Training hall.
Gwalan, who had displayed the skill of sitting formally in his armor, feigned a stern expression. This was because he wanted Linmel to take what he was about to say seriously. He had the bewildered Linmel stand before him and began in a heavy voice.
"My daughter. The time has come for you to choose."
"Yes, Father. I've already chosen."
"... No, I haven't said anything yet. What could you have possibly chosen?"
Linmel blinked her deer-like eyes as if he were asking the obvious and answered.
"You've been singing about lacking protein since yesterday. I bought a lot of meat in advance to make rice bowls."
"I prepared enough for your friends too, so should I call them all? Otherwise, there will be leftovers."
"Th-thank you, ahem."
Gwalan felt a sense of shame and cleared his throat. Frugality had been his creed, so he had never kept a cook or an apprentice. After eating the stew made by Linmel, who had grown up tough in the orphanage, a few times, he realized that grilling meat could not be called cooking.
It was inevitable that he would be kicked out of the kitchen. For the other knights, it was a source of both laughter and envy. With her astonishing talent, resourcefulness, and a cuteness that was second to none compared to any apprentice, Linmel was the perfect daughter and apprentice.
It had reached a point where knights were even touring the nearby orphanages, licking their lips. That said it all. Gwalan, trying to set the mood again, spoke solemnly.
"... But this time, it's not about that. It's about your future."
"My future? I'm going to become a knight, right?"
"That is correct. However, it is a matter of what kind of knight you become. You have two paths. One is to become an ordinary knight, and the other is to become a Divine Punishment Knight."
Linmel tilted her head and asked.
"What's that?"
"The knight that all knights dream of and fear—a knight who kills knights. They receive training on a different level from ordinary knights."
"While other knights learn the sword, a Divine Punishment Knight learns how to kill that sword. One cannot even attempt it without considerable talent."
"Huh?"
Linmel furrowed her brow. Not because it sounded difficult, but because she was concerned about something else.
"Why do I have to kill knights?"
"... Because not all knights are good."
Gwalan spared her any further detailed explanation. It was a world too cruel for a child to know yet.
"The Divine Punishment Knight is a glorious position that only the most talented knights can reach, one that punishes fallen knights."
"If it were up to me, I would want to see you grow up as an ordinary knight, but your talent is too great to end there. How about giving it a try?"
"Umm..."
After pondering for a moment, Linmel threw a question that flustered Gwalan.
"If Divine Punishment Knights kill knights, then what do knights kill?"
"... Um, well."
After a moment's thought, Gwalan responded with a fundamental answer.
"Fundamentally, to deal with mages..."
"What??"
At those words, Linmel was startled and asked back.
"Knights kill mages???"
"Ah, no. That's a story from the past. The mages now are all nobles; that would be a terrible thing to say. It's just a story from a previous era."
"I've decided. I'll become a Divine Punishment Knight."
"Are you sure? It will be difficult."
Linmel replied firmly with a look of distaste.
"Yes."
If knights killed mages—Jern, who was a mage, would hate her. '...
Absolutely not.'
She did not want to be avoided by Jern.
The castle hall. In a grand room that existed for the sole purpose of adornment, I was being dressed by maids and asked with a look of discomfort.
"Do I really have to do all this?"
"Yes, and though you're the one who said it—you remember the whole story, don't you?"
"Yes. What about Elysia?"
"We've said she was injured."
"Good."
I shouldn't say anything strange. When I finally finished dressing and came out in bluish clothes, Aletus looked me over as if I were peculiar.
"Do I look strange?"
"Hmm, not strange, but peculiar."
Isn't that the same thing? Aletus chose his words carefully and explained.
"Those eyes, there's nothing that can be done about them, I suppose? It shouldn't be a problem, though."
"... Pardon?"
"You don't know?"
I took a hand mirror from a maid and looked at my face. They had no focus. They were deep and dark, eyes that were literally peculiar, somewhere between slightly unsettling even to me, and mysterious.
Of course, my eyes are not normally like this. I'm not sure, but it must be one of the effects. As long as I can see fine, that's all that matters.
I shrugged and replied.
"It's good if it can create a mysterious atmosphere."
"... Right. Let's go."
There was no need to be too nervous. As he said, it was something like an awards ceremony to commend me. I would just have to state what I wanted in a slightly solemn atmosphere, and that would be the end of it. —that thought ended the moment I entered.
"Good to see you all. It's been three years since we've gathered like this."
"... I never thought I'd come to this place in my lifetime."
Physiques closer to gladiators than nobles. Gruff-looking, hulking monsters sat at a round table, glaring at Aletus. ... Are these nobles?
I tried hard to hide my aghast expression. They looked more like knights than mages.
"I still haven't forgotten what happened at the last Hunting Festival."
"What a coincidence, I haven't forgotten either."
A few nobles tried to start a war of nerves, but Aletus smoothly deflected them, had me stand by his side, and sat at the head of the table. As I stood there awkwardly, the most bizarre-looking bald noble's eyes widened and he stood up. He looked at me, a vein popping on his head, and slowly walked over.
