It had taken roughly ten days to travel from the Clausel estate to the town with the Magic Ship Dock. From there, nearly a full day was spent aboard a magic ship bound for Erendil. After a five-day stay, the return trip followed the same lengthy path.
By the time Ren finally set foot in the Clausel manor again, nearly a month had passed.
He arrived at the Old Wing around noon. He had barely finished unpacking his bags when Weiss paid him a visit, meeting him in the entrance hall.
"So, how did your study of the Strong Sword Arts go?"
"Master Edgar said I have a knack for them. He’s agreed to teach me again in the future, so I’m planning to head back to the Imperial Capital when the time is right."
"I knew it! I expected nothing less from you, lad!"
Weiss beamed with a friendly, crinkly smile, looking as proud as if it were his own achievement. Once he finished listening to Ren’s account of his time in the capital, his expression turned slightly more serious. "There is something I wish to consult with you about," he said.
"I hear you plan to resume your monster surveys in the Eastern Forest in the next few days. If you don't mind, would you allow the Young Lady to accompany you?"
"I don't think there’s any problem with her coming along... but did something happen?"
"Umu... As you know, the final exam for the Special Merit Class at the Imperial Academy involves combat with monsters. I thought it was time the Young Lady began practicing for that in earnest."
"Will she be alright? I'm worried the exam might turn into a disaster like the one at the Baldur Mountains."
"You can rest easy on that front. It seems the Imperial Academy shared that concern; they changed the format of the final exam immediately after the incident."
Originally, the exam venue had been kept secret to ensure total fairness between nobles and commoners. However, since that secrecy was cited as a primary cause for the chaos at the Baldur Mountains, the Academy decided to announce all future venues in advance. Behind the scenes, they were reportedly sparing no expense to maintain the integrity of the tests despite the change. In all likelihood, the exams were about to become more extravagant—and expensive—than ever before.
"But if I may ask—is the Eastern Forest really sufficient?" Ren asked.
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"
"The monsters living there won't provide much of a challenge. I'm not suggesting she face high-level threats right away, but the gap in strength between Licia-sama and those creatures is so great that I'm not sure it counts as training anymore."
After all, Licia had already proven she could hold her own against monsters when they fought Jelququ. The most troublesome creatures in the Eastern Forest were Earthworms—creatures that tunneled through the soil with hard carapaces. They fetched a high price simply because they were a nuisance to hunt, not because they were particularly dangerous. Unless an anomaly like Asval appeared, nothing in those woods could push her.
If the goal was simply to get used to the sight of a monster, the forest was fine, but Ren’s assessment was that she needed more. Weiss nodded slowly, considering the boy's words. He was, after all, looking toward Licia’s long-term growth.
"Personally, I think the area around Erendil would be better," Ren continued. "Since it’s close to the capital, there aren't many truly powerful monsters, but the ones there are definitely stronger than anything in the Eastern Forest."
"I see. You are remarkably well-informed, lad."
"...I've made a point to study."
Weiss gave a thoughtful grunt at Ren’s reply and crossed his arms. Ren’s logic was sound. While it was important to progress in stages, there was such a thing as being too cautious. Licia also had to balance her physical training with her studies, so efficiency was key.
Wait. If she goes to Erendil, doesn't that make things more complicated?
Sensing a flaw in his own suggestion, Ren spoke up. "Actually, I'm sorry. It takes quite a while to get to Erendil, so that might not be the most efficient use of her time after all."
Licia had recently declined to go to the capital with him specifically so she could focus on her exam prep. Moving her to Erendil just for combat practice might be putting the cart before the horse.
Ren started to apologize for the oversight, but Weiss waved him off.
"The time factor is no issue. If we’re going to do this, she might as well do her exam preparation in Erendil as well."
"——Is that how it works?"
"In Erendil, we can easily summon a Tutor to the Nobility to the manor. Since that’s settled, I shall go consult with the Head of the Family at once!"
"Wait, ah——Weiss-sama!?"
Weiss hurried back toward the Main Building before Ren could protest, leaving the boy to chuckle to himself. "I guess that’s one way to solve it..."
