The leaves of the trees lining the Imperial Capital Boulevard were gradually falling, the branches stripping away their autumn attire.
Spurred by their experiences over the summer, Ren and Licia were more dedicated to their training than ever. As the days blurred together—spent in Erendil, at the academy, and within the Lion Sanctum—a certain change had begun to take root.
Ren sat at the innermost training ground of the Lion Sanctum, wiping away sweat during a brief break.
...Seriously, that wasn't a dream.
It felt like something out of a dream. Not in a pleasant sense, of course, but as a source of deeply complicated emotions. Regardless, the events within the Time Cage had been undeniable reality.
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Ren Ashton [Job] Ashton Family Eldest Son
[Skills] - Magic Sword Summoning (Level 1: 0/0) - Magic Sword Summoning Arts (Level 6: 586/6500)
Level 1: Can summon [one] Magic Sword. Level 2: Gains [Physical Ability Boost (Small)] while summoning the bracelet. Level 3: Can summon [two] Magic Swords. Level 4: Gains [Physical Ability Boost (Medium)] while summoning the bracelet. Level 5: Unlocks Magic Sword Evolution. Level 6: Gains [Physical Ability Boost (Large)] while summoning the bracelet. Level 7: Can summon [three] Magic Swords. Level 8: ***
[Acquired Magic Swords] - Great Tree Magic Sword (Level 4: 1726/3500) Enables attacks equivalent to Nature Magic (Medium). The effect range expands as the level increases.
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Mithril Magic Sword (Level 4: 2151/6500) Sharpness increases according to the level.
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Thief's Magic Sword (Level 1: 0/3) Steals items at random from the target with a fixed probability.
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Shield Magic Sword (Level 2: 0/5) Deploys a Mana Barrier. Its potency and range expand according to the level.
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Flame Magic Sword (Level 1: 1/1) Its hellfire is the embodiment of a dragon’s wrath and an incarnation of power.
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The battle with the Sword Demon had been real. It was no lie, no illusion. The physical prowess he had gained at Level 6 provided him with a level of strength that was incomparable to his previous self, a fact proven through both combat and rigorous training. This power would undoubtedly serve him well the next time he found himself in a struggle. Given his history, he had no doubt such an occasion would eventually arrive.
At Level 7, he would be able to summon three magic swords at once. Since he only had two hands, he wondered if he should just keep the third one sheathed upon summoning, but he still had a long road ahead of him before he had to worry about that.
...There was also one other piece of information that didn't appear in the bracelet's crystal.
He had only become aware of its existence after the battle at Roses Kaitas. It was a power he had grasped the moment he pierced the Sword Demon's mana stone. For the first time, he had obtained something entirely separate from the magic swords themselves—conceptually, it was likely a Battle Art.
A powerful new presence had taken root within him. He had only just begun to reflect on these changes when—
"Taking a breather?"
The Chief of the Lion Sanctum, Estelle Osroes Drake, appeared suddenly at the training ground. Ren looked away from his bracelet to face her.
"Good work today, Lady Estelle."
"Umu. It’s good to see you’re still working hard. Even so..." She watched the others train for a moment before letting out a thoughtful hum. "Ren, a word."
"Yes—wait!?"
Without a second’s warning, she yanked him toward her, throwing a heavy arm over his shoulder in a forceful hug that caught him completely off guard.
"What’s this about all of a sudden!?"
"Just be quiet and tell me what I want to know."
"I—I get it! But really, what’s gotten into you!?"
"Now, now, I’ll explain if you just settle down."
"...If you want me to settle down, maybe try calling me over in a way that doesn't involve a headlock."
"Oh, true enough. You have a point there."
Ren let out a weary sigh. Estelle, who towered over him, finally spoke.
"What’s the matter with Licia?"
Licia was also at the Sanctum today, practicing her forms nearby. She had been keeping a constant eye on Ren as he was manhandled by Estelle.
"What do you mean, 'what’s the matter'?"
"She hasn't used her Holy Magic at all lately. I’ve given her permission to use it during certain drills, yet she refuses. Why?"
Ren knew exactly why, but he couldn't tell her the truth. He searched for a plausible excuse.
"She told me she felt she was relying on it too much and that her swordsmanship was starting to suffer for it."
"Oh! Was that it? Umu! Such diligence! I approve!"
