"Good morning," a Knight of the Lion Holy Chancel called out.
It was the greeting of the early dawn, spoken while the sky was still a bruised, pre-dawn grey.
"The Saintess isn't with you today?"
"Lady Lithia has duties for House Clausel. She'll make it in time for class, but it seems she can't join the morning training."
Ren gave a small nod to the knight and continued deeper into the grounds.
At the training area, he began his routine, working up a heavy sweat. He spent several hours honing his skills against the knights clad in pitch-black armor. Even after a grueling series of consecutive bouts, Ren—though his breath came in ragged gasps—continued to swing his sword with relentless focus.
At this point, even the seasoned adults began to flag. Several knights left the center of the martial arts stage, sinking onto the stone floor to rest. They weren't weaklings; it was simply that the boy before them was growing at a pace that could only be described as inhuman. No matter how talented the Knights of the Lion Holy Chancel were, the boy who wielded the Magic Swords stayed a step ahead.
The knights whispered among themselves as they watched.
"Master Ren's spirit is even more intense than usual lately..."
"I heard it's because of the Lion King Festival. He’ll have less time to visit after school once things get busy, so he's trying to make the most of these early mornings."
At the center of their gaze, Ren remained singularly focused on each strike.
More, he thought.
He was entirely immersed in the rhythm of the blade. As he poured his boiling strength into every motion, scattering sweat across the floor—
"Could it be...!?"
"W-When did she return!?"
The knights gasped. Even those who had been resting scrambled to their feet. They looked up toward the open ceiling that overlooked the underground training area. As they realized who was standing there, every man straightened his back as if a rod had been driven through it.
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
The knight Ren had been sparring with lowered his weapon and looked up at the balcony. Thinking his opponent had signaled a surrender, Ren called out.
"Please, let's keep going!"
High-spirited and eager, he waited for the next challenger. He was focused on maintaining his Shroud, his mind set on the distant peak of the Sword Saint. Then, a voice drifted down from high above.
"The Elfen Religion says that fortitude is one of the greatest virtues of the spirit. When joined with overwhelming strength, men praise it as heroic valor."
It was a woman's voice, carrying a weight of command that made Ren instinctively look up.
There she was.
Looking down from the balcony was the very incarnation of severity.
Wh-Why is she here? Ren wondered, stunned.
He hadn't expected her to appear so suddenly, without the slightest warning. Estelle looked down at the bewildered boy and then, with a sharp, regal air, addressed the knights gathered below.
"Continue your training. That is, if you find it regrettable to have been bested by a mere boy."
The sharp click of leather boots echoed through the hall as she descended. Possessing a presence that dwarfed everyone else in the room, she walked into the center of the training ground and addressed Ren directly.
"Name yourself."
Standing in the heart of the hall, Ren felt the sheer pressure of her voice vibrating through the air. Coupled with a Haki that made his skin prickle, he almost swallowed hard, but he regained his composure so quickly that it drew a faint, intrigued look from the woman.
Before she could speak again, he introduced himself.
"My name is Ren Ashton."
"As I thought."
Ren did not flinch under her piercing, predatory gaze.
"I am Estelle, Director of the Lion Holy Chancel."
The name was exactly what Ren had anticipated. Faced with her in the flesh, he felt a surge of tension he hadn't experienced in a long time.
I didn't hear anything about a return parade for the army... well, I suppose they don't do that every single time.
Ren glanced at the clock and let out a soft "ah." The time for him to prepare for the Academy was fast approaching. Realizing he had been too absorbed in his training, he nearly clutched his head in frustration. Still, even with the Academy looming, he hesitated to simply walk away from a figure as powerful as Estelle.
"Director, Master Ren has classes at the Academy shortly," one of the knights interjected, offering a much-needed out.
Estelle’s demeanor shifted instantly. "Ren, you are attending the Academy properly, yes?"
"Y-Yes! But I felt it was only right to offer my greetings first, and I struggled to find the right moment!"
"Umu. A commendable attitude. However, your studies are of the utmost importance, especially during this season."
Estelle granted him leave with surprising ease. Ren bowed deeply and made a hasty exit from the training grounds.
As she watched him depart, a small smile touched her lips. "Not bad. He has a solid core." She then added with a laugh, "Though, not quite as solid as my husband's."
