In mid-April, a notification regarding the entrance exams for Ren and Licia arrived at the House Clausel estate. The first stage was scheduled for the end of May, to be held on the campus of the Imperial Military Academy.
The realization that the first test was only a few weeks away made Ren’s chest tighten with a sense of renewed focus—or at least, it was supposed to.
Instead, after breakfast...
"...Ren, I’m... so sleepy..."
"...Me too."
Lately, they had been pouring themselves into their studies more intensely than ever, cutting significantly into their sleep. However, if they pushed themselves into a collapse, it would all be for nothing. Ren and Licia collectively decided that today would be their first true holiday in quite some time.
With unsteady steps, they both retreated to their respective rooms to recover their strength with a well-deserved morning nap.
When Ren finally woke up and checked the clock, it was ten in the morning. Licia was still fast asleep.
It was shortly after that the letter from Werlich arrived.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
They were a dull, stony grey.
Standing in Werlich's workshop, Ren caught his breath the moment he saw them. It wasn’t just the craftsmanship that impressed him; looking at the gauntlets, the sheer aura of power they radiated vividly brought the dragon Asval to mind.
"I’ve named them the Flame King’s Gauntlets."
The gauntlets retained the natural color of Asval's horn—a weathered, bone-grey hue. The thumb section was adorned with a ring-like decoration housing a small, embedded crimson gemstone. The overall design resembled the heavy plate gauntlets of a knight, though streamlined for mobility.
Ren was exhausted from his studies, but Werlich looked even worse. Nevertheless, the blacksmith spoke with immense pride.
"That one’s for the left hand, and here’s the right."
Since Ren wore the Magic Sword Summoning Arts bracelet on his right wrist, he had requested that the sensation of his grip remain as unchanged as possible. Usually, a knight’s gauntlets didn't drastically alter the feel of a sword—at least, not for most people. But Ren wanted to prioritize his existing muscle memory above all else.
The right-hand gauntlet was designed with the surface area of a standard glove. Werlich had processed fragments of Asval’s horn into a specialized thread to create this unique piece. The aesthetic matched the left arm perfectly, with the back of the hand and the fingers shielded by the reinforced horn. This design meant Ren didn't need to switch his summoning bracelet to his left arm.
"What is this gemstone?"
"It was inside the horn. It’s the most vital organ—if you can call it that—of Asval’s horn. It was massive at first, about the size of my own head."
"It’s certainly gotten a lot smaller, then."
"I spent every waking hour carving and polishing it. I used the bulk of it for the gauntlets, but I wanted to see if I could incorporate the rest into the finer details."
Werlich continued his explanation.
"I melted down the dust from carving the internal organ and blended it with the Thief Wolfen fur to spin a special thread. I wove that into the base, added another layer of processed horn for the knuckles and fingers, and there you have it."
"Thief Wolfen fur..."
"Yeah. Did you know? It’s only a D-rank beast, but its fur is incredibly versatile if you know how to treat it. It’s the perfect medium for binding disparate materials. It’s a trick only a master craftsman can pull off."
"Whoa... I see."
"Make sure you thank that brat later. He’s the one who gave me the Thief Wolfen fur. It hasn't been on the market for years, but he said he lucked into some a while back."
Ren had a very good idea of who that "brat" was, but he took care to keep his expression neutral.
Ren slid the Flame King’s Gauntlets onto his arms. They felt incredibly natural; as he moved his hands, the equipment followed his movements as if it were a second skin.
"How’s the fit?"
"I’ve worn plenty of gear before, but I’ve never had anything feel this seamless."
"Well, obviously. I’m the one who took your measurements, after all."
Even so, Ren repeatedly clenched and opened his fists. He was certain he could swing a blade with these exactly as he always had. His gaze drifted to his left thumb. When he brushed his right hand against the crimson gem embedded there, he felt a faint, gentle pulse of warmth.
"Alright! That’s my first big job finished! I’m going to sleep! When I wake up, I’m going to drown myself in booze and take an entire week off!"
"Thank you so much! I'll stay out of your hair then."
As Ren turned to leave, Werlich let out a sudden "Oh, by the way." He mentioned a detail he had heard from Ulysses. "I heard the Marquis’s daughter and that butler, Edgar, are out on official business today—visiting some merchant guild, I think. If you’re lucky, you might run into them on your way back."
"Maybe—actually, since I’m out, I think I’ll look for them."
"Really? I don't actually know where they are, though."
"That’s fine. I just thought it would be nice to say hello. I’ve been wondering how Lady Fiona is doing."
"Fair enough. Take care, then!"
