Raena's Smile and Rock's Reckoning
Even if you all tried to block me, what are the odds I'd run into a celebrity while out buying breakfast bread in the morning? The carriage suddenly halted. A face appeared as the window opened from within. It was the face I'd only imagined before. One of Edelan's Ten Stars. Raena. She had come to see me. As if she actually wanted to talk to me. But that couldn't be. I quietly took another bite. Maybe I was still half-asleep. But... I could taste it. Guess it wasn't a dream.
"We meet again buying bread, just like that day?"
She smiled brightly from inside the carriage. Ah, she was an angel. Up close like this, she was even more dazzling than on stage...
"Yeah... what a coincidence."
"Glad you remembered."
She smiled. So pretty...
"I saw you on stage yesterday. You were truly beautiful."
"Ah... thank you."
Raena glanced down, then looked back up at me.
"May I... ask your name?"
My name? What an honor.
"...Han Seru."
"Unique name. Han Seru..."
Raena repeated my name slowly, as if savoring each syllable. During that brief silence, I fiddled unnecessarily with the bread bag in my hand.
"Estel's performance yesterday was really impressive."
"You saw it?"
"Yes. And she kept looking only at you down below the stage. That's how I knew you were here."
...Estel, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"Ah... she's with me."
"I see. You two seemed close."
"I'm her manager... so I take care of everything."
"Manager."
Raena nodded. "Must be tough assisting her."
She gazed at me with a smile, then continued suddenly.
"Songs are... mysterious things. Even if you try to hide it, your heart comes pouring out."
"Pardon...?"
"I felt Estel's deep trust in you yesterday."
"Ah, yeah."
She flashed a beaming smile. Short, but unforgettable. As if she'd packed countless meanings into that one grin.
"I'm rooting for Estel. Keep it up."
"Thank you."
"Well then."
Clunk. The window closed, and the carriage slowly departed. I stood there, watching its retreating figure for a long while. Like the warm bread bag clutched to my chest, something inside me was gradually warming up too.
Excitement.
A short but pleasant encounter. We didn't exchange deep words or anything profound... but those few exchanges, those few seconds of eye contact, felt like they'd brighten my whole day. Of course, she probably had no interest in me. Still, it was nice.
"You just let her go? Not even get an autograph?!"
Belldia slammed the table. Her loosely tied red ponytail cascaded over her shoulder, crumbs clinging to her lips. Freshly woken and munching breakfast, she sat with one leg propped on the chair, half-eaten bread in hand, staring at me.
"What a waste."
"Wasn't the right moment. No paper, no pen—just a bread bag in my hand."
I took a bite of bread and gulped down lukewarm milk. Sweet. The sugary taste fit this peaceful morning perfectly.
"Raena de Bert recognized you! We gotta buy lottery tickets quick?!"
Estel gaped at me, bread in mouth, equally stunned. Guess my chance run-in with Raena was that unbelievable. Yeah, it was.
She'd just rolled out of bed too, looking a mess. Bedhead, loose tank top, short shorts. Her outfit was borderline see-through, but this had become the lodge's standard "loungewear" lately.
"Wait! Raena watched my stage closely?!"
"Yeah, said it was great. She's cheering for you."
Estel froze, bread hand mid-air, eyes wide as saucers.
"Whoa! My heart just stopped three times! Lifetime brag material!"
"Raena-level? That's not brag-worthy—that's etching it on your tombstone for eternity."
At Belldia's words, Estel set down her bread and clutched her cheeks.
"What exactly did she say? Great singing? No flaws? What if she suddenly shows up for me? What do I say? Hic! Was I the only one who didn't know?!"
"Calm down. It was nothing big. Just polite chit-chat."
Belldia nodded. "Hosts always say everyone's great."
She chuckled, sipping from her teacup.
"Uwaaaah! I hate generic praise! I need special feedback just for me!"
Estel dove onto the bed, rolling wildly in the blankets. Pure, cheerful girl energy. Childish too. Seeing this, it was hard to believe she was the same Estel who'd dominated the stage yesterday.
"If you're not eating this, I'm finishing it. Gotta save money—no more bread."
"Nooo!"
Estel pounced. We wrestled over the bread amid morning chaos.
After that, busy days flew by preparing for the second round. Thanks to our strong first-round showing, the team's mood was brighter. Everyone sighed in relief, tension easing a bit. A corner of my mind felt we'd cleared a hurdle.
Estel, Belldia, and I smiled more than usual. We wandered the city now and then, snacking at market stalls, forgetting our nerves briefly.
The second round's content was shrouded in secrecy. Organizers leaked nothing, fueling wild rumors among contestants.
"Latte tested bards' hunting skills with mid-tier adventurer parties against big monsters."
"Huh? I'm good at that! I'd sing, Bolcas powers up, wipes 'em out!"
"We only partied with rookies. Veterans would crush it. Think we can?"
