She was so close that Kaito collided with her the moment he turned around.
"Oof... Well played, Kaito! To think you would sense my approach—as expected of a man carrying the Leonard bloodline!"
"I mean, I appreciate the sentiment, but... Liz, what were you doing behind me anyway?"
"I saw you loafing around with such a pathetic posture that I thought I’d give your side a little poke. But then you turned around so suddenly that my nose went smack against you. It actually hurts quite a bit."
In response to the girl’s confession—her nose still a bright red—Kaito gave a strained reply. "O-Oh. I see."
Before long, the girl’s eyes began to well up with tears.
"I-It hurts..."
Apparently, the pain was still throbbing, as she whimpered her complaints in a small voice.
I watched the scene with a wry smile, not quite knowing how to interject.
"Are you okay?"
"I-I’m fine... This is no problem at all. Compared to Grandmother's training, this is nothing."
"The Archayse family seems like they would be quite strict when it comes to teaching magic, after all," I remarked.
"Mumu? You know my family name?"
It wasn't particularly strange for me to recognize her, given that she was born into such a famous lineage.
"The Hero Lino Archayse was the one who laid the foundations of modern magic education. Her name is all over the textbooks, after all."
Lino Archayse was the magician who had helped Hero Ruin slay the Demon King, and even at her young age, Lizred was already a magic expert. Because she could unleash spells with immense destructive power, she was an indispensable member of any party.
In other words, she was also a descendant of the Seven Heroes.
Her name was Lizred Archayse.
Lizred nodded her head vigorously, looking quite satisfied with my explanation.
"Despite all that," Kaito interjected, "this girl is basically Sharo’s little sister. She gets treated like a human hug pillow."
"Wait-wait-wait! Please don't go spreading such a dishonorable nickname in front of someone I've just met! If you're looking for a fight, Kaito, I'll take you on right here and now!"
To an outsider, she simply looked like a young girl being teased by an older student. Fortunately, to the other students who had been watching the scene for a bit, it merely looked like friends playing around.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
During lunch break, I was at the academy cafeteria, having a rare conversation with Radius. We stood out a fair amount, but neither of us particularly minded.
"And so, she turned out to be quite the lively girl."
"To think you would encounter the Archayse daughter so soon."
"I wouldn't exactly call it an encounter. I just happened to be standing next to Upperclassman Leonard."
As Radius listened to my story, a corner of the cafeteria began to grow noisy. Kaito, Vane, Charlotte, and the rumored Lizred had arrived.
It was no surprise they drew everyone's attention. It was only natural when Vane, who was currently the talk of the school, was walking with members of the other Heroic Archduke families.
They—or rather, Lizred—spotted me and let out a small "Ah!" before jogging over. However, she froze mid-stride when she noticed Radius sitting next to me.
She went rigid, looking as if she had been turned to stone by sheer tension.
"Radius, did you do something to her?"
"Of course not. I've never even spoken to her."
I was, naturally, asking as a joke. I knew the reason. Lizred was simply overwhelmed by Radius’s presence.
"I've already finished my meal, so I'll be heading to the library. I have some business to discuss with the new staff member, Mirei."
"So that's why Mirei-san took a part-time position—so she’d be available for things like this."
"Precisely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I’ll be going."
"Got it. See you later."
While Radius did indeed have business to attend to, he was also clearly leaving to put Lizred at ease. He stood up and walked away, exiting the cafeteria without sparing a glance for his surroundings.
Once she saw him leave, Lizred approached me with slow, cautious steps. Vane and the others followed a few paces behind her.
"I'm sorry about the commotion this morning," Lizred said, giving a small but incredibly polite bow.
"I am Lizred Archayse. As you know, I am a descendant of Lino Archayse, and I am also a fairly impressive magician in my own right."
Charlotte was the one who caught that last bit.
"Liz, isn't it a bit embarrassing to call yourself an impressive magician?"
"...That's why I added 'fairly,' didn't I? Besides, it's a bit awkward when you point it out so formally, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop."
"Yes, yes. I'll do that from now on."
"Honestly... Sharo, you only grow in height. To become a lady who can hold her head high anywhere, you need to show more consideration for others."
"Oh, don't worry about that. I'm perfectly considerate with everyone except you, Liz."
"That is... a strangely unconvincing reply, but I'll let it slide for now."
Once their bickering ended, Lizred turned her attention back to me.
"I have a request for you, Upperclassman Ashton."
That was a first. Or rather, since I hadn't really had any close juniors until now, I hadn't been called by that title very often. Being called 'Upperclassman' reminded me once again that I was now a second-year student.
"A request for me? Wait, you knew who I was?"
