Chapter 11

Just like yesterday, I accompanied Arnold to the castle and saw him off as he headed for the exam. Then, I waited elegantly in the waiting room, enjoying some snacks.

The atmosphere in the waiting room was even more tense than yesterday. Would the results be out today? I had no idea. Although he said it was just a preliminary visit, Arnold wasn't the type to share much, and I wasn't the type to pry—besides, we weren't close enough for casual conversation. I was just there to see him off.

However, it wasn't a complete waste of time. I consoled myself—though it could also be seen as self-deception—and started reading the literature I had brought to pass the time. Yesterday, the clock's hands seemed to move unusually slowly due to my restlessness.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang out from somewhere. I had been so engrossed in the literature that I had lost track of time. What time was it now? Was Arnold still in the exam?

I stretched to loosen my stiff body. In that position, I casually glanced around and spotted Arnold at the entrance.

Was it already over? It seemed earlier than yesterday, but maybe it was because I was so focused on the literature.

As I thought this, I hurriedly stood up and ran over to him.

"I passed."

Arnold said it so casually, as if it were nothing.

"…What?"

I couldn't process his words and let out a strange sound. Passed—did he mean the exam?

Even though I knew it had to be that, I was taken aback by the quick announcement of his success.

"I start as a royal apprentice alchemist tomorrow."

"…You find out the results right away?"

"They said I was exceptionally talented."

Arnold said this in his usual tone, without any hint of pride. I could tell the room was starting to buzz with excitement. From the parents' perspective, hearing the sudden news of a boy's success must have made them anxious: "What about my child!?" The commotion spread like ripples, but Arnold remained indifferent.

Still, it was clear that Arnold was indeed talented. He passed the exam as if it were a given and accepted it with a matter-of-fact expression. He must have been very confident.

I need to be careful not to get too full of myself about my own talents. I have two more years to study hard. This trip, which was supposed to be a preliminary visit, was a bit disappointing, but I was inspired by Arnold. I felt like I could study more effectively from tomorrow.

"Come."

"Eh, what!?"

My wrist was grabbed, and I was pulled along. We passed through the garden and even entered the castle. The sight of two children cutting through the castle surprised the guards and the well-dressed scholars, but they all smiled when they saw Arnold's face. I didn't understand the meaning of their expressions, nor did I know where Arnold was taking me. I could only look around.

Red carpets and grand chandeliers—it looked just like the scene from "Last Brave." We passed through two large double doors and entered a courtyard. In the center was a large fountain, its water sparkling in the sunlight. It was beautiful.

Suddenly, I noticed a figure by the fountain. He was standing with his back to us, and his slightly hunched back clearly belonged to a man. His brown hair was curly, making it look messy—basically, a mop of hair—and he was wearing a long, lab coat-like garment.

"Caspar."

Arnold stopped and called out to the man with the messy hair. The man turned around.

When he saw us, his eyes widened behind his round glasses. He smiled, showing his white teeth, and ran over.

"Oh, it's the genius kid!"

"Genius kid." It was an honorable nickname.

Still, was this man a royal alchemist? His attire was fitting, and the fact that he knew Arnold at this stage suggested—

"Is this cute girl your girlfriend?"

My thoughts were blown away.

"Wh-what!?" I blurted out to my senior, but I hope he'll let it slide this time.

"Girlfriend"? And "cute girl"?

From his appearance—round glasses and messy hair—he seemed like a "nerdy researcher," but his tone suggested he might be a surprisingly young and casual—dare I say, smooth—guy.

"This one will be entering here in two years."

Arnold didn't object to the man's words and even added more. What was he saying as if it were a fact? Yes, I will take the exam in two years, but—

Before I could correct him, the man said with a grin:

"Is the genius kid's girlfriend… a genius girl?"

To prevent the conversation from expanding further, I quickly spoke up.

"No! I mean, I'm just taking the exam in two years! And I'm not Arnold's girlfriend—"

"Hey, Caspar! Is the kid with you the rumored genius boy?"

