Chapter 47

It's a bit late, but I'll post the second part.

The inter-school competition that Dill told me about. Although it was only about a month until the day, the atmosphere in the Academy City grew day by day, and even Ein, who was not participating, couldn't help but be swept up in the festive mood.

Finally, the day of the competition arrived. The battles were held over three days, and the usually bustling Academy City was even more lively.

The weather was clear, and many students with high aspirations aimed for victory in the competition.

The content of the competition varied by day. On the first day, debates and other liberal arts subjects were contested. Schools that mainly aimed to produce civil servants and schools that many nobles attended participated.

The venue was borrowed from several schools each year. In some cases, public facilities were also used.

Ein enjoyed the competition from the first day with Chris and Dill.

Since many of his peers also participated, he received a lot of stimulation.

Ein's desire to watch the competition was reported to Warren and the others by Dill, and it was decided that it would be a good experience for Ein. With the condition that Chris would accompany him, permission was granted.

Ein enjoyed the debate competition on the first day, and on the second day, the competition focused on magic. Ein spent the day meaningfully, watching the finals of many events held in the evening.

The White Knights were mainly composed of knights, and the training Ein had received was mainly in martial arts.

Warren and the others had planned to educate Ein in magic as well, but so far, it had only been in the form of lectures.

That's why seeing so much magic was a valuable and enjoyable time for Ein.

And in the evening of the second day, just as Ein was about to move to another venue to watch a new competition, a problem arose.

"Then, shall we go, Master Ein?"

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing what's next."

Encouraged by Chris, Ein started to move, with Dill standing beside him.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying today's competition more than yesterday, Master Ein. I'm happy to see that."

"There aren't many opportunities to see so much magic. But I wish I could have seen Dill's battle too. The martial arts competition is tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, it's scheduled for tomorrow. I'm honored that you're interested... If Father allows it, I'd like to show you in the castle."

Dill had not yet shown Ein his sword skills. Rather, he had not been allowed to do so.

Lloyd, Dill's father and the Marshal of the Ishtarica Knights, had not allowed it. Dill was still inexperienced, and he couldn't risk Ein getting hurt, so he had not been given the opportunity to show his skills.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Dill could not show his skills in the competition. Because he was also a member of the Royal Kingsland Academy. Like Ein, he could not participate in the competition.

Dill must have wanted to fight on this big stage, the inter-school competition. Thinking about it, Ein felt a little empty.

"...Is that you, Dill?"

"Huh? You... Is that you?"

"It's been a while, Dill! I never thought I'd run into you here."

A man suddenly called out to Dill. He seemed to be an acquaintance of Dill's, and he was very happy to recognize him. He didn't look bad. He had neatly styled short blonde hair and was taller than most people his age. He also had a sword on his waist.

"Yeah, it's been a while, Clive. It's been years since we've seen each other, even though we're in the same Academy City... Sorry, let's talk later, I'm on duty now."

"On duty? But you're a student like me..."

Clive, looking puzzled, turned to Ein and Chris. Chris was wearing a helmet and the armor of the Royal Guard, so her face couldn't be seen.

"I apologize for interrupting you while you're on duty."

Clive, seeing the armor Chris wore, guessed that she was guarding someone. He didn't think it was Prince Ein, but he assumed it was the heir of a high-ranking noble and apologized sincerely.

Before Dill could respond, Ein answered.

"It's fine. Dill, you can take about 30 minutes to talk. There's another guard, so I'll wait for you at the next venue."

Dill noticed that Chris wasn't called by name. Ein probably didn't want to reveal his name and didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Thinking about this, Dill was careful with his words and replied to Ein.

"It's not possible! It's not right to leave my guard for personal matters!"

"Captain of the Guard. It should be fine for 30 minutes, right? Would you be in danger on your own?"

"...No, it shouldn't be a problem. Dill, it's been years since you've seen each other. Take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy a conversation."

Chris also allowed it, thinking that 30 minutes was not too long. Told to take his time by both of them, Dill thought it would be a bit rude to refuse any further, and decided to take their words to heart.

But even though it was only 30 minutes, Dill felt his own inexperience when he heard that he could be away without any problems.

"Then... I'll take you up on your offer and enjoy a conversation with my old friend."

"Yeah, that's fine. We'll go ahead, so come later, Dill."

And with Chris, Ein headed to the next venue. To avoid revealing Ein's true identity, they left the scene quickly.

