That spring, the Clausel Barony faced an unprecedented crisis.
Viscount Given, the neighboring lord acting on the Emperor’s behalf, had singled out Baron Clausel as a target in a political power struggle. House Ashton’s village, situated on the remote frontier, had borne the brunt of the damage. At the time, Baron Clausel’s only daughter—the Saintess Licia—had been visiting the village.
Through Viscount Given's schemes, Licia was abducted. Already weakened by illness, she came within a hair’s breadth of losing her life, but she made a miraculous return.
All of it was thanks to the desperate struggle of a boy named Ren Ashton.
Using his quick wits and his magic swords, Ren had protected Licia single-handedly, though the price of his victory was a collection of grievous wounds. In gratitude for saving his daughter, Lezard—the Baron—promised that Ren could stay at the mansion to recuperate. Thanks to that care, Ren’s body had finally reached a full recovery. Through the use of potions and specialized magic tools, muscle atrophy was kept to a minimum, and within two months, he was walking unaided.
One day, two months after the incident.
"I think I’m finally healed."
Murmuring to himself from his bed in the guest room, Ren watched the wind through the window catch his black-brown hair. A faint smile touched his refined, androgynous face. Looking satisfied, he stood up and approached the window.
Outside, he could see Licia diligently engaged in her morning training.
(I have to keep my promise.)
During the flight that had followed the spring attack, Ren had promised Licia that they would spar. Even though it was already past June and his birthday had slipped by unnoticed, he intended to honor his word.
After dressing, Ren left the guest room and made his way down the now-familiar hallway. Unlike the modest home he had grown up in, the mansion’s floors felt soft underfoot, cushioned by thick, luxurious carpets.
"Hm? Boy?"
A voice called out from behind him. Ren turned to see Weiss approaching from the opposite end of the corridor. As the Knight Commander of House Clausel, Weiss was a busy man, yet he had personally assisted Ren throughout his rehabilitation.
"Morning, boy. Finished your breakfast already?"
"In my room as usual, sir. I was just heading out to get some exercise."
"Exercise, you say?"
"If I stay idle any longer, I’m afraid I’ll make a fool of myself."
Weiss looked puzzled for a moment, then realized where Ren’s gaze was drifting.
"Ah, a match with the young lady? Don't overdo it, now. The Baron gave strict orders on that front."
"I’ll be fine. It’s something I want to do, and I don't want to keep Lady Licia waiting any longer."
Ren had watched her practice every day. From the vantage point of his guest room, he looked down on the square where she performed her morning rituals. Their eyes would often meet, and they would exchange waves across the distance.
"I promised her. I said that if we made it back together, we would definitely spar again."
As if on cue, Licia reached a stopping point in her routine and noticed Ren. She beamed, waving with a lovely smile.
Ren headed out to the square, where Licia ran toward him with light, pitter-patter footsteps. Her white training skirt fluttered in the breeze. The outfit was one she had left behind at the Ashton house; miraculously, it had survived the fires. When Ren’s parents visited Clausel recently, they had returned it to her.
Licia was halfway to him when she suddenly skidded to a stop and retreated. Ren watched, confused, as she grabbed a towel from a nearby bench and began vigorously wiping away her sweat. The sight was so endearing that the knights acting as her sparring partners shared secret smiles.
(She didn't really need to worry about that,) Ren thought with a wry grin, taking a deep breath of the garden air. The greenery was lush, and the atmosphere was refreshing.
"Ren!"
Having finished her quick grooming, Licia trotted over. Her hair, a blend of silver and amethyst, had regained its silken luster. Her exquisite features seemed a touch more mature now, tempered by the ordeal they had shared.
Bathed in the morning sun, she offered him an angelic smile. "Are you really okay? You aren't pushing yourself?"
"I'm fine. You’ve seen me recovering enough to run lately, Lady Licia."
"W-well, yes, but still...!" Licia pouted. "I was just worried, that's all. So, why are you out here? For a walk?"
"No, I thought I'd move my body a bit."
"Move your body? Doing what?"
"Well, if I'm going to spar with you, I figured I should probably hold a sword for the first time in a while."
Ren walked past the stunned Licia toward the edge of the square, where a rack of training weapons stood. He selected a sword that matched his height and reach.
"A-are you really going to spar with me? Right now? You aren't joking!?"
"I gave you my word. But I need to get my feel for the blade back first. Otherwise, I’ll lose far too quickly."
"You think so? I suspect you’re more than ready, Ren."
"Now, Lady Licia... you aren't trying to rush me, are you?"
"Of course not! I was just making an observation about our relative skill levels."
The nearby knights looked on in bewilderment.
...The young lady is admitting someone else is better? Without getting angry?
...Sir Weiss seems to recognize him too. This I have to see.
