32. Seeking Counsel in the Human Empire
The Empire of Humans, Cardium. A nation of iron that prided itself as the center of the continent, boasting power and civilization to match. And ruling over that empire was the imperial family. All the countless nobles under the empire bowed their heads to the imperial name.
The imperial family was an absolute existence, yet they didn't meddle directly in the nobles' territories. They simply reigned. Aside from mediating the occasional territorial disputes between domains, it was exceedingly rare for the imperial family to show themselves openly.
But even that imperial family never let go of three things: the Church, the Magic Tower, and the Academy. They were the true seats of power in the capital. The empire's faith, magic, and talent—all rested firmly in the imperial grasp. So the nobles offered their loyalty without needing to be coerced.
And it was to that very Academy that—Marien was headed. The shocking news.
...Well, it was bound to happen someday. The Academy was where all the empire's talents gathered. Every noble was desperate to send their heirs there. It wouldn't make sense if Marien didn't go. There probably wasn't a thirteen-year-old her equal in the entire empire. Bloodline, effort, talent— she had it all in spades, the perfect prodigy. No doubt even the snooty Academy would welcome her with open arms.
...No helping it. It sucked that I wouldn't see her as much anymore, but she was my friend. For her future, I'd have to smile and see her off.
Yeah. That's right. It had to be.
But...
"Waaah!! Marien!! Don't leave me behiiiind!!"
...My heart wasn't cooperating.
"U-Ursa. Calm down a bit... okay?"
"Eeeee..."
I was clutching Marien's skirt hem, sobbing my guts out. Facing the reality of parting with her, I couldn't hold back the tears. Had I ever cried like this since being born? My face was a mess of tears, snot streaming down, voice all hoarse. Dignity of a civilized soul? Face? Screw that. I wasn't letting my Marien go like this!
"Ursa."
Marien grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eye. A firm gaze.
...Was she disappointed? In my whininess?
"Sniff...! Marien... s-sorry. I won't throw a tantrum anymore. Don't hate me... huuuh."
"...What are you talking about, Ursa."
She pulled me into a hug. Soft warmth pressed against my face.
"As if I'd ever hate you."
Her gentle voice whispered in my ear. Those reassuring words undid all my efforts to stop crying, fresh tears spilling out.
"Ma-Marien... uuuh."
"There, there. Let's wipe that face first. Your pretty mug looks all silly now."
"Sniff... I'm not silly..."
"Sure, sure."
She treated me like a mom soothing her little girl. Lately, Marien had been handling me this way. Back in the day, I swear I had the elder's dignity, so when did this start? Maybe when her height shot past mine. Getting comforted by a barely thirteen-year-old girl. Hilarious.
But what could I do? Sad was sad. They said the mind bends to the body's whims, and even my ego— with decades more life under its belt—often got swept up in this tiny frame's emotions. Just like now. My reason had no intention of getting this pathetic. This kid body just cried and clung on its own. No way I was seriously bawling and throwing a fit!
...Okay, fine, the part about not wanting to part with Marien? That was totally real.
"Let's clear up the misunderstanding first."
"Misunderstanding?"
"I'm not heading to the Academy right away. There's a minimum enrollment age."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. I have to enroll when I'm fifteen. Mom mentioned it yesterday, and it got me worrying for no reason."
Phew. Not separating right now. Fifteen... The empire used Korean age reckoning, so the year after next? After my coming-of-age rite. That eased my chest a bit.
"Marien. Truth is..."
"Hm?"
I told her about the future I'd envisioned. After my fifteenth birthday and coming-of-age rite, wandering the world. And Marien heading to the Academy at the same age—perfect timing.
"Really? That's great news. We might even see each other often in the capital."
"Right? You'll be the student, and I'll be... uh, an adventurer?"
The Academy was in the empire's capital. If we both ended up there, we could hang out on days off, right? Just swapping this hideout for the capital—our meetups might not change much.
"It'd be nice if you could go to the Academy with me too, Ursa..."
"...Yeah, it'd be awesome."
Unfortunately, Academy eligibility was for imperial citizens only. I was a barbarian. No matter my talent, crossing that threshold would be tough. Swallowing my regret, we chatted about the capital—how its adventurer guild was, how nobles could live in external manors instead of dorms. Imagining a future together, we laughed for ages.
As we giggled away, someone approached.
"Miss, it's time."
A dashing mustache, impeccable tuxedo. Posture straight as a blade. The man who called Marien 'Miss'.
"...Lucas."
Marien's personal butler. Our secret meetings had been busted ages ago. Not that they were much of a secret. Sneaking out of the castle weekly—getting caught would be weirder. When was it... about three months in? He'd tailed the miss who vanished at set times, and I finally got nabbed.
Luckily, Lucas was fully on Marien's side. Far from stopping us, he'd even helped us slip away unnoticed by others. Our two years of meetings owed it all to his quiet support. This hideout? He scouted it.
Marien aside, how had I stayed under the radar? Beastkin were... more laissez-faire than you'd think.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation."