"And... that’s what happened this morning," Ren told Lithia later in the classroom.
The two were standing by their adjacent seats, talking quietly. Sera, who had wandered over, felt her smile twitch with unease.
"S-So, that Director has finally come back."
"I've never met her, but do you have some kind of bad history with her, Sera?" Lithia asked.
"It's not me, exactly. It's my father. Not that it's a 'bad' memory, per se..."
A while before Ren and Lithia had arrived in Erendir, Sera’s father—the current Heroic Duke Riohard—had crossed blades with Estelle. It hadn't been a duel of animosity, but a mutual test of skill.
"He lost miserably. Utterly crushed."
"Really? Even though your father is a Sword Saint-class?"
"Yeah. I was watching, and I couldn't even tell what was happening. Even my father said he lost before he realized the fight had started." Sera sighed, recalling the scene. "Lithia, I’m sure you know, but a Sword Saint who specializes in Strong Swords is on a completely different level than other styles. And 'Sword Saint' is the rank with the widest gap in skill within a single grade."
Since the only rank above it was Sword King, comparisons were difficult, and it wasn't rare to see a massive disparity even between two people who both held the title of Sword Saint. This was especially true for the Strong Sword, given its unique properties.
"Wait! That reminds me, I’ve been meaning to ask you something!" Sera exclaimed.
"What is it so suddenly?"
"Strong Sword Arts! How's your progress? I heard you’ve been training at the Lion Holy Chancel. Tell me how strong you’ve gotten!"
As both a best friend and a rival who used Lithia's strength as a benchmark, Sera was dying to know.
"Around the end of last year, I reached the level of Sword Expert-class Arts. Now, I’m aiming for Swordmaster-class," Lithia replied nonchalantly.
Sera’s smile froze. "...I really shouldn't have asked."
Swordmaster-class in Strong Sword Arts was roughly equivalent to the highest tiers of other styles. Hearing that she had reached that milestone months ago left Sera awestruck. She slumped onto Lithia’s desk, her legs kicking peevishly underneath it. She had clearly realized just how far the gap between them had grown.
"Lady Lithia..." Ren began, feeling awkward.
"Don't worry about her. Sera is tougher than she looks."
"What do you mean 'looks'!? Are you saying I look fragile?"
"Well, your appearance is quite delicate. Your waist is so thin, Sera."
"That sounds like sarcasm coming from you! I don't want to hear that from someone even thinner than me!"
The two girls traded jabs before sharing a smile. Just as Lithia leaned her cheek on her hand, Ren let out a soft "oh."
"Come to think of it, Wayne isn't here."
A sharp tension immediately filled the air. Seeing Sera’s face cloud over, Ren was left blinking in confusion.
"Who? I don't know anyone by that name," Sera said coldly.
As Ren stood there, stunned by her icy tone, Sera turned her head toward the window with a huffy pout. Lithia leaned in and whispered into Ren’s ear, her sweet scent momentarily distracting him.
"He was called away by a senior. She's a second-year from a Heroic Ducal House, and apparently, she's quite a beauty."
"Ah, I think I've heard rumors about that."
"That’s why Sera is in a foul mood."
"I see. It seems I stepped on a landmine."
Lithia gave a wry smile. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. By the way, Ren, do you want to meet that senior as well?"
"No, not particularly."
Lithia was taken aback by his instant refusal. Beside her, Ren was lost in thought.
I think I remember an event like that.
Shortly after enrolling in the game, Wayne deepened his ties with the Heroic Ducal Houses and met a second-year girl who was a sub-heroine. Just as Lithia said, she was a beauty.
Was Lady Riohard this upset back then, too?
It felt like he was seeing the reality behind the game's events. Though Ren knew it was foolish to conflate the game with this world, he couldn't help but draw parallels when things lined up so closely.
"Anyway! It starts this afternoon, right? Our first real class together!" Sera said, forcedly changing the subject to clear the air.
It was the swordsmanship class she had been anticipating more than anything. General classes like this weren't restricted to the Special Merit Class; they often included students from the General Class as well. All three of them were scheduled to attend the same session that afternoon.
"But Sera, as I’ve said, I don't mind training with you outside the Academy," Lithia noted.
"I know, but I wanted to wait for the day we could officially cross swords here."
"Is there a reason for that?"
