Flare
I first met Leo while standing in line to register for the war on the Emerald Plains—a battle I had joined in secret, without my father’s permission.
It was my first time on a real battlefield. Even though I’d met all the requirements at the Academy, my father still wouldn't give me his blessing, so I went behind his back.
I had to be there. I yearned for the battlefield because I idolized my mother.
Of course, I admired my father too.
But my mother lived within my earliest memories—she was there before I’d even formed a sense of self.
I loved her. I loved her so much. The softness of her embrace, her scent, her voice. My mind might not remember the details, but my body remembers her vividly. My precious mother.
I also knew that my burning red hair was a gift from her.
She was beautiful, she was fierce, and she was one of the Five Star Swords.
Rose Featherfield. The woman hailed as Humanity's Strongest Female Knight was my mother.
But she was killed.
I know who did it. I know which country was responsible.
It was one of the Four Dragons of Dragonia.
That is why I go to the battlefield.
Perhaps you could call it revenge. I’ve never told anyone that, though.
My goal is to strike that monster down. To become stronger than it could ever be. I will become more powerful than the thing that took my mother's life.
That is the purpose of Flare Featherfield, Rose's daughter.
I had headed to my first battlefield with that burning resolve, and that was where I found him.
I remember thinking he looked rather dazed, yet his Sword Aura completely eclipsed mine. His technique was rough, but he possessed a level of strength and raw instinct that more than compensated for it. It made me shudder.
And yet... he was so kind. And then...
"Lift your head, Arcadia! It's not over yet!!"
In that moment, he looked like a true commander.
It was the first time I had ever felt jealous of someone my own age. But more than that, I found myself drawn to him.
I was drawn to the Regalia Emblem shining on his left hand, too.
Leo tries to hide it, but I’ve obviously seen through his act.
A King awakens to resist fate.
If that’s true, then what is this boy resisting? What does the world demand of him?
I want to see it for myself. From the closest possible vantage point.
I want to see it all from right by his side.
To do that, I have to become stronger. Since that was already my goal, I never hesitated.
To be honest, Leo’s growth is so explosive it’s terrifying; I’m worried I won't be able to keep up. But I’ll cling to him with everything I’ve got.
That was what I was thinking as I gazed at him, never realizing that my eyes were filled with such heat.
Back during our days at the Academy...
I had left my room for my daily night training when I happened to spot Leo. Wondering what he was up to, I followed him and found him training all by himself. It made me strangely happy, so I started training nearby.
Seeing him work so hard every day, I thought he was so cool.
To be fair, his face is handsome to begin with. His physique is that lean-muscular type that women tend to love. But even though he's attractive on the outside, honestly, I don't care about that.
It's his heart... Leo is at his coolest because of his heart.
I’m sure my father and Iricobert felt it too... and Osiris-san on Valhalla Island. They were all probably drawn to that heart of his.
Gifted talent backed by a spirit to match... perhaps that truly is the mark of a King.
Well, he can be a bit insensitive at times. But I suppose that’s part of his charm. I love that Leo says exactly what’s on his mind.
Though I really don't appreciate the way Deskis-senpai is always wedging himself between us.
But right now...
"Touch me... Leo."
"F-Flare!?"
There is no one here but the two of us.
I feel like my brain is about to boil. But... this is for Leo’s sake.
It happened yesterday. I was summoned by the Sword King, and he asked me to help with this training. I thought, here goes that lecherous geezer again, but his expression had been dead serious.
I understand why now.
Leo is currently trying to master his Sword Aura at an impossible speed. It's a testament to his kindness.
Come to think of it, Abeljan said something about that on Valhalla Island. He called it a strength born of kindness. I think I finally understand what he meant.
"Don't hurt me, okay? This is training from the Sword King. So don't run away!"
"Training... I understand."
Leo is at his strongest when he's doing something for someone else. Right now, he’s clearly pushing himself to the limit to ensure he doesn't hurt me.
His eyes are bloodshot—is his brain working at full throttle? He’s staring at my chest with absolute intensity. He’s trying so hard to be gentle.
Seeing him give it his all like this... it’s just so unbearably endearing.
"I think... it would be more effective training if it were direct?"
"B-but..."
"C-come on!! Don't make a girl stay embarrassed forever!"
"—!?"
I think I’m losing control of myself, too. Wait, does this mean we’re actually going to go all the way? Are we really... are we going to do everything right here!?
"Nnh!!"
"S-sorry!"
"No... that wasn't a cry of pain. So... you're doing great, Leo."
"Yeah... Can I keep going? I feel like I'm right on the verge of grasping it."
"Go ahead."
This is bad. I can't stop this. Or rather, Leo’s progress is just freakish... it's like he's refining his control in real-time by gauging my reactions.
It doesn't hurt; if anything, the pleasure is making my voice leak out.
Is Leo starting to lose it a little, too? Is he... losing control because of me? If he is, that makes me a little happy.
Ah, I’m hopeless. Even Deskis-senpai called me out on it...
"Y-you can... do whatever you want. Anything Leo wants to do... is fine with me...?"
I’m exactly the type of person who will do anything for the one I love.
"............Anything?"
"Yes, anything."
"I get it... Then I’m going to do this for real. If your voice gets higher when I’m doing it right, then this training is about making you sound like that as much as possible."
Leo’s eyes burned with a focused intensity, and his left hand began to glow a brilliant, golden light.
Am I really going to be okay?
"—B-be... gentle... okay?"