At that same hour, deep within a mountain range about ninety minutes' ride from Erendil, a fierce struggle was unfolding. The terrain was a jagged landscape of sheer cliffs and sharp, protruding rocks.
Two knights and a young boy stood amidst the crags.
The battle against the monster they faced was drawing to its inevitable conclusion.
I need to settle this now! Ren told himself, his focus sharpening.
Now fourteen, Ren had reached that age just ahead of Licia. He was a boy whose looks often captivated the female students—a striking, neutral beauty inherited from his mother Mireille's gentle features and his father Roy's sharp, masculine profile.
At this moment, his face burned with intensity, his entire being focused on a single goal: making sure this strike hit home.
"Master Ren!"
"The beast is taking flight!"
"I see it! I've got this!"
Heeding the warnings of the knights clad in pitch-black armor, Ren sprinted up the rock face. The slope was a treacherous maze of jagged edges; a single misstep meant a lethal fall onto the stones below. Yet Ren didn't flinch. He moved with fluid grace, his feet practically skimming the steep incline as he pursued the monster ascending into the sky.
"M-Master Ren!? Surely you don't mean to—"
"I’m ending this right here!"
The creature he pursued was a Forest-Eater—a massive, predatory bird with two pairs of wings. Its plumage and down were a uniform, deep forest green.
You're not getting away, Forest-Eater!
As he glared up at the monster, the events of the morning flashed through his mind.
A messenger from Radius had arrived at the Clausel manor early that day to speak with Lezard. He had left several messages for Ren, requesting his immediate assistance. Ren could still recall the Prince’s words vividly.
"A powerful monster has been sighted far from human settlements. The information isn't public yet, but an adventurer was injured last night. I want to investigate this personally before we involve the army or the Guild. Given how little time has passed since the Great Clock Tower Incident, I want this handled as quietly and quickly as possible."
Radius suspected the Demon King Cult might be involved, which was why he had reached out to Ren specifically.
Though the immediate danger wasn't deemed extreme, Radius wanted to be proactive. After breakfast, Lezard had summoned Ren to his office to pass on the request before Ren left for the Academy. Ren hadn't hesitated for a moment.
"I understand," he had told Lezard. "I’ll head out and confirm the situation just in case."
Ren had told Licia he would be late for class and parted ways with her after leaving the manor. He had briefly considered asking her to stay home, but he decided she would be safer at the Academy.
As soon as he stepped away from the estate, a person called out from the shadows. It was a young knight Ren recognized from the Lion Sanctum, dressed in plain clothes and waiting with horses. Once clear of Erendil, Ren rode hard to the camp Radius had established.
"Radius."
"I'm glad you could make it. Here’s the intelligence report. Read it."
The documents described a creature known as a Forest-Eater. By the Adventurer's Guild standards, it was ranked as a lower C-rank monster—a powerful beast that was not native to this region.
"It earned its name because of its voracious appetite," Radius had explained. "It’s said to be capable of devouring entire groves. It’s rare for such a creature to appear this close to the Imperial Capital. If we can kill it, I want to analyze the remains for any irregularities. You won't be alone, of course. I’m assigning two knights from the Lion Sanctum to support you, and I have other units deployed elsewhere."
Generally, it took five or more seasoned knights to handle even a D-rank monster. A C-rank creature usually required several times that number. However, Ren and the Lion Sanctum elite were far from ordinary. With a handful of elite knights and a Strong Sword User who surpassed them all, there was no reason to fear.
"I've never fought this rank before," Ren had said, "but it won't be a problem."
Radius had expected that answer, but he still felt a thrill of admiration at Ren’s confidence. Having reached the Master Swordsman Class as a Strong Sword User, Ren had grown significantly since that summer. There wasn't a trace of doubt in his voice.
And that confidence brought him to this moment.
"Sorry, but this is as far as you go," Ren said coldly.
He swung his Iron Magic Sword toward the sky, unleashing a wave of sword pressure. The Forest-Eater faltered mid-air, its balance broken. It looked down just in time to see Ren lunging toward it, having launched himself off the mountainside with incredible force.
"Gaaaaa! Graaaaa!"
The bird let out a piercing shriek and beat its wings frantically. Purple Lightning crackled across its feathers, discharging a bolt of electricity directly at Ren.
Ren didn't even perceive it as a threat. With a single, decisive swing of his Iron Magic Sword, he used the Art: Star-Slayer to snuff out the lightning entirely.
"I'm sorry. I can't let a monster that's attacked people go free."
