episode_0013

I felt relieved when I heard voices as if they were talking quietly while I was in the bathroom and came back.

Fortunately, it was worth giving up my seat.

Helena must have not proposed sponsorship to Claire.

It went well since Claire resolved the difficulties of balancing academics and work due to economic issues in the early stages.

With a peaceful mind, I could head to the terrace.

In the end, after finishing the meal, Helena, Claire, and I parted ways.

There was a minor commotion where Helena tried to drag me to the Clark family mansion in the capital, but I was able to escape thanks to my firm refusal and the maid’s opposition mentioning Helena’s sister at the mansion.

Now all that’s left is to attend the Ardent Academy entrance ceremony in three days.

With the restoration of my innate ability ‘Gyeomseong’ over the next three days, it seems I just need to enhance one ability before admission.

Most people, asleep at night, saw a woman walking towards them in the pitch-black darkness.

If you have any thoughts at all, you might find it strange that there was no sound even though she was walking on the mountain, captivated by the beautiful appearance of the woman with subtle purple hair and impressive eyes.

Syneria, who had been investigating near the village where Yukal lived, turned her head at a familiar presence.

The dark-skinned figure, whose breath had become slightly rough, suddenly appeared and knelt in front of her.

“I greet Captain Laika of the 4th Division.”

“I remember telling you yesterday that I would soon go to the capital, Artero. You couldn’t wait a few days and had to come down like this. It must be something important?”

“Yes, sir. Yukal, who left the inn first, boarded the Arter-bound Madoye train in a two-person compartment. There, he made contact with Helena Clark.”

“Helena Clark, the daughter of the Clark Viscount? It’s indeed unusual for a noble lady to use a two-person compartment. Unless she’s involved with the government.”

“She said she wanted to share a conversation with someone she coincidentally met on the train, but it is presumed to be an excuse to meet Yukal.”

“So nothing unusual happened on the train? Any suspicious signs?”

“Helena Clark persistently asked personal questions to Yukal, and other than him falling asleep due to fatigue and annoyance, there was nothing else.”

“Hmm~”

“However, after arriving in Arter, Helena Clark requested to accompany her to take the entrance exam at the Ardent Academy.”

“……”

“Yukal tried to persuade Helena Clark by saying that if rumors spread that she was with a common man, it could block their path, but it had the opposite effect.”

“What happened then?”

“In that case, Yukal took charge of the situation, leading them successfully to the academy exam venue together.”

“What a mischievous little boy.”

Anticipating that Syneria’s mood might become uncomfortable, Laika quickly reported the next content.

“You don’t have to worry too much, sir, as Yukal seemed to avoid Helena Clark. He showed no affection even with her close approach, and when she first entered the train compartment and mentioned not to aim for his body, he momentarily expressed disgust.”

“Hmm~ If he’s a good kid, that’s how it should be.”

Was it Yukal’s impenetrable defense that pleased her, or was it the smiling Syneria who seemed cheerful?

“On the way to the Ardente Academy exam hall, I met Claire, whom I had seen before, and brought up the idea of taking the exam together. Considering Claire’s surprise, it seems that Yukal tried to do so to get away from Helena Clark.”

“What do you mean by ‘tried’?”

“By Helena Clark’s suggestion, the three of us moved to the academy exam hall.”

“So, how was it with the three of you?”

“Helena Clark became quiet, and Yukal and Claire mainly conversed. Judging by Yukal’s different attitude towards Claire compared to Helena Clark, it seems that Yukal has more than a certain level of fondness for Claire.”

“Like the story about the inn in Borea where Yukal stayed?”

“Yes.”

“But is this enough? I might be a little disappointed if this is all there is. Shouldn’t this be something I can report back once I arrive in the capital?”

Feeling chills running through his body due to the tension tighter than last time, Laika did not stop his report.

“I rushed here not to report the above content but because of the entrance exam.”

As Cinerea took a breath upon Laika’s completion, he spoke.

“Helena Clark showed magical abilities beyond the average academy student, but that was it. The problem lies in Claire’s ability to enhance others’ abilities without any risk. Considering how the instructors who received her buff at an early stage of her talent development behaved, it is possible that a war to recruit her may occur after graduation.”

“An ability to enhance abilities without any risk. From your mention of instructors, does it sound like she can use it on multiple people simultaneously?”

“Yes, my lord. She buffed five instructors simultaneously, and there have been no signs of exhaustion or other side effects from the instructors even after some time.”

“Such a valuable talent. See if there is a way we can recruit her as well. Investigate her a bit more. Oh, by the way, how did Yukal’s entrance exam go?”

“The urgent reason I came to report is Yukal’s entrance exam. He chose to duel with an instructor, refused the instructor’s advice to use a real sword, and engaged in the duel with a wooden sword. It was expected that the wooden sword would break against the instructor’s real sword, but…”

Seeing Laika hesitate to answer, Cinerea urged him to continue.

“Go on.”

“Yukal’s wooden sword cut through the instructor’s real sword and the protective barrier behind the exam hall. Considering that no magic was felt, it is presumed that he achieved such a feat purely through swordsmanship. Even considering that the barrier was of lower quality, in my opinion, it is a talent surpassing that of the Empire’s top swordsman.”

Contemplating how to handle the situation, Cinerea closed his eyes.

“Did he exhibit any unusual behavior from start to finish, like consuming something or acting strangely? Did you sense any magic or could the wooden sword itself be special?”

“Other than what I reported, there was nothing. No special actions, no sense of magic, and no apparent connection with demons. Lastly, considering that no magic was felt from the wooden sword, the possibility seems low.”

“Should I have apprehended him then…”

“I misheard?”

“It was just me talking to myself, don’t worry about it. So, naturally, he enrolled in the Department of Swordsmanship, right?”

“Well, about that… Yukal entered the Department of Magic using the cross-support system.”

“Why?”

Lyca had been assisting Cineria for several years and learned for the first time that she could make such an expression.

“Yukal said it was most reasonable to choose the Department of Magic while dining with two women at the restaurant. It seems there are special circumstances as he drew a line saying he couldn’t explain further.”

“Why on earth did a child who had the potential to become the Empire’s top swordsman enter the Department of Magic?”

“It’s just a possibility, but the innkeeper Yukal used to stay with clearly said that Yukal was as strong as most adult men since he was young, but as the Academy entrance approached, he suddenly said his body weakened. From what I observed, he seemed very frail. Perhaps he realized he had talent in swordsmanship, but entered the Department of Magic because his body was failing.”

Cineria, who had been pondering deeply for a moment, soon smiled.

“If we solve Yukal’s health issues and recruit him to our side, it should work out. Keep a close eye on him in the future to find out why Yukal’s health deteriorated. Also, instruct them to investigate Count Clark III again.”

“I will take care of it.”

In Lyca’s absence, Cineria, who remained, was happy, thinking about discovering Yukal’s secret and being able to recruit him.