Three Years Ago (1)
The three great educational institutions of the kingdom were generally considered to be the Magic Tower, the Royal University, and the Knight Academy. The Magic Tower, rising proudly on the farthest edge of the Royal Capital, stood as both the ultimate destination for the realm’s finest mages and the forge that shaped the next generation. The Royal University trained administrators above all else. It drew the children of court nobles in droves, and any scion of a civil official family who gained admission could count their future success as assured. The Knight Academy, meanwhile, was the place that forged the swords of the royal palace. Not every outstanding knight had graduated from its halls, yet those who did almost always became knights worthy of the title.
Three years ago, in the depths of winter, the Knight Academy buzzed with frantic preparation for the end-of-term examinations. Even as a graduating student, Maxim Apparte spent every spare moment honing his blade. The days had felt long while he lived them, yet in retrospect they seemed painfully short—a cliché that somehow fit perfectly.
“Where do you want to go after graduation?”
Tactics class had just ended. While the other cadets poured out of the lecture hall in a noisy, laughing swarm, Maxim remained slumped in the rearmost seat nearest the exit, rubbing sleep from his eyes. With final exams drawing closer, every cadet was buried in their own frantic preparations. The graduating class in particular had seen a sharp increase in practical training. Because the tests were designed to mimic real combat as closely as possible, the ability to respond under pressure had become paramount. Even during free periods after lectures, most final-year students grabbed swords, spears, or shields and headed straight for the training grounds.
Graduation. Maxim harbored vague, hopeful dreams about it. Graduates of the Royal Knight Academy were required to serve at least five years under the central order. After that, they gained relative freedom from mandatory assignments. They could request a posting to any territory they wished, or remain with the central order—whatever they preferred.
Still, I’ll probably stay in the royal palace’s direct service, won’t I? If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll join the order that guards the throne room. Or perhaps… with Theodora…
His thoughts cut off there.
“Maxi. I asked where you want to go.”
Maxim’s right elbow, which had been propping up his chin, was suddenly shoved aside. His head dropped with a thud.
“Ow.”
“Hey, Maxim Apparte. You weren’t listening to me at all, were you?”
Maxim snapped back to attention. The girl with the long platinum-blonde hair sitting to his left glared at him, cheeks puffed out in irritation. Her clear, ash-gray eyes—eyes that reminded him of storm clouds—bore into him. Maxim tilted his stiff neck apologetically.
“Sorry. I was listening, though.”
“Then what did I say?”
“That you love me?”
“That was funny, so I’ll forgive you.”
Theodora Benning let out a small snort of laughter. Her fist, completely drained of strength, bumped lightly against his arm.
“I asked where you want to go after graduation.”
Maxim shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it… If I had to choose, I’d like to stay in the capital. Or maybe head somewhere rough. Somewhere I can build both skill and reputation.”
“Somewhere rough… You mean No Man’s Land?”
“No Man’s Land would be fine. Or the Kips region.”
Theodora pursed her lips. “Kips… I don’t like cold places.”
“Then the border might work. The side facing the Engen Kingdom, maybe.”
From the corridor came the sound of students walking past—laughter, grumbling, cheerful conversations. And Theodora. She looked at him and offered a silent smile. That wordless smile somehow drowned out every other sound in the world, wrapping itself around Maxim completely.
Captivated, he asked, “Where do you want to go, Theo?”
“Wherever you want to go is where I want to go.”
She smiled as she said it. Without thinking, Maxim cupped her smiling cheeks in both hands. Her face was so small it fit entirely between his palms.
“What are you doing?” Theodora mumbled, lips squirming.
Maxim leaned in and gave those lips a playful, feather-light kiss. They felt impossibly soft, just a little dry.
“Ah.”
Theodora’s face flushed crimson. Maxim smiled at the sight and ruffled her hair with deep affection.
“I told you not to mess up my hair like that,” she protested, reaching up to protect her platinum locks. Yet she never actually pushed his hand away. Instead, she simply laid her own hand over his, guiding his fingers to move more gently.
“Like this. Softly. So you don’t ruin it. Is that so hard?”
“Yeah. It is. When I look at you right now, anyone would want to stroke your hair.”
“No. Even if it’s hard, overcome it.”
Theodora held up a single finger in front of his face, voice firm. The impulse to mess up her hair even more surged through Maxim, but he followed the guidance of her hand and slowly, carefully stroked her platinum strands. They were softer than velvet and shone more beautifully than real platinum.
“The next lecture is about to start. Let’s go.”
Theodora took his hand and stood. Maxim rose slowly after her. The next class was melee combat training. He found himself swelling with anticipation, wondering how their final exam would be conducted.
As they left the classroom, they reluctantly let go of each other’s hands. Romantic relationships between cadets were strictly forbidden by academy rules. Theodora gazed at his retreating fingers with open regret.
“They could at least let us hold hands. The academy regulations are too harsh.”
Maxim chuckled at her grumbling. Once they stepped into the corridor, Theodora’s expression shifted back into the one she wore for the outside world—cold, noble, untouchable. The gray gaze that commanded the reverence of every student: Theodora Benning. Maxim loved this side of her too.
“It’s gotten quite cold,” she remarked.
Yet whenever she looked at him, that flawless mask melted away. While her eyes maintained their composure, Maxim could see the way the corners of her mouth softened.
“It has. Winter is winter, after all.”
“I wish it would snow.”
Theodora hunched her shoulders slightly. Frost had formed on the corridor windows. Her face, turned toward the glass, looked pale and white as the frost itself from the cold. Maxim unwound the scarf he was wearing and wrapped it gently around her neck.