"Just as you knew about me, Upperclassman Ashton, I have plenty of reasons to know about you. Especially since my house has the worst compatib—I mean, a fated rivalry with Strong Sword Users!"
"...Is it because those of us who use Star-cleaver are like natural enemies to magicians?"
Star-cleaver was a Strong Sword Art that used the power of Enshroud to cut through even magic. Since it was the mark of a Swordmaster, those who used it were also exceptionally skilled in swordsmanship. To magicians, who generally struggled in close-quarters combat, such warriors were a nightmare.
"T-That's it! That technique is practically cheating!"
"Even if you call it cheating, the one who came up with it was the Lion King."
"...Guh. Even I can't say anything against the Lion King!"
Lizred hadn't actually intended to spend her time venting about Strong Sword Users. She quickly pulled the conversation back to the main point.
"Well, you see," she started, her tone becoming more formal. "During the upcoming holidays, would you like to go to Windea with us?"
"I think I’ll pass."
My response was so much faster than she expected that her mouth hung open. She looked as if the wind had been completely taken out of her sails. Her reactions were consistently entertaining, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Why not!?"
"I already have other plans. Sorry."
"Ugh... P-Plans, you say..."
I didn't intend to give her the details about my own Emblem-bearing request.
"Well then... I suppose I can't force you."
Giving up more easily than I had anticipated, Lizred turned her back to me. She began walking with long strides toward the cafeteria exit.
"Let's go, Kaito! It's time for our lunch break training!"
"Wait, wait! Why do you think I came to the cafeteria in the first place? Lunch comes first!"
"Oops... That’s right. My apologies."
Beside their noisy exchange, Vane looked at me.
"Sorry for the sudden invitation, Ren. After hearing the rumors about you, they seemed to think it would be great if you came along."
"I appreciate the offer, and I'm glad you'd want my help, but I really do have other plans."
"It's fine, it's fine. I would have been happy to travel with you too, Ren, but it's our fault for springing it on you like this."
I was actually heading to the same destination as Vane and the others, but it was far more convenient for me to act independently, so there was no helping it. Even without the details, I managed to get his understanding.
Though the final person wasn't here, there should be one more descendant of a Heroic Archduke family enrolled in the first-year Special Merit Class. With that, all the descendants of the Seven Heroes were finally gathered at the academy.
However, I didn't feel the need to go out of my way to meet the last one. We were students at the same academy; our paths would surely cross eventually.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After several successful test flights, it was officially determined that the repairs to the magic ship Lemuria were complete. At the Sky Garden dock, Verrich stood with his right hand on his hip, extending his left hand to show me a document.
This was after school on the day I had met Lizred.
'The "Lemuria" is hereby recognized, and flight is permitted in all airspaces with the exception of restricted zones.'
All relevant checks had been completed, meaning that we were now permitted to fly through the skies of Leomel for purposes other than testing. While using magic ship docks required coordination with various cities, that fell under the jurisdiction of local lords and officials, making it Lord Lezard’s responsibility. He had already handled several of those arrangements without any issues.
"And with that, the Lemuria is completely revived!"
The ship looked the same as it had a few days ago, but it somehow seemed more dignified than before. I stared intently at the permit in Verrich's hand. Beside me, Ragna—who had come along for the occasion—gazed at the Lemuria with intense curiosity.
"I've heard the rumors. They said there was a ship that was rendered unusable because of a foolish member of the Imperial Family, so this is that Lemuria. To think it was something this magnificent."
"Oho! This young man has a discerning eye!"
"Indeed, it's quite beautiful. Knowing that the Dragon Vein Furnace I gave to Ren is powering this ship... that doesn't feel bad at all."
"Nn? That Dragon Vein Furnace belonged to you, lad?"
"It did. I gave it to Ren as a reward, but he’s put it to a far more impressive use than I imagined. It's truly worthy of praise."
While I looked over the permit, the two men—meeting for the first time—chatted away. Both were somewhat difficult, troublesome individuals, but they seemed to get along quite well, perhaps because they shared a similar eccentricity.
Once Verrich and Ragna had finished their introductions, I spoke up.
"Verrich-san, I have a place I'd like you to take us during the upcoming holidays. Is that all right? I already have Lord Lezard's permission."
"Of course! I can fly her wherever I want now!"
I glanced at Ragna, letting him take over the explanation.
"Ren has accepted an Emblem-bearing request for me. I could have prepared my own magic ship, but since this Lemuria is clearly superior in performance, we were discussing how much we’d prefer to use it for the journey."
"Hou, hou... Well, your average magic ship wouldn't even be able to compare to this one."
It wasn't just bravado. Verrich spoke with the absolute certainty that it was the truth.
"Fine by me. Let's hear the rest."