"I never thought you'd be on guard duty already, Dill. I've been surprised since we met."

"It's an honor."

"...Can't you tell me who you're guarding?"

"Ah, I'm sorry, but I can't. I'd like to tell you because of our friendship, Clive."

Clive was curious about who Dill was guarding. It was a well-known fact at the Royal Kingsland Academy, but he had no intention of spreading it outside. If the information gradually spread, there was nothing he could do, but there was no particular advantage in announcing it himself.

"Well, I guess that's to be expected. By the way... you still can't participate in the competition, right?"

"That's right."

"I was looking forward to fighting you in the competition. But you enrolled in the Royal Kingsland Academy, and that opportunity never came."

"...Me too. I was thinking how fun it would be to fight with Clive, whom I used to compete with when we were little."

"Then...! Then why did you go to that school!"

The two of them had competed for a while as childhood friends. That's why Clive was looking forward to competing with Dill on this stage, the inter-school competition.

But Dill decided to enroll in the Royal Kingsland Academy and joined the first year from the beginning.

As a result, Dill could not participate in the competition.

Clive was not happy about this. Although they had not made any promises, he felt betrayed, and their relationship became distant from that point on.

"...To fulfill my dream."

"You never told me anything about your dream! Why not? Is it a dream you can't even talk about?"

"No! I did it to fulfill my dream... to do that, I entered the Royal Kingsland Academy. It's not something to be ashamed of!"

"Then why can't you say it!"

Dill had a dream. But he had never told anyone about it. Not even his father Lloyd or his mother Martha.

But Dill's dream was a great and noble dream that he could be proud of. It was just that he lacked the courage to say it out loud.

"...When I can say it with pride, I want to tell you first, Clive. So please wait a little longer."

"Hey... Just because you got into the Royal Kingsland Academy, have you become a bit of a wimp, Dill? I'm going to move forward on my own, and I'll become the strongest knight in Ishtarica!"

Clive, looking a bit irritated, said he would become the strongest knight and turned his back on Dill.

"I was happy to see you today, but I also felt a bit sad. I don't know how you're going to move forward or what dreams you have. But... I'm waiting for the day we can compete with our swords again."

"...Me too, Clive. I'm sorry, I just don't have the courage."

"I know. You've always been a bit reserved, so I can't accept it. ...Are you coming to watch tomorrow?"

Clive was talking about the most exciting competition of the final day of the inter-school competition. It was a tournament to decide the strongest knight in the Academy City. Clive was, of course, participating, and he was one of the top contenders for the championship.

"I think I'll come. The person I'm guarding is looking forward to it."

"The guard? I see... Then, I want you to see how strong I've become."

Clive left without waiting for a response. Dill, unable to put his feelings into words, felt a bit sad. Did he want to participate in the competition? But the Royal Kingsland Academy was the closest path to fulfilling his dream. Thinking about it, he couldn't tell what the right answer was.

After that, Dill returned to Ein. He deeply thanked him for taking time to talk to a friend instead of his guard, and resumed his guard duties.

But his appearance was different from before, and he looked a bit sad. Ein and Chris noticed his state but, in their own way, did not ask about it.

Dill's appearance was concerning, but Ein tried to act as usual and watched the next competition. By the time they returned, Dill seemed to be back to his usual self, and Ein felt a bit relieved.

*

"Dill, I have something to talk about."

"Father?"

That night, when Dill returned home, Lloyd called out to him.

"What happened? Tell me honestly."

Lloyd immediately noticed Dill's unusual behavior. Martha seemed to have noticed it too, but since it was the day Dill was guarding Ein, she thought Lloyd was more suitable and left it to him.

"...It's not a big deal, but I ran into Clive after a long time."

"You two became distant after you entered the school. It's good that you were able to meet again, but your expression is not good. I was worried that you might have caused some trouble."

"It's fine. Chris didn't report anything. I just felt a bit uncertain about the path I've taken after talking to him."

"...Is it about your dream?"

"Yes. I couldn't tell if this was the best way to achieve my dream, that's all."

"Let me come with you."

Saying this, Lloyd forcibly took Dill's hand and led him. Dill, just following along, headed to where Lloyd was going.

They arrived at the courtyard of the Glacier family, where Lloyd and the others trained.

"Take it."

"Wh-What are you doing all of a sudden