Arsen (3)
…Lara Steelhiden. The girl who introduced herself as “Lara of Steelhiden” was one of the main heroines in the original story. In other words, one of the key players destined to save this world.
I never imagined I’d run into her here of all places. What a bizarre twist of fate. Or maybe it really was fate.
That sensation I’d felt from Duke Esperand before leaving the mansion. Maybe everything—from my possession in this body to crossing paths with Lara—had been predetermined all along.
The situation unfolding before my eyes was so absurd that it planted those thoughts in my head.
“I need to get to Arsen.”
It was an utterly unfamiliar scenario. What if our positions were reversed? I probably would’ve pulled the trigger by now, habit taking over. Even if not, could I have negotiated so boldly?
Lara Steelhiden wasn’t scared. She wasn’t fully trusting me or treating me like an enemy—just proposing a deal with calm pragmatism.
“What about you? How’d you end up here?”
I hesitated for a split second. I’d already let slip the name Gallion, and backing out now would only pile on the suspicion.
This was Lara Steelhiden, no less—one of the original heroines. The girl who’d grow into an archmage stood right in front of me.
What to do…
The deliberation didn’t last long. I pulled the admission recommendation from my pocket, covering the name with my hand.
“I’m heading to Arsen too. Reserve cadet.”
“So we’re going to the same place…?”
Now it was Lara Steelhiden’s turn to hesitate. Her lips pursed—she was clearly organizing her words.
A moment later, determination filled her eyes.
“Um, actually… I don’t have any fare.”
I wondered what she was building up to, but it turned out she just wanted to borrow money.
“That motorcycle outside—it’s yours, right? So then…”
But as I listened to the end, that wasn’t it. Lara’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. Her lips trembled.
From what I remembered of her personality, Lara was fiercely proud. She probably wanted to ask me for something but couldn’t bring herself to say it.
I couldn’t drag this out forever, though.
“I could give you a ride if you want.”
“I’ll pay the fare later.”
“No need.”
“……”
She clamped her lips shut at my firm refusal, but her sharp gaze didn’t waver.
“Steelhiden don’t take on debt.”
There it is. I knew that line had to come eventually.
“Then this’ll be your first. Remember it well.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Don’t want it? Fine by me.”
If it were me, I’d have jumped at the chance with a quick thanks. A ride secured, and no payment required—what could be better?
“……”
But Lara was different. The epitome of poverty. A dirt-poor commoner. Yet she was like a resilient weed, standing tall against malice. A righteous ally who never bowed to evil, becoming the protagonist’s steadfast companion.
That was Lara Steelhiden—and the very trait that would one day forge her into an archmage.
Still, she could’ve just accepted the favor once. Even if she insisted on no debts, I had nothing to take from her anyway.
As long as she made it safely to Arsen, grew strong, and stopped this world’s doom—securing my peaceful retirement—that was enough.
Besides, I was using a fake name. Better to keep things between Gallion and Lara as a clean, one-off encounter.
Anyway, I needed to get to Arsen too. And with tasks ahead, arriving ASAP would make things easier.
“This isn’t the time to get all prideful. It’s not like you’re walking the whole way.”
“But our family…”
“Don’t want it? I’ll go alone.”
I simply picked up my carry-on in silence.
A little deeper thought would show there was no upside to getting tangled with her. Lara Steelhiden would handle herself just fine—me sticking around would only waste her time.
I never thought I’d live the saying “leave them while they’re clapping.”
Gallion vanishes here.
“Hey! What are you doing? There’s no law that says—!”
“Here.”
“No, this is ridiculous…! Wait! Hold on!”
A desperate cry came from behind. By then, I was already tying my shoelaces.
“I’m off.”
I peeled the key card off the inn wall, and the room lights dimmed.
At that moment, a faint glow lit up the room.
“…Give me a ride.”
A glowing orb like a firefly hovered where the fluorescent light had been. Lara’s magic.
“I don’t have anything to give you right now. But still.”
I tilted my head to glance at her. The key card was still in my hand.
“When I can repay you later, I’ll make it right somehow. Steelhiden don’t take on debt, so I’ll…”
I turned away. Her eyes were dead serious.
“So, what’s the conclusion?”
“Give me a ride. To Arsen.”
Yeah. That’s more like it.
Lara Steelhiden had always struggled to accept help from others. That’s why her growth lagged in the original story—she’d suffer alone.
Especially that library ghost episode. She pushed herself solo, making things worse. If she’d gone with the protagonist or player, she wouldn’t have gotten possessed.
So yeah, learn to take help sometimes.
“No need for repayment. Keep mumbling, and I’ll go alone.”
Thinking of all the group projects and ordeals ahead, better to train her now—reduce that burden early. Accepting help isn’t shameful.
If she grasped that sooner, great.
And hey, did I need a reason to help a character I liked? Even in the game, I’d go out of my way for weird reasons. Sure, now it was real, but deals don’t always need material exchange.
