The next day, instead of attending class, Yuto was assigned a mission by Professor Hideo.
To escort a young noble to a nearby village for a diplomatic meeting.
Standing at the academy gates, Yuto adjusted his sword at his hip, waiting.
Before long, a girl around his age was dressed in an elegant navy blue dress with silver embroidery.
Her long, platinum-blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp violet eyes held an air of quiet confidence.
"You must be my escort," she said, her voice smooth but slightly disinterested.
"Yuto Akimitsu," he introduced himself with a slight nod.
"And you are?"
"Lady Evelynn Astoria," she replied, folding her hands before her.
"Shall we depart?"
Yuto gave her a slight nod as he helped her back inside the carriage.
With that, they set off down the forested path leading to the village.
The journey was supposed to be uneventful, but Yuto remained on high alert.
Rumors of bandit activity had been circulating, and something about the heavy silence of the road put him on edge.
Evelynn, however, seemed unconcerned.
Every so often, she glanced at Yuto, as if studying him.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?" she mused.
"Just focused on the mission," he replied.
She let out a soft chuckle.
"How diligent. Most boys would be trying to impress me right about now"
Yuto arched his brow but didn't reply.
She leaned forward slightly, a playful smirk on her lips.
"You know, for a bodyguard, you're not very talkative. A girl might start to feel neglected"
He glanced at her, unimpressed.
"I'm here to protect you, not entertain you"
She chuckled.
"Oh? But what if I want a little entertainment?"
She batted her lashes dramatically.
"Surely you wouldn't deny a noble lady some harmless fun"
He sighed, resting his elbow on the window ledge.
"Harmless fun, huh?"
Evelynn took that as encouragement, leaning in even closer.
"Tell me, do you always get this flustered around pretty girls?"
Yuto turned to face her fully, his eyes meeting hers with an unreadable expression.
"No," he said flatly.
"Just the annoying ones"
Evelynn blinked, caught off guard by the blunt response.
For a moment, she sat there in stunned silence before letting out a short laugh.
"Alright, I walked into that one"
Yuto smirked slightly.
"Yeah, you did"
She crossed her arms, pouting.
"You could at least pretend to be charmed"
"I could," Yuto said, looking out the window.
"But where's the fun in that?"
Before Evelynn could fire back, the carriage suddenly jolted to a stop.
Outside, the silence of the forest felt heavier than before.
Yuto's expression darkened as his hand moved instinctively to his sword.
"Stay here," he said, already pushing the door open.
Something was waiting for them outside.
He stepped out of the carriage, his eyes scanning the dense forest surrounding them.
The road ahead was clear, but something felt off.
The horses stirred uneasily, their breaths coming out in nervous huffs.
The driver was stiff, gripping the reins tightly, eyes darting to the trees.
A moment of silence.
Then—snap.
Yuto turned just as three figures emerged from the shadows, cloaked in dark robes.
Their faces were obscured, but the magic radiating from them was unmistakable.
"Bandits?"
Evelynn peeked out from the carriage, but Yuto shot her a sharp glare.
"Stay inside"
One of the figures chuckled.
"We don't want trouble. Just hand over the girl, and we'll let you live"
Yuto sighed, rolling his shoulders.
"You bandits always say that, and yet, it never works out for you"
The leader snarled.
"Last warning. Step aside"
Yuto tilted his head.
"Nah"
In a flash, the first lunged, a blade coated in dark energy slicing toward Yuto's neck.
'Too slow'
He sidestepped with ease, grabbed the man's wrist, and twisted—crack!
They screamed as their weapon clattered to the ground.
Without hesitation, Yuto kicked him square in the chest, sending him flying into a tree.
The other two moved in, chanting spells.
One raised a staff, flames igniting at its tip.
The other extended their hands, shadows curling around their fingers.
'Magic users, huh?'
Yuto exhaled, gripping his sword.
"Fine. Let's make this quick"
Evelynn watched from inside the carriage, eyes wide.
'Who the hell is this guy?'
The fire mage hurled a blazing orb at Yuto, the heat distorting the air between them.
Without missing a beat, Yuto ducked low and shot forward, closing the distance before the spell could explode.
His sword flashed.
Slash! and the mage's staff split in two, the flames dissipating in an instant.
The shadow caster reacted quickly, tendrils of darkness rushing toward Yuto like serpents.
