Shes my younger cousin.
......What?
Jasons eyes went wide as he looked back and forth between Straang and .
Then, he muttered as if thinking about sothing else,
You had such a cute younger cousin?
......
What was it?
What part of this was Jason surprised by?
That I had a younger cousin, or that she was cute?
Wait! Thats not the problem!
It was fine if he just believed it.
Sh-she transferred over today...... and sa graduating class as us.
Sa graduating class? But you just said shes younger than you.
......
Huh? I guess thats true.
This setting doesnt make sense.
Haah, whatever.
......She skipped a grade. Shes a genius.
Oh ho! A genius!
Jasons eyes sparkled and he talked to Straang with a cheesy expression.
Its good to see you. I am Ruins best friend and his roommate, Jason Damon. May I ask for your na?
Shes called Straang. Straang Ardell.
Ruin, did I ask you? Im talking to Ms. Straang here.
......
As I shut my mouth, Jason made a more provocative face and asked again,
If you perhaps havent toured the Academy yet, let show you around How about it? The baguette thats sold in our cafeteria is amazing.
......
Haha! No need to feel uncomfortable. Im not a fool. Just think of as a cool older guy and treat casually.
A cool older guy?
This guys off his rocker.
Jason, that look in your eyes
You might feel like its your best look, but it just looks super cringe.
Id seen this face before.
This was the expression he had when he saw Irene Prius.
His face probably automatically turned into that whenever he saw a pretty girl
Sorry Jason, but you and Straang are fated to never be together.
Just a few hours ago, this kid here wasnt a pretty girl, but a female entity.
But how could I firmly tell Jason that he could never be my cousin-in-law?
Even if I did, Straang would also need to deny it herself.
In any case, wasnt pain the greatest teacher?
I stayed silent and waited for Straang to answer him.
And the answer I was waiting for appeared.
......Are you telling to eat bread? Fuck off!
Nice, Straang!
Seeing him go over the line, Straang cursed him off, and I could see panic in Jasons eyes.
With this expletive unbefitting such a cute face, I thought his interest in Straang would wither away......
But I was wrong.
N-nice! Thats so good! I like that!
What are you saying is good?
Please be comfortable with . You can curse at all you like.
This insane bastard.
Thats good! Again!
......
Jason was more unusual than I initially thought.
He was also pretty good at luring out girls.
Then, what do you like better? Milk or herbal tea?
......Milk?
Ah, so you like milk. The warm milk they sell at the cafeteria is quite sweet and creamy. How about it? Should we go drink it together?
Yeah, nah.
It wasnt a question asking between the two, but rather asking both milk and herbal tea at once so they would need to choose one.
If he put this much effort into his studies, he wouldve been a 5th-class magician already
What a sha.
That talent was truly being wasted.
......Ahem. Milk is a different story. Lets go.
Alright!
As Straang started to walk over after being enticed by the prospect of warm milk, Jason smiled brightly and struck on my shoulder.
Ruin, why are you only telling now that you had such a cute younger cousin? I nearly missed out.
......
Ah, was that so?
Why couldnt you miss out?
Dont worry. Ill treat her as if shes my own younger sister and treat her super well.
I got it, so just go.
I slowly nodded my head, and Jason started to run after Straang, joy in his face.
But, Ms. Straang, how do you know where the cafeteria is? Have you been to it before?
Ive been there a lot, but this is the first ti going with my own two feet.
......What?
Its sothing like that. You wouldnt get it even if I explained it to you.
Ah, haha! Youre good at joking.
......
Sorry Jason.
I actually lied to you.
Miss young cousin here isnt 15 years old, but over 3000.
But I couldnt willingly break that smile off his face with my own two hands.
......My friend, be happy.
* * *
* * *
The joint knight lessons that created commotions around the Academy finally finished.
The trainee knights of Poldren all went back to their training center, and everyone would start to walk their own paths.
We would beco magicians after graduating from the academy, and the trainee knights would beco those who protect our kingdom after taking the knightly vow.
For Hansen, who had shown the most explosive growth during this study period and was recognized for it, this separation was sothing he didnt want to happen.
Ruin, will we be able to et again?
Of course. Ill co visit you soti.
Obviously, not everyone felt the sa.
Maltive, for example, put on a helt to cover his face and mounted his horse first.
It practically scread that he wanted to leave the Academy as fast as possible.
I pointed toward Maltive and said to Hansen,
After going back to the center, dont be bullied by soone like that. Youre stronger than him. You understand, right?
......Yeah.
I suddenly thought back to the faint red aura that was enveloping Hansens wooden sword at the final monts of the spar.
