“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“You know that Scarlett is trying to abolish the Blessed Slave system, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“However, I intend to revive it. I will demote anyone living in this country who is not of pure blood—in other words, anyone who is not an Arcadia Citizen—to the status of a Blessed Slave. Their numbers will likely reach into the hundreds of thousands.”
“—!?”
Prince Haurezel spoke with a quiet, detached calm.
That was exactly why I knew he wasn't lying. If this man became King, he would follow through without a second thought.
“Do you find the idea distasteful?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“I believe the Blessed Slave system... is a system that tramples on people's hearts. I don't want to be a part of that. Someone precious to me taught me what truly matters. That’s why, right now... I can't accept it.”
“I see. I feel the same way.”
“Then why?”
“To ensure my precious citizens never become Blessed Slaves themselves. Dragonia, Seraphim, Odixia, Ishghal—all of them bolster their national power through the Blessed Slave system. Population is a resource that can be replenished indefinitely. If we do nothing, the gap in our national strength will only continue to widen. If you want to protect something, you have no choice but to sacrifice something else. You cannot have everything. Someone must stain their hands. Ideals alone cannot protect a nation.”
“…………”
I understood his logic. If other nations used Blessed Slaves to strengthen themselves, we had to do the same, or we wouldn't be able to win a war. And if we lost, our own citizens would be the ones sold into slavery.
“Leo-kun, do you have someone precious to you?”
“My mother.”
“Then let me ask you this. A world where your mother becomes a Blessed Slave, or a world where a hundred people you've never met become Blessed Slaves—which would you choose?”
I mulled it over. It was like those thought experiments—the trolley problem and the like. There was no right answer, yet an answer had to be given. If that were the case, then...
“……………………I want to protect my mother.”
“Then the hand you should take is not Scarlett’s, but mine. To protect what you hold dear, you must grasp reality, not an ideal.”
“…………I...”
“Take my hand, Leo-kun. I will remodel this country into a powerhouse that will never fall to any of the Five Great Nations.”
I stared at his outstretched hand.
I didn't know. I didn't have the answer. Or rather, my brain had stopped working. Wait... what was happening?
Dizziness swamped me, the world spinning on its axis until I tumbled onto the sofa.
“Leo-kun?!”
I felt incredibly... sick. What was this? The room was buzzing with noise. I couldn't tell what was going on. The girls from earlier rushed back into the room in a panic.
“Prince Haurezel, did you... did you let him drink this? It looks like juice, but this is the lethal stuff used for penalty games!”
“Hm? ………………Ah, my apologies, Leo-kun. This had an alcohol content of 90%.”
Wouldn't that kill a person? I thought. My Crest Power was likely the only thing keeping me alive. It had tasted so sweet and delicious that I’d polished off about three bottles.
Then, my consciousness flickered out.
When I woke up, I was in a bed. My mind was still hazy.
“Ah, you’re awake. Leo-kun... I was waiting, since doing it without consent is a bit... well, you are technically a minor, after all.”
It was the woman who had been sitting next to me earlier. I blinked, wondering why she had stripped down to her underwear. She straddled me.
“Prince Haurezel told me to give you the best service possible, but since it’s you, Leo-kun, I'm personally quite looking forward to this.”
“What... is this?”
“It’s okay. Just leave everything to your big sister. Boys your age are like little monkeys every day, aren't you? I’ll show you heaven.”
“Wait... am I going to die?”
“Ahaha! You’re so cute! Oh man, can I get serious? I mean, a First Class Merit and a face like this? Plus a gentle personality... Leo-kun, you're a total catch. Maybe I'll just create a fait accompli right here.”
She started stripping my clothes off. I could have resisted, but I couldn't get my body to move right. I felt like if I tried to push her, I wouldn't be able to control my strength and I'd end up hurting her. What should I do? Why was I being undressed?
And why was she licking her lips?
BAM!
The door flew open with a violent crash.
“Leo!”
It was Flare.
“Heh? Who are you?” the woman asked.
“Could you please get off of Leo? You old lady.”
“Hah? O-Old... lady...?!”
Flare grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room. My legs were still useless, so I just skidded along behind her. She seemed much rougher than usual. We were still inside the palace, it seemed. I suppose it had guest rooms for people to rest.
“Leo, you really need to stay at the Academy! You’re ignorant! An idiot! Clueless! You're nothing but a sword!”
“Why are you so angry?”
