The Sweet Snare of the Trial
Ludenberg Lavante had finished a formal meal with Ashytara Solenute at a traditional Ortara restaurant steeped in rigid etiquette, wandered the grounds of Ortara National School under her guiding touch, and now rested in his room. Suddenly, Raha's voice echoed from Libera.
[Ludenberg.]
"Raha."
[It's time for the trial.]
"As expected."
Of course. It was about time for the next trial. There were three days left until the quarterfinals began. A faint unease stirred within him, but Ludenberg shook his head. Raha wouldn't impose a trial on him without reason. Just look at how much he'd grown from the last one. This was a trial to hone his mind. In the end, it would help him. He couldn't act like a child and whine about his fears.
[Are you ready?]
"...Yeah."
Ludenberg steadied his mind. Of course, he had no idea how well he'd maintain his composure upon seeing Ashytara's form in the trial world.
[Good.]
With Raha's quiet words, Ludenberg entered the trial world.
The sensation was the same as before. Warm blankets carrying the scent of sunlight. And nestled in his arms, sleeping... Ashytara.
Ashytara's appearance was as familiar as it was alien. Her wavy dark blue hair was familiar, but longer than the current Ashytara's, and her face was subtly different. More beautiful, somehow. It strongly evoked the image of what the present Ashytara might look like after aging. Perhaps this was a future Ashytara. The thought had crossed his mind before, but she exuded a mature beauty far beyond her student days, permeating her entire being.
"Mm..."
She winced slightly at the incoming sunlight, blinked a few times, then looked up at Ludenberg holding her.
"Rud, sleep well?"
"...Yeah. You?"
"Of course."
"Want to sleep more? The bad dreams gone?"
From her words, Ludenberg realized the situation. 'This must be a continuation of that scene from last time.' She'd told his confused self to sleep more. This was probably right after waking from that sleep. He'd thought the sunlight felt intense; the sun was already high in the sky.
"Yeah. Thanks to you."
Ludenberg had no choice but to reply that way. He didn't want to ruin Ashytara's good mood from waking refreshed.
"Good. I'm glad."
Still drowsy, her smile—so fleeting it seemed about to vanish—left Ludenberg staring, entranced.
"What's wrong?"
In that moment, he blurted it out without thinking.
"No, just... you're so beautiful."
Ashytara blushed faintly, smiling shyly.
"Haha. What? That's not like you. You never said stuff like that, even embarrassed. But... yeah. I'm happy. Say it more often from now on."
Gazing at her smile, Ludenberg couldn't do much else. Just nod, perhaps. Seeing him nod, Ashytara's smile deepened.
"Your reaction's fresh today. Like when we first met."
"...Is it?"
"Yeah. Like when you first confessed. You've been so curt lately... Now the old you's showing. Good sleep does that?"
Ludenberg tried his best not to confuse the situation. 'This is just Liberatus and Amora's story. Recreated with people around me. Don't mix it up. This world is built on Liberatus's memories.' That's all he could think. Otherwise, he'd sink into this trial world.
'In reality, Ashytara and I are just friends. Don't harbor false hopes. Idiot.'
He'd resolved to treat Ashytara as a friend out of fear their bond might break. But faced with this, he couldn't stay calm. A world where Ashytara was his wife. Immersed in it.
He already knew, to some extent. He didn't see Ashytara as just a friend. A feeling welled from his heart, different from how he viewed other women. That's why it terrified him. If the sweetness here led him to confess something mistakenly, ruining their relationship? Everything they'd built would crumble. Ludenberg never wanted that.
'Don't get bewitched. Snap out of it. You're here for the trial. And this is just an illusion.'
"Rud. Zoning out again. Not good."
As Ludenberg restrained himself, Ashytara acted suddenly. Their distance had closed. Then, a soft, warm sensation touched his cheek. Too real for an illusion.
*Smack.*
The brief contact startled him; he looked at her. She pouted, glaring.
"Ta, Tara?"
"Yeah. Finally looking at me. We're newlyweds, and today's super important. Focus on me?"
Stunned, Ludenberg couldn't respond as she unwrapped his arms and rose from bed.
"Lots I want to do with you today. Hurry and get ready."
"Uh, yeah."
He had no clue what was happening, but it seemed Liberatus and Amora had plans. Important ones, probably. Ludenberg jumped up.
The "important thing" Ashytara mentioned was simpler than expected. Ludenberg glanced at her gripping his hand tightly, fingers interlocked. Humming happily as they walked.
What was the point of saying it? Her "important thing" was just strolling the capital with her husband, chatting. Something the ever-duty-bound priestess couldn't do often, now on her day off.
"Work okay?"
"Fine."
"Don't just say fine. Doesn't make sense you're so worn out otherwise."
Her words brought Liberatus's memories rushing back. Strictly overseeing the knights' training. Mediating squad disputes. Always agonizing over it.
"Really fine. No fun talking work when we're out."
"Mm. True."
Ashytara nodded, fingers still laced. Ludenberg found them awkward between his.
"So, where first? You like plays?"
"Nah, not really..."
"Library then?"
"Library?"
"Yeah. You love reading. Me too."
He pondered, then shook his head. No.
"Nah. Let's walk more. Want to shake off the rush."
"...Okay? Guess no choice. Oh, but."
"Hm?"
"I hate long walks."
"...I'll carry you."
"Ooh, nice. I'll say when my legs hurt."
"Yeah."
Chatting with her, Ludenberg realized anew: this trial Ashytara was based on Amora. Real Ashytara wouldn't complain about short walks. She loved wandering.
These small differences accumulated, convincing him the woman beside him wasn't Ashytara. Of course, his own tendencies were aligning with Liberatus's too.
"We slept late, huh. Sun's high already, right?"
"Yeah."
"Eat... first?"
"If you're hungry."
"Starving."
She rubbed her stomach lightly.
"How hungry?"
"Very. We haven't eaten. You must be worse."
True. Realizing it made his hunger grow.
"Good place nearby...!"
About to ask for a restaurant, a memory surfaced: one Ashytara loved. 'Liberatus's memory? Even the location.' Not just location—her favorite.
"Good place?"
"Our usual. You loved it... so I remembered."
"Oh! That one!"
Her reaction showed she hoped he'd remember her tastes.
"Thought you'd forget, busy lately... Not bad, you."
"Gotta remember what's important, no matter how busy."
"Mm. True."
They strolled the capital blanketed in obsidian-black buildings. But walking, Ludenberg felt confusion again. Despite taste differences, her actions mirrored real Ashytara's. He shook his head each time. 'No. This isn't Ashytara. Amora. Don't confuse.'
Yet why did holding her interlaced hand feel so happy? Because she looked like Ashytara? No. He cut off the spiraling thoughts.
'Not the time. Don't treat her as real. This is a trial.'
What was his trial, anyway? Ludenberg pondered. Here for it, yet no signs. No ambush vibe, no erosion beasts. What was he doing?
Questions echoed, but Ashytara led on, never releasing his hand. Nor could he let go. It felt like sinking into quicksand. Happy quicksand he didn't want to escape. He sensed himself unwittingly falling into the trial world's sweet trap.