Ulysses was expected to visit the Clausel mansion at the start of the following week.
The next day, during the morning break at the academy.
"Whoa!?"
Ren had been about to round a corner in the hallway when he nearly collided with the Academy Principal, Chronoa. She had appeared suddenly from the other side, and as she stumbled back, her wide-brimmed witch’s hat flew into the air. Ren, holding a drink in a paper container in one hand, hurriedly reached out with his free arm to steady her.
"I—I’m so sorry!"
"Whoops... Oh, it’s just you, Ren-kun."
Before he knew it, Chronoa’s hat had come to a dead stop, suspended in mid-air. Her body remained perfectly still as well, frozen in place by her own magic even without Ren’s support.
Still, Chronoa seemed delighted that Ren had tried to help. The golden-haired beauty looked up at him with a smile.
"Ren-kun, you’re attending the rest of your classes as usual today, right?"
"Of course. That’s the plan."
Due to the faculty’s schedule, there was only a light homeroom session in the afternoon. It was one of those rare days that thrilled the student body, as classes would effectively end before noon. All around them, Ren could hear the excited, restless chatter of students who were already making plans for their early dismissal.
"In that case, why don't you have lunch with me? We can have a nice, long chat! If you’d like, you can invite Licia-chan and Fiona-chan, too!"
"I’m afraid that won't work. Licia said she was going to the cafeteria with her friends, and Lady Fiona left right after her morning classes to handle some Ignat family business."
Fiona had also taken that opportunity to deliver a message from Ulysses, confirming his upcoming visit to the Clausel family.
"Uwaah... It’s like I’m the only one with nothing to do..."
"What are you saying? You always seem so busy, Principal."
"...Then, since I finally have a moment to relax, would you be willing to keep me company, Ren-kun?"
"Sure. If you’re okay with me, I don't mind at all."
There was no hidden meaning behind her sudden proposal. It was just Chronoa being her usual, playfully charming self.
Once the morning classes concluded, Ren headed to their meeting spot empty-handed. He stepped into the garden behind the school building and found Chronoa waiting for him in a corner, sitting on the edge of a fountain.
She handed him a paper bag. "Lunch is on me."
Inside were several sandwiches. Ren sat down beside her on the stone rim and accepted the bag. Looking at the logo on the paper, he recognized them as being from a popular shop on the Main Boulevard.
They began to eat, and shortly after, Chronoa turned to him.
"How has your sword training been lately?"
"I’m constantly thinking about how I need to work harder," he replied.
Though he still spent every day swinging his sword at the Lion Sanctum, Ren felt his progress hadn't been as dramatic lately. The fact that Sword Saint Edgar was so busy, depriving Ren of chances to spar with him, was undoubtedly a factor. Ren hadn't explicitly blamed his plateau on that, but it was a reality nonetheless.
Munching on his sandwich, Ren looked up at the sky, resolving to simply keep pushing forward. The sandwich, at least, was delicious.
Though she wasn't a swordsman, Ren was curious about the strength of a mage like Chronoa. He decided to ask.
"Chronoa-san, how exactly did you polish your magic skills?"
Even if their disciplines differed, he wanted to hear about her journey and her methods for gaining such power.
"Me? I suppose I just used a lot of magic and studied quite a bit."
"Is that all? You didn't go through some sort of legendary, grueling training regimen?"
Chronoa didn't boast about her past. Instead, she spoke of the fruits of her labor in a way that Ren found surprisingly humble. There was no trace of arrogance or deception in her voice.
"I studied hard, and I practiced my magic hard... I just did those things over and over again, for a very long time. Eventually, I became who I am now."
"As expected of one of the world's greatest mages."
"Now, now. You shouldn't tease your big sister, Ren-kun."
Chronoa laughed bashfully, holding a sandwich with both hands as she took a bite. The lower half of her face was almost entirely hidden behind the bread.
