The leaves of the trees lining the Imperial Capital's main thoroughfares gradually fell, and the branches began to lose their autumn finery.
Following their experiences over the summer, Ren and Lithia felt even more determined to devote themselves to their training. As the days passed one by one in Erendir, at the Academy, and at the Lion Holy Chancel, a subtle change began to take root in their lives.
In the training grounds located in the innermost depths of the Lion Holy Chancel, Ren wiped away his sweat during a brief respite.
It really hadn't been a dream.
It hadn't been a dream in the pleasant sense, but rather a tangle of complicated emotions. However, there was no mistaking that the time spent within the Cage of Time had been real. The battle against the Sword Demon was a fact of history—not a lie, and certainly not an illusion.
The physical strength he had gained at Level 6 provided him with a degree of might that was incomparable to his previous state, whether in the heat of battle or the repetition of training. Once he eventually reached Level 7, he would be able to summon three magic swords at once. Since he only had two hands, he wondered if he should simply keep the third blade summoned and sheathed for quick access, but he knew he still had a long way to go.
There was also another piece of information that could not be read through the crystal of his bracelet. He had only become able to confirm its existence after finishing the battle at Roses Kaitas.
It was a power gained by piercing the Sword Demon's magic stone. It was the first time he had obtained something entirely separate from the magic swords themselves—conceptually, it was likely an Art.
Just as he was trying to recall the exact moment he had first noticed it, a voice called out from behind.
"Taking a break?"
Ren turned away from his bracelet. It was the Director of the Lion Holy Chancel, Estelle Oslos Drake, who had abruptly entered the training ground.
"Good work today, ma'am," Ren said.
"Umu. It is good to see you diligently pursuing your training. Even so..." Estelle let out a thoughtful hum as she watched the other knights train. "Ren, I have a bit of a talk for you."
"Yes—wait!?"
Without any preamble, Estelle grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into a rough, companionable stance, nearly lifting him off his feet.
"What is this all of a sudden!?" Ren yelped.
"Just shut up and tell me what I want to know."
"I—I get it! But really, what's happened to make you this aggressive?"
"Now, now. I'll explain properly, so calm down."
"If you want me to calm down, please try using a calmer way of calling for me!"
"Oh, now that you mention it, you're right."
To the sighing Ren, Estelle—who stood significantly taller than him—asked a pointed question.
"What happened to Lithia?"
Lithia was also at the Lion Holy Chancel today, practicing her forms. She kept Ren in the corner of her eye even as she swung her blade, clearly wary of Estelle’s sudden interest.
"What do you mean, what happened?" Ren asked.
"She hasn't used Holy Magic at all lately. Even though I permit the use of magic depending on the exercise, she's sticking strictly to steel. Why is that?"
Ren knew exactly why, but since he couldn't reveal the truth, he offered a diplomatic evasion.
"She said she felt she’d been relying too much on Holy Magic and that her swordsmanship was starting to suffer for it."
"Ho! Is that so? Umu! Such diligence is commendable!"
The magic sword user let out a quiet sigh of relief as Estelle finally released his shoulder. Lithia finished her set with her training partner and walked over to join them.
"Good work, Lady Estelle," Lithia said. "Um, regarding what you were just saying..."
"Rest easy, girl. I wasn't planning on eating Ren."
"A-Ahaha... Lady Estelle, what a thing to say."
"Is it? You seemed quite concerned for his safety while you were swinging that sword."
"Ugh..." Lithia winced. She couldn't lie to the triumphantly grinning Estelle.
"Kuku, don't think you can deceive me. Still, while it's wonderful that you’ve been achieving such overwhelming victories in your spars, it's dangerous to let your focus slip. Be more careful next time."
"You see everything, don't you? My apologies. I will be more careful from now on," Lithia replied, nodding sheepishly.
Ren checked his watch. "Lady Estelle, we should be heading out soon."
"Ah. Be careful on your way home."
