depths.
"Now that I have the access, I intend to investigate it thoroughly," Radius said.
"If information about my family is actually in there, it’s going to make things very complicated," Ren mused.
"Ren, things are already complicated," Radius said with a cool smile. "And if the blood of House Ashton really is..."
Radius trailed off, a premonition tugging at his mind. He looked at Ren and considered voicing his theory, but he decided against it. It was better not to invite unnecessary confusion without solid proof.
"Why did you stop?"
"Nothing. I just hope we find something useful." Radius quickly changed the subject. "By the way, it seems the academy will be full of gossip once classes resume."
"Is this about Wayne?"
"Oh? You've heard already?"
"A little," Ren said vaguely.
"You're being unusually tight-lipped. But yes, that's the one. Word is he unleashed an incredible holy power—so much so that it resonated with the Silver King Shield. If that's true, then he must be..."
"A descendant of the Seven Heroes."
"Exactly. And that would mean he’s the last missing piece: the bloodline of Hero Luin, which everyone thought had vanished."
Radius leaned back, considering the implications.
"The other two Heroic Ducal Houses are enrolling this spring as well. That would bring all the descendants of the Seven Heroes together—assuming Wayne is indeed the descendant of Luin."
The Hero Faction would likely become more boisterous than ever.
"I don't care much for factional bickering," Radius said. "If the boy named Wayne truly carries the blood of Hero Luin, that is a wonderful thing for the empire. I truly mean that. However..."
"There’s always a 'however'."
"The Hero Faction gaining momentum is good for morale. I’m just concerned that certain nobles will try to exploit the situation for their own gain. It’s a sign of our own lack of influence that I have to worry about such things," he said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Then he looked at Ren.
"And then there's you."
A boy who single-handedly defeated a Wadatsumi could not escape the spotlight. Even without an official announcement, the nobility would know. The newspaper articles were enough for anyone to connect the dots.
"I assume your next goal is the rank of Sword King?"
"Sword King... yeah. There's nothing else to aim for."
Ren thought of Lutreche, recalling their first meeting in the temple district.
"Since I met her again recently, I've been thinking about it more than ever."
"Wait... you met the White Dragon Princess?" Radius asked, his eyes wide.
"By accident. We only spoke for a few moments."
Ren filled Radius in on the encounter, just as he had with Lithia. Even Radius found it hard to believe they had simply crossed paths. Since Lutreche had been equally surprised, it was clearly a genuine coincidence.
"I honestly don't know what to make of it," Radius admitted. "Between your family and Lutreche’s motives... it's a lot."
They sat in silence for a while, finishing their tea as they pondered the mysteries.
"I’m thinking of asking her why she’s been helping me," Ren said.
"Good grief, you say that so casually."
"Is it a bad idea to go see her?"
"Not necessarily. I won't stop you from talking to her if you happen to meet. However, there are logistical issues—starting with how you even plan to find her. And even if you do, I doubt she’ll give you a straight answer."
Radius sighed, but he didn't forbid it. For some reason, the Sword King seemed to have taken a special interest in Ren, and that was a thread they couldn't afford to ignore.