He twisted, barely avoiding one that lashed out at his leg.
With a sharp exhale, he channeled his energy into his blade, the edge glowing faintly before he swung.
Whoosh!
Severing the tendrils in an instant.
The caster stumbled back in shock.
"Impossible—!"
Yuto didn't give him time to recover.
In a blur, he dashed forward, planting his fist into the mage's gut.
The impact sent them sprawling, coughing violently.
Silence settled over the road.
The three attackers lay groaning in pain.
Yuto exhaled, flicking his blade to shake off any residual magic.
Evelynn slowly stepped out of the carriage, staring at him with wide, stunned eyes.
"You—You're strong"
Yuto sheathed his sword, shrugging.
"I get that a lot"
The driver, who had been too terrified to move, finally let out a breath.
"Sir, we should keep moving before more of them show up"
Yuto nodded, turning back to Evelynn.
"Get inside. We're leaving"
She hesitated, watching him carefully.
"Who are you?"
Yuto smirked slightly.
"Just a student who hates escort missions"
Evelynn narrowed her eyes but climbed back into the carriage without another word.
As they continued their journey, Yuto leaned back in his seat, staring out the window.
He had handled the situation easily, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
'I wonder what those three morons are doing right now'
Alice was probably still fussing over something.
Maybe she was training extra hard, determined not to be left behind.
Or maybe she was worrying about him, wondering if he was eating properly.
Lilith?
She was unpredictable.
She could be anywhere—getting into trouble, stirring up chaos, or maybe just lounging around, pretending she didn't care when she did.
And Reika…
'Yeah,' he thought with a smirk.
'She's sulking'
She hated being left out of things.
If she found out he was on an escort mission without her, she'd be mad for sure.
A light laugh escaped him.
'They're impossible'
But they were his impossible people.
"You're smiling," Evelynn suddenly said, breaking the silence.
Yuto blinked, turning to see her watching him intently, arms crossed.
"So?"
"So," she mimicked, leaning forward slightly, "you don't seem like the type to smile without a reason"
"What were you thinking about?"
Yuto stretched his arms, looking away.
"Just some people who drive me crazy"
Evelynn smirked.
"Ah. A girl, then?"
"Girls," he corrected before he could stop himself.
Her eyes widened in surprise before she chuckled.
"Oh? That explains why you're not affected by my charm"
She flipped her hair dramatically.
"Most guys would kill to be in a carriage alone with me, you know"
Yuto scoffed.
"And yet here I am, still alive"
She gasped, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense.
"Wow. That was cold. You wound me, Sir Akimitsu"
He rolled his eyes but smirked slightly.
"I doubt it"
Evelynn studied him, a curious glint in her gaze.
"You're different from the other knights I've met"
"Not a knight"
"Then what are you?"
Yuto shrugged, glancing back out the window.
"Just a student who keeps getting dragged into annoying situations"
Evelynn chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"Well, I think this mission just got more interesting"
Yuto sighed.
'Why does that sound like trouble?'
The carriage ride continued in relative silence, the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the dirt road filling the space between them.
Yuto had shifted back to gazing out the window, lost in thought.
Evelynn, on the other hand, fidgeted with her fingers, sneaking occasional glances at him.
After a while, she let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Alright, this silence is killing me"
Yuto barely glanced her way.
"You were the one who stopped talking"
"Because I was thinking," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Something you seem to do a lot"
He smirked slightly but didn't deny it.
Evelynn hesitated before speaking again, her tone softer this time.
"You know… I was kinda expecting you to be another stiff, serious knight"
She leaned back against the cushioned seat.
"But you're… different"
Yuto arched his brow.
"Should I be offended?"
She laughed lightly.
"No, I mean it in a good way. Most people treat me like I'm fragile"
"Or worse, they act fake, like they're only nice because of my status"
Yuto hummed in acknowledgment but didn't respond immediately.
He had no idea what noble life was like, but he could guess.
"Must be annoying," he said finally.
Evelynn exhaled sharply, a dry chuckle escaping her lips.
"You have no idea"
She played with a loose strand of her hair.
"I don't get to meet a lot of people who treat me like… well, just a person"
"Even now, I'm being sent away for a 'better future', one I didn't even choose"
Yuto shot her a sideways glance.
"Sounds rough"
She studied him for a moment before smirking.
