◇ Leo
"……I’ll take that back. Whether I can stand on the same level as you... it seems I’m the one being tested."
With those words, Deskis-senpai dismissed his Crest Sword.
"But unfortunately, that’s all for now."
"Huh?"
I looked at his left hand and saw that his emblem had lost its glow. It seemed his Crest Power had finally run out.
However, Deskis-senpai simply walked over and extended his right hand to me.
"It’s my loss. So, welcome to the Arcadia Sword Kingdom Knight Academy—and the Student Council."
"U-Um, well..."
The mood was practically forcing me in, but... yeah, it felt right.
I looked around at my surroundings. It wasn’t just Deskis-senpai. I realized there were many things I could learn here for the sake of my goals.
"—Yes. I look forward to working with you."
I shook his hand, and a burst of applause erupted from the stands.
Thus, regardless of whether I would actually attend classes at the Knight Academy, I had secured a spot for myself.
I’ll have to tell Mom... I wonder if she’ll be lonely? Oh, but she did say she wanted to visit the Royal Capital, so maybe we can just move here.
Occupied by such thoughts, we left the arena.
""Cheers!""
Afterward, they held a welcome party for me in the Student Council Room.
What is this? This juice is incredibly delicious. It was sweet with a hint of bitterness. I loved it... I wanted another glass.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Deskis-senpai—who was now wearing a heart-patterned apron—began shaking a mixer like a professional bartender.
"A cocktail crafted in your image, Leo. I’ve named it Sweet Scar Combat. Please, have a taste. Don't worry, it's non-alcoholic."
"Whoa... it’s delicious! This is amazing... Deskis-senpai, you’re incredible!"
"Hmph... It seems Leo has a bit of a sweet tooth. Tell me, how would you like to come to my room so we can bake some sweet cakes together?"
"I’ll definitely go! I’ll absolutely be there!"
I genuinely wanted to go. Deskis-senpai was a good person. I was really starting to like him. I felt a surge of excitement.
"Hey, Frederica-senpai. Why do I feel like my man just got snatched away?"
"Deskis was taken from you? So you actually did like him."
"I’ll just say it’s definitely not in that way."
And so, I became the Secretary of the Student Council. I wasn’t entirely sure what my duties were yet, so I tried asking Jin-senpai.
"Jin-senpai, is this everyone in the Student Council?"
"No, there is one more. She’s out on the front lines and couldn't be here today, but I'll introduce you later."
"She’s already out on the battlefield?"
"Yeah... well, it’s a bit complicated."
Deskis-senpai spoke up while shaking his mixer.
"Her name is Luna Silverworld. For the record, she’s stronger than both Jin-senpai and me. She’s likely the strongest of our generation."
"That much?"
"You’ll meet her eventually. Her... and her older brother, Gray Silverworld. He is one of the Five Star Swords."
After the party, Deskis-senpai showed me around the Boys' Dormitory. That evening, we made cakes in his room. For some reason, Flare, Frederica-senpai, and even Jin-senpai tagged along, and we all ate cake together.
"His homemaking skills are unnecessarily high, Deskis-senpai..."
"Hmph... the one that got away was a big catch, wasn't it, Flare? It seems I’m the one who has truly captured Leo’s stomach."
"This is seriously delicious. I want to eat this every day."
"As much as you want, Leo. If that is your desire."
"Frederica-senpai, please teach me how to cook. I feel like I’ve lost a battle I didn't know I was fighting."
"Eh? Isn't that impossible? Flare, you're pretty sloppy, and your room is a disaster area. Just look at Deskis’s room."
I looked around. Since it was a Boys' Dormitory, I had imagined something a bit more cramped, but the room was quite spacious—about twenty tatami mats large. Moreover, it was... stylish. Everything was neatly organized in a way that felt both functional and beautiful. I could tell he was picky about his furniture; the place looked like a model room. Plus, it smelled wonderful.
"It’s a complete... total loss for Flare, isn't it?"
"My name is Flare Featherfield! I stake my name and my pride as a knight to challenge you to a one-on-one duel!"
"Oh boy, she’s gone completely for brute force."
"Deskis probably doesn't have any Crest Power left."
"Jin-senpai, you're the Master, right? Please give him a boost."
"Don't be stupid... Just compete over who can shred cabbage faster or something."
"Challenge accepted!"
The two of them began shredding cabbage at superhuman speeds. Flare lost. It seemed Deskis-senpai cooked a ridiculous amount on a regular basis. As Flare hung her head in defeat, Deskis-senpai triumphantly whipped up a dish using the shredded cabbage. It was, of course, delicious.
Everyone laughed. Watching them, I let out a small laugh myself.
"What do you know, you can laugh. Leo-kun... that’s a lady-killer smile. No wonder Flare fell for you."
"I haven't fallen for him!"
"Eh? Was I... laughing just now?"
"O soul brother of mine! That smile just now was a foul. Even I, a man, had my heart stolen."
"You were certainly laughing," Jin-senpai added.
"Yeah... that’s why, Leo. Everyone here... we’re friends. Look! You’ve made so many friends!"
"Friends..."
I looked at them all. They were looking back at me as if to affirm those words. We had only just met today.
I wondered what friends really were. I didn't fully understand the concept. Until now, Ryu had been my only friend.
But...
"I'm happy. Thank you."
I realized that being with these people was fun. I realized that this kind of daily life was enjoyable.
I see... so that’s why people fight.
That’s why... everyone fights. Because they don’t want this peace to be taken away.
I felt as though my sense of justice had advanced another step.
"Well, I have some business to attend to, so I’ll see you tomorrow, Leo. At the Meritorious Star Decoration Ceremony."
"Are you attending too, Jin-senpai?"
"Yeah. I’m looking forward to it."
We hung out until late into the night. I’d actually played. I’d truly had fun.
◇ Same Time, Arcadia Sword Kingdom Knight Order Headquarters
In a certain room, a high-level meeting was underway.
A lineup of prominent figures was present, and Jin Ashtress sat at the very end of the table. Jin had no right to speak; he could only watch in silence. Even though he was a Three-Star, he was at the bottom of this hierarchy. There was an overwhelming gap in strength and authority here. He was still on a different level compared to the Three-Star Knights who served the Five Star Swords, such as Iricobert or Dunkel.
However, even those elite knights were keeping their mouths shut for now.
This was because the person with the greatest influence in this room—no, in this entire country—was about to speak.
The man smiled gently as he reviewed a report.
"Leo-kun, is it? Only twelve years old and already a First Class Merit. Fufu, he’s a diamond in the rough... Now, I wonder what kind of reward would make him happy."
First Prince Haurezel Arcadia.
The head of the Kingdom’s Knight Order and first in line to the throne. He was a beautiful man with silky blonde hair. He was roughly thirty years old, but he carried an expression so youthful it bordered on boyish.
"I truly... want this boy for myself."