Preparation: A Knife's Edge in the Capital's Finest Restaurant
Nearly a full-blown swordfight had broken out in one of the capital's high-end restaurants. And of all places, right between two men under(?) the Duke of Valentia—the very center of attention ever since earning the moniker Sword Emperor.
Thankfully, Tiny's quick recognition of his own guilt and his frantic apologies had averted disaster.
"......Raise your hands higher."
"Yes, sir."
At Jenas's low murmur, Tiny lifted his arms even straighter. Kneeling on the plush sofa with his hands up was child's play for him—no pain even after hours. Jenas knew that full well, of course. But drawing the stares of the waitstaff bustling back and forth to clear the mountain of empty plates piled high enough to scrape the ceiling? That was punishment enough.
'......Humiliating.'
But with guilt weighing on him, Tiny could only meekly hang his head.
At least he'd confirmed one thing from the waiters' startled reactions every time they glanced his way.
"Thanks to that, we've reconfirmed this place has excellent soundproofing."
Only after the staff had all left did Jenas offer his curt observation, allowing Tiny to finally lower his arms.
"......I never knew you could shout like that, sir."
Tiny's offhand remark, tossed out while gauging the mood, drew a wry smile from Jenas, who dipped his head slightly.
"Ahem. My apologies, Tiny. My discipline still needs work. I've learned another lesson thanks to you."
As Jenas apologized, Tiny felt a twinge of injustice—adding his own words had only made him look petty. He bowed his head at once.
"......No, sir. I went too far."
But.
"That was 'too far'......! Ahem. Well, it happens......"
Jenas's wavering response suggested the mental shock had hit him hard.
Sensing Tiny's gaze, Jenas straightened up and snapped his fingers with a crisp snap!
In that instant, a transparent veil of wind enveloped them.
'Soundproofing again?'
Tiny had noticed it before, but Jenas wielded his elemental affinity with a precision most knights could only dream of. At this level, he might as well be a mage.
"Even if the soundproofing is good, better safe than sorry. Anyway, I arranged this private meeting because, with the wedding approaching, His Grace has issued specific orders regarding escorts and security. Including for you, Tiny."
Finally......
"It's an important mission, but since His Grace is busy, I'm relaying it on his behalf."
Tiny straightened at those words, and Jenas launched into a proper explanation.
"As you know, only imperial family members and direct Valentia retainers can enter the crown prince's wedding venue. So we'll handle security outside Kreim Palace, where the ceremony is."
"Wasn't that obvious? Why the special......?"
"Hear me out. His Grace is uneasy precisely about that."
"Pardon?"
"You've heard the rumors, Tiny. The truth is, the Imperial Knights aren't all that skilled."
Escorting the imperial family inside fell to the Imperial Knights—a group that prized noble birth over merit. No wonder their standards lagged.
"Ah......"
"So you'll disguise yourself as an imperial servant and assist inside the venue. His Grace has arranged your position."
"Ho......"
Tiny had considered it himself, recalling the imperial disaster from his past life. But the timing was tricky.
"......Now?"
Only two weeks remained until the crown prince's wedding. With the emperor and all imperial kin in attendance, even food servers needed verified backgrounds. Imperial servants were usually lower nobles' children for that very security—even a duke couldn't just......
"A plan like that needs months of prep. Am I wrong?"
Tiny thought it a fair point, but Jenas's reply was firm.
"Yes, you are. Don't underestimate House Valentia's resources."
"......Understood."
Ugh.
"Your physical abilities are exceptional, so servant training will take just three days. Before that, I need you patrolling the capital—especially around the palace."
"Patrols?"
"Demon worshippers might infiltrate. Time for the Light Knight to shine."
Not wrong, but there was a catch.
"You know Wolrang is......"
"I'll inform the young lady in advance. No major changes there, right?"
"......Yeah."
"Then it's settled."
"......Yes, sir."
"In emergencies, you may need to join the Relic Guardians. You handled a relic in Carun, so this should be fine too?"
Those words summoned memories of Humanitas's waves in Carun. Assuming all relics were similar......
"Probably...... No, definitely possible."
"Good. That's your role: infiltrate as a servant, scout for demon worshippers, use relics if needed. Not hard, right? Just three things."
"......Why emphasize it like that?"
"Ah, His Grace said you might not grasp it fully—your head's a bit...... Ahem. He told me to explain repeatedly. No offense. You're only fourteen; common sense comes with time. So, to reiterate......"
"......Urgh."
That damn old geezer......!
Fresh irritation surged, but guilt kept Tiny silent through the repetition.
And soon after.
"11 gold!?"
Jenas's eyes nearly bulged at the bill.
"Ha, haha. One meal costs a peasant family's yearly living for five households...... Impressive."
"Uh. Um. Sorry."
Despite the laughter in his voice, the killing intent in Jenas's eyes forced Tiny to drop his gaze again.
Maybe the food was overpriced? But he wasn't shameless enough to say it now.
Yet as he bowed, Tiny caught Jenas slipping a note into the manager's pocket while settling the bill—a motion too swift for ordinary eyes.
'......Huh?'
Even after the staff's grand send-off as they exited, Tiny kept his head down for a long stretch. Only after walking what felt like ages did he glance back.
A world of aesthetics for nobles, by nobles. The restaurant's ostentatious sign stood out even from afar.
Jenas, turning at the same moment, snapped his fingers again. Wind subtly cloaked them as he smiled faintly.
"Something on your mind, Tiny?"