I barely managed to stop my hand from twitching, from trying to launch a preemptive strike. The noble stood close enough for me to feel his breath, and asked in a low, deep voice.
"You... are Jern?"
"Yes."
"The one who saved my son?"
"Yes."
Thud!
The floor shook. It was because the noble had knelt. He looked as if he was about to cry and took my hand.
"Kh, keuk... Thank you... If it wasn't for you, Hyuins would have been in grave danger!"
"Ah, Hyuins's..."
"Yes, my foolish son wouldn't stop talking about you. He said you were the greatest mage he had ever seen... Thank you, truly. This debt... I will repay it, no matter what...!"
"Thank you."
As I stood there bewildered, holding his warm hand, other nobles also approached one by one.
"I express my respect. You did so well in that young body."
"Is there anything you want? I shall give you enough gold to build a mountain!"
They were completely different from their bizarre appearances. Before being nobles, they were someone's father. It seemed that saving their children's lives was enough gratitude to overcome the difference in status.
As I was receiving thanks one by one, Aletus cleared his throat to draw their attention.
"Ahem, everyone, please focus. There is something I must tell you about this child, Jern."
"First, you must explain why you were detaining Jern!"
"Even if he is a commoner, he is a member of the Empire. Why were you, Aletus, in charge of him?"
"That is part of what I must say. This child, Jern, was actually Elysia's tutor."
"...?"
The nobles wore puzzled expressions.
"You all know that my child, Elysia, has been late in manifesting her magic. I was searching everywhere to solve this problem when I discovered Jern at an orphanage."
Aletus stroked my head and continued.
"It was the first time I had seen a natural-body mage. You know, there's that superstition. That natural-body mages are more loved by mana than ordinary mages."
"You mean to say you believed such a superstition?"
"I was that desperate. I had him stay with her under the pretext of being a tutor, hoping he might be of some help to Elysia, and then he goes and does something like this."
"You never know how things in the world will turn out."
"Hoh, so he was with you from the beginning..."
The nobles didn't particularly raise any questions. It seemed they had been harboring questions like, 'We're grateful he saved them, but who is this kid and where did he come from?', so they found no reason to argue against such a clear answer.
"Should I be thanking you as well, Aletus? I will forget what happened at the Hunting Festival."
"That is welcome news. But it was pure luck on my part, so if you must offer thanks, give them to Jern."
"Of course we will."
Once their questions were gone, they began to ask about other things.
"What kind of magic did you use to save the children?"
"My skills are still shallow, so I can only use elemental spells."
I decided not to reveal that I was a fallen one. What I learned from this fight is that an imbalance of information is the greatest weapon. I wanted to hide my sharpest fangs.
When I demonstrated only wind magic, the nobles laughed and chatted.
"Hahaha, quite a high degree of precision. You'll be a fine mage someday."
"Indeed. Ah, but you twitch your hand when you release your mana. Is there a reason for that?"
"Umm, it's just unconscious..."
"You shouldn't do that."
A portly noble spread his hand and created a gust of wind with a proficiency that couldn't be compared to mine.
"Here, try it like this. The wind will blow in the future, and you are merely projecting what you have seen... like this."
"Yes, sir."
Come to think of it, the nobles are all first-rate mages.
"That's right, you get it as soon as you're taught."
"Truly outstanding! If only he had been born with noble blood..."
In the friendly atmosphere of experts teaching a newbie. A cold voice echoing through the hall stopped the nobles.
"—But he is a commoner."
A brief silence fell. The nobles turned with displeased expressions and protested.
"Rohan, is that really important right now?"
"My apologies if I spoiled the mood. I didn't mean to point it out. Child."
The noble called Rohan, who was sitting at the very back, didn't look very different from the other nobles. Except for one thing. His hair was black.
I shrugged my shoulders and replied.
"It's alright. It's a simple fact. I had no intention of overstepping my bounds. I apologize if I displeased you."
"Huuuuumm...."
I wasn't foolish enough to antagonize a noble. Hearing my polite response, Rohan gave a deep smile.
"Rohan. No matter if he is a commoner, he is the benefactor who saved our children. What kind of outrageous remark is that?"
As Aletus stepped forward with a seething tone, Rohan raised a hand slightly to calm him.
"My apologies if my words sounded offensive. It's simply because it's a pity."
"What do you mean—" "He's done a truly admirable thing and has outstanding talent, but his birth is lowly, is it not?"
"Since he is not a noble, his opportunities to learn will be few, and if he chooses the life of a mage, he will live with many restrictions no matter how hard we try to help him. Is that not so?"
"The issue is whether you must bring that up now."
"You're too sharp. I meant to offer him a better choice."
"...?"
A question filled Aletus's expression. Rohan, without erasing his smile, rose from his seat and approached.
"Jern."
"Yes."
I wasn't particularly nervous. What would he say? Did this lowborn really save the children?
Did the children escape on their own, and this kid just pretended to do something and deceived the others? Isn't he a pawn of the Red Lotus? Or isn't he involved with them?
No matter how petty the accusation, I had already prepared for it. Without stuttering once, all of it...
