Mage and Knight (1)
Clink— In the heavy atmosphere of the dining hall, the only sounds were the clashing of cutlery and plates.
Last night, Erin and I had arrived at Lucia's room and shared a brief conversation about what had happened after Alessia and I vanished. It was only natural, I suppose... Lucia's expression wasn't good. If someone had burst into my room while I was sleeping naked, I wouldn't have been thrilled either.
Thump— Then I felt the heartbeat from the scar growing steadily closer.
"Haa... good morning."
"Sleep well?"
"I did, but... looks like she didn't?"
Crunch— 'That sound again.'
I'd definitely heard it before. Keeping my head fixed on my food, I cautiously turned only my eyes. In Lucia's hand was a spoon bent into a sharp ㄱ shape. Last time it had been a fork, so maybe a knife next. Lucia didn't react to Erin's words. She was trying to act nonchalant, but her trembling hand betrayed her fury.
"Hehe."
"............"
Erin smirked insolently at Lucia. Veins bulged on Lucia's forehead at the sight.
Erin popped a piece of bread from the table into her mouth and said, "Isn't that a bit too honest for a princess? No wonder you're clueless about becoming emperor."
Erin was showing the complete opposite of her usual self around just me. Every word and gesture was designed to grate on Lucia's nerves.
"Well... it's because Sir Rion is here. In front of him, even I can let my true self show without restraint."
"...Tch."
"He's my one true sanctuary."
But Lucia's words clearly didn't sit well with Erin, who stopped her provocations and quietly ate her food. Lucia gazed at me with affectionate eyes as she spoke—eyes so tender they made me flush just from the look alone.
"Don't be so embarrassed."
"Pardon?"
"You've always averted your gaze to the lower left when shy. I know a few more habits like that... Curious?"
Lucia even knew quirks about me that I myself was unaware of. And several of them, at that. I was curious, but probably better off not knowing.
"If you're curious, come to my room anytime. I'll personally teach you all about the you that you don't know. Very... thoroughly and slowly..."
Crack— A sudden sound from beside me made me turn, half-expecting it. This time, the plate in front of Erin had split cleanly in half.
"Hmph."
"Tsk."
I thought to myself that if these two spent just a week alone together, every plate and utensil in this dormitory might end up shattered. And thank goodness Alessia wasn't here.
※
"Why is the noble princess here?"
"This dormitory is currently mine. Is there anywhere in her own building a owner can't go?"
We'd finished breakfast and were heading out for Erin to teach me magic when soundlessly trailing Lucia suddenly spoke up, glaring at Erin. Erin looked thoroughly displeased by Lucia's presence.
"This was supposed to be our time alone..."
"I'm not so foolish as to stand by knowing that."
Erin, enraged by Lucia's retort, moved to fling open the door to her library and storm inside. I barely managed to grab her ankle and hold her back, averting disaster... but I did get to learn magic.
"Magic consists of three processes: Condensation, Construction, and Activation."
Chunks of mana that Erin conjured floated around in the air before gathering at her fingertips.
"This is Condensation. In practice, you draw from the mana in your Mana Heart, but for now, just get the feel."
The mana at her fingertips expanded into a large circle, followed by geometric patterns drawing themselves inside it.
"Construction is exactly as it sounds: using the condensed mana as material to build a magic circle. Think of it like a magical launchpad."
And then.
"[Freeze]."
⟨ Freeze ⟩
As Erin uttered the activation word, the mana in the magic circle surged, instantly forming a block of ice the size of a person.
"Ooh...!"
"The activation word is the command given to the mana. If the magic circle is the launchpad, the word pulls the trigger. Now do you see why a mage's voice is so crucial?"
I could vaguely guess why Erin added that last bit. Probably rivalry sparked by glancing at Lucia. Just from how she'd eyed the tender gaze Lucia had sent me earlier, it was obvious.
"Hah, is that all? Complaining about the teaching already."
Lucia spat a provocative jab, unsatisfied with Erin's lesson—or more likely, just unwilling to acknowledge her.
"Your Highness Lucia."
"Yes, Sir Rion?"
"Could you step out of the room for a bit?"
"...What?"
