"Ah... The report card? My sister has it."
"Reina? Why? Go get it."
"I don't know. She took it to show it to Grandpa. How would I know what that witch is thinking? Just give me the sword quickly. I've wanted it since I was little."
The sword Rian desperately desired was a special straight sword used in the Ogent Family's swordsmanship. It was a large sword, twice as heavy as a normal longsword, with an extra-long blade that could only be wielded by someone significantly tall.
Ever since he began his swordsmanship training, Rian had been eyeing the Ogent Family's straight sword. In particular.
Klump had always wanted to pass the sword to Rian. Among his grandchildren, Reina and Rian were the only ones to inherit the lineage of blue hair, and he believed Rian was the only one capable of handling his sword, aside from the female Reina.
"The sword is in Grandpa's room. But why are you suddenly looking for a sword when you said you were going to play? Tess, however, you've come a long way."
"I have my reasons. Anyway, I'll go get it now."
Rian ran to his grandfather's room. It was an overwhelming sword for him without understanding Scheme, but he was determined to take it with him on this trip.
Shirone clearly intended to explore the ruins. If Shirone was going to rush into dangerous places like a thread following a needle, wouldn't he have to protect him by his side?
This was the great sword of the Ogent Family.
Rian gazed excitedly at the great sword hanging in his grandfather's room. It was a form that contained the spirit of the Ogent family, said to be difficult to wield without unlocking Scheme.
Of course, Scheme was still impossible for him. But Rian put the sword in front of him with one hand.
"It's heavy. But it's not to the extent that I can't handle it."
Rian also felt hurt when faced with the absurd judgment of an imaginative Scheme. But true to his character, never despairing in any situation, he thought positively.
Whether Scheme was unlocked or not, once you pass the physical enhancement test, the strength is the same. He would have to unlock Scheme someday, but for now, he thought he could manage.
Because the sword was so heavy, it was inconvenient to carry it in an iron sheath. Rian used a leather case shaped like a net on his back and inserted the great sword.
It would certainly draw people's attention with this attire, but it was not illegal to carry a sword, so it didn't matter.
Anyone could carry a sword as long as they followed the rules, excluding special zones designated by the city.
It was as if commoners were at level C in the sector, nobles were at level B in the sector, and the royal family was at level A in the sector, soon enough.
Proudly using the great sword, Rian descended the stairs. But his chance to attract attention did not return.
Butler Lewis opened the door and reported.
"Sir, Young Master Shirone has arrived."
Upon entering the hall with Amy, Shirone first greeted Bischoff.
Apparently strict and blunt, he was a family man to the extent of taking a leave and staying at home when he heard his son was coming.
From Shirone's standpoint, as a guardian who helped him attend the magic academy, he had heard that Bischoff had taken care not only of the school life but also the home so that nothing was lacking.
"Hello. Have you been well?"
"Yes. I've heard that you're doing well."
"This time, I was promoted to Class Four. Thank you for your help."
Remembering Rian's past, Bischoff smiled bitterly. Class Four, huh? How much talent does it take to reach Class Four within half a year of entering the magic academy? Of course, he wasn't a foolish father, not enough to compare his children. However, as a single swordsman, he worried that Rian, who had sworn to become a knight, might fall behind Shirone.
"It's from your hard work. Anyway, I'm glad I supported you. I heard Rian is going on a trip with a beautiful lady this time without much information. Are you going too?"
"Yes. We decided to go together."
"Is the young lady beside you your partner?"
Bischoff directed his gaze at the redhead girl. She seemed familiar, but he couldn't recall her well.
"Hello. I'm Karmis Amy."
Bischoff's eyes gleamed. Not only Rian and Tess, but even the butler, Lewis, looked at Amy in amazement.
As a first-class noble, the Karmis family didn't have the utmost authority in terms of the kingdom.
However, the carefree disposition and talent of the red-eyed one extended across the continent beyond the kingdom.
Achievements that were not limited to the country better revealed their identity.
Bischoff also didn't think that noble hierarchy represented a family's power. Because there were many nobles in the world who ascended to high ranks through all sorts of flattery and vile means.
Such individuals ignored legitimacy and even changed their family customs to climb the social ladder. However, Elzaine and Karmis were on a different level from these people.
Legitimacy is a law established only by conviction. Since the kingdom's establishment, their pride in choosing a single path wasn't something that could be bought with money or power.
"Now, now, it's alright. Let's talk later and get moving now. We have to leave now to make it on time for the ship!"
Rian broke the mood. He had received permission from Bischoff, but his nervousness didn't diminish.
Perhaps by now, the urgent mail sent by Reina was flying like an arrow.
It was obvious that the moment the report card was published, the sky would recoil and the gates of hell would open.
"Dad, then I'll be off. It'll take about ten days."
"Alright. You've been training hard, so have fun. Oh, and use this as an addition to your travel expenses."
Bischoff threw a large bag of gold coins. Rian looked inside and was taken aback. It was the first time he had received so much money from his father. Indeed.