"By the way, Estelle mentioned this morning that she was thinking of inviting you two out."
"Inviting us?"
Ren had no idea what she meant. Since Estelle was off-duty, he assumed it might be for extra training or perhaps a meal.
"Do you think it's for training?"
"I was on my way to the academy, so I didn't catch the details. She just said she was going on a short excursion and wanted to take you and Licia-chan along."
"I see... I haven't heard anything about it yet."
"I’m not surprised. She only brought it up this morning. Estelle is off-duty today and tomorrow, so she said she was heading to Erendil first."
Ren inferred that she had likely gone to Erendil to seek permission from their guardian, Lezard, before taking them anywhere.
"You two."
When the brief afternoon homeroom ended and Ren and Licia stepped outside, they were hailed by a tall, dignified young woman. She was a Strong Sword User they both knew well—a knight who served as Estelle’s close aide.
She was dressed in plain clothes today, likely because her usual jet-black armor would have drawn too much attention. She intercepted them on the path toward the station.
"It’s rare to see you here," Ren noted. "Is something the matter?"
"The Chief is calling for you. Do you have a moment? She requested that you meet her at Master Verrich’s workshop."
Ren exchanged a quick look with Licia and nodded. He had already warned her that Estelle might have something planned, so she had no objections.
"Very well," the knight said before taking her leave.
"Let’s go, Ren."
The autumn wind caught Licia’s skirt, making it flutter. A few dry leaves skittered across the cobblestones with a crisp, rustling sound.
"Do you think this is the invitation Lady Chronoa mentioned?" she asked.
"Most likely. We don't have anything else to do this afternoon, so we might as well hear her out."
"True. And she chose such an unusual place to meet. I’m curious."
"Come to think of it, Licia, have you ever actually been to Verrich’s workshop?"
Licia shook her head. "No."
She was supposed to have visited when she first moved to Erendil, but that plan had been derailed by the incident at the construction site—the same incident that had led to her reunion with Fiona.
"So, I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of place it is."
"...It’s certainly an 'incredible' workshop, in its own way," Ren said, mostly thinking of the chaotic clutter inside.
They walked for a while, leaving the academy district behind. At the entrance to the Blacksmith District, they found Estelle.
"You made it!" she shouted, giving them a wide, toothy grin.
"I thought you’d be waiting for us inside the workshop," Ren said.
"Well, you’re right, but I figured I might as well wait out here. So, I’ve been standing here majestically like a gate guardian."
She turned and began leading them through the district. Ren and Licia followed a pace behind.
"Are you two free for the rest of the day?"
"Essentially, yes. But why?"
Estelle nodded vigorously, looking satisfied. "Good! Then follow me! I want to give you two—who have been working harder than ever on your training—a brand-new experience!"
"L—Lady Estelle? Where exactly are we going?" Licia asked.
"To the sky! The wind feels amazing up there!"
Neither Ren nor Licia understood what that was supposed to mean. They both tilted their heads in confusion at the exact same time. Still, Estelle was already marching away with long strides, so they had no choice but to follow.
"I heard from Chronoa-san that you might have an invitation for us!" Ren called out.
"Oh! That saves me the trouble of explaining!"
"No, it really doesn't! I didn't hear anything besides the fact that you were looking for us!"
"Don't you worry. I went to Erendil this morning and got permission directly from Viscount Clausel. As long as I’m with you, there’s nothing to fear!"
It was exactly what Ren had suspected. But that wasn't the issue.
"Neither of us is particularly afraid," Ren pointed out.
"Hmm? Then why were you questioning me?"
"Because if we don't know where we’re going, and the only answer we get is 'the sky,' we’re bound to be a bit bewildered."
"Umu... I suppose you have a point. Perhaps I let my enthusiasm carry me away."
She had more than just "a point," but Ren kept that to himself. Licia didn't push the matter either; they were both simply struggling to keep up with Estelle’s overwhelming energy.