Instead of fretting over hypotheticals, we stuck to basics. Estel practiced song and lute daily without fail. She even joined rookie adventurers for hunts, prepping for possible party trials. Belldia refined outfits and props meticulously. As manager, I supported them both, overseeing Estel's practice. No secret techniques or wild training—just steady, ordinary effort. Each in our roles, trusting and leaning on one another, growing bit by bit.
Days blurred: one, two, three, four... Practice etched into our fingertips, lingering tension mixed with anticipation and anxiety. Before we knew it, second-round morning dawned.
"Everyone ready?"
Morning sun poured through the window. I paused, imagining the day ahead. Facing the unknown, but we'd prepared well—should be fine. I smiled reassuringly, coaxing myself.
"Let's go?"
"Yeah!"
"Yep!"
On the way to the venue. We'd packed lunch bread and gear, riding a rented cart. Amid tension, excitement, and Estel and Belldia's familiar chatter, the cart neared the outskirts, turning onto the main road—when it happened.
Far ahead, in the road's center, someone stood tall. Blue cloak, gleaming armor, burly build, sneering eyes. Behind him, similarly clad soldiers lined up, blocking the entire path.
"Whoa there!"
"Neigh!"
The driver yanked the reins in surprise. We all tilted our heads.
"Who are they...?"
"Sketchy vibe."
"Hm..."
The group's leader strode forward. Partita Guild's knight captain, Rock. The guy I'd tossed over my shoulder at the gate weeks ago. Spotting me, he grinned mockingly, nodding.
"Well, well, in a hurry?"
Soldiers behind snickered. I jumped from the driver's seat, facing him.
"Sir Rock, what's this? Step aside—we need to pass."
"Why should I?"
He smirked openly. No intention of moving. Clearly here to pick a fight. Target: me. My face soured.
"We're in a rush. Move."
"Watch your fucking mouth, punk. I told you—stay out of sight."
"This is blatant obstruction. Move before I report to organizers. Want your whole guild disqualified?"
"Guild? This ain't guild business—personal grudge. You and me got history, right?"
He crossed arms, planted firm in the road. No budging. Soldiers mirrored, arms linked, sealing the path completely. No inch given to the venue.
Bastards.
"In such a hurry? Draw your sword then."
"..."
What now? If I drew, they'd claim self-defense, swords out en masse. I'd fall into their trap. I sucked at swords anyway. Detour...?
As I hesitated—that instant. A change so quiet and sudden no one noticed. While Rock mocked me—
The soldiers' mouths vanished. Clean gone, like erased with paint. I blinked dumbly.
Not sewn shut. Erased.
...Magic?
Soldiers puzzledly uncrossed arms, fingering smooth skin. No mouths. Panicked eyes darted between them. Grunting breaths, but silent. All voiceless.
Rock kept yapping oblivious.
"What, cat got your tongue? Pissed? Come at me. Scaredy-cat?"
Thwack! A crude stone-tipped arrow flew from nowhere. Crack! It nailed a soldier's helmet.
"...!"
Thud. He crumpled silently.
Rock clueless, still ranting at me. I watched the stealthy scene over his shoulder.
Thwack! Another. Then more. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Arrows dropped soldiers one by one. No groans, no cries.
"Huh? Speechless? Answer me!"
Rock chuckled on, unaware of the chaos behind.
I scanned around. Familiar silhouettes atop a building corner. Two adventurers: one thumbs-up at me, the other palm out silently.
Mage Lijel! Archer Pardel!
Our rookie party. Solid backup!
Thanks.
I shot a quick grateful glance, took a deep breath.
"Hey, Rock."
"Oh? Finally talking? Spill it. What'll you do? Crawl under my legs?"
I grinned.
"Nah."
Clenched fist. Launched at his jaw.
Crack!
"Gahk!"
How cocky to skip the helmet, you prick. Caught off-guard by the sucker punch, he groaned, eyes rolling. Thudded to the ground.
"This is my personal detour, asshole."
I dusted hands, turned. Fist tingled from the rare swing.
Estel threw arms up, cheering brightly in her fine voice.
"Ten out of ten! Perfect score!"
Belldia squealed, clapping.
"I'm swooning! Wait, already am!"
I hopped back on the cart.
"Let's roll!"
"Yes!"
The dazed driver whipped reins vigorously. Cart lurched forward.
Meanwhile, at the second-round venue. Seats packed. Grand orchestra swelled skyward; stage poised to rise.
In contestant waiting area corner: Lilfrea, Clara, Maribel. The three girls scanned repeatedly. No sign of the two who should be there: Seru and Estel.
"They're not here?"
Lilfrea murmured, eyes hopeful. Clara whispered cautiously.
"Maybe... they dropped out from lack of funds...?"
Maribel smirked.
"Great! Feels refreshing without 'em!"
Magic lights slowly illuminated the stage—and elegant goddess-like host Raena appeared, beaming.