Winter had truly set in.
A magic ship belonging to Estelle cut through the sky, its deck lashed by a relentless blizzard.
Inside the bridge—a rugged, utilitarian space reinforced with metal from floor to ceiling—everyone stood by the windows, watching the white void while they spoke. Verrich was at the helm, looking thoroughly pleased with himself as he gripped the wheel.
"So, Licia, you're heading back to Clausel next week?" Estelle asked.
"That’s the plan. I haven’t been back in quite some time, and the work needing my attention there has really started to pile up."
"An acting representative can only do so much. It’s for the best. Ren, I assume you’re going with her?"
"Actually, I’ll be staying in Erendil. Lord Lezard has business here and in the Imperial Capital, so he’s asked me to help him out."
During the repairs on the Great Clock Tower, Ren had acted as Lezard’s proxy and liaison. Lezard had clearly recognized the boy's hard work; lately, the opportunities to entrust him with important tasks had grown more frequent.
"A perfect opportunity, then. Licia, you should take one of my subordinates with you."
"Um... one of your people, Lady Estelle? To Clausel?"
"Yes. You remember the one I’m always running ragged, don’t you?"
It was a bold thing for her to say about her own leadership style, but Ren knew exactly who she meant: the female knight who served as Estelle's aide and was never far from her side.
Licia gave a hesitant, awkward smile. "But why send her to Clausel?"
"I recalled her saying she wanted to see the region. She’s a workaholic who almost never takes a vacation, so just take her along."
It was a gesture meant both for the subordinate’s well-deserved rest and to provide Licia with an extra layer of protection. The knight in question was a formidable warrior—a master swordsman class specializing in Strong Sword Arts. Given her role as Estelle’s aide, her high rank was a given.
Neither Licia nor Ren found any reason to object. Lord Lezard, though absent, likely wouldn't mind either. The only potential issue was the knight's own feelings, but if she had expressed interest in the territory before, it wasn't a major concern. Besides, if Estelle told her to take a break, she wasn't the type to refuse.
"His Highness gave me a similar talk," Estelle continued. "He told me I was working too hard and ordered me to rest, which is why I’m even here right now. There’s no point in me relaxing if I don’t let my people do the same."
The knights of the Lion Sanctum were perpetually overextended. Any chance for them to recuperate was something to be encouraged. While Prince Radius remained buried in work, that was a separate matter entirely.
"Listen up, you two. We’ll reach the hunting grounds in thirty minutes. As usual, we’ll be looking for the specific monsters we’ve been contracted to cull."
"Understood. Shall we, Licia?"
"Right. Let’s go get ready."
They descended the stairs from the bridge into one of the small living quarters in the ship’s lower section. It was a cramped space, barely half the size of their rooms back at the manor. Despite the warmth of the wood-paneled interior, the blizzard howling outside the window reminded Ren of his old life in the village.
"Are you only bringing the Mithril Magic Sword?" Licia asked as she checked over her gear.
"If the goal is sword training, the Mithril Magic Sword is the best tool for the job. The others... well, I’ll call them if I need them."
It wasn't that training with the Flame Magic Sword was pointless, but for honing the fundamental skill of the blade, the Mithril sword was superior. Ren had been used to it since its days as a simple iron sword, and even after its evolution, it felt like an extension of his own arm.
Once they were geared up for a winter march, the two of them stepped out of the room together.
"We’re staying on the ship tonight, aren't we?"
"Yes. It’s my first time doing this, so I’m actually a little excited," Licia said with a bright smile.
The Drake family’s magic ship was a specialized vessel, capable of anchoring almost anywhere even without a proper dock. It carried equipment that allowed it to moor in mid-air, a design very similar to the ships used by the military.
The plan for the day was to drive a massive stake into a nearby mountain and use it to anchor the ship while it hovered.
True to Estelle’s word, the ship reached the winter peaks within the hour and came to a halt. The slopes were jagged and steep, made even more treacherous by the heavy snowfall. Ren and Licia watched with curiosity, wondering exactly how they were going to secure the vessel.
As they stepped onto the deck, the biting wind of the blizzard stung their faces, though the gale was less intense than it had been at high altitude.
"Stay back," Estelle commanded.
The hem of her coat whipped in the wind. The Chief of the Lion Sanctum, a woman whose titles and aliases were as heavy as her reputation, reached down and hoisted a metal stake that had been lying on the deck. It was as long as three grown men and as thick as a log. She balanced the special alloyed spike on her shoulder as if it weighed nothing at all.
"What are you planning to do with that?" Ren asked.
"Hmm? Just going to stick it into the mountain."
Estelle hoisted the stake higher, her arm drawing back. "Watch closely! It’s easier if you do it like this!"
She threw it with everything she had.
For a heartbeat, the wind seemed to reverse, creating the illusion that the blizzard had frozen in place. The stake shrieked through the air and slammed into the mountainside with such force that the terrain itself buckled.
As Ren and Licia stood frozen in shock, Estelle looked on with satisfaction. A Mana Chain extended from the buried stake, glowing with a crimson light that cut through the white-out. It snapped taut, locking into a heavy fixture on the prow of the magic ship.
