The students spent their lunch breaks as they saw fit.
Aside from lunch itself, many could be seen preparing for afternoon classes, engaging in self-study, or simply chatting with their friends. Fiona had a specific goal in mind as she made her way to the corridor lined with first-year classrooms.
"Excuse me."
She called out to a group of students belonging to the first-year Special Merit Class. The group, a mix of boys and girls, looked startled that someone like Fiona had addressed them so suddenly.
"Do any of you happen to know where Ren Ashton might be?"
"Ashton? I believe he’s—"
As a girl started to answer, a boy cut in eagerly.
"He’s in the back garden! I saw him heading there with some of our friends!"
"Is that so? Thank you very much!"
Fiona bowed politely and left the first-year students behind. Watching her walk away, the boy spoke up.
"Why is Ashton so close to Lady Ignat, anyway?"
"Who knows... I’ve heard he talks to the Third Prince sometimes, too. Maybe the Clausel family is moving closer to the Imperial Faction?"
"Wait, wait. If that’s the case, you can’t ignore how close Lady Clausel and Lady Riohalde are. Everyone’s been saying they’re actually closer to the Hero Faction, which our families belong to!"
"Even as a member of the Hero Faction myself, that feels impossible," a girl added.
"—Why is that?"
The boy, whose parents were nobles of the Hero Faction, looked disgruntled. The girl, whose parents were also in the faction, shrugged and lowered her voice slightly, sounding apologetic.
"Think about the incident with Viscount Given. No matter how close he is with Lady Riohalde, there’s no way Ashton would join the Hero Faction after a past like that."
The girl continued with a sigh.
"Besides, my older brother said he was shocked at the Entrance Ceremony. You know about the commotion during the Final Exam a few years ago, right?"
"I know about it... but what of it?"
"My brother is of that generation. When they fled to the fort in the Baldur Mountains, he said Ren Ashton was among the rescue party."
"Are you serious? Ashton would’ve been eleven at the most back then."
"I’m serious. My brother said there was no mistake. He thinks Ashton probably came to the Baldur Mountains mixed in with the Clausel Knights. Maybe his connection to the Ignat family started back then, too."
This girl's brother was the boy who had acted tough in front of the adventurers at the suspension bridge when the incident in the Baldur Mountains first broke out. He had reached out to the adventurer who had looked after him, later making that man his personal knight.
"Viscount Clausel is a man who maintains neutrality, but if he were to change factions, it would clearly be to the Imperial Faction."
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Unaware that the students were discussing such things, Fiona hurried toward the back of the school building, tempering her pace while still walking briskly. As she stepped outside, she smiled at the sight of the large tree where she had first reunited with Ren.
More than a year had passed since then. Feeling a quiet happiness just knowing he was by her side, she broke into a light run. Before long, voices drifted through the air.
"Right, right. If you try it a bit more like this—"
"Oh, so that’s why it felt off!"
"That helps! I think I can do this better than the other first-years in the next class!"
"Yeah. I’m glad to hear it."
She heard Ren’s voice mixed with the voices of other boys. Thinking it would be rude to interrupt, Fiona leaned against a nearby tree and waited for their conversation to end.
Then, one by one, four male students emerged from the back garden. They were surprised to see Fiona standing there, gave her a quick, polite bow, and then departed. Seeing they were gone, Fiona finally headed toward Ren.
Ren was in the garden, having taken off his uniform jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. It was a casual look, with a few more buttons undone than usual.
"Oh, Lady Fiona—ah, wait. I apologize. I shouldn’t be seen like this."
"P-Please don’t mind it! I’m the one who came so suddenly!"
Seeing Ren in such a rare, relaxed state, Fiona felt her heart begin to race, but she feigned composure as she approached him.
"Were you exercising?"
"Something like that. Ever since I crossed swords with Lady Licia in class, I’ve occasionally been asked to teach Imperial Swordsmanship."
With the representative selection for the Lion King Grand Festival approaching, many boys who admired Ren's strength had come to beg for instruction. Ren had no reason to refuse, so he accepted them during his free time for short sessions. Unconsciously on Ren's part, since some of those seeking instruction were nobles, it was a good way to build connections.
The academy did not forbid students from teaching each other during lunch breaks. Furthermore, in an institution like this, the idea that training swords were "dangerous" was simply unheard of.
"Fufu, I see."
Fiona felt as happy as if it were her own achievement that Ren was so well-regarded. She sat down on the grass near where Ren had been sitting and hugged her knees.
