About a week before the end of the year.
As the sun began to set, the dwarf Verrich arrived at the manor.
"Well, if it isn't Master Verrich!"
"Yeah. It’s been a while, Weiss."
After exchanging brief greetings with Weiss at the entrance, Verrich handed over a plain wooden box. "This is the item I promised," he said, before promptly turning to leave.
Weiss watched him go with a hint of nostalgia, clearly used to the dwarf’s habit of arriving without warning and departing just as suddenly.
"Young Lady, please accept this."
Weiss opened the box and drew out the weapon within.
Licia took the straight sword from him. It was housed in a simple black scabbard, and when she drew it, the pristine, white blade shimmered in the light.
So, it was that sword after all, Ren thought, his eyes widening in silence.
The prediction he’d made at the Sky Garden had been proven correct.
"It’s... beautiful," Licia whispered, captivated by the blade’s elegance.
Watching her admire the sword, Weiss’s expression softened.
"It might still be a bit large for you, Young Lady, but you’ll grow into it soon enough. As that man was leaving, he told me its name—Byakuen."
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, that sword was Licia’s trademark, boasting some of the highest attack power in the game.
An masterpiece of Orichalcum, polished over years with the holy water of Nodias. Its sharpness is legendary, though it possesses a temperament that repels the user's mana. Very few in the world can suppress that quirk and master it.
That was the description Ren remembered from the game’s item screen.
Naturally, there had been no way for a player to obtain it. Like Licia herself—the Unconquerable Heroine—the blade had always been an unreachable existence.
"Thank you. I’ll treasure it."
"I am honored to hear you say so. I look forward to the day your Strong Sword Arts are unleashed through that blade."
"I'll work hard, I promise! Right, Ren? Let’s do our best together!"
"Yes. I’ll do my best to keep up with you, Lady Licia."
"Then, um... Oh, Weiss! Can I use this sword for our combat training against monsters?"
"Of course. However, the weight and length are different from your previous weapon. Don't push yourself too hard at first; keep your old sword with you just in case."
"I understand. I promise I won't overdo it."
With a spring in her step and a heart full of excitement, Licia headed toward the dining hall, where dinner was waiting. Ren and Weiss followed close behind.
If I’m going to tell them, tonight is the night, Ren decided.
He felt it was better to speak before Licia began her specialized training. Since tomorrow's practice was specifically for her entrance exam into the Academy’s Special Merit Class, this was the perfect moment to announce his own decision. He didn't want to let this chance slip away and have to wait for another opening.
As they sat around the table, Ren savored the fine meal while reaffirming his resolve.
To think that he was now aiming for the very place he had once vowed to avoid at all costs... It was strange how things turned out.
He waited for a lull in the conversation as Licia and Lezard finished their meal.
"There's something I’d like to tell you both," Ren said, breaking the silence.
"What is it, Ren?" Licia asked.
"Something on your mind?" Lezard added.
Ren took a deep breath. He voiced the resolution he had forged in his heart, his words clear and steady.
"I’ve decided that I want to apply for the Special Merit Class at the Imperial Academy as well."
A sudden silence fell over the table.
Ren had previously mentioned his intent to eventually leave Clausel to protect Licia, but tonight, he was speaking of a concrete path for his future.
"Does that mean... we can go together?" Licia asked softly.
"Yes. Assuming I pass, of course."
"Of course you'll pass! Father, did you hear? Ren is going to take the exam with me!"
"I heard. Truly, this is wonderful news."
Lezard smiled. If Ren attended the same academy, Licia would be safer—a sentiment Ulysses had also shared. Beyond that, having someone like Ren as the eventual head of the Ashton family was a reassuring prospect for the future of the territory.
"Well then, Ren, you’ll have to buckle down and study alongside Licia."
"Yes, sir. I plan to work on my studies while balancing my duties here."
"Now, hold on. This is the Imperial Academy’s Special Merit Class we're talking about. You can't expect to pass by treating it as a side project."
Ren took the warning to heart, though he had been studying diligently since he was a small child. Since the entrance exam had been a major event in the game, he already had a solid grasp of the material. Still, he knew he couldn't afford any mistakes.
I’ll need to pick up some more reference books soon, he thought.
He planned to head to the Imperial Capital shortly to make preparations. He also realized he needed to write a letter to his parents to let them know of his decision.
The next day at noon, Ren traveled to the capital alone. He needed to coordinate with Verrich regarding the transport of Asval’s horn.
Since the Clausel family was occupied with official business for the next two days, Ren had volunteered to handle the trip himself. He could have sent a letter, but after hearing Ulysses's comments about Verrich's habit of ignoring mail, he decided an in-person visit was safer.
On his way back from the dwarf’s workshop, Ren decided to stop by the Lion Sanctum.
It had been a while since his last visit with Edgar, but the knight guarding the entrance recognized him immediately.
"It has been some time, Master Ren."
It was the same knight who had demonstrated Wind Magic for him previously. Clad in the familiar jet-black armor, the man stepped forward with a gentle smile that contrasted with his imposing appearance.
"Are you alone today?"
"Yes. Mr. Edgar told me I was welcome to use the training grounds. I thought I'd stop by to observe and learn if the timing was right."
"Master Edgar is actually here today as well. I assumed you had an appointment with him."
"Oh? He's here?"
"Yes. He arrived this morning and mentioned he was preparing to give you some personal instruction. I thought perhaps he was expecting you today."
The coincidence was perfect. If Edgar was already there, Ren hoped to be introduced to some of the other knights as well. When he asked if he could enter, the guard nodded.
"There is always someone swinging a sword here," the knight said as he led the way. "Even off-duty knights come here to train. No matter when you visit, you'll never lack a sparring partner."
He was clearly telling Ren that he was welcome anytime.
"So the training hall is always active?"
"Indeed. Even into the late hours of the night."
The interior of the Lion Sanctum was as solemn and quiet as Ren remembered. However, as they moved deeper into the building, past the private room he had used with Edgar, the atmosphere changed. He felt a heavy, sharp pressure that seemed to make his skin prickle.
Edgar had mentioned that the main training hall was located at the very back of the Sanctum, an open-air structure with a high, vaulted ceiling.
When they reached the massive stone doors, they swung open to reveal the space.
Ren stepped forward and looked down from a railing over a sprawling training hall set into a semi-basement. Sunlight streamed down from the glass ceiling above. Unlike the stone floors of the smaller rooms, this arena was covered in packed, hardened earth.
The pressure he’d felt earlier intensified instantly. The knights currently training had noticed him and looked up, their collective gaze creating a nearly physical weight.
They weren't being hostile; in fact, a few of them even offered small, welcoming smiles. But being the focus of more than a dozen Strong Sword Users created an intensity that Ren had rarely experienced.
Down on the floor, he spotted Edgar, who appeared to be in the middle of a conversation with the other knights.