Ren breathed a private sigh of relief as she finally released his shoulder. Licia finished her bout with her training partner and made her way over to the two of them.
"Good work, Lady Estelle. And, um..."
"Relax, I wasn't trying to eat your boy for breakfast."
"A-Ahaha... Lady Estelle, what are you saying...?"
"Is that not it? You’ve been staring this way the whole time you were swinging that sword. Your victory was decisive enough, but you’ll get hurt if you’re distracted. Be more careful next time."
"...You really see through everything, don't you? I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful."
A look of embarrassment crossed Licia’s face as she gave a sheepish nod. Ren checked his watch.
"Lady Estelle, we should probably be heading out."
The hour was late. They had come to the Sanctum straight from the academy, and the time had slipped away from them.
Ren and Licia took a quick, refreshing bath before leaving the Lion Sanctum. The lingering heat from the water was cooled by the sharp, seasonal wind that carried the scent of approaching winter. Both wore coats over their uniforms as they walked. Normally, they would head straight for the station to return to Erendil. It was already past nine; they needed to get home.
"Could we take a little detour?" Licia asked.
Her voice was casual, but she wore a slightly fragile smile. Ren noted her expression and nodded immediately.
"Of course. Where to?"
"Just a little further. I’d like to walk to the next station instead of this one."
The government district remained bustling even at night. Knights on the night shift were a common sight, as were the numerous restaurants that catered to them. Amidst the crowd of busy officials, the boy and girl looked somewhat out of place.
"So, what were you really talking to Lady Estelle about?"
It wasn't a question of jealousy. She already had a strong suspicion.
"She was asking why you haven't been using your Holy Magic."
Licia gave a weak, bitter smile. "I figured as much."
"It’s Lady Estelle. I knew she’d notice eventually."
"...Yeah. I know."
"I told her you were focusing on your sword skills because you didn't want to rely on magic too much. Just for the record, I wasn't trying to speak for you."
"Fufu, I know. Thank you for the cover."
The stars in the autumn sky looked different than they did in summer, yet somehow the same. Licia exhaled, her breath forming a faint white mist.
"I’m still a little scared, I think."
It was a vulnerable, quiet confession, the kind she only ever made to Ren.
"Ever since that day... when I think about what might happen if I lose control again, I just... I can't bring myself to use it."
The memories of the battle at Roses Kaitas and the clash with the Sword Demon haunted her. If Ren’s voice hadn't reached her, she couldn't even fathom what might have happened. She hadn't touched her Holy Magic since.
"I never want to go through that again."
Ren listened to her fear, looking up at the sky. He, too, exhaled a misty white breath.
"It will be okay."
"Ren?"
"I don't know the reason for the change in your body, Licia, but..." He gave her that same gentle smile he’d worn since they were children. Even without a logical explanation, even if his words sounded like nothing more than empty bravado—Ren made them sound like an absolute, unshakable truth. "I will stop you. No matter how many times it takes, I promise I will stop you."
"...Dummy."
She felt a rush of relief, but her concern remained.
"What if there’s a next time, and I end up attacking you? What then?"
When she had come to her senses back then, it had felt as though the mana stone within her had simply obeyed Ren’s command. But there was no guarantee it would happen that way again.
"They say that power I had... it was enough to defeat a General of the Demon King’s Army single-handedly, right?"
"That’s true. But it doesn't matter. No matter how strong you get, I’m clearly the stronger one. I'll handle it, I promise."
Licia blinked in surprise. The sheer bluntness of his statement momentarily brushed away her anxiety.
"Oh? Is that a challenge? I’ve grown quite a bit recently, you know. I might just overtake you before you know it."
"Don't worry. I’m training hard to make sure that doesn't happen."
"You—you really mean that!"
"I do. I want you to know I’m dead serious."
This was Ren's way of being there for her. He offered the only reassurance that could truly reach her. The young magic sword user looked at the White Saint, his gaze firm.
"I’ll always stand before you, Licia. I’ll stay so far ahead of you that you’ll never have to feel afraid again."
"............"
"Don't you believe me?"
Licia reached out, her fingers catching the hem of Ren’s coat as she looked up at him.
"...Don't make me say it. This is embarrassing enough as it is."
From the depths of the night sky, a few flakes of snow began to drift down. It was the first snow of the season, arriving a little earlier than usual.