......Tara?
"......Tara?"
A familiar voice. It was undoubtedly that of her older brother, who had left the imperial capital five years ago without a word. Why on earth was he here?
Heydel nodded briefly under Ashytara's questioning gaze before quickly finishing his meal. It was an attitude unimaginable for the old him—he had always been hypersensitive about etiquette, no matter the situation.
"Hold on."
Ludenberg Lavante was just as stunned. He had heard the news too: right after his baptism at age twelve, Heydel had vanished from the capital without a trace. But he never imagined they'd meet like this. Why was Solenute's prince—a young man of twenty-two, old enough to have graduated from any academy years ago—here at Ortara National School? And judging by his neat uniform, he wasn't a professor or priest... but a student. Wasn't that extraordinarily late, even for a late bloomer?
As Ludenberg mulled over these absurd thoughts, the three finally finished their meals.
"Shh. Come here."
Heydel pressed a finger to his lips and beckoned the two aside. Ludenberg and Ashytara nodded subtly and followed.
But just then, a voice rang out.
"Hey, Eil! You free later?"
"What now?"
It seemed to be an Ortara student. He grinned at Heydel.
"Let's spar."
"Sure. Can't now, but I'll find you at the training grounds if you're hanging out."
"Deal."
"By the way, who's tailing you? Solem folks?"
"Oh, just some people curious about our school."
"Got it. See ya."
Heydel nodded and led the pair to a secluded spot. Meanwhile, Ludenberg and Ashytara mentally sorted through the avalanche of questions they had for him. There were far too many.
"What's with 'Eil'? No, more importantly, why'd you run off from the capital?"
At Ashytara's sharp jab, Heydel gave her a troubled smile.
"Eil's an alias. Couldn't exactly use my real name."
"Then why'd you run away?"
"Run away? Call it a spiritual retreat, if you please."
"Same difference. Why leave Solem? If not for you, Sis wouldn't have to bear both the throne succession and sainthood."
"I had my reasons. Never meant to burden you or Sis. She already saw me last year—I explained everything then."
"What'd she say?"
"She understood."
"Sigh. Fine. If Sis is okay, who am I to complain? But Ortara National School, out of nowhere? Second year, no less?"
"How'd you know I'm second year?"
"Heard from a school senior yesterday: some hotshot named Eil joined last year. Never dreamed it'd be you."
"Ah."
"Bro. You're twenty-two, right?"
"Yeah. I know."
"So why school? Not because you hated Solem Adem and bolted?"
"Kinda..."
"Doesn't make sense."
Ashytara shot him a genuinely baffled look. Why would someone flee the capital to escape school, only to enroll in another country's academy at such a late age? Heydel sighed, sensing her confusion.
Ludenberg stayed silent amid it all. They'd been close as kids, but five years had passed... and he'd changed a lot since then. He wasn't sure how to approach him.
"I'll explain that in time. I had my reasons."
"What reasons?"
Ashytara's tone was prickly. She knew how much grief his disappearance had caused everyone around him. Even if Sis Sione said it was fine, it clearly hadn't been.
"Might be sensitive. You okay with it, Ludenberg? That's your name, right?"
"Yes."
"Good. Was half-worried I'd mixed you up. Hard to picture that face from five years back."
With a wry chuckle, he gazed skyward and began.
"I decided to leave Solem because of you, Ludenberg."
"Me?"
Ludenberg blinked wide-eyed at the bombshell. Ashytara stared at her brother, equally puzzled.
"Why me, suddenly?"
"You never awakened divine power. What happened after sparked some thoughts in me."
"......What thoughts?"
"That Solem judges a person's worth by their divine power. Sure, some might not, but most do. Made me wonder."
Heydel sighed.
"Whether I could truly wield the power granted to me properly."
"......"
Ludenberg and Ashytara held their tongues. This was his time to speak.
"So I refused Solem Adem. I wanted to go there originally. But the doubts lingered. Tara, you know the gods gave me more power than anyone here. Without those doubts, I'd probably be Solem's saint by now."
"Yeah."
"Imagine I became that saint. Used to vast power post-baptism, could I avoid looking down on those without it—or with little? Sorry to keep using you as an example, Ludenberg, but no guarantee."