Since they had come to train after their Academy classes, a considerable amount of time had already passed. Ren and Lithia took a quick bath to wash away the grime of training before leaving the Lion Holy Chancel for the station. The heat from the bath was gradually soothed by the seasonal wind of the approaching winter.
The two walked along in their coats over their school uniforms. Normally, they would have headed straight to the station to return to Erendir. It was already past nine o'clock, and the night air was crisp.
"Want to take a little detour?" Lithia asked. Her tone was her usual one, but she wore a somewhat fragile smile.
Ren looked at her and nodded without a second thought. "Where shall we go?"
"I feel like walking just one station further than usual."
Since this was the government district, it was lively even at night. Many knights on night duty and various civil officials filled the streets, and the surrounding restaurants were bustling with their business. The boy and girl looked slightly out of place amidst the professional crowd.
"Hey, what were you really talking about with Lady Estelle?"
It wasn't a question born of jealousy. She likely already had a guess.
"She asked why you haven't been using Holy Magic lately."
"I knew it," Lithia said with a bitter smile. "I figured she’d notice eventually."
"It's Lady Estelle. I doubt much escapes her."
"Yeah... I know."
"For my part, I told her you were worried your sword skills were getting rusty because you used magic too much. Just so you know, I didn't mean that as a criticism."
"Fufu, I know. Thanks for being so considerate."
The autumn stars above looked both familiar and distinct from the summer sky. A faint white mist escaped Lithia's lips as she exhaled.
"As I thought, I'm still a little scared."
It was a fragile, yet stouthearted smile—the kind she only ever showed to him.
"Ever since that day... when I think about what might happen if I lose control again, I just can't bring myself to use Holy Magic."
The events of the battle against the Sword Demon—the General of the Demon King Army at Roses Kaitas—frequently flickered across her mind. If Ren’s voice hadn't reached her, she couldn't imagine what she might have become. Lithia hadn't used a single drop of Holy Magic since that day.
"I never want something like that to happen again."
Ren listened to her confession and looked up at the stars, his own breath misting in the air. "It will be okay."
"Ren?"
"I don't know the reason for the abnormality in your body, but..." He gave her the same kind smile he had always shown her. Even if he didn't know the cause, and even if his words sounded like groundless bravado, he spoke with absolute certainty. "I'll stop you. No matter how many times it takes, I won't fail."
"Idiot." She was happy, but the worry remained. "If there's a second time, what if I attack you next?"
That summer, when Lithia had regained consciousness, she had described the experience as if her power had obeyed Ren’s commands. It was a miracle that might not happen again.
"My power back then... I looked like I could have easily defeated even the Sword Demon alone, didn't I?"
"That's true. But it'll still be fine."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because no matter how you look at it, I'm stronger than you. That's why I'll manage somehow."
Taken aback, Lithia blinked several times. She seemed to forget her anxiety for a moment, leaning into his confidence.
"Is that a challenge? I’ve grown since then, you know. I might overtake you any day now."
"Rest assured, I'm working hard so that doesn't happen."
"You... you really said it!"
"I did. I want you to know I'm serious."
These were Ren’s words of support—his way of enveloping the White Saintess in his protection.
"I will always stand ahead of you. To the point where you'll feel there's nothing to be afraid of, I will always be standing further ahead."
Lithia fell silent for a moment. She gripped the hem of Ren’s coat and looked up at him. "...Don't make me say it out loud. This is actually quite embarrassing."
The next day, during the morning break.
"Whoa!?"
Ren nearly collided with Academy Director Chronoa as he rounded a corner in the hallway. As she started to stumble backward, her large-brimmed witch’s hat drifted into the air. Ren, holding a paper cup in one hand, hurriedly reached out with his free hand to steady her.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Whoops—ah, it's just Ren-kun."
In an instant, Chronoa’s hat stopped perfectly in midair, and Chronoa herself became stationary, no longer needing Ren’s support. However, she seemed delighted that he had tried to help.
