To Face My Disciple as an Unashamed Master
"I don't want to leave either, Master."
"I never imagined you'd say that too, Ceres."
"Even if this place is as narrow a world as you say, Master... I... I alone want to stay by your side until the end."
"Ceres, that's..."
"Think of it as me being spoiled if you like. So... please, let me stay by your side."
"......"
Three years ago, the day I brought up sending them away from my side for the sake of my disciples' futures. That was probably the first time Ceres ever acted spoiled toward me.
The second disciple, storming out in a fiery rage, vowing never to leave. The third, retreating to her room and quietly sobbing alone, unable to accept parting from me. Even shaken by those two, when my reliable eldest daughter-like first disciple Ceres declared she'd stay by my side...
As a father who had raised three children for twenty years before being their master, I couldn't help but be more profoundly moved than ever.
'Ceres, who never once acted spoiled, wants to stay by my side. As a father, not a master... couldn't I indulge her just this once?'
But I was certain that thought was nothing but selfish delusion born of my own greed when, that very night after our talk, I beheld Ceres swinging her sword under the pure white moonlight.
That beloved child, wielding a sword more beautiful and elegant than any being I'd encountered in forty years wandering the continent. If I kept her confined in my narrow world out of mere personal desire, I probably never would have forgiven myself, even in death.
'It would have tormented me far longer than the regret of not indulging her whim.'
And now, after three long years, encountering Ceres by chance at this exam grounds clearly proved my judgment right—that I hadn't succumbed to a father's selfish wish to keep my child close, but had sent her off as her master into a wider world.
"Whoa... it's really Captain Ceres...!"
"The captain of the Baekya Knights......!!"
'I'm so proud of you, Ceres. Your master is prouder than anyone.'
With this second chance at youth through rejuvenation, coming to meet my disciple... I wanted to rush straight to the platform, hug her tight, tell her how proud I was, apologize for not indulging her, and promise to do all the things we couldn't before, everything I wanted to share with her.
'...Just wait a little longer, my disciple. I'll come to you proudly, as a master with nothing to be ashamed of.'
That's why I resolved to focus even more on this exam. Better to pass it honorably and meet her as a recognized adventurer than slink over now under the flimsy pretext of being her master, without having taught her properly.
That would be the most perfect reunion.
As the commotion in the arena died down following the appearance of Ceres, captain of the Baekya Knights,
"Allow me to explain the passing conditions for this adventurer qualification exam."
Ceres began calmly outlining the conditions, gazing quietly over the many examinees in the training grounds.
"There are two: complete subjugation of the target magic beast, and safe return."
The passing conditions for the adventurer exam, as explained by Ceres, were simpler than expected. Completely subjugate the magic beast designated by the examiners, then return alive to this spot.
'Subjugate the magic beast and return safely...'
For me, who had wandered the continent in my youth staking my life on every battle, these two conditions posed no great issue.
The only slight concern was not yet knowing what dangerous magic beast warranted such a harsh "safe return" clause.
'It's been ages since I quit wandering... I'd best stay sharp.'
Perhaps because "safe return" was emphasized, the atmosphere in the arena grew even more restless than before.
"M-Magic beast subjugation?"
"Sigh... I heard the last exam was just written..."
"Subjugating magic beasts? Isn't that what the empire's knight orders are for...?"
'...Hmm.'
Their conversation seemed oddly off for youths dreaming of becoming adventurers, but since risking one's life young isn't easy, I let it pass.
As the mood stirred again, Ceres spoke once more.
"The exam will be conducted in pairs of two. The magic beast to subjugate is the basilisk."
The basilisk: a mid-sized magic beast with a massive serpentine body and a grotesque bird-like head.
'I encountered them often at the start of my wandering days. Tricky to subjugate fully since they regenerate unless you sever the neck...'
Still, the regeneration was just a minor hassle for complete subjugation; it wasn't dangerous enough to threaten a skilled adventurer's life. And with pairs of two, the difficulty didn't seem as intimidating as the "safe return" talk suggested.
'Good. I've got all the rules and conditions down... time to prepare.'
With the explanation of rules and passing conditions fully heard, to meet my disciples as soon as possible—and proudly—I wasted no time and moved out.
"Hey!! Are you telling us to die instead of take the exam???"
"Y-Yeah!! Hunting basilisks for the exam...? This is too much!!"
"Adventurers subjugated magic beasts 30 years ago maybe, but now the empire's knight orders handle it all!!"
Watching the gathered examinees complain about the tough exam, Ceres, captain of the Baekya Knights, let out a deep sigh laced with contempt.
"Haa......"
Humans claiming to be wandering adventurers like her beloved master who once saved her and her sisters, yet lashing out in fear of clashing with magic beasts.
"...Pathetic."
She had come to the heart of the Lumerne Empire following her master's words to venture into the wider world and hone her talents. Even now, as captain of the Baekya Knights, her mind was filled with thoughts of him.
'Is he eating properly?'
'His back's been hurting... he shouldn't skip his medicine.'
'Has he thought of me even a little?'
'He'd be proud of me like this, right...?'
'I want Master's praise.'
'...If I asked him to pat my head, would he do it like old times?'
Caught in an endless chain of thoughts about her master, Ceres hurriedly shook her head to dispel them and turned back to the training grounds.
"......"
Then, in her deep sea-blue eyes scanning the examinees, she spotted one quietly moving without a word of complaint.
"......Who is that?"
Black hair, flawless white skin without a single scar. He looked like a handsome young heir oblivious to the world, but when her gaze met the obsidian-shining eyes peeking over his robe...
"......Master?"
In that nameless man who appeared younger than her, she perfectly saw the figure of her master—from the day he saved her to now, and forever her world.
"......"
'...No way. It can't be.'
After a brief silence, the foolish thought that surfaced in her mind. She knew better than anyone how irrational, how utterly foolish it was.
"......Adjutant."
"You called, Captain?"
"I want to check the info on that examinee who moved first just now. Is that possible?"
But she had to confirm. Whether it was just her longing making her see things wrong... or if this foolish thought was truly real.
Slipping out of the rowdy training grounds for various reasons, another tent came into view in the distance.
'Since it's pairs of two, we form teams here and head out to subjugate, I suppose.'
I lingered near the tent to form a pair, waiting for a kind young person to team up with this old man.
How long had I been pacing in front of the tent?
"Hey there!"
"Hm...? Calling me?"
"Yes!! If you haven't teamed up yet, wanna go with me?"
A bold, lively voice like a squirrel's stopped me. Unlike the flashy, style-over-substance outfits of other examinees, she wore practical light leather armor suited for movement, her brown hair tied back in a tight ponytail. Contrary to her innocent, round-faced cuteness, she was dressed more fittingly for magic beast subjugation than anyone I'd seen.
"I-I'm not that strong, but... I'll do my best not to drag you down!!"
What truly won me over was her mindset. Knowing her own limits yet refusing to rely on others, determined to strive and seize victory herself—it shone clearly in every action.
"No reason for me to refuse. Sounds good; let's team up."
"Really!? Whoa!!"
"I'm Leban. What's your name?"
"Nerin! Nice to meet you, Mr. Leban!"