'Jadi itu yang dia khawatirkan...'
Menahan desahan yang hampir keluar, Jijel mengangkat kepalanya.
Bagaimanapun, dia tetap kakaknya.
"Lihat saja ilmu pedangku, kalau begitu. Lebih penting lagi, kenapa kau harus menunjukkan ilmu pedangmu pada Wardanaz?"
Karena tak ada orang lain di tempat latihan, Jicklin meninggalkan sikap ketatnya yang biasa dan menjawab pertanyaan adiknya dengan lebih santai.
"Karena aku sudah berjanji akan menunjukkannya padanya."
'Benarkah?'
Jijel bingung.
Kapan kakaknya membuat janji seperti itu?
"Kenapa kau membuat janji seperti itu?"
"Saat aku bercerita tentang pertarungan dengan penguji raksasa, dia bertepuk tangan dan berkata ingin melihat ilmu pedangku."
"..."
Bukankah itu cuma ucapan sopan?
Jijel tahu betul bahwa Wardanaz adalah orang yang bisa menyanjung sebanyak yang diperlukan.
Bukankah dia pria tangguh yang bisa berkata 'Itu pilihan yang luar biasa, haha' bahkan jika kepala sekolah tengkorak mengirim seorang pangeran ke ruang hukuman?
"Akan ada kesempatan lain."
"Kita tidak punya banyak kesempatan untuk bertemu, bukan?"
'Benar juga?'
Jijel tertegun saat kakaknya menohok tepat sasaran.
Memang, musim dingin ini adalah pengecualian, tapi biasanya tak ada alasan bagi Wardanaz untuk mengunjungi wilayah keluarga mereka.
Itu justru keberuntungan, kalau boleh dibilang.
"Bagus sekali kalau begitu!"
"Jijel."
'Celaka.'
Saat ekspresi Jicklin mengeras, Jijel menyadari kesalahannya.
"Teman itu harus dihargai."
"Bukan begitu..."
"Jangan sombong."
"Ini bukan kesombongan... Ugh. Maaf."
Tahu betul betapa keras kepala kakaknya, Jijel akhirnya mengalah saja. Untungnya, Jicklin mengangguk.
"Tapi kalau soal menunjukkan ilmu pedang, bukankah kau sudah menunjukkannya saat perburuan lalu... Bukankah ada banyak kesempatan?"
"Itu bukan demonstrasi yang layak, lagi pula."
Jicklin berkata sambil mengetuk sarung pedangnya dengan jari.
Awalnya, untuk benar-benar merasakan ilmu pedang, paling baik adalah menghadapinya secara langsung.
Dan untuk menghadapinya secara langsung, paling baik adalah bertarung, meski hanya latihan.
"..."
Jijel terguncang.
Mungkin masih bisa dimaklumi jika dengan ksatria di dalam keluarga, tapi apakah Jicklin akan bertarung dengan orang luar??
"I-itu agak..."
"Jijel. Teman itu harus..."
"Tidak, justru karena aku menghargainya makanya aku bilang begini!"
Jijel benar-benar tidak ingin membela Wardanaz seperti ini.
Tapi bagaimana dia bisa diam saja ketika Jicklin berniat mematahkan anggota tubuh orang luar dan merobek otot-ototnya?
"Kau harus memanggilku juga, tanpa kecuali. Mengerti!?"
"Baiklah. Aku mengerti."
Jicklin memberikan tatapan penuh kasih pada adiknya, seolah merasa rengekannya menggemaskan. Jijel hampir mencengkeram belakang lehernya karena tak percaya.
Saat percakapan berakhir, para ksatria mulai masuk ke tempat latihan satu per satu. Jicklin menegakkan diri, seolah sikap santai yang baru saja ditunjukkannya hanyalah dusta.
"Jijel. Aku akan melihat ilmu pedangmu sekali."
"Ya. ...Tunggu sebentar, Kak. Kenapa Ayah menahan Wardanaz begitu lama?"
