The Magic Storm and the Earnest Knight
A storm of magical power swept through the training grounds. It began with a sword of pure magic, blazing like a sun dropped at the exact center, crashing down with overwhelming pressure. The knights facing this test generally split into two approaches: endure it, or let it flow past.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
“No way…!”
“Hup!”
Those trying to endure began collapsing one by one. Knights confident in their stamina, endurance, and magical reserves chose to stand firm. The sheer volume of magic power in the body wasn’t everything. From how one circulated that power to which aspects they emphasized, each knight relied on their individual talent and inherited family techniques. Even so, there was a limit.
What about those who chose to let the pressure flow?
“Kyaaaa!”
“Uwaaaaaah!”
Whoosh! Thump!
The magical pressure pouring from above. Knights who redirected it survived longer than those who tried to endure. But that only lasted a moment. The force began to ripple like waves, then abruptly transformed into a violent magical storm. Knights were swept away one after another by the sudden tempest. They had simply held out a little longer; in the face of such overwhelming flow, none could keep their footing.
“Oh?”
Aidan found himself more impressed by his younger brother conducting the test than by the knights still standing. Setting bloodline aside, Leoric’s test was genuinely excellent. Rather than simply hammering them with the overwhelming power of that sun-like sword, he had distributed the magic evenly so every knight felt identical pressure. Then he violently manipulated the flow, forcing them to defend using both endurance and deflection. It tested everything at once.
Aidan already knew his brother’s skill. The way the maids treated Leoric with such ease was proof enough. From the perfect control that never leaked even a trace of power in daily life, to the few times he had observed in front of their father—Aidan had suspected it. Perhaps when it came to pure magical control, Leoric might actually surpass him.
He could have become a truly troublesome rival.
A life enemy bound by blood. That wouldn’t have been so bad, either.
Aidan chuckled softly after watching Leoric for a moment, then turned his gaze forward. Only a handful of knights remained standing. Those who endured until the end must be quite capable. Aidan decided to remember their faces.
“Oh. You’ve improved quite a bit since last time, young master.”
“Hahaha. This much is nothing.”
It had taken some effort, but even old man Hans could manage this much. Control was my specialty, after all. Ever since I was a kid, I used to mess around with magical power whenever I was bored. Honestly, wouldn’t anyone? Reborn into a body overflowing with mysterious energy—who wouldn’t experiment out of curiosity? Because of that, there were times I flew around using magic before I could even speak properly. I crashed instantly and caused quite the scene, though.
That aside, the way my brother stared at me earlier was bothering me. It almost gave me goosebumps.
I pretended not to notice and observed the knights. More than half had already been eliminated. Was it impressive that half remained?
“They’re holding on better than I expected.”
“Of course. These are the ones I personally selected, after all. As for those pathetic fools who dropped so quickly, they’ll be enjoying hell training for a while.”
Oh man…! Poor bastards.
I had already withdrawn my magic from the fallen and blown-away knights, but they were still trembling. It probably wasn’t the shock of my test that had them shaking—it was the hell training waiting for them. Well, that was their fate. Moving on.
“Heh.”
Among the tiny number still standing, the most eye-catching was the female knight at the center. Silver hair braided into a single plait, striking blue eyes. Her face bore no makeup, yet her delicate frame and beautiful features would let her pass for a noble daughter if she wished. She frowned and let out small groans under the pressure of my magic, but her eyes burned with stubborn will that refused to yield.
Thud!
Even those maintaining their center with their own power and deflecting as much as possible began collapsing one by one. Throughout it all, that female knight continued to endure. The way her trembling legs shook like a newborn deer was honestly adorable.
“Ugh… kuh…!”
Looked like she had reached her limit.
Whoosh!
I withdrew all the spread magic power at once. I could have blasted them away, but the remaining knights would have been sent flying too. Their recovery was fast, but it still felt like a waste.
Thud!
“Huk…!”
I watched the remaining knights who had finally released their held breaths, gasping roughly. Only about enough to count on one hand. With the pressure suddenly gone, they all collapsed in the end.
Looking at the panting, fallen knights, I turned to the one who had endured the best. Naturally, it was the female knight.
“You. What’s your name?”
“Huk, huk…! K-khuk! Khuk!”
“No… breathe slower.”
The female knight barely lifted her head from the ground to look at me. Covered in cold sweat, teetering on the edge of total exhaustion from the massive consumption in such a short time, she somehow kept her consciousness and stared at me. Quite tenacious.
When I glanced at old man Hans behind me, he wore a satisfied smile.
“Huk, huk… Huu, haa… M-my name is…”
My face was reflected in her blue eyes. The female knight who stared so intently at me, despite being out of breath, declared her name as if she refused to make me wait even a second.
“My name is Chloe Tristan!”
“Good. Chloe. Will you become my vassal?”
“Yes! It is an honor!”