"It’s a matter of pride! I want you to see me on this stage, now that I’ve gotten stronger than when I lost at the knights’ station."
If Sera had her reasons, Ren and Lithia were more than willing to respect them. When Wayne finally returned to the classroom, Sera greeted him with a sharp, huffy look. Ren watched the boy's bewildered expression and offered a silent, pitying smile.
After lunch, before heading to the training grounds, Sera was in high spirits as she prepared in the locker room.
"I need to make sure I’m perfectly ready."
"Just don't use up all your energy on the warm-ups," Lithia cautioned.
"I know, I know!"
Since the Imperial Military Academy didn't mandate a specific uniform for physical training, students wore whatever was comfortable and helped their motivation. The two girls finished changing and headed to the training grounds.
The facility was practically a small arena, far grander than what one would expect for a school. There were even spectator seats surrounding the central floor. About ten students were already there, including Wayne, but Ren was missing.
"Ren isn't here yet," Sera noted.
"He’ll be a little late," Lithia replied. "He has work for the Lion King Festival Executive Committee, so he’s joining the class midway through."
"Wait, then shouldn't you be there too, Lithia?"
"Technically, yes."
"What does 'technically' mean?"
"Don't worry about it. It’s just how we arranged things."
Ren’s work was mostly just light paperwork. He hadn't wanted to drag Lithia away when he knew how much Sera had been looking forward to this day. He didn't want to make her wait any longer.
Lithia glossed over the details and began her warm-up exercises. As she was loosening up, Wayne approached them.
"Ren said he’d be coming later."
"Well, if it’s for the committee, it can't be helped. We should be grateful he’s handling it," Sera said. "So... today, I’m sparring with you, Lithia?"
"Of course."
As they warmed up and chatted, the time finally came. The male instructor arrived, surveyed the twenty or so gathered students, and spoke.
"Welcome to Imperial Swordsmanship."
The Academy offered other options, such as Holy Sword Arts, but Imperial Swordsmanship was the fundamental requirement for graduation credits.
"In Leomel, Imperial Swordsmanship is the foundation. Whether you are in the Special Merit Class or the General Class, you should all have a basic grasp of the blade. First, I want to gauge your current levels. Everyone, find a partner and begin."
As the students paired off, one pair drew every eye in the room: Lithia and Sera. Not only were they exceptionally beautiful, but both girls were already famous for their skill. The instructor himself watched with keen interest.
Moving to the center of the floor—a spot the other students had instinctively avoided—the two girls ignored the attention and raised their training swords. Lithia, accustomed to sparring with Ren or the elite knights, looked relaxed and natural.
Though it was just a class exercise, Sera fought as if she were in a life-or-death duel. Her lunges and swings were far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary girl.
"Hah!"
The pressure of her strikes rippled through the air. Her footwork and the sharpness of her blade were enough to make the other students lose their confidence entirely. However, the attention soon shifted from Sera to the girl who was effortlessly parrying every blow.
"This is weird! You’ve gotten stronger again, Lithia! But what are you doing!? You’re just watching me!"
"Is that a problem?"
"I don't think it's a 'problem,' but you better not be looking down on me!"
"I’d never do that. I’m just... observing."
As if to prove her point, Lithia’s movements changed in a flash. Sera’s blade, which moved as fast as a gale, slid harmlessly past Lithia’s guard. As Sera stumbled, trying to recover her balance—
"————Wha!?"
Lithia’s sword was already there. It was several degrees faster than Sera’s "gale." Sera managed to block it, but the impact was so heavy her feet nearly slipped. Even so, Lithia wasn't even using the Shroud of the Strong Sword. She felt it didn't fit the purpose of the lesson.
"You can go faster than that, can't you!? Show me your real speed, Lithia!"
"Fine! If that’s what you want!"
Lithia accelerated, step by step, until she was moving at the speed she used when training with Ren. If she had added the weight of the Strong Sword on top of that, she would have been in a league of her own. Even without it, she utterly overwhelmed Sera.
Sera blocked the first strike, but the impact left her reeling. Before she could recover her stance, the second strike forced her guard wide open. The third strike disarmed her completely, sending her training sword clattering across the floor.
Finally, Lithia’s blade came to a stop just inches from Sera’s chest. Despite her defeat, Sera was wearing a wide grin. The gap between them had clearly grown, and the sting of regret was real, but facing that kind of strength only fueled her fire.
