Ch.14Training Grounds (3)

You’ve probably seen that meme before. The one where a private sits next to a four-star general with an extremely tense expression.

The point is how rigidly they’re sitting, with an expression that says they can’t afford even the slightest mistake. Of course, I could laugh it off as long as I wasn’t in that situation myself.

But what if—just what if—I found myself in such a situation? What would it feel like?

What if the person sitting next to me was someone who would soon become Emperor, an authority figure who threatened to imprison the author if they found them?

“Rina tells me that despite being a student, you seem quite knowledgeable. I particularly enjoyed hearing about how you gave Professor Magnar a hard time.”

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

“Haha. Don’t be so tense. I may be the Crown Prince, but I have no intention of harming anyone with my authority.”

I couldn’t smile even though Leort spoke with a friendly expression. Not only was he the Crown Prince, but I was naturally tense sitting right next to someone who openly wanted to imprison me in the palace.

‘And of all things, the seating arrangement had to be like this…’

Currently, I was sitting in the spectator seats with a good view of the duel. Between the seats and the dueling area was a semi-transparent glass that made viewing comfortable. The glass also had defensive magic set up, allowing us to watch safely.

But the biggest problem was the seating. If I were sitting one seat away from Leort, it might be different, but Leort was sitting in the middle with Nicole and me on either side. The pressure was no joke.

“I thought you looked similar to Nicole because of your eye color, but I didn’t realize you were actually siblings. Come to think of it, Dave had red hair too.”

“You know my brother as well?”

“Of course. I always keep an eye on those who work as teaching assistants at Halo Academy, as most of them join high-tier knight orders. Oh, by the way, did you know Dave has become an apprentice knight?”

“What?”

This was news to me.

I opened my eyes wide and looked at Nicole, who was sitting one seat away. She seemed to have forgotten about it too, as she spoke with a tone of sudden realization.

“Sorry, I forgot. Actually, he was selected as an apprentice knight two days after the entrance ceremony. I guess he forgot to tell you because he was busy meeting you at that time.”

“Where did he go?”

“The Navy Knights. You know where that is, right?”

Of course I did. I nodded.

Like father, like son—Dave inherited our father’s talent, trained until his teeth ground together, and finally managed to join the Navy Knights.

I was proud as his brother, but also a bit disappointed that he left without telling me.

“When will he come back?”

“Who knows? Apprentice knights only receive training, so I’m not sure when he’ll return. But he’ll keep in touch.”

“If you’d like, I could secretly arrange some leave for him?”

“N-no, that’s fine.”

When Leort, sitting between us, made a joke with one corner of his mouth raised, I laughed awkwardly. If it had been someone else, I might not have minded, but his joke didn’t sound like a joke at all.

Clang!

After our brief chat, the duel finally began in the arena. When the sound of metal striking metal reached my ears, I shifted my gaze to the dueling area. Leort and Nicole did the same.

In the center of the arena, Nicole’s friend Adelia was fighting with another person while wielding a longsword. As the person, presumably a student, launched fierce attacks with their sword, Adelia parried them with ease.

I stared blankly at the two of them fighting with dazzling movements like a dance. It was challenging just to follow them with my eyes.

‘So this is what real combat looks like.’

I’d often seen Dave or Nicole dueling with Father when they returned home during vacation periods. But those weren’t as intense as this—Father would point out problems one by one in a teaching manner.

But now, it was as if they were pouring out attacks with the mindset of bringing down their opponent by any means necessary. In any case, Adelia’s opponent was swinging their sword without rest. Naturally, Adelia parried each strike and counterattacked.

“Who is the student currently dueling with Adelia?”

“His name is Ian. He’s recorded excellent grades in swordsmanship.”

“Hmm.”

While Nicole and Leort conversed beside me, I remained focused on the duel. Seeing is believing—I had received advice from Father when referencing combat scenes, but there was clearly a difference between that and seeing it with my own eyes.

The Biography of Xenon is a story about the protagonist growing into a world-renowned hero, so he fights numerous battles. While it may be fantasy to me, it’s “reality” for the people of this world. A world where all sorts of strange things can appear without seeming unusual.

I was a bit dumbfounded when Father praised my descriptions of abilities that seemed absurd by my standards as being very realistic.

‘Even absurd abilities are acceptable here…’

If you just say you used mana to manifest certain abilities, everything becomes acceptable. Rather, to the people of this world, it would seem impossible for heavy iron objects to float on the sea or for carriages to move without horses.

That made me even more curious. In the future, the Biography of Xenon will introduce a new invention called the “steam locomotive”—I wonder how people will react. Will they declare it impossible or possible?

I’m looking forward to it. Naturally, I plan to just watch from afar, munching on popcorn.

“By the way, Nicole. Have you read the recently published Biography of Xenon?”

“What?”

While I was internally planning future storylines, Leort suddenly asked Nicole. Nicole, who had been concentrating on the duel, showed a greatly surprised expression at Leort’s question. It seemed to be because I was sitting right next to her.

I was equally surprised, but I tried my best to act natural and remain calm. If I overreacted here, I might draw suspicious glances.

“I believe you enjoyed the Biography of Xenon.”

“Ah… yes. I’ve read up to volume 7.”

“I see.”

After Nicole’s brief answer, Leort turned to look at me and fired a question.

“What about you, Issac?”

“…I’ve read it too.”

“Up to which volume?”

