Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Crossroads (5)
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Night was deepening.
A light drizzle soaked the plants in the dark garden, whispering as it fell, carrying a cool, clear fragrance that drifted in through the window.
I sat beneath the bed with a large book spread open across my knees.
I flipped the pages periodically, but the words barely registered.
Luwen's complicated story scattered messily through my mind.
One thing was crystal clear: I was the most suitable person to handle the seal chamber's barrier.
Claus had known that too, which was why he'd recommended me.
But the me from back then, Luther Rendike, had designed the seal and barrier with southern kingdom magic in mind for management... and it apparently wasn't enough.
Kingdom magic had reached its limits in maintaining the seal chamber and its seals, leading Claus to believe imperial magic was the solution.
In this situation, I was the only one fit for the job...
Knock knock.
The door opened with a light click.
I turned to see Shuren poking his head in with a puzzled look.
"Lib? Still up?"
"Ah... brother."
I closed the book and stood.
"About to sleep now."
As I returned the book to the shelf, Shuren's gaze prickled against my back.
He narrowed his eyes and slipped quietly into the room.
"Something's come up, hasn't it."
"...Who knows."
I pulled out an innocent book and shoved it back in. Right, uh, where did this one go?
"If you've got worries, don't hesitate to tell your big brother. I might sort it out nice and clean for you."
"You've got plenty of your own troubles."
I finally slotted it into place. Shuren scratched his head with a "well..."
"Doesn't mean I can't help with yours."
"True, but..."
Should I tell Shuren about this?
It was a major decision that would drastically change my life ahead... and I didn't want to keep it secret from him.
I was genuinely curious what he'd think.
I didn't agonize long.
"Brother. You know about the Silver Moon Knight Order?"
Shuren's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He paused to think, then nodded as he perched on the bed.
"Heard the rumors. An elite order made up of the best knights from each unit."
I told him how Claus had recommended me as a mage attached to the Silver Moon Knight Order. And that Luwen wanted me to decide for myself.
"Haa... Luwen's as strict as ever."
After hearing me out, Shuren let out a deep sigh.
I looked up at him, puzzled.
"Strict? He said he'd respect my decision."
"That means you bear full responsibility for it yourself. No matter what happens. You have to understand that, steel yourself... and then decide."
"Steel myself..."
I mumbled the heavy word and buried my face in the soft bedding.
Did I have that kind of resolve?
Shuren, sitting on the bed, gently ruffled my hair with a warm hand.
"If it's too hard to decide, just give up. It'd mean you're not ready yet. You're still a student—no matter how much of a sage he is, he can't force you into the Silver Moon Knights."
"If I 'decide' not to go, then yeah..."
Even if Claus pushed, Luwen would back me up, along with Father and the White Guard Knight.
Claus listened to the White Guard Knight, so he might drop it this time.
But then why couldn't I even make the decision not to go?
I looked up at Shuren as I wrestled with the tangled threads in my head.
"What do you think, brother? Do you think I could go to the Silver Moon Knights and handle it safely, do well?"
Shuren tilted his head with an "Umm..."
His expression didn't look promising for a positive answer. He seemed to be choosing words that wouldn't hurt me.
"From my view, it's shaky. You're only a second-year. Field training and combat classes don't even start until third year.
Your stamina's barely scraping by, swordplay's... a little better, at least. And you're still learning as a mage?"
He laid out the painful truths point by point, then shook his head like it was no good.
"And after all those massive incidents you've been through. Leaving Prion would be several times riskier for you than anyone else.
Thinking about what happened to you still gives me chills—how are you holding up?"
I gave a bitter smile and hung my head.
"No way I'm okay..."
The incident at home when I was seven, the ambush at the knight post on the way to Prion, that event at twelve.
Catastrophes most people might face once in a lifetime—if at all. Usually enough to shatter a life completely.
"I've traveled for a year and a half as a knight attendant, faced all sorts of situations, but nothing as terrifying as those demons at that outpost. I might run into something like that again outside Prion."
Recalling it still made my heart race and cold sweat break out.
The terror from my childhood was etched deep in my brain, impossible to erase.
"But someday... I have to overcome it."
"Lib..."
I took a deep breath and shoved the memories—and the fear—out of my mind.
I wasn't that scared kid anymore.
I could wield mana and magic freely, protect my own body just fine.
I could resist demon illusions and control the mana in the seal inside me.
I'd survived desperately. I couldn't keep cowering like a child forever.
I gave Shuren a small smile.