Lucas bowed politely.
"No, no. We asked you to come, right?"
"Yeah, old man. Not the first time—quit with the formalities every damn time."
"Thank you. Then..."
"Yeah, let's go. Ursa, it was fun today too."
"You bet. We'll pick up where we left off next time."
"Sure!"
Marien left with Lucas, leaving me alone in the hideout.
"The Academy, huh."
An inexplicable stuffiness pressed on my chest. I picked up my axe from the ground and hurled it at a distant tree with all my might.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Thunk!
The axe buried perfectly into the knot. It looked simple, but nailing power, angle, and feel was no easy feat.
"Haa..."
Even mastering a tough technique didn't clear the fog. Something deep in my chest squeezed tight.
"...Been a while. Maybe time for a visit."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Somewhere on the plateau. I stood in the middle.
All around was open plain. Visibility was perfect—you'd spot anyone approaching from a mile away. But right now, that made it dangerous.
I stood stock-still, eyes closed, spreading my senses outward.
A moment later.
Peeeng—!
A faint whistle. Something thin and long slicing the air. It was headed straight for me.
Swoosh!
Snatch.
Eyes still shut, I reached out and caught it. A sharp arrow gripped in my fist.
"Success. Quite leisurely."
A voice from somewhere. But no sign of the source. Of course. He was hidden far off.
"Not enough. Hit me with something stronger."
"As you wish."
The voice faded into silence. Eyes closed again, bracing for a fiercer attack.
What I was doing was qi sense training. Those who'd opened their qi veins—a channel not found in nature—could detect things beyond the five senses. We called that sixth sense for qi, qi sense.
Simply put, hunches and gut feelings made real. But as an artificial sense, it needed training to master. Once honed, though, it was a lifesaver in clutch moments.
Shieeek—!
Thinner sound than before. But faster, deadlier. My gut screamed it was too risky to catch on the spot—I twisted aside.
Thud!
I snatched the arrow with both hands and leaped back. Screeech—!
I skidded across the ground, pushed back over five meters before stopping.
"Phew..."
That was close for real. Without qi sense, my head would've been skewered. I wiped the cold sweat beading on my forehead and caught my breath.
"Success. Excellent."
The voice returned—and this time, so did its owner. A silhouette overlooking from on high. Feathers of hair fluttering in the wind. Round eyes that made eye contact awkward.
The Hawk Elder.
"Thanks as always, Hawk Elder. It's a huge help."
"Hm."
The Hawk Elder wasn't in the village; he roamed solo. His dwelling shifted periodically, so even fellow hawk beastkin didn't know his whereabouts precisely. Amused by that, I'd set traps to find him—and caught him after four days.
In exchange for qi sense training, he'd asked me not to share how I'd nabbed him with the tribe. Even a stoic hawk elder felt shame at getting done in by jerky on the ground.
"Lost in thought?"
"...A bit."
Truth was, I'd sought him out for nothing special. Just to empty my head. Qi sense training left no room for stray thoughts. Perfect for shelving worries about the future.
"Worries are good. They aid growth."
"...Don't read my mind whenever."
"Hide it if you don't like it."
The Hawk Elder had incredible eyes. Not just sharp vision—all eye-based feats were his forte. He could read minds from facial expressions alone.
Might as well get some counseling. Few words meant tight lips. Plus, he was the tribe's ultimate outsider. No one to confide in anyway.
"Hawk Elder. Y'know..."
I spilled my worries—omitting Marien, framing it as my own issue.
"...That's how it is. What do you think?"
He pondered—or his blank face made it hard to tell—then spoke.
"Hm. That's about right."
"..."
What?! I lean on you, and that's it? At least toss me a comforting word!
Sigh. My fault for expecting. He didn't scream "counselor" type.
"Misunderstanding."
"Reading thoughts again."
"I meant you'll handle it fine on your own."
"...Huh?"
A full sentence? From him? I looked up hastily. Not his usual round stare—soft, normal beastkin eyes.
"Wait, you can open your eyes like—"
"Your worries are natural. Everyone goes through that phase."
"..."
"It passes. No matter how much you fret, when the moment comes, your body moves on its own."
"Uh... wha..."
"That's the level of your worries. So forget it. You'll do fine."
He looked at me. Unfamiliar. New expression, new tone. But the affection in those eyes? Crystal clear.
"Believe in yourself more."
"..."
Sheesh. I just needed someone to vent to, and I get this unexpected comfort? Eyes heating up. Sigh, moved again? What a simpleton body.
,,,Well, this time, maybe ride the flow.
"Thanks, Hawk Elder. I'll take it to heart."
Master and disciple. Teacher and student. In this touching moment of life's wisdom offered as advice, he—
"Yeah."
"...?"
Casual monosyllable. Not even a proper word. Like he'd said his piece, eyes back to round, he approached, swiped all the jerky from my pouch, and vanished.
....
"...Master vibe-killer."
The tears I'd shed? Sucked right back in. Gimme back my.