It was just before one o'clock in the afternoon at the academy on a holiday.
At the training ground primarily used for magical practice, the sounds of battle echoed.
"Kh... You can still fire more!?"
"The same goes for you, Lady Lithia! Just how many times are you going to cut down my magic!?"
"Because you keep using it over and over...!"
"W-Well, isn't that mutual!?"
The voices of Lithia and Fiona rang out alongside the clashing of steel and the roar of magic. Seats arranged in a circular fashion descended step by step toward the center, surrounding the plaza where the two girls fought.
Ren, who had just arrived at the front row, felt the intense chill of the air and the sharp pressure of their sword strikes as he listened to them.
"This time, from me!"
"Ngh... I'm not done yet!"
Lithia swung her training sword with fluid, agile movements. Facing her was Fiona, who specialized in ice magic, much as she had when Ren first met her.
Her style was different from the ice-based combat art Edgar had once shown him. The ice Fiona unleashed manifested in the air one moment and erupted from the ground the next, while a glittering wind reminiscent of diamond dust whipped through the arena.
It was a beautiful struggle. Before he knew it, Ren had forgotten why the two were even training and simply found himself captivated by the sight.
As a Swordmaster-class combatant, Lithia could exercise Star-Slayer just like Ren, but the shards of ice she couldn't fully reap were closing in on her. It appeared to be a back-and-forth stalemate, but the end came in a flash.
Fiona’s back hit the floor of the training ground with a soft thud. Lithia stood over her, lowering the tip of her sword before offering a hand.
"...I didn't intend to let my guard down, but I lost in an instant."
"I was swinging my sword at my absolute limit, believe me."
Lithia helped Fiona up, and they both brushed the dust from their uniforms. After catching their breath, they walked over to where Ren sat quietly watching.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ren."
"Our apologies. We've made you wait quite a while."
The image of their battle remained burned into Ren's mind.
"Hey, Ren, what did you think of that just now?" Lithia asked.
"It was more intense than I expected. Since you called it training, I thought you'd be a bit more composed."
"Ahaha... It seems Lady Lithia and I both got a little caught up in the heat of the moment," Fiona admitted with a wry smile.
Ren had seen Fiona training here early in the morning before, back when he had first invited her to the Lion King Festival Executive Committee. Her diligence hadn't changed at all, and her magical precision had only sharpened since he had seen her in Eupeheim last winter.
"So, what brought the two of you together for this today?"
Fiona had mentioned this training session to him recently, but he was curious about how it had actually come about.
"Ren, you said it yourself before. Didn't you?" Lithia said.
"Yes. You mentioned that considering what lies ahead, it might be good to try various types of training," Fiona added.
"...Now that you mention it, I think I did say something like that."
He hadn't intended it as a direct suggestion, but he remembered talking about it in front of them right after returning from Windea.
"So, you're training today because I said that...?"
The two girls suddenly went silent.
"W-Why did you both stop talking? Did I say something strange!?"
For some reason, they both looked away. Even when he pressed them, they refused to answer. To Ren, it looked as if they had simply made a friendly promise to spar. He remained blissfully unaware of their hidden competitive fire.
If Ren is coming to watch, I absolutely cannot show him a losing side.
The same goes for me.
While they acknowledged each other's skill, neither was willing to yield because they both wanted to show Ren their best side. That silent understanding had set their hearts ablaze.
"W-Well, there's no harm in the extra practice!" Lithia blurted out.
"Y-Yes! It's good practice for me to fight a swordsman, and for Lady Lithia to face a mage!"
After they finished covering their tracks, Lithia turned back to Ren.
"We're going to go again after a short break. Want to join us, Ren?"
"I'm fine. Just watching is educational for me."
"Is that so?"
"In that case... we'll take you up on that."
They resumed their training, beginning a second bout. Fluid swordplay and ethereal ice magic merged once again in the center of the arena.
After a while, Ren stepped away to the academy cafeteria. Even on holidays, staff were present to serve students engaged in club activities or extra training. He picked out a few light meals, had them packed into a bag, and returned.
The girls had just finished their final round and were catching their breath. Outside, the sky was growing dim—a perfect time for a snack.
"Here, I brought some food."
They could have sat right there to eat, but as girls who held deep feelings for him, they were suddenly struck by a wave of self-consciousness.
"We have to wash off the sweat first!"
"Y-Yes, exactly!"
They hurried toward the shower room attached to the training ground. Ren sat down and waited, sipping tea while reflecting on the intensity of their match.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Inside the white-tiled shower room, a faint mist of steam lingered. After showering, the two girls sat side-by-side on chairs in front of a large mirror.
