Royal Knights Academy — Cafeteria
Villius, Eveliana, and the others had finally finished their meals. Lionne certainly hadn’t been exaggerating when she bragged about snagging reservations for the new chef's menu; the food was spectacular, and I could easily see the jealousy of the other students passing by our table.
We often have small talk before going our separate ways after our lunch, and honestly, I was just glad this group stuck around together even after the entrance exam.
Villius.
Eveliana.
Kyro.
Clarissa.
Honestly, without them, I probably wouldn’t have secured my spot in the Honors class, let alone come close to snatching the top rank. And without that flawless victory? I never would have fulfilled my deal with the Third Prince, which meant no exclusive pass to the Royal Archives, and absolutely no uncovering the truth about Munith.
But it was more than just that. I like them way more for what they would do for me. It was the fact that I could honestly call them my friends.
Lionne was no exception, of course. She might have originally aligned with me for purely pragmatic reasons as well, but I could tell she was genuinely trying for my sake, not just to please me, but as a true friend.
However, looking around the table at the people I cared for, I had to admit one more thing to myself.
I had an immediate, highly practical self-serving use for them.
Based on what Clara revealed to me about the rules of the tournament, it was going to be a typical one-on-one duel between two students of the same year. The only thing that differed from typical tournaments was that most of the preliminary rounds would take place in private practice chambers or other suitable dueling locations.
The purpose of the tournament was to bolster students’ competitive spirits, bring in spectators of various backgrounds, and serve as a place for students to showcase their skills in hopes that a high-ranking House would hire them as their knight. But I had no reason to think any of that.
What mattered most to me was the fact that it was going to be a one-on-one duel, which meant I couldn’t really utilize my magnum opus. But as long as I trained my individual skills, I should be able to do well.
However, this academy housed students with a wide variety of Talents and skills. I needed more than just sparring with myselves if I ever hoped to ace this tournament. I needed variety myself.
And quite frankly… my friend group had quite the variety, huh?
Sure, they might not be the best of the best out there, but they were all comfortably above average from what I’ve gathered, and what I had experienced during their fight with Instructor Cornellia.
Kyro was a solid, bare-handed powerhouse; Eveliana showed promise with a spear; and Clarissa was already a more than capable bow user. And then, of course, there was Villius, who was genuinely proficient and refined with a sword, if a bit rough at the edges.
I had been itching to spar with them for a while now, and with the upcoming tournament looming over the academy, I couldn't have asked for a better excuse to bring it up.
I waited for the opportune moment. As soon as Kyro finished subtly bragging about how thoroughly stuffed he was from the new chef's menu, I let the chatter simmer down before elegantly stealing the wheel of the conversation.
"Have any of you seen the latest bulletin regarding the tournament?" I asked, tilting my head slightly, holding my cup of tea at a low angle.
The casual atmosphere at the table shifted with a collective look of curiosity.
"Yes, the notice was just posted a few days ago, right?" Villius responded
"I saw the announcement on the board myself," Eve added, leaning forward against the table. "The actual event is still quite far away, but..." Her words trailed off, her gaze slowly sliding across the table to anchor on me. "I am guessing that doesn't matter much to you, does it, Lady Carine?"
"You know me well, Eve," I replied, offering her a slight, graceful nod. "It is precisely because we have the luxury of time that we ought to use it wisely. So that we may properly prepare ourselves in advance for the tournament, I propose a joint training session. All of us, together. What are your thoughts?"
A heavy silence fell over the table as the weight of my suggestion flowed through them.
"A joint training session?" Kyro parroted, tilting his head, as if he was still processing the words.
“Y-You mean, we’ll be training with you, Lady Carine?” Clarissa asked, almost stammering.
Instead of answering immediately, I let the tension hang in the air for a moment. I took a slow, measured sip of my tea, then settled the cup back onto its saucer without making a single clink.
“Indeed. Oh, but it won’t just be me. My bodyguard-in-training will be joining us as well. Along with a friend of his, assuming he manages to drag her along."
This time, Villius reacted the most, flinching as if someone just drove a needle into his legs.
The group fell silent for a moment, as if considering it. But Eve wasn’t one of them.
"I'll join," she said, resting her chin lazily on her palm. "It’s been quite a while since I last saw you fight, Lady Carine. I wouldn’t mind seeing it up front once more.”
“I-I’m in too!” Clarissa stammered out. “I-I don’t know how much I can do… but I hope I won’t d-disappoint you!”
"Count me in, too!" Kyro boomed, smashing his fist into his open palm with a wide grin. "I never turn down a challenge, and I’ve been itching to spar with you for ages!"
I nodded to each and every single one of their response, trying my best to fight through this resting ice face I had just to give everyone a smile.
