"Doesn't it feel a bit awkward to keep referring to that Art without a proper name?"
Ren nodded. "It really is." He had finally realized just how confusing it was to keep calling it "that Art" or "the usual one."
The conversation underscored the simple importance of a name.
"Well, it's an Art you created, Ren. Why don't you try naming it yourself?"
It was a perfectly logical, straightforward suggestion. However...
Ren thought for a moment before replying. "I have absolutely no sense for naming things. I'd be much happier if you came up with something, Licia."
"M-me? I mean... I'm not exactly an expert at this either..."
Despite her protests, Licia gave it some thought. Since she had already claimed she had no talent for it, she spoke lightly, treating it more like playful banter than a serious proposal.
"Well... it was red because of the flames, so... how about 'Red Sword'?"
She gave a bashful smile as she said it. She knew herself that the name was almost too simplistic.
"..."
"H-hey! Don't go silent on me! I told you I wasn't being serious! I was just joking around a little...!"
"No, let's go with that."
"Huh?"
"I'll name the Art I use with the Flame Magic Sword 'Red Sword'."
It was clear, and he didn't mind the sound of it. Ren settled on the name "Red Sword" then and there, deciding that was how he would refer to it from now on. Whether or not an Art had a formal name didn't strictly matter, but having one would certainly make it easier for him to organize his thoughts.
"That was too fast! Think about it a bit more!"
"Even if you say that, I don't really have any complaints. It’s fine, really. It’s not like a better name will suddenly hit me just because I spend hours dwelling on it."
He remained relaxed and unbothered. Seeing him maintain his usual steady pace, Licia let out a sigh and laughed. "Well, if you're okay with it, then I guess it's fine."
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion seemed to wash over her.
"Nn... now that we're back, I’m starting to feel really tired..."
Licia stretched her arms as they walked, glancing over at Ren.
"Hey, as soon as we get home, let's take a bath. Then we can finish our homework before we go to sleep, okay?"
"Ah... that's right. I forgot we had that."
He had completely put it out of his mind. The homework wasn't particularly difficult, but perhaps due to his mental fatigue, Ren let out a more pathetic groan than usual.
Licia smiled. "We have to do our best. Right?"
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
One morning, while the day was still young, Ulysses Ignat arrived in Erendil.
He was greeted by the members of the Clausel family, and an invitation was handed to Ren.
Inside the office of the Clausel mansion, Ulysses explained the visit.
"This is an invitation to the Gardiknight. We are planning a ceremony for those involved prior to its opening to the general public."
"I had heard the rumors, but you're inviting us?" Lezard asked.
Ulysses nodded with a pleasant smile. "Viscount Clausel has been very helpful in many ways. There is no way I would neglect to invite the Lord of Erendil, the very territory where the first station of the Gardiknight stands and the Sky Garden towers. I would very much like to invite the two of you from the Clausel family, as well as Ren Ashton—the three of you."
There was no reason to refuse. Lezard exchanged a glance with Ren and immediately nodded. "By all means."
"Oh, good! I look forward to seeing you there on the day!"
Ren's eyes met the delighted Ulysses. "Are many people being invited?"
"Yes. Nobles from all factions, stakeholders, landowners, and the like. I'm putting quite a lot of effort into this so everyone can enjoy the two-day journey to Eupeheim."
The elegant railway journey was scheduled for November. It would be held exclusively for those involved one week before it opened to the public. Ulysses added that he would be happy if they stayed to spend some time in Eupeheim after the journey ended.
The reason the news hadn't reached them until today was that the final inspections and various trivial legalities regarding rights had taken longer than expected. Ulysses apologized, saying he had originally wanted to contact them at least a month earlier.
Given the scale of the project, everyone understood. They told Ulysses not to worry.
Lezard looked at the dates listed on the invitation. "If I'm reading this correctly, it seems we've been invited during the long holiday in November."
"Yes, indeed," Ulysses announced cheerfully. "That way, our children and Ren Ashton can relax and enjoy themselves without any worries!"
According to Ulysses, there were several other sights he wanted them to see besides the railway. He mentioned he had been working hard on various large-scale projects in Eupeheim and was eager for Ren and the others to enjoy them.
And—on that same day.
"And so... my parents got really angry. I know I’m like this, but I’m still the heir to the Leonard family. I’ve gotta try a bit harder..."
Kaito Leonard, a boy born into one of the Seven Great Heroic Archduke Families, was venting to Ren, who was a year his junior, about the recent exams. Kaito wore a listless, defeated expression.
"But Upperclassman Leonard, you got perfect scores in swordsmanship and physical subjects, didn't you?"
"Yeah! Those are my only saving graces!"
"Then studying at a desk should be fine, too. Just like physical training, if you repeat it enough, it'll naturally stick with you."
"If it were that easy, I wouldn't be struggling..."
"By the way, what exactly makes it so hard for you?"
"When I sit at a desk for too long, my whole body starts to get itchy. It’s agonizing."
"...I see."
It was likely a matter of temperament and personality. However, Ren felt that since Kaito was fundamentally a serious person, he would eventually pull through.
"Changing the subject, were you invited to the Gardiknight unveiling, Ashton?"
"Yes. I was invited along with the Clausel family."
"I figured. You seem to be on good terms with the Ignat family."
Ren didn't offer a direct answer, simply offering a noncommittal laugh to avoid the topic.
"The Leonard family was invited as well, right?"
"Yeah. Our family was involved in the project to some extent." Kaito yawned again, his voice sounding sleepy. "Between the studying and the constant contact from the Elfen Church lately, I haven't been getting much sleep."
"From the Elfen Church? Is it because of the connections between the Seven Great Heroic Archduke Families?"
"Oh, you're quick on the uptake. The seal on Roses Kaitas was broken a while ago, right? And it just so happens that members of the Heroic Archduke Families are all present in my generation, your generation, and the one below ours."
Ren nodded, understanding the situation. He could roughly guess where the conversation was heading.
"Is it because they believe the miracle from the Main God Elfen was a response to the Demon King Cult showing their faces during the summer incident?"
"That's exactly it. And because of that, they're wondering if the Bloodline of Hero Ruin has appeared somewhere, too. Not that we'd know anything about that."
"Well... I'm sure the Descendant of Hero Ruin is out there somewhere."
Suddenly, Kaito leaned in close to Ren. He lowered his voice, taking care not to be overheard.
"Personally, I suspect that the power Vane showed—the one Sera mentioned seeing a long time ago—is suspicious."
"So you think Vane might be the Descendant of Hero Ruin."
"Gah-hah-hah! That's what I'm thinking—hm? Ashton, you're not laughing?"
"Well... why would I laugh?"
"Because I know it sounds crazy. I'm saying something stupidly far-fetched, aren't I?"
There was precious little information to claim Vane was the Descendant of Hero Ruin. After all, his lineage was said to have been cursed by the Demon King and lacked any notable ancestors. To suggest he was just a boy Sera happened to meet in the countryside was quite a leap. Kaito understood how it sounded, even if he was following his intuition.
"It's not something to laugh at or dismiss. Miss Riohalde said she saw it with her own eyes, after all."
"...Oh!"
Perhaps because he wasn't mocked, Kaito's face relaxed into a grin. Though traces of sleepiness remained in his eyes, his voice was now full of energy.
"You really are a good guy, Ashton! Gah-hah-hah-hah!"