Teralihkan oleh pembicaraan soal ilmu pedang, dia melewatkannya, tapi kalau dipikir-pikir, aneh bahwa kepala keluarga menahan Wardanaz di sisinya.
Apa yang bisa dibicarakannya begitu banyak dengan tamu dari luar hingga menahannya selama itu?
"Jijel. Fokus pada ilmu pedang."
'Oh, serius deh.'
***
Pelayan kepala keluarga terkejut saat membuka pintu ruang kerja.
Kepala keluarga, yang selalu duduk dengan ekspresi dingin, sedang menatap pemuda dari keluarga Wardanaz dengan tatapan paling puas yang pernah dilihatnya.
Bagi kepala keluarga yang berhati dingin untuk bersikap seperti itu, itu hampir setara dengan madu yang menitik dari matanya.
"Ada apa?"
"Ah, ya! Nona Jicklin mengatakan ada sesuatu yang ingin dibicarakan..."
"Kalau tidak mendesak, suruh dia menunggu. Sekarang, ceritakan lebih banyak, Wardanaz muda. Apakah penghalang angin di tebing utara juga bisa diperbaiki?"
"Saya belum memeriksanya, tapi jika strukturnya sama dengan yang sudah kami selesaikan sejauh ini, seharusnya bisa."
"Benar-benar menakjubkan. Aku belum pernah mendengar hal semacam itu dari mage lain."
"Sebenarnya, ini metode yang sangat meningkatkan beban pada masing-masing mage sebagai ganti menghemat reagen, jadi tidak umum digunakan."
'Bukankah dia bilang mereka sering melakukannya di Einroguard?'
Kepala keluarga bertanya-tanya dalam hati.
Jika ini metode yang sangat meningkatkan beban pada masing-masing mage, bukankah seharusnya tidak sering digunakan di dalam Einroguard?
"Wardanaz muda. Aku tidak bisa menerima ini begitu saja atas dasar kebaikan hati."
"Haha. Ini bukan apa-apa."
Sebenarnya, Yi-Han memang ingin menerima uang untuk itu.
Tapi ini bukan Einroguard, ini dunia luar tempat hukum dan aturan kekaisaran hidup dan bernapas. Dia tidak bisa sembarangan menangkap orang dan menuntut uang.
Seperti kepala sekolah tengkorak, dia tinggal sebagai teman yang diundang keluarga, jadi dia tidak bisa menerima koin emas dengan dalih pekerjaan perbaikan.
Tentu saja, kepala keluarga juga tahu hal ini. Meminta tamu melakukan sesuatu lebih dari sekali atau dua kali adalah hal yang tidak sopan bagi tuan rumah.
"Bagaimana jika aku meminta kepala sekolah mengirimkan permintaan misi resmi ke Einroguard?"
"!"
Yi-Han terkesan dengan ucapan kepala keluarga.
Sebagaimana yang diharapkan dari kepala keluarga besar seperti keluarga Moradi, dia sangat sopan, baik hati, ramah, dan luar biasa.
Alih-alih meminta lebih banyak secara gratis, dia malah bersiap membayar kompensasi yang layak terlebih dahulu.
'Seperti dugaan, keluarga Moradi tidak disebut perisai utara tanpa alasan. Keluarga yang luar biasa.'
"Ya. Saya akan menunggu."
Yi-Han ragu setelah menjawab.
Kalau dipikir-pikir, jika dia menerima misi seperti itu, berarti Yi-Han harus datang ke wilayah utara ini sekali lagi.
...Apakah itu tidak masalah?
'Tidak. Aku tetap harus keluar kalau menerima misi, jadi lebih baik pergi ke tempat yang sudah kukenal.'
Yi-Han secara luar biasa sudah pernah keluar bahkan di tahun pertamanya (dan bertarung dengan Ular Laut), tapi dari tahun kedua dan seterusnya, dia sering keluar untuk menerima misi yang datang ke Einroguard.