"That's it? No 'I understand' or 'I know how you feel'?"
He shrugged.
"I don't know how you feel. I'm not a noble"
Evelynn blinked, then laughed again, this time more genuinely.
"You don't sugarcoat things, do you?"
"Not my style"
She shook her head with amusement.
"It's kinda refreshing"
For a moment, the conversation lulled into a comfortable silence.
Yuto didn't mind.
Evelynn, however, tapped her fingers against her knee, a slight frown tugging at her lips.
Then, quietly, she asked, "Hey, Yuto… if you could choose, what kind of future would you want?"
That made him pause.
He hadn't thought about it before.
Everything in his life had always been about surviving, getting stronger, and protecting those around him.
But what did he want?
He exhaled, leaning back.
"Dunno. Haven't figured that out yet"
Evelynn smiled wistfully.
"Must be nice... to have the freedom to not know"
Yuto didn't respond, but he could hear the weight behind her words.
As she continued speaking about the future that had already been decided for her, her words grew more rigid, as if she were reciting something she had been forced to memorize for years.
Her eyes were distant, her voice lacking the usual vibrancy that came with a person who believed they could shape their path.
Yuto watched her for a moment, the words sinking in but not resonating.
His brows furrowed in confusion, but more so in frustration.
"You're an idiot"
The words came out more sharply than he intended, but the sentiment was clear.
Evelynn blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness.
"What?"
"I said you're an idiot," Yuto repeated, his voice calmer but still laced with annoyance.
"If you don't like it, then change it"
She stared at him with disbelief.
"Change it? How? It's not that simple"
Yuto's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone becoming more serious.
"No, it's not that complicated. It's your life, right?"
"If you don't want to just accept what they've planned for you, then do something about it. It's your choice"
"Always has been"
Evelynn opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out.
She wanted to argue that her circumstances were different, that her obligations and duties were far too great to simply ignore.
But looking at Yuto, his unwavering confidence made her question herself.
Could it be that simple?
Could she change the course of her life if she tried?
Yuto let out a sigh and leaned back, his gaze softening.
"Look, if you want, I'll help"
"No strings attached"
Evelynn froze, her breath catching in her throat.
"What do you mean help?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He glanced at her, his expression earnest.
"I don't need anything in return. I'm not asking for anything from you"
"I just... want to help. What's wrong with that?"
Evelynn's heart skipped a beat, a strange sensation building in her chest.
She'd never been on the receiving end of such unguarded kindness.
There was no hidden agenda, no ulterior motive, just someone genuinely offering to help because they cared.
It made her chest tighten, and her breath came a little faster.
For a moment, she simply stared at him, not knowing what to say.
There was a part of her that wanted to brush it off, to insist that she didn't need anyone's help, that it wasn't that simple.
But another part of her, a part she hadn't allowed herself to acknowledge in a long time, wanted to believe him, to let herself lean on someone for once.
The thump in her chest grew louder, a rush of warmth spreading through her.
She didn't know how to explain it, but at that moment, something shifted inside her.
She felt vulnerable yet comforted, uncertain yet somehow… safe.
"...You really are something else, Yuto," she murmured, the words escaping her before she could stop them.
Then without thinking too much about it, she slid across the seat and sat next to Yuto.
He glanced at her, surprised at first, but he didn't move away.
He shifted slightly as if trying to make more room for her, but she didn't seem to be bothered by the proximity.
Instead, she inched closer, drawn to him in a way she hadn't expected.
The motion was subtle at first, but as the moments passed, she found herself leaning her head against his shoulder.
Yuto remained still, his eyes softening as he looked down at her.
He reached up gently, almost hesitantly, and placed his hand on her head, his fingers lightly brushing through her hair.
Her breath hitched slightly at the contact, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was gentle and reassuring.
It was as if he were telling her, without words, that it was okay.
That she didn't have to carry everything on her own.
Evelynn felt like she could let her guard down, if only for a moment.
She closed her eyes, feeling the rhythmic motion of the carriage as it rumbled along.
The warmth of his hand on her head, and the quiet peace between them.
It was… calming.
His hand remained there for a moment longer, and then he slowly withdrew it, unsure if the action had been too forward.
But he didn't pull away completely, as if giving her the space to decide how she wanted things to unfold.
Evelynn hesitated for a moment before looking up at him, her cheeks a faint shade of pink.