Both Lithia and Fiona had long, beautiful hair that was a chore to dry. They used magic tools to dry their locks and then took turns running a comb through each other's hair.
Silence reigned for several minutes until the awkwardness became too much.
"Lady Lithia, do you also train with Lady Estel?" Fiona asked.
"Yes. She’s been looking after me quite closely since last winter. And you're training with Lady Chronoa, right?"
It was the first time they had sparred like this, but they both found it beneficial. Yet, beneath the camaraderie, the rivalry remained.
"I'll win next time," Fiona said.
"No. I'll be the one to win again," Lithia countered.
Neither was willing to back down. Fiona let out a soft sigh and smiled.
"But since it was the first time we've had a match like that, I suppose I got a bit overexcited."
"I did too," Lithia agreed.
The tension of the match had been unlike anything they'd experienced, but there was another factor they were both thinking about.
"...Was the only reason you were so fired up because it was a new kind of match?" Lithia muttered.
Their eyes, which had been meeting in the mirror, suddenly flicked away. Fiona turned her head, hiding her expression.
"Ah! It was because Ren was watching, wasn't it!?" Lithia accused.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Hey! Don't say that while looking the other way!"
Perhaps because her guard was down or she was still riding the high of the fight, Lithia spoke with the same informal tone she used with Ren. She quickly realized her lapse and looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have been so blunt..."
Fiona hurriedly turned back to her. "Please, don't worry about it! I actually like it when you speak to me like that, Lady Lithia!"
"...Honestly. You're far too kind."
Lithia truly thought this girl was unfair. She was cute, beautiful, and so pure of heart that even Lithia found herself captivated by her.
"But what would you do if I always spoke to you like that?" Lithia teased.
Fiona took the question seriously. She tapped a finger against her lip and thought for a few seconds.
"In that case, it might feel strange if you kept calling me 'Lady.' Maybe you should just call me Fiona, or Miss Fiona."
"That doesn't answer the question at all!"
"Eh!? It didn't!?"
The relationship between the two girls was a strange mix of complexity and simplicity. Even now, they couldn't quite find the words to describe what they were to one another.
--- Meanwhile, back in the training ground, Ren gripped the Water Magic Sword.
Not much time had passed since his return from Windea. He had summoned the blade several times to check for changes, and as he had told the girls, things were finally looking up.
Slowly but surely.
He gave the sword a light, experimental swing—just a warm-up. Whether it was due to his own focus or the influence of the Water Goddess's Ring, the sword’s arc now left behind faint, blue ripples in the air. He could feel that his water magic was evolving. Unconsciously, he became absorbed in the movement.
Eventually, he let the blade hang by his side and exhaled.
"They should be back soon."
As if on cue, Lithia’s voice came from right beside him. "Are you talking about us?"
"Whoa!? W-When did you get back?"
"A little while ago. We weren't trying to startle you, I promise."
"You were so focused on that sword that we didn't want to disturb you," Fiona added with a smile.
Ren made the Water Magic Sword vanish and sat down with them to enjoy the snacks he had brought.
After they finished, Ren and Lithia began their walk back to Erendil. How many times had they made this commute together? Occasionally, shopkeepers or guarding knights would call out to them as they passed. Many people watched the two of them walk side by side through the sunset-dyed streets.
"I wonder if Father and the others are still at the capital," Lithia mused.
"Was there another summons regarding the Demon King Cult?"
"Yes. They left for the capital before us this morning." Lithia looked at Ren. "I wonder if all we can do is keep gathering information."
"I'm afraid so."
"I thought as much... Since they stayed hidden until the Baldur Mountains incident, they won't be easy to find."
But they weren't searching blindly. Ren was using his knowledge of the Legend of the Seven Heroes to pinpoint where the cult was likely to strike. With the help of Radius and his resources, they had already prevented several tragedies from the original game lore.
"We have to keep at it," Lithia said.
"Right. I'll need to head out for another investigation soon."
"I wonder... could I go with you next time?"
Ren looked at her and smiled. "With that look on your face, you already know the answer is no, don't you?"
Lithia smiled back. As they walked through the crowd, the backs of their hands brushed against each other repeatedly. It was a natural consequence of their proximity, but it felt more comfortable than ever.
Spending time like this helped Ren forget the horrors of the game's original story. Just having her laughing beside him made him feel at peace. These moments were more precious to him than anything else.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
That night, Ren found himself in a dream.
It felt like a continuation of the vision he’d seen when he first accepted Ragna’s Emblem mission. The world was hazy and pale, as if viewed through a thick mist.
"I finally found you."
