The original owner of the Lemuria had been a member of the former Imperial Family.
Verrich had built the vessel upon their request, but the royal had pushed the ship beyond its limits, destroying the furnace and warping the framework itself. It had taken a long time, but repairs had finally progressed to the point where a test flight was on the horizon.
"Impressive, isn't she? This is the Lemuria, after my countless repairs and improvements!"
Standing in a corner of a dock within the Sky Garden, Verrich, the blacksmith and Magic Ship Engineer, boasted loudly.
Ren, who had only heard the news the previous night, had come here with Licia to see the nearly completed vessel. Standing on the rugged iron floor of the dock, the two of them were at a loss for words. It was easy to imagine how beautiful she would look soaring through the clouds.
"By spring, she'll be capable of long-distance flight! I'll be conducting a test flight soon—hey, you two! Why the silence?"
"Sorry. I was just... genuinely moved."
"Me too. I've never seen such a beautiful magic ship before," Licia added.
Verrich scratched the tip of his nose, looking uncharacteristically bashful at their reactions before gazing at the Lemuria with pride.
"Yeah, she's something, alright."
The Lemuria’s exterior hadn't changed much since Ren had last seen it. The interior was divided into several rooms, though it was smaller than a standard passenger magic ship. The bullet-shaped upper hull featured folded, translucent wings reminiscent of fish fins that sparkled like polished crystal. Perhaps because it had originally been built for royalty, several ornamental decorations remained intact. The lower section resembled a sailing ship without masts or sails. The impression Ren had felt before—that of a literal flying ship—had been refined into an even more majestic presence.
"The size and appearance haven't changed much, but I've had to rework the interior because of the modifications to the furnace output. First off, the sensitivity value of the main furnace toward mana—and then I also had to recalculate the coefficients for increasing the output—"
Ren couldn't fully follow the technical jargon, but he caught the gist of it. As Verrich said, the Lemuria had been heavily modified; the internal components were now something entirely different. Asval's Horn and the Dragon Vein Path that Ren had received from Ragna last year had been integrated. Combined with the peerless skill of an engineer like Verrich, the Lemuria had been reborn with unprecedented power.
"I'll register myself as the pilot. This girl is tricky to handle, so it's better that way."
"Do magic ships require registration like that?" Ren asked.
"What are you saying, Ren? Of course they do. Even for the Chief's magic ship, my name is registered alongside the members of the Drake family. We have to be thorough about these things."
"I understand. Though, I imagine Lord Lezard will want to confirm all that."
"I figure as much, but... how is it actually being handled? The ownership of this thing."
Ren was about to say it obviously belonged to the Clausel family, but Licia spoke first.
"The Lemuria was bestowed upon us by His Majesty along with Erendil, so the ownership belongs to our house."
However, unlike territory, it was a gifted item with specific conditions.
"But I've heard that for several provisions, including usage rights, Ren's name will be listed alongside my father's."
"Apparently so. For the record, this is the first I'm hearing of it," Ren said.
"I only heard it this morning myself. It's not like I was keeping it a secret," Licia clarified.
"Gah-ha-ha-ha! I see! Well, I get the point! The Lemuria is as good as fixed thanks to Ren. It's only natural Lord Lezard would do that!"
Transferring ownership of something bestowed by the Emperor was a legal impossibility. Even so, the Baron was doing everything in his power to ensure this magic ship was recognized as Ren’s as well. In fact, it was perfect for Ren, who intended to use it in the spring.
"I'll handle the test flight soon. I can't promise she's perfectly safe yet, so I'll go alone," Verrich stated firmly.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Later that morning, Licia recounted the events at the Sky Garden dock to Fiona. The three of them, including Ren, were in their usual room at the academy.
"It seems the test flight will be happening soon."
"Hehe, I would love to see it. ...By the way," Fiona started, but paused.
Ren wasn't joining the conversation; he was staring intently at a map. He twirled his pen, looking troubled—a rare sight for him.
"What is the matter with Ren-kun?" Fiona asked.
"I think he's probably worrying about something regarding his trip to Windea," Licia replied.
"W-Windea? Why are you going there?"
Licia explained the reason, and Fiona quickly nodded. "I see."
Their voices weren't quite reaching Ren's ears. Technically, he heard them, but instead of processing the words, he only registered that the two were talking. Ren continued to study the map.
"I guess I'll have to consult with Ragna-san about this too," he muttered, finally bringing his focus back to the room. "Did you two need something?"
"No. It's nothing."
"Yes. It's nothing at all."
He realized they had been watching him. When he asked sincerely rather than trying to feign ignorance, the girls simply smiled.
Ten minutes later, Radius arrived. Mirei followed him into the room, her cat ears pricked up and her tail swaying gently. With the same group gathered as during the Lion King Grand Festival, the bustle of the previous year came to mind.
Radius went to sit in the seat next to Ren. "A map? It looks like the area near Windea."
"Yeah. I'm thinking of going there once spring arrives."
"...I'm not sure I follow. Is it a vacation?"
When Ren explained the circumstances, Radius gave a knowing nod. "I suspect Ren is the only one who would accept such an Emblem-bearing request."
"I said the same thing to Ragna-san. It's not like I have any plans immediately after spring starts, and since this was something I was curious about, it's a good opportunity."
