“Ahem, ’scuse me…but I just remembered we’ve got somewhere to be. Sorry for leaving so suddenly. Thanks so much for today.”
“…Thanks.”
The moment we stepped out of Dalkin’s blacksmith shop, Canis and Ferris made to leave.
“Oh, right! Don’t worry ’bout it! I’ll take you both somewhere for some proper food next time, you got that?!” said Zack, seeing the two of them off.
“Wait.”
Luke called out to stop the pair from leaving, and Canis and Ferris felt the hand close tightly around their hearts once more.
“There’s something I want to ask you two. Let’s meet again.”
“Of course, Master Luke. Well then, goodbye.”
“Hmph.”
That was all that Luke had to say at this time. Canis and Ferris left.
“Er…I should get going too…”
Zack also tried to take the opportunity to escape. Ever since he’d arrived at the blacksmith’s shop and encountered Luke, he’d felt like he wasn’t breathing properly due to the weight of the immense, panicky fear that pressed down upon him. He was so scared of saying the wrong thing that it hurt his stomach. Luke was a great aristocrat, and while Zack was an accomplished adventurer, he was nonetheless a commoner. He couldn’t help but be mindful of his every word, and it was only natural that he should feel on edge.
Unfortunately, Zack’s fervent wish to leave would not be granted.
“Zack, take me to that guild of yours, or whatever you call it,” Luke cut in. “I am going to become an adventurer.”
“…Eh?”
“Do not make me repeat myself.”
“Ahhh, I’m sorry! I’ll take you there right away!”
He had no choice in the matter, of course. Zack knew that protesting would be futile, but he couldn’t help casting Alfred a pathetic, pleading glance, just in case. Sure enough, his puppy dog eyes were met by a silent, sharp glare.
The look only made Zack’s stomach twist even harder, so he gave up on resisting. He knew quite well that there were times in life when it was important to give up.
No more…I just want to go home to my friends…
He dutifully led Luke toward the Adventurers’ Guild, and the trip passed in fairly awkward silence. Zack was skilled at conversation, and under normal circumstances, he would have filled the lull with some chatter, but he judged that it was better if he said nothing in this situa-tion. He didn’t know what Luke might take offense to and wanted very much to avoid provoking him with an offhand comment. As a result, he went with the safest possible choice: silence.
After they’d been walking a while, they came upon a few horse-drawn carriages riding toward them down the road. They clearly belonged to an aristocrat.
“Huh? Isn’t that…?”
Luke searched his memory, but couldn’t remember his father mentioning anything about visitors. This was clearly somebody, but who?
Unbeknownst to either of them, Luke and Zack were about to experience the exact same thought at the exact same time, in perfect unison:
I have a bad feeling about this.
The two of them desperately wished that the carriages would just keep on rumbling past, but it seemed as if the world itself were making a mockery of their prayers. The carriages came to a halt right in front of them.
“The Godwins, eh?” Luke muttered, eyeing the crest emblazoned on the carriage doors.
The Godwins were one of the leading houses of the noble faction, alongside the Gilberts. The carriage door opened slowly, revealing a woman inside.
“Long time no see, Luke.”
Luke swept an appraising gaze over this person who apparently recognized him.
She was incredibly beautiful, but there was a roughness to the woman that didn’t quite suit an aristocrat. Her long red hair looked like a lion’s mane, and there was an arrogant and quiet pluck that dwelled behind her dark-blue eyes.
Huh. She’s got real big…uh…hair. Among other things, thought Luke.
As he looked at her, he felt the puzzle pieces slowly begin to slide into place within his muddled mind.
“Eleonora?”
“Oh, I sure am happy you remember me!”
Right, I do know her. Or Luke knew her, before I ever came to this world. I can see it in Luke’s memories. I guess she’s my childhood friend.
He now understood the strange feeling he’d gotten when he saw her name in first place on the rankings and when Polpon had mentioned her later.
I…remember everything.
The process had been slow, but relations between the houses of Godwin and Gilbert had worsened significantly when Claude lost his ambition to take the throne. Luke and Eleonora had been friends at the time, but naturally grew apart as their families’ connection frayed. Then came the rumors that Luke was learning swordplay, which finally estranged them for good.