My voice was drowned out by a deep, resonant male voice from the side.

Who is that! I was about to be angry—then I recognized the voice. No, I "remembered" it.

It was a mature, deep voice that had guided and encouraged me many times. I turned around, as if being led by that voice. A sturdy man in black armor was approaching.

The pleasant smile, the navy hair slicked back, the narrowed green eyes, the lips curved in a wide arc, the strong arms wielding a greatsword. He was the bravest knight in the knight corps, admired by many.

The man in my memory and the one in front of me overlapped. The blurry outline in my memory became clear.

—Please, Sir Hero.

He smiled, and I noticed—there was no scar on his right eye.

The younger version of the man bent down, meeting our eyes and smiling widely.

"My name is Wake Bäcker. I'm the captain of the Shvaria Knight Corps. You'll be helping us with healing potions in the future, so I thought I'd introduce myself early. Nice to meet you, future alchemists."

The pleasant greeting came from Wake Bäcker, one of the party members in "Last Brave."

Wake was the oldest member of the party, depicted as a mature man guiding the protagonist. His navy hair slicked back, his narrowed green eyes, his lips curved in a wide arc, and his strong arms wielding a greatsword were all the same. He was exactly as he was in the game, except for one thing—there was no scar on his right eye.

The scar made it almost impossible for Wake to see with his right eye. He didn't seem to mind it, calling it an "honorable wound" and not covering it with an eye patch. The scar was said to have been inflicted in a battle with a monster, but the exact circumstances were never revealed.

Meta-wise, I thought it might be a symbol to add character to the design. But thinking that he would get that scar in the next few years made my chest ache.

Meeting a main character from "Last Brave" unexpectedly, I was excited without even realizing it. When I found out Arnold was Elvira's brother, I felt a similar thrill, but meeting "him" in person was incomparable.

No matter what, I loved the game "Last Brave." The pounding in my heart confirmed it. My cheeks flushed with excitement as I bowed deeply.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Laura Ampère."

"Me too! I'm Caspar Claussen, a royal alchemist. Nice to meet you!"

The messy-haired man—no, Caspar—interjected. Wake lightly nudged his head, saying, "You're in the way."

The main characters from "Last Brave," especially Wake, were moving right in front of me. I was more moved than I expected. Wake was called away by a young knight shortly after, but the excitement and emotion would linger.

"Hey, genius kid, do you have a moment? I need to explain some things…"

Caspar suddenly remembered and called out to Arnold. I caught his glance and understood.

It wouldn't be appropriate for me to be there.

"I'll go home by myself."

I bowed and turned around. Although Arnold had brought me here without permission, I knew the castle's layout well enough.

"See you in two years, Laura!"

I smiled, a bit wryly, at Caspar's words. Thanks to Arnold, I had been recognized by the royal alchemists before even taking the exam. I couldn't afford to fail in two years.

When I returned to Elm Village, I would study even harder. I would definitely pass the exam in two years and become a force to support the Shvaria Knight Corps, warriors around the world, and the heroes.

Just as I was fired up,

"Ampère!"

Arnold called out to me. I turned around as I felt his footsteps approaching.

"Pass the exam in two years, no matter what."

"I'll work hard."

It was a familiar phrase. I smiled and brushed it off, but Arnold's expression became even more serious.

"If you fail, I'll laugh at you for the rest of my life."

That's a bit much.

It seemed Arnold really wanted me to pass. I thought he should at least offer some encouragement, but given his personality, that was probably too much to expect.

Before I could say, "Understood,"

"I'll be waiting."

—Arnold's straightforward words resonated in my ears. How could he say such a thing with such a serious look?

I was surprised but watched him run off. His back seemed much stronger than it did three years ago. It was only natural given the three years that had passed, but I hadn't noticed until now.

Caspar and Arnold exchanged a few words and started moving from the courtyard. After seeing them off, I continued on my way.

—After that day, Arnold and I wouldn't meet again until two years later.

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