Chapter 11
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Chapter 11
Nicole's expression shifted slightly at those words. I lowered my gaze. She studied my face quietly for a moment, then finally sighed and spoke.
"I don't know what you're hiding, but I can tell you mean it. Since you're being upfront about not being able to say anything, it feels wrong to press you."
"Later... maybe someday I'll be able to tell you."
"Fine, do as you wish. You trusted me enough to show me the Demonic Sword, so I should trust you too."
Nicole spoke casually, tossing the words aside as she picked up the monocle she'd discarded earlier. Her words seemed light, but the heart behind them was anything but.
I felt a sudden tightness in my chest. All the hardships I'd endured truly seemed insignificant compared to the price of simply being alive. Those emotions inevitably colored my voice.
"Nicole... thank you. Really, thank you."
"There's nothing to thank me for. The investigation, protecting you—I would have stepped forward on my own without you asking. Have you forgotten? I'm a mage sponsored by House Loaz. It's only natural that I help you."
Nicole laughed softly and pulled a blank parchment and quill from the scattered pile of papers on the table.
"Tell me more details about how you discovered the Demonic Sword. And if there are any other clues that might help, squeeze them all out. When are you planning to leave for Agenka?"
"As soon as I'm ready. The Military Academy entrance exam is coming up soon."
"But what are you going to tell your parents? You said you wouldn't mention the Demonic Sword. You're not planning to run away, are you?"
I took the quill and parchment from Nicole's hands and began recording the details of how I'd discovered the Demonic Sword, speaking almost to myself as I asked.
"If I tell them honestly that I want to become a knight, wouldn't they be shocked?"
"Shocked? Your father might faint. His precious daughter suddenly wanting to become a knight out of nowhere."
"I suppose I should just tell them I'm going on a trip."
"A trip? What excuse would that be?"
"I'm at the age where marriage talk is starting to come up anyway, now that I'm of age. I could say I really wanted to take one trip before marriage. Go to Agenka, then come back and get married."
"...And then actually take the Military Academy entrance exam once you arrive in Agenka? How is that any different from running away?"
"Once I become a knight, I'll return home. So it's a trip. Just a long one."
Nicole pressed her forehead in exasperation. I continued calmly.
"If there's progress in the investigation or anything happens, contact me in Agenka. Be careful not to get hurt. If it seems dangerous, don't dig into it alone—contact me right away."
"Who's worried about whom here...? You're already assuming you'll pass, aren't you? What if you fail?"
"That won't happen."
"Even if you have the Demonic Sword, you have to hide it. Geniuses who've honed their swordsmanship their whole lives will be gathering there. Can you really manage it?"
"Because I'm more of a genius than they are."
Nicole's face contorted. I didn't usually enjoy my own talent, but in this moment, I found it quite pleasant. I laughed aloud—a genuine, delighted laugh that I hadn't experienced in far too long.
* * *
A week later, Echinacea Loaz departed on a month-long journey. The itinerary included Agenka, the holy city of knights.
Act 2. The Unknown and the Possible
The Military Academy selected roughly fifty cadets annually, aged between eighteen and twenty-five. Cadets could remain for a maximum of three years. Those who failed to become squires or junior knights within that period had to graduate and leave the Celestial Knights. The cadets lodged in the Military Academy dormitory and took turns attending to full-fledged knights without squires or junior knights.
Second-ranked freshman Alice Winterbell was heading toward the dormitory. She was in a foul mood. She had been confident of entering as the top-ranked student, yet she'd placed second. Moreover, the freshman who had surpassed her to claim first place was surrounded by strange rumors.
'In a dress, of all things. Ridiculous.'
She hadn't seen the top-ranked student because they'd taken the exam in a different hall. Still, she was certain that no woman vain and empty-headed enough to wear a dress to the exam could possibly have outranked her. The rumors about both the top and second-ranked students being twenty-year-old women were surely baseless gossip spread by those who disapproved.
'I'll see soon enough anyway.'
The dormitory was shared quarters—two to a room. Her assigned roommate, according to the acceptance notice, was that very top-ranked student. Alice placed all her belongings into one large bag and found the room she'd claimed earlier.
'Room 101... here it is.'
The Military Academy's facilities were well-maintained. Alice scanned the wooden door with its brass nameplate engraved with numbers, then knocked. If her roommate had already arrived, it would be rude to simply enter.
"Yes, who is it?"
"I'm Alice Winterbell, assigned to room 101."
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
Alice opened the door and froze instantly.
Boxes, boxes, and more boxes. Countless open bags scattered about. Dresses hung in neat rows, jewelry boxes stacked haphazardly, silk scarves in every color imaginable, and an array of ornate hats displayed across the bed. In the center of this chaos stood a woman with pink hair, sorting through her belongings—all while wearing a billowing skirt, lace gloves, and a hat adorned with fresh flowers.