The knights were just as eager as Licia. They wanted to see for themselves if the rumors about Ren Ashton’s strength were true.
Ren ignored the spectators and gripped the hilt. It felt slightly off. Compared to the weight of his Wooden Magic Sword or Iron Magic Sword, this mundane weapon felt foreign in his hand.
(Nothing for it, I suppose.)
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing the Magic Sword Summoning Bracelet on his arm.
"Where did you get another bracelet just like the old one?" Licia asked.
"My parents found a similar one for me."
"Hmm... I see."
It was a lie, of course, but he couldn't wear the artifact without a cover story. Regarding the dagger Licia had promised him, she had been unable to find a suitable one in the mansion’s vaults and was currently obsessed with ordering a custom piece for him.
(Just a little, for now.)
Ren stepped away from Licia to give himself room and began with a light swing. While the grip was different, the mechanical sensation of the swing was unchanged.
(Good. I really am back.)
He began to move in earnest, visualizing an opponent. With a spectral Thief Wolfen in his mind's eye, he wove intricate footwork into sharp, practiced strikes. The blade whistled as it cut through the air, the pressure of his swings causing the grass to sway.
"Hoh..." Weiss let out a low grunt of approval.
The knights were stunned into silence. Ren was clearly far more powerful than they had imagined. Licia, meanwhile, watched with her hands clasped behind her back, looking utterly delighted.
(I haven't dulled as much as I feared.)
Sensing the audience’s shock, Ren pushed his speed even further. The air grew heavy with the intensity of his movements, a tangible pressure radiating from his form.
"Ren, how does it feel?" Licia asked once he slowed to a halt.
"About the same as before I collapsed. I'm not at a hundred percent, but I can move well enough."
"I'm glad. I hope my Holy Magic helped a little."
During his recovery, Licia had visited him daily, devotedly casting Holy Magic to mend his wounds. The synergy between her magic and the potions had worked wonders.
(The Physical Ability Up (Small) buff probably helped too,) Ren thought. Emboldened by how well his body was responding, he looked at her. "If a light session is okay with you, would you like to spar?"
"...Eh?"
"Just a light one, please. I’m still not quite back to my old self."
As Licia stood there in shock, Weiss barked, "Boy! Isn't it too soon for that!?"
"It’s fine, sir. I’ll keep it easy."
Licia finally found her voice, a mix of joy and concern playing across her face. "Are you absolutely sure?"
"I am," Ren replied instantly.
"Fine. But we’ll call it 'rehab exercise' today, not a real spar. Understand?"
Ren scratched his cheek, feeling a bit sheepish at being lectured. "Please, go easy on me."
As Ren took his stance, Licia felt a jolt of surprise. The aura he projected was even more formidable than it had been before the battle with Jelkku. He had grown stronger during his recovery.
"Honestly... 'go easy on me' should be my line," she whispered, her lips curling into a smile as she felt the weight of his strength.
That evening, the knights and staff gathered in the mansion's hall, their conversation centered entirely on the day's events.
"It was incredible. To think he could move like that after being bedridden."
"Well, it makes sense. A boy who can take down a Thief Wolfen and a Mana Eater isn't exactly normal."
As the knights praised his skill, the maids chimed in.
"Master Ren’s character is even more impressive."
"And didn't you see the young lady? She lost so quickly, and while she looked a bit frustrated, she looked even more proud to be standing there with him. They really are a perfect match."
As they talked, it was clear that Licia had been soundly defeated. She had grown stronger over the winter, but Ren’s growth through his life-and-death struggle had outpaced her.
"Sir Weiss," one knight said, speaking for the group. "The men would very much like for Master Ren to remain here at the mansion."
"The domestic staff feels the same way, sir," a maid added.
"Umu... I understand the sentiment," Weiss sighed. "But the boy intends to return to his village. It's a tragedy to lose such talent, but the Baron has stated he will respect the wishes of House Ashton and the boy himself."
The room collectively sighed. They knew that if the Baron had made up his mind to be fair, no amount of pleading would change his stance.
At the same time, in Ren’s guest room.
Ren closed the book he had been reading and turned his attention to the glowing object on the corner of his desk: Selakia's Azure Orb. He recalled the lore surrounding it from his past life.
'An egg with a shell harder than any legendary blade. It radiates immense power. It is said that by offering vast mana and the horn of a Great Dragon, it may be hatched. The creature within will swear absolute loyalty to its master.'
The Azure Orb was the rarest drop from a Thief Wolfen. Legends claimed a monster capable of wielding absolute ice and darkness—one that had once challenged the Demon King—lay dormant inside. In the game, players had never found the trick to hatching it, eventually dismissing it as a mere high-value vendor item.