Ren wanted to offer a more formal thanks, but Werlich looked so ready to collapse into sleep that Ren decided to save his gratitude for later. He tucked the gauntlets into their wooden box and stepped out of the workshop. After closing the door, he turned back and bowed deeply to the shop.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
As Ren left the Blacksmith District and made his way through the capital, he spotted two familiar figures.
"Ah, Lady Fiona!"
He managed to catch their attention. Upon hearing his voice, Fiona turned, her face lighting up as she hurried toward him with light, graceful steps.
"Hello! I didn't expect to see you in the capital today!"
"I was just visiting Werlich. I heard you and Edgar were out on business, so I was hoping I might run into you if I looked around."
".........."
Unlike Ren, who spoke with his usual casual cheer, Fiona froze. The realization that Ren had been actively looking for her brought her a wave of joy so intense her brain momentarily stalled.
"~~H-hweh!?"
Snapping out of her trance, she began to panic, her cheeks flushing a deep pink as she blinked rapidly.
"Um, was I interrupting something?"
"N-no! Not at all! Quite the opposite...!"
Her eyes, which shone like polished jewels, locked onto Ren. Fiona decided to try and be a little more forward. As she spoke, her heart began to race with nerves.
"I’ve just finished my work and was about to head back. If you don't mind, Ren-kun, would you like to walk with me for a bit?"
"Of course."
Ren had no reason to refuse, but his ready agreement made Fiona’s smile dazzle even more. She let out a tiny, whispered "Yes!" to herself.
"Was that work for the Ignat family, then?"
"Yes. I’ve started helping my father with his duties on a regular basis."
"I always assumed someone of your status would move around in a carriage for that sort of thing."
"Fufu. Now that I’m finally healthy, I just find so much joy in being able to walk on my own two feet."
That was the simple reason why the daughter of a Marquis walked more often than she rode.
At that moment, Edgar reached into his coattail pocket and pulled out a pocket watch. He made a show of checking the time before addressing them with practiced gravity.
"My sincerest apologies. It seems I have overlooked a certain matter."
"Edgar? What is it?"
"I must attend to another location immediately by the Marquis’s order. Master Ren, if it is not too much trouble, could I ask you to escort my lady back to her dormitory?"
"E-Eh...!?"
"I’d be happy to. But is it safe for her to be without a guard?"
The two of them continued their conversation, largely ignoring the flabbergasted Fiona, whose gaze darted frantically between Ren and Edgar.
"Rest assured. With Master Ren by her side, there will be no issues whatsoever."
"I understand. Well then... Lady Fiona, is that alright with you?"
Still reeling from the sudden turn of events, Fiona stammered for a moment. She looked up at Ren, her words tripping over each other.
"...Would you... would you mind?"
When she finally managed to ask, her desire to rely on him winning out, Ren nodded instantly. Ren didn't think twice about it, and Fiona was far too flustered to think at all. Neither of them realized that Edgar had manufactured an excuse to leave them alone, exactly as he had done once before.
They made their way to the nearest station and boarded a Magic Train within minutes. The car was crowded, leaving no seats available. Fortunately, they managed to find a spot against the wall near the doors, giving them a tiny pocket of space amidst the crush.
"Your first entrance exam is very soon, isn't it, Ren-kun?"
"Yeah... I just hope I can pass without any drama."
"Fufu, you’ll be fine. I’ve heard through the grapevine just how hard you’ve been working."
"Was that grapevine named Lord Ulysses, by any chance?"
"It was! He said he couldn't even imagine you failing!"
While that was technically true, Ren didn't want to let his guard down.
"Lady Chronoa should be returning within the year as well, so you might even see her at next year’s entrance ceremony."
"...That’s true. I might."
Ren had already met and spoken with Chronoa several times. Furthermore, he was completely unaware that he had earned her favor. The fact that he had met her twice—once before the gargoyle hunt and once while clearing the river with Licia—remained a secret. At the time, he had suspected it might be her, but since he had no way to confirm it, he would just have to wait for her official return to the capital.
The Magic Train swayed slightly as it slowed. As the doors prepared to open, a surge of passengers pushed from behind. Ren was jolted forward. He realized a second too late that he was about to fall right onto Fiona. He snapped his free arm up, bracing his hand against the wall to stop his momentum.
He had essentially pinned her against the wall, his face so close to hers that he could have counted her eyelashes.
"——!?"
An audible poof of steam might as well have come from Fiona's head. Looking at Ren’s face inches from her own, her neck and cheeks turned a violent shade of crimson in an instant. She blinked rapidly, her eyes wide with bashful shock.
"Whoops—sorry!"
"N-no! It’s fine! It’s fine, really! But... but... uuu~...!"