Menjadi mage pada dasarnya adalah profesi yang mahal.
"Bagus. Kita akan lakukan itu. Apakah ada hal lain yang bisa kau beritahukan padaku?"
"Mana berani saya..."
"Kearoganan bukanlah kebajikan yang disukai di kekaisaran. Tapi kupikir orang yang mampu seharusnya agak arogan. Karena itu bukan kearoganan, itu kepercayaan diri."
'Dia pasti dekat dengan kepala sekolah.'
Yi-Han membuat ekspresi masam mendengar slogan yang sudah sering dia dengar sebelumnya.
Kepala keluarga, tak sadar bahwa ucapannya baru saja sedikit mengikis kadar simpatiknya, melanjutkan bicara.
"Dan seberapa sering kami punya tamu seperti ini? Aku hanya murni ingin mendengar. Jangan merasa terbebani dan katakan saja. Tidak harus tentang sihir."
Kepala keluarga memandang Yi-Han dengan mata bercampur kasih sayang dan harapan.
Bayangkan, seorang murid yang baru menyelesaikan tahun pertamanya bisa memperbaiki desain sihir seluruh wilayah.
Dia sempat meragukannya karena ini keluarga Wardanaz, tapi ternyata benar.
Jenius seperti itu mungkin bisa memberikan nasihat segar dari arah lain, bukan hanya sihir!
"Yah. Sebenarnya, saya punya pemikiran ini. Ada banyak ksatria magang dari keluarga ksatria lain di utara yang berada di wilayah keluarga ini, bukan?"
\
Chapter 626
'To think that's what she's worried about...'
Suppressing a sigh that was about to escape, Jijel raised her head.
She was still her sister, after all.
"Just watch my swordsmanship instead. More importantly, why do you need to show your swordsmanship to Wardanaz?"
With no one else in the training ground, Jicklin abandoned her usual strict demeanor and answered her sister's question more casually.
"Because I promised to show him."
'Did she?'
Jijel was puzzled.
When did she make such a promise?
"Why did you make such a promise?"
"When I told the story about fighting the giant examiner, he clapped and said he wanted to see my swordsmanship."
"..."
Wasn't that just a polite remark?
Jijel knew well that Wardanaz was someone who could flatter as much as needed.
Wasn't he the tough guy who could say 'That's an excellent choice, haha' even if the skull principal sent a prince to the punishment room?
"There will be opportunities."
"We don't have many chances to meet, do we?"
'True?'
Jijel hesitated as her sister hit the nail on the head.
Certainly, this winter was an exception, but usually, there was no reason for Wardanaz to visit the family's territory.
That was fortunate, if anything.
"That's great!"
"Jijel."
'Oops.'
As Jicklin's expression became stern, Jijel realized her mistake.
"Friends should be cherished."
"No..."
"Don't be boastful."
"It's not boasting... Ugh. I'm sorry."
Knowing her sister's stubbornness well, Jijel just gave up. Fortunately, Jicklin nodded.
"But if it's about showing swordsmanship, didn't you show it during the last hunt... Weren't there many opportunities?"
"That wasn't a proper demonstration, after all."
Jicklin said, tapping the scabbard with her finger.
Originally, to properly feel swordsmanship, it was best to face it directly.
And to face it directly, it was best to have a match, even if it was practice.
"..."
Jijel was shocked.
It might be understandable for a knight within the family, but could Jicklin have a match with an outsider??
"Th-that's a bit..."
"Jijel. Friends should be..."
"No, it's because I cherish him that I'm saying this!"
Jijel really didn't want to stand up for Wardanaz like this.
But how could she stay silent when Jicklin was trying to break an outsider's limbs and rupture their muscles?
"You must call me too, without fail. Understood!?"
"Alright. I got it."
Jicklin gave her sister an affectionate look as if she found her whining cute. Jijel almost grabbed the back of her neck in disbelief.