"That is true. However... you are as active as ever, Ren."
"Well, I've just started to figure out a few things."
Radius then muttered to himself, "I suppose it's not bad. Still, Ragna could have told me first," before asking, "What will you do about a magic ship?"
"I was just thinking about whether to use the Lemuria or have Ragna-san prepare one. I was planning to consult with him about how to move once I'm there."
Hearing that the Lemuria’s test flight was imminent, Radius offered his congratulations. He immediately took a small memo paper from his pocket, wrote something down, and handed it to Ren.
"Then, I shall give you the location of the inn where Ragna is staying. Why not stop by on your way back?"
"Ah... yeah. I'll do that. There's something I want to check, too."
Ren was thinking about the interaction between the broken key and the Water Magic Sword. The conversation with Ragna had been too sudden the other day, and since they were in a conspicuous place, he hadn't wanted to summon his sword. He figured it wouldn't hurt to investigate before heading to Windea.
"I am not sure if it will be summer or autumn yet, but once I become the Crown Prince, I believe I can assist you with the matter of the Forbidden Archives," Radius said casually.
"Thanks. I'm counting on you."
The two continued their conversation so naturally that Mirei had to interject.
"You two. These two here are confused, so I'd like you to explain properly, nya."
The term "Crown Prince" required no explanation, but the fact that Radius was about to become one was news.
"The number of people who know is still limited, but I will eventually be appointed as the Crown Prince. Please keep it a secret for a while."
Radius said it so nonchalantly that Licia and Fiona were stunned. Ren, watching the girls, realized they looked exactly as he had when he first heard the news.
"But that is a story for the future," Radius said, cutting the topic short.
"We came here to study for the winter break, but what about you, Radius?" Ren asked.
"It's about Mirei's work. I was bored, so I just came along."
"Work at the library? Research?"
"No. Winter break will be over soon, right? And immediately after, the graduation ceremony for the fourth-years will arrive."
"And so, I'll stop being a student, nya," Mirei said lightly.
It was inevitable, but Ren felt a pang of sadness. Their opportunities to see Mirei would likely plummet.
"Well, I'll come by to check in every now and then, nya~"
"Yes," Radius added. "Given Mirei's position as my aide, she won't just be a civil official at the castle. Starting in the spring, she is scheduled to hold a part-time position as a member of the library staff here as well. In other words, our relationship will hardly change. Mirei will occasionally be at the academy."
"Oh..."
"What's with that half-hearted reply, Ren? No, it's not just Ren. The two over there seem to have lost some of their tension as well."
"A-Ahaha... I'm sorry. Both Licia-sama and I were feeling lonely just a moment ago," Fiona admitted.
"Yes... but I'm happy that I can see Mirei-san again," Licia added.
"Nyahaha! But that's how it is, nya! It would be weirder if I, as the Crown Prince's Aide, stayed in the castle all the time, nya!"
Faced with such logic, the three were convinced. The small age gap between the Third Prince and his aide made such an arrangement convenient for both the castle and the school.
"So that was the reason behind Mirei-san's work," Licia said.
Ren turned back to Radius. "There's the graduation ceremony, and then a little later, the entrance ceremony."
"Indeed. This time of year is always a whirlwind."
Another new spring was arriving. Ren wasn't just wondering what kind of spring it would be; he was focused on a specific memory.
"I see... so this is the year."
One day, during the year Ren and Licia advanced to their second year. In the Great Auditorium of the Imperial Academy.
"Wh—Re-Ren!? What are you doing!?"
"You can see for yourself, can't you? I've just killed her."
This was the exchange between Ren Ashton and Vane, the descendant of the hero, before Ren disappeared with Licia's body in The Legend of the Seven Heroes. For Ren, it was the beginning of everything—the moment he had resolved to avoid at any cost. Chronologically, that event was supposed to happen this year.
"Ren? What do you mean by 'this is the year'?"
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the lovely girl peering into his face.
"Don't worry about it. It's really nothing," he said, repeating it as if to convince himself.
Licia giggled. "You're weird."
Just seeing her laughing like this brought a strange sense of peace to his heart.
On his way home that day, Ren told Ragna about the Lemuria. When he was shown the broken key again, he brought it close to the Water Magic Sword, but there was no reaction. It seemed he would need an item more directly imbued with the Water Goddess's power.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The winter days passed in the blink of an eye. Since the incident with Wadatsumi, the flow of time felt particularly swift. The graduation ceremony was held in early March.
Among the many prestigious schools in the capital, the Imperial Academy was unique. The caliber of the guests was staggering—the ceremony was attended by the Royal Guard Commander and high-ranking generals, with security to match.
The solemn ceremony took place in the academy's Great Auditorium. Even so, the bright voices of the graduates echoed throughout the hall. Once Chronoa declared the ceremony closed, the students enjoyed their final conversations acting their age. As they exited, showered by the cheers of the underclassmen, they wore bittersweet smiles.
Outside, graduates, current students, and faculty gathered to exchange partings. Under a clear blue sky, surrounded by the budding flowers of the garden, many graduates prepared to head out into the world.
It was past noon on that brilliant day. Scarcely an hour had passed since the ceremony ended.
"H-Hey! Have you seen Ren!?"
Vane ran through the school building, searching desperately for the classmate he hadn't managed to speak with yet.