“You too, Alfred. It’s been a while.”
“It has indeed, Lady Eleonora.”
“I’m happy to see the two of you, but—” Her calm and friendly demeanor flipped in an instant.
“What are you doing with that commoner, Luke?”
Zack wanted to run as fast as he could. There were two great aristocrats now—and just one had been enough to stress him to the point of breaking. Not to mention that one of them was clearly upset and staring right at him as if he were lower than dirt, and he just couldn’t take it any longer.
Why is all this happening?! Why meeeee?!
Even if it was all just some misunderstanding, Zack didn’t dare say a word about any of it. He resorted to an anguished internal scream instead.
“That’s got nothing to do with you,” Luke snapped.
“You’re right, I s’ppose,” she replied. “I just don’t want you doing anything else that will lower your standing, Luke.”
“Huh?”
“When I found out you were learning the sword, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.”
Luke’s rage was immediate and obvious, but Eleonora behaved as if she hadn’t noticed it. Perhaps she really didn’t. In any case, she kept on smiling, even wider than before.
Noooooo!! Zack cried out privately. He couldn’t bear to watch the tinderbox be lit, and a cold sweat began pouring down his face.
“Hey, Luke, you remember when we used to play together as kids? You sure were amazing back then. It seemed like you could do anything you put your mind to. I really looked up to you, you know?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I made it to the top of Aslan Magic Academy in just one year,” Eleonora sneered. “I’m ahead of you—for now, at least. But do you really think you’ll be able to surpass me with mere swordplay?”
“Mwa ha ha…very well, then,” Luke said, laughing quietly to himself. “We can settle this right now if you’d like. I know what the result will be.”
Eleonora let out a loud bark of laughter, which only intensified the dangerous aura about her.
“Heh… Ah ha ha! All right then!” she declared.
The two aristocrats glared each other down like feral beasts, and the air was fraught with tension. It was as if they were circling each other, eager for an opportunity to lunge at the enemy’s throat.
However, that terrible tension was broken in an instant.
“Eleonora, what are you doing out there?” someone called from inside one of the carriages. “Hurry up!”
“Unfortunately, that’ll have to wait for another time,” she said tersely. “Goodbye, Luke.”
“…”
Eleonora turned on her heel and returned to her carriage.
He didn’t even get out! What’s with that? thought Luke as the horses pulled away. Did Eleonora’s father purposely snub him? He had not stepped out of his carriage once, not even for a moment. It was as if he did not deign to offer Luke the bare minimum of a polite greeting.
The thought filled Luke with self-righteous fury.
“Let’s go,” he growled.
“Yes, Master Luke.”
“R-right…sure…”
Luke walked away, and Zack and Alfred followed.
Eleonora…that woman will be my stepping stone.
The whole experience caused a few memories to surface in Luke’s mind, and he remembered a little more about the original story.
She’s so exceptionally talented that she reached the top of the whole academy while still in her first year, but Luke defeats her easily to demonstrate his power as a villain. Yeah, I remember now. Her role in the story was to set me up as the last boss character of the academy arc… Not that it matters at this point. I don’t care about any of that. I’m going to make myself so powerful that nothing in this story will tie me down.
With his memories a little clearer and fresh resolve in his heart to claim happiness, Luke resumed his walk toward the Adventurers’ Guild.
Come to think of it…what was House Godwin doing here anyway?
✦ ✦ ✦
“What’s the matter, Eleonora? Did something happen between you and Claude’s son?”
“Nothing, really.”
Eleonora settled into her seat as the carriage departed once again.
“Are you sure? Why is your face so red…?”
“I am fine, Father.”
“I see…” He paused. “Wh-what exactly are you fidgeting like that for?”
Whoa, like, like…when did Luke get so freakin’ cool?! He’s so much bigger and talks such a big game! Like, he didn’t back down at all! That was so wild! I’ve got so much pent-up energy now, I feel like I’m gonna scream or something! He’ll definitely beat me, right? Ahh, I can’t wait to go all out against him!
Eleonora gazed fiercely off into the distance as she squirmed in her seat. The rift that Luke’s sword fighting had driven between them had caused quite a change to come over her.