The blonde beauty looked up at him. "Ren-kun, you're staying for classes as usual today, right?"
"Of course. That's the plan."
There were no formal classes this afternoon; only a short homeroom session. Many of the students were already restless and cheerful at the prospect of a half-day.
"In that case, why don't you have lunch with me? We can have a nice chat! You can invite Lithia-chan and Fiona-chan too, if you'd like."
"Unfortunately, Lithia said she was going to the cafeteria with her friends..."
"U-Ugu..."
"And Lady Fiona left for House Ignat business immediately after the first period."
Fiona had left a message from Ulysses for him—apparently, the Marquis would be visiting House Clausel soon.
"Uaaa... It feels like I'm the only one with nothing to do," Chronoa pined.
"What are you saying? You always seem so busy."
"Then, during this rare bit of free time, maybe Ren-kun could keep me company for a bit?"
"If you're okay with me, I'd be happy to—"
"Thanks! Let's talk again after class!"
There was no deep meaning to the sudden proposal; it was just Chronoa being her usual, playful self.
After finishing his classes, Ren headed to the designated location. He stepped into the garden at the back of the school and found Chronoa waiting on the edge of a fountain. She handed him a small paper bag.
"Lunch is my treat."
"Thank you very much," Ren said as he accepted it.
Inside were several types of bread, some filled with meat and vegetables. The mark on the bag showed they were from a famous shop on the main street. As they began to eat, Chronoa spoke up.
"How has your sword training been lately?"
"I've mostly been thinking that I need to work a lot harder."
While his daily training at the Lion Holy Chancel remained constant, Ren hadn't experienced a dramatic leap in growth recently. It might have been because the Sword Saint Edgar was busy, limiting their opportunities to spar. Ren didn't blame Edgar, but the lack of high-level combat was having an effect.
"By the way, Miss Chronoa, how did you hone your magic skills?" he asked. Even if the disciplines were different, he wanted to know how she had reached the pinnacle.
"Me? I just used a lot of magic and studied a lot."
"Is that all? No intense ascetic training or secret methods?"
Chronoa didn't boast about her past. She spoke of her journey as a simple matter of consistent effort. There was no pride or deception in her voice.
"I just kept studying hard and practicing magic even harder. I kept repeating that, day after day, until I became the person I am now."
"As expected of one of the world's best mages."
"Now, now. You shouldn't tease your big sister."
Chronoa smiled bashfully, hiding the lower half of her face behind a piece of bread. "Speaking of which, I think I heard Estelle saying she wanted to invite you and Lithia out today."
He had no idea what it could be. If it was an invitation from Estelle, it likely meant more training.
"If it's Lady Estelle, it probably isn't a social call," Ren noted.
"I was on my way to the Academy, so I didn't catch all the details. I think she mentioned a light excursion and was considering taking you and Lithia-chan along."
"An excursion with me and Lithia? I wonder what for."
"She’s off duty today and tomorrow. She mentioned she'd be heading to Erendir first."
She likely went to speak with their guardian, Lezard.
As Ren and Lithia left the Academy grounds, they were approached by a tall, dignified woman in civilian clothes. She was a Strong Sword User and a knight who was frequently seen at Estelle’s side.
"The Director requests that you come to Werlich's Workshop if possible," she informed them.
Ren exchanged a glance with Lithia and nodded. "We'll head there now."
Ren had already warned Lithia about a possible invitation, so she wasn't surprised. The knight bowed and departed.
"Shall we?" Lithia asked. The autumn wind caught her skirt, and withered leaves skittered across the cobblestones. "I assume this is the 'invitation' Lady Chronoa mentioned."
"Most likely. We're free this afternoon, so we might as well find out what she wants."
As they began to walk, Ren asked, "By the way, Lithia, have you ever actually been to Werlich's Workshop?"
