Chapter 8: Her Dream

──Selestaria Levian.

Her long, wine-red hair shimmered in the sunlight, translucent and radiant, catching every stray beam.

A face sculpted like that of a classical statue, perfect in every proportion, the kind that made people stop mid-step, breath caught in awe.

A figure that seemed carved from golden ratios, admired by women and envied by all who glimpsed her.

If one were to sum her up in a single phrase, it would be: the goddess of beauty incarnate.

…And then there was her fiancé, Al—the hikikomori recluse.

The two of them now walked side by side along the grand boulevard, en route to the second estate of the Ducal family.

Al stole a glance at Selestaria from the corner of his eye. She was dressed casually, in a way no other noblewoman would dare, and a magnificent long sword hung at her waist.

She gave off the unmistakable aura of a knight enjoying a rare day off: effortless, confident, and ready for action.

“Looks like you can move around pretty easily in that outfit,” Al said.

“Should I wear a pretty dress like the other ladies then?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“No, wear whatever you like,” he replied.

“I see… heehee,” she said softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Selestaria began speaking, her voice carrying a quiet determination.

“I’ve had a dream since I was little.”

“Oh? And what dream is that?”

“To become a great knight,” she said simply, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“That’s a fine dream, but… kind of vague, don’t you think?”

“Yes, exactly. That’s why I want to join the Imperial Guard first, to prove my abilities to the world.”

“Ah, that sounds excellent,” Al said, his tone approving.

“In fact,” she continued, “the reason for today’s schedule is an orientation for the Imperial Guard’s entrance examination.”

“Is that so? Good luck,” Al said casually.

“You could come with me, you know? Escorts are allowed. And you don’t have any duties until your next assignment, right?”

“Well… that’s true, but I’d probably be unpopular with the Guard,” Al murmured, recalling the events of the medal ceremony.

At that ceremony, dignitaries and nobles from all over the empire had gathered in a solemn, austere hall. And there, a single young court magician—Al—had run rampant in such a flamboyant display that the prestige of the Guard, famed as the Emperor’s Sword, had been completely shattered.

“Don’t worry about that. It wasn’t your fault. That was all Gust Noir, trampling over the dignity of the Dragals baronial house,” Selestaria said firmly.

“Hmm… alright, let’s go then.”

She had not expected Al to agree so readily; her eyes widened in surprise for a brief moment.

“You really never know until you ask,” she murmured.

“What does that even mean?” he asked, slightly amused.

(Well, it’s for my future wife. I have no reason to refuse.)

He was exceedingly gentle with those he considered family. In his mind, Selestaria—and by extension the Levian dukedom—was already something he felt compelled to protect.

“By the way… is the Duke of Levian at the capital mansion right now?”

“No. My father is always swamped with work, so he returned to his domain immediately after the medal ceremony.”

“Must be so busy that even I would disappear in a single day,” Al said, shaking his head.

“That doesn’t sound very court magician-like,” Selestaria teased.

“Don’t flatter me, it makes me blush,” he replied.

“…I wasn’t flattering you,” she said, unamused.

The two of them shared an uncanny conversational rhythm, perfectly matched in wit and timing.

“I have a few questions for you as well,” she said.

“Ask anything.”

“First, Al… you’re eighteen, right?”

“Yeah. I graduated from the academy this year.”

“I’m nineteen, and I was at the academy too. Technically, I’m your senior by a year… but I never saw you at school for two whole years. Was that just coincidence?”

“Nope. It was inevitable. I didn’t attend a single day of classes except for exams,” he said casually.

“…So all those rumors were true…”

“I don’t know exactly what rumors you heard, but they’re probably accurate.”

There was a student one grade below her, a notorious genius who always topped the total score rankings despite never attending class. His name: Al Dragals—a prodigy who had revived ancient magic.

Many dismissed the rumors as exaggeration. Selestaria had once been among the skeptics herself.

“Next… why did you start researching dream-attribute magic?” she asked, tilting her head with curiosity.

“To ensure proper sleep… and to swindle money from villains,” Al replied without hesitation.

“Putting aside all the jokes, is that really it?”

“Pretty much. Nothing else really matters,” he said, shrugging.

“…Really?” she asked, narrowing her eyes, peering into his face.

“Well… also, relying on swords alone limits combat potential,” he added with a shrug.

“So that sword isn’t just for show,” she said, arching an eyebrow.

“Nope. Actually, I’m better with a sword than magic,” he said plainly.

“What? You’re joking, right…?”

“Nope. Dead serious,” he replied, tone unwavering.

“…Huh… I’m not even surprised anymore,” she muttered, half in disbelief.

Yet Selestaria knew the real reason.