As the conversation ended, knights entered the training ground one by one. Jicklin composed herself as if the comfortable attitude she had just shown was a lie.
"Jijel. I'll watch your swordsmanship once."
"Yes. ...Wait a moment, sister. Why is Father keeping Wardanaz with him for so long?"
Distracted by the swordsmanship talk, she had missed it, but come to think of it, it was strange that the family head was keeping Wardanaz with him.
What could he have to talk about so much with an outside guest to keep him for so long?
"Jijel. Focus on swordsmanship."
'Oh, really.'
***
The family head's servant was surprised when he opened the door to the office.
The family head, who always sat with a cold expression, was looking at the boy from the Wardanaz family with the most satisfied gaze he had ever seen.
For the cold-hearted family head to be like that, it was almost at the level of honey dripping from his eyes.
"What is it?"
"Ah, yes! Lady Jicklin said she had something to talk about..."
"If it's not urgent, tell her to wait. Now, tell me more, young Wardanaz. Can the wind barrier on the northern cliff be improved too?"
"I haven't checked, but if it's the same structure as what we've solved so far, it should be possible."
"It's truly amazing. I've never heard such things from other mages."
"Actually, it's a method that greatly increases the burden on individual mages instead of saving reagents, so it's not common."
'Didn't he say they did it often at Einroguard?'
The family head wondered inwardly.
If it's a method that greatly increases the burden on individual mages, shouldn't it not be used often within Einroguard?
"Young Wardanaz. I can't just accept this out of goodwill."
"Haha. It's nothing."
In fact, Yi-Han did want to receive money for it.
But this wasn't Einroguard, it was the outside world where the empire's laws and rules were alive and breathing. He couldn't just grab anyone and demand money.
Like the skull principal, he was staying as an invited friend of the family, so he couldn't receive gold coins under the pretext of repair work.
Of course, the family head knew this too. Asking a guest to do something more than once or twice was rude on the host's part.
"How about if I ask the principal to send an official mission request to Einroguard?"
"!"
Yi-Han was impressed by the family head's words.
As expected of the head of a great family like the Moradi family, he was very polite, kind, friendly, and excellent.
Instead of asking for more for free, he was preparing to pay proper compensation first.
'As expected, the Moradi family isn't called the shield of the north for nothing. What an excellent family.'
"Yes. I'll be waiting."
Yi-Han hesitated after answering.
Come to think of it, if he received a mission like that, it meant Yi-Han would have to come to this northern territory once more.
...Was that okay?
'No. I'd have to go out if I received a mission anyway, so it's better to go to a place I know.'
Yi-Han had exceptionally gone out even in his first year (and fought with Sea Serpent), but from the second year on, he often went out to receive missions that came to Einroguard.
Being a mage was basically an expensive profession.
"Good. We'll do that. Is there anything else you can tell me?"
"How dare I..."
"Arrogance isn't a virtue favored in the empire. But I think capable people should be somewhat arrogant. Because that's not arrogance, it's confidence."
'He must be close with the principal.'
Yi-Han made a sour expression at the catchphrase he had heard many times before.
The family head, unaware that his recent remark had slightly chipped away at his likability, continued speaking.
"And how often do we have guests like this? I just purely want to hear. Don't feel burdened and tell me. It doesn't have to be about magic."
The family head looked at Yi-Han with eyes mixed with affection and expectation.
To think that a student who had just finished his first year could improve the magical design of the entire territory.
He had doubted it because it was the Wardanaz family, but it was true.
Such a genius might be able to give fresh advice from other directions, not just magic!
"Well. Actually, I had this thought. There are many apprentice knights from other knight families in the north in this family's territory, right?"
"That's right."
There were many children from other knight families who wanted to train and interact under the name of the Moradi family in this territory.
Of course, it was an expensive affair, but considering the name and power of the family that would become stronger in the north, it was more than worth it.
"From what I see, the apprentice knights here seem to have too much free time."
"Too much free time?"
