Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: The Knight's Initiation
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Even among the children of noble houses, hierarchies were strictly enforced based on family prestige. Setting that aside, any group heavily skewed toward one gender tended to have an even more rigid pecking order—and if that group was built around martial strength, well, that said it all.
Sir Evan, who had only ever hunted monsters in the forest, had no experience with such structured organizations. At his age, full of bravado, he wasn't likely to back down gracefully either.
Besides, after knocking out all the other boys, there was no room left for such expectations.
The exam was conducted anonymously to ensure fairness, so none of the participants knew Evan was a commoner.
Once it came out that the guy who flattened everyone was a mere commoner—and a 15-year-old boy at that—the others wouldn't stay quiet.
Walter quietly rubbed his face at the thought of Evan's pitch-black future in the organization. He'd even let slip their prior acquaintance before the exam, so Evan might end up branded as someone who'd passed only thanks to his recommendation.
No, this won't do.
I have to cut him loose.
Evan might feel slighted at first, but if Walter explained it was to bring him into his own family instead, he'd understand. Sure, his scores were stellar enough to raise eyebrows, but fabricating a plausible excuse wouldn't be hard.
But who could've guessed? The king and queen would show up in person to praise him. And before the results were even announced.
The queen approached the boy, her crimson eyes curving gently as she extended a graceful hand.
"Impressive skills. What's your name?"
"E-Evan, Your Highness!"
Evan, who had never learned noble etiquette, just stared blankly at the offered hand before barely managing to stammer his name.
Queen Helia glanced at the boy, who stood rigidly tense without even bowing, then slowly withdrew her hand.
"A commoner, are you?"
"Y-Yes... but why do you ask?"
"I see. Evan—no, it should be Sir Evan from now on."
The queen's eyes crinkled at the corners as she spoke.
A chill ran up Walter's spine, and without thinking, he stepped in front of Evan. But once he was there, he hesitated, unsure how to explain himself.
"Your Highness, the new knights awaiting knighthood are eager for your praise. This boy isn't ready yet—please withdraw your attention."
"'Boy'? Vice-Captain, what an amusing joke. Where do you find one this fine and tall?"
"He's barely 15, a green kid. His skills are exceptional for his age, true, but he has a tendency to show off. I judged him unfit for group life."
"What? You mean he's failed?"
"Yes."
Walter nodded coolly, and Evan flinched behind him, tugging at his clothes.
"Wh-What are you saying, Vice-Captain? I-I won every match!"
"Evan, be quiet. What kind of spectacle is this in front of nobility?"
"...!"
The boy's face filled with betrayal at the harsh words, but Walter pressed on firmly.
"Your Highness, he's just a cocky child. Please withhold your praise."
"Looks like you know him well."
"..."
"Sir Ernest, why so stingy? Ah, are you worried this boy will be tainted by scandal because of your connection?"
"...N-No, that's not..."
"Then surely you're not... rejecting him just for being a commoner?"
The queen narrowed her eyes at Walter as if scolding him, then spoke softly again.
"Should talent be scorned just for youth or common birth? Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"
"...Quite right. Sir Ernest, I was quite impressed by his sparring as well. But if the vice-captain objects this strongly, there must be good reason. It's a shame to lose talent, but whatever the outcome, I respect your judgment."
At those words, Evan clutched Walter's clothes again, gazing up desperately.
"V-Vice-Captain! I can do it! Give me a chance!"
"Evan, quiet."
"Please! I won't tarnish your reputation!"
"I said be quiet!"
"...!"
Walter snapped without knowing why his unease was swelling. But seeing the hurt on the boy's face filled him with instant guilt.
In the end, that day, Evan was officially inducted into the Royal Knights.
Walter's worries didn't fade, but he resolved to look after him properly now that it was done.
But had his strong opposition that day disappointed Evan? After that, Evan never approached him personally. If anything, he seemed to keep his distance.
The youngest—and first commoner—knight quickly became the talk of the town. He probably received more challenge matches in that short time than anyone.
Walter knew Evan was facing bullying in the knights' order but couldn't intervene since Evan deliberately kept away. Worse, with Evan's temperament of repaying slights tenfold, stepping in might lead to even harsher backlash for him.
Still, if Evan ever asked for help, he'd provide it, Walter thought.
But against his wishes, their relationship grew colder, and after Evan volunteered as the 2nd Prince's guard, they never had a proper talk again.
Walter thought their bond was severed for good...
"Captain, you know I reeeally admire you, right~?"
"Hehehe, it's been five years since you called me that..."