Lucia's face stiffened at my words, her expression screaming How dare you say that to me? It hurt to see. Truthfully, I had no right to ask that of her. All the affection and care she showered on me were more than I deserved. This felt like toying with her feelings.
But Erin had come all this way to teach me magic at my request. I couldn't let her hear insults she didn't deserve because of me.
"S-Sir Rion... I didn't mean—"
"I'm sorry."
I bowed my head to Lucia. She glanced back and forth between Erin and me, at a loss, before finally standing.
"...Very well, Sir Rion. If you need anything, just say the word."
Her slumped shoulders and dragging steps as she left the room were utterly heartbreaking. And her parting words of consideration only deepened my guilt.
Thud— The door closed, and Erin immediately spoke up as if she'd been waiting.
"Serves her right, huh?"
I promptly bonked her on the head.
"Ow!"
"Watch your mouth."
Erin rubbed her head and resumed the lesson. And as I learned magic, I tried desperately to push the image of Lucia's retreating back from my mind.
※
The following days passed in what could be called an ordinary routine—if you ignored the undercurrents.
"Awake already, Sir Rion? Did you sleep well last night?"
Lucia acted as if that incident had never happened. Of course, it only looked that way; no chance she'd forgotten.
"Good morning..."
Erin was teaching me magic every day. She was an excellent teacher, too—explaining things so even a total beginner like me could grasp them.
And today was the day I'd actually try casting a spell.
"It's really okay to use magic here?"
"No issue at all. I practice here myself sometimes. Keeping your senses sharp is vital."
"See? All good."
We were in the empty lot behind the dormitory—true to its name, utterly barren except for the target board Erin had just set up.
"Now, follow my instructions step by step."
"Got it."
"Good. First, Condensation."
I focused on the mana gathered in my heart. Breathing exercises had filled my Mana Heart to the brim. Like scooping stagnant water with a ladle, I slowly drew out bits of mana from my heart.
The mana obeyed, drifting gradually to my fingertips.
"Next, Construction."
I visualized the magic circle Erin had shown me, memorized by repeatedly tracing it with my finger. Manipulating the mana at my fingertips, I projected it outward.
"Finally, Activation."
"[Wind Blade]."
⟨ Wind Blade ⟩
The magic circle at my fingertips collapsed with my activation word, transforming instantly into a spell. A green-glowing blade of wind shot toward the target.
Boom— A small explosion kicked up dust. When it cleared, the target was sliced perfectly in half.
"...To think I'd live to see Sir Rion casting magic."
"No time to rest! Try the others!"
Under Erin's urging, I cast the rest of the basic elemental spells: [Ignite], [Water Prison], [Freeze], [Stone Throw], [Discharge].
Along with [Wind Blade], that made all six basic attack spells. But the most powerful by far was my first, [Wind Blade].
"Oppa has an affinity for wind, huh."
"Personally hoped for water, earth, or ice."
"We actually agree for once."
When I asked why I'd wished for those affinities, Lucia and Erin answered in eerie unison.
"They're great for defense."
"They'd help you protect yourself."
Seeing their constant worry for me stirred gratitude mixed with a pang of hurt. Do they really think so little of me?
"..!"
Suddenly, Erin looked skyward. Seconds later, Lucia followed suit. Wondering what was up, I glanced up too—and spotted a black dot high above.
The dot grew larger with each passing moment...
"It's getting bigger..?"
Erin blocked me, while Lucia slammed her fan into the ground.
"[Pireo's Rampart]! [Mountains' Shield]! [Gregor’s Resolve]!"
⟨ Defensive Barrier ⟩
Erin unleashed defensive spells in rapid succession. Thick barriers layered two, then three deep in front of her. A massive ward enveloped the entire dormitory—likely Lucia's doing.
The black mass grew until it loomed directly overhead.
Clang—! Crash—! Screech—!
Countless barriers shattered in an instant, slowing the object.
Thud—!
The unidentified object crashed into the dormitory clearing, kicking up a massive sandstorm. As the dust settled, it revealed...
"Agh! Let me go!"
Alessia, subdued by knights who seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
"...?"
She looked like she'd emerged from some UFO-like contraption. Spotting me behind Erin, her eyes lit up.
"Rion niiiiiim!! I missed you so muuuuch!!!"
No, I didn't miss you at all.