Chapter 3
Chapter 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Empire's Knights (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Silverhardt's second son had no talent for magic.
All the Imperial Knight cadets knew that rumor.
Anyone in the capital with even a passing interest in noble politics had heard it at least once.
A failure who, despite inheriting the blood of the Magic Tower Lord, couldn't properly inherit even a single secret family spell.
In the end, he was dragged off to the Northern front lines and cast out from his family—a problem child.
That was the preconceived notion the current cadets held about Yudel.
And the reason they felt displeased when he evaluated them.
'He looks unlikeable from the start.'
'He's probably never gotten his hands dirty in his life.'
'He's mocking us right now, isn't he?'
Lustrous, well-groomed black hair cascading down.
Skin as white as if it didn't belong on a man.
Sharp eyes and eyebrows that curved slightly upward at the ends.
Even his speech was straight out of a noble sheltered upbringing.
Mage and noble.
Those were the two things the cadets—who rolled in the dirt, clawing their way upward with grit—couldn't stand.
"I know you all don't think highly of me. Mages and knights have never gotten along well, after all."
Mages are cold, knights are hot-blooded.
There was a famous anecdote where the founding emperor, at the empire's celebratory banquet, described a knight and a mage he'd invited that way.
"And it must irk you that you're being dragged north at my say-so."
The cadets' faces gradually twisted in displeasure.
They'd long known they'd be sent to the Northern front.
Rumors had spread that the front lines were in bad shape and the Imperial Knight Order would soon conscript personnel.
But hearing it directly still soured their moods.
All of them aimed to be formally knighted in the Imperial Knight Order.
No one here was fool enough to risk their lives on the front lines.
"But separate from my own incompetence, I have a decent eye for talent. Anyone who wants their honed martial skills evaluated, step forward."
...
Silence.
A heavy quiet settled over the training grounds.
When no one stepped up even after waiting, Yudel let out a deep sigh.
"'The emperor once said, a true knight possesses the hottest heart of all,'"
A smile that seemed to mock the cadets crept across Yudel's face.
"A famous quote from the founding emperor, and no one knows it?"
From childhood, the Silverhardt elders had drilled into him never to smile when meeting superiors.
Yudel's smile had a knack for grating on people's nerves.
And he was reaping the benefits of that effect right now.
The cadets' displeasure radiated vividly toward him.
"Wilhelm. Your pupils seem far from ready to be knights."
"...I have no excuses."
Only after their instructor shot them a withering glare did murmurs erupt among the cadets.
"Hey, what do we do...?"
"Someone go match that young master's whims."
"What if you get sent north?"
To stay here and join the Imperial Knight Order, someone had to sacrifice.
The cadets quickly scanned for a scapegoat.
"B-Brunn, how about you do it?"
"You've always wanted to be a knight!"
"Do well, and you could become a knight of the grand duchy!"
Consensus formed quickly.
The timidiest, most frustrating girl among their peers drew their sharp gazes.
"I-I... I'll do it."
Pushed forward by her comrades, the timid-looking girl stepped up.
Her hands trembled, and she couldn't even meet his eyes properly.
She looked far too frail to become an imperial knight.
Yudel stared piercingly at the girl for a moment, his eyes widening.
Of course, no one noticed.
'What a shame. Someone who should be reading books is swinging a sword.'
"...Pardon?"
"Nothing. No more volunteers?"
No one answered Yudel's question.
Seeing this, Wilhelm clicked his tongue.
'My students, but pathetic.'
They preferred basking in imperial prestige over earning knighthood through skill.
Wilhelm saw right through his disciples' hearts.
He could understand the sentiment.
He, more than anyone, knew the North wasn't a place you went without serious resolve, having served longest on the Northern front.
But to so blatantly use their frailest peer as a shield...
"Fine. What's your name?"
"Brunhild, sir!"
"The North swarms with demons. To play your part there, you need to at least maintain your own body."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"In that regard, you're unqualified."
"...Huh?"
Brunhild's face went blank at the sudden rejection.
"Compared to the others, you don't seem especially gifted physically, nor do you show martial talent."
No test, and already rejected—giggles rose from behind her.
Brunhild wanted to crawl into a hole.
"As a knight, that is."
"P-Pardon?!"
Yudel suddenly grabbed the girl's hand. Brunhild's face flushed red.
'Wh-what's happening?'
But seeing is believing.
Brunhild quickly realized what Yudel intended.
"Sleepy..."
Her consciousness blurred, eyes glazing over.
She'd heard mages tested each other's power by clashing mana.
A form of mage duel.
'This drowsiness means the young master's mana is disrupting my body's circulation.'
To escape the spell, she needed to purify her internal mana and restore its proper flow.
But Brunhild was just a knight aspirant.
'How am I supposed to generate enough rotational force to resist a mage's spell...'
Still, holding out this long wasn't bad, right?
Slump.
Her legs gave out.
Her awareness slowly succumbed to the soft, cozy embrace of slumber.
"Why give up? You can do more."
"Nngh!"
Brunhild gritted her teeth.
"You're doing well."
As Brunhild purified the mana within her, her mind sharpened.
The hazy sensations vanished, objects coming into clear focus.
'I did it...'