"By the way, why are you here, Lady Fiona?"
"That’s right! Actually—"
Fiona began to explain the matter of the vacant room that Radius and Mirei had discussed the other day.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
One day, despite it being a holiday, three people made their way to the academy. They had come to clean the aforementioned vacant room.
The room had a back door that led toward the Academy Library. Ren, who had just carried several dust-covered books and wooden boxes outside, exhaled a long breath. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he called out.
"Lady Licia."
"Yes? What is it?"
Licia, who was busy with a broom, replied without stopping.
Ren had initially told Licia and Fiona that he would handle all the cleaning himself, but they had adamantly refused, arguing that it was a room they would also be using. That was why the three of them were working together today. Radius and Mirei had intended to help, but their schedules hadn't lined up—though even if they had been free, Licia and Fiona likely would have stopped them out of respect for their royal and noble status.
"Regarding our exemption from swordsmanship classes—did Lady Riohalde say anything about it?"
"About that? She screamed, 'Whyyyyyyy!?' at the top of her lungs."
However, she apparently understood the circumstances. After her outburst, she had simply nodded and said, "But I suppose it can’t be helped." Licia mentioned that she planned to find a day off in the future to spar with Sera privately.
"I can easily picture that... wait, Lady Chronoa?"
Chronoa, dressed in plain clothes, approached the spot where they were talking. Though it was a simple outfit—a long skirt paired with a knit top—she possessed such ethereal elegance that she stood out immediately.
"Lady Chronoa? Is something the matter?" Licia asked, surprised.
"Yep! I thought I’d help out, too!"
"T-That’s out of the question! We can handle the cleaning ourselves!"
"Hahaha, it’s fine, it’s fine. I was the one who asked you to be executive committee members in the first place, after all."
Chronoa pulled a wand from the belt of her long skirt. With a light flick, she sent a breeze toward Ren and Licia, brushing away the dust clinging to their clothes.
"That’s an interesting spell."
"Thanks. To be honest, it’s just basic Wind Magic. I’m just controlling it with a very fine touch."
That "fine touch" was exactly what made it difficult, but performing it so effortlessly was very typical of Chronoa.
"I thought I heard Lady Chronoa's voice—oh?"
Fiona emerged from the vacant room and noticed the Principal. When Fiona placed a dusty wooden box on the ground, Chronoa waved her wand again to clear the dirt.
"I’ve come to help."
"O-Oh my... is it really alright for the Academy Principal to help with cleaning?"
"There’s no reason why it wouldn't be. Besides, this is my first full day off in two months, and I want to spend it having fun."
"If it’s your first holiday in a while, I feel like you’d be better off resting at home, Lady Chronoa..." Ren suggested.
"...Ren-kun, you only say that because you don’t know how I spend my days off."
Chronoa looked off into the distance and laughed self-deprecatingly. For a moment, it seemed as though the light had vanished from her eyes.
"You’ve surely never experienced the feeling of planning to spend a rare holiday relaxing, only to realize the day ended while you were still in bed. Or losing the motivation to do anything else the moment you get back from shopping. You wouldn’t understand that, would you?"
When Ren quietly averted his gaze, Chronoa circled around to face him. She smiled at him, looking exactly like a fairy. Yet, Ren felt a strange, inexplicable pressure.
"If the four of us do it, it’ll be over in no time," Ren said quickly, which seemed to please her.
While Licia and Fiona shared a helpless laugh, Ren cleared his throat.
"Actually, this might have been perfect timing."
"Eh? Because I came?"
"Yes. To be honest, there are many things here that we don't know how to handle. I was hoping Lady Chronoa could check them for us."
"Leave it to me! I am the Academy Principal, after all. I can definitely tell the difference between what can be thrown away and what can't!"
Well, that was a given, but he didn't say it aloud. Chronoa seemed to be genuinely enjoying her holiday with the three of them, and he didn't want to dampen her spirits—or risk stealing the light from her eyes again.
"For example, this."
"Whoa, that’s still here! I believe that’s a Magic Tool from the Academy Festival about five years ago. If I recall, it creates a mist-like haze."
"Then, how about this one?"
"That brings back memories... I think it was a Magic Tool custom-ordered by a student. When you pour mana into it, it floats and wobbles while giving off a dull light."
The three students looked at each other and shared a wry smile. Fiona asked on behalf of the group.
