A gentle evening breeze swept over the grass.
The occasional voices of students still lingering on the academy grounds drifted toward them, but the two boys paid them no mind. Radius, in particular, was focused entirely on the story he was about to tell.
"The girl in the story—the Blighted Princess—possessed a mana that withered everything she touched. Not even her parents could reach out to her."
"So, it’s the exact opposite of Vessel Cracking?" Ren asked.
"Exactly. While Vessel Cracking eats away at the host’s own body, the Blighted Princess’s mana corroded others. Since she couldn’t control it herself, her father had no choice but to confine her to a tower."
Radius summarized the gist of the tale rather than reciting it word-for-word. As Ren listened, he felt a pang of sympathy for the girl's lonely circumstances. He wondered why such a somber story would be told to a young member of the Imperial Family, but as Radius continued, the ending proved to be a classic heroic conclusion.
"Eventually, a man appeared who was unaffected by her power."
"I assume he’s the hero of the story, then?"
"Just as you’d expect. The man gathered the Three Treasures required to suppress her mana and proposed to her."
The folktale only mentioned the treasures as a plot device—tasks the man had to complete. It didn't offer any specific details about what they actually were, and Radius didn't seem to care much about the specifics of such a simple legend.
"So, how did it end?"
"The princess almost refused him, fearing her power might resurface one day, but the man practically dragged her out of that tower. When the guards realized she was gone and gave chase, the princess warned him, 'My power might return, or those who want me back might cut you down for this.'"
The two continued to talk as they navigated a path lined with tall, manicured hedges.
"But the man just laughed her concerns away. He told her he didn't care about any of that and asked, 'Is it so terrible to have me by your side?'"
Ren listened intently as Radius went on.
"The princess didn't answer. Instead, she said, 'You won't be happy with me. Sooner or later, both of us will be hunted.' But the man had a final answer for her—the only words that could truly reach her heart."
He paused for effect, his voice dropping slightly.
"'In that case, I will simply protect you with my life.'"
Perhaps they were cliché words, but Ren could imagine they were exactly what the Blighted Princess had spent her life longing to hear.
"She replied, 'Then I will give you my everything. Show me the world you have seen.' And so, she chose to live her life by his side."
Though the story of the Blighted Princess had begun with a heavy tone, it ended on a high note, just as Radius had promised.
"The captive girl left her dark room behind. It’s said they fled to a distant land and lived happily ever after." Radius looked at Ren with a grin. "Well? What do you think?"
Ren voiced the one thing he was curious about. "It’s a nice story. But can I ask a few questions?"
"Go ahead."
"Was she actually a princess? I mean, she had the title, so I assume she was of high birth?"
"It’s just an old tale, so it’s hard to say. In rural areas, even the daughter of a local knight might be called a 'princess,' so the details are murky."
"I guess that makes sense... Do you know which country the story is from?"
"No information on that, either. But that's the nature of folktales. They aren't meant to be logically consistent; they're more like heroic bedtime stories for children. As long as the kids enjoy it, that’s enough."
"I see. So it’s probably something a servant or an old member of the Imperial Family made up long ago."
"Precisely. That’s why I don’t sweat the details."
They continued their idle chatter as they walked. Radius mentioned that girls within the Imperial Family often grew up admiring the story, hoping that a similar figure would one day appear in their own lives. Eventually, they reached a secluded corner of the garden.
"This spot looks good," Radius said.
"Yeah, I agree."
They took a seat at a small terrace table, their figures concealed from view by the surrounding hedges.
"Enough about old stories. Tell me more about your swordsmanship class. How did it go?"
Ren didn't have much to report. He explained that arriving late due to committee work had led to a duel with Licia, which in turn had led to the instructor pulling them aside to discuss a specialized curriculum. Radius chuckled as he listened.
"So, they’ve already realized what you're capable of."
Radius had expected this outcome. He leaned back and gave a small, knowing smile. They spent the next thirty minutes talking like ordinary friends until the sky began to turn a deep, dusky purple.
"Look at the time," Radius muttered, checking his watch. They both rose to their feet.
Ren’s ears perked up as he sensed someone approaching. "Wait," he whispered, tilting his head.
A voice called out from behind the hedges. "Highness, it’s me-nya."