She hadn't realized how vulnerable she had become in that brief moment, but she didn't regret it.
There was something about Yuto's presence that made her feel less alone, even amid all her uncertainties.
"Yuto," she began quietly, her voice soft.
"Thank you for… everything"
"For listening, for being here. I didn't think… I didn't think someone like you would care"
Yuto turned to her with a small, reassuring smile.
"It's not about being someone like me," he said, his voice steady.
"It's about being there for the people who matter. And you matter, Evelynn"
"Everyone deserves to have someone they can lean on, even if it's just for a moment"
Her heart skipped a beat.
She shifted slightly, feeling the urge to lean closer again, though she didn't quite know why.
Her heart was racing, but she couldn't pull herself away.
She felt like she was at a crossroads, torn between the need for space and the unspoken desire to be closer to him.
"Yuto…" she murmured again, her voice almost a whisper.
She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but she felt something stirring inside her, something she had kept hidden for too long.
"I… I don't know what this is," Evelynn admitted, finally lifting her head from his shoulder.
She met his gaze, her eyes steady though a flicker of uncertainty remained.
"But I think I'm starting to understand what it means to trust someone… like you"
"I think that's a good start," he said simply, offering her a soft smile that made her chest flutter again.
As their carriage rumbled along the winding dirt road, the scenery gradually shifted from open fields to dense woodlands.
The rhythmic creaking of the wheels filled the silence between them, though Evelynn occasionally stole glances at Yuto.
After a moment, she finally spoke.
"Once we arrive, I'll be meeting with the village elder"
"This negotiation is crucial, so try not to do anything… reckless"
Yuto smirked, leaning back against the seat.
"Do I look like the reckless type?"
She shot him a pointed look.
"Yes"
He chuckled but didn't argue.
Diplomacy wasn't his thing, but that didn't mean he'd sit back and let Evelynn handle everything alone.
As the carriage rolled into the village, the atmosphere immediately felt different.
The streets were quiet, the few villagers they passed casting wary glances at the noble crest on the carriage.
Evelynn straightened her posture, adjusting her dress and smoothing her hair, preparing to meet the village elder.
Yuto, on the other hand, scanned the surroundings, his instincts alert.
Something felt… off.
The villagers weren't just cautious, they looked uneasy.
When they arrived at the central square, an elderly man stood waiting for them.
He bowed respectfully to Evelynn.
"Lady Evelynn, we welcome you to our humble village"
Evelynn nodded and gave a polite bow.
"Elder Haru, thank you for meeting with me. I hope we can have a productive discussion"
The elder's gaze briefly flickered to Yuto, assessing him.
"And your escort?"
Before Evelynn could respond, Yuto casually stepped forward.
"Yuto Akimitsu. Just here to make sure everything goes smoothly"
The elder gave a small nod before gesturing toward a modest wooden hall.
"Please, let us discuss matters inside"
As Evelynn and the elder entered, Yuto hesitated for a moment, scanning the village once more.
The tension in the air hadn't lifted.
If anything, it had thickened.
His gut told him something was about to happen.
Inside, the hall was simple but well-kept, with a large wooden table at the center.
Evelynn took her seat gracefully, while Yuto remained standing near the entrance, arms crossed.
Elder Haru cleared his throat.
"Lady Evelynn, I appreciate your visit. I understand that the noble house wishes to extend its influence here, but our people have concerns"
Evelynn folded her hands in her lap, keeping a composed expression.
"I am here to listen, Elder Haru. What troubles your village?"
The elder hesitated, then glanced at Yuto before speaking.
"There have been… disappearances. People have gone missing from their homes without a trace"
"No signs of struggle, no tracks to follow. We fear something unnatural is at work"
Yuto narrowed his eyes.
"And this started when?"
"About two weeks ago," the elder answered.
"At first, we thought it was wild animals, but then even our hunters began vanishing. Some villagers believe it's the work of spirits or a curse"
Evelynn frowned.
"Why hasn't this been reported sooner?"
The elder sighed.
"We tried. A messenger was sent to the capital, but he never returned. We feared drawing more attention would only invite disaster upon us"
Yuto exchanged a glance with Evelynn.
This wasn't just a simple diplomatic visit anymore, something else was going on here.
