Chapter 2: Pass the entrance exam! Ready, go to your hopeful future!!
After the practical exam, the examiners guided Lugue and me back into the school building for the written exam. Lugue walked beside me, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Wow, Hugh, your skill was so amazing!”
“You’ve said that about a hundred times now,” I teased.
“But it was really incredible! I’ve never seen a fire skill that powerful, not even at the royal castle!” he insisted, his eyes wide.
“The royal castle? You’ve been there, Lugue?” I asked, curious.
“Huh!? Uh, I mean, my father works at the castle!” he stammered, flustered.
“I see.” Better not pry too deeply. I’d pretend I didn’t hear that slip.
Still, the fact that a skill rewritten with 〈Brainwashing〉 could be used was mind-boggling. Even now, calmer, I was stunned. This went far beyond what 〈Brainwashing〉 should be capable of. If I could do this, I could wield any skill I wanted.
It was almost like I’d gained a power akin to the gods who grant skills.
…Which only made my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill exponentially more dangerous. If I suddenly started using something like 〈Water Gun〉 tomorrow, I’d draw suspicion immediately. If my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill were exposed, it’d be a one-way ticket to the executioner’s block.
My goal in this life was to live the leisurely, carefree lifestyle I never had in my previous world. I didn’t need excessive power. All I wanted were peaceful, happy days.
I glanced at Lugue beside me. He tilted his head curiously. “What’s up, Hugh?”
“Nah, nothing,” I replied, suppressing a smile. I couldn’t exactly tell him I was looking forward to a fun academy life with him, could I?
“By the way, Hugh, how are you with studies? The Royal Academy’s written exam is famously tough,” he said, his tone shifting to concern.
“Seriously…?” My heart sank.
“Uh? Wait, don’t tell me, Hugh, are you bad at studying…?” His eyes widened.
“…Lugue, I might be done for. I only got my skill a month ago, and my dad rushed me to the capital. I barely had time to study…”
“B-But, hey! The questions are probably on general knowledge and kingdom history, right? If you’ve read books, you might know some answers!” he offered, trying to stay optimistic.
“My family’s a dirt-poor noble from the boonies. We had maybe a handful of books at home, and they were all field guides on wild plants and herbs,” I admitted, my voice flat.
“Uh, well… I think there’s maybe one question on herbology…?” Lugue’s attempt at comfort faltered, and he looked away, defeated.
Shoulders slumped, we trudged to the classroom for the written exam. The seating was free, so we sat side by side. Before the exam began, I begged Lugue to cram as much knowledge into me as possible. He launched into a rapid-fire explanation of the Reese Kingdom’s history, from its founding in Divine Calendar year 539 to its wars with neighboring countries. My head spun—there was no way I could memorize all that from a verbal rundown!
If only I could use 〈Brainwashing〉 to rewrite my skill into something like 〈Super Smart Skill〉. But I’d need a mirror, and once we entered the classroom, leaving wasn’t allowed.
The 〈Brainwashing〉 skill was kind of inconvenient, wasn’t it?
My last-ditch cramming lasted a mere ten minutes before the exam began. Glancing at the questions, I felt a flicker of hope. History was a complete wash, but the math problems were middle-school level. The general knowledge section included questions on noble duties and estate management, which I wasn’t entirely clueless about, having helped my dad occasionally.
Still, I only managed to answer about half the questions within the time limit, with maybe 30% accuracy at best. I didn’t know the passing threshold, but I was in deep trouble.
As the answer sheets were collected, I slumped over my desk, exhausted. The hour-long test felt more draining than the month-long journey to the capital.
“Good job, Hugh!” Lugue chirped, undeterred.
“Lugue, I’m done for. Enjoy academy life for me,” I groaned.
“Oh, come on! I don’t think you’ll fail, Hugh. Your practical exam was that amazing, after all. Plus, you didn’t completely bomb the written part, right?”
“Well, yeah, I think I got about 30%...” I muttered.
“See? With that and your practical exam, you’re definitely passing! I can’t wait for the results!” His optimism was infectious, but I wasn’t convinced.
“By the way, when are the results announced?” I asked.