A lovely young girl stepped into view. She was a hybrid, possessing the distinct features of a Cait Sith. Given how she addressed Radius, Ren immediately knew she was one of the prince's inner circle.
"What is it?" Radius asked.
"I was looking for you because it’s nearly time for you to depart-nya. I apologize for interrupting your conversation-nya."
"Ah, my apologies. I lost track of time—wait, Ren, let me introduce you."
Radius beckoned the girl closer. Even in the way she walked, she carried an air of refined grace that made Ren suspect she was a noble. His intuition was proven correct a moment later.
"This is Mirei Archayse. She’s the daughter of Count Archayse I mentioned before. She served as the Student Council President last year."
"Oh! The one you said you were going to invite to the executive committee!"
"It is a pleasure to meet you-nya. I am Mirei. His Highness spoke with me recently, and I will be assisting the committee to the best of my humble abilities-nya."
Ren thanked her for accepting the position. After he introduced himself, Mirei made a request.
"Please, just call me Mirei-nya."
"I couldn't do that. I can't just address a Count's daughter without a title."
Ren suggested using "-sama," but she firmly shook her head.
"Then please use '-san'-nya. I would prefer if a friend of His Highness didn't use formal titles with me-nya."
Ren glanced at Radius, who gave a supportive nod, and agreed to the arrangement. Mirei, for her part, seemed content to keep her natural, cat-like manner of speech.
"I’ve known about you for a while, Ren-dono, so I feel like we’re already acquainted-nya."
"Were you watching us from somewhere near Radius?"
"Occasionally-nya. Like after that special request last year-nya."
"Ah, you mean when I was talking to Radius in that alley in Erendil?"
"I appreciate how quickly you catch on-nya. I’ve seen you on several other occasions as well-nya."
Ren found her easy to talk to and was glad for the smooth introduction. Once the greetings were out of the way, Radius spoke up again.
"Mirei, what about that room I asked for?"
"There are no problems-nya. However, it’s been used as a storehouse for the academy, so we’ll need to move some things out and organize it-nya."
"That's fine. We can handle that easily enough."
Ren listened in silence, wondering if this was committee business he should be privy to. Sensing his hesitation, Radius looked over at him.
"It’s regarding a workspace for the committee," he explained. "I asked Mirei to use her experience as the former president to find us a place to work. The academy provides an empty classroom, but that will be our public office. I wanted a private spot where we could actually get things done in peace."
"I see," Ren said. "Mirei-san, where is this room?"
"I’ve secured a small room in the back of the academy library-nya. It’s been a warehouse for years, so we’re borrowing it on the condition that we clean it ourselves-nya."
It might be dusty, but it would be perfectly usable once they tidied up. Better yet, as long as no one else applied for the space, they could keep using it even after their committee duties were finished.
"This will be perfect for you, too, Ren," Radius added. "If you’re going to be using your swordsmanship periods for independent study, you’ll need a quiet place to sit."
"That’s a great idea. I hadn't thought of that."
Ren was pleased. He hadn't received his assignments from the other teachers yet, but having a quiet sanctuary in the library was a huge relief.
I bet Licia and Fiona will be happy to hear this, too, Ren thought, a small smile crossing his face. Suddenly, his expression stiffened.
"What's wrong?" Radius asked.
"Sorry. I just remembered something that happened this morning."
"...This morning?"
Ren decided this was the best time to bring it up. He needed to tell Radius about his unexpected encounter at the Lion Sanctum.
"I actually met the Director of the Lion Sanctum this morning. But it was right before classes started, so I couldn't give her a proper greeting. I had to rush off to the academy in a hurry."
Radius nodded. "And you’re worried you were disrespectful? You want me to set up a formal meeting or pass along an apology?"
"Something like that," Ren admitted, feeling a bit nervous given the Director's legendary status. But Radius didn't seem concerned at all.
As they began to walk together with Mirei, Radius looked at Ren with his usual relaxed air. "I'll handle it, but you're talking about Estelle. When she heard class was starting, didn't she tell you to get moving?"
Ren thought back to their brief exchange and nodded.
"I thought so," Radius said. "I'll let her know you were worried about it later. You’ll probably run into her at the Sanctum eventually anyway, so a quick word from me should be plenty, right?"
"Thanks. I'd appreciate that."
Radius gave him a quick nod of reassurance.