Licia met Ren at the Sky Garden, the sprawling station complex that stood as the pride of Erendil. Her hair was a stunning, molten blend of amethyst and silver. Though she was gradually maturing, she hadn't lost an ounce of her loveliness; she seemed to sparkle more brilliantly than the stars in the night sky.
As soon as Ren arrived, she spoke in a bright, bouncy voice. "Welcome home, Ren."
Reunited for the first time since that morning, Ren replied, "I'm back," before glancing around. "Wait, is it just you, Licia?"
"Yeah. Father and Weiss were here until a moment ago, but they had to leave for the Imperial Capital just as you were arriving." She explained it was for a bit of work.
Asking about her escort would have been a foolish question, considering Licia's own strength and the fact that the station was crawling with guards and knights. The two began walking side-by-side, heading toward the ground floor to exit the station. Perhaps because the night had deepened, the cold wind brushing against Ren’s cheeks felt a bit sharp.
As they walked along Erendil Boulevard, Licia glanced at Ren. She felt as if she had to look up at him just a little more than she did before winter break began.
"Did you find the book you wanted?" she asked.
"I did, but apparently it’s quite popular. It was a complete coincidence that I could even borrow it. The librarian said someone else had it checked out until yesterday."
"That's good. I wanted to read it too."
Since Licia seemed interested, Ren offered, "Do you want to read it first?"
Licia shook her head with a smile. "Honestly, Ren, you're the one who went to get it. It can wait until after you're done."
"Then I'll bring it over as soon as I finish."
"Okay! I'll be waiting!"
Her stride was light as she smiled happily at the small promise.
After a moment, she added, "Shall we do the usual before bed tonight?"
"Let's," Ren agreed.
That night, Lezard and Weiss still hadn't returned. It was past ten o'clock, nearing the time when both Ren and Licia usually retired for the evening. The two were in the mansion's hall, devoted to a specific exercise.
Ever since the incident at Roses Kaitas, Licia had felt a deep aversion to using Holy Magic. However, after consulting with Chronoa and following Ren's conversation in Eupeheim with Ragna—the researcher in charge of the Ministry of Mysteries' laboratory—they had resumed her Holy Magic Training in the latter half of winter. With advice from the Academy Principal, they were taking it step by step.
"Hey, Ren, don't you think the effect is much stronger when I use it on you?"
"It definitely is... It might be because I forced your Mana Stone to listen to me back then."
"So that makes Ren the master of my power? Is that how it works?" Licia asked with a giggle.
"It’s not quite like that. It’s more like... the stone thinks, 'This guy is bossy, so I guess I’ll do what he says.'"
Even now, the magic demonstrated far more efficacy when used on Ren than on others like Lezard or Weiss. While it was clearly connected to the events at Roses Kaitas, the exact reason remained a mystery.
"Should we call it a night?" Ren asked.
"Yeah. See you tomorrow."
By the time their training concluded, Ren's eyelids felt heavy. He returned to his room, made quick preparations for bed, and extinguished the light of the Magic Tool. The moment he lay down, he let out a large yawn and drifted off.
Just after dawn, a knock sounded at Ren’s door. He opened it to find an attendant standing in the hallway, holding a letter. The sender's name was written simply on the envelope.
"From Radius?"
"That is what I was told, sir. The Imperial Guard who delivered it mentioned that you should check the contents for details."
Ren thanked her and returned to his desk to break the wax seal. He pulled out the parchment and scanned Radius's handwriting.
I would like to meet at the academy today or tomorrow, if you have the time. I'll be reading in the small room we always use, so please stop by if possible.
He added that Ren shouldn't worry if he was too busy. It seemed Radius, who had been swamped since last year, was finally catching his breath and intended to spend a rare day off reading at the academy. Ren had no reason to refuse an invitation from his best friend, so he decided to go that very morning.
He hurried to the dining room for breakfast. Licia, who woke up a bit later, tilted her head when she saw him rushing. "What’s the hurry?"
"Radius invited me to meet at the academy."
"I see. Have a safe trip."
After finishing his preparations, Ren headed to the entrance hall where Licia saw him off. When he stepped outside, his white breath was immediately swept away by the wind. As he passed through the front gate and reached the main boulevard, he caught a glimpse of the Great Clock Tower, now beautifully draped in snow.
