Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

The outer wall surrounding Rondia appeared neither larger nor sturdier than Flamme’s, yet it possessed considerable beauty.

“So, so flashy.”

Aira, visiting Rondia for the first time, found herself amazed by the wall that starkly contrasted with Rangar’s practical fortifications.

A wall should serve as a defense against invasions, acting as a shield. Why, then, would they spend so much on ornamentation?

Elegant decorations, patterns, and flags fluttered across the wall, their purpose elusive.

Whether cleaned daily or treated with a special method, signs of dirt were virtually impossible to spot.

There was certainly an overwhelming brilliance that enchanted first-time visitors. Caedwin, who had been watching Aira, quietly clicked his tongue.

“Not like you’re a country bumpkin. What are you doing?”

“Anyone would think you’re from the capital.”

When Aira widened her eyes, Caedwin flinched and took a step back.

“If you’re surprised by the outer wall, you’ll probably faint upon entering the inner city.”

“What? There’s something even more extravagant inside?”

“Of course. This is just the outer wall of the city.”

“Well, that does make sense.”

Thinking it was for first-time visitors to the city, Aira had assumed they decorated it well; however, that wasn’t the case.

Looking around with feigned amazement, Aira listened as Caedwin proudly spoke.

“Rondia’s beauty is the best on the continent. It’s no coincidence that the main temple of the Goddess of Beauty, Aries, is here.”

Just as Caedwin said, the Aries temple was the sole religious order involved in the initial design of the capital.

Every corner of the city bore signs of the order’s touch, making it more lavish and beautiful than any other city on the continent.

Particularly, as one would expect from the Aries temple, it was well-known across the continent for taking charge of affairs related to urban aesthetics, such as sanitation and sewerage.

So it was said that those visiting Rondia for the first time are initially captivated by the city’s splendor and then astonished by the cleanliness and order.

“Wherever you picked up this bragging, anyone would think you’re royalty.”

“It’s not something I picked up. I stayed there until last year.”

“Huh? Why?”

“What do you mean why? Because I was studying at the academy.”

“The academy…”

The royal academy nestled in Rondia was a renowned educational institution in the western continent.

Established as a collaboration between the Royal Family of Rondel, the Magic Tower of Logia, and the Aries Order, it provided comprehensive support in nurturing talents like knights, mages, priests, and officials.

Considering its prestige, many western nations sent their promising talents to study abroad there.

Aira was aware of the academy, but she glanced at Caedwin with dubious eyes.

“You?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just wondering if the rumors are wrong. So, you can buy admission with money.”

“I didn’t enter with money! I passed the exam fairly!”

Caedwin snapped in response to Aira’s disparaging gaze.

His good test scores and being celebrated enough to warrant a congratulatory party were all being dismissed as trivial by her.

“The academy…”

“Why? Are you interested?”

When Aira murmured, Caedwin asked her subtly. Aira shook her head.

“Not really. My mother said going to some academy would only teach me political scheming, which I’ll have plenty of time to learn when I’m older, so there’s no need for interest now.”

“…”

Was the academy such a place?

Caedwin wanted to correct the prejudice and misunderstanding point by point but refrained from speaking out.

Agitating the Miles Viscounty in Rangar could bring unnecessary trouble to his family.

“Well, it’s not entirely wrong.”

Though it was a talent nurturing facility, as Aira mentioned, it couldn’t be denied that it was also riddled with power struggles and political scheming.

Caedwin let out a small sigh, perhaps recalling unpleasant memories from the academy.

“Still, with someone like you or Christian, you could have carried yourselves proudly even there.”

“Do you think we’re some kind of bullies? Why would we want to boss around weaker kids?”

“There are actually quite a few like that.”

“Were you bullied by them or something? Pathetic.”

“…”

In response to Aira’s question, Caedwin clamped his mouth shut and turned his head away.

This boy, usually ready to shout back, seemed oddly subdued, leaving Aira slightly puzzled.

Even if there were kids showing off at the academy, he seemed the type to confront them head-on, so it was strange seeing him this way.

Not that she was particularly interested in whatever trials he underwent. Concurrently, Christian and Liber approached, indicating that permission to enter had been granted.

*

“Wow…”

“Whoa…”

Upon entering Rondia, both Christian and Aira marveled simultaneously, though what captivated them varied greatly.