"No," she said, shaking her head. They had planned to visit when they first arrived in Erendir, but the incident at the construction site had derailed those plans.
"I'm looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of place it is."
"Well... it's a very 'unique' workshop," Ren said, thinking of the magnificent clutter.
After walking through the academic district and into the Blacksmith District, they found Estelle waiting at the entrance. Her overbearing posture and sheer presence drew the eyes of everyone passing by.
"You've come," she said with a wide grin.
"We thought you'd be waiting inside the workshop," Ren replied.
"I was, but I figured I might as well stand out here and look majestic. It made me easy to find, didn't it?"
She led them through the district, with Ren and Lithia following a step behind.
"Are you two free for the rest of the day?"
"Yes, but why?"
Estelle nodded powerfully. "Then follow me! I want to give the two of you some new experience to fuel that training you've been so enthusiastic about!"
"Lady Estelle? Where exactly are we going?" Lithia asked.
"To the sky! The wind is wonderful this time of year!"
Ren and Lithia shared a look of mutual confusion.
Ren, what does she mean by 'the sky'?
I'm not sure either.
Good. It wasn't just me.
They followed Estelle as she marched toward the workshop.
"I heard from Miss Chronoa that you might invite us to something," Ren said.
"Oh! That saves me the trouble of explaining!"
"No it doesn't! We haven't heard anything else!"
"Rest assured. I went to Erendir this morning and obtained permission directly from Viscount Clausel. As long as I am here, there is nothing to fear."
"Neither of us is particularly afraid," Ren pointed out.
"Then why the questions?"
"Because if you just say 'the sky,' we don't know where we're going or what we're doing."
"Uumu... you might have a point. Perhaps I let my momentum get the better of me."
Estelle reached for the weathered door of Werlich's Workshop and shoved it open. Soot puffed out from the frame. Werlich was inside, looking completely unbothered by the intrusion. The workshop door was remarkably sturdy despite its appearance, bearing the faint marks of pranks Ulysses had played years ago.
"Oh, Boss! You're here!" Werlich shouted. The blacksmith and magic ship engineer had the stout, muscular build typical of a dwarf. He stroked his beard and looked at Ren and Lithia. "Hm? Why are those two here?"
"Lady Estelle invited us... though we still haven't been told the details," Ren explained.
"Is that so? Then that's good."
Lithia offered a troubled smile. She hadn't spent much time with Werlich, but she already understood that he and Estelle shared a certain boisterous energy.
"Well then, let's move out," Werlich said.
"Umu. We depart for Erendir, and then to the sky!"
"And why exactly are we going to the sky?" Ren asked again.
"To gather the materials needed to repair the Lemuria," Werlich said. "I asked the Boss, and she agreed to spend her day off helping me out."
The existence of the Lemuria was a secret, but Estelle was obviously in the loop. However, she hadn't been told that the ship was being built using materials from the Red Dragon Asval.
"Repairing the Lemuria... I see," Ren said.
"The repairs are going well," Werlich added. "We just need a few more pieces to fill in the gaps. The main issue is the components for the heart of the furnace."
Lithia spoke up. "Are we going to be hunting in the sky?"
"Indeed. We shall take the House Drake ship."
They left the workshop and Estelle finally began to explain the mission.
"It's half-work, half-training. A pack of Lesser Griffons was recently discovered. They are designated for extermination by Leomel. Ren, do you know why?"
"Because they're ferocious. When Lesser Griffons pack up, they become extremely aggressive, often preying on monsters of C-rank or higher. There have also been many cases of them attacking travelers."
"A perfect answer. Well done." Estelle continued, "They have the head of a bird and the body of a lion, much like a pure griffon. An adult is roughly the size of a carriage bed. They are inferior to the B-rank purebreds, but they are physically powerful and very dangerous."
Usually, the military would handle such a pack. Occasionally the Adventurer Guild would take the contract, but Estelle had caught wind of this pack and Werlich had realized he could use their parts.