Theodora’s face turned bright red in surprise. Her arms flapped stiffly for a moment, but once she confirmed no one was watching, she accepted his gesture. Maxim smiled warmly at her. They had been together nearly three years now, yet she still reacted to every one of his touches with the same genuine feeling—blushing, offering a happy smile, or thanking him in a tone that still carried a hint of shyness but had grown far more natural than before. Sometimes she even told him she loved him.
“You hate the cold. Why don’t you dress warmer?” Maxim teased.
Theodora shook her head, her face glowing like a lovely peach.
“When you take care of me like this, how can I possibly dress warmly?”
What had changed was how honest she had become. She could blush, express embarrassment, and still show her feelings exactly as they were. Maxim was simply glad she had changed in such a wonderful way.
“Theo.”
“What?”
She was trying to maintain her composure, but her face was still flushed. Maxim burned the image of her half-turned toward him into his memory.
“Nothing.”
“Hmph. Boring.”
Theodora’s lips curved into a beautiful smile. That white smile, those eyes folded gently beneath long lashes—they were so lovely they seemed capable of melting anyone’s heart. She lifted the scarf to cover her mouth, hiding her expression.
The outdoor training ground where melee combat class was held had an oddly clear sky. The sun hung high but offered no warmth. The graduating cadets stood in formation, waiting for the instructor to begin.
The instructor was a fierce-looking, muscular, bald knight. Veins bulged prominently across his scalp, making him look as if even his brain were made of muscle. In truth, the impression wasn’t far off. The instructor cleared his throat.
“Before we begin today’s lesson, I will announce details regarding the final examination.”
At the mention of the final exam, the cadets’ atmosphere instantly grew tense. The instructor surveyed them with clear satisfaction and continued.
“As always, the academy’s final test will be conducted in a manner as close to real combat as possible. Whether it takes the form of a monster subjugation or a duel between people, I cannot say.”
The bald instructor lowered his voice to a menacing growl.
“Therefore, prepare yourselves perfectly for every possible form of battle.”
Then his expression relaxed, and an equally fierce smile spread across his intimidating face. It was a frightening look, but the cadets—who had long grown used to the academy—knew the smile came from satisfaction and affection.
“That said, I’m sure you’ve all already prepared as much as you possibly can. I don’t think we’re at the stage where I need to remind you of that anymore.”
The cadets’ expressions softened slightly at the bald instructor’s uncharacteristically encouraging words. He clapped his hands to shift the mood.
“Right, then. Let’s begin today’s training. Form your own pairs and begin free sparring. If anyone needs guidance, come to me anytime.”
Begin!
The moment the instructor finished speaking, Theodora approached Maxim as if they had arranged it beforehand. The scarf he had given her fluttered in the wind. All around them, the training ground had already filled with the shouts and clash of blades from other matches.
“What if the scarf gets torn?” Theodora muttered softly. Her voice reached Maxim’s ears with perfect clarity.
“I don’t mind if it tears, Theo. But do you really think I’d let my sword rip the scarf I gave you?”
Maxim drew his blade and provoked her. The sword whistled sharply as it sliced through the winter air. Theodora seemed to accept his childish taunt. She shook her head, letting the scarf flutter dramatically.
“I won’t. Do you have the confidence to tear it, Maxi?”
She grabbed the end of the scarf and threw the provocation right back at him. Receiving that playful smile, Maxim adjusted his grip on the sword.
“At this rate I feel like I’ll end up aiming only for the scarf.”
“Then I’ll get angry, so do it properly.”
Maxim laughed and began circulating his mana. The blade in his hand gradually took on a golden hue from the base upward, the same color as his eyes. Though his talent for mana was lacking, his exceptional swordsmanship had allowed him to awaken an Aura Blade despite the delay. A genius of the sword. He might not stand out because of his insufficient aura, but Maxim was someone truly worthy of that title.
“Yes, I like that best.”
Theodora smiled brightly and coated her own blade in platinum light.
==
After class, Theodora returned to the female dormitory and massaged her right arm, which still throbbed pleasantly from her spar with Maxim. The lobby of the graduating-class dormitory was quiet. Only someone with as much composure as Theodora could afford such leisure. The fireplace crackled warmly. She let out a long sigh, savoring the heat.
“Benning? Theodora Benning?”
An instructor entered the dormitory lobby. Theodora looked up to see the clearly exhausted instructor.
“What is it?”
“You’ve been granted a weekday outing pass.”
Theodora frowned slightly. A weekday outing? She was certain she hadn’t applied for one this week.
“I don’t recall applying for a weekday outing this week…”
“I know. It wasn’t your application…”
The instructor rummaged in his coat and produced what appeared to be an outing permit.
“Take it for now.”
“What is this about?”
The instructor sighed and scratched his head.
“Well… Count Leon Benning has left his territory for a short visit to the capital. He says he wants to see his daughter.”
Her father. Theodora accepted the permit with a complicated expression. It was not one of pure joy.
“Anyway, go out and see him. I’d normally tell you to return on time… but I’ll understand if you can’t, so don’t feel too burdened. Just go.”
He isn’t the type to show up so suddenly.
Theodora frowned. Her father remained a difficult presence for her. The instructor scratched his head again, apparently deciding his duty was done.
“A coachman will be waiting outside the main gate. Change quickly and head out.”
Having said his piece, the instructor turned and left the lobby. Theodora stared alternately at his retreating back and the outing permit that had been delivered to her.
I suppose I must meet Father.
With that thought, Theodora returned to her room to change into her outing clothes.