Kalen Snowwhite
Kalen Snowwhite. A second-year in the Knight Department, ranked 68th in his year. Given the Knight Department's scale, with hundreds of students per grade, that's solid top-tier performance—but not quite elite enough for special privileges.
Yet lately, he—no, she—had become the Knight Department's hottest topic.
The reason? The midterm exam finale. He'd crushed the second-year vice-top, "Levin of 999 Friends," and pulled off a flawless 5-0 record—a feat even top students struggled with.
Then there was the Sports Festival incident. Turns out he knew Lumen Ribens—the Knight Department's eternal star and representative—no, Princess Lijelilias. He'd even fought alongside the academy's undisputed first-year topper, Sub-Marquess Ebnis of House Repelheit, and her vice-top, Erhan.
Add in that androgynous look and voice that turned heads regardless of gender, and he was bound to ignite the department. Everyone wanted a word, a glimpse of his routine.
From some obscure northern noble house. How does someone like that end up chatting casually with untouchables?
Those who approached with demands or expectations? They all fizzled out after a day, a week. He just kept his routine amid the buzz.
Dawn jogs. Morning drills. Sparring at lunch. More drills at night... Cleanup last out of the training grounds. Lectures, meals, drills, spars. Sword lessons aside, nonstop training.
How does a model student like that rub shoulders with celebrities? The mystery fueled endless observation.
But his stalkers recently spotted a new addition to her schedule—and freaked.
Part "another one?" Part "with him?"
"See, Kalen? Your stance wobbles when you block attacks. It's happening over and over. Do it like this—step forward like that and push."
"Ah..."
"It's like... your mind's unsettled. Like you're obsessed with having to nail it. That pressure shows in your form."
Kalen bowed his head at the critique. The white-haired, red-eyed woman smiled softly, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Your fundamentals are solid, and your dedication's unmatched. You'll get it in no time, Kalen."
Guidance complete. Not from some senior—just the Knight Department's rep herself: Princess Lijelilias's personal tutelage.
"Thank you."
"I've got a rep meeting, so... tomorrow's no good. How about the day after, same time, same place?"
Her footsteps faded. Kalen bowed deeply behind her.
He knew this honor outshone what even first-year top dogs like Ebnis or Erhan could claim.
Yet he'd marched to the rep's office, begged for lessons. And she'd accepted gladly.
He knew. Princess Lijelilias and Adrian's ties. Adrian aimed to crown her this empire's emperor.
Imperial heirs? Too many to count. The north—his homeland—tangled in it already.
Adrian even eyed marquisate himself. Bound to clash with his sister, Sub-Marquess Ebnis. A bloodbath loomed.
Worlds away from Kalen. Or... not quite.
'...'
Back in the training grounds' corner, Kalen quietly caressed his shield.
Shield training. Massive, covering half his body. Soon bigger still—and a sword in the off-hand.
And... that person behind his shield.
Clap! He slapped his cheeks.
Protect. If that person fell to his mistake? No face left for anyone.
No slacking.
But...
'Hard.'
No feel for it. Sword-only since childhood—shield work felt awkward even to him.
Swing or block? Timing, judgment lagged. Spars? Constant flubs. Recent ones? All losses.
'I can. No—I must.'
No quit. Not after this far. The gifter. He'd block everything for him ahead.
Never quit. Her dictionary had no such word.
But.
"...Huh?"
Her iron will? Her shattered spirit couldn't keep up.
"Why?"
Arms limp. Powerless.
Lately, Kalen Snowwhite was off. Back in the room, he'd brood silently, crash early. Three days running.
Ask? "No, it's just my resolve faltering..." Evasive.
"Hm."
That time already? Three months since the shield. Nonstop practice? Right on schedule for her "event."
Kalen never skimped training. My math checked out.
"Time to visit."
Finals loomed. No way I'd let him wander and tank his grades.
En route to the Knight Department.
"..."
Someone shambling this way from afar. Pale aquamarine hair, sword and shield on back, gym clothes.
"Kalen."
"Ah... uh."
He looked up blankly from his daze.
"...What's wrong?"
"N-nothing... sir."
Head down. Yeah... I knew.
"Shield not fitting your hand?"
"...Pardon?"
"Heard you're getting private lessons from Princess Lijelilias. Yet that face? Shield doesn't click, confusion mounts, finals breathing down your neck—no quitting. Am I wrong?"
Kalen's eyes widened.
"H-how'd you know so spot-on..."
What? I've watched you, raised you plenty. I know you better than you know yourself.
This funk? My doing, in a way.
Thus.
"If you're hesitating, follow."
I'd drag him to the end. My responsibility.
Kalen Snowwhite's "Trial" event. Overcome it? Perfect Tier 1 tank growth.
Condition? Simple. "One-on-one. Crush him with overwhelmingly inferior gear. Etch that the player outclasses him."
Child's play. My specialty.
I planted him in a clearing, rolled my shoulders.
"S-so... a spar?"
"Indeed. Real steel. End before contact."
Casual dagger from my pocket—the assassin twins' gift.
He hesitated, no draw.
"N-no, impossible. No wards, and you're the one I must protect..."
"Draw. Now. Spar me—or I'll be deeply disappointed."
"Why this trial... But if must..."
Eyes shut, murmur—then sword out, shield up opposite.
That's it.
"Come serious."
"...Yes."
Obvious swing. Holding back for me? Reverse-grip dagger, parry, elbow to chin.
"Ack?!"
"No games."
Parry, deflect, counter. Hesitate? I pressed deeper. Dagger whistles past eyes, snips aquamarine locks.
Realized my intent—eyes shook.
"Still half-assing?"
"No... sir."
Steadied—proper strikes now. Dodge, block. Counter. Clash.
He: longsword, iron shield. Me: short dagger. Stats alone? I'm screwed.
But.
'Left feint, right hook low. Then shield my face.'
I transcend stats. Time-defying experience—my edge.
'Counter left first, shoulder to unbalance.'
Flick dagger-tip parries, trip, dagger to throat.
"...Ah."
Sigh.
"Seen enough?"
Simple reason for his flailing: "must block" obsession. Fixated on guarding me behind—can't focus himself.
"Kalen Snowwhite."
"..."
"I'm not so frail you must guard me blindly."
"..."
"I don't seek unconditional shielding. One lapse won't kill me. Protecting others matters—but lose yourself to it? Pointless. Understood, Kalen Snowwhite?"
"..."
"Nod if you get it."
Slight nod. I stepped back.
"Such a hassle."
"...Sorry."
"Better now? Found your answer?"
Shield and sword up—brighter face. "Yes." Nod.
"Heading to dorm? I'll walk."
I led. He didn't follow.
"Not coming?"
"...Sorry. More practice first?"
"Your call. Why ask me?"
Packed frantic, bowed, dashed back to Knight Department.
That gait—I chuckled.
"Fool."
Kalen Snowwhite's "Trial" resolved perfectly!
├─ Ice Element Infusion:Evolves to ✓
└─ New:Ice Crystal Shield Art: Basic — UNLOCKED ★
Good. All finals prep done.