“Probably around dusk. Successful candidates move into the dorms today, and the entrance ceremony is tomorrow.”
“That’s awfully quick.”
“Apparently, it used to take a week, but there were issues with pressure, violence, threats, theft—you name it. So now they announce results the same day.”
“That’s a lot of issues!” I exclaimed, imagining the chaos overzealous parents must cause to get their kids into the Royal Academy.
“Oh, right! There’s some time before the results. Do you have any plans, Hugh?” Lugue asked, his eyes bright.
“Nope, nothing in particular.”
“Then, could you maybe come shopping with me for a bit?” he asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
“Shopping? Sure, but what are we buying?”
“Well, I don’t have many clothes… I was hoping you could help me pick out some boy’s clothes.” He looked up at me pleadingly. “Can you help…?”
The answer was an obvious yes.
With permission from a nearby examiner, we left to explore the capital until the results were announced. I’d rushed through the city on my way here and hadn’t had time to sightsee. After a month-long journey, it’d be a waste not to look around.
“Look, Hugh! So many people!” Lugue’s voice was filled with wonder as his head swiveled in every direction.
“Watch where you’re going, or you’ll trip!” I warned.
“I know, I know!” he laughed, undeterred.
Everything seemed new to him, especially the bakeries and food stalls lining the streets. He seemed more like a country bumpkin than me.
“Is this your first time in the capital, Lugue?” I asked.
“Huh? No, I was born and raised here!” he replied, surprised.
“You’re awfully excited for someone who grew up here. Is this area new to you?”
“Kind of, but I also haven’t had many chances to wander around. Everything I see is just so interesting! …Oh, sorry, am I being too loud?” he asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. I’m from the countryside, so everything in the capital feels new to me too. I get how you feel,” I reassured him.
“Hehe, you’re really nice, Hugh!” Lugue grinned shyly and clung to my arm. A subtle softness pressed against my elbow.
“…Uh, why are you clinging to me?” I asked, flustered.
“There are so many people, I might get lost! This way, we won’t get separated, right?” he said, his logic sound but his closeness disarming.
“That’s true, but…”
If he kept this up, I might actually fall for him. He needed to be careful.
“Lugue, guys don’t usually cling to each other like this,” I pointed out.
“Huh!? Really!?” His eyes widened in shock.
“Yeah. So let’s walk a bit apart. We’re kind of standing out.”
The stares from passersby felt like daggers. To them, a girl was clinging to a guy’s arm—of course we’d draw attention.
Realizing this, Lugue’s cheeks flushed red, and he let go. Still nervous about getting separated, he lightly pinched my sleeve. “S-Sorry, Hugh. Was that… uncomfortable?”
I shook my head immediately. Uncomfortable? Hardly—I was thrilled. If not for the stares, I’d have loved to keep walking like that.
“Oh, okay. Hehe!” Lugue smiled happily up at me.
Ugh, he’s so cute, damn it!
I knew getting involved with a charming boy hiding something serious was trouble waiting to happen. But his friendly, small-animal-like charm had completely won me over.
This was bad.
If this kept up, I’d get dragged deeper into whatever mess Lugue was caught in. With my ticking time bomb of a 〈Brainwashing〉 skill, that could spell disaster. For my own safety, I should distance myself from him now.
I knew that logically, but cutting off my feelings wasn’t that easy.
“Hugh, that shop! It looks like a clothing store!” Lugue pointed excitedly.
“Yeah, let’s check it out,” I agreed, unable to resist.
“Yay!” he cheered.
We entered the shop, filled with casual clothes and accessories geared toward wealthy commoners rather than nobles. A plump, middle-aged woman, the only shopkeeper, greeted us with a warm smile. “Welcome! What kind of clothes are you looking for?”
“Could you pick out some boy’s clothes that would suit him?” I asked, gesturing to Lugue.
“Him…? Oh, of course. I’ll prepare some right away,” the shopkeeper replied, looking puzzled for a moment before nodding and heading to the racks.
“They thought I wasn’t a boy again…” Lugue muttered, his shoulders slumping.
It wasn’t the shopkeeper’s fault. She was a pro, quickly gathering several outfits and returning in just a minute. “Thank you for waiting. Please, this way. You can use the fitting room.”
