Chapter 8 – The Heir of House Leonaal Is Bad at Studying

“Isn’t it inconvenient to keep calling it an unnamed Art?”

“It certainly is.”

Ren had realized how awkward it was to refer to the technique as nameless whenever it came up. Names were more important than he had expected.

“Then why don’t you name it? You created it, after all.”

It was an obvious and reasonable suggestion.

Ren thought for a moment.

“I have no talent for naming. I would be grateful if you chose one, Licia.”

“Me? I don’t think I have any particular talent either…”

Even so, she offered a possibility.

“It was a red blade wrapped in flame, so… what about ‘Red Sword’?”

Her cheeks reddened as soon as she said it. She laughed awkwardly, knowing the name was extremely direct.

“…”

“Don’t go silent! I wasn’t serious. It was only a suggestion…”

“No. Let’s use it.”

“What?”

“The Art for the Flame Magic Sword will be called Red Sword.”

The name was simple, but its sound was not bad.

Ren accepted Red Sword without hesitation. The Art did not strictly require a name, but having one would make it easier to discuss and conceptualize.

“You decided too quickly! Think about it a little longer!”

“I have no objection. Thinking for days wouldn’t guarantee that I’d find a better name.”

He answered with complete calm.

Licia stared at him, then sighed and laughed.

Remembering something else suddenly drained the strength from her shoulders.

“Now I feel tired all at once…”

She stretched as they walked and looked toward Ren.

“When we get home, let’s bathe immediately, finish our homework, and then go to bed.”

“Oh… That’s right. We had homework.”

Ren had completely forgotten. There was not much of it, but after the day’s exertion his reply sounded unusually dispirited.

“We’ll have to do our best.”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Early one morning, Ulysses Ignat arrived in Elendil.

The Clausel household welcomed him, and in the mansion’s study he presented an invitation to Ren.

“This is an invitation to the Guardian Knight. Before it opens to the public, we will hold a ceremony for everyone involved in the project.”

“We have heard the rumors,” Lessard said, “but why invite us?”

Ulysses smiled.

“House Clausel has supported us in many ways, Viscount Clausel. The Guardian Knight’s first stop after leaving the Imperial Capital will be Elendil, home of the great Hanging Garden. It is only natural that I invite the two members of House Clausel and Ren Ashton. I would like the three of you to attend.”

There was no reason to refuse.

Lessard and Ren exchanged a glance, and Lessard immediately accepted.

“Excellent! Please look forward to the day!”

Meeting Ulysses’s delighted gaze, Ren asked,

“Will many people be attending?”

“Indeed. Nobles from every faction, other parties involved in the project, and landowners along the route. I have put considerable effort into ensuring everyone can enjoy the full two-day journey to Eupheim.”

The elegant railway journey would take place in November, one week before the line opened to the public, and only invited guests would be permitted aboard.

Ulysses also hoped they would remain in Eupheim for a while after the journey.

The final inspections and several minor rights disputes had delayed the invitations. Ulysses apologized, saying he had wanted to inform them a month earlier.

Given the scale of the project, the delay was understandable. Lessard told him not to worry and examined the schedule.

“It falls during the long holiday in November.”

“Does it? Excellent!” Ulysses said happily. “Then our children and Ren Ashton can relax without worrying about the academy!”

Besides the railway, Ulysses wanted them to see several major projects under development in Eupheim.

Later that same day, Kaito Leonaal spoke with Ren about the recent examinations.

“My parents were furious. They said that as the heir of House Leonaal, I have to work harder…”

Kaito was born into one of the Seven Great Hero Houses and was one year older than Ren. His expression was deeply frustrated.

“But Leonaal-senpai, you received perfect marks in swordsmanship and physical training, didn’t you?”

“Of course! Those are my specialties!”

“Then desk study should improve in the same way. Repeat it until it becomes part of you, just like physical training.”

“If only I could do that without suffering…”

“What is the hardest part?”

“When I sit at a desk for too long, my whole body starts itching. I can’t endure it.”

“I see…”

People had different aptitudes and personalities. Kaito was earnest, so Ren believed he could improve if he found a method that suited him.

“Changing the subject, Ashton, were you invited to the Guardian Knight’s unveiling?”

“Yes. I’ll be attending with House Clausel.”

“I thought so. You seem to have a good relationship with House Ignat as well.”

Ren answered only with a dry smile.

“House Leonaal was invited too, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. We’re involved in part of the project.”

Kaito yawned and continued in a sleepy voice.

“Studying isn’t the only problem. The Elfen Church has been sending message after message lately, so I haven’t been sleeping much.”

“Messages from the Elfen Church? Is it related to the Seven Great Hero Houses?”

“You catch on quickly. You remember the disappearance of the seal around Roses Caitas, don’t you? Representatives of the Seven Great Hero Houses are gathered across my generation, your generation, and the generation below yours.”

Ren nodded. He could already imagine where the conversation was going.

“The Church believes Main God Elfen’s miracle may have answered the Demon King cult’s appearance during the summer disturbance,” Kaito said. “Because of that, they’ve started speculating that Hero Ruin’s bloodline may have appeared somewhere. But telling us that doesn’t mean we understand anything.”

“I wonder whether Hero Ruin truly has descendants somewhere.”

Kaito leaned closer and lowered his voice so no one else could hear.

“Personally, I think the power Sera saw Vayne use in the past is suspicious.”

“You think Vayne may be a descendant of Hero Ruin?”

“Exactly! But Ashton, why aren’t you laughing?”

“Why would I laugh?”

“Because even I know how absurd it sounds.”

There was far too little information to claim that Vayne descended from Hero Ruin.

His family had supposedly suffered misfortune because their ancestors were cursed by the Demon King. Connecting an ordinary boy from the countryside—one Sera had happened to meet—to Hero Ruin was an enormous leap.

Kaito understood that. His suspicion was partly intuition.

“It isn’t something to dismiss as foolish,” Ren said. “Sera Riohard saw that power with her own eyes.”

“Oh!”

Kaito’s expression brightened when Ren did not reject the idea. Traces of exhaustion remained around his eyes, but his voice regained its energy.

“You’re a good man, Ashton! Ha ha ha!”

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