—Present Day: Ilifelen calendar, year 5212, Enoh, 28th.
After Rigeld designated Alver as his secretary again, the paperwork went more smoothly, as one would expect. Now that Alum had more free time, he was rescheduled to join the other cadets for training more often.
"Hi, I'm Viona Rerita," Viona said, reaching her hand out for a handshake.
"Hi, Alum Miller. Nice to meet you."
Alum shook her hand. On today's training menu was duo training. Thus, he was randomly paired up with another mage.
"…"
"…"
Pretty much everyone around them chatted with their practice partner, except for these two—he's sooo stiff! W-wait… I'm stiff too… oh—this is going to be awkward… haaaa—pheeeew, breathe Viona. You can survive this! Viona thought to reassure herself.
"Ahem…" Chely cleared her throat. "Now that everyone has been paired up, let me explain today's agenda."
A mana slate appeared mid-air, displaying a map. Chely went on to explain that in this simulated scenario. A group of traffickers had kidnapped young individuals of various races and was looking to sell them on the black market.
They were to figure out where the victims were being held captive, as well as to find the market location. And the objective was not be noticed and call in reinforcements after gathering all mission intel.
"You have 30 minutes to analyze the map and come up with a plan. You're not allowed to share intel with another pair. Afterwards, we'll run a simulation. Is that clear?"
Chely turned towards the cadets, crossing her arms.
"Yes, Ma'am! Everything's clear!"
"Good," Chely nodded subtly and started a timer.
She turned to Miu and walked toward the red-eyed girl. Since Alum joined, they became one too many, which was why Chely would be going through this exercise with Miu.
"What's the plan, Miu?" she asked softly.
"I was thinking… points 4 and 5 are likely where the hostages are being kept, so it would likely be heavily guarded. I don't know how much time we have, so we need to figure out the shipment date somehow. The likelihood of the guards chatting about the specifics isn't likely, but we could potentially gain enough information for an estimate before an accurate assessment, then as for the…"
Miu continued to list everything that came to mind as she wrote it down, drawing arrows and circling objectives and potential strategies. All Chely did was smile softly. Not long ago, these people knew nothing about this world, but seeing them grow, especially a friend like Miu, filled her with warmth.
"I see. Let's try that out and see if it works. If it doesn't, we'll analyze why," Chely said.
"Yeah…" Miu nodded.
Failure wasn't ideal, but since it was a simulation and not the real battlefield, it was allowed to a minor extent. Better fail here than to die in service, after all.
..
Late at night, Alum finished his training with Rigeld. He was on his knees, panting while using Depth Cutter as support.
"You've improved a lot, huh? I guess the saint really trained you well."
"Mm. Naturally," Alum replied.
"She's serious," the old man shrugged. "I thought you guys would fool around a little at least," he sighed, slightly exasperated.
Catching his breath, Alum got up on his feet. "We did that too," he replied.
"Pff… show off," Rigeld chuckled. "Either way, have you thought about it?"
"About the job? You already know the answer."
Alum didn't look at him and fiddled with the sword, twirling around the 8 kg blade like it was nothing. It was initially a bit heavy for him, but he'd gotten used to it by this point.
Rigeld began to stretch. "Nngh, you've seemed to have warmed up to it, I see—urk, my shoulders are stiff. Mind rubbing them for me?" he asked.
Casting a glance his way, Alum nodded. "Sure." And as soon as he placed his palm on the stiff shoulder, mana rushed to his hands. "—Stiff seems to be an understatement…" he lightly complained.
"Hahahaha! Boy, you're young still!" he laughed loudly. "You'll one day understand what it's like being old."
"How are you old? Aren't you around 50?"
As if being stabbed, Rigeld coughed. "A-Anyways." He cleared his throat. "You'll leave the 8th of Hishen. And you'll be partnering up with Night Ouen this time as well."
Alum tilted his head slightly. "I see. No disguise this time?" he inquired.
"Nope," Rigeld shook his head. "They'll be your escorts this time around. You will be a translator this time and work more closely with the researchers."
"Affirmative."
"But believe for a second you're a non-combatant. You'll have to work hard for that promotion, hah-hah-haaah!"
"…A squad leader, huh?" Alum raised an eyebrow. "It is not that I mind, but don't you think I'm more fit to be an operator instead?"
"Well, not everybody is born to lead—you, however, don't have a choice. You want to be on her standing, right?"
"…I'm aware. I'll do what it takes."