"Here, Sera." Lithia offered her a hand.
"Thanks. Phew... and you can do all that without even using the Strong Sword? What happens when you actually get serious?"
"But you have your Holy Sword Arts, Sera."
"If we're going that route, you’ll eventually have Holy Magic, too."
Sera wasn't speaking out of spite. Her smile was genuine, and she had found a deep sense of satisfaction in the bout. In truth, she was grateful. The speed Lithia had shown at the very end was the absolute limit of what she could do without the Shroud. Anything more would have turned into a real battle.
"One more time! We still have time left!" Sera declared.
"I don't mind, but what about Wayne?"
"It’s fine! I told him I wanted to focus on you today!"
Sera stuck her tongue out playfully, her motivation still at a boiling point. They continued to spar, Sera never letting her spirit break. During the class, several male students approached Lithia, hoping for a match. They were clearly confident in their skills and attracted by her beauty.
"I’m sorry. I’ve decided to spar with Sera today," Lithia told them.
Even after being turned away, they persisted. "Then how about the next class? I hear Ashton is skilled, but I’m sure I would make a far better training partner for you than a mere Knight’s Child!"
They likely didn't mean any harm; they were just desperate to get closer to her. Sera gave a wry smile from the sidelines. They have no idea, she thought, watching Lithia’s expression.
"I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. I'm sorry," Lithia said with a polite, lovely smile, then turned back to Sera. "Shall we continue?"
"Let's."
The boys were left with nothing to do but watch. When the instructor told everyone to keep practicing, they retreated to their original spots. Lithia, seemingly unbothered, kept talking.
"By the way, weren't those boys from the Imperial and Hero Factions?"
"Yeah, that’s becoming common lately," Sera noted. "Ever since that incident in the Baldur Mountains, there’s been more interaction across faction lines. Some places still fight, but others have started to calm down."
"I see... how interesting."
In the first half of the class, the two girls were the center of attention. Wayne also drew significant interest, showing off a level of strength that left his peers in awe. Even if his technique wasn't quite at Sera’s level yet, his sheer physical power and stamina made him her equal, if not slightly her superior.
Ren arrived just as the class was ending. The bell chimed through the air, and the instructor signaled the end of the session. The students began to drift toward the exits, though many stayed behind to rest, chat, or observe the newly arrived Ren. The two boys who had approached Lithia were among those watching closely.
"I’m sorry," Lithia said as she met Ren. "I should have been helping with the work."
"It’s fine. I didn't want to keep Lady Riohard waiting any longer."
Lithia’s voice turned cheerful. "Thank you."
As they spoke, the instructor approached them. "Ashton, Clausel. I’d like to confirm Ashton’s skill level as well. Clausel, I want you to be his opponent."
The instructor had allowed Lithia and Sera to fight freely for a reason, and Ren was the final piece of that puzzle. The remaining students gathered around.
"Is that guy actually strong?"
"I heard he didn't do anything during the Final Exam."
Sera sat in the front row of the spectator seats, resting her chin on her hand with a knowing smirk. Wayne sat beside her, looking equally resigned.
"Ren apparently stayed in a support role during the exam," Sera whispered.
"I heard. He took down monsters so easily no one could tell how hard he was actually trying," Wayne replied.
"Exactly. That’s why I’m looking forward to this. Everyone is about to see exactly what he can do."
Unaware of their conversation, Ren and Lithia moved to the center of the floor. They looked as relaxed as if they were back at the Lion Holy Chancel.
"Warm-ups?" Lithia asked.
"I’ll warm up while we move, just like usual."
"Understood."
The students were shocked. Facing an opponent as fast as Lithia, he was going to "warm up" during the fight? It seemed like he was either insane or incredibly arrogant. But when the fight started, Lithia’s speed was exactly what it had been against Sera—a blurring gale.
They expected Ren to be overwhelmed instantly.
Every single one of them was wrong.
"No way..."
"What just happened?"
The girls in the audience gasped. When had he parried? They hadn't seen a thing. Ren hadn't just blocked the strike; his posture hadn't even flickered. Sera and Wayne, despite knowing his strength, were still impressed.
"He's on a completely different level than he was last summer," Sera noted.
"Yeah," Wayne agreed.
