In time, the eighth winter since Ren’s birth drew to a close.
Unlike previous years, none of the villagers struggled with food or firewood shortages, allowing everyone to pass their winter sequestration in comfort.
Then spring arrived, and Ren celebrated his eighth birthday.
On that morning, in the manor where he had been born and raised, Ren was showered with well-wishes from everyone. But at that same moment, in distant Clausel...
Baron Clausel, the local lord, sat in his manor's study, staring in awe at a document on his desk.
“To think such a high-ranking noble would reach out...”
The Baron let out a sharp breath as he scanned the letter that had just arrived. The knight who had delivered it wore an equally incredulous expression.
“Are you certain there’s no mistake?”
“None at all, my lord. Thief Wolfen materials are vital ingredients for high-grade medicine. It’s possible the sender is desperate for that particular supply.”
“I see... It’s true that Thief Wolfen parts haven't hit the market lately.”
“How shall we proceed, my lord?”
“We cannot ignore it. We must send a reply immediately—no, wait. Perhaps this opportunity is...”
An idea struck the Baron. He turned toward his desk to draft a message to the letter's sender, but as soon as he picked up his pen, he was interrupted.
“Father.”
Licia had entered the office. The Baron paused as he looked up.
“I’ve come to say goodbye before my departure,” she said.
“Licia. You understand, don't you?”
“Yes. I know this is part of my official duty. I will patrol the territory and serve the House of Clausel as I always have.”
“Good. Remember, your sparring sessions with Ren Ashton are a reward for fulfilling your duties as a member of this family. Keep that firmly in mind. And of course, do not forget to show him proper gratitude.”
“I will. I swear it on the memory of my late mother.”
“...I see. If you work that hard, I’m sure your feelings will reach him.”
After their exchange, Licia performed a graceful curtsy and left the room. She headed toward the manor gates, where Weiss was already waiting for her.
“Have you finished your greetings to the Master?”
“I have. Now then, I have to work hard this time as well.”
“My lady has grown much this winter. I am certain you will be able to show the boy some truly excellent swordplay.”
“Oh? You won’t say that I’ll win?”
Licia chuckled, leaving Weiss at a loss for words.
Weiss had trained Licia relentlessly over the winter. Between her lessons and her duties as the Baron's daughter, she had matured significantly, both as a person and as a swordswoman.
Yet even so, he could not bring himself to say she would win.
The boy had undoubtedly grown as well.
Ren was a child of strong mind and body who never neglected his training. Even if his only opponents were G-rank Little Boars, he lived in an environment where a single mistake could be fatal. Unlike Licia, his days were defined by a constant, sharp tension.
On one hand, there was that life-or-death tension; on the other, the high-level education Licia received daily. Both were rare and valuable experiences, but when it came to their current difference in skill, Ren's results were likely the product of both his natural talent and his relentless effort.
“Forgive me, my lady. If it’s you...”
“I’m joking. Don't worry about it. I’m going there to see what happens when we spar. It would be boring if I already knew the outcome.”
Without losing heart, Licia walked past Weiss with a dignified stride. She approached the female knight she would be traveling with and nimbly mounted her horse.
“Let’s go. It’s a long way to the village—”
Suddenly, Licia’s vision blurred. The world lurched, and her senses grew sluggish. For a fleeting second, it felt as if all strength had drained from her limbs; she couldn't even tell if the air was warm or cold.
The sensation vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
“My lady? Is something the matter?” the female knight asked from behind her.
Licia felt a lingering sense of wrongness, but she took a moment to compose herself before replying.
“...It’s nothing. I think I’m just a little nervous.”
“Rest easy. We’ve watched you work every single day. I’m sure you’ll put up a wonderful fight.”
“...Thanks.”
Her vision was still slightly unsteady as she answered, but by the time Weiss gave the signal to depart a minute later, the feeling had subsided. Licia dismissed it as a trick of her imagination and turned her thoughts to the journey ahead.
The day after Licia left the Clausel manor, Roy had finally returned to his hunting duties.
As they walked together, Ren couldn't help but marvel. The medicine in this world was truly something else. Roy had suffered deep internal injuries, yet in less than a year, he was back on his feet and ready for combat. To have achieved that with herbs and potions, without a single surgery, was nothing short of miraculous.
“Hmm? What is it, Ren?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about how healthy you look.”
“Of course I am! After all that Rondo Grass and expensive medicine, it actually feels like it took me too long to get back in the game.”
Roy let out a heavy sigh, and Ren sensed the shift in the conversation.
“The forest has been strange lately,” Roy continued. “The Little Boar population is far beyond the norm.”
“I’ve noticed that since winter. The knights mentioned it too.”
“I’m not surprised. Spring through summer is their breeding season, so it’s normal to see them more often, but this is excessive.”
“It’s good for our income since we can hunt so many, but it's hard to be happy about it under the circumstances.”
Roy nodded in agreement. “For now, we just have to keep hunting while keeping a close eye on things.”
He gave a bright, confident grin. Ren nodded back and looked up at the darkening sky. The days were getting longer—another sign that spring was turning into summer.
Suddenly, voices drifted toward them from a distance.
“...!”
Ren and Roy exchanged a look. They dropped the Little Boars they were carrying right onto the field path and broke into a run toward the Ashton manor.
They arrived in minutes to find the Clausel knights facing off against a group of men Ren recognized. They were the knights serving Viscount Given.
