Date: July 12, 1195
(Location: Hayat Continent – Capital of the Kingdom of Vorgod, Vorgodia)
The Northeastern entrance of the city is one of the gates meant for entry without vehicles. There are 10 guard soldiers at the gate. The one who seemed to be the leader of the group of guards was the person checking and directly communicating with those arriving.
The Guard Leader was dealing with the incoming people one by one. There were about 10 people in line. At the end of the line stood a man who clearly looked like a warrior, carrying a large bag on his back and a sword at his waist. Slowly, it became his turn. The guards, involuntarily, were acting cautiously.
The Guard Leader tried not to show this caution. He took out his notebook and pen, in which he recorded the arrivals.
Guard Leader: State your name, age, and reason for arrival.
The warrior pulled out a paper scroll from his bag. He opened the scroll and showed it to the man.
Warrior: My name is Arth. I've recently graduated from the Great Vorgod Academy. I've been assigned here for my first duty as a Knight Apprentice Assistant.
All the guards were surprised and started murmuring among themselves.
Guard 1: Isn't that him?
Guard 2: Most likely. How many others could've graduated this year with the name Arth?
Guard 3: The most talented student in all history. The youngest swordmaster to reach Level 3 Do.
While the other guards whispered among themselves, the Guard Leader was dealing with Arth's entry documents. As the guards' voices rose, the leader cleared his throat lightly to warn them. The guards immediately composed themselves.
The Guard Leader signed the part of Arth's entry document where his signature was required and handed it back. But before handing it over, something on the paper caught his eye, and he paused in slight surprise. However, he quickly recovered and gave the paper to Arth.
Arth and the guards noticed this hesitation but said nothing.
Guard Leader: Everything is in order. You may proceed. Welcome to the capital, Vorgodia.
Arth nodded formally without breaking composure and continued on his way. The Guard Leader kept staring after Arth. One of the guards approached him and asked:
Guard 2: What's wrong? Is there a problem with the Knight Assistant he'll be working under?
Guard Leader: No… The problem is with the Knight himself.
Guard 2: What do you mean?
Guard Leader: The Knight he's assigned to… Sir Joras Visky…
All the guards shouted in unison.
Guards: WHAAAAAAT?!
Guard 4: That drunkard?
Guard 1: Why would the top of the Academy… forget top, the most talented person in history, be assigned as an apprentice to such a drunk?
Guard 2 got angry and kicked a stone on the ground.
Guard 2: Why else… He's the first top graduate in the Academy's history who isn't a noble. He's directly from the common people.
Guard 3: You're right. Those mighty(!) nobles probably couldn't accept it and pulled some strings.
Fearing their words might be overheard, the Guard Leader shouted to stop the conversation from escalating.
Guard Leader: THAT'S ENOUGH TALKING! Everyone back to your duties…
A sad and pitiful expression appeared on the Guard Leader's face.
Guard Leader (thinking): (Poor kid… he has no idea what's coming.)
Arth had entered the first tavern he saw in Vorgodia and immediately found a room to stay in. He lay down on the bed and stared at the empty wooden ceiling.
Arth (thinking): (Tomorrow is a big day. I'll meet a Knight and serve directly under one of his assistants.)
Arth sighed.
Arth (thinking): (Joras Visky… I've read every book about the kingdom's living knights. There are exactly 24 Knights. The 24 strongest men in the entire kingdom. A Level 8 Do user, the main hero of the Zedolnoy Deadlock Miracle. Just looking at his achievements, you can tell he's an exceptional warrior.)
As he thought, Arth sat back up seriously.
Arth (thinking): (But strange… Why? Why are all the details about him only related to war… The way it's written, unlike the other knights' books with fancy, flowery storytelling, it feels like the author had no choice but to acknowledge his success, even if he didn't like him. Other knights have details about their hobbies, appearances, love lives, weird quirks… but Joras's book has nothing outside of battle.)
Arth thoughtfully held his chin.
Arth: And that guard's reaction when he saw Joras's name…
Arth scratched his head and smirked slightly.
Arth: I guess I've been assigned to a troublesome Knight. Must be someone from the nobles whose sons or daughters I defeated… But strange… Why does the King say nothing while they give the most talented child in history such a problem?
As Arth drifted back into thoughts, someone knocked on the tavern room door. Arth quickly got up and opened the door. Standing before him was a short girl with short black hair and green eyes. On her back, oddly mismatched with her height, was a massive sword.
Short black-haired girl: Hello, Arth.
Arth was immediately surprised and then frowned as he looked at the girl.
Arth: How did you find me, Ebny?
Ebny laughed and entered Arth's room without permission.
Ebny: I asked if anyone saw a tall, handsome swordsman. And here I am.