"Would you like to become my illegitimate son?"
"... Pardon?"
This—was not in my predictions. As bewilderment broke through my expression, Rohan began his explanation as if he had expected it.
"I can assure you, this is a more attractive offer than anything the other nobles can give."
"You will be treated as a noble, and if anyone says anything about your commoner birth, they will become a public enemy of our family."
"No, well, um..."
"The academy? Of course you can enter. I will not spare any support. Is it not right to treat a benefactor this way?"
It was the best treatment imaginable. Even if treated as an illegitimate son, was it right to accept an unknown orphan commoner as a member of the family? Looking at the surrounding nobles, it seemed to be an offer shocking enough to surprise even them.
"No, Rohan, even so, that's..."
"Aha. Can we not do this much for a benefactor? Or do you think saving a child's life is a trivial matter?"
"Ahem, that's not it, but..."
"I, for one, do not discriminate against others based on their birth. I have judged that one who has proven this level of talent is qualified."
Rohan extended his hand with a confident expression, as if he hadn't even considered the possibility of me refusing.
"Now, what do you think, Jern?"
"It's a glorious offer, but it is too sudden."
"Haha, there is no need to refuse. If you take this hand, you will no longer be Jern, but Jern Logmalin. That is all there is to it."
What should I do about this? As I was rolling words around in my mouth, clank! The hall doors were suddenly thrown open.
Aletus was the first to react.
"Who... ah, it's you."
"Hmm? Everyone we invited is here... gasp."
"Ahem......"
Those haughty nobles tried to avoid her gaze. There wasn't a single person who could meet the eyes of the woman who entered, with her deep, dark circles. ... No, why is she showing up here?
"Der-Dersia...!"
"Why are you here!"
Aletus sighed and added an explanation.
"... I was late in telling you. This elf decided to participate as well."
"Th-the reason?"
"We're about to hear it now."
Dersia approached me nonchalantly. Thump, thump, as the sound of her shoes echoed in the hall, her decadent face came close to mine. I cleared my throat and asked.
"What is it?"
"... Do you two know each other?"
"Yes, well, something less than a Master, but more than an acquaintance..."
"Not anymore."
"Pardon?"
Dersia, looking slightly displeased, glanced at Rohan, then brushed her hair behind her ear and declared.
"I have come to pick up my disciple."
"... What?"
"Are you deaf? Jern, this child is my disciple."
"????"
Among the frozen nobles, Dersia grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
"W-wait a moment. Didn't you say you'd come for me later?"
"I've changed my mind. I do not wish to turn you into a machine that learns only predetermined magic."
"?"
"Let's go."
"No, what is that—" I was dragged out like a piece of luggage in front of all the nobles.
The last words I heard remained in my memory.
"... Didn't she refuse to take the princess as a disciple?"
"I heard they offered a small country as payment—" —Thud!
The door closed, but I was no longer in Aletus's castle. It was the familiar library. After blinking for a moment, I immediately protested.
"No, Ms. Dersia. What is all this, so suddenly?"
I was dumbfounded to be dragged away when I was supposed to be getting something from the nobles. Dersia, who had been flinching, sat in a chair and sighed.
"Hah, uh, my apologies. As for what you were supposed to receive, I will speak to them about it next time."
"... No, well, there's no need to apologize."
Receiving an apology actually made me feel strange. Dersia, as if she knew she had made a mistake, pressed her brow and made an excuse.
"To be honest, I was just going to listen for a bit and then leave, but I never thought... that fellow Rohan would make such an offer."
"And knowing your character, Jern, you probably would have accepted it."
"... It was a bit tempting."
In fact, if Dersia hadn't interfered, I would have taken his hand.
"You shouldn't do that."
"Why not? I could be an illegitimate son and also be your disciple, Ms. Dersia."
Dersia shook her head in disagreement.
"The magic that nobles learn is formalized. It is not something new, but a repetition of the old. It is not creation, merely repetition. I did not want you to learn such things."
"Ah, is that so?"
I didn't know. Then it was right for her to stop me. As I was nodding, Dersia, with an apologetic expression, flicked her finger and handed me a strange box from thin air.
Decorated with a ribbon and wrapping paper, it had a somewhat familiar shape.
"I didn't want to give it to you this way... but it's a gift."
"???"
"It is an unwritten rule for a master to give their disciple a magical tool that they will use for the rest of their lives."
"This is a magical tool I made by hand, so it should be more suitable for you than any other."
"... Thank you."
So she was the type of person who gave gifts. The slight resentment I had also faded. A magical tool from a 9-Star mage, what could it be?
A staff?
A magic orb? Or a broomstick? I opened it with a little anticipation~ and it was none of those things.
"A pipe...?"
A golden cylinder that looked like some kind of drainpipe. It had no decorations, literally just a cylinder. Still, I wasn't disappointed.
Wasn't it a gift from Dersia? And an initiation gift at that. It must have some incredible ability.
"What is this?"
"Umm, please don't misunderstand what I'm about to say."
Dersia spoke in a casual tone.
"From now on, I'm going to insert that into your body, Jern."
"?"