The Forest-Eater gathered its remaining strength. Realizing its magic was useless against the boy, it lashed out with its wings and beak.
"Gruuuu!"
The creature’s physical might was every bit as formidable as its rank suggested. As one of its wing-tips swept past Ren, the sheer wind pressure left a shallow cut on his arm. However, Ren saw through the follow-up strike. He countered with a heavy blow from his Iron Magic Sword, shearing through a large portion of the monster’s wing.
"—!?"
"I don't plan on losing!"
"Geee... Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
The Forest-Eater's final, desperate struggle was fierce. It possessed a raw physical power that neither the Thief Wolfen nor the Steel-Eating Gargoyles had ever displayed, and the experience was pushing Ren's growth even further.
Each beat of the massive wings whipped up gales of wind, and the talons at the ends of its limbs snapped at him with lethal intent. Realizing it couldn't escape while Ren was there, the monster threw everything into a desperate gambit, slamming Ren into the mountainside with enough force to gouge the rock.
Yet even then, the Forest-Eater didn't try to flee. It sensed, instinctively, that the boy standing in the swirling dust would never let it escape.
"Grrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—!"
Desperate to end it, the monster charged, its balance wavering from its ruined wing. It enshrouded its entire body in Purple Lightning, aiming its razor-sharp beak at the crater where Ren had landed.
But it was too late.
A flash of light ignited far above the knights' heads. The Forest-Eater froze in mid-air. An instant before gravity could take hold, the creature was split vertically—from its chest to its neck, and from its beak through its skull. It plummeted, spraying forest-green ichor as it fell.
The knights waiting below looked up through the settling dust to see Ren. He was standing in the shattered rock, leaning on his Iron Magic Sword with a faint smile on his lips.
"Phew..."
He looked down at the two knights and the carcass of the Forest-Eater lying nearby. Exhaling a short breath, Ren felt the undeniable weight of his own progress.
A short while later, Ren and Radius were aboard a magic train heading toward the Academy.
"I've told you time and again—you're too reckless," Radius scolded.
They were in a private compartment reserved for nobility, allowing them to speak freely without fear of being overheard.
"What? What did I do?" Ren asked.
"What do you think I assigned those knights to your side for!? I know you're capable of killing a C-rank, but I sent them to ensure you didn't get hurt!"
"I'm sorry. I was so focused on making sure it didn't get away that I just... forgot."
"Sigh... Whatever. At least it didn't turn into a major injury, so I'll let it slide."
The two knights had done a great deal of work before the Forest-Eater took flight. It was only after the monster realized it was beaten and tried to flee that Ren had pushed himself to finish it solo.
The Flame Magic Sword is too draining for a long chase, Ren thought privately.
A knock sounded at the compartment door. A knight's silhouette was visible through the frosted glass.
"It seems they need me for a moment. I'll be right back."
"Yeah, sure."
Once Radius stepped out, Ren was alone. He took the opportunity to check the proficiency he had gained from the battle.
Ren Ashton Job: Ashton Family Eldest Son Skills: - Magic Sword Summoning (Level 1: 0/0) - Magic Sword Summoning Arts (Level 5: 3129/5000) - Level 1: Can summon one magic sword. - Level 2: Physical Ability Boost (Small) while summoning the bracelet. - Level 3: Can summon two magic swords. - Level 4: Physical Ability Boost (Medium) while summoning the bracelet. - Level 5: Unlock Magic Sword Evolution. - Level 6: Physical Ability Boost (Large) while summoning the bracelet. - Level 7: ***
Acquired Magic Swords: - Great Tree Magic Sword (Level 3: 1328/2000) - Enables attacks equivalent to Nature Magic (Medium). Effect range increases with level. - Iron Magic Sword (Level 3: 4253/4500) - Sharpness increases with level. - Thief's Magic Sword (Level 1: 0/3) - Randomly steals items from targets. - Shield Magic Sword (Level 2: 0/5) - Deploys a Mana Barrier. Effectiveness and range increase with level. - Flame Magic Sword (Level 1: 1/1) - Its hellfire is the Dragon's wrath, the incarnation of power.
Looking at the numbers, Ren noted how much his progress had slowed lately. This was partly because he’d spent the last year focused on his entrance exam studies, and partly because he didn't have as many opportunities to go out and hunt as he’d had in Clausel.
On the other hand, his formal training at the Lion Sanctum had polished his swordsmanship to a degree that was incomparable to his earlier self. Having acquired several Arts, he had actually grown quite a bit.
