Chapter 33

I felt a chill run down my spine—no, it was as if my very nerves had frozen.

Standing before me was—

Arrancia Luminous.

My younger brother.

A brother far more talented than I.

I recalled how Arrancia had looked at me with cold eyes ten years ago when I had fled from the academy—when I had been banished from home. It was one of the scenes I never wanted to remember.

"..."

I bit down on the sound that threatened to escape, suppressing it with my molars. The pain was so intense that even a spear through my chest might not have hurt as much.

I must look terrible—

Imagining my own expression, I felt a dark mood settle over me.

On the other hand, Arrancia's expression remained unchanged. It was the same charming smile that could make anyone let their guard down the moment they met, just as it had been ten years ago. He must have noticed, but what was he thinking—?

Arrancia opened his mouth with a smile.

"Baron Schtrum, I'm glad you could make it."

"Yes!"

"Don't be so formal. Come closer, don't hesitate. It's hard to talk with you standing by the door."

He continued with a smile.

"Because this is a gathering to praise your contributions."

"Thank you!"

There was genuine gratitude in Rihilt's voice. Rihilt approached Arrancia's desk, and I followed like his shadow, avoiding eye contact with Arrancia. Arrancia stared intently at Rihilt.

"Baron Schtrum, I've heard of your squad's outstanding performance. Thanks to your valiant efforts, the enemy was thrown into confusion, and as a result, the main force's attack was able to crush the enemy with maximum efficiency. Today's great victory is a testament to your dedication. I understand that, and you've done well."

"Thank you! It's an honor for the Schtrum family!"

"My words are of no value—no, that's not right. You must be in a position to be proud. That's why, Baron, I need your help from tomorrow onwards."

"Yes! I'll do my best!"

Arrancia nodded.

"That's all. You may leave, Baron."

"Ah, please wait, Lord Arrancia!"

"…What is it?"

"There's someone I want to introduce. This is—"

Rihilt turned to me and gestured.

"Magician Albert!"

...

I felt a gaze on me. Arrancia's eyes flicked over—now he was looking at me.

I wanted to run away.

If there were a spell to make me disappear, I would cast it on myself right now.

But such an escape was meaningless.

I had to face my reality—or perhaps my past.

I raised my head.

Arrancia's eyes met mine directly.

I didn't speak.

Neither did Arrancia.

I remained expressionless, while Arrancia looked at me with a small smile on his lips.

The air seemed to still.

Rihilt, disliking the silence, hurriedly spoke.

"Albert is an amazing magician! Without him, we might have been wiped out!"

"…Really, is that so?"

Arrancia responded with a thin smile.

His eyes said:

Really? This failure? The one who fled from the academy?

Can you really do that?

I clenched my fists.

Rihilt continued.

"Albert is also a magician dispatched to the army. He'll be working hard from tomorrow, right, Albert?"

"…Yes."

I nodded.

It took all my effort to force out those words.

Rihilt smiled.

"Good. I look forward to it."

Then he added:

"Nice to meet you, Albert."

Nice to meet you, huh.

…So, that's your answer, Arrancia.

But it wasn't—such a bad response.

Because I was the exiled older brother, I felt suffocated by my own misery in the presence of my successful younger brother.

But—

If the person in front of me were just an unknown noble. If I were just a civilian magician.

If there were no connection between us.

There would be nothing to worry about.

I bowed.

"Nice to meet you, Lord Arrancia. I will do my best to be of service."

"I look forward to hearing of your achievements."

Arrancia responded with his ever-present smile. Then he raised his right hand, signaling the end of the short meeting.

As soon as we left the building, Rihilt spoke.

"Wow, Lord Arrancia really has an aura! He's apparently favored by the king, and there are rumors that he'll be part of the inner circle if he handles this matter well! He's amazing!"

"Heh… That's true."

I smiled wryly.

I could only smile wryly.

After saying goodbye to the excited Rihilt, I started walking alone. The camp was filled with people celebrating the great victory.

Amidst the festive atmosphere, I walked with a cold heart.

That's when it happened.

"Hey? Isn't that you, Albert?"

A drunken voice called out.

Surprised, I turned around—

There stood a young noble, about my age—someone I knew, someone who knew the old me.

Many nobles were involved in this front line. It wasn't unusual to encounter someone who knew the old me—

I felt a surge of anger in my gut.

"Ah, yeah, it's you, Albert. Didn't you get kicked out of your house?"

The drunk noble laughed and reached out to me. I reflexively pushed his hand away.

"…You must be mistaken."

Without looking at the noble's face, I said this and ran away.

The anger in my gut didn't subside. Bitterness clawed at my throat.

I don't know where I ran to.

Before I knew it, I had reached a deserted place. The sun had long set, and the world had turned into one of night and moon.

The cheerful laughter and the lights illuminating the camp seemed like shadows from another world.

"Ugh—"

Unable to hold it in any longer, I bent my knees and vomited onto the ground. Fortunately, I hadn't eaten anything.

After vomiting all the bile from my stomach, a sense of emptiness spread within me.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Two days later—

Arrancia's second offensive was about to begin.

Filbus spoke.

"Alright, let's go. Albert, Lora."

No matter how I felt, the world kept moving. Time kept advancing.

"Yes."

It was finally the beginning of my and Lora's first battle.