“Extremely lavish…”

“It’s my first time in an intact city…”

“Intact city?”

“Well, there’s a thing like that.”

In response to Aira’s curious gaze, Christian merely smiled slightly and looked around.

Understandably so, as the sight of such a grand city and its lavishly living inhabitants was fairly new to Christian.

‘Though the city is intact, living amidst tension was routine for the people…’

It could have been Flamme, but no.

While Flamme was also a city built right by monster territories, leading to heightened vigilance in daily life to some degree, Christian had witnessed many cities where even a mere touch would elicit a knife’s edge atmosphere driven by a fundamental ‘survival’ instinct.

Such were the cities he had lived through during those days with his master.

However, this place, in contrast to what he’d seen, exuded serenity.

The city appeared vibrant, and the people bustling through seemed relatively untroubled.

It was almost peculiar enough to make Christian, with a rural sensibility, seem slightly out of place amidst the dazzling surroundings, though no one seemed to find it odd.

Liber addressed Christian, saying, “Christian, let’s head to the lodging first.”

“You’ve booked lodging?”

“Yes, the Viscount Derin reserved a place for us. We arrived several days early, but it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

In fact, both Christian and Aira had places to stay. Their maternal family owned a large estate in the capital where they could stay. However, their companions couldn’t do the same.

Wherever they decided to stay, one or the other side would raise an issue.

The Viscount Derin, seemingly unwilling to dive headfirst into the political fray where noble families’ pride was at stake, fairly arranged for accommodation in the capital.

“Here we are.”

Eventually, they arrived at a spacious building, noticeably higher than its surroundings.

The exterior was clean, and immediately upon arrival by carriage, someone came out to guide them efficiently.

Despite a slight wariness given their rough appearance, Liber’s displayed ID ensured their smooth entry.

After reaching the lodging, unpacking, a quick bath, they convened in the dining room.

The time was well past lunch, and having had only a scant breakfast, they joyfully indulged in the richly set meal. Amidst this enjoyable meal, Aira, having finished eating first, asked Christian.

“When are you planning to visit your maternal grandparents?”

“Maternal grandparents?”

“Yeah. Since we’re in the capital, we should first pay them a visit.”

“Oh, right…”

It had been emphasized to him even before heading to the capital, but even without that, common courtesy dictated a visit.

Yet, being estranged from his maternal family, Christian found himself hesitating.

Overhearing the sibling conversation, Liber inadvertently commented,

“Hearing it directly really brings it home, even if I already knew…”

“What do you mean?”

Aira responded, and Liber gave a wry smile.

“Well, both of those families are quite renowned in noble circles.”

Being a noble himself, Liber was well aware of the pragmatic benefits of strong familial connections.

The Worden County, influential even in central politics, seemed enviable, and Liber was also grateful for having formed a connection with such a family.

“Anyway, isn’t it better to visit sooner rather than later?”

Liber recognized it’s only right for the siblings to visit their maternal family upon arriving in the capital.

Having organized their itinerary and route as the guardian, Liber occasionally waited for opportunities, as Caedwin enthusiastically interjected,

“Yeah, go ahead. Take your time. Have a good rest for a few days.”

With a fervent reaction as though hoping not to see them until their departure, Aira furrowed her brow, pondering whether to give Caedwin a well-deserved nudge for having such a blatant agenda.

“Excuse me.”

“Huh?”

All eyes turned to a young man approaching their table, his voice drawing their attention.

In his early twenties, appearing close in age to Liber, the young man scrutinized the group with a displeased look.

Just from his demeanor, it was evident he exuded, ‘I am a noble. I am different from you,’ causing Christian and Aira to naturally frown.

Approaching as a complete stranger only to speak informally to a group, Christian felt no inclination to respond kindly.

“And who might you be?”

“…”

The young man’s expression twisted at Christian’s impudent tone, appearing ready to make a remark when Liber interjected first.

“Riley Miles?”

With Riley glaring at Liber for daring to speak his name, he spoke with displeasure.

“Who might you be? Do you know me?”

“…”

As if it irked him to be acknowledged by someone deemed unworthy, Liber also exuded clear displeasure, eyeing Riley keenly.

“Aira Worden. My father wishes to meet you. Follow me.”

It was a unilateral announcement, and Aira, as if expecting it, nodded calmly.

“And Christian Worden. You as well.”

… But why me?