Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Ring of Promise (4)
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“Wedin’s skills are still a bit rough around the edges, but his talent is more than sufficient. He’s gained some real combat experience traveling with the delegation this time, so you could say he’s taken his first step as a holy mage.”
“But he hasn’t graduated from the knight academy yet.”
“Think of it like Althur Tower. There’s always a shortage of talented holy mages. As long as a trainee has the basic skills, they’re recognized regardless of age.”
That was why Grain hadn’t been able to stop Wedin’s decision.
Not that my persuasion had worked either, so Grain probably didn’t stand much of a chance. Especially since they’d officially recognized Wedin as a holy mage according to their traditions.
“What about the others? Didn’t the White Guard Knight or Silver Guard Knight object?”
“They were worried it might be a rash decision, but as you know, I’m not sure there’s anyone in the world who could talk Wedin out of something once he’s set his mind to it.”
Grain shook his head wearily.
“I even spoke to Shuren and the Blue Guard Knight, but he wouldn’t listen to a word.”
“What about Clemence? Does she know?”
Clemence would surely try to stop him. And Wedin might actually listen to her...
“The White Guard Knight is probably telling her right about now.”
Grain gave me a bittersweet look after saying that.
“He said Clemence has asked him several times to keep you off the Silver Moon Knight Order roster. Even after he kept persuading her that she had to respect your choice, she stubbornly insisted otherwise—completely unlike her.”
I shut my mouth in shock.
Clemence had seemed to understand me, but...
Did she think the White Guard Knight would somehow fix it? Like he always had?
“The White Guard Knight has been dealing with this for days already, so his expression soured when he heard about Wedin. He said he’d talk to Clemence in person and try to calm her down, but I think... this is something you all need to sort out among yourselves.”
“...I understand.”
Grain was right. In the end, we had to talk it out and understand each other.
I forced a smile and thanked him.
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll try to convince them both.”
“Good. Were you planning to oppose Wedin joining the Silver Moon Knight Order?”
“I was.”
I lowered my gaze.
The tangled mess of emotions in my head gradually settled into calm clarity.
Grain’s words had made something click for me.
We were all just running in circles in the same place.
“If I don’t accept Wedin, he won’t accept me either... And the same goes for Clemence.”
Grain nodded slowly at my words.
“As his mentor, I believe in Wedin. I never imagined I’d be sending him off like this, but with a bit more experience, he’ll become an outstanding holy mage.”
“...My father said the same. That he believes I’ll do well.”
Grain smiled at me—brighter than any expression I’d seen on him today.
“The Blue Guard Knight surely feels the same. Now go, Lib. Wedin should be at the training grounds in the rear garden.”
“The training grounds? Why?”
“Shuren said he wanted to test Wedin in his own way.”
Grain sighed, his expression darkening again. A moment later, he muttered that he’d have to go check on Wedin’s wounds soon.
The building was eerily quiet long after dinner time had passed.
I threw on a warm robe and walked down the dark corridor, where silence hung heavy.
There were minimal lights placed in the corners, but most areas remained shadowed.
Prius branch knights generally finished their duties around dinner and spent the rest of their time freely.
Resting in their rooms or heading out for some fun.
As long as they stuck to the day’s training and mission schedules, the remaining hours were theirs to enjoy.
Even the entrance hall, bustling with people during the day, was deserted and dim at this hour.
To reach the rear garden training grounds, I had to exit through the back door of the main building.
As I descended to the first floor and headed that way, I suddenly stopped.
A familiar silhouette stood in the dark corridor branching off to the right.
A woman with her hair pinned up, wearing a knee-length dress.
She stood before the door to a darkened reception room, hesitating as if unsure whether to open it.
“...Kallia?”
She flinched and turned—it was unmistakably Kallia.
I approached, puzzled.
“What are you doing here? Is Clemence...”
Kallia bowed to me, then quietly turned back toward the reception room door.
As I drew closer, I heard Clemence sobbing softly from inside the dark room.
“...She just told me to wait here, so I didn’t know what to do...”
Up close, Kallia’s face was filled with distress.
I placed my hand on the reception room door and told her,
“It’s fine. I’ll talk to her.”
Kallia looked relieved and bowed her head silently.
I slowly opened the door.
Moonlight seeped through the window, bathing the room in a bluish glow.
Clemence was huddled in a dark corner between the door and the wall, out of reach even of the moonlight—face buried between her knees, sobbing quietly.
A pang twisted in my chest as I carefully knelt before her.
“Clemence, Kallia’s worried about you.”
The sobbing stopped.
I waited quietly.
Clemence wiped her tears with both hands and lifted her head, pretending nothing was wrong.
“Lib...”
Her deep blue eyes welled up again as they met mine.
She took a shaky breath and pressed her eyes tightly.
“Did you hear, Lib? Wedin’s leaving too.”
“Yeah. I heard.”
I answered her tearfully with a voice thick in my throat. Nothing else came to mind.
“I begged Grandpa to keep you from going. I knew I shouldn’t, but it was the only thing I could do. I couldn’t just tell you not to go...”
