The Girl Who Watched Him Train
The young girl didn't know all the details, but she could sense that something gravely amiss had transpired this time. In the heavy, subdued atmosphere, Ashytara happened upon Ludenberg Lavante, who was desperately training in the practice yard. A handsome boy with dark ash-gray hair. What could possibly drive that child to train so relentlessly? Ashytara wondered, but she didn't approach him.
Yet she continued to watch his training. Relentlessly. Until Ludenberg finally finished and collapsed from exhaustion.
That was the beginning. Day after day, Ludenberg trained, and Ashytara watched.
Finally, after several days had passed, Ashytara approached him and asked, “Why are you training so hard?”
Why? Why? He looked about her age, yet he trained with such desperation. That was what intrigued her.
“Because I have to.” Ludenberg replied with a resolute expression.
“Why do you have to?”
“Because I've seen the enemies I'll have to fight someday.”
It was a precocious maturity far beyond his years. Ashytara couldn't comprehend Ludenberg at all.
But Ludenberg had no choice but to mature. Three days prior, he had visited a fortress bordering the Eastern Erosion Zone with his father, Leonard Lavante.
And there, he had witnessed them. Creatures that filled the sky and earth, beings utterly alien to this world. They possessed a sharpness like honed blades, a solidity like unyielding earth. Yet they were grotesquely amalgamated mishmashes of all manner of things.
Overwhelmed by their majesty and revulsion, Ludenberg couldn't help but feel daunted, a tide of fear rising within him.
At that moment, Leonard had spoken. “Those are the enemies you'll have to fight one day. Burn them into your eyes. Fear them, dread them—but in the end, overcome that fear.”
It was far too early for an eight-year-old boy to hear such words, but Ludenberg engraved them into his heart.
Then, the creatures had surged forth. In that chaos, Ludenberg realized his own utter powerlessness—and found the path he must take.
He explained all this to Ashytara: that the memory from that day was why he trained here without cease.
“That's how it happened.”
“……I see.”
“Do you have any more questions?”
“How old are you?”
“I'll be eight this year.”
“Same as me.”
Ashytara felt many things as she gazed at Ludenberg. First, that this small boy was incomparably more mature than she was. Second, his tenacious perseverance. No matter how grueling the training, he never gave up until he collapsed from exhaustion. It was remarkable.
Ashytara reflected on herself. Had she ever tried as hard as this boy? No.
She'd made excuses: the weight of others' expectations, her own lack of talent. She hadn't truly pushed herself. Her young age of eight was no excuse. As a princess, she bore duties no lighter than Ludenberg's—perhaps even heavier.
Yet she'd shirked them, closing off her heart and shutting out the world. It was nothing but childish petulance.
After much soul-searching, Ashytara reached a conclusion: she was simply a loser.
So how could she overcome it? The answer wasn't far away.
With renewed resolve, Ashytara said to Ludenberg, “Can I train with you?”
“Pardon?”
“I want to train together.”
With firm determination, she pleaded. Though caught off guard by her sudden request, Ludenberg sensed the desperation in her face and graciously accepted.
“Then let's start tomorrow, not today, Your Highness.”
He bowed his head and turned to leave.
“Wait, before you go.” Ashytara looked at him and gave her name. “I'm Ashytara.”
“……? I know.”
“So call me by my name. Not 'Your Highness' all the time. We're training together now, right?”
“That might be… If someone hears, it'll cause a fuss.”
“What's the problem if I say it's fine? Come on, try it. Ashytara. Actually, just Tara. Ashytara's too long. What should I call you?”
“Well… Ludenberg. Ludenberg Lavante is fine.”
“Ludenberg's too long too. I'll call you Lude.”
Even as she said it, Ashytara was surprised at herself for being so bold. Realizing this, her heart began to open, little by little.
With her heart opening, Ashytara soon felt gratitude toward Ludenberg—and admiration. It had only been a few short days, but he'd enabled her to change herself.
For some reason, she felt joyful, a smile tugging at her lips.
“If Father finds out, I'm dead. Seriously.”
“Hahaha! What, really? It's fine, it's fine. I'll talk to His Grace myself.”
Watching the flustered Ludenberg, Ashytara found the situation endlessly amusing and teased him for quite a while.
“Got it, no—got it. Tara.”
“Yeah. Good job, Lude. You have to keep calling me that from now on, okay?”