“If I hadn't come, then... you would have... then... Ugh!! You moron!!”
Before I knew it, I was being hoisted onto the Emblem Horse Flare had summoned. Flare took the reins while I slumped behind her. It seemed we were heading straight back to the Academy.
Flare remained in a foul mood the entire way. I didn't quite understand why, but I knew I didn't want her to be mad at me.
“Flare... um... if I did something wrong, I’m sorry. I don't really get why you're angry, but... I’m sorry. Could you tell me why?”
“…………”
Flare turned around and glared at me. She let out a long, heavy sigh and poked me in the chest with her finger.
“You're so unfair.”
“Err...”
“Goodnight! See you tomorrow!”
“Whoa?!”
She practically tossed me off the horse. I felt myself falling, only to be caught.
“Welcome back, my heart's friend. However, do try to keep your playing with fire to a minimum.”
It was Deskis-senpai. A perfect catch. His stability was incredible. Since I was still lightheaded, I let him carry me. His arms felt like a cradle.
“Sleep, sleep, in your mother's arms...”
Deskis-senpai began patting me rhythmically. Mother? I wondered, my eyes fluttering shut as I lay on the bed. His lullaby accompanied me into sleep—he had a surprisingly beautiful singing voice.
“Deskis-senpai... why is Flare so angry?”
“That is a reason you must discover for yourself. For now, sleep. Goodnight.”
“...Is that so.”
He patted my chest again. I really was getting sleepy. Zzz...
The next day.
I woke up slowly to the sound of rhythmic tapping. Someone was standing in the kitchen of my room—a kitchen I hadn't used once. A wonderful aroma filled the air. Was it Deskis-senpai?
I dragged myself out of bed to check.
“Flare?”
Flare was busy cooking. Bread, soup, ham, and eggs. My stomach growled involuntarily at the delicious scent. She shot me a glare, but her expression softened into something awkward as she spoke in a small voice.
“…………Um... sorry about yesterday. I... said some pretty harsh things.”
“I don’t mind at all. I should be the one apologizing, even if I still don't quite get it.”
“…………Fufu, I guess so. That’s just who you are, Leo. Oh well, I suppose it can't be helped.”
Flare gave me a small, genuine smile. We ate breakfast together, and it was delicious.
“So, which side are you going to take?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I don't think Prince Haurezel is entirely wrong, either.”
“True. That’s why they’ve been at odds for so long. If it were easy to tell who was right, nobody would be struggling. But Leo, you have something more urgent to deal with right now!”
“Urgent?”
“Honestly! The Knight Commander Exam! You have to take it, remember? I was already planning on taking it this year myself.”
“Ah, right. When is it?”
Now that she mentioned it, Prince Haurezel had told me he wanted me to take the exam when he gave me the One-Star rank. I wondered when the schedule was.
“Today. Starting right now.”
“What? But my head still hurts a little...”
“That’s your own fault. Here, I've laid out your clothes! This is your bag! Wash your face and brush your teeth! Honestly... I feel like your mother.”
Wincing at my lingering headache, I changed my clothes. After washing up, we departed the Academy. The registration for the Knight Commander Exam was being held at the Arcadia Knight Order Headquarters in the Royal Capital Arcana.
I wondered what the test would be like.
The red-brick headquarters was smaller than the Academy, but it felt solid and utilitarian. As we passed through the gates, I saw knights everywhere and a plaza filled with examinees.
I spotted several familiar faces.
Frederica-senpai, Jin-senpai, and Deskis-senpai were all there. The examinees themselves were mostly people I recognized from the Academy.
“The Knight Commander Exam is usually dominated by Academy Students,” Flare explained. “The rest are veterans who worked their way up through the ranks. Those tough-looking guys are usually the latter.”
“I see. But aren't the senpais already Knight Commanders?”
Jin-senpai walked over to us.
“You’re both late. You should be ready at least ten minutes before the scheduled start.”
“S-Sorry. But why are you here, Jin-senpai?”
“The Academy Student Council is entrusted with managing the Knight Commander Exam. We act as proctors. It’s a long-standing tradition.”
“Oh, I see. I always felt the Student Council had a lot of authority.”
“Of course. Almost every past member of the Student Council has reached Three-Star rank. Only the most talented are selected, and as the next generation of leaders, they are granted significant power.”
Frederica-senpai was busy coordinating with other knights, and Deskis-senpai was handling registrations. He was actually working quite diligently. That man was strangely competent when he wanted to be.