"...What on earth is...?"
At my inadvertent murmur, she turned from the doorway with an apologetic expression.
"Oh, I just arrived myself. I'm still organizing, so it's a bit messy. I'll clean it up soon. I did pick the bed first—is that alright with you?"
"Who... are you?"
Alice asked with a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this woman was her roommate's sister, or maybe a servant—extravagantly dressed, but still a servant—or perhaps someone who had simply wandered into the wrong room. Anyone but her roommate. Anyone but this year's top-ranked student.
But the woman shattered that hope mercilessly, extending her hand.
"I'm Echinacea Loaz. It's nice to meet you."
* * *
Alice Winterbell needed only thirty minutes to unpack. By contrast, Echinacea Loaz had been organizing since morning and still hadn't finished by lunchtime.
'Ridiculously excessive. Why did she pack so much?'
It was Nora who had prepared Echinacea's luggage for the month-long journey. Nora had packed enough for her to wear a different outfit every single day. The result was this overwhelming mountain of belongings. Organizing alone seemed endless. The thought that her wardrobe would only expand with the changing seasons filled her with dread.
Of course, the Count and Countess hadn't sent their precious daughter alone with all this luggage. Two family knights had accompanied her as escorts, and Nora had come as well.
Echinacea traveled obediently with them until reaching Agenka. Then, in the dead of night, she slipped out of the inn to submit her entrance exam application, ditched the knights during outings to take the preliminary rounds, and kept postponing her return date until the results were announced.
After that, it was simple. She sent Nora and the knights away with a message: "Oops, I've become a cadet. Since it's come to this, I'll work hard here in Agenka. Please explain everything to Mother and Father."
They didn't understand at first. They tried to convince her it was a mistake or misunderstanding. But after seeing the list of accepted students posted at the Military Academy's entrance, they said nothing more. Echinacea's name wasn't just on the list—it was at the very top. They left looking as though they'd been possessed by ghosts.
In truth, Echinacea hadn't intended to rank first. She'd aimed for a respectable position in the upper ranks, but the average level of the cadets turned out to be lower than she'd anticipated.
During the preliminary round of log-cutting and the first exam of sparring between applicants, she could observe the other candidates and adjust accordingly. The problem arose during the second exam, where she sparred against a quasi-knight of the Celestial Knights.
Echinacea's body hadn't been trained much since her return—it wasn't in peak condition. She had to compensate for her weak physique with technique and mana, but using mana secretly during a match against a Celestial quasi-knight risked exposure. So she relied on technique alone, and her control slipped slightly. Since the second exam was conducted individually, she hadn't seen how other applicants performed.
'A letter from home will arrive soon enough.'
They'd be furious. Worried sick. Struggling to understand. But there was no helping it. She had to become a knight as quickly as possible, dispose of the Demonic Sword, and return.
"Um, Miss Loaz."
Echinacea looked up from organizing her jewelry boxes. Alice Winterbell stood before her with the expression of someone who had steeled herself for something.
Alice was a beautiful woman with neatly cut pale blonde hair. She was quite tall—tall enough that even Echinacea, who wasn't particularly short, had to look up at her. Her expression seemed somewhat rigid, but Echinacea didn't dislike rigid people.
"Yes, Miss Winterbell."
"...What is all this luggage?"
Alice's gray eyes swept across Echinacea's belongings. Unopened bags were still stacked everywhere. Her eyes trembled as she took in the sight, as if witnessing an earthquake.
"My clothes and accessories."
"Is this all of it?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Contempt flickered across Alice's face. She clenched her teeth as if restraining herself from saying something.
"For a cadet whose goal is to become a knight, you shouldn't need this many clothes."
"I need them."
"Need them? But cadets are issued uniforms, aren't they?"
"I have no intention of wearing such shabby things. Cadets have freedom of dress, don't they?"
"So you intend to wear these even when handling a sword?"
"Yes. What's the problem?"
Alice could no longer contain herself at Echinacea's serene response. Her voice rose sharply.
"Is this a ballroom? Or a tea party? Are you even aware that this is the sacred Military Academy of Agenka?"
"There's nothing in the Military Academy's regulations prohibiting dresses, Miss Winterbell."
"There's no such foolish regulation! It should be obvious!"
"Why should it be obvious?"
"Because it's unbecoming of a knight!"
Alice's cheeks flushed with indignation. Though they were technically the same age, Echinacea—having returned to the past—seemed far younger to her. To be honest, Alice found her roommate's indignation over conduct unbecoming of a knight rather endearing and refreshingly innocent.
Yet aside from her charm, having a roommate constantly pointing out flaws would prove exhausting in various ways. I needed to temper her spirit somewhat. I asked with a smile.
"What do you consider knight-like conduct, Miss Winterbell?"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org