"What are Lesser Griffon materials used for?" Ren asked.
"For processing purebred griffon materials," Werlich explained. "You need a fire produced from Lesser Griffon parts to work the purebred materials properly. It’s a matter of magical compatibility."
Ren nodded. Compared to the Asval materials, Lesser Griffons were a lower grade, but apparently they served a specific purpose in the refining process.
"The pack is three hours away by magic ship. They'll likely attack as soon as we get close. There have already been casualties, so you don't need to hold back."
"Is it all right for me to fight?" Lithia asked.
"What's the problem? Speak up, Lithia."
"Just... my own ability."
"Don't worry about that. I believe you and Ren can handle them, and regardless, I'm here."
"Boss! I can fight a bit too if I have to!" Werlich laughed.
"Exactly. Besides, they're only C-rank. I could beat them with one hand while yawning."
The House Drake magic ship was docked at the Hanging Garden in Erendir. It was smaller than a civilian transport but built with a level of sturdiness that was in a different league entirely.
By the time they reached the destination, the sky had turned a deep madder red, and the shadows of night were stretching across the horizon.
The mountains here were steep and jagged, though not as massive as the Baldur Mountains. The peaks were bare rock with no vegetation. The Lesser Griffons had built their nest inside a crater at the summit of one of these peaks.
Hearing the hum of the magic ship, the pack took flight. There were nearly twenty of them. They circled the ship, screeching in a chorus of threats.
Ren drew his Mithril Magic Sword. "Do packs like this just appear out of nowhere?"
"Not usually," Estelle said. "Maybe twice a year. But this is the year of the Glacier Crossing, so that's likely the cause."
Ren tilted his head at the term 'Glacier Crossing.'
The griffons dove. Several of them spread their wings and glided down toward the deck.
"I can explain later, but you'll get hurt if you get distracted," Estelle warned with a fearless grin.
Ren and Lithia nodded. Lesser Griffons were more than just fliers; they were powerful brawlers that could whip up gales with their wings and spit fire from their maws.
One dove straight for Ren, opening its beak to unleash a blast of flame.
"Are you not interested in me?" Lithia’s quiet voice rang out.
The griffon's focus shattered. It suddenly found itself unable to fly properly; its primary feathers had been sliced away, and it couldn't maintain its balance. It lashed out with its talons, trying to tear at Lithia's face, but its claws never reached her. Before it even realized what was happening, the tips of its talons were gone, severed by the silver blade Byakuen.
"Not bad," Estelle called out from a distance.
The stunned griffon was immediately finished off by Ren, who pierced its throat.
"You're very calm, Lithia," Ren noted.
"Thanks. It's my first time fighting something like this, but I'm managing."
"After what we went through this summer, this feels different, doesn't it?"
They shared a smile, though they didn't let their guard down. Their growth over the summer had placed them several tiers above a C-rank monster. Every kill was still valuable experience.
The pack realized they had underestimated the small humans. They screeched and intensified their fighting spirit, their movements becoming sharper and faster. Their dives became more violent, and the fire they spat grew hotter.
"I'll handle the fire," Ren said.
"Please do."
Against the magic-born flames, Ren used the Art Star-Slayer. He cut through the magic, and the fire dispersed into nothingness.
The Mithril Magic Sword reflected the twilight. Its lapis-blue blade had shed all traces of the old Iron Magic Sword. The blood of the griffons was repelled by the blade, leaving it clean. Ren was fighting with ease; the Lesser Griffons were simply too fragile for his current strength.
"Ren! Lithia!" Estelle shouted over the wind. "I'll tell you about the Glacier Crossing! It's a phenomenon that happens every decade or so in the northern reaches of the Elfen Continent and the Martel Continent!"
When a particularly brutal winter arrives, strange glaciers begin to drift across the sea. This happens when the Sky Continent passes over those specific waters.