"Unbelievable..." Licia whispered.
She doubted she could ever do such a thing, but she looked at Ren and wondered if he, having grown so much since the summer, might eventually reach that level of raw power.
The two shared a laugh at Estelle’s typical display of overwhelming force, their cheeks damp with the sting of melting snow.
In Gargazia, a mid-sized city not far from the Imperial Capital, Radius was hard at work.
He had left the Academy the previous day, mentioning he had family business to attend to. After traveling to another territory to handle several matters, he had doubled back to this city. The royal relative he was meeting didn't actually live in Gargazia; it had simply been chosen as a convenient waystation for their discussion.
Just as Ren and Licia were preparing to disembark their ship, Radius was finally catching his breath in a room at a local inn.
"Good work, nya."
"Yeah. I’m exhausted, but at least everything went according to plan."
"I thought so too, nya. So, here—have a drink to celebrate finishing the job."
Radius expected Mirei to hand him a fatigue-recovery potion, but he was wrong. She presented him with a glass filled with a liquid that smelled enticingly sweet.
"It’s a drink to make you feel better, nya."
Though the explanation was sparse, Radius took the glass with a nod. It smelled of honey and fresh fruit juice—a flavor he had known since childhood. Whenever he was worn out, Mirei would prepare this for him. It didn't have the immediate physiological effect of a potion, but if he had to choose what he’d rather drink after a long day, it would be this every time.
Evening was fast approaching. He needed to eat dinner and prepare for the next stage of his work; in a few hours, he would be back in the sky.
"It sounds like the meal is here, nya."
Mirei heard a knock and went to the door to receive the food, but then—
"Nya— Nyanyanya!?"
"What is it, Mirei?"
Radius rushed to his aide’s side, startled by her sudden outburst. Standing outside the room was someone who was supposed to be miles away in Eupeheim.
"What a coincidence, Radius."
It was Ragna.
Radius had no idea why the scholar was here, but Ragna was not a man to be ignored. He invited him inside. Ragna, dressed as the "Bag Traveler," left his massive pack in the hallway to avoid hitting the doorframe. Room service arrived a moment later, and since Mirei had stepped away, the two men sat across from each other at the table.
"My apologies to her for the fright," Ragna said.
"I’ll explain it to her later. So, Ragna... why are you here?"
"Research. I’m making the rounds, investigating something of great interest."
Radius sighed. "I heard from Ulysses and Ren himself. Ren opened that 'unopenable' door, didn't he? To leave that behind and come all the way here... you must be looking into something truly extraordinary."
"Curious?"
"I’d be lying if I said I wasn't. But I don't expect you to just tell me."
Ragna chuckled. Radius picked up a sandwich and began to eat slowly, his mind racing to keep up with this unexpected encounter.
"I'll ask anyway. What are you looking for?"
"The Adventurer Ashton. Is there a problem?"
Radius nearly choked. Ragna's nonchalant answer swept away his fatigue in an instant.
"Don't go getting suspicious now. Ren told me himself. I didn't read it from your mind, so don't look so disappointed."
"...Then tell me, have you found anything?"
"I haven't been wasting my time. Let's just say it's looking promising."
With that, Ragna stood and headed for the door.
"I heard you were here and decided to drop by. I’m off. I’ll fill you in once I have more, so stay out of trouble until then."
And just like that, Ragna was gone. The brevity of the visit suggested it really had been a chance encounter. Mirei returned to the room a moment later and, seeing the look of utter exhaustion on Radius’s face, stepped behind him.
"Shall I rub your shoulders for a bit, nya?"
"Starting next year, my interactions with you are going to get complicated, Mirei."
"Nya? I’ll still be by your side, so why would that be, nya?"
"I’m talking about the Academy. You’re graduating next spring."
Mirei was a fourth-year student. In three months, she would walk the stage at the prestigious Imperial Academy and begin her life beyond its walls. Her whiskers twitched with a hint of sadness.
What exactly was the catalyst needed to become a Sword Saint?
That night, lying in bed as the magic ship drifted through the dark, Ren pondered the question.
"I haven't a clue."
Today's hunt had been excellent training. The monsters near the peaks were significantly stronger than those around Erendil or Eupeheim, and fighting in such a harsh environment felt like it was finally paying off. He’d completed the request, but still...
Ren held up his arm and looked at the bracelet.
Ren Ashton Job: Ashton Family Eldest Son Skills: - Magic Sword Summoning (Lv. 1: 0/0) - Magic Sword Summoning Arts (Lv. 6: 2676/6500) - Lv. 1: Can summon one Magic Sword. - Lv. 2: Physical Ability Boost (Small) while bracelet is summoned. - Lv. 3: Can summon two Magic Swords. - Lv. 4: Physical Ability Boost (Medium) while bracelet is summoned. - Lv. 5: Unlocks Magic Sword Evolution. - Lv. 6: Physical Ability Boost (Large) while bracelet is summoned. - Lv. 7: Can summon three Magic Swords. - Lv. 8: ****
Acquired Magic Swords: - Great Tree Magic Sword (Lv. 4: 3411/3500) - Attacks equivalent to Nature Magic (Medium). Range increases with level. - Mithril Magic Sword (Lv. 4: 3836/6500) - Sharpness increases with level. - Thief’s Magic Sword (Lv. 1: 0/3) - Chance to randomly steal an item upon attack. - Shield Magic Sword (Lv. 2: 0/5) - Generates a Mana Barrier. Effectiveness and range increase with level. - Flame Magic Sword (Lv. 1: 1/1) - Its hellfire is the dragon’s anger, the incarnation of power.
