In the break room of the Freyhem Knights Order, a lively game was underway.
"Let me draw a card," Cindy declared with exaggerated flair. "Drumroll, please... Oh! Binding Sword!"
Out of the nine participants, two were Specters, five were knights, one was a mage, and one was a duke. The game, Specter with Knight, combined psychological strategy and card play. The knights had to identify the Specters, who, in turn, tried to eliminate the knights. This game had recently gained popularity.
"Who should I stab with the Binding Sword...?" Cindy said, her eyes scanned the round table. Yulie sat calmly, though her heart sank when Cindy drew the Binding Sword. Leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Cindy asked, "Grand Knight?"
"Yes, Cindy?"
"You're a Specter, aren't you?" Cindy leaned in, her voice tinged with playful accusation.
Yulie placed her hands neatly on her lap, shaking her head and said, "No, I'm not."
"It sure looks like it. Look at you, Grand Knight. You can't lie to save your life."
"What are you implying?"
"In the last game, when we pointed out your tells, you forced yourself to stay expressionless."
Yulie feigned annoyance, puffing out her cheeks.
"Now, it seems you're forcing another expression."
"... I assure you, I am not a Specter," Yulie said.
"In that case, I shall use the Binding Sword on Grand Knight Yulie."
"You will regret this decision. I assure you, I am a knight."
"Hmm... Now you have me reconsidering," Cindy said, pretending to deliberate. Yulie wondered if Cindy was truly contemplating, but it was evident she was merely toying with her. "Alright, I'll take the risk."
Cindy channeled mana into the Binding Sword card, making it glow. A small blue sword materialized, pointing at the card in front of Yulie. With a swooshing sound, a ghost emerged.
"See, Grand Knight? You're awful at lying."
"... This game is quite challenging," Yulie sighed.
"But it's enjoyable, right?" Cindy laughed.
Normally, Yulie wouldn't intrude on her subordinates' games, but this time, they had insisted she join.
Knowing their true intentions, she gave them a faint smile and replied, "Yes, it is."
"Exactly! We all need a break sometimes. Grand Knight, you've been working tirelessly lately."
"How about this? If you draw the Specter card again, we'll start over. You're great at strategies but not as good with mind games."
"... Next game will be different," Yulie declared as she handled the cards, her competitive spirit ignited. Though the game itself didn't captivate her, the challenge fueled her anticipation for another round. Just then...
"It's already 8 o'clock. Time for the jousting match."
"Is it already?"
"Grand Knight, we're heading out now. Do take some time to practice a bit more~"
The knights hurried out, leaving the once-bustling break room empty. Alone, Yulie gazed at the table before tossing her cards aside.
Shuffle—
As the cards scattered helplessly, the knights returned. Yulie eagerly gathered them, suspecting they had pretended to leave just to tease her. She feigned annoyance, but her heart was full of joy. Thinking this time would be different for her. The subordinate knights lined up behind Yulie, and shortly after, members of the Imperial family entered the room.
"Yulie von Deya-Freyden."
Startled, Yulie quickly rose and snapped a crisp salute.
"Here is a letter from the Imperial Palace. Accept it with the proper respect," commanded Lucan, a knight of the Imperial Palace.
"Yes, sir," Yulie replied, kneeling on one knee to accept the letter.
Lucan handed her the letter, which read:
Yulie von Deya-Freyden, you are granted the opportunity to be selected as the Imperial Instructor Knight. Your first task is to navigate to the designated location, Rone Past.
This letter confirmed that Yulie was indeed one of the candidates for the highly coveted position of Imperial Instructor Knight.
***
The continent harbors various magical spaces, each with its unique characteristics. Some places endure perpetual winter or summer, some are cloaked in eternal night, and others see not a single blade of grass grow.
Even the desolate fringes of the continent, known as the Land of Destruction or Land of Demonic Beasts, belong to this category. Yulie was traversing one such space. Despite it being summer, the surroundings were blanketed in perpetual snow.
"... There it lies."
The grueling half-day march was finally nearing its end. Flickering lights in the distance guided her to a large villa, her destination. Yulie stood before the door and knocked.
Knock, knock—
"Is anyone there?" she called out, but received no response.
Knock, knock—
"Come in," a voice from inside called after she knocked again.