“……Fine.”
Ashytara gazed at the reluctant Ludenberg, laughing playfully with delight. And she intuited that he would become someone incredibly precious to her in the future.
Ashytara soon snapped out of her reverie. Though the memory had faded over the long years, it was one she could never forget.
In reminiscing, she realized she couldn't easily cast aside the admiration and affection she'd once held for Ludenberg.
And so, she resolved to respect his wishes.
Alright, Ludenberg. Do as you please for now. But… I have no intention of leaving you alone like this.
Ashytara knew well that forcing her way into the heart of someone trying to close it off would only backfire. She'd been there herself.
Thus, she decided to wait until he grew weary.
Those who shut out the world always suffered in their loneliness—and eventually succumbed to it.
Ludenberg. You'll surely writhe in that loneliness one day. And when you do, I'll be your support. Just as you once were mine.
Days passed, and proper classes began. Today was the first theology lesson.
Sensing the start of class, the students stopped their chatter and took their seats.
At that moment, the theology professor entered the White Pavilion. Golden tassels and embroidered robes swaying gently. Water-blue hair rippling with each step, and straight golden eyes fixed ahead.
Golden eyes? The moment Ludenberg realized this, he recoiled in shock.
The other students reacted the same way. A face similar to Ashytara's, though with slightly sharper, upturned eyes.
The theology professor who entered the White Pavilion was none other than the next heir to the Solemnute Empire's throne—and Ashytara Solenute's older sister, Sione Solenute.
The students wore expressions of utter disbelief at this absurd situation, and Ashytara was no exception. She hadn't expected her crown princess sister to suddenly appear as their theology professor.
“Greetings.”
Sione stood ramrod straight as she addressed the class.
“For the next year, I, Sione Solenute, will be lecturing you on theology here at Solemnute Adem as a representative of the Solem Church. Professor Eldora Solenute, who taught here until last year, has stepped down from theology to take up literature, so I've been assigned to you.”
The students were flustered, some letting out awkward laughs. A few bowed politely to Sione.
“You must all be quite surprised. No one could have predicted the crown princess standing here.”
“…….”
No one replied. But every student watched Sione with tense expressions.
“Oh dear, everyone seems too nervous. While I'm at Solemnute Adem, I'm not the crown princess—just your theology professor. Please relax.”
“Understood!”
The class's resounding response brought a satisfied smile to Sione's face as she continued.
“Good. Since it's the first day, there are no proper textbooks yet. Pick them up today from the central library, the Wisdom Pavilion. It's enormous, so it won't be hard to find. The theology texts are standardized, so they'll be heavy… but you're all Knight Faculty students, so that should be fine. Any questions? No personal ones, please.”
“…….”
The students were frozen, silent. A wrong word could mean trouble.
Seeing this, Sione smiled faintly.
“None? Excellent. Theology changes daily with different priests guiding us. Tomorrow, a Lanur priest will come. Don't forget your textbooks. See you next week.”
With that, Sione departed. The moment she did, students jumped up, buzzing in disbelief at what they'd witnessed.
Ludenberg, ignoring the commotion, left the White Pavilion with a sour expression.
He'd encountered the one person he least wanted to meet, in the most unexpected place. Even more than Ashytara.
He had little connection to Sione. She was just his closest friend's older sister. They'd played together occasionally, but only when he'd tagged along with Ashytara like an unwelcome guest. That was the extent of Ludenberg's impression of her.
If he had to add one more thing, it was that she was someone he'd pledge loyalty to someday.
Ludenberg had no reason to avoid Sione, nor any need to. But because of her sole unique ability, Solem's Eye, he couldn't help it.
Solem's Eye pierced all truths. And the truths it pierced included the depths of one's heart.
Its inheritor could read minds at will, uncovering even the deepest hidden feelings.
In other words, Sione was the only one who could see Ludenberg's pathetic inner weaknesses.
I need to be careful, he thought to himself as he headed to the Wisdom Pavilion.
With skill verification ongoing, there'd be no full outdoor training for a while, and this week was all theory classes including theology. No need to dawdle.
He didn't know how textbooks were distributed, but it was obvious lines would grow as more students arrived later.
Though he didn't know the Wisdom Pavilion's exact location, Ludenberg followed the signs. The campus map detailed building positions to avoid confusion, and soon enough, he found it.