A red aura would an that he was 5th-rank, but Hansen told that after that he couldnt bring it out again.
However, able to freely manipulate blue aura, he was most certainly a true 4th-rank.
If he continued to grow at this pace, I was sure that Hansen would soon reach 5th-rank.
A 5th-rank knight in his teens
It may be possible for him to beco a legendary knight rivalling Sir Bolvar Patten.
This is gonna be big.
There might be a commotion as the Golden Light Knight Order tries to take him in.
In so cases, a bigger nation than Radian or the Empire might aim for Hansen as well.
In any case, it would be good for Hansen, and for for befriending him.
As I was deep in thought
Ruin.
......Yeah?
I thought of this for the last few days...... but after I graduate from the training center and take my knightly vow, could I co to Ardell?
Ardell? Of course. You can co hang out any ti.
No, not to hang out... I want to just stay and live in Ardell with my sister......
Eh?
I thought about what Hansen just said for a short mont.
Are you saying you want to beco a knight of Ardell?
Y-yeah. Is that too much?
No. Its not that but youll have better opportunities in the future. If you keep doing what youre doing now, the path to the Golden Light Knight Order or sothing even greater might open up for you in the future.
Although that might happen I dont want that.
......
As you know, my sister and I dont have a hotown we can go back to. We moved around here and there without identity, not having the money to settle. But if I beco a knight, I would wander here and there again. I dont want a life like that. I want to have a place I wish to protect with my life. And I have the debt I need to pay you back as well.
There are no debts between friends. I just helped you because I wanted to.
Thats the sa for . I just want to help you. To protect the Ardell you want to protect.
......
So give your approval.
Hansen becoming a knight of Ardell
It was extrely touching just thinking about it.
I was starting to really look forward to what would happen if Hansen were to get taught by Sir Bolvar.
Although I was really happy in my heart, I was hesitating for a second, thinking about Hansens future.
But Straang, who was listening to this from the side, spoke up.
What are you doing? Just accept him.
Huh?
You know it too, right? That guy really is sothing. A tiger cub just rolled into your grasp. What is the future lord of Ardell hesitating for? Its already difficult to get good people onto your side normally.
......
So Straang thanks for the advice, but
Could you say that later in private? Im telling you because I think you forgot, but everyone can hear you now.
Ah, right.
Straang hurriedly shut up, and my eyes turned toward Jason, who was practically stuck next to Straang.
But Jason just shrugged, not seeing anything wrong with her.
Who cares if I hear? Shes right. Hansen is strong, so hell definitely be of help to you in the future.
Thats true.
So, on that topic, can I also go to Ardell after graduation?
What? You too?
For , being weak, no one would be scouting for so Ill follow you and Straang down to Ardell. I know what Im worth, so rather than being paid as a magician, I can help around with housework, cleaning, and whatever. Hows that?
Did I say Id take you with ?
Hey, Im asking pretty seriously here.
......
......
Pfft.
Jason pouted at my reply, and after a second, both of us laughed.
Taking my friends and coming down to Ardell together?
Even without thinking too deeply about it, it was a fun idea.
But then, another thought popped into my head.
It might actually be a good idea.
Nobles gather talented magicians and knights for the future of their house and territory.
Who said Ardell was too weak to do that too?
Although Ardells current state wasnt that good, in the future, we would change a lot.
Jakil Galehill said this when he was talking down to .
Do you think Ruin Ardell will take care of you guys after graduation?
But what if news spread that Ruin Ardell was looking for allies to create a future together?
Even if I didnt know how everything would pan out, it would definitely cause another commotion in the academy.
Yeah.
Gathering talented people.
This was an investnt I definitely needed to make to grow my territory.
And these talented people were all close to .
I stretched my hand toward Hansen.
Wont you regret it? Ardell is only just now going under change, so its still just a country-side town. We dont have any good places to eat or things to see.
But Hansen replied without an ounce of hesitation,
I wont regret it.
Then, Ill be in your care in the future.
As we shook hands, Jason jumped in with a stinging voice.
How about ? ! Are you two just gonna leave out?
Jason. There isnt any place to get entertainnt in Ardell, so for soone like you who likes to play around, itll be really boring. Also, I wont be able to pay you much.
My house has a ton of money anyways so just give what you easily can. If I dont get scouted by even one family after graduation, my father might really collapse. Saying my son really was worthless and other things.
Pfft.
Everyone laughed at Jasons realistic imitation.
How about making a group, since were talking about this?
A group?
Well, famous magician groups or rcenary troops have nas. We should make one as well. How about Guardians of Ardell?
Ugh, thats the worst.
What? Why?!
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