"So you ditched it and left?"
Heydel nodded.
"Didn't ditch it. Divine power's part of who I am. Not bragging, but I haven't skipped prayer a day since leaving the capital. Just... haven't used it."
"Out of fear?"
Ashytara's blunt question hit home.
"Fear... yeah. Afraid I'd end up serving Solem's power, not Solem itself. That's why Ortara. A land where divine power's rare—and raw human strength is respected, unlike Solem."
He nodded to himself.
"How'd you survive five years?"
"Rough going. Born a prince, I finally saw how much privilege I'd had. Frustrating without power sometimes. But it opened my eyes to things only the powerless grasp. Had to toughen up first, though. Ortara doesn't coddle the weak."
"......"
"Got scammed, betrayed by trusted folks. But circled back, met good people, and ended up here at Ortara National School."
"I see."
Ludenberg nodded quietly. Now it clicked—why he'd vanished so suddenly.
"Ludenberg. Your story? Curious how someone powerless fares in a power-obsessed nation."
Heydel's eyes gleamed. Ludenberg answered curtly, as always.
"Just trained. Hated dealing with people."
"I see."
"Felt my skills grow, so I came to Solem Adem. To prove myself."
"Prove? That you can beat them without power... something like that?"
"Exactly."
"Impressive."
Heydel nodded, as if enlightened.
"What's impressive?"
"Thinking that way at all. Most give up. You're a true seeker—one who forges ahead believing in self, not gods."
"A seeker......"
"Enough heavy talk. I'm doing fine—no need to worry, Tara."
"Yeah. Looks that way."
Ashytara's sharp edge softened. Knowing the reason was enough.
"I'd love to see your skills, but we'll cross paths in the friendly matches anyway. No grade restrictions—winners face off. Wonder if Dalia Retiu's joining this time."
"Dalia's in, yeah."
Heydel barked a hearty laugh.
"Haha. Ortara's victory looks tough again. But our guys haven't slacked—should be a fun bout."
"Dalia that strong?"
Ashytara asked; Heydel nodded.
"Yeah. Baffling how. Reminded me of Sis in that massive eastern erosion."
"That good?"
"Yeah. Heard she's student council president now... makes sense. Anyway, got prior commitments—gotta go. Oh, before I do, Ludenberg—mind giving us space? Sibling stuff."
"Sure."
Ludenberg stepped away. Curious what Heydel might say, but no need to eavesdrop on family—he didn't even sharpen his senses.
"What sudden sibling chat?"
Heydel flashed a creepy grin. Ashytara recoiled in disgust.
"You've grown up."
"......That smile's gross."
"You like Ludenberg, huh?"
Heydel's grin deepened at her flustered tone.
"......!"
Ashytara's face flushed crimson.
"Yeah. So?"
"Just... all sorts of thoughts. Five years on, little sis has a boyfriend."
"Not yet."
"Not yet. Soon, probably. Ludenberg's reactions were fun too."
"Huh? Why him?"
"Couldn't keep his eyes off you."
"He probably just sees me as his closest friend."
"Haha. Could be. Can't read minds. Confessed yet?"
"Kinda."
"Scared it'll mess up what you have?"
Heydel nailed it; Ashytara nodded heavily.
"......Yeah."
"Don't overthink. Biggest lesson from five years in Ortara: seize chances when they come."
"Confess, you mean?"
"Sooner the better. Guy's handsome—girls must swarm him. High status too... plenty eyeing him. Looks plenty skilled. Maybe even stronger than me."
"How can you tell?"
"Obvious at a glance. Anyway, grab the chance. No regrets."
"Was gonna anyway. That all?"
"Yeah. If you two work out, the palace fossils'll love it. Lavante-imperial union. Lavante's no ordinary house."
"Not about politics for me......"
"Your intent aside, others'll see it that way. Anyway, good luck."
"I got it."
"Yeah, you'll manage. I'm off for real—don't wanna keep him waiting."
"Okay."
"Oh, and next time, call me Eil, not Heydel. I'm just your guide here."
"Got it. Gotcha, Eil."
"Good."
Heydel turned toward the training grounds; Ashytara headed back to Ludenberg.