"Good! —Now then, lemme do your shoulders for you."
"I'm not stiff—"
A second later. Alum had the look of a dead fish. He swore he heard something crack, but refrained from saying anything.
But lately, he'd been enjoying the sauna—it wasn't what he thought would ever cross his mind, especially if he was back in their world. But, just but. If he had, then he would've presumably been closer to Noel.
"Mm, I should invite him," he accidentally mentioned aloud.
"Hm? Who?" Rigeld raised his voice, leaning back onto the hot wooden wall with just a towel barely covering anything important.
"…"
Alum went silent for a moment. It never occurred to him that he, of all people, would slip up.
"Noel, I mean."
"Ahh, that lad. Well, you needn't worry. He had a jolly time with the girls, not too long ago—having his small little harem, hahahaah!"
"…"
"Oooh—c'mon, don't look at me like that. I didn't spy or anything! Luna tells me a lot of things, y'know?"
"Mm. I see," Alum replied, looking at Rigeld suspiciously.
"Hmm," Rigeld cast a glance his way.
Alum was pretty toned himself, though, not as muscular as the old timer. His jet-black hair glowed an amber-ish orange from the gemstone's hot glow, and his already pretty eyes were more emphasized as they almost appeared to glow in the dark.
Then, for whatever reason, he sighed.
"Well, if Chely weren't there, she probably wouldn't have joined them. Even though she and that Noel boy have an oddly nice chemistry."
"Pfft," Alum chuckled lightly. "Are you still trying to set Luna up with someone?"
"Of course! She doesn't get along with people easily, so two handsome young lads stumbled into her life, and she got along with both—can you fault me for trying?"
"Not really," Alum shrugged.
"But… BUT! My ships sink before they're even built… What a shame," Rigeld sighed as he exaggeratedly shook his head.
"So you say. But you don't seem all that disappointed by it."
"Well. Not really. I rarely used to see Chely smile. But that isn't the case anymore—I am simply happy she has other things going on outside of duty. Whether it be friends or a lover. I'm glad I made her an instructor. And obviously, the same goes for Luna."
Alum crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
"I somewhat share the sentiment."
By the time they headed out, it was 25:40. Almost midnight.
On the way back to his room, he saw some girls coming out of Miu's room. Julia and Lova.
"What's up?" Lova grinned as she greeted him.
"What's up? Nothing much. Back from exercise, I suppose. And you guys?"
"Urk… even after all the regular training? Jeez…" A sudden headache struck the blonde girl when recalling the day. "Also, girls' secret," she grinned mischievously. "Anyways, we'll get going. Good night!" She and Julia waved and left.
"Mm. Good night," Alum returned the gesture and continued to head to his room.
…
..
—Present Day: Ilifelen calendar, year 5212, Hishen, 1st.
Amethely, Luna, and the paladins had returned to Ilifel. Luna went ahead and headed back into HQ while Amethely was thoroughly scolded by High Priest Lue at the monastery.
Though the scolding was mostly for show and to keep up appearances. Deep down, Lue knew that Amethely was still a young girl at heart, so he let most of it slip since she was still safe.
Coincidentally, Keilyn was free today, and so was Amethely. Thus, she found herself at Café Lestia with her best friend.
Amethely had ordered the usual stuff from the menu, the old style of the café, and the smell of wood, beans, and the relaxing atmosphere caused the tension to leave her body as she sipped her tea.
"You seem awfully happy—even though you were scolded just a moment ago," Keilyn teased.
"Well…" Amethely blushed with a loving complexion. "I'll get to see Al again, of course, I'm happy!"
"Woaaah… you almost see him every day at the military base, and you've been apart for like, what, three weeks? Three weeks made you like that? I'm scared for your future, Ame," Keilyn grinned, biting down on the straw in her mouth.
"A-Actually, I got to meet him briefly in Yuflan," Amethely replied warmly.
"Oh, that's why you seem calmer—" Keilyn suddenly paused, hitting her palm with her fist.
Amethely tilted her head slightly to the side and sipped her drink.
"You don't seem all that pent up anymore—" Keilyn suddenly blurted out.
"Pfffff—ack… argh… haa…" Amethely almost spit out her drink, coughing uncontrollably. "K-Kei? Wh-wh-whaa-what a-are you saying all of a sudden!?" she exclaimed in a panic.