“Hugh, I’m going to try these on! Don’t go anywhere, okay? I want to hear your thoughts on the clothes!” Lugue said, his voice bubbling with excitement.
“Got it. I’ll wait right here, so don’t worry,” I assured him.
“Okay, you’d better!” He took the clothes and disappeared into the fitting room.
I could hear the faint rustle of fabric from behind the curtain… Okay, focusing on his changing sounds was way too creepy. I browsed the store to distract myself.
The shop had women’s clothing too. A mannequin displayed a white dress with blue accents. I couldn’t help but think Lugue would look stunning in it, if he were to try something different. It’d suit him perfectly in a different context.
“Hugh, you there? I want you to see the first outfit!” Lugue called.
“Yeah, I’m here,” I replied.
The curtain parted slowly, and Lugue stepped out in a bright cream-colored tunic. The choice was striking. Paired with his silver hair, it gave off a refined, delicate vibe, emphasizing his boyish charm. Too casual for a noble, but perfect for someone blending in.
“What do you think…?” he asked, his voice tentative.
“It looks great. Really cool,” I said honestly.
“Ugh! I want to look like a boy, not cool in that way!” he protested, his cheeks puffing out.
“I mean, your face is charming to begin with, so it’s inevitable,” I teased.
“Wha—!? …Hmph, you’re such a jerk, Hugh!” His face turned bright red, and he spun around, closing the curtain with a huff. “Next one!”
I spent a while enjoying Lugue’s personal fashion show. The shopkeeper’s picks all made him look like a “charming boy,” which Lugue wasn’t thrilled about, but I was loving it. After calming him down, we bought a few outfits.
While Lugue changed back, I browsed the accessories section. A compact hand mirror caught my eye—a simple folding design, but pricey. I could probably find a cheaper one elsewhere, but having a portable mirror ASAP would be a game-changer.
I still had some travel money from my dad. It’d cover the mirror if I dipped into my return carriage fare. With a portable mirror, I could use 〈Brainwashing〉 to switch skills anywhere, as long as I avoided prying eyes. The benefit outweighed the cost.
I could earn the fare back using 〈Brainwashing〉—not for anything shady, but maybe by registering as an adventurer and taking quests. Switching skills to fight would make handling dangerous monsters easy.
Plus, I didn’t need the fare yet. If I passed the academy exam, I wouldn’t need it for a while. I wasn’t confident about my test performance, but Lugue seemed sure I’d pass, so I’d trust him.
I picked up the mirror, called the shopkeeper, and paid for it.
Waiting for Lugue to emerge from the fitting room, I noticed he was taking a while. No sounds of movement or rustling came from behind the curtain—just silence.
“Lugue, is something wrong?” I called.
No response. A bad feeling crept up, and I reached for the curtain. “Lugue, I’m opening it, okay?”
Still no answer. I pulled the curtain open.
The fitting room was empty. The mirror reflected only me, with 〈Brainwashing Active〉 floating above my head. Lugue’s clothes were left behind, but he was gone.
What’s going on…?
“Your companion left in a hurry while you were paying, heading outside,” the shopkeeper said from behind me, her tone calm.
He left? Without saying anything to me…?
We’d only known each other for hours, and I didn’t know much about Lugue, but I didn’t think he’d vanish without a word. There had to be a serious reason—maybe tied to why he was so secretive.
I had to find him. I opened the shop door, but the rusty hinges creaked loudly—Kiiiiii. I hadn’t heard that sound when I was paying. If Lugue had gone outside, I would’ve noticed the door.
I turned back to the shopkeeper, who tilted her head with a polite smile. “Aren’t you going to look for your companion?”
Her tone almost urged me to leave. Was I paranoid, or…
Glancing at my new hand mirror, I saw 〈Brainwashing Active〉 above my head. I muttered, “〈Brainwashing〉 deactivate,” and the text vanished. The shopkeeper’s suspicious gaze was about to meet my skill.
“Skill 〈Brainwashing〉,” I said softly.
Her eyes went blank, her body rigid. “Tell me everything you know about where Lugue went,” I commanded.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, her voice mechanical.
