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At the girl’s mention of going to Beringen Academy, Ricardt and Boribori stared at her blankly. Technically, she was their junior. The whole senior-junior thing wasn’t all that important, but still.

It was early evening, and the sky was navy blue with the last traces of the sun lingering faintly. Sitting across the campfire, Ricardt asked,

“Why there?”

“Because I need to enroll. And…”

Ricardt and Boribori waited for the girl, who had half-hidden her face between her knees, to finish her sentence.

“I have to be number one there, no matter what.”

“…Why?”

“Well, because that’s the only way I’ll be useful…”

“Useful for what?”

“Just… for everything…”

It seemed like there was something she couldn’t explain. So Ricardt and Boribori didn’t pry further.

“Well, it’s a relief. We’re heading there too. Beringen Academy.”

Boribori said. At that, the girl widened her big eyes and lifted her face from between her knees.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you two enrolling as well?”

“No. We enrolled about a year ago.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It’s an Adventurer Academy. Sometimes we take on requests. We’re heading back after finishing one now.”

Ricardt spoke as if it was nothing, but they were returning after eliminating none other than one of the Empire’s Nine Swords and the notorious Ernburg Five.

“Oh… wasn’t it dangerous?”

“Of course it was. But what can you do? If you want to be an adventurer, you have to live half-prepared to die.”

“I… I guess so…”

“What? Doesn’t sound too appealing now, does it?”

“No, actually, it might be better this way.”

“So, you must have been pretty mistreated at home too, huh?”

Ricardt said. He had never met anyone who had been treated well by their family, except for himself.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that… but still, I want to achieve something on my own. I think being an adventurer gives me more freedom than becoming a knight. The danger is just the price for that freedom.”

“That’s a positive outlook. And you’re right. You’re not bound by oaths. But you need to establish your own principles that are as important as oaths. Otherwise, it’ll turn into recklessness, not freedom.”

“…”

The girl was momentarily speechless at Ricardt’s mature words. It was a bit of a shock to her.

“…So, what’s your principle?”

“I don’t know. That’s why I’m at the academy. To figure it out, one step at a time.”

The girl fell into thought for a moment, then spoke again.

“Anyway, that means we’re all part of the same academy, huh?”

Though they hadn’t known each other long, the fact that they were all from the same academy seemed to ease her wariness a bit. Actually, it eased her quite a lot.

“What’s your name?”

Ricardt asked.

“Ah, um… Mari. And you guys?”

“…”

After Mari introduced herself, she asked for Ricardt and Boribori’s names. But for some reason, the two boys looked at her with suspicious expressions.

“Wh-what? What is it?”

“You’re a noble, aren’t you?”

Boribori asked bluntly, causing Mari to flinch in surprise.

“Uh, n-no, I’m not.”

It was such an obvious and clumsy lie.

Ricardt had always been sharp-eyed, and Boribori had experienced this before with Ricardt, so he noticed it instinctively. In truth, there was no need to be perceptive at all—it was just too obvious.

And Boribori, having been around Ricardt for so long, had learned quite a bit by observing. Observational skills were one of those things.

Boribori continued to press.

“Custom-made armor? Your family must be rich?”

“Uh, um, w-well, yeah, but just because you have money doesn’t mean you’re a noble.”

Mari was visibly flustered. Since she clearly didn’t want to reveal more, Ricardt and Boribori didn’t press further. After all, hadn’t Ricardt himself been hiding the fact that he was a noble?

“Yeah, well, I’m sure you have your reasons. But being part of the same academy means it doesn’t matter whether you’re a noble or not. We’re all students here. So, don’t feel slighted by that.”

“I don’t. I won’t.”

“So you are a noble.”

“Ah, no. That’s not what I meant.”

“Ricky.”

“Huh?”

“I’m Boribori.”

“Huh?”

“I know, my name’s weird. But the Bori sword style is going to be awesome.”

“…”

To Mari, they seemed like slightly odd boys. Not that they seemed malicious or anything, just… odd.

But there was a lot encompassed in that ‘odd’. Despite their young age, these two boys seemed unafraid of the world. They were around the same age as her, yet so different.

That difference was strangely impressive, and in some way, it gave her courage. How could they be so relaxed?

“By the way, if you want to be ranked first, you’re going to have to work hard.”

Boribori said.

“Huh? Oh, I’m pretty confident with the sword. It might not happen right away, but I’ll definitely make it to the top.”

“Sure, sure. Give it your best shot.”

Ricardt said, poking the campfire with a wooden stick, seemingly uninterested.

The current number one at Beringen Academy was Ricardt, and considering he had just killed one of the Empire’s Nine Swords, it was practically impossible for any student to outrank him.

Thinking about the incident with his eldest brother, Ricardt wasn’t the type to pick fights unnecessarily, but if he did fight, he never held back.

“By the way, isn’t it too early for swimming?”

Boribori asked Mari, referring to when she was flailing around by the river.

“I just… wanted to escape a little…”

“You’re going to get yourself killed.”

Ricardt warned. It wasn’t out of concern, but a genuine warning.

“Sorry…”

“There’s nothing to apologize to us for. Anyway, let’s eat something, get to bed early, and head out at dawn.”