Clemence winced in pain.
“If Grandpa had listened and stopped you, I was going to shamelessly comfort you, saying it was a shame.”
“Clemence...”
“But that didn’t work out... And then Wedin said he was going too.”
Tears dripped from Clemence’s voice.
She knew she shouldn’t be stubborn with the White Guard Knight. But she had to anyway. There was no other way.
I couldn’t just watch her painful heart spill out in tears.
“It’s okay. It’ll be fine.”
I reached out with my slender arms.
Clemence looked up at me through tear-filled eyes, then stretched out her arms and pulled me into a hug.
Warmth and the sound of her pounding heart came from so close.
Her pale, small face rested on my shoulder, silently shedding tears. A choked whisper brushed my ear.
“I understand why Wedin made that choice. I understand your decision too. I get it all. But... I just didn’t want to accept it.”
“I know.”
All I could do was stroke her back as I received her tears.
“I feel so pathetic... Grandpa told me over and over. People entering the knight academy are tested on their resolve.
I knew something like this would happen eventually since you both joined. That you’d leave me behind for somewhere dangerous.”
“I’m sorry...”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just me being weak. It’s just...”
Clemence swallowed a deep breath.
“...Hearing about your childhood at the banquet hall scared me so much. I don’t remember much from when we first met, but all I recall is how sad and terrifying it was. I was afraid it’d be like that again.”
Her words made my chest ache too.
“I see. I...”
I couldn’t continue. I gently loosened her arms and looked her straight in the eyes.
“Clemence.”
My face reflected perfectly in her trembling, tear-filled eyes.
“The time I spent with you is a happy, joyful memory for me. Same with meeting Wedin.”
There was only one thing left to say now. The truth.
“I was often sick and frail, scared of being captured by demons, but being with you all made me forget the pain and fear.”
“Lib...”
Clemence’s eyes widened as she stared at me. I smiled back from within those eyes.
“That’s how I made it this far. That’s why I think I can face what’s ahead.”
“...Ugh.”
Clemence rubbed her eyes hard again as fresh tears fell. But she seemed much calmer than before.
I sighed in relief and pulled out the gift I’d prepared for her from my robe pocket.
“Here, Clemence.”
“What’s this?”
She took the clumsily wrapped bundle of cloth and ribbon, looking curious.
“Open it.”
Clemence fumbled, unsure how to unwrap it.
I helped her in my own panic. Shouldn’t have wrapped it at all.
As I peeled away the cloth, I accidentally touched the base’s contact pattern, and a bright light burst forth, revealing a round glass orb.
“Wow.”
Clemence gasped as the darkness around us lit up brilliantly.
The spherical flower-shaped glasswork glowed white, while the decorative pieces at the base shone in vibrant red, blue, and yellow.
It was a luminous magic tool combining glasswork and ecronium.
“Amazing... Where did you get this?”
“I made it. Remember last time? I said I could.”
“Yeah, I do. It’s incredible.”
Clemence’s eyes, shadowed by pain and sorrow, sparkled in the light.
Good, she liked it.
“It’s so pretty. Is this for me?”
“Yeah. So you’ll trust me and wait. I’ll keep in touch often.”
I fiddled with the glowing orb.
“I used good ecronium, so it’ll last a while. If the light dims, just get more ecronium and place it nearby—it’ll recharge. That’s how I set it up.
It’s a mana circulation charging method. Couldn’t fit complex spells because it’s small, but this should...”
“Thank you, Lib.”
Clemence burst into laughter and hugged me tightly before letting go.
I stopped my rambling explanation of the internal spell structure.
She smiled radiantly in the light.
“I trust you. Of course I do. We’ve been together since we were kids. Back then, you seemed so small and fragile—I couldn’t leave you alone...”
“Yeah... That’s true.”
No arguing that.
Until I was twelve, I’d overcome countless dangers, and I’d been smaller and weaker than other kids my age. Only now was I catching up to average.
“You protected us even in Cornik. And you made something this amazing. I’m the one who needs to get stronger.”
“Clemence...”
She gazed at me intently. Tears trickled down her flushed cheeks.
“...Ah. I... I have to stop crying.”
I hadn’t noticed in the dark, but now that everything was lit up, I suddenly realized how close we were and what our faces looked like.
Clemence hurriedly wiped her face with her hands, and I awkwardly scooted back.
The moment I thought to wipe her tears, I spotted a scrap of cloth on the floor—the wrapping.
“H-Here?”
I handed it over, and she took it reflexively, dabbing her eyes. She even laughed at the absurdity.
“My face is a total mess. I didn’t want to cry. Crying doesn’t solve anything.”
“It’s okay. You can cry.”
As I said it, I regretted not carrying a handkerchief.
What was with that stupid wrapping cloth? No more gift wrapping from now on.
But Clemence didn’t seem to mind what she was using to wipe her tears.
I waited a moment for them to subside.
“Lib, you’re still keeping a secret from me, aren’t you?”
A little later, Clemence asked in a calm voice.