Since it was still before the first period, only two people occupied the terrace seats outside the academy cafeteria.
At this hour, most students serious about their exam prep were sequestered in their classrooms or the library for morning self-study.
Third Prince Radius Vin Leomel was discussing the matter of Muedi’s hideout with Ren.
Radius spoke with an air of concern for his best friend, who was one year his junior.
"I’ve heard the report on the hideout. Are you quite all right?"
His silver hair was perfectly coiffed, and his eyes held a cool, sophisticated allure. His dignified features radiated majesty and refinement.
To this man, who was the very picture of a future Crown Prince, Ren spoke casually.
"I’m not exactly at a hundred percent, but it’s nothing to worry about."
He lightly brushed the concern aside.
"Besides, I think I needed to go then. If I’d hesitated and the key had stopped working, there would’ve been no point in going to Windea in the first place."
"I thought the same when Ragna told me. It was an abrupt move, but I understand it was unavoidable."
"Exactly. And because I went, I managed to bring back some documents that look like research materials."
If he hadn't even managed that, the trip to Windea would have been an exercise in futility.
"I heard there was quite a mechanism in the basement," Radius noted.
"You mean the replicas of Lino Arkay’s magic?"
"Yes. Even if they were just imitations, I am amazed that you dealt with them using Star-Cleaver."
"I do wonder how strong they would have been if they hadn't been replicas, though," Ren mused.
"That is true as well." A good-natured smile played on Radius's lips as he picked up his teacup from the table. "You haven't changed, even though the Windea incident wasn't that long ago. You’re keeping pace with the excitement of the Hero Faction."
There was a reason Radius said this.
Among Radius's classmates was a young lady named Charlotte, born to the Rofelia family, one of the Seven Heroic Earl Families. She was an enchanting girl whose mature, precocious figure drew the eyes of the opposite sex and who embodied the word beauty better than anyone else.
In Windea, the Place Where Water and Wind Sleep, another major discovery had been made for Charlotte—and by extension, the Hero Faction.
The Wind King Bow Sylphina, once used by the ancestors of the Rofelia family, had been found and had chosen Charlotte as its new master.
Furthermore, equipment used by Upperclassman Kaito's ancestors had been found last year, and in the spring, it had been revealed that Vane was a descendant of Hero Ruin. The Hero Faction was displaying a level of vitality that rivaled even the excitement of the previous spring.
"I generally welcome the surge in the Hero Faction's spirits. The people are encouraged by the achievements of the heroes' descendants, so I find it reassuring as well."
"I have a feeling the Imperial Faction's momentum might become even stronger by the end of the year, at the earliest," Ren noted.
"Are you referring to me?"
"Yeah. Once it's officially announced that you're becoming the Crown Prince, Radius, it’ll be just as lively as the Hero Faction."
Naturally, this conversation took place only after they had confirmed there were no eyes or ears around them.
"You're officially becoming the Crown Prince after summer ends, right?"
"As I said before, at the earliest. Once everything is officially settled, the news should reach the people around the end of summer."
"Just hearing that makes it feel like things are going to get busy again."
"The troublesome dealings with my relatives are over, so I have no more mental fatigue. That alone is enough," Radius said with a self-deprecating air before muttering, "Come to think of it."
"I must memorize the ritual at the Great Mausoleum," he continued.
The Great Mausoleum was a massive underground space located within the Imperial Castle.
It was said that the gravestones of successive emperors lined the left and right of its long corridor, with the Lion King’s tombstone waiting at the very end.
"The Great Mausoleum—"
"You know about the Great Mausoleum too, don't you, Ren?"
"Yeah. At least as much as what we learned in history class."
The Great Mausoleum was a restricted site where no one was allowed to set foot except for the Imperial Family and a few select staff; even the royals could not enter it without a specific reason. It was a sanctuary protected by the greatest seals and barriers in the Empire.
When Radius became the Crown Prince, there was a ritual he had to perform before the Lion King's grave.
"Though I call it a ritual, it is merely the new Crown Prince going to pay his respects to the Lion King. Think of it as a time to stand before the Lion King’s tombstone and show proper courtesy."
"I see... So there’s a ritual like that."
"And also to the fragment of the Lion King’s sword placed before the tombstone."
Since Ren didn't know about that, he listened with interest. Sensing his curiosity, Radius intentionally adopted a more explanatory tone.