"The Sky Continent blocks the sunlight, causing the glaciers to thicken and expand! When that happens, certain monsters on both continents become hyperactive!"
"Why is that!?" Ren asked.
"Because the glaciers create a bridge! Monsters cross the ice to move between the continents, following their instincts to find better food for their evolution!"
However, the monsters crossing the bridge weren't always the predators. Sometimes they became the prey for the monsters already waiting there.
"The Lesser Griffons were likely riled up by the shift! They sensed the other monsters becoming active and their own fighting instincts were triggered!"
That was the Glacier Crossing—a rare natural event. Leomel usually only dealt with it indirectly through its neighbors, though they would occasionally send reinforcements if requested.
The Lesser Griffons continued to fall, unable to land a single scratch on the pair. Their ferocious refusal to retreat made it clear why the kingdom wanted them dead; their hunger and cruelty would never stop.
Werlich, watching from the side, looked up. "Nn-oh?"
A massive griffon, the leader of the pack, dove toward him. Seeing their leader move, the remaining griffons followed suit. Werlich didn't flinch.
"Boss, you're up," he said.
"Looking closely, that's the one with the bounty. How convenient," Estelle said. She walked forward, her long cloak snapping in the wind. She passed Werlich and drew the jet-black greatsword from her back.
Its name was Black Prowess—Koku'i—the masterpiece forged by Werlich.
The blade began to thrum with a blue-purple aura, occasionally crackling with the sound of purple lightning. The aura deepened, distorting the very air around the sword. It was the manifestation of a Sword Saint Art.
"Perish."
Estelle swung the blade in a wide horizontal arc.
It was an Art used by Sword Saints of the Strong Sword style—a technique that turned every swing into an absolute, unavoidable death blow. A wave of jet-black sword pressure surged through the air.
The griffons in the sky were caught in the wake of the pressure. It passed through them like a ghost. Every single individual bathed in that aura instantly changed. Their momentum vanished. They lost their life force, the light faded from their eyes, and they plummeted toward the earth.
So that is it...
Ren couldn't look away. That was the Proof of a Sword Saint.
"In the end, they were just birds," Estelle said coldly.
The technique she had just used would change its nature depending on the user. For some, it might drain the enemy's strength to bolster the user's; for others, it might inflict continuous damage or seal magic. The way the blade bore the aura was similar to a Shroud, but far more advanced.
Estelle, known as the Death Eater, possessed an Art whose true essence was a secret known to no one else—not even the Imperial Family.
After the devastating strike, a heavy silence hung over the deck.
"Say, Boss, this is a bit hard to say, but..." Werlich scratched his beard.
"What is it? Are you finally in love with my power?"
"I'm more stunned than anything, but... well..."
"Umu, umu. Honesty is a virtue. But why the bitter look? Don't be a stranger."
"Fine. You dropped them all, Boss... but how am I supposed to harvest the materials from the bottom of a canyon?"
The Sword Saint froze.
"............Ah."
From the long silence that followed, it was clear she had simply forgotten that they were there for harvesting. The sheepish expression on her face now made it hard to believe she had just unleashed such a terrifying technique.
By the time they returned to Erendir, the night was far spent.
"Well, I'm heading home," Werlich said as they disembarked. He didn't look tired at all. "If I can get the Treant parts and sort out the furnace, we can probably start the test runs."
He headed back toward the Imperial Capital, leaving Ren and Lithia to walk back to the manor. They were still talking excitedly about Estelle's power. She hadn't even looked like she was trying, yet she had been overwhelmingly strong.
"Still, Lady Estelle..." Lithia looked up at the night sky with a smile. "To think she'd go back to harvest those materials by herself."
"Really. I wonder what time she'll actually get back."
"Fufu, probably tomorrow morning."
Estelle had insisted on returning to the mountain alone to recover the griffon parts before other monsters could scavenge them.
‘I’ll help too,’ Ren had offered.
