Chapter 18: Sillas’s Summon part 1
A few days later, despite Maurice’s reluctance, he dragged his younger brother to the training ground. Out of consideration for Maurice’s pride, he had dismissed the other knights.
“Brother, I’m fine.”
“Maurice.”
Since Kassel’s arrival, Maurice, who had been behaving himself, now wore an unmistakable expression of frustration.
“How can you, the vice-captain of the Blue Rose Knights, take the time to personally train me? I said I’m fine.”
“…Do you think I’m going to beat you senseless or something?”
Maurice glanced at the practice sword thrown in front of him, shaking his head in resignation.
“Why are you doing this when you already know? I have no talent with the sword. No matter what teacher you put in front of me, it’s a waste of time.”
“Maurice!”
A knight is not defined solely by his skill with the sword. A noble character, patience, horsemanship, insight, and spear mastery – being unfamiliar with the sword was no excuse for such talk. In Kassel’s eyes, Maurice had potential, if only he changed his attitude. As a knight, Kassel swore to honor that belief.
Maurice didn’t quite kick the sword away, though under normal circumstances, he probably would have. Instead, he finally let out the words he had been holding inside for so long.
“It’s always the same, isn’t it? I’m always shorter than you, weaker than you, and even at the same age, my achievements pale in comparison. As for Mother and Father’s expectations? Hah, I’m sure they’ve pinned their hopes on Tiana, the one who went missing.”
“Maurice!!”
“It’s pointless! Running back and forth to that Saintess who keeps spouting meaningless prophecies!”
“Maurice, calm down.”
Kassel tried to reason with him, but Maurice’s eyes had passed beyond laziness; they were filled with resignation and disillusionment.
“One way or another, I’m bound to leave this place like someone being driven away, Brother. So until then, can’t you just leave me alone?”
“Maurice!”
“I just want to see Tiana’s wedding, at the very least. After that, whether I become a beggar or a drunkard, leave me be. I’ll make sure not to stain our family name with disgrace.”
As Maurice waved his hand dismissively and walked away, Kassel could only watch.
His desire to see Tiana’s wedding didn’t sound like a mere excuse. At least that part was genuine.
The saintess, Kaphia, had always spewed hollow prophecies and blessings, yet despite speaking ill of her, Maurice still clung to hope when it came to Tiana. That touched Kassel deeply.
‘Maurice… Tiana’s disappearance must have scarred you as well. I’m sorry I didn’t notice sooner.’
Just as Kassel had chosen to bury the pain of their sister’s disappearance, Maurice had undoubtedly kept that burden close to his heart. With two more matters to investigate, on top of his current inquiries, Kassel furrowed his brow and set to work, quietly and discreetly.
* * *
The season of yellow leaves falling thickly on the ground. These days, Fay had been feeling stuck in her magical progress.
‘Hmm…’
She had summoned the Undine Queen, a rare feat, so many magicians would probably scoff if they heard her complain. But the only one who understood the limits Fay felt was Lucius, who had recently been promoted to a 7th-circle master. This wasn’t something she could easily discuss with Holtdayne.
“True to your name, you’re good with water and ice.”
“Uh-huh…”
Lucius frowned, annoyed that she accepted his statement so easily.
“Why are you so spineless? Just because you’re good with water doesn’t mean your personality has to be that way too!”
“You’re not wrong, so what’s the problem? You always manage to say exactly what needs to be said, Sir Lucius.”
Was the Mage Tower’s original suggestion right after all? Becoming a Water Specialist.
If she followed that path, there would be no turning back. Her entire magical power would be perfectly aligned with a single element.
Was that really the right choice?
‘Both Holtdayne and Lucius said that I could become an Ice Master as long as I put my mind into it. Although they said that achievements are determined by my efforts… I’m still unsure. Is there really no other way for me?’
“Are you asleep?”
Lucius’s sarcastic tone didn’t bother Fay much.
For some reason, it had always been like this between them. Just like her pleasant first encounter with Knight Leon had led to their second meeting, her relationship with Lucius had been similarly predestined. He always grumbled, and Fay always laughed it off.
That didn’t mean Lucius looked down on her. In fact, within the Mage Tower, Lucius was the best person Fay could talk to. He often had answers to the questions she couldn’t ask anyone else.
“No.”
“Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do?”
Fay shook her head.
“Thinking alone won’t solve anything. I didn’t even start learning magic that early, and summoning the Undine Queen in just two seasons is an enormous achievement. If I complain about my progress slowing down, it’ll only show I haven’t been putting in enough effort.”
“You’re just full of objective self-awareness, aren’t you?”
She stretched her arms behind her chair, muttering absentmindedly.
“It’s not like I’m going to go out and find a Dragon’s Heart. I’ll just read another spellbook instead of looking for impossible solutions.”
“D… Dragon’s Heart?”
She replied casually.
“Yes, that thing all swordmasters dream of, right? But according to Holtdayne, there are a few magicians who are compatible with Dragon Hearts, too.”
“…”
“Apparently, I’m one of them? Even Master Neiah of the Mage Tower fits that category. Do you think there’s a Dragon Heart just lying around somewhere?”
Lucius suddenly fell silent. Then, after a while, he made a suggestion.
Legnakra
Poor dragon, it must have turned blue from the fright 😅… Thank you Bunny 🐰💕