“What’s all this racket? What happened?” Roy demanded.
“M-My apologies, Master Roy! These men just—”
“Ah, we’ve been waiting for you!” the lead knight from Given’s faction interrupted. “We’ve brought a letter for you!”
Ren recognized him as the man he had guided through the forest once before. Roy took the letter as a matter of etiquette, though he looked wary.
“I’ll review this inside. But what business brings you to our village?”
“The Viscount is extending another invitation to the Ashton family.”
Ren hid a sigh behind his hand. Roy forced his face to stay neutral, though his smile didn't reach his eyes.
“The Viscount still holds your skills in the highest regard, Master Ashton. And the same goes for your son.”
“For Ren? I thought we discussed this before.”
“Indeed. Which is why we have brought a much more generous proposal this time.”
“...A proposal?”
Ren felt a pit form in his stomach. Usually, when someone called a deal "generous," it was anything but for the person receiving it.
“The Viscount has offered to sponsor Ren Ashton for the Special Merit Class of the prestigious Imperial Academy.”
The announcement hit Ren like a physical blow.
Please, anything but that, he thought, filled with dread.
Roy gaped in shock, as did the Clausel knights.
“Wh—!? Even general admission is nearly impossible! There’s no way our Ren could get into the Special Merit Class!”
“The Special Merit Class is indeed exceptional,” the knight replied smugly. “It’s usually reserved for the heirs of the Seven Great Archduke Families, the General Families, and a handful of geniuses raised in the capital.”
Ren looked at the man’s arrogant face with growing disgust. The Imperial Academy was the primary setting of The Legend of the Seven Heroes. More importantly, the Special Merit Class was where the game's protagonists were gathered. Enrolling there was a one-way ticket into the game's original plot. He had failed to avoid Licia, but he had to avoid that academy at all costs.
“However,” the knight continued, “the Viscount once served as the Assistant to the Minister of Justice. He has the influence to ensure a recommendation letter carries the proper weight.”
He’s likely planning to pull strings with the Hero Faction nobles, Ren thought. The idea made him feel physically ill.
“It’s not... impossible, perhaps, but why would he go that far for Ren?” Roy asked.
“Because the Viscount sees incredible potential in him. In fact, some of the nobles close to the Viscount have been talking... they suspect the Ashton line might carry the blood of the Hero Lauren, however faint it may be.”
“What—!?”
“Don't dismiss it so easily. Look at the timing. The Seven Great Archduke Families all produced heirs at the same time, and then this boy appears and performs a miraculous feat at that very same age. It would be a lie to say there isn't hope there.”
“That's ridiculous! Our family has been in this village for generations!”
“The truth is lost to time. Perhaps a distant branch of the family split off long ago. Regardless, even if the blood isn't there, Ren Ashton is a remarkable boy.”
Ren saw right through the scheme. Viscount Given wanted to use him as a trophy in the factional wars. It didn't matter if the Hero's blood was real or not.
If I succeed, they’ll use me to gain influence. If I fail, they’ll probably claim I was a fraud who pretended to be the Hero’s descendant. Either way, I'm just a pawn to them.
“So, what is your answer?” the knight pressed. “Let’s not get bogged down in details. Graduation from the Academy practically guarantees a high-ranking position. For the Ashton family, that fact alone should be enough.”
“I... I know that, but...” Roy faltered.
The knight turned his focus toward Ren. “Young man, don’t you wish to see your talents bloom in the Imperial Capital?”
Ren didn't hesitate. “No.”
“I thought you would say—wait, what?” The knight blinked in surprise.
“I have no intention of leaving this village.”
“W-Why on earth not!?”
“I’m sorry. I find fulfillment in my life here—hunting in the forest and protecting my home.”
“Do you have no desire for nobility? You could easily become a Baron after graduation!”
“I’m sorry, but that's a burden I have no interest in carrying.”
The knight was stunned into silence. His aggressive momentum vanished, replaced by sheer disbelief. He turned back to Roy.
“...And what do you have to say to this?”
Roy gave a simple, firm answer. “I’m honored that the Viscount has reached out to us twice, but I must decline again. My family has served the Clausels for generations, and I take great pride in that. I have no intention of leaving, either.”
“Do you not want your son to be a noble!?”
“Of course I want the best for him. I’d love for him to see the capital and learn things I can't teach him here. But at the end of the day, what matters most is Ren’s own will.”
“The boy is young! He might just be being polite!”
“No, that's not it. Ren is a considerate kid, but he knows his own mind.”
The knight’s face flushed a deep red, his fists trembling with suppressed rage. Being rejected a second time was a massive blow to his pride. Yet, he managed to maintain a thin veneer of decorum.
“...That is a great disappointment, Master Ashton.”
He gave a stiff bow, then turned and mounted his horse.
“Wait! I’ll write a formal reply!” Roy called out.
“There is no need. We will deliver your answer ourselves. Farewell!”
They galloped away before Roy could say another word. Roy scratched his head and sighed.
“Well, they're not coming back. I wanted to write a letter to ensure there was no misunderstanding. I don't want them twisting my words back at the Viscount's manor.”
“It’ll be fine, Dad,” Ren said. “After turning them down twice, I don't think a letter would have changed much anyway.”
Roy shrugged and gave a weary nod. “I suppose you’re right.”