If I’m satisfied, that’s what counts. I had nothing to gain from Lara anyway.
Like I said before: grow strong at Arsen. That serves the world—and my comfy future.
Of course, I couldn’t spill that. So I just shut up.
That night, we crashed at the inn. I gave her the bed and dozed in the chair.
Next morning, we headed out early for Arsen.
I had to wear the mask all day. Stifling, but bearable. It was designed for long-term use, after all.
“Sorry, only one helmet.”
“It’s fine. I’ll handle it.”
With that, Lara cast a spell. An opaque barrier-like shield enveloped us both.
Mana armor. A buff spell like protective aura, blocking external mana thickly.
I revved the motorcycle. Waved to the innkeeper seeing us off, and hit the throttle.
“Eek…!”
Startled by the sudden acceleration, her thin arms wrapped around my waist. I flinched at the unfamiliar sensation, but the engine vibes probably hid it.
Off to the suburban gate district. Should take about an hour.
Compared to yesterday’s all-day highway haul, this was a casual spin.
Just an hour. But with company, it felt twice as long.
I’d drop her at the suburbs. Anything more felt awkward on my end.
Shion Esperand’s name still felt foreign on my tongue—I didn’t want to slip.
Gritting my teeth, I gripped the road tight, mind on lockdown.
The endless highway’s end appeared. Apartment complexes and high-rises peeked between mountains. A tollbooth-like checkpoint loomed closer.
Then Lara poked my side lightly with her index finger.
“Hey, you’re really not telling me your real name?”
Her sudden words hit.
Screeech!
“Wh-what?!”
…Nearly blew past the checkpoint.
Did she see through the fake name? Some unnoticed charm spell?
In seconds, a storm of thoughts raced. But no clues surfaced.
I played dumb. “Name? What name?”
“Not Gallion—the family name after it. Your full name. You gotta tell me.”
I ignored her, pressing forward. The checkpoint guard waved.
I flashed Arsen’s recommendation with one hand. Given the academy’s prestige, that’d handle most formalities.
“Ah, heading to Arsen? Safe travels.”
The guard gestured, and the barrier lifted. He didn’t check details—just the logo.
Lara’s voice piped up beside me. “Don’t ignore me.”
“No need to know.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Tell me your full name so I can repay the debt later…”
She’d been quiet for a bit—turns out she was stewing.
I passed the checkpoint and pulled onto the shoulder.
She kept insisting on paying, even though I had zero plans to accept.
“Seriously, you don’t need to know. No reason to tell you.”
“……”
This iron wall should get the message across. Whatever she made of it, this was best for me.
“Why won’t you tell me?”
Because there is no family name. Gallion doesn’t exist.
Lies breed more lies. Better to hide than fabricate and risk a tangle.
I stopped the bike; Lara dismounted carefully from behind.
She started to speak, then flinched back suddenly.
“Ah…?”
Her gaze halted mid-dismount—not on me.
On the ring on my left ring finger.
Took her long enough.
“Th-this is yours, right?”
“No, you don’t have to give it back now.”
I stopped her from removing it.
“Mana exhaustion. You’re a mage—your mana’s not recovered yet. Keep it on.”
“……”
“You’ve got entrance exams to prep for. Don’t push it.”
Lara was a mage. She’d have noticed the ring’s effects instantly.
No big loss for now anyway. I could buy a similar one from a local shop.
Esperand money flowed like water.
Lara eyed the ring on her finger. Her expression was a complicated mix.
“Take care.”
Our sudden companionship ended here. No reply came.
Didn’t matter. As Gallion, I wouldn’t cross paths with Lara again.
If we met, it’d be as “Sion Illeionhart.”
Gallion vanishes here.
No regrets on my end.
…What an odd person.
The masked stranger. At first, scary and unfamiliar.
When I came to, I was in some random room. I tensed, scanning for threats.
One carry-on against the wall. Nothing dangerous.
Quite the opposite. A warm blanket draped over my lap.
What happened? My memory was blank. Last thing: that unlucky beast encounter, and the guy on the motorcycle.
Couldn’t recall his face. The man from the shower wore a mask and wouldn’t share his name.
Truly bizarre.
And I’d accepted help from him.
“The ring…”
Lara glanced at the one on her finger.
A magitech artifact with mana recovery—pricey stuff. Selling it alone could cover tuition.
“……”
Of course, she had no intention of pawning a gift from her mysterious benefactor.
This needed returning.
“He said his name was Gallion…”
Gallion. A reserve cadet heading to Arsen Academy like her.
If they met again, she could give it back.
“Steelhiden never forget a favor.”
No—she would return it. She’d track him down somehow.
As long as they attended the same academy, they’d cross paths eventually.
With that, Lara set a new goal.
The masked man, Gallion.
She etched the name of her helper deep in her heart.