Ch.16Magic Practice (2)

Nia created a whirlpool in the calm lake and retreated. Only after watching her run away did Ruide regret his decision.

‘I should have just given her one.’

It was because of Professor Richard’s request, “Would you protect the flower?” that he had stood guard, fighting off sleep. He should have just given her one more. Then he wouldn’t have had this trouble.

‘Surely she won’t keep coming back?’

“Ruide, who was that girl just now?”

“Nia Ryan. She’s in the same year as us.”

Ruide answered briefly and lay back down in his assigned seat. Hersy sat beside him as usual.

“…Surprisingly, you know the Magic Department students well.”

“She’s the one who spoke to me first.”

“Are you going to sleep?”

“No, I’m awake now.”

Hersy’s expression brightened.

It was rare for him to be awake at this hour.

Usually, she would just watch him sleep blankly for an hour or two until he woke up.

Of course, that wasn’t bad either, but she was happy to be able to have a conversation right away.

“By the way, it’s unusual that a child of the Ryan family would enroll in the Magic Department.”

The Ryan family had been the Emperor’s guardian knights for generations. Their family symbol was even “The Heart that Guards the Imperial Family.”

“I’m a Windsor too, you know?”

“Windsor is, how should I put it… not simply a knight family.”

“Why? Our house has nothing but knights, except for the magic caretaker.”

“Hmm. From an outsider’s perspective, the Windsor Duchy is like your test paper. For example…”

The Windsor Duchy was located at the northernmost part of the North. The first Duke Windsor had established himself in such a harsh environment to live a life away from politics.

It was cold, and above all, it was a region where powerful magical beasts frequently appeared. The Empire, which had always been troubled by hordes of magical beasts from the North, greatly appreciated the Windsor family’s choice.

The first Duke Windsor’s decision had been wise. Not only did the Windsor Duchy, which could have challenged the Emperor’s authority, withdraw voluntarily, but they also single-handedly dealt with the troublesome magical beasts in the North, which couldn’t have been more perfect.

That’s why not a single Emperor throughout history disliked the Windsors. The sharp blade of the Windsor family was always directed at the magical beasts of the North and had never once been pointed toward the Imperial system.

Of course, they were troublesome for not always listening to the Emperor’s words. Yet, when the Empire faced a crisis, they would help without complaint, proving themselves loyal subjects.

So the Emperors throughout history felt reassured just knowing there was someone they could trust. Every New Year, they would send vast amounts of treasures along with letters saying things like, “You’ve worked hard this year as well. I can confidently say that the future of the Empire is bright because of the Windsor Duchy.”

Especially the current Emperor was famous for occasionally visiting the Windsor family to relieve stress from various duties by hunting.

Rumors circulated in the capital, from “Duke Windsor is said to be the Emperor’s closest friend” to “The Windsor children call the Emperor ‘uncle’ and follow him, and the Emperor adores those children very much.”

So to the nobility, the Windsor family had a strong “non-standard” feeling.

After calmly explaining, Hersy carefully asked:

“So I’m curious about one thing, do you really call the Emperor ‘uncle’?”

“…No.”

In fact, he called him “older brother.” When they met once before entering the Academy, the Emperor had been quite hurt when Ruide addressed him as “Your Majesty.”

Apparently, when Ruide was too young to know better, he used to follow the then-Crown Prince around calling him “big brother.”

But no matter what, he couldn’t go around telling people that he called the Emperor “brother” and diminished his dignity. Feeling awkward, Ruide added:

“Don’t worry about what others say, Hersy.”

“…That’s very Windsor-like of you.”

Hersy smiled awkwardly.

“As a noble, you should care about rumors. For a good reputation. Though I suppose that doesn’t apply to you, Ruide.”

‘But I…’

Sensing the conversation might turn gloomy, Hersy changed the subject.

“Anyway, it’s unusual that the Ryan family’s daughter has talent in magic.”

“She didn’t seem that talented to me.”

Ruide vaguely recalled Nia’s labored breathing that had seemed quite difficult.

Hersy grumbled:

“That’s only by your standards. Not losing your breath at Dellin’s Lake means you have good magical skills.”

“…Are you bragging about yourself?”

Hersy cleared her throat.

“…That wasn’t my intention. I know better than anyone that my magical skills are terrible.”

“Why are you putting yourself down like that?”

“There’s nothing more foolish than showing off magic in front of a dragon.”

It was a famous saying. Ruide countered with another proverb:

“Don’t live your life like Ryan.”

Despite being the Emperor’s closest confidant, Ryan’s title remained that of a count. That was because Ryan had wished to remain a count.

Thanks to this, Ryan had been able to maintain the title of the Emperor’s guardian knight for nearly 300 years.

This gave rise to the saying “Live life like Ryan,” meaning there’s nothing wiser than being content with your current position.

So telling someone not to live like Ryan meant they shouldn’t be satisfied with their current position.

“You’re already an excellent magician, and you’ll become even greater later.”

“…Me?”

Ruide sat up.

In the original story, the corrupted Hersy was a villain for nearly 500 chapters.

She had resisted Justin, who had the protagonist’s buff, for 500 chapters. Moreover, in her final moment of darkness, she had briefly fought on equal terms with the indolent Ruide.

“I don’t lie. What I just said isn’t some cheap consolation but the clear truth.”

If she could do that in a mentally devastated state, what about now? Though he didn’t know how the butterfly effect would apply, one thing was clear: Hersy’s future was bright.