The family head leaned forward, changing his expression at the interesting story. It was to listen more intently to Yi-Han's words.
"Yes. In their spare time, they wander around chattering, looking for other guests to talk to..."
"Hmm. But for knights, interaction with knights from other families is essential."
"That's right. I know how important it is to build connections with each other. But the problem is that too much time is being wasted under that excuse!"
Yi-Han's voice was filled with sincerity, having been constantly bothered by knights who came to play out of boredom.
That sincerity was conveyed to the family head.
'...He's right!'
To the family head, who always pursued efficiency and rationality, the point made by the boy from the Wardanaz family was piercing and painful.
To have a bad habit that he should have corrected first pointed out by an outsider.
"Except for set times, they should be prevented from wandering around unnecessarily. Like the Einroguard method."
"Can you tell me more in detail?"
Mentioning the Einroguard method made it seem even more plausible and effective.
Yi-Han nodded and pointed to the lodging area where knights from other families were staying on the map.
"Now, this lodging is too central in the territory. The structure is too convenient for going out to play elsewhere just by opening the door. In my opinion, all these towers should be pushed to the cliff side here. Then they wouldn't dare to sneak out..."
"..."
The family head looked at Yi-Han with eyes like blazing ice.
This was truly the first time he had wanted to make a young person his chief aide so sincerely.
If it weren't for his family and academy, he would have made any proposal to keep him by his side!
***
"What on earth did you talk about so much?"
"I didn't talk about much?"
It seemed like he had just been eating, sleeping, and talking with the family head for several days.
Yi-Han took a big bite after putting pickled herring and fried onions on top of rye bread. After all, he couldn't eat comfortably when dining with the family head due to tension.
Alcicle, who was next to him, said jokingly,
"Moradi. Don't be fooled. You can never believe Wardanaz when he says he 'didn't do anything'."
"Ah, Mr. Alcicle of the Pengerin family who went to repair the ice wall without me! I'm sorry. I didn't know I would be seen as that kind of person!"
"...Hey... I said I was sorry..."
Alcicle was very flustered when Yi-Han called him out so politely.
"Just call me Alcicle casually! Like usual!"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Alcicle of the Pengerin family."
"I won't run away again...! I'm really sorry! It wasn't intentional! Hey, I'll grant you any favor next time! Really! Even if you ask me to eat a hundred sardines!"
"Haha. Mr. Alcicle. I don't know what you're talking about. I've always called you casually, haven't I?"
Jijel, who had been watching their farce, yawned and asked again.
"So what did you talk about?"
"I told you, nothing much. The territory is pretty, the territory is nice, oh, the family head said he would send a mission request to Einroguard. It'll be during the semester, want to do it together?"
"What? That can't be."
Yi-Han was puzzled at Jijel's words.
"Why? Is there a reason Einroguard shouldn't be sent a mission request?"
"Because it's expensive."
"..."
At such a realistic reason, Yi-Han thought for a moment that Jijel was joking.
However, Alcicle nodded as if he understood.
"That's right. Einroguard is expensive."
"Is it that bad?"
"I sometimes think about calling Einroguard students for magic experiment assistance, but when I see the cost, I end up giving up."
"But is the academy still short on money?"
"Well, magic experiments are even more expensive."
'What on earth are the seniors wasting money on?'
It seemed like they would be less strapped for cash even if they bathed in gold coins in a golden bathtub...
"Did it take long because you talked about magic?"
"Probably. But why is it so noisy outside?"
"The lodgings where the visiting knights stay have changed. To the edge of the cliff."
Jijel explained nonchalantly to Alcicle's question.
Yi-Han flinched.
'Did I get too excited?'
"Why?"
"I'm not sure. They say it's to increase the knights' training level... Wardanaz. Something important happened while you were talking for days."
"That tomorrow evening is the banquet? I know that. Don't worry."
"My sister is going to have a match with you tomorrow morning."
"...That's too underhanded, Moradi. How could you do this to me?"
"...Hey!!"
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