But to Ren, it was more than that. He had seen it react. Back in the village, it had vibrated at his touch. Now, as he placed his hand on it, the blue mist within swirled, and sparks of azure lightning flickered more intensely than before.
"It really is absorbing my mana to grow."
If the legend was true, a loyal beast would be a massive advantage in this world. But the requirement was the hurdle.
"So, where am I supposed to find a Great Dragon?"
Not only did he not know of any, but the idea of taking a horn from such a creature was suicidal.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Ren, it's me."
Ren pulled his hand away. "Come in."
Licia peeked through the door. "I wanted to talk before heading to bed—ah, you’re looking at that mysterious gem again."
She had noticed the orb on his desk once before. Ren had simply told her it was a drop from the Thief Wolfen. In a world where magic stones were common, she had accepted it as some kind of rare jewel or mana crystal.
Licia walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. "I'm sorry for dropping in so late. Were you about to sleep?"
"No, not at all. I'm happy for the company."
Licia beamed. "Great!"
They chatted about nothing in particular for a while until she turned to him with a more serious expression. "So, Ren... how much longer are you staying in Clausel?"
Ren interpreted this through the lens of their promise. "I was thinking of staying until we've finished our spars. How many did you have in mind?"
"A thousand."
"Pardon?"
"A thousand spars. That should be enough for now."
Ren blinked. Even at one spar a day, that was nearly three years. And since daily sparring wasn't always possible, it would likely take much longer. Licia looked up at him, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a quiet plea. Ren found himself unable to say no.
"Well... a thousand spars is a very long-term plan."
"You can keep living in this room," she said quickly.
"But my work—"
"You're an Ashton. You could work as a knight for this house."
"Strictly speaking, I'm not a knight yet, just a knight's son."
"Oh, honestly! It doesn't matter!" Licia was being uncharacteristically stubborn. "Please? Even if it isn't a thousand... just stay a little while longer."
Seeing her looking so vulnerable, fearing he might disappear the moment the promise was fulfilled, Ren felt his resolve crumble.
"I suppose... I could stay a bit longer."
He told himself it was just to fulfill his promise to spar with her.
"Really!?" Licia bounced on the bed, leaning toward him.
"I’ll still need Lord Lezard’s permission, of course."
"Don't worry about that! My father said you could stay as long as you liked!"
"In that case, I’ll take you up on the offer."
"It's a promise! I won't forgive you if you take it back!" Licia grabbed his pillow and hugged it tight, her mood shifting instantly to pure joy.
(That's my pillow... well, the mansion's pillow, but still...)
"Oh, I should get back to my room," Licia said, glancing at the clock. It was already past midnight. "One more thing. I’m going shopping tomorrow. Would you like to come with me?"
"Me? Don't you have your guards? And Sir Weiss?"
"Weiss has some free time, so he's coming too. But... I'm not asking you to be a guard. I just... I want you to come."
Her voice trailed off at the end, but her intent was clear.
"All right," Ren smiled. "I'd be happy to go with you."
"Yes! I have to go to sleep then, so I don't miss it. Good night, Ren! See you tomorrow!"
Licia waved and hurried out, thankfully remembering to leave the pillow behind.
Once she was gone, Ren returned to his book. It was a volume titled 'Relics of the Seven Heroes'. The "Relics" were the legendary gear used by the Seven Heroes—items that players called "Hero Equipment."
Most of the book was familiar information, but there was one detail about Hero Ruin that caught his eye.
"So, the sword of Hero Ruin was shattered into fragments, was it?"
The Divine Sword, a weapon that players had to wait until the third game to see, apparently no longer existed in its original form. According to the text, it had shattered the moment Ruin returned to the Kingdom of Leomel after the Demon King’s defeat, returning to the earth.
"I wonder if finding and selling those fragments would be worth it..." Ren mused. Hero Equipment could only be used by descendants of the Seven Heroes, so they were useless to him except as trade goods. But selling them would likely draw unwanted attention from the Hero Faction.
He let out a yawn and checked the status of his bracelet.
Between the fight with Jelkku and his subsequent training, his Mastery had climbed significantly. His Magic Sword Summoning Arts had reached a new stage, allowing him to summon two magic swords simultaneously. His next major milestone was Physical Ability Up (Medium).
Curiously, the amount of Mastery required for the next level hadn't increased as much as he expected.
"This feels like the calm before the storm..." he muttered. Usually, games had massive experience jumps at certain levels. For now, he decided to be grateful for the progress. He also noticed that the Mastery distribution was skewed; the magic swords themselves were gaining more experience than the skill itself lately.
The battle with the Mana Eater—a summoned creature—seemed to have provided less experience than a natural monster would have.
"Still..." he whispered, looking at the Azure Orb. "That magic sword... it has to be connected to Lady Licia’s magic stone."