The other three shook their heads.
"I heard all kinds of strange rumours regarding Blaine. Everything from being mute to not knowing how to talk. Even an outlandish one claiming that he looks down on everyone so much that talking to others is beneath him," Rick commented before laughing at his own words.
Cecelia's ears perked up as she heard him, but ultimately kept quiet and didn't say anything.
Ginny shook her head and sighed.
"I don't think he's that kind of person. I mean, look, he cooked for all of us. Even going out of his way to make enough for everyone."
Lorie side-eyed her as she slowly drove the van forward.
"Are you only capable of thinking with your stomach? Is anyone that gives you food a good person in your book?"
Ginny scoffed.
"You ate more than me! You even tried to convince us to ask him to cook for us the other days, too. Even though he ultimately didn't. He didn't make anything for himself either. He just ate the same old, tasteless MREs as the rest of us. Are you saying that because you're salty, he refused?"
"Woah, I'm not that shallow!" Lorie refuted with a huff, "I was just criticizing the criteria you use to judge people. Even I can tell that Blaine is a good guy."
"But…" Rick started, "That still leaves the main question. Why doesn't he talk? I heard he isn't sent on scouting missions for this reason. However, he seems to be able to get most points across without speaking a single word. I never knew that simply pointing at things or using basic hand gestures could be so expressive."
Ginny nodded her head.
"He doesn't even talk with text messages either. He just sends images or basic emojis. You've all been in a group chat with him at least once or twice, right? I'm sure you've seen it for yourself."
"But… does it really matter?" Delsie asked, "he's more than capable enough to let one or two flaws fly."
Rick nodded his head.
"Yeah, you're right. I wasn't even a 1-Star at Blaine's age, and he's already fully ready to challenge his second divine trial. I wonder who he will pick as his teammates for the trial? Though I bet his teammates will have a free ride with him on their team."
Remembering something, Ginny looked at Cecelia, who was idly staring out the window.
"Oh, right! Princess, isn't Blaine going to be your bodyguard? Sir Alford is the king's bodyguard, and the Lionhearts have protected the royal family for generations. When you decide to challenge it, will he be your companion during your second trial?"
Rick threw Cecelia an envious look.
"Once you clear your first divine trial, princess, you'll also have the perfect partner to breeze past the second one. Honestly, I'm a little jealous. The second trial is a hellish place… Even worse than the first one. Having a reliable backer is truly a godsend."
Rick couldn't help but shiver slightly as he remembered his second trial.
Trials were given by the world's gods by praying at one of their statues.
Clearing the first trial would make someone a 1-Star, clearing the second trial would then make them a 2-Star, and so forth.
However, each trial was exponentially more brutal than the previous one, and no one was successful enough to clear the fourth trial and attain the legendary status of being a 4-Star.
…Although many across history have tried.
Dying in the trial was the most likely outcome, even for the first one.
Only 10% of challengers survived the first trial, while only 1% of the 1-Stars that challenged the second trial made it out alive.
As for the third trial?
There weren't enough metrics to even tell.
Most 2-Stars wouldn't dare entertain such ludicrous ideas; instead, they opt to safely enjoy their current lives instead of pointlessly throwing them away.
The only saving grace was that trials could be attempted in groups, with a maximum of ten people at once.
If not for this… The already abysmal chances of surviving would have been infinitely worse.
Cecelia smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Yes… Sir Blaine and I… Will most likely challenge the second trial together when it is time."
"Ah! Are you planning on challenging your first trial when you have your coming-of-age ceremony, princess? If I recall correctly, since you're only sixteen, it'll be in two years?" Lorie asked.
Cecelia froze but quickly replaced her tense expression with another false smile.
"...Yes. I'll most likely wait before I challenge it…"
In a desperate rush to get the group to change conversation topics, Cecelia asked a question of her own.
"You said that Sir Blaine doesn't really… Talk to anyone, right? Have you heard nothing about him speaking a word to anyone?"
"No, as far as I know, he hadn't so much as made a sound since arriving at Redpine City a year ago," Rick responded, "why? Do you happen to know anything, princess?"
Delsie nodded her head.
"Right! Blaine used to live in the royal capital, didn't he?"
Three pairs of eyes expectantly turned in her direction, with Lorie still on the road before her.
However, that didn't mean she wasn't keenly listening with her ears.
Feeling the silent peer pressure, the princess relented.
"I haven't interacted with him much myself, but… We do have a mutual friend. According to her, he was quite different as a child."
Ginny tilted her head in thought.
"Hmm… Blaine as a kid. I'm finding it hard to picture in my head. I mean, he's still a kid but much more mature than most adults I know."
Just as she said, Lorie suddenly pulled the van to a halt.
Raising an eyebrow, Ginny looked at the driver.
Lorie's face was pale, and her eyes were as wide as saucers.
Tensly following her gaze, Ginny focused on what had spooked her friend.
She couldn't help but mutter under her breath at the sight.
"...Holy f*ck."
Right before them…
A large tear had opened in the air.