“You created ancient magic for your family’s sake, didn’t you? I’ve done some research… and it seems you began your studies around the time your little sister’s incident happened.”

“Hm… yeah, that’s about right,” he admitted quietly.

“Heehee… you’re so stubborn,” she said, a teasing glint in her eye.

His fiancée seemed to see through everything. Al would, in all likelihood, be thoroughly under her thumb in the future… if not already.

The pair passed through the bustling main avenue and entered a quiet residential district. The Levian mansion should be visible soon.

“One last question,” she said softly. “Am I a good choice as your fiancée?”

“Of course. But… why ask that?”

“It’s not like we just met today, but it’s the first time we’ve had a proper conversation. I was angry earlier at your family’s house, and I never imagined we’d get along like this. And yet, the legendary absentee student, Al, is not only walking me home but agreeing to accompany me to the Royal Guard orientation… I figured you might be going out of your way just for me.”

Selestaria gave him a shy, fleeting glance.

“What? That’s it? I like you a lot, Selestaria. Honestly… when we talked at your mansion earlier, it was the first time in my life I felt my heart skip a beat. I even regretted not visiting the Levian mansion sooner,” he said, a rare hint of vulnerability in his voice.

“Eh… but surely you can’t know what kind of person I am in just a day…?” she protested.

Her logic was sound.

“Normally, yes, it takes days… no, years to truly know a fiancée. But I trust my instincts. After talking to you earlier, I knew this… my future partner can only be you.”

“Heh… I guess that’s nice. Actually… I also fell for you at first sight during the medal ceremony,” Selestaria admitted, twirling her hair with her fingers, cheeks flushed.

A subtle habit to hide her embarrassment.

“I see. Then from now on, I’ll protect you and the Levian dukedom with all my strength. No matter what happens, I’ll always be there to help,” he promised.

“Thank you. Hearing that from a court magician makes it sound very reassuring, hehe,” she said softly.

Yet Al noticed the faint shadow of concern pass across her face.

“Something on your mind?” he asked gently.

“W-well… the Levian army often receives orders to deploy in large wars, and even though you’re a court magician, I worry it might be dangerous…”

Al exhaled in a weary, almost exasperated sigh, then smiled gently at her.

“Selestaria… from now on, you can rely on me without hesitation. When it comes to moments like that—

─────I am stronger than anyone in this world.”

Was this mere bravado to reassure her, or did he truly possess such absolute confidence? Only he knew.

◇◇◇

Selestaria busied herself in her room, changing swiftly into her formal attire for the Royal Guard orientation.

…Her heart still fluttering wildly.

(What was that just now? That smile should be illegal!!)

Earlier, Al had smiled at her, uttering some enigmatic line. His smile was a rare treasure, one she was sure even his family rarely saw. The unexpected sight had nearly stopped her heart entirely, which was still racing in her chest.

“Still, only your face is good… only your face!!”

Back in the guest room, Al lay sprawled across the sofa, asleep as if nothing had happened.

“…zzz”

Selestaria turned to the butler.

“Uh… what is this?”

“The young master said, ‘I’ll just sleep a little,’ immediately after you went to change, milady…”

“Ah, so this is the result,” she muttered.

“…Yes,” the butler confirmed.

Selestaria clenched her fists.

“Sleeping even in your fiancée’s house… you lazy bum!!”

With a sharp thunk, Al finally stirred, awakening from the blow to his head.

Later:

“Alright, let’s head out to the orientation,” Al said with practiced ease.

“Your switching gears is court magician-level, I swear,” she muttered, noticing the large bump forming on his head from her strike.

◇◇◇

Meanwhile, in a room of the Noir Marquisate…

“So, I’ve finally become a court magician… or not? Who was appointed again? Huh… I can’t remember,” Gust, the eldest son, muttered, curling up on his bed.

The servants peered through the door, watching him furtively.

“Gust-sama… what on earth is wrong with him?”

“Word is, he’s been acting strange ever since the medal ceremony,” one whispered.

“He claims he’s plagued by nightmares every night,” another added.

“Half the man’s gone already,” muttered a third.

Normally, if the heir to a marquisate descended into such a state, the household would be in chaos. Yet here, no one cared.

“Well, serves him right,” one remarked.

“My injuries from when he shoved me aren’t even healed yet,” another muttered.

“It’s only a matter of time before the heirship falls to his younger brother,” one said coldly.

“Hmph. Serves him right. Hope he stays like this forever.”

Most of the household’s servants had been victims of Gust’s mischief.

“I’m a prodigy, top of the academy, heir, court magician. Yes… I am the chosen genius. All must bow to me… fufufufu,” he muttered, lost in his delusions.

The day he would step onto the stage of the world again… might never come.