Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Crossroads (8)
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When I got home, the sun was already dipping below the castle walls.
I'd spent the whole day darting around town, burning through mana everywhere I went, leaving me utterly exhausted. But the results matched the effort, so I was in high spirits.
Ash, who'd stuck by my side the entire time, was completely spent. The moment we arrived, he fled into the soft bushes like he was escaping.
"Lib, you're late."
Mother spotted me as she hung lanterns from the garden tree branches.
Dozens of small lanterns glowed with a soft golden light, strung along the branches. They swayed gently in the breeze, casting a warm glow over the darkening garden.
It was the familiar daily sight I always caught at this hour.
"Where on earth have you been wandering all day? You didn't even eat breakfast."
Mother cradled my cheeks in her warm hands.
Only then did I realize how chilled my face was from roaming all day.
"I ate some fruit I packed."
"And lunch?"
"Bread..."
I swallowed the bit about not being able to just walk past the bakery in the plaza.
But Mother already knew my favorite bakery and exactly which bread I loved, so she didn't press. She just smiled gently.
"Dinner?"
"Not yet."
"You must be starving then. I've got warm stew ready. Let's head inside."
I sat across from Mother for dinner.
Father was running later than usual tonight, so we'd gotten word to eat without him.
"So, what kept you so busy all day?"
"Magic research. The usual stuff."
She could've pried for details, but Mother didn't.
She just flashed that warm smile, like she'd embrace whatever mischief I was up to.
Gazing at her face, reality suddenly closed in.
Leaving Prion means I won't see Mother for a long while.
Father, Shuren, my friends, Luwen, Grain... all of them.
My mood dipped a little.
This peaceful life won't last forever, but that doesn't make it any easier for me to leave first.
I wanted just a bit more time together.
"Something bothering you?"
I jerked my head up in surprise.
Mother gazed at me with those deep eyes that seemed to peer right into my soul.
"Ah, no..."
Lying to those eyes was nearly impossible. Mother smiled softly.
"That's a relief. Just remember I'm always here, no matter what."
"Yes, Mother... Thank you."
Her warm presence choked up my words, but I managed a reply.
Every time Shuren swung his sword, the garden tree's leaves rustled in response.
The golden garden lanterns lit the blade in stark relief, and the sword whistled through the air.
Its tip thrust straight ahead, unwavering.
His calm black hair gleamed bluish under the moonlight.
Shuren moved without so much as a breath the whole time.
I watched, holding my own breath.
I'd only come to the back garden before bed to breathe in more cool night air.
I never imagined Shuren would be drilling sword forms in the training ground this late...
It had been ages since I'd seen him so absorbed, and my feet stopped on their own.
Shuren had trained in Cernian court swordsmanship since childhood, but knight academy had him blending in knight swordsmanship bit by bit.
It was like Father—Prius affiliated but sticking mainly to Cernian court swordsmanship.
On top of that, he seemed to weave in moves picked up from real combat during this knight training assignment.
For me, who'd barely scraped by on basic knight swordsmanship, telling his moves apart was no easy feat.
Quick swings split the air; slashes and thrusts thudded dully.
"Awesome enough to leave you speechless, huh?"
Shuren's playful voice yanked me back to reality.
He finished his form with flair and slid the sword home into its sheath.
"Almost."
I giggled and tossed him the dry towel draped over the railing.
He'd been so locked in, sweat beaded and sparkled on his forehead.
Even his thin training clothes were soaked through.
"You usually drill this late?"
"Eh, no."
Shuren wiped his sweaty face and hopped up to perch on the railing.
"Just felt like moving. Clears the head when you're in motion."
"Career stuff? Still mulling it over?"
Like me, Shuren needed to settle on a path soon. Swinging his sword this late felt like impatience spilling over.
"Honestly, pretty sure I'd crush it anywhere..."
He trailed off, grabbing the water pail from the ground for a swig.
"Actually, I paid the Blue Guard Knight a visit this afternoon."
"Father? Why?"
I widened my eyes in surprise.
Shuren stared off at the quiet forest stretching behind the garden.
His face deep in thought.
"He asked if I'd join the Blue Guard. It's invite-only for instructor or vice officer hopefuls—I never even dreamed...
...he suggested starting as Erner Vice Officer's replacement."
