Eliya leaned closer and said, “Stay still before I tie you up.”
She held my face and moved in closer.
‘Why, why is this happening? What should I do? Do I need to do something?’
I was confused, but for now, I decided to stay quiet.
She stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could feel her breath.
Her eyes, lit with crazy flames, stared deep into mine.
Then, she said, “…Your eyes really have changed.”
What? Is she using my eyes as a mirror?
If I look straight at them, I can see it too.
The reflection of myself in Eliya’s eyes.
It’s definitely distorted because of the rippling colors.
‘…Ah. You fool.’
I mentally berated myself.
What was I thinking… No, I shouldn’t think about that again.
Eliya took a step back and asked seriously, “Did I look angry?”
“Um… a little?”
“Is that so…”
Eliya pondered seriously.
She tilted her chin, shifting her gaze around, then looked at me again.
Suddenly, she grabbed my hand.
Slowly, the color in her eyes returned.
To her usual red hue.
“…I don’t really understand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why I looked angry. Whether I really was angry or not. If I was, what the reason could be…”
While speaking, she looked down, and as she finished, glanced back at me.
“I don’t know.”
Her face was filled with a mysterious emotion.
Eliya always had an expressionless face.
Emotions didn’t easily show.
Having spent a long time together, I was able to distinguish subtle differences in her expression.
But right now, I couldn’t read what Eliya was feeling.
And I couldn’t comprehend why she claimed she didn’t know either.
In the end, she couldn’t find an answer.
Neither could I.
“But why is your face red?”
“…I don’t think so?”
“What are you talking about? It’s bright red. Just because you can’t see it with your own eyes doesn’t mean it isn’t there!”
“That’s… well…”
“Why are you acting like that… Ah?”
Eliya, who had been stammering, suddenly clamped her mouth shut.
With a fixed gaze, her eyes slowly shifted downward.
As they did, her face turned red.
She seemed to recall her earlier actions and started to realize something.
Then,
“…Miss?”
And she vanished.
She teleported away.
It’s fascinating that she realized it was an embarrassing act…
‘…What am I supposed to do about all the onlookers? You just leave me here like this!’
I couldn’t help but feel annoyed at Eliya for leaving me in such an awkward situation.
*
Due to various incidents piling up, I finally get to choose my reward.
Having completed a quest by defeating Aghan.
Perfect aristocrat hunting.
There were three reward options.
Soul Binding.
Magic Barrier.
Reinforced Revelation.
Lying on my bed, I confirmed and made my decision.
[You have selected ‘Reinforced Revelation’.]
[Revelation]
– When taking magical damage, immunity to all magic for 3 seconds.
– Reuse cooldown: 24 hours.
The second catastrophe.
Eliya used fire magic on me.
With an angry expression.
Filled with clear contempt.
I avoided the first catastrophe.
At least, that’s what I think.
Just like last time, I will try.
‘…Actually, I don’t really know how to avoid catastrophe.’
I don’t exactly remember how I got through the first one.
It’s not like I intentionally led it.
Just being around Eliya made it happen.
Anyway, choosing this trait is part of that effort.
No matter what happens, I won’t fall victim to magic.
‘If possible, I hope that catastrophe never comes…’
But that’s not something I can control.
Just like I’ve done so far.
I’ll keep hanging out with Eliya and hope that’s enough.
‘…That should work, right?’
*
There haven’t been any major incidents since my duel with Aghan.
That incident where I confronted her seemed to fade away as if it never happened.
‘It wasn’t meant to be serious, so it wouldn’t be weird to revisit it. Hmm…’
All I did was stick by Eliya’s side.
I followed her as she talked with nobles, rested, and dined.
Sometimes, some nobles sought me out.
It seemed they wanted to create connections with Eliya.
Well, I don’t really understand or care about politics.
I firmly turned them away.
Since I spent most of my time with Eliya, I didn’t talk to many people.
I was also watching her reaction closely.
‘Having a cat glaring at me every time someone approaches… I can’t do anything.’
Then, one day.
She, seated on the throne, beckoned Ria.
Ria, who was nearby, scurried over.
“Go fetch Gawain for me.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Ria quickly returned with Gawain.
“Miss, you called for me?”
“Yes. I will be disbanding the training camp.”
…Excuse me?
“Within a week, evaluate the instructors’ abilities and report back. I will handle the reorganization. The candidates can be sent home at their discretion. The treatment of the candidates will be handled by the Duke.”
Eliya casually threw out her commands.
Gawain hesitated for a moment but soon nodded.
“I will carry out your orders.”
“Go on.”
“Wait, wait! Just a moment!”
I hurriedly interjected between them.
“Miss? To disband the training camp… Does that mean you will be sending all the candidates away?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“…….”
I was at a loss for words against such invincible logic.