He also noticed a shift that had become prominent after defeating Asval. Unlike his early days of hunting Little Boars, the proficiency gained by his Magic Sword Summoning Arts and the individual magic swords didn't always match. Sometimes one gained more than the other, though the reason remained unclear.
To Ren, this felt more natural, and he accepted it without much thought.
"Well, it's a start," he muttered.
He felt a surge of pride knowing his Strong Sword Arts had reached the Master Swordsman Class. He resolved to keep pushing himself in every way possible.
Radius returned a moment later, tilting his head when he saw Ren sighing. "Did something happen?"
"No, nothing. How about you?"
"The knights were coordinating with the Guild before we left. They just finished summarizing the report."
"The Guild? What for?"
Radius sat back down across from Ren. He held several sheets of paper and leafed through the first one.
"Since an adventurer was injured yesterday, we had to report the kill to the Guild. It's a bureaucratic mess, but I’ve handled the processing."
"Heh. I thought you'd just use your authority to keep it under wraps."
"I could, but as I said, an adventurer was involved. The Guild was actually about to post a formal wanted notice for it."
The crucial point was that Ren had killed the beast before the notice went up.
"I’ll need you to sign a few documents. I’ll handle the rest."
"Why do I need to sign?"
"Because a pending wanted notice means the bounty and other rewards have already been authorized by the Guild. Since you killed it almost entirely on your own, you’re entitled to the rewards."
"Oh, I see. But..."
"Let me stop you right there. The other knights are on official duty, so they can't accept private rewards. I’ll provide them with a separate allowance, so don't worry about them."
"You're good. You knew exactly what I was going to say."
"I know you, Ren. I can guess most of it."
Radius laid the papers out on the table between them. Aside from the Guild paperwork, there were documents bearing Radius's personal seal.
"What are these?"
"A personal token of my gratitude. Moving large sums of money directly is a headache, so I’ve arranged for the Arnevelde Company to deliver a shipment of goods to the Clausel estate and your home village. Do you mind?"
"Not at all. I appreciate it."
Ren looked over the remaining papers. They covered the quest reward, the estimated value of the Forest-Eater's materials, and various payment authorizations. The Mana Stone wasn't included, as Ren had already crushed it to absorb its power.
It was decided that the Imperial Palace would purchase the monster’s materials in bulk. Radius wanted to personally examine the remains to confirm whether the Demon King Cult had been involved. The price was set according to the Guild’s standard appraisal, but the total was still staggering.
"I’m surprised it's worth this much," Ren admitted.
"You said your tuition was already taken care of, right? You should use this for your village, as usual."
"I’d like to, but my parents have been telling me to spend more on myself lately. They’ve actually started refusing the money I send home."
"Then save it. You'll find a use for it eventually."
Ren agreed and signed the papers. Finally, he reached a document that didn't require a signature—it was a formal Guild notification regarding his rank.
"Looks like my rank is going up."
"Expected. You were taking on plenty of jobs before school started, weren't you? Some from Ulysses, if I recall."
"Yeah. I did some guard work for one of his merchant friends."
"And I heard you were handling regular monster hunts as well. This latest kill was the final push you needed."
The report was simply a statement of fact, intended to inform Ren of his new status. At the bottom, it read:
The following individual is hereby recognized as B-rank.
Because Ren had spent his winter break taking on Guild jobs to clear his head from exam stress, he had already reached C-rank. This latest mission had prompted another promotion.
"A B-rank adventurer while still a student. Fufu. I've never heard of such a thing," Radius laughed.
Ren gathered the papers and handed them back. "I think this rank is more than enough for now."
He stretched his back, the movement revealing a glimpse of the bandage on his hand. He had treated the cut with a potion and wrapped it just in case.
I might actually make it to the afternoon class if I hurry, he thought, watching the Imperial Capital come into view through the window.
Upon arriving at the Academy, Ren headed straight for the classroom where the afternoon session was held. Today was Herbology.
"...In the study of herbs, the distillation still and the alchemy still are of paramount importance. As you all know, these two are essential for the refining of potions."
As Ren stood outside the classroom door, he could hear the teacher's lecture. He straightened his clothes, took a breath, and quietly opened the door.
The room was filled with shelves of test tubes and potted medicinal plants. The elderly, gentlemanly teacher looked up as Ren entered, followed by the gazes of thirty students in the Special Merit Class.
"I'm sorry. I'm late," Ren said.
"I was informed you had business to attend to. Come in, come in. Take your seat."
Ren thanked the teacher and walked to the seat next to Licia. She gave him a look that spoke volumes, secretly reaching out to pull back his sleeve. When she saw the bandage, she gave him a sweet, knowing smile.
