Episode 2

The meeting of Zeke (Hiroto) and Luke went back about three years. Luke had been bedridden with “mana sclerosis,” but a special remedy brought by Hiroto kept him alive.

The illness did not heal immediately, yet he recovered at a pace so astonishing that even the doctors were left speechless.

The person who created the opportunity for them to meet was Brink, Hiroto’s instructor and Luke’s father. Brink had pleaded, asking Hiroto to meet his son.

Hiroto would have been fine either way, but he agreed because he was interested in the neighboring Rent Domain.

Their introductions were conducted at Brink’s home. Brink had wanted a formal occasion, but Zeke said, “Show me how you commoners live,” so that was that. Though the words came from on high, Brink felt his heart warm at the kindness behind them—concern for his son.

In truth, Hiroto had simply wanted to learn the living standards of ordinary citizens. In the Lagias Domain, he was hated wherever he went, so he could not stroll the streets freely.

Even so, for Luke, who was meeting him for the first time, everything was shocking.

A peer of the same age, his first contact with a noble, and that noble was his savior. As a child he was unsure how to behave, but Zeke’s first words blew everything away.

“You’re a scrawny brat. You think you can become a knight like that?”

It was a direct cutdown at first meeting. Even if the speaker was a noble and his savior, anyone would feel anger if their future dream was denied.

“…That’s none of your business. It’s my dream.”

“Exactly—none of my business. So don’t get in my way.”

It was harsh to the point of cruelty. Luke had been told by his father that Zeke’s manner of speaking was a little strong, but this did not match the briefing—he learned not to swallow hearsay whole.

“Heh…”

“…So your head really has gone bad.”

“That’s not it. I was just remembering the past.”

Their first meeting had been the worst. Could a person like this truly be fit to be a noble? Had he really been saved by this boy? Above all, Luke could not accept that his admired father was instructing such an insolent youth.

“Do you remember what you said to me when we first met?”

“How should I?”

“You said something like, ‘You’ll never be a knight.’ I was furious.”

“And you still aren’t a knight.”

“That’s not the point… It just feels strange that I’m still tied to you.”

He had intended for it to be a one-off—no desire to pursue the connection. And yet, here they were, still linked.

(I was shocked the first time I saw Father cross blades with Zeke.)

At Brink’s urging, Luke went to observe Zeke’s training. Honestly, he had not wanted to approach Zeke, but he wanted to see his father wield the sword—he admired him. Thus, reluctantly, he chose to watch.

“Planning to make a spectacle of me? This isn’t a daycare.”

“Come now. It will be good stimulation—for both of you.”

Zeke showed no less insolence to Brink than to Luke. Did simply being born a noble twist one’s character so much? Luke assumed Zeke’s sword was “decent only because Father taught him” and thought he would soon surpass him.

“Let’s begin.”

At Brink’s word, the instruction started. Luke had expected light sparring, but the exchange was far fiercer than he imagined—practically a real battle.

(H-how? Father was a knight to begin with…)

A boy not much older than Luke matched blades with his ex-knight father without falling behind—even if it wasn’t true combat—and did so with an unruffled face.

Luke was transfixed. He forgot his dislike and saw only the swords.

When the bout ended, he found himself speaking to Zeke without thinking.

“Why are you so good with a sword?! Do you think I can become like you?!”

“…That depends on your own ability.”

Hiroto, who had clearly sensed Luke’s dislike, had not expected to be addressed; his reply came a beat late.

“I see… So that’s what you meant back then.”

Luke interpreted Zeke’s words to mean that a weak body could not handle a sword and that one needed a strong body to match the blade.

—Zeke had actually meant, “You’ve just recovered; take it easy and rest.”

“Got it. First I’ll build stamina—so I can at least run strongly.”

His eyes sparkled. The pure gaze—something unimaginable for Zeke—made him falter for an instant.

“I’ll keep watching so I don’t get in you two’s way!”

His father had once said that learning by watching was also a step toward growing strong.

“Hey, is your son going to be alright?”

“He was inspired by your example.”

(According to Father, Zeke can use magic too.)

If someone his own age could do it, there was no reason Luke could not. Before chasing his father’s distant back, he would first aim for Zeke.

Luke now felt a fondness for the goal he had embraced three years before.

“I’m not here to humor an old man’s reminiscences. Let’s get to the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“Honestly… my friend really does have a foul mouth.”

(Because you were there, I was able to change this much.)