Why would there be a complaint if I was the one removing my training camp? What right did I have to complain?
Her expression showed exactly that.
It wasn’t wrong, but…
“May I ask why you’ve suddenly made such a decision?”
“It’s not a sudden decision. It’s been decided for a long time.”
“From a long time ago?”
“Yes. I thought I would need to clear it out once you became my knight.”
“…….”
Eliya fixed her gaze upon me.
There was no malice or selfish desire in her vacant expression.
“I don’t need any other knight but you.”
“…….”
“I only need you, right?”
She had no understanding of platonic love or romance.
That’s why she can say such things so nonchalantly.
‘That’s not how I feel…!’
Hearing such words made me go, uh, that’s a bit strange!
It feels weird!
Both Eliya and I are no longer children.
We’ve moved past the days when such things only made us laugh.
‘Although I know she doesn’t mean it in that way…!’
Even at this age, her providing meals and sharing a bed occasionally feels it’s terribly twisted.
“Your face is getting red.”
“Th-this is…! It’s because I had a drink meant for the banquet….”
“I didn’t see you drinking.”
“…….”
I hurriedly changed the subject.
Words alone won’t let me win against Eliya.
“But Miss, having only one knight won’t allow for complete protection.”
“I don’t really need protection from anyone anyway.”
Eliya, the titled magician known as the greatest talent in history.
She was completely right.
“So, I’m enough.”
“But…”
This isn’t simply about the workload on me.
I thought of the friends in the 13th Room.
My comrades who genuinely congratulated me for becoming a knight.
Their single purpose.
To be Eliya’s knight.
Earning money from it and building their futures.
Richard’s words before the installation ceremony came to mind.
He said he would be going soon, so just wait a little longer.
Eliya has every right to dictate the fates of the training camp and the candidates.
It belongs to her.
Even if that’s the case, I can’t just stand by and let them be ousted.
At the very least, I should be able to make a suggestion, right?
“Miss, please think about it again, just one more time.”
I spoke with an unprecedentedly polite tone.
“No matter how much power you have, it’s never enough. I know a little about how many enemies you have…”
Eliya slowly blinked, as if giving me a chance to continue.
“So, even if it’s not a knight dedicated to you, how about making use of a guard unit? Of course, I know maintaining that power requires significant cost, but….”
Eliya has plenty of allies.
However, in the end, they’re people who can easily turn their backs on her.
Forces borrowed from elsewhere.
Temporary loyalty.
In contrast, those in the training camp, they are far more loyal than that.
This is my selfishness, but it’s also Eliya’s need.
Eliya needs a power to truly utilize right now.
Like the secret unit employed by other factions.
I don’t intend to make the shameless request to pick the 13th Room.
At the very least, can we give them one last chance?
If a few from the 13th Room were let go during that chance, I’d be ready to accept that humbly.
Eliya didn’t take long to think it over.
“Okay. That doesn’t sound bad.”
“Thank you.”
“But it’ll take too long to pick individuals one by one. So, let’s go with unit-based final examinations.”
“Unit-based?”
“After throwing in a common objective, I’ll use the people who complete it in the guard unit. Among them, we’ll sift through those who don’t make the cut.”
This is an opportunity.
A chance to bring in the 13th Room.
It’s not just because they are my friends and it’s convenient for me.
The strength of the current 13th Room is the highest in the training camp.
There have been no changes in personnel for five years.
Thanks to that, not only is each individual skillful, but their teamwork is excellent too.
They especially excel in missions that require collaboration.
“You should participate too.”
“Y-yes?”
“If you don’t join us, there’ll be 11 people left.”
…Ah. That’s true.
If I skip the group battle, the 13th Room will have a disadvantage in numbers.
“Is this okay? Like with fairness and so on….”
Eliya, who had been looking at me silently, nodded indifferently.
“Since I allowed it, it’s fine.”
…What is this?
I feel reassured.
A feeling that’s hard to explain.
Is it okay to feel this way towards someone I have to protect?
‘No, it’s not like I’ve never felt secure before…’
Eliya smiled at me.
“Is this enough?”
“Ah, yes… thank you.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
Saying that, she looked straight ahead and casually added,
“Only you can think this way for me.”
“…….”
*
The adult ceremony was a great success.
Eliya has become an adult.
And I became her knight.
*
There’s one last test left for the candidates.
A test that’s somewhat related to me.
The selection of Eliya’s guard unit.
I came to the training camp to notify the candidates about it.
Since I had been away for five days because of the installation ceremony, it felt like it had been a long time.
‘When I first came here, I was a beggar and an orphan.’
Now, I come as Eliya’s knight.
I’m not alone.
Next to me is Eliya, with Ria following beside.
Eliya led the way, and Ria and I followed behind her.
In the training camp’s exercise yard, all the candidates were lined up as previously announced.
