"It’s certainly gotten a bit chilly, hasn’t it?"
"Yeah."
The depth of autumn was settling in; winter would surely be here soon.
Thinking back, I never would have dreamed I’d be living a life like this at this time last year. From last summer through spring, I remember spending every single day buried in my studies. During my time in the military, I had gained a wealth of knowledge regarding magic, but I hadn't been taught much in the way of general education.
Such knowledge simply wasn't necessary during the Far East Campaign.
Still, the adults around me—Master, Abby-san, and Carol—had done their best to teach me various things back then.
A year has passed since then. I’ve made irreplaceable friends, and I spend my days like this. Life truly is unpredictable.
"Is something the matter?"
"No. It’s nothing."
After that, Ariane and I engaged in idle chatter. From stories about Amelia to talk of the Ice Sword Sorcerer, we never ran out of topics.
As we spoke, we entered the Noble District of the South District.
Reflecting on it, I had already visited the estates of two of the Three Great Noble Families. This final one belonged to House Algren. I’d heard that the current head, Volkhard Algren, was a stern and rigorous man.
"Well then, allow me to guide you."
"I'll leave it to you."
Passing through the gate, we were greeted by a vast garden with a fountain at its center. Trees and flowers lined the paths to the left and right, though they lacked the vibrancy of summer. Seeing them made me realize once again that the seasons were shifting.
"Ray. Welcome to House Algren, desu wa!"
With those words, she pushed open the doors.
The architecture was on par with the other Three Great Noble Families. It had likely been designed by the same architect during the same era. The interior felt aged and venerable, yet it incorporated modern elements here and there.
I followed behind Ariane. On the way, a maid who noticed her return offered to take over as guide, but Ariane declined, insisting on leading the way herself. It was typical behavior for her.
We eventually arrived at what I assumed was a study. She knocked three times.
"Father. This is a sudden visit, but I have brought Ray with me."
The moment she spoke, a booming voice echoed from inside. "...What!?"
The door swung open, and appearing there was... a giant.
He had platinum hair styled in a buzz cut, giving him a sharp, refreshing impression—but the thing that truly demanded attention was his overwhelming muscle mass. I had heard he was in his early fifties, yet the fact that he maintained this physique was something to be genuinely admired.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ray White."
"Oh! So you’re the one...! I am Volkhard Algren. You are my daughter's friend, so please, feel free to call me Volk."
"Then please call me Ray as well, Volk-san."
He extended a thick hand, so I reached out and met it with a firm handshake.
"Hmph... You're a fine young man, just as the rumors said. Well, come in."
"Thank you."
"Pardon us, desu wa."
It was indeed a study. With bookshelves lining the walls, the description was accurate. However, there was one major difference from the homes of the other Three Great Noble Families: the presence of neatly arranged dumbbells and barbells, along with towels standing ready.
"Now then, please have a seat."
"Yes. Excuse me."
I sat on a sofa across from the desk. Ariane sat beside me, and Volk-san sat in front of us.
"Hmm... I see."
He stared at me intensely. I wondered if I had committed some sort of discourtesy.
"Have I done something rude?"
"Hmm... No, nothing like that... Yes. For now, why don't you take your clothes off?"
"I see. Understood."
This was likely the same as that other time. Just as the Club President had judged my physique during the first semester, Volk-san probably wanted to measure my character. To those who love muscles, looking at each other's physique can sometimes convey more information than words ever could. It is a well-known fact among veteran trainees.
There are things that can only be understood through muscle.
"Ray. You don't have to push yourself if you don't want to, you know?"
"No. I don't mind."
I briskly shed my upper garments. Since Ariane was present, I couldn't very well strip entirely, but I stood there bare-chested.
"My...!"
"Incredible...!"
I am often told that I look thin in my daily life. However, slumbering beneath that exterior was an overwhelming amount of muscle. I am the type who looks slim in clothes, and furthermore, I am a user of Metamorphose. Manipulating my own body mass at will is a simple task for me.
I have a fair amount of confidence regarding my muscle volume. Today, my pectorals were in especially good condition, and I could clearly see that both of them were astonished.
"Th-That overwhelming muscle mass... Heh... Fuhahaha! Incredible! Ariane, are you seeing this!?"
"O-Of course, desu wa! This is a domain that cannot be reached with half-hearted effort...! May I... touch them for a moment?"
"Of course."
Approaching slowly, Ariane first touched my pectorals.
"...Whoa! What incredible thickness! Next is..."
She moved on to my abdominals. Her slender fingers traced the neatly defined six-pack.
"...Hwah! These abs... they are also magnificent... Phew. I have been thoroughly satisfied, desu wa."
Just as Ariane finished, Volk-san stood before me, having similarly shed his upper garments.
We stared at each other. Words were no longer necessary. We stepped forward and exchanged a powerful handshake.
Muscles know no borders. One look at another's body reveals exactly how much effort they have put in. I have confidence in my own muscles, but Volk-san’s mass was substantial. I see. I had heard that House Algren was a martial house, and that certainly seemed to be the truth.
Once we had calmed down and put our clothes back on, we faced each other once more.
"Hmm. Ray White. No—I am not mistaken in calling you the Ice Sword Sorcerer?"
"You are not. I am the Current Ice Sword Sorcerer."
I had assumed the heads of the Three Great Noble Families already knew. Therefore, I didn't feel particularly flustered.
"Seeing those muscles, it makes sense that you're one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers... The Prima Materia you possess is also on a completely different scale."
"You can tell?"
"Heh. Generally, just by looking at a person's muscles."
His smirk looked less like he was plotting and more like he was playing a prank. Still, being able to gauge a person's Prima Materia capacity by looking at their muscles was quite a specialized skill. I had never met anyone like that until now.
"Now then. I've heard that you'll be entering the Magics War with Ariane this time."
"Yes. Amelia is on the same team."
"Lady Amelia, I see. A fine choice."
He crossed his arms and nodded. Then, he said something unexpected.
"Regarding my daughter... I'm counting on you."
He bowed his head. I hadn't anticipated this at all, leaving me flustered—but more than me, Ariane was in a state of panic.
"Wait! Father!? What exactly do you mean by that, desu wa!?"
"Hm... Naturally, I mean I want him to train you for the tournament."
"Ah... Is that what it was."
Ariane turned bright red... Had she misunderstood something?
"Of course. However, for a man who is the head of one of the Three Great Noble Families to bow to an Ordinary such as myself..."
"I don't care. To begin with, we are bound too tightly by blood. Rigid traditions and the foul habit of bloodline elitism... The Magics War is part of a reform in consciousness. We are simply doing what must be done for the next generation."
His tone shifted to one of absolute seriousness. I had thought him a jovial person, but he truly was a Great Noble head. His dignity was on another level. Furthermore, he seemed to be a man of innovative thought rather than one who blindly followed tradition.
"...I understand. Please leave your daughter to me."
"Umu. I shall leave her entirely in your hands."
As we shook hands once more, Ariane whispered beside us, "Awa... I absolutely cannot tell Amelia and Rebecca-senpai about this, desu wa..."
With that, we proceeded to move to Ariane's room.