The Hero's Trial (1)
I wanted to stay longer at the academy, but Ashu and I had been summoned by the queen.
We couldn't linger in one place for too long.
After a week, Agnes decided to return to the village, and we prepared to head to Darania.
So before departing, we all gathered at the teleportation site to see her off.
"This Agnes has received more love in this past week than in her entire life. I'm happy, but it frightens me that I'm not satisfied with it. For your sakes and mine, it's time to let it go."
"Can I let it go too?"
"You keep carrying it, dear."
Agnes patted my neck from behind my back—smack smack. Was this her final bout of coquetry? She whined for me to carry her there.
Who was I to refuse? And while I was at it, I pinched her thigh too.
"It reminds me of the old days. Back then, there was someone who carried me when my stamina gave out."
"……"
I fell silent for a moment, wondering if she was about to name some old lover. As far as I knew, Agnes had been a proper mage.
Still, she'd lived a long life—bound to have a few hearts that tugged at hers.
"Shtai. Her broad back and those loud yells echoing far away still ring in my ears."
"Ah… that one?"
"…Hm?"
Agnes paused at my reaction, then let out an infuriating chuckle.
Soon, her arms wrapped around my neck from behind, and she whispered in my ear.
"Puhuhu. I can guess what you're thinking right now, Kirgil. It's all because our bond has deepened so much."
Whatever her appeal was, she pressed her chest tight against me and squeezed her legs around my waist.
The village chief had gotten seductive these past few days.
Sob sob, my village chief wasn't like this before… but damn, it's too good.
Smack.
Ashu, fed up, slapped Agnes's butt.
"Kyaa! Ow ow… that's too much."
It wasn't playful—this strike carried real emotion.
The mood said resistance wouldn't fly, and Agnes looked dejected.
"You two, cut it out. Parania will be here soon."
Ashu had this subtle student council president vibe sometimes.
Thus ended the village chief's final seduction.
Ashu could smack her butt without a second thought now, and they'd somehow become close friends.
Agnes said she'd received so much love, but it wasn't just from me.
She'd spent time with Ashu too—sharing stories, emotions, even bickering.
Watching them cuddle up asleep warmed my heart.
Part of it was relief after I'd tensed up during their spats.
When Parania arrived, Agnes slid off my back.
Good thing she kept a minimum of dignity in public.
Parania's usually perky ears drooped a bit.
"Agnes sis, can't you stay a little longer?"
"Sweet Parania, the chief can't leave her village too long. Plus, there's an assistant who might bolt if left alone."
"If she's your assistant, she'll come to the academy someday. Introduce her sometime."
Agnes let out a troubled ngh. It had to be about Reshi.
"I have no plans to send that child here. Her magic is too unorthodox—it'd shock the academy. She has no mold."
"No mold?"
"I'll show you later. Make time to visit my village and build your own cute teleportation site. I'll introduce her then."
"Yes, I definitely will."
Parania's ears wiggled more from the invitation than curiosity about Reshi.
The vice president was never boring—just watching those ears was fun.
Made me wonder how heartbroken she was when they got cut.
Parania handed over books and luggage she'd prepared for Agnes. Oh, and letters for Reshi and Ferio too.
"Parania, so many transmission plates for emergencies. Two would suffice… No, on second thought, you've been eager to hear my tales with these cute ears. When I have mana and time to spare, I'll drop by."
"You have to come, sis."
Even Parania, who carried vice president dignity despite her small frame, looked like the baby sister seeing off big sis now.
"Kirgil, finish your business and come back here. Even if it gets tough, stop by. This cute little sister's home will be our meeting spot from now on. I'll counsel you anytime."
Parania seemed even happier at that—ears flapping away.
After a week of ample love, she had some leisure. And we had ways to meet without going too far.
So we shared a light, simple hug. Parting smiles, but she looked truly happy.
Agnes, laden with bags and luggage like when she'd arrived, quietly closed her eyes.
I'd heard two days ago that covering a mage's eyes hinders spell manifestation greatly.
Without visual specificity, only intense focus and training sustain the magic.
But for teleportation to unseen distances, vision can interfere.
So they prepare sites simply or personally recognizable for easy visualization.
Other prep too… but lost on a magic layman like me.
Agnes chanted her spell. Dark magical orbs enveloped her—like safety preps for transit.
The orbs shrank with activation, vanishing in a sudden gust.
Oh right—Agnes Village used to be called the Cozy Basin, huh.
Her spell mentioned settling worries there, hinting at her mindset when founding the village.
"Well, shall we head out too?"
Ashu and I had our bags ready, set for Darania.
We bid Parania and Paranil farewell.
"Kirgil, if nothing else comes up, visit the academy. There's always a place for you. Oh, right—take a transmission plate."
I declined the plate. No need to lug a stone shield on the road.
"No worries there. We'll lend you a carriage to Darania—just ride that."
Couldn't refuse now. Agnes's herbs meant we needed a cart or horse anyway.
"Sending a guest on foot makes no sense. Even if not for you, Kirgil, they'd never make Princess Ashushikara walk."
Ashu just smiled when I glanced at her.
On the way out with Parania guiding, she whispered to me.
"Hospitality isn't something you request—it's given as due. Demanding it is rude. Likewise, skimping on befitting treatment is their discourtesy."
"Ugh, these protocols are exhausting. I'd rather walk carefree."
"Honestly, I'd prefer that too. It'd make our trip longer."
Ashu's rare cute line, but it had bite.
She didn't want to reach Darania Royal Palace late—subtle resentment toward the queen.
Before boarding, Parania and Paranil approached.
"Kirgil, the academy hopes you'll share your knowledge."
With that, they pinned a badge on my chest—a staff with spread wings.
Just reading novels in spare time had yielded scholar-level insights, they said.
Hit me again—barely past elementary back home, and here I'm a sage.
We hugged lightly in thanks and farewell.
Forget everything else—Parania's ears are unforgettable.
Visible flapping from afar.
As the carriage hit the main road, a familiar figure—no, goblin—appeared.
Tibumira in his bowler hat, tipping it toward our carriage.
I nodded back lightly.
He gestured politely like a waiter, pointing somewhere.
Down the alley shadow stood a hooded figure. Pana, no doubt.
An assassin's gaze on me felt eerie.
Couldn't greet with Ashu watching, so I flashed the bracelet on my left arm out the window.
Her gift.
Pana crossed her arms in haughty poise.
How to read that?
"Kirgil, you've made lots of new friends here too?"
"!?"
Ashu eyed me with a hmph~ look.
Nothing bad done, but guilty twinge anyway.
Ashu peered out my window toward Tibumira and Pana, but they'd vanished.
She looked ready to pry, but I dodged her gaze.
"It's three days to Darania like this. I want to hear all about you in the meantime."
Driver was outside—this noble carriage had only passenger seats.
Felt like a solo drive with Ashu.
"Not the time now. We should talk about the palace ahead. Might as well hear your stories then."
Ashu pouted briefly, then nodded it wise.
She smiled sweetly.
"Then let's start with that foolish queen swayed by knights, merchants, and the prime minister."
Heavy opener.
Feels like we're off to stage a coup.