Chapter 9

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The capital city, Schvalia.

Today, I will accompany Arnold Roco to his royal alchemist examination. It’s a preview for two years from now.

It has been three years since I met Arnold, and I am now 12 years old.

During these three years, I haven’t seen him. However, it seems that my master and Mercedes, Arnold’s master, have been in regular contact, and they have been exchanging information about their respective disciples. My master often reported to me, “Arnold is working hard,” and so on.

According to my master, Arnold’s examination today will be too easy for him. Since then, Arnold has studied even harder and has been praised as a prodigy.

I, too, have been steadily acquiring the knowledge and skills of an alchemist. I have almost memorized the types of herbs, and I am confident that I can perform basic and moderately advanced alchemy with my eyes closed—though I would never actually do that because it’s dangerous. I have also successfully performed complex alchemy, which is considered difficult, and I have made recovery potions for the people of Eme’s village several times in place of my master.

My master smiled and said, “You’re still a disciple who’s hard to teach,” and even gave me the highest praise, saying, “If you took the exam now, you would pass with top honors.”

So, today, while it’s supposed to be a preview for two years from now, I’m almost here just for the sightseeing in the capital city, Schvalia.

My master, me, and one more person.

"Laurel, are you okay?"

"Yeah, thank you."

As I stepped down from the carriage, a hand was extended in front of me. I took the hand and smiled at the person who offered it—Lukas.

Lukas, now 12 years old, has matured significantly compared to three years ago, giving off a more polished impression. He seems to have lost some of his childishness and gained a more masculine air. However, he still has a somewhat androgynous face.

The height difference between us, which wasn’t noticeable three years ago, has started to grow recently. His long, slender limbs and larger hands suggest that he will continue to grow taller. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but I recall that his height at the start of "Last Brave" was around 175 cm.

Since then, Lukas and I have returned to being the "two special friends" we once were. Of course, we still play with other children, but we spend more time together. I didn’t worry about this.

Lukas is an important childhood friend. It’s natural to have a good relationship with a childhood friend. However, it won’t turn into a romantic relationship. That’s all there is to it. I had been too sensitive about it.

When I told Lukas that I was going to the capital, he immediately said he wanted to come along. I hesitated about whether it was appropriate to take him to the capital before setting out on my journey as a hero, but his parents and my master, who heard the story, said, “Let him come along,” leaving me with no choice.

When I told him we would go together, Lukas smiled happily, and I thought about how to deal with that smile.

"Bertha too."

"Oh, sorry."

Lukas also extended a hand to my master. The moment she took his hand, she smiled. She probably thinks of Lukas as my "knight." I ignored her gaze and looked at the city of the capital.

"Wow..."

On both sides, grand buildings lined the streets. The roofs and walls had a uniform appearance, making the entire city look like a single work of art.

Voices and cheerful music could be heard from somewhere. The scenery was filled with color. Even while playing "Last Brave," I thought the amount of information was overwhelming, and now, standing in front of the actual capital, it felt like my head was spinning.

Lukas, who had been completely absorbed in the atmosphere of the capital, took my hand and pulled me along.

"This is our inn."

My master stopped in front of a large building. This inn was familiar to me. In the past, I had paid 240 Madoka to stay here.

We entered the familiar entrance and found someone waiting in the spacious lobby.

A beautiful woman with light green hair, Mercedes, was waving at us. Her smile was as beautiful as it was three years ago. Her hair, which used to be so long it almost touched the ground, was now intricately braided and voluminous.

Next to Mercedes stood a boy with black hair, Arnold, whose beauty was even more striking than before.

"Laurel, Master, it’s been a long time."

We ran up and exchanged greetings after three years.

Naturally, the distance between Arnold and me had also closed.

"Wow..."

Arnold, now 14 years old, was even more of a beautiful boy up close.

His eyes were sharper than before, his nose still straight, and even the curve of his lips was beautiful. His features had lost all their roundness, and his build seemed more angular. He had grown taller.