Yulie opened the door, and the warmth inside pushed away the chill of the snowstorm. In the cozy living room, she saw familiar faces—Sirio, Raphel, and Gwen, all seniors from her university days.
"It's been a while, Yulie," Sirio, the Deputy Knight of the Iliade Knights Order, greeted her with a warm smile. His features were as striking as ever.
"It has indeed been a while," Yulie responded with a polite nod.
"I had a feeling it would be you. Please, have a seat."
Five chairs were arranged in the living room. Yulie took one of the two remaining seats, presuming the final one was reserved for the Selector.
"I'm curious about the test," Sirio continued. "This gathering reminds me of our university group projects. Right, Gwen? Yulie? Remember when we escorted that dignitary?"
"I don't care. I'm not going easy on you, Yulie, so you better be ready," Gwen, the short-haired knight, warned, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
"Certainly," Yulie replied with a resolute nod.
Raphel remained silent while Sirio continued, "The last seat must be for the Selector. With Deputy Knight Isaac injured, does that mean Sir Gerfried will be joining us?"
The mention of Sir Gerfried, the Empire's Guardian Knight, caused Yulie to tense up.
"Hmph. No way," Gwen scoffed. "Sir Gerfried is retired now. Besides, the Guardian Knight's residence is in the south, not the Imperial Palace."
"True enough," Sirio said with a shrug.
Knock, knock—
The sound echoed clearly, capturing everyone's attention. The door opened before anyone could respond.
Whoosh—
A snowstorm blew in from outside as the man entered, wearing a coat and a fedora that obscured his face. Tall and well-built, he exuded an air of familiarity that Yulie couldn't quite place.
When he removed his hat, she realized why. Yulie's eyes widened in recognition, and the other knights simply blinked in surprise. Unfazed by their reactions, he nonchalantly hung his hat and coat in midair.
Creak, creak—
The wooden floorboards groaned under his steps. His shoes remained spotless, untouched by the snow outside.
"Greetings," Deculein said as he took the Selector's seat. "I am Deculein, the Acting Selector."
Silence enveloped the room as the knights stared at Deculein in stunned disbelief, their faces a mixture of shock and confusion.
"... Deculein?" Raphel said, his deep voice cut through the silence. "You? You're the Selector?"
Deculein nodded and replied, "Indeed."
Raphel, Sirio, Gwen, and Deculein were the former colleagues who started at the Imperial University together, although Raphel joined the Department of Knights while Deculein enrolled in the Department of Magic.
"Do you even know how to wield a sword? Or understand a knight's honor? How dare you—" Raphel, nearly six foot seven inches tall, stood up and glared at Deculein, his chiseled features contorting with anger.
"Of course, I am a professor, not a knight, so I will assess you according to the manual."
"Manual? What could you possibly know about swordsmanship—"
"Not much. However, the qualifications for the Imperial Instructor Knight extend beyond swordsmanship. Additionally, I have already been chosen as the Imperial Instructor Mage, so my credentials are more than sufficient."
Sirio's eyes widened in surprise and asked, "You were selected? What about Louina? Did she lose out again?"
"... Louina?"
"... Oh, I didn't realize. I forgot about your big fight."
Deculein reflected on Louina von Schlott McQueen, his inevitable rival. She should have surfaced by now, yet there had been no word from her since the Floating Island incident.
"Anyway, how fascinating," Sirio mused. "With Deculein as the Selector, there are four of us from the same year."
Raphel and Gwen seemed disgruntled, while Yulie felt more uneasy than discontented.
"But is this fair? Won't there be favoritism?" Sirio asked, grinning as he pointed out the issue.
Deculein shook his head and replied, "I will conduct the initial selection, but the final decision rests with Her Majesty."
"Hmm. You didn't specify it would be fair... Well, understood."
"Alright, when does the test start?" Gwen inquired.
Deculein turned to her, and she flinched under his sudden gaze.
"The first test was merely reaching this destination," Deculein declared. "The true examination begins tomorrow. Take this time to rest."
***
[Independent Quest Completed: Selection as Imperial Instructor Mage]
◆ Mana Point +100
◆ Store Currency +2
◆ Imperial Medal
At 11:30 p.m., I sat in the Selector's room, going over the knights' profiles.