A few minutes later, they arrived at their stop. Fiona’s heart continued to hammer against her ribs like a trapped bird for a long time afterward.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Every time the spring breeze brushed past him, the freshness of the air made Ren feel revitalized. After seeing Fiona safely to her dormitory, he had traveled to a secluded spot about twenty minutes outside the city. Standing in the clearing, he took out the Flame King’s Gauntlets and equipped them.
As he flexed his fingers and moved his arms, the fit was perfect. There was no resistance, no awkwardness.
It’s right after my birthday, so the timing couldn't be better.
Ren’s birthday had passed earlier in April, though it hadn't been quite as boisterous as the previous year. Since both he and Licia were candidates for the academy, they had opted for a modest celebration. Everyone, including a very enthusiastic Fiona, had gathered for a nice dinner at a restaurant in the capital.
Ren checked his surroundings to ensure he was alone, then summoned a magic sword. He called the Shield Magic Sword to his left arm and tested its power for a brief moment.
"...Hm?"
It was a sensation that was difficult to articulate, but he felt a surge of confidence. Wearing the Flame King’s Gauntlets gave him a strange, intuitive certainty. And so, telling himself there’s no way, Ren extended his right hand.
"——!?"
The crimson gem on his left thumb flared with heat. It was like an inferno—the same searing heat he had felt when facing Asval. And yet, he didn't feel burned. It was a paradox of heat that did not consume.
The air before him fractured, and a magic sword began to manifest. It was brass-colored, etched with intricate crimson patterns along the blade.
"So this is... the Flame Magic Sword."
It wasn't as ornate as the Flame Sword Asval, but it was a breathtaking weapon in its own right. Previously, the sheer mana consumption had made summoning it nearly impossible, but now, it felt manageable. Still, he knew that if he swung it recklessly or tried to unleash its full power without thought, he would likely black out. He could sense the staggering amount of mana the blade demanded.
Suddenly—
As Ren gripped the hilt, the world around him shifted.
Several dozen meters ahead... he saw the silhouette of a red dragon perched atop the Silver Peak.
『O foolish human, driven by greed. If thou desirest my horn, then prove thy worth and seize it with thine own strength.』
The red dragon’s voice boomed toward a solitary man. Ren could only watch, a silent observer looking at the man’s back.
『...』
『Why dost thou remain silent? If fear hath taken thee, then for such arrogance—』
『I was just hesitating because I felt bad about using force. But it’s true that I want it. So, I’ll ask one more time. Even a fragment will do. Won't you share it with me?』
『Ku, kuku... Hah-hah-hah-hah-hah! —— Very well. Turn to ash.』
The red dragon unleashed an inferno. The destructive force was leagues beyond the flames Ren had faced. It was a fire that seemed capable of burning the world to its foundations—the true, terrifying power of Asval in his prime.
Yet, as the flames died down...
『Art thou a Hero?』
The man stood there, holding a single sword, without a single mark or burn on his body.
『No. I’m just a mere adventurer.』
The vision began to fade. As if Ren were being pulled away by a violent gale, the world dissolved. When he opened his eyes, he was back in the forest outside the capital.
That was definitely Asval. And the man he was facing must have been Adventurer Ashton—the "Strong Ashton" the dragon had mentioned. Why had he been shown that? Was it a memory stored within the Flame Magic Sword?
"—I can’t really complain about being called weak after seeing that."
Comparing his own strength to that of Adventurer Ashton, who had stood unfazed against such a cataclysmic fire, was laughable. It only deepened the mystery of who his ancestor truly was. He wished he could investigate the Forbidden Library, though he knew that was a long shot.
As Ren was lost in thought, voices reached his ears.
『Hey! It went that way!』
『Drive it into the trap! Go, go!』
It had been a while since the thief ring incident, and Ren, curious, ran toward the noise with the Flame Magic Sword still in hand. A short distance away, he found a group of adventurers busy with a hunt.
Oh, I remember those monsters.
They were hunting a Wing Wyvern. As the name implied, it was a dragon-type monster with a dark green hide. They were D-rank, which was rare for this area.
Ren watched the clearing where trees had been felled to create a trap. The hunt seemed to have just concluded.
"Yes! We got it!"
"W-we actually did it...!"
Amidst the veteran adventurers were two youths who looked to be around Ren’s age.
W-Wayne and Sera!?
The protagonist, Wayne, and the main heroine, Sera. The two of them were cheering, clearly thrilled with their successful hunt. Ren quickly dispelled the Flame Magic Sword before he could be spotted.
"Oh? You there, kid! Give us a hand, would you?"