"What were those two Magic Tools used for?"
"It was for an attraction called the 'Undead House.' It was meant to startle guests. It was incredibly popular; I think it made quite a few visitors cry."
"Ah..." the three nodded. Given the nature of the academy, it was a bit of a shock that such a childish attraction had existed.
Afterward, Ren gathered the discarded items into wooden boxes and tied them with twine. He carried a heavy load toward the disposal area at the back of the academy. After a few minutes of walking, the voices of male students reached his ears. Recognizing the voices, he stopped and looked toward a nearby open space.
(Vane and Kaito.)
Ren reminded himself not to call the senior "Kaito" without an honorific, even if it was just in his own head. Vane noticed Ren, stopped his practice, and waved. Kaito, who had been training with him, also lowered his greatshield.
"Ren! What are you doing here on a holiday?"
Since he had been addressed, Ren couldn't ignore them. He approached the open space.
"I just had some chores to finish. More importantly, Vane, why are you at the academy?"
"Oh, I'm—"
Vane realized he should introduce Kaito first.
"Let me introduce you. This is Kaito Leonard-senpai."
"Yo! I’ve heard about you, Ashton! Nice to meet ya!"
Ren took the hand Kaito offered. Kaito gripped it with immense strength.
"As for me and Vane..."
Kaito had been the one to invite Vane, wanting to cross swords. They had made the promise a while ago, specifically for this day when classes were out. Ren had simply happened to pass by.
"Listen to this, Ren... Kaito-senpai is so strong I can't even touch him."
"Well, he is from a Heroic Archduke family. It’s only natural for people like us to struggle," Ren noted.
"I-I know that, but I still don't want to lose!"
"...I get how you feel."
The opponent was a year older and was none other than Kaito Leonard, a man who prided himself on his strength. In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, he was the warrior who used his overwhelming power and endurance, coupled with his greatshield, to protect his party. It was only natural that Vane couldn't win at this stage.
"Hey, Ashton."
Kaito’s interest turned toward Ren.
"I heard about the other day’s class. There have been rumors even among the second-years. Plenty of guys are curious about how strong you are. Even that Riohalde girl said you were incredible."
"No, that’s not the case."
"Gahahaha! Don't be so humble! It’s rare for Riohalde to praise anyone. Besides, you’re stronger than the Saint, right?"
Unsure how to respond, Ren looked to Vane for help. Vane just shook his head, looking as if he were saying he was powerless to stop Kaito.
"How about it? Meeting here must be fate. Why don't you work up a sweat with us?"
Kaito rotated his shoulder. On his other arm was a massive shield, equipped as if it were a part of his body. The fighting style where Kaito used his entire arm as a weapon was the Leonard family specialty.
However, Ren declined.
"—I’ll have to pass."
When Ren refused so bluntly, Kaito lost his balance with an exaggerated, comedic gesture.
"Why not!?"
"I actually have work to do at the academy today."
"Work? Is it a match with someone else?"
"No, no, nothing like that."
Ren remembered that Kaito was quite the muscle-brain. Yet, his combat instincts were top-tier, fitting for someone of his lineage. Ren adjusted his expression to remain polite.
"I’m an Executive Committee Member for the Lion King Grand Festival. I came to clean the room we’ll be using for our meetings."
Kaito stood there with his mouth wide open, looking completely dumbfounded. But after a few seconds, he bowed his head vigorously.
"Thanks! If you’re working for the committee, I can only be grateful! But... wait. Does that mean you won't be entering the tournament representative selection?"
"Of course not. I have other duties to focus on."
"Aww, man... I thought I’d finally get to fight someone strong..."
"Kaito-senpai, it’s thanks to people like Ren that we’re even able to enter the representative selection," Vane pointed out.
"I-I know that! Like I said, I’m truly grateful to the committee, okay?"
The dejected Kaito hurriedly tried to save face. He was a remarkably straightforward and pleasant person. Kaito put his hands on his hips and spoke grandly once more.
"It’s a shame, but I’ll give up for now! Next time, once the Grand Festival is over, make sure you spar with me!"
"Yes... if our schedules align."
"Yeah! I’m counting on you!"
Ren informed them he had to return to the library. Just before he walked away, Kaito waved both hands vigorously.
"Sorry for bothering you while you’re busy! See ya later!"
With a beaming smile, Kaito watched him go. Ren looked back once, gave a small wave, and returned to the small room in the corner of the library.