“…Thanks.”

Ricardt and Boribori decided to eat the heavier food from their provisions first, to lighten their load.

They roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes over the fire, and added a bit of salted meat. It made for a surprisingly decent meal. Mari didn’t seem picky about what she ate, either.

After the meal, Ricardt took off his cloak and draped it over Mari. She fidgeted awkwardly, glancing around nervously.

“Th-thank you…”

“Just do it occasionally.”

“Huh?”

“Saying thank you or sorry too often makes it lose its weight.”

“Oh… okay.”

After that, Ricardt and Boribori shared a cloak and leaned against the wall, watching the campfire as they rested.

Before long, the sky had turned black, and the stars shined silently overhead.

Mari still hadn’t fully relaxed, so she doubted she’d be able to sleep well. Besides, sleeping outside was incredibly uncomfortable.

But when both body and mind are exhausted, and you’ve eaten your fill, sleep comes whether you want it to or not.

The crackling of the campfire sounded like a lullaby.

The next day, in the dark dawn, Ricardt extinguished the cold fire with his foot. He then turned to Mari, who was awkwardly standing nearby, still wearing Ricardt’s borrowed clothes.

“Your gambeson isn’t dry yet, so it’d be better if I wore the armor for now.”

A gambeson referred to a type of thick coat worn under armor. It provided some protection on its own, so many people favored it.

However, since it was stuffed with cotton, even after drying near the fire all night, it was hard to dry completely through in just one night.

“Oh, okay.”

“You carry the helmet and gambeson.”

“Okay.”

Ricardt put on the chainmail armor that Mari had worn. After adjusting the belt to fit his waist, he handed her a sword.

“And take this. Use it for now.”

It was Steiner’s sword. Mari had lost her own sword and only had the scabbard left.

Judging from the size of the scabbard she usually carried, Steiner’s sword seemed to be a similar fit.

“Instead of wearing it on your waist, it’s better to sling it over your shoulder like I do.”

“Okay.”

There was no harm in wearing it on her waist, but the weight would be unevenly distributed, causing her to tire quickly during long walks.

Since standard combat equipment is typically designed for adult men unless custom-made, how you carry it is important. While Mari’s armor was custom-made, her sword was not.

Ricardt explained everything from the smallest details. He didn’t know how skilled Mari was in swordsmanship, but it was clear her field abilities were lacking.

Field abilities referred to the comprehensive skills needed to sleep, eat, walk, and run outdoors, and to adapt to and overcome any situation—whether it rained, snowed, or whatever else might come. Stamina was important, but mental toughness was just as critical.

In other words, while swordsmanship was crucial, in real-life situations, field abilities were often more important. Many people ended up dead not because they lacked skill but because they were too exhausted or overwhelmed to use their skills effectively.

Moreover, things like accurate judgment, decisiveness, focus, understanding of tactics, courage, and patience were all essential for strong combat performance.

What made Ricardt strong wasn’t just his extraordinary swordsmanship; it was that all of these qualities were unparalleled in him as well.

Once they finished preparing and were ready to set off again, Ricardt gave Mari one last piece of advice.

“Put on your hood.”

“Huh?”

“Just in case. Bugs might get attracted to you.”

Mari, thinking he meant she smelled, panicked. But that wasn’t it.

“You’re pretty, you know.”

At Ricardt’s words, Mari froze. She had never heard someone so directly say she was pretty before.

She’d heard soulless compliments wrapped in flowery language, but never anything this blunt.

Her face flushed, but fortunately, it was still the dark, early dawn.

“Uh, um…”

Mari hurriedly put her hood on, trying to act like it was no big deal.

“Let’s go.”

Ricardt spoke indifferently as he began walking.

And so, the three of them started their journey towards Beringen Academy.

As they walked down the field path, the sun slowly began to rise. The fields, touched by the early morning light, looked like the color of the ocean. Soon, sunlight spread across the land like a carpet, and the greenery, still moist from the melted snow, unfolded before them.

Ricardt and Boribori occasionally exchanged jokes or teased each other as they walked.

Boribori remarked that Ricardt looked good in armor and asked if he had ever considered becoming a knight instead of an adventurer. He even suggested Ricardt start practicing horseback riding.

In fact, what made knights fearsome was their horses. No matter how much mana a person mastered, if they were properly hit by a charging horse, their bones would all break and they would die.

Moreover, in terms of mobility and actual combat utility, they were far superior to ordinary swordsmen. Knights were no different from tanks that could collapse enemy lines.

However, fighting on horseback wasn’t a skill you could pick up in one or two years. It was an advanced combat skill that required at least 10 years, or even a lifetime, of honing.

The downside? It was expensive. Not just the cost of a horse but also the maintenance costs were enormous. It required pouring in a significant amount of money.

Mari felt a little left out, but it wasn’t like the two boys were deliberately excluding her. As time passed, she gradually grew closer to them. In fact, this subtle inclusion was more comfortable for her than if they had been overly attentive.

The two boys, while seeming indifferent, still looked after Mari. Almost like they were guiding her without making a big deal out of it.

