Uninvited Guest 1
"...This is it?"
After weaving her 5th Circle, Aila had been coming and going from the annex every single day. He hadn't even bothered asking what Sebrik and Lena thought about it. She showed up with the brazen excuse of stabilizing her circle, skipping breakfast just to be here. And now...
She was poking at the food in front of her with a fork.
Sliced baguette cut on the bias, well-cooked meat, mashed potatoes, and salad. In another bowl, there was soup warmed just right. It was a luxurious meal for any commoner. But not for Aila.
For someone who ate delicacies of land and sea every day, this spread might not quite satisfy.
"If you don't like it, don't eat it. You barge in here on your own and act all entitled."
"Hey, I didn't say I wouldn't eat it!"
The plate in front of her trembled. Aila pressed it down reflexively with her hand.
"You really..."
Her delicate features scrunched up. Her thick, brushstroke-like eyebrows arched sharply over her large eyes. She wore her dissatisfaction openly on her face as she spoke.
"You've known I can't beat you in mana control lately, so you keep doing this, right? Why do you always have to use mana for everything?"
"Even a wild beast knows gratitude... How absurd."
"That's not what I—!"
"Don't make a scene."
Licht shot her a glance. Following his gaze, she saw Sebrik and Lena, still hesitant to touch their utensils as they watched cautiously.
Oh.
Aila let out a quiet groan inwardly.
There were four people in the dining room. Normally, it would just be Sebrik, Lena, and Licht for breakfast—three in total. But not today. Thanks to Aila throwing her little tantrum, it had turned into four by accident.
Sebrik glanced back and forth between Licht and Aila. From his perspective, Aila Pavria was the second daughter of one of the kingdom's three ducal houses—a cherished lady of a great noble family. His discomfort was plain to see.
It wasn't for his own sake. Quite the opposite. He was worried that provoking Aila's ire might bring trouble down on his young master, Licht.
Lena, sensing Sebrik's feelings, looked glum. It was only natural after seeing such a reaction to the meal she'd worked so hard to prepare.
Aila belatedly offered an apology.
"Ah... I'm sorry. I misspoke. Please forgive me just this once."
"No, no, Lady Aila! This must not be to your taste. Still... it tastes better than it looks. Please, give it a try."
"You went to so much trouble..."
Sebrik waved off Aila's apology with exaggerated vigor. Lena's faint mutter made her flinch.
She puts on a good act when it's just us.
At first, Sebrik and Lena had been horrified by Aila's relentless visits. But they'd grown used to her barging in. They'd even realized she was more down-to-earth than she'd seemed. It was a far cry from before, when they wouldn't have dared speak up.
And every dish on the table right now had been made by Lena alone. There were only two servants in the entire annex. They were always short-handed, regardless of how many residents there were. Most rooms sat abandoned, gathering dust. For her to whip up something like this with limited ingredients was impressive.
Aila glanced at Licht, as if seeking his help.
Your own fault.
He ignored her completely. Only then did Sebrik and Lena, who'd been watching his cue, finally start eating as he scooped up some soup with his spoon.
"......"
The meal proceeded in silence. The clink of utensils echoed loudly in the small dining room.
As the meal neared its end, Aila spoke up.
"I'm heading back to my family home today. I've stayed too long already. Even this much was me being pushy..."
"I know."
"...When did I tell you?"
She hadn't. He'd just had a hunch when she'd suddenly joined them for an early breakfast.
Sebrik chimed in.
"Lady Aila, are you really leaving today?"
"Yes. The carriage is probably already waiting at the main gate."
"Then why are you still..."
"It's fine. I've already said my goodbyes to my aunt and uncle. I just need to show up."
"What time?"
"Ten."
No sooner had she spoken than Licht set down his utensils. Ten? Ten o'clock?
He asked the slightly flustered Sebrik, "What time is it now?"
"It's... eight o'clock, young master. There's still some time left."
"It won't take long anyway. You think I came without planning for that?"
"You're saying that because I'm getting in your way. Don't be a nuisance."
"Who's a nuisance?"
"Your aunt."
Licht finished his meal and headed straight to the manor courtyard. Aila hurried after him with quick steps. Sebrik and Lena, who had come out to see her off, were held back by Licht himself. There was something he needed to discuss with her alone.