Actually, it made perfect sense. Moving Licia’s base of operations to Erendil now would simplify many things.
A few moments later, Licia herself walked into the Old Wing, taking Weiss’s place.
"Ren? I just saw Weiss rushing out like his hair was on fire... Did something happen?"
"It seems he had some ideas regarding your training, Licia-sama."
"Mine?"
Ren recounted the conversation in detail. As she listened, Licia’s eyes lit up with excitement.
"Fufu, you've been so busy lately, Ren. Aren't you exhausted from traveling back and forth between Clausel and the city so many times?"
"I'm fine. Besides, sending you off alone would be... how should I put it... um..."
"What is it?"
(...I can't exactly say it's because she's a bit of a magnet for trouble.)
Licia seemed to sense his unspoken thought. Wearing an angelically sweet smile, she stepped toward him. Ren reflexively averted his gaze, looking toward the ceiling. Licia reached out, cupped his face with her hands, and forced him to look at her.
"Wh-at is it?" she asked, her tone shifting from playful to an interrogation.
"No, well..."
"I know. I'll brew some tea. You haven't had a moment to breathe since you got back, have you?"
"Actually, I should get started on my work here in the Old Wing..."
"Licia Clausel hereby grants you permission to rest."
When the daughter of his lord spoke with such finality, even Ren couldn't argue. He sighed in defeat. "Then I'll gratefully accept."
Licia looked satisfied. "Good. You do that," she said, her voice bright with joy. She turned to head toward the Old Wing's Kitchen but stopped and looked back almost immediately.
"...Y-you aren't upset, are you?"
"Eh? Why would I be?"
"Because just now... even if it was a joke, I basically threw my authority around to get my way..."
She looked at Ren with a flash of genuine anxiety, worried she had overstepped. It was very like her. Ren smiled at her kindly.
"I don't mind at all. If anything, I'm the one who should apologize for almost saying something stupid."
"N-no! If it’s you, Ren, I’d actually be hap——ahem! I won't mind! ...Wait, so you were about to say something strange!?"
Unusually, it was Ren who had tripped over his own words. However, there was no tension between them; they simply shared a lighthearted laugh.
Afterward, Licia listened with rapt attention as Ren told her about his experiences in the Imperial Capital. Once they finished their tea, Ren handed her a small vial—the item Edgar had entrusted to him for her before he left the Lion Sanctum.
"I'm supposed to put a scratch on the ball inside, right?"
"So I'm told. But apparently, even for a Sword Saint like Edgar-san, it took quite a while before he could leave even a faint mark."
Licia rolled the Crystal Ball inside the vial, staring at it with intense curiosity, clearly wondering if she possessed the talent for the Strong Sword Arts.
Lezard listened to Ren’s suggestion and immediately granted permission for the move to Erendil.
Both Lezard and Weiss joined the group. Lezard had business of his own that could be handled more easily in Erendil, so the timing was perfect. They departed in December, a little over a month after Ren had returned to Clausel.
I feel like I'm spending half my life on these ships lately, Ren thought as they stepped off at the Sky Garden, Erendil’s massive aerial station.
"Since we don't have a hectic schedule like last time, let's take it easy at the manor here," Lezard said. "That said, I'm thinking of taking Licia to the capital as early as tomorrow."
"Father? I didn't think we had any appointments scheduled."
"A tailor. Those clothes are starting to get a bit small on you, so it's time we had them remade with new fabric."
"Those clothes" were the outfit Licia had inherited from her late mother. The White Military Uniform style suited her perfectly, highlighting both her loveliness and her budding dignity.
"I understand. If that is the case, then I would love to go."
"Weiss says he has an errand as well, so we can drop him off on the way."
"Is that quite alright? I was planning to head out on my own later..." Weiss interjected.
"It's no trouble. You were heading to the Blacksmith District, weren't you? Licia will likely want to see it too, so the timing works out."
"Wait, Weiss! If you're going to the Blacksmith District, I want to come too!"
"U-uumu... If you both insist, then I shall gratefully accept the escort..."
With their plans settled, the group left the docks where the Magic Ships were moored, entering the main concourse of the Sky Garden to head down to the city below.