Just as Ren was about to slip away, one of the older adventurers spotted him. Since the man was already walking toward him, Ren figured running away would only look suspicious. He gave up and stepped into the clearing.
"We’ve got some wounded, and moving a Wing Wyvern is a nightmare. I need you to help with the paperwork and light tasks. We’ll make sure you get a cut of the reward."
Ren knew exactly what those "light tasks" were. It involved documenting the scene for the guild report to assess the damage the wyvern had caused. Feeling a bit rattled, Ren tried to offer to do the heavy lifting instead, hoping to keep his distance from the duo.
"Excuse me. Could you help us over here instead?"
But Sera called him over, and Ren had no choice but to walk toward the two heroes.
"How can I help?"
Ren felt a powerful sense of déjà vu. This was almost exactly the event from the game where Wayne and Sera first met Ren Ashton. In the original story, they would become friends here and promise to meet again at the academy. Ren let out a mental wry smile as he surveyed the scene.
...Wait, the situation is actually a bit different from the game.
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, Ren Ashton had actually been part of the same quest from the beginning. In that regard, his sudden appearance as a bystander was a slight deviation. Regardless, he decided to finish the work as quickly as possible.
As the documentation wrapped up, the older adventurers were busy prepping the wyvern and the wounded for transport, leaving the three youths alone for a moment.
I think there were supposed to be hidden guards here, too.
In the story, the protagonists went on many adventures, but the scions of the Seven Great Ducal Houses—like Sera—were high-ranking nobility. They fought bravely as descendants of the Seven Heroes, but they were often shadowed by secret protectors. In the game, if the player found the guard and talked to them, they would say, "Please keep my presence a secret from the young lady."
Just as the last task was finished, Ren remembered one more thing. A mandatory battle was about to trigger.
"Sera!"
"I know!"
Several monsters lunged from the thickets. The two heroes drew their swords instantly. In the game, this was where the three would fight together for the first time—unless the player characters were overleveled. If they were strong enough, they would wipe the monsters out before Ren Ashton could even draw his weapon.
"Leave this to us! You don't have a weapon, so stay back!"
"She’s right! We’ll handle this!"
The two of them unleashed a flurry of impressive sword techniques. It seemed they were well above the recommended level for this encounter.
"I guess we’re just that good!"
"Yeah! That was easy!"
Hearing those nostalgic victory lines made Ren’s lips twitch into a smile.
Yep, definitely overleveled.
He watched as they dispatched the last monster and shared a celebratory high-five.
"That was incredible. I can't believe you’re my age."
"Thanks. But we still have a long way to go."
"Sera—about the girl I’m traveling with, she says her friend is even stronger. We need to work harder if we want to catch up."
"...Is that friend a noble as well?"
"She’s the daughter of the Lord of House Clausel in Erendil. I’ve known her for years. You’ve probably heard of her—Saintess Licia."
Oh, I’ve definitely heard of her.
Sera and Wayne suggested they walk back to town together.
"You said you couldn't believe we were your age, right? But apparently, there’s a boy even stronger than Licia out there."
"If I remember what Sera told me correctly, he’s the son of a knight serving the Clausel family?"
"Exactly. It sounds like he’s Licia’s main rival. She said she’s working her hardest to finally beat him. Apparently, he’s so strong that she’s always mesmerized by his sword."
"Heh... is that so?"
Ren did his best to act natural, though he was dying inside. The walk back to the capital was one of the most awkward experiences of his life.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
It was evening by the time he returned to the estate. Licia, now wide awake, came to greet him. She was suitably impressed by the Flame King’s Gauntlets, telling him how much they suited him.
"I was happy to hear that you’re mesmerized by my sword, Lady Licia."
Licia froze. Her face turned to stone.
"—W-Where did you hear that?"
"I went outside the city to test the gauntlets. I happened to run into Lady Riohard while she was hunting monsters, and..."
"I don't know anything about that! I have no idea what you’re talking about!"
"Wait, but—"
"I said I don't know! M-mesmerized? I don't even know that word! Nothing! I know nothing!"
It was a complicated feeling. Licia didn't mind telling Ren how she felt to his face, but having her private praise reach him through a third party was a source of unbearable shame. She couldn't explain why—perhaps it was just a lack of mental preparation.
"Wait, did Sera know it was you!?"
"No. I didn't introduce myself, so she just told me the story without knowing who I was."
"~~Th-then you heard the whole thing!?"
Licia hadn't said anything actually embarrassing, but the fact that it was being discussed behind her back made her face burn. She slumped onto the sofa in the entrance hall, hugging a cushion tightly against her chest as she hid her face.