"......What was that note earlier?"
"Haha. It's a fine restaurant, but also a capital outpost for the imperial intel network, Eye of the Dragon. That's why we came."
......Huh?
Stunned by the unexpected answer, Tiny listened as Jenas continued.
"The Eye went fully to Crown Prince upon the succession. I just relayed our plans to him. His Grace deems him the sole reliable ally inside the palace now."
"Ah......"
True, even during the Sword Emperor and Weapon Master's duel, there'd been hints.
'Yeah, that prince is trustworthy.'
Not just his character, but no one wanted calamity at their own wedding.
"With the prince aiding from within and Valentia responding from without, that should......"
"Crush any demon worshipper plots."
Jenas's confident face now made sense. Yet unease lingered.
The reason? A ridiculous voice from two months back.
"......Just hope the emperor doesn't pull some stupid stunt."
Jenas's expression hardened slightly.
"Mind your manners, Tiny."
......You can trash the emperor behind his back. But knowing Jenas's temperament, Tiny bowed promptly.
"Ah, yes, sir. My rough life......"
"It's not about that. I won't demand politeness to everyone. But cultivating self-control benefits your future growth."
"......Uh, yes."
Self-control? For future growth......?
It sounded like etiquette advice, but.
'Heard something similar before...... Ah!'
A fragment from his distant past life resurfaced.
He'd rarely taken criticism in that life, thanks to his giant frame. But one person feared neither his strength nor size—showing him kindness instead.
- If you'd learned to master your heart, you could have grown so much further.
Estina's advice—old comrade, World Tree guardian.
Past Tiny hadn't grasped it; even now, he wasn't sure he did. But hearing Jenas echo it verbatim made his mind itch.
"Alright, let's head back. His Grace will review the plan when he has time."
"......Sorry, but what did you mean by that earlier?"
"Hm? Did it strike a chord?"
"Not sure, but......"
Despite Tiny's vague reply, Jenas's eyes gleamed as he spoke calmly.
"A calm heart eases soul-body unity. That solidifies the foundation for higher realms...... His Grace's words."
Tiny's eyes widened at the succinct answer. It sounded like it referred to his Mana Body secret—contradicting his past life, aligning with this one.
Of course......
'No way.'
Still, he eyed Jenas anew.
But the advice didn't end there.
"Your mana color changed upon reaching Blader, right?"
"Ah, yes."
Obviously......
'Though most don't.'
Tiny nodded, recalling his mana shifting from crimson in his past life to sunset hues now.
"Then, do you know those whose mana color changes upon advancement are far more likely to become Transcendents?"
"......Pardon?"
"Think about it: of the Seven Knights, how many retain plain blue mana? You've heard the rumors about Transcendents."
"Ah......"
"And most knights never change color. The Transcendent ratio speaks for itself."
'True......'
First time hearing it, but convincing.
"House Valentia believes firm conviction and strong will reflect in the soul's color on mana. Thus, such people have higher odds of becoming Aura Users."
"Ah......"
"Tempering that fierce heart is the first step to Transcendence. Maintaining composure daily is best...... His Grace again."
Will...... Soul's color reflected...... Convincing, but.
'Why different between lives, then?'
A doubt only dual-lived Tiny could hold scratched at him.
Then.
- Woof!
"Ah!"
A possibility dawned.
Wolrang......!
The spirit now lived and breathed within his soul.
Realizing it sparked insight.
He'd learned in Carun: souls held pure power distinct from mana.
'Souls have their own power and color, shifting with linked souls.'
And.
'Spirits are condensations of soul power. If soul power affects mana, then Wolrang and I could......'
As the thought crystallized, mana surged from Tiny's hands—crimson from his right, like his past life; yellow from his left, Wolrang's soul hue.
'One heavy, one light......!'
Merging the opposing gravity affinities from each hand.
Rrrrrumble.
Even tiny mana erupted in sunset brilliance with staggering force—dozens of times the input, in that brief instant.
"Got it!"
This was usable!
Seizing the flashing inspiration, pioneering another path.
A gasp erupted beside him.
"Heavens......!"
"Ah......"
Only then did Tiny recall he was mid-conversation with Jenas, offering an awkward smile. Jenas just shook his head in awe.
"Incredible! How did you do that?"
"W-Well, not fully sorted yet......"
"Haha. Tell me once it is. Glad my advice sparked something. True genius. No wonder His Grace wants you taught everything possible."
Tiny could only muster an awkward smile at the earnest praise.
But a sudden thought soured his expression.
As much as possible?
"......Was that just now some secret technique?"
Not all secrets were grand skills. Jenas's words could be guarded lore.
Sharing facts even past-life Transcendent Tiny hadn't grasped? Unlikely personal insight from Jenas or the duke alone.
Jenas replied nonchalantly.
"What's it matter? You're family."
......Family.
The absurd retort to Tiny's stunned query left him at a loss.
'Sure, outsiders calling me family now is weird.'
Still awkward after his wandering life.
Thankfully, Jenas shifted topics.
"Spar when we return. I'll help you refine it."
"......I won't hold back."
"Good. Explain it properly if you can—teach me too."
Considering Jenas's mana sensitivity, he'd likely grasped the rough method already—and its impossibility for him.
Yet asking anyway? Pure consideration for Tiny.
"......Thank you, truly."
Tiny offered sincere gratitude to the silver-haired knight before him.
Days later.
With the crown prince's wedding just over a week away, utterly unforeseen news arrived.