‘No. I have a responsibility to your parents. I won't have you staying out late,’ she had replied.
‘She's right, Ren,’ Werlich had added. ‘Besides, it's the Boss's fault for getting carried away and wiping them all out at once.’
‘Guh... I couldn't help it! As their senior, I wanted to show them something impressive! Let me look cool for once!’
‘Gahaha! I hear you, Boss!’
Since the parts were for the Lemuria, Ren and Lithia had wanted to stay, but Estelle had refused to let them miss their curfew. She had dropped them off in Erendir and then flown back out.
‘I’m off tomorrow anyway. A bit of hunting is a good way to relax.’
Ren and Lithia had accepted her kindness. As they walked through the night air, Lithia suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, Ren. What color do you think we'll be?"
"You mean when we reach the Sword Saint rank and can use that Art?" Ren asked.
"Yes. I think my aura will be white."
"I could see that. For me..." He thought of the crimson flames of Asval and the power he had inherited from the Dragon Old Man. Would it be a deep red, or perhaps a golden flame? "Maybe red?"
"Red would look like the power the Sword Demon used," Lithia noted.
"...Actually, maybe not red then. I don't like the association."
"Oh, Ren."
Estelle had said the color of the aura reflected the user's personality and the nature of their magic. It was something unique to the individual. Ren decided he’d just have to look forward to seeing what it eventually became.
"Was the power you used against the Sword Demon an Art too?" Lithia asked.
"Which one?"
"The fire with the Flame Magic Sword. You were using flames that had a power similar to Star-Slayer."
Ren realized they hadn't actually discussed it in detail yet. "That was something I worked out myself. I was thinking about the Art Master Edgar showed me, and I realized I could produce a similar effect with the flames."
"Is it that easy to just make up your own Art?"
"Probably not," Ren admitted with a wry smile. It was likely a result of the unique compatibility between the Flame Magic Sword and his own magic. "The downside is that I can't really use Star-Slayer while I'm using those flames."
"Just with that specific sword?"
"Yeah. The Flame Magic Sword has a very strong will. Since it comes from Asval’s magic stone, it always tries to force me to rely on the fire."
He recalled how, even when the Mithril Magic Sword was still the Iron Magic Sword, the two blades had always felt slightly different in how they consumed mana and responded to his techniques.
"So Star-Slayer works better with the Mithril Magic Sword?"
"Exactly. I think it's good to have a different tool for different jobs."
Perhaps he would eventually find unique Arts for the Great Tree Magic Sword as well.
Lithia looked at him. "Hey, Ren. Since it's an Art you created yourself, shouldn't you... give it a name?"
"A name? I hadn't really thought about it."
"You should. It makes it feel more real."
Ren thought for a moment. "I have zero naming sense. Why don't you do it, Lithia?"
"Me? Well... I'm not exactly an expert either." She thought about it for a few seconds. Since Ren had put her on the spot, she threw out a suggestion with a playful, embarrassed smile. "Since the flames are red... how about Red Sword?"
Ren blinked.
"H-Hey! Don't just stare! I wasn't being entirely serious! I just thought I'd throw something out there!"
"No, let's go with that," Ren said.
"Wait, really?"
"I'm serious. It's simple, and I like how it sounds."
He decided then and there to call the technique he had developed with the Flame Magic Sword the 'Red Sword.' Having a name for it would make it easier to refer to in the future.
"That was too fast! You didn't even think about it!"
"Well, I like it. And it's not like I'm going to come up with something better just by brooding over it for an hour."
Lithia sighed and laughed. "Well, if you're sure. Nn~... I'm suddenly so tired now that the adrenaline has worn off." She stretched as they walked. "Once we get home, it's straight to the bath, and then I have to finish my homework before bed."
"Ah... I forgot about that," Ren groaned. The fatigue finally hit him, and he let out a pathetic sound.
"You have to work hard, okay?" Lithia teased, her voice light and cheerful.