"Lady Evelynn," Yuto said in a low voice, "we should check this out before heading back"
"If something's hunting people out here, we can't just leave them to fend for themselves"
Evelynn hesitated, clearly conflicted.
This wasn't part of her duty, and getting involved in village affairs beyond politics wasn't something nobles usually did.
But then she looked at Yuto, remembering his words in the carriage.
"What's wrong with wanting to help someone?"
She took a deep breath and turned back to the elder.
"Where did the last disappearance happen?"
Elder Haru's eyes widened slightly in surprise before nodding.
"At the northern edge of the village, near the forest"
Yuto cracked his knuckles.
"Then that's where we'll start"
—
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Yuto and Evelynn made their way toward the northern edge of the village.
A few villagers watched from their doorways, wary and tense, as if expecting something to emerge from the darkening forest at any moment.
Evelynn adjusted her gloves.
"This isn't exactly what I expected from a diplomatic mission"
Yuto smirked.
"You wanted to be more than just a noble trapped in duty, right? Well, here's your chance"
She rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
The village's northern edge was eerily silent, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and wood.
A small hut stood abandoned at the very border, its wooden door slightly ajar.
"This was the home of the last person who vanished," Evelynn said, stepping cautiously forward.
Yuto placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, then nudged the door open.
Inside, the hut was simple, just a bed, a small table, and a few belongings scattered about.
No signs of struggle.
No blood.
Evelynn kneeled beside the bed, running a hand over the blanket.
"Still a little dusty. Whoever lived here didn't have time to pack or flee"
Yuto scanned the room, his eyes landing on a trail of faint footprints leading out the back door.
They were strange, too light, almost as if the person had been walking half-heartedly, not in a hurry.
He crouched down, tracing the prints with his fingers.
"It's like they just… wandered off"
Evelynn stepped beside him.
"Sleepwalking?"
"Could be. Or something else"
He stood, his eyes narrowing as he followed the prints outside.
The trail led into the forest, disappearing into the undergrowth.
A chill crept down Evelynn's spine as she stared at the dark trees.
"You don't actually want to follow that, do you?"
Yuto grinned.
"Of course I do. If something's luring people away, I wanna know why"
Evelynn sighed, shaking her head.
"I should have known. Fine. But if we die, I'm haunting you in the afterlife"
Yuto chuckled.
"Noted"
With that, they stepped into the forest, the village lights fading behind them.
The deeper they went into the forest, the more unnatural the air became.
The usual sounds of crickets and rustling leaves were absent, replaced by an eerie stillness.
Evelynn shivered.
"Something feels… off," she murmured.
Yuto walked ahead, eyes scanning their surroundings.
"Yeah, no animals, no wind… It's too quiet"
The footprints had become harder to track, fading into the undergrowth as if whatever made them had started floating.
Then, suddenly, the trees thinned, revealing a small clearing bathed in the moon's pale glow.
In the center stood an ancient-looking well, its stones covered in moss and cracks.
The air around it shimmered faintly, like heat rising off a road.
Yuto's grip on his sword tightened.
"That's not normal"
Evelynn stepped forward cautiously.
"A well?"
"Not just any well," Yuto muttered.
He crouched beside it, peering into the darkness.
There was no reflection of water, no bottom in sight, just an endless void.
Evelynn leaned in beside him, her breath hitching as she felt a faint pull as if something inside was calling her forward.
"It's like it's… alive"
Yuto grabbed her wrist and pulled her back before she could get too close.
"Yeah, let's not do that"
She blinked, snapping out of the strange trance.
"I-I wasn't going to jump in"
"You were leaning a little too close for my liking," Yuto said, watching the well warily.
"Whatever this thing is, it's connected to the disappearances"
A low whisper drifted through the air.
Evelynn stiffened.
"Did you hear that?"
Yuto nodded, standing up.
The whispering grew louder, swirling around them, a mix of hushed voices speaking in an unknown language.
Then—
A hand, pale and unnaturally thin, shot out from the well, gripping the stone edge.
Another followed, pulling a shadowy figure upward.
Its form was shifting, incomplete as if struggling to take shape.
The whispering turned into distorted murmurs, echoing in their minds.
Evelynn took a step back, her heart pounding.
"Tell me we're not about to fight a ghost"
Yuto drew his sword.
"Not sure, but we're about to find out"
The figure let out a chilling wail, and then it lunged.