Ruide was just stating an obvious fact, but—

“…”

For Hersy, having the genius of the century acknowledge her made her heart warm.

‘My heart feels strange.’

Hersy’s face turned red. She quickly spoke, trying to shake off this strange feeling.

“Oh right. What was I thinking? Have you seen the announcement?”

“Announcement?”

“I see, they didn’t ask for your permission in advance.”

Hersy frowned. Even if a professor outranked a student, doing this without prior notice wasn’t right.

“Three days from now, there’s an announcement that they’re going to have you and Amelia duel. …It says attendance is optional, but rumors are already widespread. They must have planned this.”

A confrontation between a genius and the Sword Princess. If she was curious, other students would be even more so.

The problem was that there could only be one winner. …Honestly, Hersy couldn’t imagine Ruide losing.

Whoever lost would likely be the talk of the Imperial Academy students for a while.

“I see.”

On the other hand, Ruide didn’t think much of it.

This was a predetermined future. If anything, he was worried about Hersy.

‘Maybe I should have added “don’t touch Hersy” to the covenant.’

After the demonstration duel between Ruide and Amelia, during the practical session, Justin would select Hersy.

That would be the spark that ignited their full-fledged confrontation. From this point on, Hersy would gradually break down and become a true villainess.

When the completely corrupted Hersy later asked Justin why he had chosen her, Justin replied, “Because you were the strongest.”

‘What a joke. He just didn’t like Hersy.’

Even considering the rule that you couldn’t select someone you’d already dueled with, it was a clear contradiction. While Hersy was the top student in her year, she wasn’t the strongest.

It was clear he had chosen her because of their various troubles.

‘He probably won’t choose Hersy now…’

There had been no conflict between Hersy and Justin. He was certain because he had occasionally asked, “How’s it going with the feather thief?”

Still, he was worried about Hersy.

“Hersy, what would you do if you had to fight a commoner with no power? For example, if that feather thief challenged you to a duel.”

“…Suddenly?”

Hersy, taken aback by the unexpected question, thoughtfully rubbed her lips.

“Well, I’d have to see when the situation arises, but… I’d probably match their level. For example, by not using magic.”

‘So you’d lose.’

Ruide sighed. He needed to correct that arrogant habit of hers.

“That’s wrong, Hersy.”

“…Is it?”

Considering Hersy’s personality, saying “you might lose due to your arrogance” wouldn’t work.

Ruide came up with a suitable reason.

“Just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you should look down on the weak. Win with sincerity and your best effort. That’s the minimum respect for your opponent.”

Ruide said this with transparent eyes. Hersy stared at him as if enchanted.

“Answer me.”

“Ah, yes, yes. It probably won’t happen, but if it does, I’ll fight with all means necessary.”

“…But with some limits.”

“Yes.”

Hersy was problematic because she listened too well.

“Um…”

Hersy carefully asked.

“Is it okay?”

“What?”

“…To fight with Amelia. People think Amelia will win, but I don’t think so. So what I mean is…”

Hersy hesitated. It felt impolite to say the next words.

Ruide smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry.”

He had a rough idea of what Hersy was imagining.

But Hersy’s concern was completely meaningless.

“My sister is incredibly strong.”

However, Ruide was overlooking something.

The extent of Amelia’s affection for him.

**

Amelia Windsor was a knight.

A knight always respects others and listens attentively. They act with courtesy to maintain dignity.

It was extremely rare for someone like her to get angry. No matter what happened, she would calmly listen to the other person’s circumstances and consider their situation.

But now, Amelia was displaying that rare anger.

“You want me to point the sword meant to protect my brother against him?”

Amelia slammed the announcement on the principal’s desk as if she might break it.

“That’s not the case at all.”

“It’s… just a simple duel. Can’t we work something out?”

Fenicia spoke cautiously. She was also at a loss, as it had been the principal’s unilateral decision. Amelia spoke loudly.

“I refuse!”

“Um, well—”

Amelia stormed out as if there was nothing more to say.

Asking her to swing a sword at Ruide?

Where would she even attack on that tiny child?

Amelia couldn’t forgive this.

“…We were just starting to get along.”

Ruide Christopher.

Her precious little brother, six years younger, the only one of his kind in the world.

But originally, they hadn’t been on good terms.

When Ruide was first born, she adored him because he was so cute, talking and walking around despite being so small.

When he was very young, Ruide had followed her well.

But perhaps she had been too enthusiastic, because at some point, Ruide started finding her annoying.

Amelia had her pride too, and it didn’t sit well with her that a brother six years her junior found her bothersome.

Naturally, their relationship grew distant. The family’s differential treatment also played a part.

For instance, giving Ruide the tastiest food first.

…Looking back now, it was incredibly narrow-minded, but at that young age, it had been very important.

Their relationship had improved only in the past year.

After her first year ended and during vacation season, Amelia returned home.

They normally didn’t even greet each other, but Ruide approached her very amicably. He even begged her to play with him.

Amelia was conquered in one go. Originally, she hadn’t approached him first out of pride, but she had wanted to get along with Ruide.

Ruide had taken the initiative to approach her, and there was no reason to push him away.

She spent the entire vacation playing with Ruide and having a good time. And when the vacation ended, they went to the capital together. She couldn’t express how happy that long, otherwise boring journey had been.

Now, to Amelia, Ruide wasn’t just a blood-related brother but the most precious existence.

…And they wanted her to fight him?

“…Do they want to see the power of the Windsor family that badly?”

Amelia glared fiercely at the principal’s office she had just left.