The shop was a front for a human trafficking ring. The fitting room’s mirror was removable, hiding a small room connected to a back exit. The ring kidnapped children and women who came in as customers. The shopkeeper, complicit for hefty payments, distracted one customer with fake service while the other was taken. She’d lie, claiming the missing person had left.
If I’d fallen for it and searched outside, it would’ve been over. The traffickers would’ve escaped through the back exit, lost in the main street’s crowd.
What a dirty trick…!
“Where’s Lugue!?” I demanded.
“He’s likely been taken to the trafficking ring’s hideout,” she replied.
“Where is it!?”
“I don’t know.”
“…Tch!” She wasn’t lying under 〈Brainwashing〉. A collaborator, well-paid but kept in the dark about key details to be cut loose if needed.
“Sleep for a while. 〈Brainwashing〉 deactivate,” I ordered. She collapsed.
No clues about Lugue’s location. I checked the hidden room and back exit behind the mirror—nothing.
I was out of leads… No, this was where 〈Brainwashing〉 shined.
“Skill 〈Brainwashing〉. Hugh Pnocis, your skill is 〈A Skill to Track Lugue〉!” I tried.
Nothing happened. The mirror showed 〈Brainwashing Active〉, but no change. My status still read 〈Brainwashing〉. Vague skill names didn’t work? What was the condition…?
I tried again. “Your skill is 〈Tracking〉… No, 〈Tracker〉!”
A click in my mind. My status updated to 〈Tracker Lv. Max〉. Specific names, then.
No time for theories. I had to find Lugue. “Skill 〈Tracker〉!”
Blue lights formed in my vision, depicting three figures—two carrying a third from the hidden room to the back exit. Lugue’s abduction, recreated like my father’s 〈Hunter〉 skill highlighting animal tracks.
I burst out the back exit, kicked off a wall, and leaped onto a rooftop. With speed beyond my limits, I sprinted in the direction the light pointed. 〈Tracker〉, an 〈Occupational Skill〉, included abilities like 〈Body Enhancement〉 and 〈Swiftness〉.
Through back alleys to a main street, the light formed a carriage. Two figures tossed the third inside and climbed in, heading west. Without 〈Tracker〉, I’d have lost them. My enhanced legs kept pace effortlessly.
No one noticed me running across rooftops—another perk of 〈Tracker〉, making me unnoticeable. After three kilometers, the carriage entered the port district. Lugue had mentioned the capital’s lake trade routes. The ring likely used them to sell victims.
The glowing carriage stopped at a small warehouse, merging with a real one before vanishing. Two men stepped out, carrying a sack, and entered the warehouse.
“I made it in time…” I sighed, hiding on a nearby warehouse roof. If they’d put him on a ship, chasing would’ve been impossible. 〈Tracker〉 probably wasn’t built for swimming.
That warehouse was the hideout. I needed to see inside.
“Hugh Pnocis, your skill is 〈Clairvoyance〉,” I muttered. A click, and my status updated to 〈Clairvoyance Lv. Max〉: Allows you to see everything you desire.
“Skill 〈Clairvoyance〉.”
I focused on the warehouse—how many people, where Lugue was. My vision shifted to an overhead view, the building translucent, people glowing orange. Twelve total, three motionless—likely victims, including Lugue.
I saw the building’s structure, victim locations, and criminal positions. Subduing them with 〈Brainwashing〉 would be easy.
“Hugh Pnocis, your skill is 〈Brainwashing〉. And the maximum number of targets for 〈Brainwashing〉 is twelve.”
Its weakness was targeting one person at a time. Rewriting it to handle twelve would solve this—
“Guh!? Agh, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?”
Searing pain split my head, dropping me to my knees, writhing. It lasted maybe ten seconds, an eternity of agony. Drenched in sweat, I gasped, taking three minutes to recover.
…Damn it, I thought I’d die!
The cause was trying to rewrite 〈Brainwashing〉’s effects. The gods didn’t like cheating. I wasn’t using it for evil, but still… I’d never try that again.