In front of them, Gawain was overseeing the candidates, maintaining order.
The candidates looked at me.
The pouring gazes felt burdensome, yet at the same time, made me proud.
‘Yeah, it’s me.’
I wanted to boast a little, but I refrained in front of Eliya.
A few close friends smiled at me, nodding as if to say they were happy for me.
Especially my comrades from the 13th Room.
If someone saw them, they might think they were my parents.
‘Well, we could be considered family.’
If the roles were reversed, I would have genuinely congratulated my roommates too.
I was glad for their reactions, so I gave them a slight smile.
Eliya stopped.
Standing slightly apart from the gathered candidates.
I stood beside her.
Gawain scanned the candidates and then spoke.
“Listen up. As you all know, Judah, once a candidate from the 13th Room, has become the first knight.”
…Huh?
Why is this suddenly being brought up?
This wasn’t an agreed-upon matter beforehand?
“As comrades who trained together, it’s only right to celebrate this.”
Unlike Gawain, who casually said this, I felt a bit embarrassed.
What is this uncle doing so openly?
Eliya seemed indifferent, as if she was having no particular thoughts about it.
I expected her to say something since it wasn’t directed by her beforehand.
“But, Miss only needs one knight. I will make it clear here today. This training camp will be disbanded.”
The candidates went silent.
An awkward quietness filled with tension.
Gawain continued to speak.
“You all must disband and return to your respective homes. However, the Miss has generously granted one last opportunity.”
The candidates were hearing this for the first time.
They looked around, surprised, or tilted their heads in confusion.
A few from the 13th Room glanced at me.
I shrugged, pretending not to know.
“This is the selection of Miss Eliya’s sword and shield. In other words, the exam for the guard unit. It won’t be easy. It will be more dangerous than any other exam you’ve taken so far. You could die.”
But now that I think about it.
I don’t even know what the guard unit exam entails.
I only received confirmation that we were being given an opportunity, but I hadn’t heard the specifics.
“Therefore, I will give you the chance to forfeit the exam. Depending on the content, anyone who wants to leave can feel free to do so.”
For a moment, the candidates considering this began to leave one by one.
‘Wait a minute. Does the magic immunity apply to dark magic as well?’
…Then this situation would be quite advantageous for me.
‘But a dark wizard?’
I was puzzled about that target.
Why is Eliya after a dark wizard?
Which dark wizard?
Then I suddenly recalled one possibility.
‘Don’t tell me….’
The dark wizard that Eliya sought and I subdued, which the Temple Knights then took away.
I didn’t know what happened to them afterward.
‘Is it the same dark wizard who approached during the initiation ceremony?’
Dark magic is one of the gravest offenses.
Punishable by death at the very least.
Yet Eliya is pursuing that dark wizard.
It’s a hypothesis but.
‘If so, did they escape? Is it possible to escape from the Temple Knights?’
Setting possibilities aside, I had another question.
Why is Eliya personally chasing that target?
As I contemplated, all the departing candidates had left.
Less than half were left.
Not a single one from the 13th Room had left.
Gawain surveyed them and asked,
“Are you prepared to die?”
A chorus of responses came back immediately.
“Yes-!”
“Very well. Gather up the insufficient number of people and come to me. I will distribute the maps.”
I subtly asked Eliya.
“Can I ask one thing?”
“Are you asking who this dark wizard is?”
“Yes.”
“It’s the one we captured at the temple.”
“I knew it….”
“Once we return, I’ll tell you more. It’ll be a long story.”
“Understood.”
She cautiously wrapped her arms around my waist.
Small and warm.
I couldn’t bring myself to hug her back and stayed still.
‘You’d think I’d be used to this kind of hug by now, but in a crowded place… hmm….’
Eliya looked up at me while still hugging.
Her red eyes stayed fixed for quite some time on me.
As she lowered her gaze, she spoke as if passing by.
“…Come back safe.”
Eliya won’t be accompanying me.
That’s only natural.
It wouldn’t be fair with her presence.
She seems worried about me as her knight, so I smiled reassuringly.
“Don’t worry.”
“…….”
Eliya didn’t respond to my words.
She stared at me, blinking rapidly as if surprised.
“Miss? Why the look?”
“…It’s nothing.”
She looked down and took a step back.
Fidgeting with my hand, she muttered,
“…You must not get hurt.”
“Of course.”
I cautiously stepped back.
Her hand slowly pulled away.
Finally, when her hand slipped away, I slightly nodded and turned around.
The members of the 13th Room were watching.
All of them, with flushed faces, couldn’t dare look me straight in the eye.
Anxious glances darted around.
“…What? Notice anything?”
“Oh dear….”
Among them, Richard clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Seeing you makes people go mad. It’s just painful to watch, right?”
I didn’t reply and walked closer.
Now’s the time to focus on the selection exam for the guard unit.
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