While talking, Ebny looked around.
Ebny: The room's tiny…
Arth: It serves its purpose.
Ebny put her sword next to Arth's bed and sat on it, crossing her legs and giving Arth a sly smile.
Ebny: But the bed's comfy…
Arth: Cut it out and tell me why you're here.
Ebny: What's your problem? We were close, but then you suddenly started acting cold toward me. What happened to you?
Ebny's tone was calm, contrasting with her words.
Arth: You lied to me!!
Ebny looked at him, clearly confused.
Ebny: What do you mean?
Arth: Ebny Will Conton. The 4th child of Duke Conton's family… You hid your identity from me.
Ebny was suddenly shocked.
Ebny: How did you find…?
Arth: Does it matter?
Ebny froze for a moment but quickly composed herself. She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them again, she looked at Arth with determination.
Ebny: You're right… I hid my identity from you, and I'm sorry… But I had a reason.
Arth: What do you mean?... What reason?
Ebny fell into thought and began explaining the situation carefully.
Ebny: As you said, I'm the 4th child of the Conton family. In the Conton family, only the first three children are allowed to directly enter the heir competition. The other children have to earn that right.
Arth: The Academy…
Ebny: Exactly… I took my shot through the Knight Department of the Great Vorgod Academy. Ever since I was a child, people praised how strong I was… So I pursued it.
Arth: You wanted to prove to your family you could graduate from the Knight Department without relying on their power.
Ebny smiled and responded.
Ebny: Yes… Exactly…
Arth: Then why didn't you tell me?
Ebny: It wasn't about you… Because I know. Even if you knew I was from a noble family, your opinion of me wouldn't change. That's the kind of person you are…
Arth attentively observed Ebny while she spoke. He realized that sharing all this hurt her pride. But he remained silent. He didn't want to interrupt her.
Ebny: But if I told anyone… I felt like I'd lose the fight within myself… I don't know… I just couldn't tell…
Arth sighed, then smiled warmly at Ebny and began gently patting her head.
Arth: You really don't want to be in this heir race, do you?
Ebny looked at him in surprise, then smiled.
Ebny: That's my Arth. Just what I'd expect from the top of the Academy. You knew everything from the beginning, didn't you? You just wanted to hear it from me.
Arth: Most of it, yes… I did research on the Conton family. But with your current behavior, more things make sense now.
Ebny: You're right… I don't want to be the heir… After joining the Knight Department and meeting you… I want it even less…
Ebny clenched her fists.
Ebny: But I have to.
Arth: Why?
Ebny: Because none of my first three siblings are fit to rule the Duchy. The eldest, my brother Perton, is too arrogant… They say he wasn't always like this, but changed after his mother, Duke Kelvin Conton's first wife, died. The second, my sister Gleria, only cares about her own pleasure… Though she's good at socializing, she's talentless in everything else and could never rule. The third, my other brother Carl, is just a muscle-head. Very strong… Level 6 Do user, but that's all. Nothing else. A complete idiot.
As she said this, the veins on Ebny's forehead were bulging from anger. She wasn't looking at Arth.
Ebny: And the one thing they all have in common is how badly they treat those under them.
After a moment of silence, Ebny composed herself and looked at Arth's face.
Ebny: Look… Don't get me wrong… I might have a bad relationship with my older siblings and my dad may not be the best father in the world… But I still love my home and the duchy. I get along very well with my two younger siblings. I love them, and I feel they love me too.
Ebny: And not just them. Caretaker Villy, Commander Darwis, the maids, the soldiers, many more… There are people in the Duchy who, if they went to another family, would significantly strengthen that family's position…
Ebny: I have a great relationship with them. They always took care of me as a child… But the heirs… They don't care about these people at all… They just see them as resources. If this continues, they'll lose them…
Ebny's face took on a look of anger and sadness.
Ebny: I love the Conton family as a whole and won't leave it to these shitty heirs… Yes, I don't want to be part of the heir. Yes, I don't want to become the head of the Duchy, but… I have to… Because no one else can do it but me.
Arth looked at Ebny with compassionate eyes. Then he gently patted her head.
Arth: I'm sorry for pressuring you this much… and thank you for telling me.
Arth placed his hand on Ebny's right cheek.
Arth: From now on, you're not alone. Maybe you're right—maybe no one else can do it but you. But you don't have to go through this fight alone.
Arth leaned his face closer to Ebny's. They could feel each other's breath on their faces.
Arth: I'll be by your side on every path you choose. If that path leads to something bad, I'll warn you. But please… don't ever lie to me again.
The tension between Arth and Ebny led to an inevitable kiss. Ebny stayed in Arth's room for the entire day.