Bischoff was in a good mood. He thought he had ruined a son when he swore to become a knight, but Rian had discovered Scheme and made good friends.
Moreover, Shirone, who would become Rian's master, was steadily growing based on his exceptional talent.
Wouldn't it be fair to pay half a year's salary, considering the training as an investment for real battles?
Rian felt guilty, but now even those feelings were a luxury. The only thought filling his mind was escaping from this house alive.
"Okay. Then I'll go with my friends. Oh, Temuran. Please prepare a carriage for the port."
"Understood. Have a safe trip."
Temuran bid farewell to Rian and made a regretful expression. He could guess the situation just by seeing him sweating profusely and rushing out.
'I can gain 10 minutes of time. I wish you luck, young master."'
Temuran was focused on the envelope in his pocket. It was the urgent mail from Reina that had just arrived from the capital.
***
"Maybe it was because the butlers had a lot of work today, but there wasn't a single carriage available. There was a private carriage, but it took an hour to saddle and perform maintenance.
Rian said it didn't need any maintenance, but he had no choice but to accept a request to at least check the wheel screws' adjustment of the carriage. If an accident occurred, all the blame would fall on the carriage caretaker.
The four people waited near the stables for the carriage to arrive.
There wasn't a particular conversation for a while. It was a situation that commonly occurs when meeting for the first time. However, numerous analyses were occurring in their minds.
Tess first glanced at Shirone. She knew he was an aspiring mage, but since Rian had taken a knight's oath, she imagined a hot-blooded boy. However, when she met him, he unexpectedly appeared gentle and calm.
Amy from the Karmis family was also interesting. The Karmis, called the continent's star. What kind of personalities would people from that family have?
Finally, Tess spoke first. She thought there should be no discomfort, at least within the carriage.
"Shall we start with full names? I'm Elzaine Tess."
"I'm Carmis Amy. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, I'm Arian Shirone."
Tess also shook hands with Shirone, but as soon as she heard his last name, she bowed.
Like the Elzaine Family, specialized in diplomacy, she knew the surnames of quite a few noble families. However, she had never heard of a family named Arian.
"Ah, you're Arian. Um, over there... Is your main family located in Creas?"
Tess indirectly asked to avoid offending the other party. Shirone, who had caught her thoughts, honestly exposed it.
"Ah, I don't have a main family. I'm a commoner."
"Eh? A commoner?"
Tess' eyes widened with surprise. At first, she wondered if he was talking nonsense because he was nervous. Otherwise, why would Rian have a knight make an oath to a commoner? Tess turned to Amy. The lack of change in her emotions meant she already knew.
'What the heck is going on? What is Rian thinking? And why Amy? How could a person from the Karmis family, a noble family, accompany a commoner as a companion? Isn't this a couple's trip?
From Tess's perspective, who had no experience with Shirone, the situation was quite confusing. Furthermore, as much as Shirone surprised her, Rian's decision was even more shocking.
Even if Shirone was a young talent, it was easier said than done not to discriminate against his status.
Moreover, it wasn't just a friendship; it was a knight's oath, which meant serving as his lifelong master.
'In a way... it's like Rian.'
When Tess couldn't find anything to say for a long time, Shirone spoke first.
"I'm sorry."
"N-No. I was the one being rude. I was too surprised, that's all. But... am I the odd one here? Everyone else is so calm that it makes me look bad, hahaha!"
Tess quickly defused the situation. Whether he was a commoner or a noble, he was Rian's master. Therefore, she shouldn't treat him lightly.
'Tess, you're a fair person.'
Shirone could feel what Tess was like. Should I say she's the woman Rian chose?
The ability to make others laugh while self-deprecating was impossible without sincere consideration.
"Thank you for saying that. I've heard a lot about you, Rian's girlfriend."
"Oh, what are you talking about? Did we really seem like lovers? Do we get along that well? Hahaha!"
Tess was starting to like Shirone. On the other hand, Rian's face turned red. It was a misunderstanding that needed correction. But he bit his tongue because he liked that Tess was being kind to Shirone.
Amy looked at Rian again as if it were unexpected. When she first heard about the plan to go to the island, she thought it had been devised by a suspicious person, but it was more honest and considerate than expected.
'The Ogent family, who established their family status solely with a sword. They say there's a genius among the black-haired ones, but this person has blue hair.
Although their noble rank is the second rank and not the royal family, it was because of the honest character that didn't know compromise.
This kind of family is called 'Pure' in the political world.
It refers to neutrality, and in times of peace, their influence in the political world isn't as significant.
However, it was a force that could never be taken lightly, as the political landscape changed according to the fate of Pure's vote in case of major upheaval in the country.
While Amy thought about that, Tess looked at Shirone and Amy.
Both had cute appearances, and their eyes gleamed with intelligence. Additionally, she felt they might have the same stubbornness, no matter what their true personalities might be.
"By the way, what's the relationship between you two? Now that I see, you both look good together. Are you two lovers?"
Tess asked, pointing at the two alternately, causing Amy to blush a little. She felt they were being seen as a good match for Shirone, like a pair of little and unassuming kids.