Using 〈Clairvoyance〉, I checked the warehouse. The numbers hadn’t changed, but three criminals were near the victims. Common sense said they wouldn’t harm their “merchandise,” but common sense didn’t apply to traffickers in a kingdom where slavery was outlawed.
I had to hurry.
〈Ignition〉’s firepower was too risky in a confined space—it might burn the building down with Lugue inside. Plus, I wanted to avoid killing. Trafficking was a capital offense, so killing to save victims might go unpunished, but my past-life ethics held firm.
I’d subdue them without killing. For a tight space, a martial arts skill would work, but six of the nine criminals were lone lookouts. I’d neutralize them first with a skill for stealth and takedowns.
“Hugh Pnocis, your skill is 〈Ninja〉.”
A click. My status updated to 〈Ninja Lv. Max〉: Enables all forms of stealth operations.
Using 〈Stealth Step〉 to silence my footsteps and 〈Concealment〉 to hide my presence, I approached the warehouse. With enhanced abilities, I slipped through a second-floor window. The lookout didn’t notice before I struck his solar plexus, knocking him out.
Three lookouts remained on the second floor, stationed in east, west, and south rooms, focused outside. Sneaking up from inside made neutralizing them simple.
Five left on the first floor—three near the victims, two patrolling outside. Timing my move, I leapt from the window, landing silently to incapacitate the patroller below. Waiting by the wall, I struck the second’s jaw with a palm thrust.
〈Ninja〉 likely included 〈Martial Arts〉, making takedowns smooth.
Only three remained.
Re-entering through the second-floor window, I descended to the first floor, erasing my presence. Approaching the victims’ room, I overheard the men.
“No matter how you look at it, this one’s a boy, right?”
“Nah, look at these clothes—definitely a guy!”
“Why are we even arguing about this?”
“How should I know!?”
They were arguing over Lugue’s appearance. Peering into the dim room, I saw two men bickering, a third sharpening a knife. Lugue lay at their feet, his breathing steady—drugged, like the other victims.
“God, you’re loud. Just strip him and move on,” the knife-wielder sighed, approaching Lugue.
He was about to cut his clothes! “No way I’m letting you…!” I growled.
Using 〈Ninja〉’s enhanced speed, I closed the distance, kicking the knife-wielder’s head. He spun, crashed into the wall, and went limp.
“What…!? Who the hell are you!?” one man shouted.
“Where’d you come from!?” the other demanded, both drawing swords.
I hurled a nearby vase and vanished into the shadows, erasing my presence.
“What the—!? He’s gone!”
“Where’d he go!?”
These men, likely skilled and experienced, were bold enough for trafficking. Even with 〈Ninja〉, a head-on fight was risky.
If I could avoid danger, I would.
“Damn it, stop hiding and come out—guh!?”
Another one down. I paused briefly, channeling my strength before moving fluidly into the first man’s blind spot. A precise palm strike to his jaw sent his eyes rolling back as his body arced through the air, crashing onto the floor. The noise made the second man whip around, but I was already circling behind him, slipping into his blind spot.
“What’s going on—ugh!?”
A swift hand chop to his carotid artery dropped him lifelessly to the ground.
Is that the last of them…? To be certain, I sharpened my senses, relying on my enhanced hearing to detect any lingering signs of activity. The criminals all seemed unconscious, with no hint of additional accomplices.
Satisfied it was safe, I hurried to Lugue’s side.
“Lugue! Hey, stay with me!”
“Ugh… Where…?”
I shook him gently, and his eyes fluttered open, consciousness slowly returning.
“Hugh…? Did I… fall asleep…?”
“Yeah, you were out cold,” I said softly. “Morning, Lugue.”
“Mm… Morning, Hugh…”
Still groggy, his voice was thick with sleep, barely grasping the situation. His carefree reply drew a quiet chuckle from me.
I’m so glad he’s okay.
Once Lugue was fully awake, I sent him to the guard post in the port district. While he fetched help, I bound the criminals tightly, gathering them in one spot and stuffing cloth in their mouths to prevent them from using any skills.
The other victims were a young girl, about six years old, and a young woman who appeared to be her mother. Judging by their clothes, they were commoners—perhaps kidnapped from that shop, or maybe the ring had other fronts. They were asleep, with no visible injuries.