His proficiency gains lately were staggering. The battle with the Lesser Griffins before Eupeheim and the constant fighting today had pushed his numbers higher than ever before. The Great Tree Magic Sword would likely level up by tomorrow.
"But where’s the trigger?"
He was so focused on the goal of becoming a Sword Saint that it had become a minor obsession. Ren sat up, shaking off the interface. He wondered if the path forward would simply reveal itself at the end of a long road of battles. He summoned the Mithril Magic Sword, letting its weight settle in his palm.
The blade was beautiful. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel the intensity of his duel with the Sword Demon. The special Arts he had inherited from that fight flickered through his mind. He hadn't used them yet. He told himself he had his reasons, but deep down, he was simply avoiding the thought.
"I should sleep."
It was past eleven.
The following morning, the Great Tree Magic Sword leveled up. It wasn't an evolution, but the steady progress brought a smile to his face. The weather had cleared significantly, and with better visibility, the day’s hunt went smoothly. By noon, they were heading back to Erendil, reaching the Sky Garden before sunset.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Estelle gave him a toothy grin. "Next time, we’re staying out even longer!"
With that, she departed for the capital. Ren and Licia walked together through the wintry streets of Erendil.
"I wonder what Lady Estelle’s husband is like," Ren mused.
"Oh, I’ve been wondering that too!" Licia agreed instantly. They both felt a sudden, shared curiosity to meet the man who was married to such a force of nature.
The winter break was a busy but fulfilling time, split between grueling training and long hours in the library with Fiona to complete their assignments. The Hero Faction’s party was fast approaching, and Licia’s departure for Clausel was only days away.
"I’ll be heading back to Eupeheim in three days," Fiona said during one of their study sessions.
Ren, unlike the others, was staying put. "I have a 'training camp' with Lady Estelle scheduled."
It wasn't quite as fun as the term implied, but he was committed. In a few days, he’d be back on the magic ship. He could train at the Lion Sanctum anytime; he wanted to spend his break on the kind of training that was impossible during the school year.
"Will you be going with Lady Licia that day?" Fiona asked.
"No, Licia is—"
"I’m acting on my own," Licia interrupted. "I have to leave for Clausel the day after Ren heads out."
"Oh, so it's that soon! Is it your first time back in a while?"
"It is. I’m really looking forward to it."
Fiona nodded understandingly, tilting her head. She only wore glasses when she was deep in her books or assignments, as she was now. Even behind the frames, she possessed an ethereal, overflowing loveliness.
Early in the morning on the day before Licia was set to leave.
"It feels like forever since I’ve been somewhere for three weeks without you," Licia said as she saw Ren off in front of the manor.
The last time they had been separated for any significant length of time was when Ren had returned to his village years ago. Licia looked genuinely lonely. Ren realized, with some surprise, that he felt the same way.
He wished he could go back to Clausel and visit his parents, but the travel time was too great. In the dead of winter, the journey alone would consume the entire break. Instead, he had written long letters for the knights to deliver on his behalf.
"Licia, please don't do anything reckless while I'm gone."
"Honestly... you're one to talk, Ren. You're always worrying about me, but I worry about you too."
"A-Am I really that reckless?"
"Yes. More than you think—wait! Did you just imply I’m the reckless one!?"
"...Just a figure of speech, surely."
Licia pouted, but she quickly broke into a smile. The loneliness was still there, but she stood tall.
"I’ll work hard, so you take care of yourself too, Ren!"
With those final words, Ren turned and headed for the Sky Garden alone. He met up with Verrich and Estelle and boarded the ship. By now, the routine was second nature.
Just before noon, Ren spoke up in the bridge. Verrich was readying the systems for takeoff while Estelle double-checked the day’s route.
"Mr. Verrich, why is it that you're always the one at the helm?"
"Because the Boss asked me to. Though I wouldn't do it for anyone else."
Ren had realized late that Verrich was an incredible pilot. According to Estelle, he was better than most of the military’s professionals. While a specialized license was required for magic ships, Verrich held it alongside his blacksmithing and engineering credentials as if it were nothing.
Outside, the Sky Garden staff gave the signal. The ship began its ascent.
"How was Licia?" Estelle asked.
"She saw me off. It’s been years since we’ve been apart for this long."
"Well then, your reunion will be something to see."
"Why’s that?"
"Because by the time you see her again, you might finally be a Sword Saint."
"Haha... I hope you're right."
Ren gave a dry laugh and looked out at the sky. It looked like another blizzard was brewing. Having woken up early, he let out a long yawn. As the others returned to their planning, he looked down at the crystal on his wrist.
"It's been a while since I've found a new Magic Sword, too," he muttered to himself.