The other students were silent, having forgotten to even blink. The two boys who had belittled Ren were speechless. The sound of clashing blades turned into a rhythmic, metallic roar as Lithia accelerated even further. She took a sharp breath, putting everything she had into her grip.
Then, Ren changed his rhythm.
A thunderous echo rang through the hall. From Ren’s hands, a massive impact was transmitted through their training swords. The pressure of the air between them transformed instantly. Even as Lithia’s attacks grew more ferocious, Ren dealt with them effortlessly.
Despite being the attacker, Lithia was the one being forced backward. She pushed back with everything she had, dodging Ren’s counter with a fluid movement and launching a flurry of strikes. The surrounding students couldn't even begin to imagine how they would defend against such speed.
And yet, Ren repelled it all with a single, straightforward motion. In the same breath, he exploited the slight opening in her balance and pointed his sword at her chest. It was over in a heartbeat.
The silence was absolute until Lithia broke it.
"I was actually pretty confident in that last one." She let go of her sword, letting it clatter to the floor.
Ren gave a wry smile and lowered his blade. "Student-level" didn't even begin to describe them. Even without using their Shrouds or special Arts, the two had shown exactly what it meant to train at the Lion Holy Chancel. No one in the room doubted Ren’s strength anymore.
The instructor approached them with a solemn expression. He, too, had been lost in thought, overwhelmed by their display. "We need to talk. Come with me."
He led the two out of the training grounds. After they left, the students finally seemed to find their voices again, the room exploding into a cacophony of excited chatter.
In the faculty preparation room, the instructor sat the two down. He knew they were Strong Sword Users and that they spent their mornings at the Lion Holy Chancel. The Strong Sword was rare; its practitioners were few and far between outside of their specific Holy Land. He hadn't seen two of them spar in a very long time.
"We need to discuss how to handle your classes going forward," he said seriously.
After school, the instructor met with other faculty members in the staff room.
"Are you familiar with the two Student Representatives?"
"Of course," a female professor replied. "They attend my Monster Biology lectures very diligently."
A male professor added, "Ren Ashton helped me clean up after class the other day. He even helped with preparations on another morning."
"Why do you ask? Did something happen in swordsmanship class?"
The instructor sighed. "Yes. To put it simply, Lithia Clausel has nothing to gain from the Imperial Swordsmanship lectures. And after seeing him today, the same is clearly true for Ren Ashton."
Even if the students were willing to attend for review, the faculty couldn't justify it.
"Every year, we have a few skilled students who join the upperclassmen’s lessons. Why not have them join the second or third years?"
The instructor shook his head. "It wouldn't matter. It would be the same result." He shrugged. "Swordsmanship is a compulsory subject, so they must take the exams. Fortunately, attendance isn't part of the grade. This isn't a special exception; we've always had students who only show up for the exams."
Werlich had mentioned this to Ren before. Given the nature of the Academy, they had to allow a degree of freedom for exceptionally talented students. In exchange, the exams were notoriously difficult. If a student failed, they were ruthlessly held back, regardless of their noble status.
As they were talking, Chronoa appeared in the room. She listened to the report and gave a cute, knowing smile.
"They'll take the exams, of course. The question is how they spend their class time."
Many honor students who already possessed graduate-level knowledge spent that time in the library or working on advanced assignments from other professors.
"Consult with the other teachers and give them a formal proposal," Chronoa said. "Ren, how often does he have swordsmanship?"
"Just the compulsory Imperial Swordsmanship credits. Twice a week, in the afternoon."
The madder-red light of the setting sun bathed the rooftop as three figures sat talking.
"I was the same way," Fiona said, her silhouette framed by the setting sun. "In my first year, my Herbology professor suggested I take on assignments from other subjects instead."
Ren leaned against the rooftop fence, listening. Because of her past frailty, Fiona had spent years studying Herbology. Her knowledge already surpassed that of most graduates.
"What did you do then, Lady Fiona?"
"I took on assignments from other professors. Since I often had work for House Ignat, I felt it was a better use of my time than sitting through basic lectures."
"I see... that would allow us to use our time more effectively," Ren mused.
"Yes. The assignments are very challenging and educational, and the professors are always happy to help during their off-hours."
Ren looked at Lithia, who was sitting on a nearby bench. She looked up at him.
"We should probably do that too."