Ren Ashton—or someone who looked exactly like him—spoke to a girl walking across a large bridge in a darkened town.
"You are..."
The girl turned around. She was exceptionally lovely, her silver hair streaked with black mesh fluttering in the night breeze. She looked at him and gave a playful, knowing laugh.
"Good evening, Ren Ashton. You did well to find me."
"I'm not here for small talk. Just answer my questions."
"My, how cold."
The distance between them was ten meters, but in a fight between experts, that distance was non-existent.
"Is this wise? If an outlaw like you walks so boldly in the open, you might be caught."
"That may be, but I needed to speak with you."
"Hmm... I see." The girl's voice took on a melodic quality. "Don't worry. I'll kill anyone who tries to disturb us."
"I didn't ask for that."
The girl merely laughed. "I'm finally speaking with Cecil's descendant. I won't have any interruptions."
"..."
"Oh, I forgot. I should introduce myself properly first."
"No need. I already know who you are."
"Don't be so cruel. Since I've decided to do this myself, the least you could do is listen."
Like a high-born lady in the middle of a deserted bridge, she performed a perfect, graceful curtsy.
"I am—"
Ren's vision blurred violently. The girl's voice turned into unintelligible static as the world receded. He tried to reach out, to hold onto the dream, but a sudden shock—like a blow to the back of the head—jolted him awake.
"Kh...!"
He was drenched in a cold sweat. He sat up, heart pounding, and checked the clock. It was 5:00 AM. He pulled off his damp shirt and stood before the portrait of Cecil Ashton and the Eroding Princess.
Coming off the peaceful day with Lithia, the darkness of the dream left his heart unsettled.
"...I really don't understand any of this, Ancestor."
Who was that girl? Why had the Ren in the dream gone to find her? He felt as though he had been shown something of immense importance. He went to the bathroom and took a hot shower to clear his head.
Looking at his reflection, he muttered, "Is she the one Ragna-san was worried about?"
The memory of the dream-Ren calling her "that woman" flashed through his mind. Why would she know about Cecil? And why did they have to meet?
It was after six o'clock by the time he finally left his room. On the way to the dining hall, Lithia approached him, looking refreshed.
Seeing her, a wave of relief washed over Ren. He reached out and took her hand.
"Lithia."
"Ren, morn—"
He covered her hand with both of his, feeling her warmth. He needed to know she was real, that she was safe.
"—ing...?" Lithia managed to squeak out.
Ren let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He could feel her pulse, her heat. Lithia, for her part, felt as though she were still dreaming. Could something this wonderful really happen so early in the morning?
"...I am awake, right?" She pinched her own cheek with her free hand.
Yuno, passing by, spotted them and immediately ducked away with a delighted "Oh my!"
"Hey! Ren! Talk to me!"
Several hours had passed, and Lithia was still teasing him as they walked to school through the morning streets of Erendil.
"...Yes?"
"Honestly, it took you forever to answer!"
Ren gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Were you even listening to me? Tell me, why did you grab my hand so suddenly?" Lithia moved in front of him, trying to catch his eye. Ren looked away, and she dodged to follow his gaze. Passerby watched the two of them circle each other with amused smiles.
"I'm telling you, you can't run once we're on the train!"
"I'm sorry. I told you, I think I was just half-asleep."
"...Do you do that to just anyone when you're half-asleep?"
"Of course not. I've never done that before, and I wouldn't."
"I... I see. Well, that's alright then."
Lithia could still feel the phantom pressure of his hands on hers. She gave up trying to pry a deeper meaning out of him, but she couldn't stop her heart from racing. What would it be like if they walked like this, holding hands, every day? The thought made her face flush bright red.
"Um, Lithia?"
"W-What!?"
"Nothing, you were just staring off into space."
"D-Don't worry about it! It's just my mood!"
They arrived at the Hanging Garden, the hub for both air and ground travel. On the ground floor, magic trains departed for various regions, including the Gardiknight bound for Eupeheim. Ren and Lithia headed for the platform for the capital, which was crowded with commuters.
"Yawn..." Ren couldn't help a sleepy gap.
"Didn't you sleep well?" Lithia asked.
"I had my usual hours, but the dream was... unsettling."
"A scary one?"
"More like a strange one."
Lithia reached out and tapped his arm with a finger, a small light manifestating at the touch.
"Using Holy Magic for a bad dream? Isn't that a bit excessive?"
"It's fine. I can use my power however I want. And to me, this is the best possible use for it."
Her side-profile, bathed in the morning sun, looked more radiant than any magic.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
In a certain country on the Elfen Continent, a man was riding in a public carriage. There were only two passengers: the man and a woman with violet hair, both wearing glasses. Against the backdrop of the peaceful countryside, they looked like nobles on holiday.