I’ve already planned it all the way to the conclusion in my head. With a sad ending, no less.

I rolled my eyes around and repeated the same lie I had told Marie.

“Only up to volume 5. Every time I try to buy the book, it’s sold out…”

“Hmm? Didn’t Nicole say she read up to volume 7? Didn’t she lend it to her brother?”

“I was actually planning to borrow it. But unless it’s vacation, my sister isn’t home much, so I felt bad about asking.”

“Ah. If that’s the reason, I understand.”

Leort nodded, showing that he understood. It had been an unexpected crisis, but fortunately, it seemed to have passed somehow.

After that, thinking the conversation might end, I focused on the duel.

“Um… Lord Leort.”

“Hmm? Why are you calling me?”

“Are you really going to imprison the author of the Biography of Xenon in the palace if you find them?”

Until Nicole voiced her question, filled with concern and worry.

I pretended to focus on the duel while quietly eavesdropping. I could somewhat understand why she asked Leort such a question. It’s natural for a sister to worry when the Crown Prince himself made such a statement in the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Leort snickered at her question and shook his head. His reaction was slightly different from what he had shown on the day of enrollment.

“It’s a joke. Just a joke. You don’t need to take it so seriously. I was very angry at first, but now I’m in the mindset of waiting patiently.”

“Then about finding the author…”

“That effort will continue. Moreover, looking at the expected developments ahead, I think the author might be in a bit of danger.”

Both Nicole and I looked at him with surprised expressions at his answer. When the Crown Prince, who had superior information compared to others, said such things, it couldn’t be taken lightly.

I exchanged glances with Nicole, who was sitting one seat away, and then quietly asked him.

“Why is that?”

“I… Ah, before that, Issac? If it’s not too presumptuous, may I speak? It contains spoilers for volume 7.”

“I don’t mind.”

I already know everything anyway.

Leort thanked me once more for my cool response and continued his explanation.

“Anyway, I suspect that the culprit who puts Xenon in danger at the end is a nobleman.”

I looked at Leort with a different kind of surprise. His prediction was correct.

At the end of volume 7, Xenon goes on a solo reconnaissance mission, but contrary to being told it was a safe area, it was a demonic zone with not only monsters but also barriers. Fortunately, he managed to break through the barriers with his wit, but waiting for Xenon were numerous traps and attackers.

Already exhausted, Xenon fought the attackers but eventually took an arrow to the chest, and volume 7 ends there.

Of course, thanks to the necklace gifted by Merry, the heroine of the Biography of Xenon, he avoids a fatal wound. After that, he naturally goes on a rampage and searches for the mastermind.

‘I didn’t even drop obvious hints…’

He must have found the suspicious parts one by one after reading it multiple times. Somehow, I felt proud as an author.

But that’s not the most important thing, so I discarded that thought.

“If the culprit really is a nobleman… would that cause a big problem?”

This question came from Nicole, not me. Leort answered without taking his eyes off the dueling area.

“It’s a problem precisely because it’s the Biography of Xenon, not some other book. Just as it changed the perception of demons, I’m worried that it might negatively change the perception of nobles as well. There are many books that criticize nobles, but most are close to satire and don’t have the impact of the Biography of Xenon.”

So that was it. Such concerns were quite understandable.

Despite my always writing at the beginning that it was a fictional story, the perception of demons had changed dramatically. Therefore, if the mastermind who trapped Xenon turns out to be a nobleman, various problems could arise.

But it’s fine. I’m not a fool, and I’ve prepared sufficiently. The situation Leort is concerned about will become a masterpiece scene that fully reveals both the dark and bright sides of nobility.

A battle between nobles who view the people as beneath them and nobles who genuinely care for and look after the people. It’s a part of political struggle, but from the moment Xenon returns from the brink of death, it will be satisfyingly straightforward.

“…If that really happens, what do you plan to do?”

Nicole asked Leort in a very cautious tone. In response, Leort waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let them continue writing. It’s purely a protective concept, not pressure at all. It’s a needless assumption anyway, since we don’t even know who the author is.”

“I see…”

That alone is tremendous pressure to me, Your Highness.

I smiled bitterly and turned my head toward the dueling area. The duel had ended, and Adelia and the student were facing each other and bowing. Unlike the student, who was panting and looked like he might collapse at any moment, Adelia looked no different than before the duel.

“Well, that should be enough. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

As the duel ended, Leort stood up abruptly. I looked at him with questioning eyes as he rose.

“You’re leaving already?”

“I have some tact. My presence only makes you uncomfortable, so it’s better if I leave quickly. Still, it was enjoyable.”

Leort left with just those words. I stared blankly at his retreating figure and then looked at Nicole.

As it happened, Nicole was also looking at me, and without any prompting, we both gave bitter smiles. She must have felt the same tightness in her chest as I did.

“Issac.”

“Yes.”

“We need to be careful from now on.”

“I was planning to be anyway.”

“But is the culprit who put Xenon in danger really a nobleman?”

She must have been impressed by Leort’s prediction earlier. I looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then quietly spoke.

“Yes. Do you know Baron Crost? He’s the culprit.”

“… …”

“Sis?”

When I revealed the culprit’s identity, Nicole’s expression became unsettling. It was as if she had received some shock.

While I was puzzled, Nicole muttered in a dazed voice.

“…I didn’t ask… who it was…”

“Oh.”

I had inadvertently given her a spoiler.