“Starting next year, you two will be on the management side,” Jin added. “Make sure you pass today.”
“”Yes!”” we replied in unison.
Soon, over a hundred examinees had gathered, and the gates were shut. It was time.
“Attention!! The Knight Commander Exam shall now begin!!” a voice boomed.
Every examinee turned toward the speaker.
“First, I commend you all for aspiring to the rank of Knight Commander! We expect great things from you. We shall begin the first test immediately. Sir, if you would be so kind.”
The knight bowed and stepped aside. The crowd began to buzz with excitement and nerves. It was no wonder—the person stepping onto the platform was a legend.
“We shall begin the First Exam. If you can move behind me, you pass.”
It was the Five Star Sword—Sir Gaia.
The sudden appearance of such a high-profile figure sent a wave of tension through the plaza.
“Move behind him?” I muttered. The instructions were simple, but the weight behind them was anything but.
I understood his intent almost instantly.
“What is first required of those who seek to lead as Knight Commanders is resolve,” Gaia declared. “The resolve to be entrusted with the lives of your comrades. The resolve to protect this nation from its enemies. How many people have offered up their blessings to provide the Master’s Crest you will receive? Understand that weight... and show me the resolve to accept even death.”
Then, it happened.
—Shudder.
A visceral chill shot through me, as if a blade had been pressed against my jugular. My body reacted before my mind could, and I threw myself backward with everything I had.
I wasn't the only one. Many of the other knights were stumbling backward, some even scrambling out of the plaza entirely.
Gaia had simply drawn his sword and pointed it at us.
“Step forward once you have found your resolve. If you try to pass through here... I will kill you.”
He thrust the sword into the ground and stood tall, gripping the hilt with both hands. That was it. He didn't move, yet a suffocating Sword Aura—murderous intent fueled by Crest Power—bore down on us with crushing force.
—Step past me and I will surely kill you.—
Gaia was radiating an unmistakable, vivid image of death. I knew this was an exam. I knew it was technically a bluff. But even if my head understood that, my body screamed in protest.
It was the same pressure I had felt from the Dragonia Knight, Alteus. He was projecting his will, saturating the air with Sword Aura.
I wanted to run. I wanted to escape right then and there. But... I realized something. On a real battlefield, you have to fight even against an opponent like this. Even when your instincts tell you that you're going to die, there are times when you must move forward. There are times when you must face death to achieve victory.
Around me, people were collapsing. Some were crying, some had lost control of their bladders, and others were simply fleeing. The veteran knights who had seen real combat were the only ones inching forward, though even they were struggling.
Most of the Academy Students couldn't even stand. Facing that pure image of death was like trying to walk into a hurricane of blades. They had the talent and the skill, but they lacked the raw resolve of the veterans.
I was scared, too. I hated this. I felt like I was about to be slaughtered. Even though I’d grown stronger... was the gap between me and Gaia still this vast?
“…………Phew.”
I took a long, deep breath.
I didn't want to die. On a battlefield, there might be deaths calculated for the sake of a greater victory. But I refused to be one of them. People had risked their lives to protect me. Because of them, I wouldn't die, I couldn't die, and I wouldn't let anyone else die either.
If I had to overcome this, then so be it.
If I was going to talk big about becoming the strongest, then I had to blow past a hurdle like this without a second thought.
So... run!!
“Whoa?!”
“What the—?!”
“He’s running through that Sword Aura?!”
I charged from the very back of the pack. I forced my instincts into submission. Every step felt like my skin was being flayed by invisible razors, but I didn't stop. I accelerated until I was at the very front.
Drenched in sweat and gasping for air, I skidded to a halt directly in front of Gaia.
He looked at me and offered a small, knowing smile.
“…………That was a redundant question for you, it seems. You found your resolve long ago.”
“No, sir. I learned a great deal.”
I bowed deeply to him and stepped past.
I had passed the First Exam in first place.
Afterword:
Thanks for the comments. I'm glad people are still reading!
By the way, the exam arc isn't going to drag on. It’ll be over in a flash. Look forward to the next part.
The Sword Aura thing? Yeah, it’s basically Nen from Hunter x Hunter (lol). I was thinking of the scene where Hisoka tells Gon and Killua it’s "too early" at Heaven's Arena while I was writing this.
Anyway, thanks for reading this far. I’d appreciate your support with stars and follows.
Let’s keep the momentum going for Volume 2!