He was still the most beautiful boy I knew.

"What’s with that strange voice?"

It seemed his voice had fully changed.

"No, it’s just... the atmosphere has changed."

Arnold brushed off my words and asked,

"Have you been slacking off in your alchemy studies?"

"Of course not."

I aim to become a royal alchemist and study hard every day. That hasn’t changed since three years ago.

At one point, I thought my unusual memory for alchemy-related knowledge would make the studies easy, but there is no limit to alchemy. New methods are constantly being discovered, and new effects are found in existing herbs through different preparation methods.

Even with my near-cheat ability in alchemy, there is still so much to learn. For someone studying normally, it must be incredibly difficult.

"I’ll become a royal alchemist before you. If you fail the exam, I won’t forgive you."

"Y-yes..."

Arnold, who hasn’t even taken the exam yet, already acts as if he has passed. I know he is excellent, but his confidence is quite something. It must mean he has worked hard over these three years.

"You must be Lukas? I’m Mercedes, and this is Arnold. Nice to meet you."

Mercedes noticed Lukas, who had been standing behind me silently.

"Y-yes. I’m Lukas Kamill, nice to meet you."

"Oh, you’re so cute. You must be Laurel’s childhood friend, right? I’ve heard about you."

Lukas, who had been blushing slightly under Mercedes’ kind smile, nodded. If I were him, I might have fallen in love with that smile, but I watched his rare bashful face with amusement.

Lukas seemed to have caught Arnold’s eye. He took a few steps toward Arnold and extended his right hand, smiling warmly.

"Nice to meet you."

Arnold glanced at Lukas’ hand and shook it—

"‘I’ suits you well, doesn’t it?"

To my surprise, he started with a snide remark.

Arnold had been hostile to me on our first meeting as well. However, that was because he was jealous of me as a fellow aspiring alchemist.

Lukas, on the other hand, had nothing in common with Arnold and was a complete stranger. Yet, he had the nerve to insult him right away.

Moreover, I noticed that the corners of Arnold’s mouth were upturned, clearly mocking Lukas. This was the first time I had seen Arnold smile, and it was not a pleasant one.

Arnold seemed to have lost some of his cuteness from three years ago. He had a more childlike quality back then. It seemed he had become even more twisted over these three years.

"Arnold! I’m sorry, Lukas. He’s a bit shy and has a rough tongue..."

Mercedes quickly interjected, but Arnold cut her off, addressing me with an obviously irritated tone.

"Ampeur, why did you bring this guy? He’s an outsider, right?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond.

There was no deep reason, and I couldn’t think of a good answer. Moreover, from Arnold’s demeanor, I could tell that a careless response would worsen his already bad mood and cause trouble.

Before I could respond,

"To protect Laurel. That’s why I came along."

Lukas answered firmly. Immediately, a tense atmosphere filled the air.

—These two don’t get along.

I felt this intuitively.

Arnold was clearly strong-willed, and Lukas, despite his seemingly gentle nature, had a strong core and could be stubborn about things he decided on.

Strong-willed people don’t always clash, but these two clearly didn’t get along.

The tension was so thick that I couldn’t say anything.

It all started with Arnold’s abrupt challenge without even a greeting—when I looked at him, his black eyes widened slightly, and I realized they were focused on the emblem in Lukas’ left eye, not his eyes.

"...What’s with that left eye?"

His tone suggested that the question had slipped out without him intending to be snide. However, Lukas clearly showed signs of distress.

—Laurel, are you afraid of this power?

The words from three years ago and the frightened blue eyes flashed in my mind. Without thinking, I instinctively positioned myself between Lukas and Arnold.

"Arnold, don’t say bad things about my childhood friend. Lukas came because he was worried about me."

Arnold frowned at my words. He opened his mouth as if to say something but turned and walked away without a word, disappearing into the inn.

—What was that all about?

I sighed inwardly, looking in the direction Arnold had gone. I was at a loss with the trouble that started as soon as we arrived.