"How soon can you come out after you go back today?"
"Don't nag. I knew without you saying. It'll probably take about a week. You know that, right? Alpen's secret auction isn't open to just anyone. I have to round up the money too..."
"So a week, then?"
"Could be sooner, could be later. But one thing's for sure—I can make it before that guy's inauguration. Oh, and... if the item you want doesn't show up at the auction, don't complain. If we can't get it, just buy a finished sword from one of the blacksmiths near Alpen. Those folks have real skill."
Alpen, the capital of the Arhen Kingdom. A massive city sprawling out from the royal palace at its center. It rivaled the magic city-state of El Sion in prosperity, second only to Orkin's capital. All sorts of goods flowed through it. No way there wasn't a decent sword to be found.
Aila continued, "I'll send word the day before I'm ready. Carriages can't come all the way out here—it's too remote—so you come pick me up."
"Got it. Now go."
"......?"
"What? Standing there like an idiot."
"...Nothing else to say?"
"Better if you leave first. Even a great noble's daughter can't keep a schedule."
"Don't call me 'you.' Use my name."
"...Your name?"
What nonsense. Ignoring Licht's frown, Aila pressed on.
"It feels off when you keep saying 'you.' Why avoid my name?"
"You saying that? You're the one who—"
"Licht."
And she called his name.
Licht was momentarily speechless. Not just because she'd suddenly insisted on using names, but because she'd called his so casually.
"Your turn. I did mine."
"...Hurry up. You'll be late."
"Jerk."
Licht never called her by name to the end. The three syllables of Aila wouldn't leave his lips. Instead, the subtle shift in his tone brightened her face.
"Licht, you're getting it expensive. If lightning strikes you on the road, I'll claim it was my spell."
"......"
"Alright, I'm really going. Bye."
With that, she turned away without a hint of lingering. Even as her pure white robe silhouette faded into the bushes, she kept glancing back.
"......"
Licht stood still, staring in the direction she'd gone, then turned away.
Maybe time to pick up a sword again.
Too many stray thoughts cluttering his mind. He needed to clear them out.
***
The day after Aila left. The spring sky at the end of March stretched endlessly high.
The garden, devoid of any human presence, felt like another world. A gentle breeze rustled the unkempt tall weeds now and then.
As always, Licht came out to the courtyard and leaned against the Amore tree.
2nd Circle.
It was time.
Even though Licht could weave a circle anytime, he hadn't. The reason? His body.
If he wanted, he could weave up to seven right now. But he didn't. His body was too weak for that.
Weaving circles was a process of gradually building them up, acclimating the body to mana. With his body, fresh from just one circle, even a 3rd Circle would be too much.
Forcing it would kill me.
At best, mana poisoning. At worst, death.
Licht slowly sank into his consciousness. His vision went dark. As he delved deep into his body, he clearly felt the single circle rotating sluggishly even now.
Slowly.
He sensed the mana in the air purely. Mana particles scattered everywhere.
Licht gathered them around his heart at will. The existing circle rebelled, rejecting the newcomer. Like soothing a baby, he spread the mana thin, encircling it gently.
Just enough to keep the two from clashing. Once it settled, he wove them together.
Wooooong!
The two glowing circles. An omnipotent sensation spread through his body.
"Ah..."
A groan escaped him naturally. There was an indescribable pleasure in surpassing a new threshold. Even on a path he'd walked before.
The new mana circle resonated with the old one, infusing mana into every limb. He felt like he could do anything.
Licht knew better than anyone why Aila had sat there staring blankly into space after reaching her 5th Circle.
As he savored the new realm for a moment—
Thud.
Footsteps from the nearby bushes. He'd already sensed the presence with mana.
A figure crossed the annex gate with haughty strides and stopped near Licht.
"...Bail Crane."
"It's been a while, Second Young Master. I trust you've been well?"
Licht slowly opened his eyes. A knight filled his vision.
"Lady Amella has a message for you. Might I have a moment of your time?"
An elegant bow and gesture. Hard to believe this was the same man who'd crossed blades with him, trading insults.
Licht regarded Bail slowly. Beneath the knight's feigned calm, madness flickered in his eyes.