"Yeah. We just need to find professors willing to give us the work."
"Don't worry about that," Fiona assured them. "There have been several students like you recently. And in the past... there was once a student who arrived with graduate-level knowledge in four different subjects on his very first day."
"Who was that?" Ren asked.
Fiona gave a wry smile. "My father."
Ren and Lithia both nodded instantly.
"If it's Marquis Ignat, that makes perfect sense."
"Yeah, that fits him perfectly."
Regardless, Ren and Lithia wanted to make the most of their time. They decided they would choose their extra subjects later. The only remaining question was where to study.
Realistically, the extra assignments are the way to go... and if the committee work gets busy, we can just do that during those hours.
As it turned out, Fiona didn't have classes during those same two afternoons. She usually spent her time studying in the library or in a quiet corner of the Academy gardens.
"Would you mind if we joined you?" Lithia asked.
"I’d love that," Fiona replied warmly.
Ren could tell the two of them had grown much closer since the incident at the Great Clock Tower.
"We’ll have to talk to the teachers tomorrow, Ren," Lithia said.
"Yeah. We need to decide which subjects to focus on."
Just then, a voice called out to them.
"Ren, there you are."
Prince Radius opened the door and stepped onto the roof.
"Oh? Is it time already?" Ren asked.
"Not yet. I had some free time before our meeting, and I happened to spot you three from below."
Ren had an appointment to speak with Radius about the swordsmanship class, but the Prince had arrived twenty minutes early. Ren excused himself from the girls.
"You don't have afternoon classes either, Radius?"
"Not today. Official duties often take up my time, so I keep my afternoons clear when possible."
"Heh. At least we have that in common."
As the two boys left the roof, Lithia and Fiona watched them go, both thinking the exact same thing.
"...What do you think, Lady Lithia?"
"I am deeply dissatisfied, naturally."
"Right!? Compared to the Third Prince, a Marquis's daughter should be a bigger deal than this...!"
"If you're going to say that, as a Viscount's daughter, I’m even further down the list," Lithia sighed.
Ren called Radius by his name without a single honorific, and he spoke to him with the ease of an old friend. When they compared that to how he treated them...
"Haa..."
The two girls, rivals in love but united in their frustration at being kept at a formal distance, shared a long, synchronized sigh.
As Ren and Radius walked through the garden, Ren suddenly let out a sharp sneeze.
"What was that?" Radius asked.
"I don't know. It just came out."
"Don't catch a cold, even if the weather is turning warm."
"I’m being careful."
"Good. If you do fall ill, I’ll come visit you. I can tell you some of the old stories my parents used to tell me."
"I'm a bit old for fairy tales, and I can't have the Third Prince playing nursemaid." Ren scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "What kind of stories, anyway?"
Radius gave a cool, elegant smile. "Curious?"
"Well, I’m curious what kind of stories royalty tells their kids."
"I’ll tell you one, then."
They walked along the short-trimmed grass, the evening breeze fluttering their hair.
"Long ago, a girl was born in a certain kingdom..."
"Starting with a classic, I see—"
"The title is 'The Eroding Princess'."
"—And it just got dark."
Radius laughed at Ren's reaction. "The girl was born with a mana that eroded everything she touched—even her own parents."
The wind rustled through the garden, carrying the distant voices of students still on campus.
"Is it like the Vessel Cracking?" Ren asked, thinking of Fiona’s old illness.
Radius shook his head. "The Vessel Cracking erodes the self, but the Eroding Princess’s power eroded both herself and everyone around her. Because she couldn't control it, her father was forced to lock her in a tower."
Radius summarized the legend for him. Ren felt a pang of sympathy for the girl, though he still wondered why they told such a grim story to royal children. But as the story went on, it reached a more traditional conclusion.
"Eventually, a man appeared. He was the only one immune to her power."
"The hero of the story, then."
"Yes. To suppress her power, the man collected three legendary treasures and asked for her hand in marriage." Radius didn't go into the details of the treasures; they were just a narrative device. "What happened next?" Ren asked.
"The girl tried to refuse, fearing her power would return and hurt him. But the man took her from the tower anyway. When the guards pursued them, she warned him that her power might return, or that those trying to bring her back might kill him. But the man just laughed. He asked her, 'Do you hate being with me?'"