At one point, Boribori imitated the mature tone Mari had used when trying to act older, causing her to flusteredly ask him to stop, which made Ricardt burst out laughing.

Compared to when they had left the academy, their steps felt lighter. Mari also felt her fears about the uncertainty of the future begin to ease.

When you’re young, nothing is more frightening than being alone in an unfamiliar place without knowing anyone.

The three of them walked while taking ample breaks along the way, making the journey feel almost like a leisurely outing.

As they relaxed more, even Mari laughed heartily, her laughter echoing, ‘Pahaha!’ When Mari laughed freely like that, she looked stunningly beautiful, to the point where it was easy to forget her mismatched clothes and somewhat ragged appearance.

What Ricardt and Boribori hadn’t noticed before was that Mari had a slightly prominent pair of front teeth, reminiscent of a rabbit, which added to her charm.

However, the two pure-hearted boys didn’t care much about Mari’s appearance, rather they treated her as she was, and Mari, having escaped the suffocating life and strict formality of her past that were like a birdcage, was able to enjoy herself freely and genuinely.

Anxiety and excitement were often separated by a thin line, and thanks to the two boys, Mari could feel more excited and thrilled than anxious.

But as evening approached and darkness began to descend, the lighthearted fun seemed to fade along with the sun.

Ricardt and Boribori had already calculated the distance beforehand, so they were able to reach a roadside tavern and inn just as the light began to wane.

The inn’s name was ‘Anna’s Loss’. It was the same place where, during the winter after leaving the academy, they had first met Nameless.

This made them feel a lump in their throats, and as if something heavy was pressing down on their chests. However, it wasn’t enough to show on their faces.

Still, Mari could sense the subtle shift in the atmosphere and decided to keep quiet as well.

When they opened the door to the tavern, an unpleasant odor greeted them. The rough and dirty-looking patrons inside all turned their gaze toward Ricardt and his group.

Unfazed, Ricardt walked straight over to the bartender, the same one they had briefly spoken to a month and a half or two months ago.

At first, the bartender didn’t recognize him, but soon his expression changed as if he remembered.

“Oh? You guys.”

“It’s been a while. We’d like to get something to eat and rent a room if possible.”

“Uh… by the way, where are you coming from?”

“From the north.”

“The north? Oh yeah, last time you mentioned taking on the request, didn’t you?”

“They’re dead.”

“What?”

“The Ernburg Five—they’re all dead.”

“…”

The bartender could hardly believe what he was hearing. It was even more unbelievable that these two boys were the ones who had accomplished it. To him, it sounded like a joke, and not a very funny one at that.

But just then, someone from across the room looked over at Ricardt and spoke up.

“Hey, look at this. A little knight has wandered into our tavern.”

Ricardt, with his small frame and the armor sized to fit his not fully-grown body, didn’t look like a typical knight. It was a bit comical, really.

Ignoring the comment, Ricardt turned back to the bartender.

“Do you have any rooms or not?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I have rooms, but things aren’t quite the same as they used to be, you see…”

The bartender couldn’t finish his sentence because the man who had spoken to Ricardt earlier stood up and started walking over.

“I asked what you’re doing here, little knight.”

Ricardt turned to face him. The man was tall and broad-faced. This wasn’t just playful teasing; it was clear things wouldn’t end there.

“Bori, your sword.”

Ricardt handed the sword slung over his shoulder to Boribori as he spoke.

“Got it.”

There was no need for long explanations—they understood each other perfectly. Since the space was a bit cramped, Ricardt borrowed Boribori’s sword for better maneuverability.

Boribori took Ricardt’s sword and handed over his phantom sword. He also pulled Mari behind him, making sure she was out of the way.

Mari, still wearing her hood, had no idea what was going on and was feeling increasingly anxious. This was her first time in a place like this, with a foul smell and a bunch of rough-looking men.

Ricardt, now holding the phantom sword in one hand, spoke.

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really want.”

“What?”

“If you’re after my gear, just come at me. Don’t waste time picking a fight like a coward.”

“…Hah!”

The man let out a disbelieving huff, clearly taken aback. Then he glanced over his shoulder, making a signal to someone. At that, several people from two nearby tables stood up all at once.

Seeing this, the bartender quickly backed away to a safe distance. Unlike two months ago, this place was no longer a neutral zone. In the underworld, territories changed hands frequently.

The Arisen Brotherhood no longer existed, and a new power had taken control. As a result, the rules of the streets had changed.

The man turned back to Ricardt and spoke again.

“Alright, I’ll speak like a man. Hand over everything you’ve got. Money, gear, everything.”

“Then try and take it—if you’re capable.”

With that, Ricardt drew the phantom sword in his hand in a flash.

The men standing behind the leader saw that Ricardt had done something, but none of them could see clearly what it was.

Moments later, the man’s thick neck slowly tilted, and then his head fell to the side with a thud.

At the same time, Ricardt kicked the still-standing body, sending it collapsing backward, blood spraying out and splattering onto the dead man’s companions.

Whether it was the quality of the sword or Ricardt’s skill, there wasn’t a single drop of blood on the phantom sword.

Ricardt spoke calmly.

“Next.”

*****