Keilyn smugly stared at her friend with half-lidded sky-blue eyes. "Hmm… I see. You had intercourse!" she declared playfully, as it wasn't meant to be taken seriously.
"…"
Amethely turned a bright red and covered her face. Luckily, they were in a private room this time, which was presumably why Keilyn had been so brash with her words. Quietly, Keilyn got up from her seat and sat next to Amethely, whispering—
"So… h-how was it?" she asked, a bit curious—of course she was, she was a maiden, after all.
Amethely peeked through her fingers and glanced to her side.
"I-It was strange… a-at first… My heart was racing so fast I thought I was going to die… but, it was… reassuring… and… comforting." Recalling the moment, Amethely clasped her chest. "It… it was nice…" she finally said sheepishly.
"R-Really…?" Keilyn stroked her chin. "Nice, huh… I see… I see! Aw, my Little Ame has grown so much~" she added, wiping a non-existent tear off the corner of her eye.
"Um… I'm a few months older than you, though—"
Keilyn put a finger over Amethely's lips.
"Shh."
"…"
After their little café date, Keilyn invited her on a shopping trip. Naturally, declining wasn't an option.
..
Tired from the mission and the outing with Keilyn, Amethely arrived at HQ, and there, just outside by the gates, Alum casually chatted with the guards. And when he noticed her, he got up and stepped out.
An overwhelming sense of warmth filled her. Her shoulders tensed as she clasped her chest, pressing her hands tightly close to her heart—before she knew, she ran up to him and spread her arms wide.
Alum caught her, spinning her around playfully.
"I've missed you, Ame."
Looking up into his eyes, Amethely's cheeks melted into a rosy puddle, her lips tugged into an adorably sweet smile.
"Nn, I've missed you, Al!" she answered, squeezing him tight and pressing all of herself to him.
"Pfft… are you trying to bond to me?"
"Ehehe.. Maybe, or… more like dissolve?"
"Hmm," Alum mused with a soft chuckle. "You're so sweet. I suppose you're sugar then."
"—And you water!"
"So that's the punchline?"
"Hehe, I'm glad you picked up on it," Amethely replied without trying to even distance herself.
But then, she heard a familiar firm but gentle voice.
"Welcome back, Ame."
Alum glanced at the ash-brown-haired girl with light green eyes. He released his beloved fiancée, urging her to greet her sister.
"Big Sis!" Amethely exclaimed.
"You must be tired," Chely said as she walked up to her.
"Nnh," Amethely shook her head. "I don't feel tired anymore," she beamed brightly.
"I see."
Chely spread her arms, and Amethely leaned into the embrace. Amethely then noticed Noel, who was right behind Chely. He waved.
"Welcome back, Sissy," he smiled softly.
"Thanks!"
Noel then turned to Alum, "Hey, they're hugging, aren't you giving me a hug?" he asked casually.
"…? Why? We're welcoming her back, not you. Besides, I've been with you all day," Alum replied coolly.
"Hmmmmm… but you didn't say no."
"…"
Alum heaved a small sigh and hugged Noel. Noel patted him on the back while bursting out in laughter.
""…""
Chely and Amethely stared at the two with half-lidded eyes as if to think—Noel/Alum is stealing him from me…
He glanced at Chely and noticed a faint jealous aura radiating from her and thought—pffts… that's cute.
Sensing their misunderstanding, he rode the wave.
"Al…" Noel exaggeratedly clenched his fist after releasing him. "Do you… Do you love me?!" he asked as if acting out a play.
It was the final nail in the coffin. Amethely crystallized in place while Chely face-palmed.
Alum tilted his head slightly. "That's a bit abrupt. But of course, I love you too. You're my best friend after all," he stated.
Noel recoiled a little; his face got hot as the embarrassment caught up to him. Cringing a little, he asked, "How can you say that with a straight face?"
"Heh," Alum smirked as he let out a soft puff. He shrugged. "I meant it—also, I knew embarrassment would eventually catch up to you," he added somewhat teasingly.
"Urk… why you!" Noel retorted, tossing an arm over Alum's shoulder and locking his head, playfully ruffling his hair.
"Pff…"
Chely covered her mouth and chuckled from the sideline. But when she looked at her sister, who was crouched down, drawing circles on the ground, murmuring to herself. She thought, Well… It's not like I don't understand…
"It seems like it isn't other women I should be wary of… It's Noel… Noel…!" Amethely murmured monotonously.
"…"
Chely scratched her neck, unsure how to approach the dilemma.