The girl hadn't answered, saying only that she couldn't make him happy and that they would always be hunted.
"But the man told her exactly what she needed to hear. He said, 'If that happens, I will simply risk my life to protect you.'"
It was a cliché, perhaps, but it was what she had needed.
"She told him, 'Then I give you everything. Show me the world you’ve seen.' They fled to a distant land and lived happily ever after." Radius looked at Ren. "What do you think?"
"It’s a good story. But I have a few questions."
"Go ahead."
"Was she called a 'Princess' because of her rank?"
"It’s just a legend, so who knows? In rural areas, even a knight's daughter is sometimes called a princess. No one knows which kingdom it was from, either. It’s just a heroic tale meant to help children sleep. If they're happy, that's enough."
"So it's more like an old folk legend."
"Exactly. That’s why I don't worry about the details."
They continued their walk, chatting casually. Apparently, the story of the Eroding Princess was quite popular among royal girls, who often longed for a similar figure to appear in their own lives. They stopped in a secluded corner of the garden, sitting at a terrace table hidden by high hedges.
"This should be fine. Enough about legends. Tell me more about your swordsmanship class."
Ren didn't have much to say—only that he’d sparred with Lithia and then been taken aside by the instructor to discuss his future schedule. As he explained the arrangement, Radius laughed.
After thirty minutes of talking, the sky began to turn a deep purple. Ren suddenly perked up as he felt someone approaching.
"Your Highness, it's me, nya."
A girl appeared from behind the hedges—a lovely hybrid with Cait Sith features.
"I heard it was time for you to return, but I couldn't find you, nya. I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, nya."
"Ah, that was my fault for staying so long. Ren, let me introduce you."
Radius beckoned her closer. From her refined air, Ren guessed she was a noble, and he was right.
"This is Mirei Archeise. She is the daughter of Count Archeise, and she was the Student Council President last year."
"Oh! The one you were going to recruit, Radius!"
"Nice to meet you, nya. His Highness spoke to me the other day, and I’ll be helping the committee as best I can, nya."
Mirei introduced herself, explaining that she was a "throwback"—a child born with demi-human traits from a distant ancestor, even though her parents were human. Her cat ears twitched playfully as she spoke.
"Nice to meet you. Thank you for joining us," Ren said. Mirei let out a "nyahaha" laugh.
"You can just call me Mirei, nya."
"I can't call an Earl's daughter so informally."
Ren suggested using "-sama," but she immediately waved it off.
"Then call me Mirei-san, nya. I’d rather not be called '-sama' by a friend of the Prince, nya."
Ren looked at Radius, who nodded. "Go ahead."
"Mirei-san, then."
"I already knew about you, Ren-san, so I feel like we're already friends, nya."
"Were you watching us from somewhere?"
"Sometimes, nya. Like after that special quest last year, nya."
"When I was talking with Radius in the alleyway?"
"Exactly, nya."
Ren found her easy to talk to, which was a relief.
"Mirei, were you able to secure that room I asked for?" Radius asked.
"No problem, nya. It was being used as a storage room, so we'll have to clean it out first, nya."
"That’s fine. We can handle that together."
Ren listened, wondering if he should be hearing this. Radius noticed his look. "It's about the committee," he explained. "We’ll have an empty classroom, but I wanted a place where we could work more privately. I had Mirei look into it."
"Where is it?"
"A small room at the back of the library, nya. It’s been a storage room for years, so we can use it as long as we keep it clean, nya."
She said it would be perfect once the dust was gone. They could keep using it even after the festival was over, provided no one else applied for it.
"It’ll be perfect for you, Ren," Radius added. "If you're using your swordsmanship hours to study, you’ll have a quiet place to go."
"We can use it for studying too?"
"Of course."
Ren thought of his conversation on the roof with Lithia and Fiona and smiled. Then, his face suddenly went stiff.
"What is it?" Radius asked.
"Sorry. I just remembered something from this morning."
"Morning?"
"I met the Director of the Lion Holy Chancel, but it was right before school started, so I didn't get to greet her properly. I had to rush off."
Radius paused for a moment, then gave a knowing smirk. "You met Estelle right after her return?"
"Yeah. Something like that."
"Knowing her, I imagine she told you to get to the Academy immediately as soon as she heard you had class."
Ren's eyes widened. "How did you know?"