Even while still collapsed, her eyes sparkled. I liked that. I extended my hand.
“It is an honor, young master… No. Lord Leoric!”
“So your name is Chloe Tristan?”
We had arrived at the office. Only Chloe and I were in the room. Having changed from her training uniform into proper formal attire, Chloe looked surprisingly dependable despite her slender frame. Still smaller than me, though.
“Yes. Chloe Tristan.”
The female knight stood at perfect attention while quietly stating her name. Her height barely reached my chest, with a delicate build. No matter how much magic one possessed, a knight still required stamina and mental fortitude. There were clear traces of rigorous training on her. Her magic reserves were slightly below average for a knight. Given her earlier performance, her true specialty must be magical manipulation.
“Tristan, Tristan…”
A family name I’d never heard before.
“It’s a name I’m not familiar with. A rising house?”
“Yes. In the past, my great-uncle achieved great merit but ultimately could not have a child. Fortunately, I was born with magical power and inherited the family name.”
Hmm. So it was still first generation. That explained the amount of magic power. Chloe was just getting started. She would need to continue her bloodline, mixing with other lines to elevate the rank of her heritage. This wasn’t something finished in a year or two. It would take fifty, maybe a hundred years.
“Then let’s return to the main topic. Do you have any objections to becoming my vassal? It is not forced. You may withdraw even now. I will ensure there is absolutely no disadvantage to you.”
“None. Becoming the sword that protects Lord Leoric is the greatest honor for my house.”
It was a bit heavy. The way she spoke quietly while looking straight into my eyes made it clear she was sincere.
“If I command it, you can do anything?”
“Yes.”
“Even if it is not honorable?”
At my question, Chloe—who had answered instantly until now—looked at me, then immediately knelt.
“No matter what command you give, I have already offered my sword to you. To carry out any order. That is my honor as a knight.”
I looked down at her. Seeing Chloe kneel and show proper respect while gazing up at me, I could tell her words came from the heart. I’d picked up a good one.
A noble must give suitable rewards to vassals who pledge their loyalty.
“Then is there anything you desire?”
“A knight does not demand compensation for such things.”
“What are you talking about? Rewarding a close vassal is also a noble’s duty. It’s fine. Speak freely. You wouldn’t turn your master into a noble who cannot even provide a single reward, would you?”
“T-then…”
Chloe hesitated for a moment. Her cheeks gradually began to flush red.
What was she trying to say that made her react like this?
“L-Lord Leoric’s…”
“My…?”
“B-b-b-baby…!”
I stared at Chloe, whose face had turned so red it looked ready to explode.
“Baby?”
“I want a baby!”
“Hmm.”
A baby, huh.
Suppressing a heart that felt like it would burst, Chloe squeezed her eyes shut. It was unbearably embarrassing. To think she had just said she needed no reward, only to immediately ask for a baby. How vulgar. But as a first-generation knight from a rising house, Chloe truly lived like a mayfly. Though she had obtained the position of knight, from bloodline to personal assets, she was hardly different from an adventurer. While she could perform knightly duties thanks to her magic, securing the next generation was difficult. Her bloodline carried no great accumulated rank, and it was uncertain how much power a child of her blood would inherit. Few sought marriage into such a house. The ideal knightly marriage was between knights, but it wasn’t uncommon for them to take female adventurers as a secondary choice. The absolute best, however, was receiving grace.
“Ah, I see. So you seek grace.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
No matter what, for a woman like her to say such a thing. Chloe’s face burned with shame. She had sworn to cast aside her femininity the day she became a knight, yet now her heart pounded wildly.
“Hmm. Raise your head.”
“…Yes.”
Chloe, who had been staring at the floor in embarrassment, slowly lifted her gaze at her lord’s command. Her heart thundered at the eyes of the second young master she would serve—Leoric Franz. Was it from shame, or…
A knight having such impudent thoughts!
She tried to deny the fleeting idea and maintain composure when Leoric Franz spoke.
“Good.”
“Yes?”
Chloe stared blankly at Leoric, dazed by the sudden reply.
“But not right now.”
Leoric looked down at her with an amused smile.
“I’ll give you points each time you complete the tasks I assign.”
“…Performing my lord’s commands is simply—”
“No, not ordinary commands. Very special ones.”
…Special commands. Assassination missions? Or tasks that would require abandoning her position as a knight? Even then, Chloe intended to carry them out with everything she had.
After a brief silence, Leoric continued.
“The knight uniform includes skirts, correct?”
“Yes.”
They usually wore pants, but female knights could wear skirts for slightly formal occasions.
Leoric slowly looked her over.
“Wear the skirt.”
“Yes.”
“And remove your panties.”
“Yes?”
“That will be one point per day.”
“Yes?”
“Every time you reach one hundred points, I will grant you grace.”
“Yes?”
“From now on, you will serve as my secretary.”
“…………Yes?”