"Waaah, Captain, I called him a lynx, a lynx, and now he's turned into a real lynx..."
Remembering Evan's drunken ramblings from not long ago, Walter chuckled despite himself. He'd been shocked when Evan showed up at dawn training the next day and bowed his head...
Clang!
The sharp clash of metal snapped him from his thoughts.
"You're fighting better than I expected."
Watching Evan, now a full-fledged knight without his help, brought a bittersweet mix of pride and regret.
When he'd volunteered to guard the 2nd Prince, Walter had worried endlessly, but Evan seemed to be thriving. He even got along great with His Highness.
Come to think of it, how's his little brother doing?
Evan hadn't mentioned him once since joining the knights; Walter had forgotten all about it.
Just then, Evan's stance crumbled badly mid-spar.
"...!"
Luckily, he rolled away, creating distance and quickly resetting his guard. But he was panting hard, clearly exhausted.
The match will end soon.
Walter figured His Highness might be a bit disappointed seeing his knight lose. Evan was probably the strongest around the prince, after all.
But as Walter bowed to console the prince, he quickly reconsidered. His Highness watched the bout impassively, without a flicker of unease.
I thought the vice-captain was overreacting...
His mismatched eyes tracked the knights' movements with chilling intensity.
Walter hadn't known the 2nd Prince could wear such a steely expression. He'd always seemed a bit withdrawn. Sure, lately he'd shown brighter sparks, but...
Has he been watching today's spar like this the whole time...?
The young prince, whom Walter expected to fret over his knight's disadvantage, observed more coolly than anyone—analyzing every move, it seemed.
The exchanges were fierce, movements only trained knights could follow, yet the prince's eyes shifted minutely, catching it all.
The squires watching from afar were fumbling to keep up; the prince's dynamic vision seemed superior.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, a faint whoosh accompanied something zipping between the locked swords of the two knights.
An attack?!
Both knights leaped back into guard stances. Neither they nor the onlookers had sensed an assailant, so they quickly spotted the intruder.
But what had tensed everyone up was none other than...
"A pocket watch...?"
The knights exchanged baffled looks. Who brings a pocket watch to the training grounds...?
Then, a small figure toddled straight to the center.
"...?"
Everyone turned to follow it, but the little one ignored the stares, scooped up the fallen watch from the ground.
Evan watched, utterly deflated.
"...Yours?"
Nod.
Nihil nodded casually and brushed the dirt off the watch. He needed to head back soon or he'd be late for morning classes.
"...Next time, just ask normally."
Nihil nodded vaguely and approached the captain, arms outstretched. Time to reclaim his kid.
Misreading the intent, the captain reached out naturally, but Nihil smacked his hand away and snatched Lianus from his arms.
"You brat, don't be rude to the captain—hey, hey, where are you going!"
Evan chased after Nihil, who zipped off hugging Lianus. He tripped, knee slamming the ground as curses flew.
"Damn lynx, wait...! Ugh, crap. Hold up, you rascal!"
Clatter clatter.
"Hey! Give back His Highness!"
Evan's shouts echoed through the training grounds.
Walter eyed Evan's retreating back with faint pity, shaking his head. Then, realization dawned.
"...So 'lynx' meant that little guy...?"
'He's turned white and fluffy!!'
Then white and fluffy must be...
Walter's gaze drifted naturally to the child. Just then, something white and fluffy peeked from under the robe before vanishing.
"..."
Seemed age was catching up; his eyes were going dim.
Walter rubbed his face discreetly at the ominous aura hanging over the training grounds since morning.
"Why skip swordsmanship lessons?"
"I simply didn't feel like going."
"That's no way to respect your teacher."
"Brother, I have nothing to learn there."
"..."
"..."
Another icy silence descended. Walter sighed inwardly at the princes' standoff but kept his mouth shut to avoid notice.
"Don't you know quarterly evaluations are soon?"
"I do. But... what does that matter to me?"
"Are you giving up on swordsmanship?"
"How is that giving up? I'd rather train here with my dear friend."
"..."
Lawrence's eyes flicked to Nihil. Nihil just stared blankly back. Of course, with the face veil, their gazes didn't truly meet.
Suddenly, seaweed shot up before them.
"Something to say to my friend?"
"...Still hanging around trash, huh? That fun for you?"
"Yes, it is."
"..."
"Far more than hanging with you, Brother."
"..."
Lianus didn't yield. If his friend was trash, he'd gladly be trash too. Such noble trash.
Lawrence pressed his lips thin, glaring at Lianus and Nihil before turning sharply on his heel, as if done with them.