30. Black Forest
According to the info I'd read in the study, an Aura Blade was the ultimate realm where a knight's mana takes form along their sword. Of course, that's easier said than done—even a lifetime of training might barely get you a flicker at the tip, and it usually takes a knight with 10 to 20 years under their belt just to pull it off. The real challenge is wielding it freely.
But here was a 14-year-old kid unleashing one. With a wooden stick, no less.
The real deal, a future Sword Master for sure.
I whistled inwardly in awe, tossing a sweet potato into the now-tamed embers.
A moment later, the roasted sweet potato came out golden and perfect. The smell was killer.
"Here, this one's yours, Seria."
"Ah, thank you!"
I handed one over. Seria blew on it, peeled the skin, took a bite, and lit up like she'd conquered the world.
"Mmm~ So sweet."
Then her eyes flicked greedily to the two in my hand.
That look was pure desperation. Ah, seriously, it's against the rules.
"Urgh..."
I sighed in defeat and sliced one of mine in half.
"Knew it'd end like this. Here, Seria. Let's share."
"Really?! Yay!"
Her face bloomed with joy. We sat side by side on the bench, happily splitting 1.5 potatoes each, her cheeks smudged with charcoal as she munched away.
Where'd that monster from earlier go? She's ridiculously cute.
We were savoring this peaceful afternoon snack when...
Mutters. Whispers. The Lord's Castle was suddenly buzzing.
Through the window, I saw servants rushing about, armed guards hastily assembling at the main gate.
"What's going on?"
"No idea. But the vibe's off."
We scarfed down our potatoes and hurried inside. In the middle of the hall, I spotted the Head Maid darting around.
"Auntie! What's the commotion outside?"
She turned, voice trembling.
"Y-Young Master! It's bad! The herbalists who went to the outskirts of the Black Forest to gather herbs were attacked by mana beasts and came back badly hurt!"
"Black Forest? Isn't that where we pick herbs? No beasts there, right?"
"Exactly! And...!"
She swallowed hard.
"Sir Mason and the knights who went to rescue them and investigate got surrounded and cut off by unidentified mana beasts deep in the forest!"
"What?!"
Seria and I gaped in unison. Sir Mason was our barony's top veteran knight. If his squad was pinned down, this wasn't some low-level beasts wandering out.
"The Lord ordered a subjugation force immediately, but we're short on men and don't know what to do...!"
She fidgeted anxiously before scurrying off at another call.
"Hmm."
Black Forest. I remembered Madam Brichiel's history lesson. A vast sea of trees in the northern empire, infested with vicious mana beasts. The outskirts bordering our Martel Barony were usually safe, though. Beasts preferred the mana-dense depths instinctively, so they rarely bothered the human fringes where there was no easy prey. That's how our herbalists safely gathered herbs for the shampoo's main ingredient.
But now the beasts are pushing to the outskirts?
Why? Expanding territory before winter hibernation?
"Hmm... That's important, but..."
The real issue was bigger.
Beasts rampage. Herbalists can't enter the forest. Herb supply cuts off. Shampoo factory halts. Gold Wheel Merchant Group deal breaks. Conclusion: My money line snaps.
"...These bastards dare touch me?"
Pop. A vein throbbed on my forehead.
Barony folk safety mattered, sure, but threatening my hard-earned cash flow? Even my ancestors would reincarnate in rage.
"Seria."
I called seriously. She snapped to attention.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Let's go. Smash those arrogant beasts' skulls and rescue Sir Mason."
Normally, she'd block me: "No way! Too dangerous for you!" and lecture endlessly. Not today.
"Understood."
She nodded firmly, gripping her wooden sword.
"Oh? No objections?"
"Every second counts. Villagers hurt, Sir Mason and knights trapped. No time to waste. I'll take point."
Whoa. The girl who always prioritized my safety was now charging into danger for the people. A true knight now, my Seria.
"Good. But transport's the issue..."
Horses? My riding sucked. Carriage? Useless on forest paths.
One option left. I flung open the door to my private shed behind the castle and yanked off the dusty cover.
"Ta-da."
There it was: a two-wheeler with a wooden-steel frame, massive mana stone power core. Wide footboards for two, magic suspension for rough terrain. My masterpiece, made in secret from Seria.
"Behold, the Magic Kickboard Mark-2!!"
"..."
Seria's determined face went sheet-white.
"Y-Young Master. This thing..."
"Nah, it's safe now. Made it two-seater so we can ride together."
"Not riding."
She backed away.
"Faster and safer on foot! That's no vehicle—it's a rolling coffin!"
"No, way better than Mark-1! See? Extended for two, cushy floor, off-road wheels for mountains!"
"Can't trust your inventions! I'll run—you ride alone!"
She turned to bolt. I grabbed her wrist desperately.
"No time! Sir Mason might be beast chow right now! You'd be late on foot!"
"Ugh..."
Lives on the line stopped her. She glared between me and the board, then sighed in resignation.
"Fine... But if we fly off again, you're dead meat."
"No worries! I'm the best driver. Hop on behind!"
I mounted the front pedal, gripped the handles. Seria hesitantly stepped on the rear.
"H-how do I hold on?"
"No handles—grab my waist tight. Don't fall."
"...Your waist?"
"Yeah! Hurry!"
Her arms wrapped cautiously around me. Squish. Whoa, that feel. Her maturing 14-year-old figure pressed against my back with a softness that made me cough awkwardly.
Ahem, focus. Rescue first.
I activated it. Vrrr!
The mana stone glowed red, engine humming.
"Hold on tight! Here we go!"
Whoosh!!
"Kyaaaaah!!"
The kickboard blasted through the castle gates. Better stone and rune tweaks boosted mana efficiency—felt like over 100 km/h easy.
"Y-Young Maaaster!! Too faaaast!! Way too faaaast!!"
Seria clung like glue, squeezing my waist to breaking point.
"Agh! Seria! My waist! It's snapping!"
"Slow dooown!!"
"Can't! Dirt road—slow down and wheels sink in mud!"
We tore down the rutted path. Bump! Thud! Hitting rocks launched us airborne; Seria buried her face in my back, screaming.
"B-brakes! You said brakes!!"
"Got 'em! But full speed to save Sir Mason!"
"We'll die before we save hiiiim!!"
Wind whistled past, her shrieks harmonizing. But I felt her heartbeat pounding against my back too. Fear? Or embarrassment from the cling?
Glancing back, her black hair whipped wild, ears beet-red.
...Cute.
Even now, that thought. I'm hopeless.
"Hang on! Almost there!"
I maxed throttle, veering toward the Black Forest entrance. Dense trees loomed dark; distant beast howls and clanging metal echoed.
"Seria! We're here!"
"Hah... hah... Finally..."
Screech! She wobbled off as we stopped.
"N-never... never again..."
"Ten minutes flat, though. My driving rocks, right?"
"Felt like ten years shaved off my life."
I chuckled, hiding the board in entrance bushes. Seria caught her breath, drew her dark wooden sword.
"Let's go, Young Master. Sir Mason's inside."
"Yeah. Time to smash skulls."
We stepped side by side into the Black Forest's thick gloom.
Magic swordsman duo, launching.
