Mion Opens Her Eyes
Mion opened her eyes. It seemed to be a healing ward. As she rose from the neatly made bed, she realized a heavy pain was throbbing through her body.
"You okay?"
The voice, laced with concern, reached her the moment she awoke. It was Eden.
"...Eden?"
"Yeah."
Mion tried to force herself upright, but Eden stopped her.
"Ugh..."
"Just lie still. They said you got hurt pretty bad."
"That damn bitch... Ah!"
She muttered with feeling. There was no need to beat me that badly.
"Does it hurt a lot? Should I call a priest? Drink this for now, at least."
Eden handed her a Breath of Mare. The sacred law of Mare, which rapidly improved the drinker's condition, quickly mended Mion's body.
"This should do it. Anyway, tell me what happened after I passed out?"
"Well, you lost, and they're redoing the room assignments. You already moved all your stuff out, right?"
"Yeah. I took everything to the Tree Root Inn in the shopping district ahead of time."
"Oh, that place? But anyway, why? What the hell got into you two to fight like that?"
"I can't believe it myself. Who knew Ashytara still cared for Ludenberg Lavante that much? I just mentioned what happened lately, and she lost it like that."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I guess we'll have to watch out for Ashytara from now on too. Sorry, Eden. My mistake. I've been too focused on Ludenberg Lavante and didn't keep an eye on those around him."
"No. I'm at fault too. I should've been watching Ashytara..."
"Now that it's come to this, I'll hurry up the holy relic acquisition a bit."
"Oh, you mentioned that before? Is the excavation done?"
"Yeah. They say it holds considerable divine power... We'll know more when it arrives. I'll let you know right away."
"Thanks always. Oh, but..."
"Yeah?"
"Ashytara's no joke."
Eden said with a shudder.
"Right? Terrifying. I was shocked when Mare's blessing evaporated in an instant. We need to prepare thoroughly. Can't let our guard down. Ludenberg Lavante might be too much right now, but we have to beat Ashytara."
"I'll do my best. Rest up for now. See you tomorrow."
"Eden."
Eden was about to leave the healing ward when a small voice made him turn back.
"Yeah?"
"Hang in there."
Mion gazed at him with worried eyes, as if she could already see his upcoming struggles.
"Thanks for worrying."
Eden grinned and exited the healing ward.
The moment he stepped out, his expression twisted. The image of Mion, pathetically struck by Ashytara's greatsword and collapsing in humiliation, was still fresh in his mind.
I'll pay her back in kind, Your Highness.
At that moment, Eden marked Ashytara Solenute as his enemy.
The room assignment results were announced the next day. Ashytara Solenute was to share a room with Philia Rosette, another Abyss ranker. But to Ashytara, it didn't matter much. She was more than satisfied just knowing Mion Altis was out of her room.
Philia was a lively girl. She even greeted Ashytara warmly, despite having witnessed her merciless assault on Mion the day before.
"Hi! Nice to room with you. I watched yesterday—you were awesome."
"Hi. But... was that awesome?"
Ashytara didn't remember looking particularly cool. Charging at her opponent with flames wreathing her greatsword, she'd looked more like an executioner.
"Totally. Endless blazing flames, relentless sword strikes. It was too much for my lowly eyes to follow, but still, so cool. My heart was pounding! I almost fell for you."
Philia was especially friendly toward Ashytara.
"Really...?"
"Yeah! At first I was a bit scared, but Cletta told me the story, and it wasn't like that. Haven't seen her that excited in ages."
Only then did Ashytara understand the source of Philia's unusually strong goodwill. Gratitude for helping her friend.
"You know Cletta?"
"My best friend! Anyway, let's get along great from now on!"
"Sure."
Ashytara smiled softly, while harboring one question. What could have driven such a bubbly girl to a room duel?
Sensing her curiosity, Philia spoke up.
"Wondering why I did the room duel? Right?"
"Yeah."
Ashytara answered honestly.
"The girl I shared with was badmouthing Cletta. Something like, a talentless girl got lucky and befriended you, so her skills improved. That Abyss girl was jealous of Cletta, I guess."
"So you fought her."
"The second I heard it, I lost it and grabbed her hair. If she's pissed, she should train herself. Ah, just thinking about it pisses me off. Anyway, that's how the room duel happened, and I lost. I'm worse than her."
"But you still challenged her?"
Even knowing it'd be a one-sided defeat, Philia had fought for her friend.
"Hehe. I lose my head when I get mad—don't care about consequences."
Ashytara smiled gently at the sheepish, grinning Philia, feeling a sense of kinship. She could get along well with her new roommate.
When Ludenberg Lavante arrived at the lecture hall, he noticed something written on the blackboard.
Today's Mare Theology lecture has been replaced with Literature class, as Professor Doris Ebony has urgent business at the Mare Church.
Does that mean Literature all morning? Come to think of it, due to various semester events and the Knight Faculty's emphasis on training, Literature classes had often been skipped. This made today the Innocence ranks' first Literature lesson.
Ludenberg Lavante opened his prepared Literature textbook and propped his chin, previewing the material in the still-empty hall. The textbook, filled with myths and legends, was thicker than other theory texts but featured simple, engaging stories. Even he, who treated most theory classes as mere memorization, found Literature intriguing.
Solenute Founding Era... I read this a lot as a kid. Nice to see it again.
He immersed himself fully, chin no longer propped.
How much time passed?
"Whoa, did you see yesterday's room duel?"
"Yeah. Ashytara Solenute's insane. Never imagined Mion getting wrecked like that."
The once-silent hall grew noisy with talk of yesterday's duel, until the Literature professor entered.
A middle-aged woman with blue hair and a smooth smile on her lips. Eldora Solenute. Ashytara and Sione's aunt, bishop of Solem. Until last year, she'd taught Solem Theology, but this year she suddenly declared she'd teach Literature and passed her position to Sione Solenute. Despite confusion over the shift from proficient Theology teaching, she steadfastly took up Literature.
Ludenberg Lavante was shocked too. Five years ago, she'd led his baptism ceremony—and now stood at the podium.
A memory flashed:
Ludenberg Lavante couldn't help a complex expression—mingled resentment and gratitude. But he composed himself. Eldora had only led his baptism; she'd helped, not harmed. Holding resentment would be ungrateful.
Solem holy relics were imperial exclusives. Fetching one for him warranted thanks. Though the outcome wasn't great, she'd done all she could.
As Ludenberg Lavante wrestled with thoughts, Professor Eldora spoke.
"Nice to meet you."
Her gentle voice carried undeniable dignity, silencing the room's chatter instantly.
"Oh dear, no need to stiffen up like that. Anyway, this first class is quite late, isn't it? I'm Eldora Solenute, your Literature instructor."
"Hello!"
"Oh, so spirited—love it. Everyone bring your textbooks?"
"Yes!"
Eldora smiled at the Innocence ranks' enthusiastic reply.
"No need to open them right away. Let's briefly cover what Literature class entails."
She explained promptly.
"Literature is expressing our thoughts in words and writing. And learning about those stories. Plenty on literature, but that's enough. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Then why study it? Simple: Literature is the foundation of your lives. Our words, writings—all infused with life. But that's dry, so let's discuss a familiar tale."
Professor Eldora had the Innocence ranks open to the first page. Rustling pages revealed a title.
"Solenute Founding Era. Today, we'll explore this story."