Sirio │ Knight of the Fresh Breeze │ 33 years old
Raphel │ Knight of Might │ 34 years old
Gwen │ Knight of the Holy Star │ 31 years old
Yulie │ Knight of Refinement │ 28 years old
Each dossier was 100 pages long, packed with high-level information from the Imperial family. Three days ago, the Imperial Palace requested I serve as Acting Selector for the knights. It was likely the Empress's whim, but I agreed the moment I saw the candidate list. Yulie was the reason.
I sighed, murmuring with a hint of resignation, "... Had it been the original Deculein, Yulie wouldn't have even been considered."
Had it been Deculein, Yulie would have been completely excluded from the exam through his scheming. However, I lacked both the time and the connections to achieve the same.
Clang—! Clang—!
Suddenly, I heard the clash of swords. Moving to the window, I looked down to see Gwen and Sirio engaged in a sparring match.
Clang—! Clang—!
With my Sharp Eyesight, I closely examined their swordplay. Gwen employed Advanced Rodeltra, while Sirio used his own creation, Sirio's Masterful Fencing. Both were incredibly skilled, but Sirio's unique style gave him a slight advantage.
"Raphel, may I request a sparring match with you?"
"Very well."
Yulie and Raphel then commenced their duel.
Boom—! Swoosh—!
Sparks flew with each fierce clash of their swords. Raphel's heavy blows seemed to explode, but Yulie parried them with ease.
Observing their duel, I sighed quietly and said, "... Yulie."
I hoped Yulie would be spared the honor of becoming the Empress's Instructor Knight. I wished she wouldn't be selected. The main reason I accepted the absurd proposal to choose the knights was to ensure just that.
Beneath the Imperial Palace, the monster still lurks—the abyss of Freyden, the secret that could bring down the family. Deculein's death variable, the mirror you must never face. Until I, or someone else, destroys that cursed mirror, I want you to stay away from the palace. Therefore...
"I will ensure your failure."
***
The next day, Yulie woke at the break of dawn.
"... Phew."
After stretching, she began her morning routine with yoga, preparing her body and clearing her mind. Once ready, Yulie stepped outside. The other knights, already seated in the living room, appeared to be ready for the day.
"Did you sleep well, Yulie?" Gwen asked gently.
Yulie nodded and replied, "Yes."
"Hey, you've really improved. I can't afford to let my guard down around you."
"... Thank you."
Yulie remained humble, but Sirio and Gwen continued to flatter her, claiming that her sword now carried the essence of ice and that she had become an Arcane Knight adept at handling elements. Yulie tried to hide her smile, feeling like a hamster caught in the spotlight. Just then, Deculein emerged from the room on the right side of the villa, designated for the Selector.
"Is it time to begin the test, Selector?" Sirio asked with a bright smile.
Deculein nodded and took his seat, then announced, "The first test will assess your observational skills and perseverance."
He infused a crystal orb with mana, and four items materialized in the air.
"This area, Rone Past, is home to many rare magical items such as Ice Flowers, Latran, Magic Cores, and Crystal Herbs. I will assign each of you a specific item to locate and return with."
Deculein then assigned tasks to each knight. Sirio was to find Latran, Gwen a Magic Core, Raphel a Crystal Herb, and Yulie an Ice Flower.
"The items must be intact and undamaged. Even the slightest flaw will lead to disqualification. Additionally, I will not move from this spot," Deculein declared.
Yulie committed to memory the appearance of the Ice Flower, a transparent bloom that only grew on the Precipice of the Snowy Mountain. These flowers bloomed and withered ten to twenty times a day, making her believe that finding one wouldn't be too difficult.
"If there are any objections, speak now. Certain rules can be adjusted," Deculein added. Yulie and the others shook their heads. "Very well. Since there are no objections, you have twenty-four hours. Begin."
At exactly 7:00 a.m., all the knights stood up.
"Let's give it our all, everyone. Friendly competition!" Sirio encouraged.
As soon as they exited the villa, the knights dispersed. Yulie made her way toward the highlands where the Ice Flowers grew. Rone Past was a vast magical space, and a nearby sloping mountain range marked the start of her ascent.
"... Ha."
The climb was challenging. The snowstorm from the previous night had left deep drifts, causing her legs to sink with each step. She had to use her knees to push forward. After a strenuous ascent, she reached the cliffs and discovered an Ice Flower—a clear, transparent bloom. Only three hours had passed. Yulie carefully picked the flower and began her descent.