Not wanting to leave them on the filthy floor, I gathered some nearby cloth and fashioned a makeshift bed on a table. I carefully laid the mother and daughter there and waited. Soon, Lugue returned with the guards.
The criminals were taken into custody, and the mother and daughter were safely rescued.
Lugue and I were asked to accompany the guards to the post to explain the situation. When we mentioned we were in the middle of the Royal Academy entrance exams, they opted to send us back to the academy in a carriage, promising to take our statements later. Apparently, with the criminals alive for interrogation and evidence like the hideout and the shop’s hidden room, our immediate accounts weren’t critical. Besides, detaining academy examinees for too long, even voluntarily, could stir trouble—Lugue had mentioned “past incidents” where rivals framed examinees to get them detained, all to secure a passing spot.
There really were way too many incidents.
The carriage rolled through the capital, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the streets. By the time we reached the Royal Academy, the results announcement would likely be underway.
What a whirlwind of a day…
This morning, I’d arrived in the capital, rushed to the entrance exam, met Lecty while he was being harassed by a noble brat, and got to know Lilly. Then I became friends with Lugue, only for him to be kidnapped right after the exam. Even counting my past life, I don’t think I’ve ever had a day this chaotic.
As I stared blankly at the passing scenery, a cold touch grazed my right hand. Glancing down, I saw Lugue’s slender fingers resting lightly on the back of my hand. His eyes were squeezed shut, and he leaned against me, as if seeking comfort.
“What’s wrong?” I asked gently.
“…Um, well… I’m finally calming down and thinking clearly… and it’s hitting me that I was kidnapped…”
Saying “what, now?” would’ve been callous. I’d sent him to the guard post right after he woke up, giving him no time to process the fear.
“S-Sorry, Hugh,” he stammered. “I know it’s weird for guys to cling to each other, but… I’m just really scared…”
His body trembled faintly, his sapphire eyes glistening with unshed tears as they met mine, searching for reassurance.
“It’s not weird if you’re scared,” I said. “Even guys want to cling to someone when they’re afraid.”
“Really…? Do you, Hugh… want to cling to someone when you’re scared…?”
“Yeah. So, if I’m ever scared, let me cling to you. If you’re okay with it, of course.”
“…Yeah, I’m okay with it, if it’s you, Hugh,” he murmured. “Are you… okay with me clinging to you…?”
“Fine anytime.”
I raised my arm slightly, and Lugue hugged it tightly, his soft warmth and the steady beat of his heart pressing against me.
“…Thank you, Hugh. For coming to save me.”
“Of course. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Friends…?”
“Wait, are we not…!?”
That would actually be kind of a shock… We’d only known each other for half a day, but we’d taken the exam together and gone shopping. By my standards, we were already friends.
“No, no! We are friends!” he said quickly. “…But, Hugh, I—”
His voice dropped deliberately, as if he didn’t want me to hear the rest. But I’d forgotten to switch off my 〈Ninja〉 skill, and its enhanced hearing caught his faint murmur perfectly.
“—want you to be my knight…”
In this life, I’m determined to live the leisurely, carefree lifestyle I couldn’t in my past life. But, just for a moment, I thought—maybe dedicating my life to one friend wouldn’t be so bad. It’s a fleeting whim, of course. I still want that carefree life. But if a loyal friend is part of it, that’d be even better.
The carriage slowed as we approached the Royal Academy. We stepped off, thanked the guards who escorted us, and entered the academy just as the results announcement began. Shouts of joy, cries of despair, and even some angry yells filled the air.
I’d rather not get too close, but I had no choice.
◇◇◇
Pushing through the crowd with Lugue, I reached the bulletin board and scanned for my name. Thanks to the enhanced vision from my 〈Ninja〉 skill, I found it quickly. Thank goodness—I passed.
“I found it! My name’s there!” Lugue exclaimed. “Did you find yours, Hugh!?”
“Yeah. You were right, Lugue.”
We stepped away from the board and turned to face each other.
“We did it, Hugh! Congratulations!”
“Congrats to you too, Lugue. Here’s to the next three years.”
