Chapter 123
Chapter 123
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: New Encounters (4)
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“Ah… my report card? My sister has it.”
“Reina? Why? You should have brought it.”
“I don’t know. She snatched it away, said she was going to show Grandpa. How am I supposed to know what that witch is thinking? Anyway, just give me the sword. I’ve worked so hard since I was a kid because I wanted it so badly.”
The sword Rian so desperately wanted was a straight sword specialized for the Ogent family’s swordsmanship. It was a greatsword twice as heavy as a typical longsword, with a blade so long that only someone of considerable height could wield it.
From the moment he began learning the sword, Rian had his eyes on the Ogent family’s straight sword. In particular, the one he had already claimed as his own was the very sword his grandfather had used.
Klumpf had long wanted to pass the sword down to Rian. Among his biological grandchildren, only Reina and Rian had inherited the blue hair of their lineage, and since Reina was a woman, he believed Rian was the only one who could handle his sword.
“The sword is in Grandpa’s room. But why are you suddenly looking for a sword when you said you were going out to have fun? I can understand Tess, since she’s come a long way.”
“I have my reasons. Anyway, I’ll go get it now.”
Rian dashed up to his grandfather’s room. It was a sword far beyond the capabilities of someone who hadn’t even mastered Schema, but he was determined to take it with him on this trip.
Shirone was undoubtedly planning to explore the ruins. Just as a thread follows a needle, if Shirone was going to leap into danger, wasn't it his duty to protect him?
‘This is the great straight sword of the Ogent family.’
Rian gazed up in awe at the greatsword hanging in his grandfather’s room. The embodiment of the Ogent family’s spirit, said to be difficult to even swing before opening one’s Schema.
Of course, Schema was still impossible for him. But Rian lifted the sword with a single hand and brought it before his eyes.
‘It’s heavy. But not so heavy I can’t swing it.’
When Rian received the ridiculous diagnosis of having an Imaginary Schema, he had been just as devastated. But true to his nature of never despairing in any situation, he thought positively.
Schema or not, his physical power was the same, as he had passed the strength enhancement test. He would have to open his Schema someday, but for now, he could manage.
The sword was so heavy that carrying it in a steel scabbard was inconvenient. Rian strapped a net-like scabbard made of cowhide to his back and sheathed the straight sword.
He would surely draw attention dressed like this, but since carrying a sword wasn’t illegal, it didn’t matter.
Anyone could carry a sword as long as they followed certain rules, except in specially designated areas within the city.
The system was simple: commoners were permitted up to Sector Level C, nobles up to Sector Level B, and royalty up to Sector Level A.
Rian descended the stairs with the straight sword strapped to his back, his posture proud and confident. But his chance to be the center of attention never came.
Louis, the head butler, opened the main door and announced.
“My lord, Young Master Shirone has arrived.”
Shirone, who entered the hall with Amy, first bowed to Bischoff.
Though he appeared strict and blunt on the outside, he was a family man, having even taken a day off from work upon hearing his son was coming home.
From Shirone’s perspective, Bischoff was the guardian who had made it possible for him to attend the magic academy. He had also heard that Bischoff had ensured his parents were well taken care of.
“Hello, sir. Have you been well?”
“Yes. I’ve heard you’re doing well.”
“I’ve been promoted to Class Four this time. It’s all thanks to your help. Thank you.”
Recalling Rian’s past, Bischoff gave a bittersweet smile. Class Four. Just how immense must one’s talent be to reach Class Four within half a year of entering the magic academy?
Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to compare his own children. However, as a swordsman himself, he was simply concerned that Rian, who had sworn a knight's oath, might not live up to Shirone's expectations.
“That’s due to your own hard work. In any case, it’s rewarding to see my support has paid off. I heard Rian is gallivanting off on a trip with a beautiful young lady, far above his station. Are you going as well?”
“Yes. We decided to go together.”
“And the young lady next to you is your partner?”
Bischoff turned his eyes to the red-haired girl. Her face was familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.
“Hello. I am Carmis Amy.”
Bischoff’s eyes sparkled. Rian and Tess, and even Louis the butler, turned to look at Amy with fascination.
The Carmis family, first-class nobles, did not boast the highest authority if one considered only the kingdom.
However, their free-spirited nature and the talent of the Red Eyes were renowned not just in the kingdom, but across the entire continent.
Their achievements, which were not confined to a single nation, were the truest expression of their identity.
Bischoff, too, did not believe that noble rank defined a family’s power. There were plenty of nobles who climbed to high positions through all sorts of flattery and despicable means.
Such people disregarded tradition and even changed their family customs in their desperate pursuit of success. But families like Eljain and Carmis were in a different league.
True legitimacy is built only upon conviction. The pride of these families, who had followed a single path since the kingdom’s founding, was not something that could be bought with money or power.
“Alright, alright. We can talk later. Let’s go. We need to leave now if we want to make it to the ship on time!”
Rian interjected, trying to change the mood. Although he had his father’s permission, he couldn’t shake his anxiety.
An express letter from Reina was probably flying toward them like an arrow at that very moment.
The moment his report card was revealed, his paradise would vanish, and a vision of hell would unfold. It was a foregone conclusion.
“Dad, we’ll be going now. We’ll probably be gone for about ten days.”
“Alright. You’ve worked hard in your training, so go have some fun. Oh, and use this for your travel expenses.”
Bischoff tossed him a heavy pouch of gold coins. Peeking inside, Rian was stunned. He had never received so much money from his father before.
