"So we got first place after all."
"Yes, I never thought I could get first place with you."
Inside the destination was a small shelter wrapped in magic. On one side was a large tent, and on the other side were eliminated participants sitting on the ground.
Gerhard smiled faintly as his eyes met with Carlo, who was looking at him.
"Students who have arrived, please enter the tent and rest."
"Yes."
"Do you have any injuries?"
"No."
There had been some, but they were all healed by potions.
"...Gerhard and Luina?"
"Were they the first to arrive? Does that mean they got first place?"
"What about His Highness Rudger and Almon?"
"Is this right...?"
Leaving behind the astonished eliminated students, the two entered the tent.
There wasn't anything particularly special inside. Just chairs, various snacks, and a professor's map that showed the locations of other students.
The map was provided so they could get a general idea of the situations of other students.
Gerhard wasn't particularly interested, though.
"...I really didn't expect to get first place."
"Neither did I."
Honestly, he had been skeptical. The competitors were formidable, and Gerhard didn't originally have a mindset that absolutely required him to be first.
His only purpose was to build rapport with Luina by respecting her intentions as much as possible.
He had only tried his best because it was obvious Luina would notice and get angry if he half-heartedly participated.
"But it's not a bad thing, is it?"
"How could it be bad? This is my first time getting first place, so I'm overjoyed."
That was fortunate. Though he had unintentionally become a standout, his relationship with Luina had progressed.
"However, this is just the first step. I won't be satisfied with this. Since it's come to this, I look forward to your continued support."
"Likewise, I look forward to working with you."
At that moment, the entrance to the tent was lifted, and new figures entered.
"Gerhard."
Puhehe. Prince Rudger burst into laughter.
"I got caught off guard. Were you hiding your abilities?"
"I wasn't particularly hiding anything."
"For someone who wasn't hiding, you've never made a stone wall like that before, have you?"
"There was no need to make one."
"And now there was?"
"I suppose so."
"I see."
Rudger's gaze briefly swept over Luina.
"I completely understand."
"...I don't know what you think you understand, but I want to say you're wrong."
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
"I'm saying..."
Rudger sat down at a spot some distance away without even responding to Gerhard's words. Almon, who had followed him in, glanced coldly at Gerhard before sitting beside Rudger.
Following them, the students who had been with Rudger noisily filled the surroundings.
"...Surely you don't really have that intention?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Luina shifted her body slightly backward with a suspicious expression. Gerhard let out a hollow laugh, finding her reaction ridiculous.
After a moment, Luina relaxed her narrowed eyes and changed the subject.
"Oh, by the way, I ran into Aint Armian recently."
"Aint Armian?"
"Yes. I was lightly swinging my sword at the outdoor training grounds at night, and he came in, probably to train. The situation was quite amusing. It was quite similar to when you spied on my training..."
It was at that moment.
───!
There was a sound like thunder.
It was lightning exploding inside his head, audible only to Gerhard.
In that instant, his mind went completely white. A shock similar to when he was first struck by lightning tore through his mind.
"Ngghhh...!"
A groan escaped through his clenched lips.
Simultaneously.
[- It's clear. Her talent is outstanding enough to become a Royal Knight.]
[I wanted to free her from the shackles binding her, from the Goldenheim family.]
Prophecies that had been dormant at the edge of his consciousness began to sprout like mushrooms.
["Senior. No, Luina of House Berchef."
Aint Armian extended his hand.
"Please become my knight."]
This was quite different from the prophecies until now. A vividness, as if he were actually present at the scene, was engraved in Gerhard's senses.
Aint, who had defeated Luina in a sparring match, extended his hand to her. But Luina did not take that hand.
The world flipped.
The scenery changed.
A blood-red sky, terrible magical miasma. As if the end was approaching, a great evil was targeting Aint Armian.
At that moment, the firm back of a knight blocked his path.
["Senior! What are you...!"
"Aint Armian. You said it."
To become your knight.
And I had refused.
"It was because of my pride, but not anymore. I've come to know you, to know your cause."
So this is my destiny.
"A knight is a sword that defeats the lord's enemies, and a shield that protects the lord."
A knight.
"A knight does not flee, leaving the lord behind."
A knight.
"A knight does not die after the lord."
That is.
"My knighthood."]
[Luina charged toward the demon, Andromalius. A blue aura shone brilliantly.]
The world flipped once more.
It was a hospital room. When Luina opened her eyes, Aint was holding her hand and crying.
["Thank goodness, really thank goodness."
"Where is..."
"The hospital."]
The content was a bit disconnected.
["Senior. Please listen carefully and don't misunderstand. Since you said you're my knight, I'll just ask directly."
Aint's eyes gleamed fiercely as he looked at Luina.
"Those who are trying to ruin you and House Berchef. It's the Goldenheims, right? Those upstarts."]
It took some time to figure out what was happening since the fragments were disconnected, but one common point was that they all related to Luina.
'Why at this timing?'
Was it because Luina brought up the subject of Aint?
'So from that point on, he tried to use Luina to ruin me.'
Since he already knew this, it wasn't particularly new. It didn't even specify the exact timing.
'...Andromalius?'
He remembered it. It was the name of a demon from a book he had read in the library. Does that mean such a being will be summoned?
'When?'
No, that wasn't the most important thing right now.
'Aint Armian. How dare he call us upstarts...!'
"...you all right?"
A rough hand shook his shoulder. Only then did Gerhard halt his thoughts and open his eyes.
Luina was looking at him with a worried expression.
"...I'm fine."
"You suddenly screamed, which startled me. Your complexion is also pale."
"It's nothing..."
"It doesn't look like nothing to me."