"Radius."
Upon reaching the academy, Ren headed straight to the library. He stepped into the private room at the back and called out to his friend. Radius was sitting in a chair with a book in one hand, but his expression softened into a grin the moment he saw Ren.
"What are you smiling at?" Ren asked.
"My apologies. It’s just that you are so very much your usual self, Ren."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Think about it. When was the last time we saw each other?"
"Was it when we talked about the party at the Leonard house?"
"Indeed. It was shortly after the Leonard family's secret treasure, the Silver King's Shield Airia, was discovered. To be more precise, it was before you subjugated the Apostle of the Giant God, Wadatsumi."
Radius had been so busy that they hadn't spoken since then. While they had both been at the medal ceremony, that fell under the jurisdiction of the Lion Sanctum rather than the imperial court, so they hadn't had a chance to talk. Between that and the aftermath of the Wadatsumi incident, Radius's schedule had been overflowing.
"I find it amusing," Radius continued, "that you’ve performed such incredible feats and yet haven't changed a bit."
"Hey, how exactly am I supposed to change?"
"True. Still, most people would act differently if they reached the Sword Saint class of Strong Sword Arts at our age." Radius closed his book and set it on the table.
Ren sat down in a nearby chair and made himself at home. "The knights at the Lion Sanctum said the same thing."
"The knights?"
"Yeah. When I went to train for the first time after being ranked a Sword Saint, everyone congratulated me... but once I started my usual routine, they said I was exactly the same as always."
"Haha... I can imagine."
To the knights, Ren's training looked no different. However, his intensity had increased along with his new limits; he was simply pushing himself harder. That stoic dedication was what made him seem so much like the "usual" Ren.
"You said you had something to talk about. Is it something formal?"
"To an extent. A lot happened while we were apart. Ragna has been looking into the matters regarding your ancestors, and I wanted to share his findings with you immediately."
Apart from the business at hand, Radius clearly just wanted to catch up with his friend.
"Mr. Ragna? Was it about the Jeno Orphanage in the Old City?"
The door to that building—the one people called 'The Unopenable Door'—had finally opened when Ren touched it.
"It hasn’t been that long since we found those letters. Has he found something new already?"
"Yes. Ragna is a man of results. No matter how difficult the puzzle, he produces an answer. He never fails to deliver."
"I have to hand it to him."
Radius pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Ren. It was the research report exactly as Radius had received it. Ren scanned the text that had so surprised the prince. It took Ren only a few minutes to read, but several more to actually process the information.
He let out a long sigh and looked at Radius. "In the end, I have to wonder... who was Cecil Ashton, really?"
"I don't know, but he was clearly a special existence. As was the Blighted Princess. We still have many questions, but there’s no doubt we’ve taken a massive step toward the truth."
"It feels like we've only just reached the starting line, though."
"That is still much better than standing still." Radius gazed out the window toward the snowy horizon. "Hey, Ren."
"Yeah?"
"There’s one more thing I want to tell you."
Despite the sudden shift in tone, Ren replied with his usual casual air. "Sure. What is it?"
"It’s regarding why I was so busy. Things have finally been finalized to the point where I can speak of it, and I wanted you to be the first to know."
Ren stood up to prepare some tea. He filled the pot with hot water from a Magic Tool, and steam began to rise. As he added the tea leaves, a pleasant aroma filled the small room.
As Ren continued with the tea, Radius spoke behind him.
"It has been decided that I will be named Crown Prince. It won't be official for a while, but the decision is final."
"Huh. Is that so? That's great, Radius."
"Yes. My efforts to lay the groundwork paid off. I'll officially be named in summer or autumn, or perhaps a bit later... though it seems most of the Great Nobles have already guessed."
"I see. So it’s like an unofficial appointment for now?"
"Simply put, yes."
Ren brought over the teacups he had prepared and set one in front of Radius with a soft clink. Still holding his own cup, Ren walked over to the window to look out at the snow.
He took a long sip to moisten his throat. After a moment, he froze.
"...Wait, what?"
Ren turned around slowly. "Did you just say you're becoming the Crown Prince?"
"Yes," Radius replied with a smirk. "I did."