A few days later, early in the morning, Ulysses Ignat arrived in Erendir. He met with House Clausel and presented them with a set of invitations in Lezard’s study.
"These are invitations for the Gardiknight," the Strong-Armed Duke announced. "We are holding a special ceremony for those involved before we open the line to the public."
"I have heard the rumors," Lezard said. "And you're inviting us?"
"Of course," Ulysses said with a smile. "I could hardly leave out the Lord of Erendir, where the first station is located. I would very much like both of House Clausel and Ren Ashton to attend."
Lezard glanced at Ren and then nodded. "We would be honored."
"Excellent! I’m looking forward to the day!"
Ren caught Ulysses' eye. "Are there many people being invited?"
"Quite a few. Nobles from all factions, landowners, and other key figures. I've put a great deal of effort into this trip to make sure everyone enjoys the two-day journey to Eupeheim."
The maiden voyage was scheduled for November, one week before the public opening. Ulysses encouraged them to spend some extra time in Eupeheim after the trip was over. He apologized for the late notice, explaining that final safety checks and bureaucratic red tape had delayed the formal invitations by a month.
Lezard checked the dates. "It seems the trip falls during the November holidays."
"Exactly! That way our children and Ren Ashton can relax without worrying about their classes!"
Ulysses added that he had several other major projects in Eupeheim he wanted them to see.
Later that day at the Academy, during a break between classes.
"So, my parents are absolutely furious," Kaito Leonall grumbled. The boy, heir to one of the Heroic Ducal Houses, looked utterly defeated as he talked to Ren about his recent test scores.
"Senior Leonall, didn't you get full marks in all the practical and physical subjects?" Ren asked.
"Oh, yeah! That's the only thing I'm good at!"
"You'll be fine with the academic stuff too. It's just like training—you just have to repeat it until it sticks."
"If it were that easy, I wouldn't be in this mess."
"What's the hardest part for you?"
"Sitting still. If I'm at a desk for more than twenty minutes, my whole body starts to itch. It's torture."
"Oh..." Ren understood that some people just weren't built for the classroom, though he suspected Kaito's serious nature would eventually pull him through.
"Anyway, did you get an invitation to the Gardiknight unveiling?" Kaito asked.
"I did. I'm going with House Clausel."
"Figured. You're tight with the Ignats. My family's invited too." Kaito yawned and looked off into the distance. "Between studying and the constant messages from the Elfen religion, I haven't been getting much sleep."
"The Elfen religion? Is it because of the Seven Great Ducal Houses?"
"You're sharp. Ever since the seal at Roses Kaitas broke this summer, they've been obsessed. They've realized that my generation, yours, and the one below all have members of the Seven Great Ducal Houses present at once."
Ren nodded. He could guess where this was going.
"So they're calling the summer incident a miracle from Lord Elfen?"
"Exactly. And now they're convinced that the bloodline of the Hero Ruin has to have appeared somewhere too. Not that any of us know what they're talking about."
"Well... the descendant is probably out there somewhere," Ren said neutrally.
Kaito leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Personally, I think Wayne is the most suspicious. Sera mentioned seeing something strange from him a long time ago."
"You think Wayne might be the descendant of Hero Ruin?"
"Haha! I know, I know—oh? Ren, why aren't you laughing?"
"Why would I?"
"Because I know how it sounds. It's a crazy theory, right? Especially since his family is said to be cursed."
Normally, a theory about a boy from the countryside being a legendary hero would be dismissed as a fantasy, but since Ren knew the truth, he didn't find it funny at all.
"It's not a crazy theory," Ren said. "Miss Riohard said she saw it with her own eyes, after all."
"Oh! Right! You're right!" Kaito beamed, clearly pleased that his theory hadn't been shot down. He threw a friendly arm around Ren’s shoulder just as the warning bell rang, signaling the start of the next class with a heavy, final toll.