"Whoa."
The exclamation slipped out unbidden.
A direct invite from the Blue Guard Knight himself—no middlemen.
Father had seen Shuren's skill firsthand and extended the offer personally.
It should've lit him up, but shadows hid Shuren's expression.
"...Isn't that great?"
I ventured carefully.
"It is."
Shuren turned with a smile.
His words said yes, but plenty held him back from full joy.
"Haven't committed yet. He offered 'cause I was agonizing over my path. Truly grateful—really. The Blue Guard Knight and Master both look out for me like their own son."
"You basically are."
I see Shuren as a brother too, so pointing it out felt redundant.
But he lit up like it was news.
"So Blue Guard's a no-go?"
"Hell no. Every grad dreams of it. Legally grind rookies."
Pfft. Laughter burst out. Shuren grinned back.
Though I doubted that's what Father meant.
"Gonna mull it carefully. You? Settled?"
Shuren shrugged.
I hesitated, picking my words.
My heart leaned hard, but certainty lagged.
"...I think it's gotta be me. But zero combat experience—can't be sure I'd pull it off."
"Combat experience."
Shuren muttered, glancing around.
He spotted something and strode purposefully to the training ground's edge.
Moments later, he flung a wooden practice sword my way.
"What's this?"
I caught it on reflex, clueless to his intent.
Shuren snatched another, leveling the tip at me.
"Experience like that's just reps. Come on out. Big bro's got you."
I panicked.
Sparring? Now?
We'd sparred during sword lessons plenty, but magic research had kept me too slammed lately for proper bouts.
"Bad idea, bro..."
"Why? 'Cause you're a mage?"
Shuren smirked.
"Mage or knight, battle sense only comes from clashing for real."
"Fair, but..."
"When a beast's in your face, will you freeze up shaking, or move at all? I'll check."
Ugh. I groaned, stepping up.
Doubts clung, but his logic held.
I took center ground, raised the wooden sword, body canted sideways into stance.
Shuren faced me, regripped, shifted posture.
"Here I come."
His sword surged at me the instant words left his mouth.
I gasped short and recoiled on instinct—then a swelling massive wolf shoved between us.
Ash.
"Don't crash the spar, Ash."
Ash glared at Shuren, growling wordless.
Shuren didn't budge an inch against a wolf his size.
"Ash, it's okay."
I readjusted my grip.
Ash flicked a glance my way, shrank small, and padded to the training ground's fringe.
He curled his tail and sat, watching us.
Shuren eyed Ash and smirked.
"He'd have my head if you got hurt."
"Go easy. Swordplay won't beat you."
I let out a small sigh.
That opening move told me: no winning, lucky not to eat hits.
Shuren snickered.
"Won't know till you clash. Hit me all out. I'll take it."
Ugh, seriously... No choice.
I steeled up carefully.
Gonna tumble and bruise for sure, but I'd use every sword lesson to at least connect.
Shuren dropped the grin, face turning dead serious as he met my eyes.
Quick breath in, then I charged him.
Clack!
Shuren blocked light; I spun, upward from another angle.
Blocked again.
He read my strikes before I even shifted.
After a string of misses, I panted back a step.
Wrists stung from gripping. Tip already wobbling. Stamina failing.
Clamped both hands tight. Shake eased some.
"My turn."
His sword whooshed up low from the right.
I barely parried a hair from my face.
Thwack!
Such power the wood nearly splintered with the crash. Blocked clean, but my whole body reeled.
"Hold on, bro...!"
"No 'hold on' in a fight."
Shuren's faint smile unleashed a ferocious storm of swings.
Left, right, right again, overhead straight-on.
Crisp, no waste, breath unflustered.
I backpedaled, barely fending the vicious onslaught.
Each block rattled my sword; wrists throbbed numb. Stance crumbling.
"Hup."
Shuren closed tight, yanked his sword back.
Straight front, face-high.
I inhaled sharp, hauled my stone-heavy sword up.
Thump.
Barely caught Shuren's blade, but stance and angle sucked.
No good. It's bouncing...
My body lurched back hard.
Eyes bulging in that split-second, my gaze locked with Ash's over Shuren's shoulder.
His eyes glowed red as he whispered to me.
'Evade now.'