"Did you meet with her?" the woman asked. She held a book—the same one she had dropped in a neutral city some time ago.
"I encountered her by chance in a town recently. As expected, she had no interest in joining us."
"I figured. She likely only wanted to see what we were up to."
The woman called out to the driver to stop. They were in the middle of nowhere, but she insisted on getting out.
"This is fine. I feel like walking."
She stepped out and waved. "See you later."
"Yes. May His Majesty protect you, Your Eminence," the man replied with a gentle smile.
He sat back, enjoying the spring breeze. A few hours later, the carriage neared its destination.
"Mister! We're almost at the town!" the driver called.
The man handed over some coins. "Thank you. It was a lovely trip."
He stepped out into the warm sunlight. The town was large—double the size of Clausel. At the entrance stood a massive gray gate where guards checked the identities of travelers. The man walked forward, carrying a leather bag.
A traveler approached him and took the bag. "Lord Orphide."
"Yes. What is it?"
"Urgent news regarding the Water Goddess's Ring."
The man called Orphide adjusted his glasses. "Continue."
"We attempted to retrieve it until the very moment the Leomel forces arrived, but we could not get the ring out."
"Pathetic. To fail over a single ring."
"I am deeply sorry. We wish to try again."
"No," Orphide said flatly. "It has been too long since Windea reacted to the Hero's power. The terrain will have already shifted. You won't even find the entrance to the cave now."
The cultist bowed his head. "I did not mean to trouble you, Lord Orphide."
"I know. You followed orders. I do not doubt your loyalty, but loyalty alone is not enough." He cast a chilling gaze over the man. "Failure is not permitted. You understand?"
"Yes!"
Orphide smiled kindly. "When I was in Leomel, I met with her. She still refuses to join us, but she may change her mind. For that reason, our plan must succeed."
The "her" in question was someone the higher-ranking cultists all knew well. Orphide dismissed the subordinate, who vanished into the crowd.
Orphide reached the gate. A knight blocked his path. "Identification, please."
"I'm afraid I don't have any."
"Then you cannot enter. Leave at once."
Orphide kept walking. A knight drew his sword to stop the "noble" intruder. Orphide simply snapped his fingers.
"Excuse me."
Black magic erupted from the earth like a mass of grasping hands, coiling around the knight. In an instant, the man was swallowed by the shadows and disappeared.
Screams erupted. Knights drew their weapons and called for reinforcements. Orphide looked toward the approaching figures and beamed.
"Wonderful. I was looking for them."
The newcomers weren't local town guards. They were Sacred Palace Knights—the elite of the Elfen Religion, trained in the Silver Sacred Palace. Each was a master of the sword and magic, more powerful than an Imperial Guard.
Orphide walked toward them, unbothered.
"I've been wanting to meet you, knights of the Sacred Palace."
Shadows moved. Holy magic and blessed weapons struck Orphide from all sides, piercing his neck, chest, and limbs.
"How sad, to attack without a greeting."
"We have no words for filth!" a knight roared.
Despite being skewered by spears of light and holy blades, Orphide didn't shed a drop of blood. The knights looked on in horror as their attacks seemed to pass through him without effect. They redoubled their efforts, their magic cracking the very stone of the gate.
A massive cage of light—a Sacred Crest Formula—descended upon him, radiating a purifying power far beyond anything a normal priest could manifest.
"Impressive. You've killed me twice now," Orphide’s voice rang out from within the light, devoid of any pain.
Jet-black magic leaked from the cage, swallowing a knight whole. Thorns of darkness erupted, piercing the chests of those nearby. The holy light flickered and died, consumed by shadow. Orphide stood in the center, his clothes scorched away, but his skin was already regenerating, his garments weaving themselves back together as if alive.
"A Priest of the Cult..." a knight spat.
"I'm honored you recognize me. But I'm afraid that knowledge won't save you."
Orphide vanished. A split second later, his arm burst through a knight's chest from behind, bypassing his heavy armor as if it were paper. He pulled his arm back and straightened his glasses.
"I think I shall kill everything Lord Elfen created," he said softly, looking toward the temple in the distance. "Those who believe in Him, those who don't... I'll kill them all. The innocent children, the elderly about to meet their God... I'll send them all along. I'll take care of everyone."
Not a single drop of blood stained Orphide's pure white shirt. It remained as pristine as the moment he’d put it on.
"Knights of Elfen... I am here for the Sacred Relic."
On that day, a great city vanished from the Elfen Continent.