"It is said that only a part of the sword remains because it was worn out from use, or perhaps because it shattered during training with his close associate, Knight Grimdall—who is the namesake of the Holy Grimdall Sword Emblem."
"Um, just to be sure, I want to ask—"
"The ritual itself is not classified. You should learn about it in class this year, Ren."
"That's a relief, then."
After a while, the two stood up and walked into the school building, which was gradually becoming crowded. Their conversation continued as they headed toward their respective classrooms.
"To change the subject, it's about when I shared the news of the Windea incident with the White Dragon Princess."
The White Dragon Princess, Lutreche.
At the mention of the woman who mysteriously lent Ren a hand, Ren turned toward Radius.
"When I told her that you had fought as well, she seemed quite interested. Her reaction was different from her usual self."
"..."
"Ren?"
"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking that I’d like to go talk to her again."
There were many aspects of Lutreche's behavior that piqued his interest. Even the emblem-bearing requests that gave Ren the impetus to go to Windea were largely due to her advice.
At the very least, she was not an enemy, and the fact remained that she cared about Ren for unknown reasons. Since he hadn't seen her recently, he wanted to speak with her face-to-face.
Radius was aware of the circumstances and could sympathize with Ren's feelings.
"Lately, she seems to be visiting the Temple of the War God from time to time. If you have time, you should try going there, Ren."
"Thanks. I'll do that."
He didn't know if he would actually find her, but he wanted to drop by soon. If the days went by without a meeting, he would have to consider asking Radius to facilitate an introduction.
As he reached the front of his classroom, Ren's attention was caught by the scene visible through the half-open door.
Sera Riohalde was slumped over her desk. Much like she had done in the library the other day, she was displaying total exhaustion from her exam preparations.
Ren exchanged a look and a wry smile with a boy who had just arrived at the door at the same time.
"Hey, Ren."
"Morning, Vane."
The boy was Vane, the descendant of Hero Ruin.
He had begun to make a name for himself since last year as the descendant of the hero whose lineage was thought to have vanished, and he had fought more bravely than anyone during the battle in Windea.
As the two stepped into the classroom together, Ren headed toward Licia, who was watching over Sera by a nearby window.
Meanwhile, Vane went to Sera's side and spoke to her.
"Sera, about what we talked about yesterday—we’ve decided to study at Upperclassman Kaito’s mansion today."
"I see... Have a good time. I’ll do my best here at the academy."
Right next to where they were talking, Ren and Licia also exchanged words.
"Hey, Ren."
Licia leaned slightly closer to him.
The natural closeness they shared had been a source of envy for other boys since early spring—though she was entirely unaware of it.
"We were talking about having a study session after school. Nemu went off somewhere just now, but she said she wanted all of us to do it together."
If Licia and the others were having a study session, then based on what he had just heard from Radius...
In that case, maybe I could go to the temple.
It seemed like a good opportunity to check out the Temple of the War God.
"By the way, where are you holding the study session?"
"I think it’ll be in the library. When I was talking to Lady Fiona in the hallway, Nemu was walking along with a staggering Sera..."
"Exactly! Seeing Sera-chan in trouble, Lady Ignat made the suggestion!"
At the sound of Nemu's voice, Ren and Licia both turned at once.
She wore a hooded jacket over her shirt and a belt at her waist laden with tools and magic devices. That was the vivacious Nemu.
She puffed out her rather prominent chest with pride, a boastful expression on her face.
"And then, Nemu gave an immediate answer, saying 'Count me in!'"
"So that means it's a four-person study session."
"You got it! Anyway, Ashton-kun, won't you study with us?"
"Um... I want to go look for some reference books and things like that, so I think I'll head back to the academy once I'm done with that."
Hearing this for the first time, Licia tilted her head slightly. "Is that so?"
"Recent classes have been tough, after all."
"Understood! Well then, let's do our best today too!"
Watching Nemu walk away after her bright declaration, Ren turned to Licia.
"That was half a lie, though."
"I thought as much. But what’s your real errand?"
"I'm thinking of going to the Temple of the War God. I heard from Radius that Lutreche might be there."
Licia knew that Ren had spoken with Lutreche several times since the spring, and she had heard that the woman seemed to know something about the Ashton family. She understood that Ren hadn't spoken to her since the Windea incident concluded, so his desire to go made sense, but...
"Muu..."
As Ren began to scan the classroom, Licia let out a little pout while watching his profile.