In truth, Bischoff was in a good mood. He had thought he was ruining his son when Rian swore the knight’s oath, but not only had he finally managed to awaken the Schema that had eluded him, he had also made a good friend.
Furthermore, Shirone, who was to be Rian’s master, was steadily growing based on his outstanding talent.
If he considered the training an investment for real-world experience, wasn't it only right to pay him a half-year's wages?
Rian felt a pang of guilt, but even that feeling was a luxury right now. The only thought filling his mind was the need to get out of this house alive.
“Okay. I’ll be off with my friends then. Oh, Temuran. Please have a carriage ready to take us to the port.”
“Understood. I wish you a pleasant journey.”
Temuran saw Rian off with a look of pity. He could guess the situation just by seeing him break out in a cold sweat, fleeing as if his life depended on it.
‘I can only hold them off for ten minutes. Good luck, Young Master.’
Temuran focused on the envelope tucked inside his coat. It was an express letter from Reina, having just arrived from the capital.
***
Perhaps because the butlers were especially busy today, there wasn’t a single carriage available. There was a private carriage, but it would take an hour just to saddle the horses and perform maintenance.
Rian insisted that maintenance wasn’t necessary, but he had to concede to their request to at least check the tightness of the carriage wheel nuts. If an accident were to happen, the carriage keeper would have to take all the blame.
The four of them waited for the carriage near the stables.
For a moment, there was no conversation. It was a common situation when people first met. But within their minds, countless analyses were taking place.
Tess first observed Shirone. She knew he was an aspiring mage, but hearing that Rian had sworn a knight’s oath to him, she had imagined a hot-blooded, passionate young man. But upon meeting him, she found him to be surprisingly gentle and calm.
Amy of the Carmis family was also intriguing. The Carmis, known as the stars of the continent. What kind of people were they, really?
In the end, Tess was the first to speak. She felt they should at least break the ice before getting into the carriage.
“Shall we start with introductions? I’m Eljain Tess.”
“I’m Carmis Amy. Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, I’m Arian Shirone.”
Tess shook Shirone’s hand as well. But upon hearing his surname, she tilted her head.
As befitting the Eljain family, which specialized in diplomacy, she knew the surnames of most noble families. Yet she had never even heard a passing mention of a family named Arian.
“Aha, Arian. Hmm, uh… is your main house in Creas?”
Tess asked indirectly, trying not to offend him. Shirone, reading her thoughts, answered honestly.
“Ah, I don’t have a main family house. I’m a commoner.”
“Huh? A commoner?”
Tess’s eyes went wide. At first, she wondered if he was just misspeaking out of nervousness. Otherwise, there was no way Rian would have sworn a knight’s oath to a commoner.
Tess glanced at Amy. Her lack of reaction meant she already knew.
‘What in the world is going on? What was Rian thinking? And why is Amy here? How can someone from the Carmis family come along as a commoner’s partner? Isn’t this supposed to be a couples’ trip?’
For Tess, who had no prior experience with Shirone, the situation was utterly confusing. And the more she was surprised by Shirone, the more impactful Rian’s decision seemed.
Even if Shirone was a child of incredible ability, not discriminating based on status was easier said than done.
Moreover, this wasn’t just a simple friendship; it was a knight’s oath, a pledge to serve him as a master for life.
‘In a way… it’s just like Rian.’
As Tess struggled to find the right words, Shirone spoke first.
“I’m sorry. If this makes you uncomfortable…”
“Oh, no. I was the one being rude. To be honest, I was so surprised I didn’t know what to say. But… am I the strange one? Everyone else is so calm, it makes me feel like the bad guy, hahaha!”
Tess quickly tried to smooth things over. Commoner or noble, he was Rian’s master. That meant she, too, should not treat him lightly.
‘Tess… she’s a good person.’
Shirone could sense Tess’s character. Was this the kind of woman Rian would choose?
Making others laugh, even at her own expense, was impossible without genuine consideration.
“Thank you for saying that. I’ve heard a lot about you. That you’re Rian’s girlfriend.”
“Oh my, what are you talking about? Did we really look like a couple? Do we look that good together? Hahaha!”
Tess was starting to like Shirone. Meanwhile, Rian’s face turned bright red. This was a misunderstanding that absolutely had to be corrected. But since Tess was being nice to Shirone, he decided to keep his mouth shut.
Amy looked at Rian with a hint of surprise. When she first heard the plan to go to the island, she had wondered what sort of shady character had come up with it, but he was more earnest and considerate than she had expected.
‘The Ogent family, who built their name on the sword alone. I heard there was a genius among the black-haired ones, but this one has blue hair.’
Their noble rank was second-class, not part of the royal family, but that was due to their unyielding and straightforward nature.
In political circles, families like this were called ‘the Pure.’
It was a term for neutral parties, and while their influence on politics in peacetime wasn’t significant, they were a force that could not be taken lightly.
In times of national crisis, the direction in which the Pure’s votes swayed could change the entire political landscape.
While Amy was lost in these thoughts, Tess was observing Shirone and Amy.
Both had cute features, and a spark of intelligence glinted in their eyes. And though she didn’t know their actual personalities, she got the feeling that they were both equally stubborn.
“So, what’s the relationship between you two? Looking at you now, you really do suit each other. Are you a couple?”
Tess asked, gesturing between the two. Amy felt a slight surge of indignation. She took it to mean that they suited each other because they were both small and unassuming.