Screech—
Yulie opened the villa door and saw Deculein waiting in the living room. She walked over and presented the Ice Flower to him.
"Here it is."
Deculein meticulously inspected the flower, examining every petal. Yulie waited patiently.
Finally, he said, "It is defective."
"... What?"
"I told you it had to be completely intact, without the slightest damage," Deculein stated as he handed the Ice Flower back to Yulie, pointing out a tiny blemish on one of its petals.
"... Understood."
Despite the strict standard, Yulie didn't argue and returned outside. Her face reddened from the cold as she scoured the mountain range, traversing its most treacherous peaks. Finally, she discovered another Ice Flower. She hurried to examine it carefully, making sure it was flawless.
"Perfect," Yulie murmured, satisfied with the petal, before returning to the villa where Deculein still waited in the same spot. Approaching him with measured steps, she presented the flower and said, "Here it is."
This time, she felt confident. However...
"It is defective."
His response was the same. Shocked, Yulie examined the flower more closely and found a small scratch on the base. It hadn't been there initially; it must have happened while she handled it.
"Are there really such defects?" Sirio asked, already eating after completing his task.
Growl—
Yulie's stomach growled, reminding her of the single drawback to a knight's exceptional physical abilities—their enormous metabolism.
"Food will only be provided once the task is completed or if you choose to forfeit," Deculein stated.
"Oh, really? Sorry, Yulie. I was going to share some with you," Sirio said with a shrug.
"It's fine. I'll try again," Yulie replied, ignoring her hunger as she stepped back outside.
She began her third climb. Starving, with limited mana, she relied on her armor's strength to withstand the cold. For nearly six hours, she roamed the area. To make matters worse, another snowstorm hit. Snow clung to her body, and her hair had already frozen.
Finally, she found another Ice Flower. Exhausted, she returned to the villa, checking the flower's condition before presenting it to Deculein. He examined it while Yulie, shivering and tense with anticipation, waited for his verdict.
Tick-tock— tick-tock— tick-tock—
Three seconds felt like thirty minutes. After a thorough examination, Deculein looked up and declared, "It is defective."
"Ah! N-no way! That's impossible!" Yulie exclaimed, her voice breaking as she fought back tears.
"See for yourself," Deculein said, as he handed the Ice Flower back to her.
Sure enough, a minuscule scratch marred the flower.
"Ah..."
How could this be? Yulie clutched her head in frustration. She had been careful, checking it just minutes before. She couldn't understand what was causing these damages.
Crackle—
A spark from the fireplace caught her eye, and in that instant, realization dawned on her.
"Have you decided to give up?" Deculein inquired.
"... I'll return shortly," Yulie replied, hurrying back outside.
She braved the snowstorm, her body freezing, her skin feeling like it was peeling away. Finding the fourth Ice Flower was difficult, but she persevered.
"... Found it."
In the harsh cold, she discovered the most radiant Ice Flower. Carefully, she made her way back, holding the flower delicately to avoid any damage. She didn't rush, shielding it from the wind. As she approached the villa, she noticed Gwen, Raphel, and Sirio inside, all having passed the test.
Standing outside, she called out, "Here it is! This time, it's flawless!"
She remained outside, displaying the Ice Flower from where she stood amid the fierce snowstorm and extreme cold.
"Enter, Yulie," Deculein commanded.
Yulie shook her head and replied, "Please step outside."
The Ice Flower was extremely sensitive to temperature. If she brought it inside, the heat from the fireplace behind Deculein's chair would certainly cause damage.
"The Ice Flower is right here," she declared with unwavering resolve.
She believed this was the answer and cursed herself for not realizing it sooner. Standing in the snowstorm, she held the Ice Flower, her breath visible in the cold air as it remained intact. But then...
"No," Deculein replied, his tone even colder than the surrounding air.
"... What?" Yulie's voice, thick with astonishment, barely escaped her lips.
From the warmth of the villa, he looked at her with a chilling gaze and said, "I told you clearly."
With a cold expression and a harsh voice, he made it clear. Yulie finally understood.
"I told you, I would not move from this spot."
Deculein had planned to disqualify her from the beginning.