The technique fully dissipated.
Brunhild yanked her hand away in surprise.
"S-Sorry! A lowly commoner like me dared touch your noble body without permission...!"
Yudel chuckled at the sight.
"Impressive."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I kneaded the arm of my first passerby.
"As expected, knighthood doesn't suit you."
Her constitution wouldn't build muscle. Poor mana density, too.
She'd struggle to become a knight through standard training.
I could tell, having studied medicine back in the family.
'But with a little polish, she'd make an excellent mage.'
Even after channeling considerable mana, her internal resistance repelled it fiercely.
She didn't seem specially trained. Innate talent was the only explanation.
She'd be useful to bring along.
"First, do you even want to go north?"
"I-I..."
"But if you're coming with me, one promise."
I stated flatly.
"Quit being a knight. You have talent for magic."
Brunhild's eyes wavered.
"But I've never studied magic—how could I have talent for—"
"You do."
I affirmed firmly.
She gave an awkward smile, incredulous.
I got it—no conviction from a dullard who couldn't inherit family spells.
But aside from my brother and master, no one had repelled my mana before.
"A-Are you sure about me...? I'm not especially gifted compared to the others, and physically immature too."
She blushed, twirling her hair.
That coy vibe irked me.
"...Doesn't matter. I told you—you have magic talent."
"You were serious?"
"Do you see me as some skirt-chasing liar?"
Brunhild's eyes widened.
Her face lit up like a child hearing praise for the first time.
But she soon shook her head, meeting my gaze earnestly.
"I've dreamed of being a knight."
"..."
"I can't abandon that long-held dream."
She dropped to one knee.
"I'll become an outstanding knight. If you'll take me, I'll pledge my life in loyalty to the grand duchy."
Brunhild placed a hand over her heart and bowed her head.
The knight's oath posture.
It was awkward, needed refinement, but who cared? The intent came through.
"I don't take weak knights."
"Ah..."
"But Cattleya might think differently."
My eyes met Cattleya's.
"Cattleya. I choose her. Any objections?"
"None. An excellent choice."
Cattleya smiled.
She'd grasped my intent.
I wouldn't stop her from becoming a knight, but she'd learn magic too.
To become the talent the North needed.
"Speaking of which, so much talent here."
As expected from Imperial Knight cadets—full of unexpected gifts.
I wanted to probe deeper.
"Any more volunteers?"
"..."
Still silence.
I must be cursed to be hated everywhere.
Then Cattleya stepped forward.
"To those who pass the young master's evaluation, I'll give my knight insignia. It'll surely help at your commissioning."
The cadets stirred at her words.
"The 'Silent Wave's' insignia?"
"We have to do it!"
"I-I'll go!"
"I'll give it a shot too!"
The mood shifted.
'Silent Wave' seemed to be Cattleya's moniker.
Her insignia must carry weight for knighthood.
Wilhelm's subtle surprise beside her said as much.
"You won't produce so many passers that my insignia loses value, right?"
"Still, something that important..."
"It's for the man who'll be my lord's husband."
"..."
Ah.
Not just the cadets being tested.
Now I saw why she'd let me pick her Northern knight.
I sighed deeply and extended a hand to those eyeing me eagerly.
"One at a time. And men, wear gloves."
I had no desire for sweaty handshakes with the lads.
"Me first!"
A burly boy stepped up, smirking as if he underestimated the test.
"I'll say it upfront: I'm fair."
"I know. But for me, you can go harder than with Brunhild—"
Thud!
Before he finished, his heavy frame hit the ground.
"Five seconds. Start from basics."
The training grounds fell silent.
The lined-up cadets swallowed hard.
"Next."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Looks like basic training from scratch. Thank you, young master."
Wilhelm clicked his tongue at his fallen students but soon bowed to me.
"Never done anything grateful."
"You unblocked my disciples' meridians."
Busted.
Sharp-eyed man.
Of course—a knight who earned his post through front-line merits, now training imperial pillars.
I was the arrogant one.
"As thanks, next time you're in the capital, I'll treat you to fine liquor."
"...Words to someone heading north?"
"Haha! The North's not bad. If you can stomach the gamey meat and harsh booze. Plus—"
Plus...?
I swallowed.
"Northern women are the continent's most beautiful. Eye candy galore. My wife’s a stunning beauty I met there."
Right.
Tempting for any man.
Paradise for womanizers.
Less so for me, heading to marry the Northern grand duke's daughter.
"Oh, right. Adultery's a heavy crime up north, even more than here. Tread carefully."
He roared with laughter, slapping my back.
Annoying uncle.
He saw us off laughing and chatting, but grew solemn as farewell neared.
"Take care of Brunhild. She's sorely lacking in many ways."
'You knew I'm Silverhardt stock, yet had me pick your Northern knight for her sake?'
Wilhelm just grinned silently and performed farewell rites.
'Got it.'
Regrettably, I couldn't muster grand words like 'I'll take responsibility.'
I had to secure my own survival first.
"Cattleya. Tell the grand duke I'm doing well."
"He couldn't care less about your well-being."
"Haha! Lucky me."
After some idle banter, the carriage departed.
New passenger aboard, but destination unchanged.
Now, at last, toward the North.