“Yeah!”
We celebrated our success and followed the guides to the classroom where the successful candidates were gathering. It’s funny—this morning, I was hoping to fail and return home. Now, I can’t wait for the three years of academy life with Lugue.
◇◇◇
At nearly the same moment Hugh and Lugue were checking the results at the Royal Academy, a knight dispatched from the royal castle arrived at the human trafficking ring’s hideout in the port district. Stepping off the carriage was a lean, middle-aged man clad in white armor with blue trim, a matching cape draped over his shoulders. His dark brown hair was disheveled, his face marked by a scruffy beard.
Yawning widely and slouching as he walked, he was saluted by passing guards and knights already on the scene.
“Good work, sir!”
“Yeah, good work!” he replied casually, waving his left hand in acknowledgment. No one seemed to mind his laid-back demeanor; some guards even brightened at his words.
“That’s the vice-commander of the Kingdom’s Knights…!”
“Roan Ashblade, with the skill 〈Sword Saint〉!”
Roan sighed at the whispers trailing behind him. This is why fieldwork is such a pain… When had the younger knights and guards started looking at him differently?
It’d been over twenty years since he joined the knights. Though the Reese Kingdom was in a peaceful era, the knights weren’t without battles. There were no wars, but monster hunts and fights against bandits or criminal organizations were routine. Roan had always fought at the forefront. As a rookie, he was doted on; as a mid-level knight, he earned trust; and now, at a veteran’s age, he was respected.
He recalled how, as a young knight, he’d admired the commander and vice-commander of his time. I’m getting old… I’d love to retire like those commanders and live quietly with a wife and daughter… Not that I’m married.
“Haaaa…”
Sighing deeply, Roan entered the warehouse that served as the trafficking ring’s hideout. A knight already investigating inside noticed him and hurried over—a young woman with purple hair tied to the side, her face still youthful. She stopped sharply in front of him and snapped a crisp salute, her right arm extended, hand to her forehead.
“Good work, Master!”
“Hey, who’re you calling ‘Master’?” Roan grumbled. “Alyssa, I keep telling you that nickname causes misunderstandings.”
“Sorry, Master!”
“If you’re sorry, change how you address me… Geez.”
Roan sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, muttering, “Whatever.” He’d known Alyssa Swift since before she became a knight, having saved her during an incident. Since then, she’d persistently called him “Master.” His skill being 〈Sword Saint〉 made it technically accurate, but a young, unmarried woman calling him “Master” looked bad to others. The worst part was the assumption that he wanted her to call him that. In reality, Alyssa ignored his protests, but to outsiders, it seemed like he encouraged it.
It caused him no end of headaches. Lately, he’d let Alyssa handle fieldwork while he stayed at the castle, but…
“Who’d have thought the culprits behind the capital’s string of disappearances would be taken down by a single student?”
“To be precise, an examinee in the middle of the Royal Academy’s entrance exam, sir,” Alyssa corrected.
“Oh, right, today’s the exam day, isn’t it? They didn’t detain him, did they?”
“No worries there. The guards sent him back to the academy.”
“Good. After pulling off something this big, there’s no way he failed. We can take his statement later.”
“Are you going to question him yourself, Master?”
“Maybe. I’m curious to see his face.”
Roan was genuinely intrigued by a boy who single-handedly subdued a criminal organization without killing anyone. That said, crimes in the capital were typically the guards’ jurisdiction. Stepping on their toes wasn’t worth the trouble. But that applied only to ordinary cases. If the incident involved the capital or the entire Reese Kingdom’s stability, jurisdiction shifted to the Kingdom’s Knights. The knights had long suspected foreign involvement or ties to the royal succession dispute in the disappearances.
“Found any connections?” Roan asked.
“A few documents. Thin threads, but they’re there.”
“We’ll have to follow them.”
Alyssa’s preliminary investigation suggested some link. She handed him the victim list. “And take a look at this.”
Roan’s eyes widened as he scanned it, spotting a certain name.
“This… a coincidence?”
“The guards who took statements think it’s a coincidence.”
“Still… we should report it to her, just to be safe…”
Post a Comment