"You're telling me everything later, understand?" she whispered.
"...Yes."
Licia was satisfied; Ren had resigned himself to his fate. Since class was still in session, she wouldn't press him yet, but her intent to hear the full story later was unmistakable.
"Returning to the lecture," the teacher continued. "As for why the distillation still and alchemy still are essential..."
The teacher decided to call on Ren, who had served as the student representative at the entrance ceremony.
"Ashton, I apologize for putting you on the spot the moment you've arrived, but I have a question. Do you know the primary purpose of a distillation still in potion refining?"
Ren stood up and answered without a second's delay. "It is used to separate the plant’s moisture from its medicinal components."
"Splendid. Class, what he just described is the foundation of potion refining. You likely all learned this for your entrance exams. However, in this class, we aim for a more advanced understanding..."
The grandfatherly teacher smiled. "By the way, Ashton, do you know how to increase the potency of those separated components?"
"It varies depending on the specific components extracted from the herb."
"And do you know which methods are most effective?"
"I'm familiar with a few. For instance..."
Ren proceeded to describe techniques that far exceeded the typical first-year curriculum. As he spoke, the teacher stroked his white beard, looking impressed.
"Excellent. It's clear you've studied this subject deeply."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period.
"Now then," the teacher said. "We'll leave it there for today. Do not forget to review your notes for next time."
He gathered his things and left. Following the lead of the other students, Licia and Ren stood up.
"Ren, let's go."
"I'm ready."
Ren knew full well that after-school hours were about to become an interrogation session. Radius had given him permission to tell Licia and Fiona the truth, so he didn't plan on hiding anything.
"I had no idea you knew so much about herbology, Ren," Licia said as they walked.
"In my village, I studied under Granny Rigu, the local apothecary. I learned quite a bit from her."
"Fufu, so that's your secret. I was really surprised."
Ren gave a sheepish smile as they left the classroom. Just outside, several female students—some of them high-ranking nobles—stopped him to praise his performance in class. Ren handled them with his usual polite composure.
"How do you usually study?" one asked.
"Please, tell us your secret!" another added.
Ren briefly explained his study habits before looking back at Licia, not wanting to keep her waiting. "I'm sorry, but we have to be going."
"Oh... sorry! We didn't mean to keep you so long."
"Sorry, Clausel-san!"
"Don't worry about it," Licia said with a friendly wave. "We'll see you later."
When Licia smiled like that, even the other girls were momentarily mesmerized by her beauty.
Once they were clear of the group, the two walked through the halls, textbooks in hand. They slipped into an empty classroom, and Licia immediately gestured for Ren to show her his arm.
"Hold still. I'm going to heal this."
Licia held her hands over Ren's arm, her Holy Magic washing over the wound. The cut hidden by the bandage was enveloped in light, and the lingering heat and dull ache vanished instantly.
Thinking back, Ren realized it had been a while since he’d needed her magic. He hadn't sustained a single injury during the final exams for the Special Merit Class.
"Your Holy Magic... has it gotten stronger again?"
"Fufu. Maybe it has."
She had mentioned that her power had been growing at an almost startling rate since last summer. Ren wondered just how far her potential would go.
"How does it feel? Does it still hurt?"
"Not at all. I actually feel better than I did this morning."
"Honestly, don't say things like that. Just because I can heal you doesn't mean you have permission to be reckless, you know?"
They shared a quiet laugh. Before Ren could start his explanation, the sounds of other students chatting drifted in through the open window. The Academy was bustling with life after the final bell.
"You know," Licia said, looking out at the grounds. "It's a little strange, isn't it? You and I, attending this Academy together."
"How so?"
"Well, everything with Viscount Given... the trial..."
"Ah... I see what you mean. I spent so much time refusing his invitations, and now here I am, attending school with you anyway."
"Exactly. It just made me realize how much has happened to bring us here."
Reflecting on the past that had built their present, Ren felt a wave of nostalgia.
Licia smiled, looking up at him. "But then again, we've been together for as long as I can remember. I suppose it’s only natural for our lives to be full of 'a lot of things'."
It had indeed been years since they first met. Realizing how quickly time had flown, the two exchanged a familiar smile.
Ren later recounted the morning’s events to both Licia and Fiona. While they were surprised, they weren't angry—they had simply been worried and curious. They were proud of what he had accomplished. To them, the idea of being dissatisfied with his success was out of the question.
...But the fact that he had been the only thing on their minds all day was simply the cross those in love had to bear.