"Truth is, I'm still scared. But someday, there'll be a day when I'm not. I'll make it happen. That's why I'm studying, getting stronger...
Is it time now? Have I gotten strong enough? I don't really know."
Shuren looked stunned for a moment, at a loss for words.
"Does the Sage think you're ready?"
"Who knows... Right now, Althur Tower doesn't have anyone to spare for the Silver Moon Knights. The seal chamber absolutely needs a mage to maintain the barrier."
I looked straight up at Shuren and stated it clearly.
"But brother, I'm confident I can do that job well. You wouldn't know, but Master's right. I'm the perfect fit for it."
"So that's what you're agonizing over."
"Yeah. I want to help... The Prius knights, Teacher Luwen, Master Claus, Grain at Erban Medical Center, Vice Officer Erner, you, Father—they all saved my life.
It feels like now's my chance to use what I've got to help them all."
Saying it out loud started to swell my confidence for real.
Maybe I can do this. Maybe I'll pull it off...
"If it goes well, the seal chamber stabilizes. Prius safe, and my safety too..."
"Or the exact opposite."
"...I was just getting my courage up."
Worry crashed in, dousing my confidence. I groaned and buried my head in the bed.
Shuren chuckled and tousled my hair.
"Anyway, quit thinking for tonight and sleep before it's too late. Ruin your health, and you won't execute whatever decision you make."
"Not like old me. One sleepless night won't kill me."
Shuren went "sure sure" and pulled up the blanket. I grumbled but obediently crawled into bed.
"You've still got time to decide, right? I've got my own stuff to mull over... we'll think it through later."
"Mm," I mumbled, sinking my head into the fluffy pillow.
It had been a long day. Sleep was crashing over me fast.
"Ah, wait. Brother."
A sudden thought hit me. I called out to Shuren as he headed for the door.
"About Father..."
"Keep it secret? Don't worry."
Shuren nodded like he'd already figured it out.
I relaxed.
I didn't want to worry Father needlessly until I'd made up my mind.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Sleep well, Lib."
Shuren gave a light wave and quietly closed the door behind him.
Pouring out my worries to Shuren lightened my heart immensely.
Confidence and courage welled up, and the once-vague worries and anxieties sharpened into focus.
Ideas of what I needed and how to get it started surfacing one by one.
Tomorrow was going to be busy.
I slipped into sleep as it slowly overtook me in the darkness.
Morning.
I woke right up, gave my face and body a quick rinse, and changed clothes.
I grabbed an apple from the fruit basket on the table, stuffed it in my bag, and stepped straight out onto the balcony.
The balcony overlooked the mansion's backyard, with soft shrubs growing right below.
Handy alternative to the door. Probably not intentional.
"Young Master?"
Just as I was about to jump down to the garden.
Mellia the maid opened the door and came in, startled.
"What are you doing? Surely not from the window..."
"Sudden errand came up. Mellia, could you explain to my parents?"
"Eh?! What about breakfast?"
"Grabbed some fruit. Thanks!"
I jumped before she could grab me. The shrub, bursting with soft new shoots, cushioned me safely.
"Ash."
I brushed off the leaves and twigs and headed into the garden.
Ash rose lazily from the tree shade visible from my room, stretching.
'Impatient from the morning.'
"Going to school. Mind helping?"
I stuck close to Ash, urging him. He backed up a bit, flustered.
'What's the rush...'
"It's urgent—I'll forget if I wait. So, hop this fence?"
'...Fine. Hold tight.'
Yahoo.
I grabbed his nape with an inner cheer.
Ash leaned forward, yanking me along.
In the blink of an eye, I stood in the middle of the alley outside the mansion. The vine fence encircled our house right to my side.
Ash's signature leap.
It had limits with weather, terrain, stamina—but perfect for times like this.
'School? Isn't it vacation?'
"That's why I'm going."
The early morning streets were deserted and quiet. With school on break, no students around.
Ash strolled leisurely behind me.
"No people, so you can come in too, Ash. Actually, I'd appreciate it."
'What're you planning?'
"The usual—magic research. I've got ideas from all night; wanna test 'em quick."
My overnight thoughts itched, afraid they'd fly away.
My steps quickened without realizing.
I'd vaguely considered it before, but never committed to trying. Would it work?
Ash picked up his pace to match.
'Why school, though? Not the cabin?'
"Luwen said stay out of the cabin for a bit. School's got a good spot."
I slipped in through the back gate and headed straight for the magic and practice lab.
A perfect place for hands-on magic training.