Then, slowly, all eyes turned to the last one who still hadn’t answered. Villius.
“A-Ah, o-of course! I’ll join in as well…” he answered reluctantly.
Why is he so nervous?
Is he that nervous to fight Feyt again? No, that can’t be it…
But he accepted, so…
“Wonderful,” I added. "I will be renting a private training chamber for us tomorrow afternoon. Feel free to bring your own personal training weapons if you prefer."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the group, the competitive energy already beginning to crackle among them. With the main attractions locking in their reservations, I turned my attention to Lionne, who had been sitting quietly across from me.
“Lionne, you are free tomorrow, right?” I asked, making sure my tone was soft and not naturally commanding.
I wouldn’t want to force her to come if she had something to do, especially if it was a situation she wouldn’t like.
She looked nervous, nearly sweating bullets. "I-Is it really alright for me to come, Lady Carine? I’m... well, I’m not exactly built for sparring."
“You don’t have to spar if you don’t want to. But you are more than welcome to stick around if you decide to join us.”
Lionne thought about it for a moment before nodding with bright energy. "C-Count me in then! I might not be able to fight, but at least I can help manage the gear, or fetch water, or... something!"
"That would be greatly appreciated, Lionne."
With that, the roster was set. Though, as I watched everyone begin to gather their things, a lingering thought crossed my mind.
To be honest, I really wanted to invite Lechter.
He might not be the kindest of individuals; hell, he might not be kind at all, but I certainly wouldn’t have minded sparring with him again. Despite his reliance on basic sword techniques, the sheer, explosive force of his direct, unyielding movements would have made for excellent training material.
Unfortunately, that wasn't an option right now.
Even though he started appearing in classes again, he seemed more gloomy than he ever did before, somehow.
He never slept in class again, but he never seemed to pay attention either. He left classes much slower than usual, but he wouldn’t even look me in the face. And in the briefest of moments when he did, all I could sense from him was pure wrath.
I must’ve struck a nerve with the way I spoke to him during our spar last week. I didn’t know it would affect him this much; I was just curious where his true proficiency lay, because it was obviously not in a blade.
Still, despite his attitude toward me, I genuinely wished him the best. If the opportunity arose, I wanted to find a proper moment to offer him a sincere apology.
More than anything, I just hoped he would find his footing before the tournament arrived. No, I’m not a masochist, but I would much prefer going against a serious opponent than one who was just going through the motions.
"Lady Carine? Are you coming?"
Clarissa’s gentle voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked around, realizing the group had already begun standing up from the table.
"Ah, yes. Forgive me, I was thinking of something,” I said as I rose from my chair.
I walked beside them as we exited the building, ending our little get-together, for now, at least.
—
In a room in a certain boys' dorm, the bright sun was filtered out by the heavy curtains that completely covered the window. The space inside was drenched in darkness.
A series of sharp knocks rattled the heavy wooden door.
"Master Lechter?" his butler’s muffled voice called out from the hallway. "The cafeteria was quite crowded today, so I took the liberty of bringing your lunch directly to your quarters. Shall I bring it in?"
Lechter didn't turn his head to answer. He remained perfectly still, slumped on the center of his bed, his eyes locked forward.
"Leave it," Lechter rasped. "And leave me alone."
A brief, hesitant pause lingered in the hallway.
“...Very well, Master Lechter.”
The faint sound of footsteps faded down the corridor. Silence slowly took over the room once more.
Lechter finally exhaled a heavy breath. His hands clenched into tight fists against the mattress, the knuckles turning white as he leaned forward.
Resting directly in front of him was an open leather case, its plush velvet lining cradling a weapon of exquisite craftsmanship.
It was a finely carved wooden bow, its polished limbs catching the faint slivers of light that managed to cut through the curtains. It was made of sturdy yet beautiful material, meant to maximize both the power and the presence of the bow. And etched deep into the center of the riser was his family’s insignia.
It was a gift from his father before he attended the academy.
And ever since that moment, the bow hadn’t left its bed.
Lechter stared daggers at the weapon. The memory of Carine’s words echoed deep within him.
"Swordplay… isn't what your hands were made for, is it?"
With a sharp, snarling click of his tongue, Lechter reached out and violently slammed the leather lid shut, hiding the bow from sight.
He marched across the dim room, shoved the case into the darkest corner of his closet, and buried it out of sight. He stood there for a moment, his chest heaving as he waited for the sting of Carine's words to fade.
But even now, days after those words had first cut into him… the sting hadn't faded at all.
Exhaling a long, heavy breath, Lechter turned and walked, yanked his door open, and stepped out into the hallway to retrieve the cold lunch his butler had left behind. But deep in his heart, he vowed…
He would prove that his hands were made for a sword.
Nothing else.
