10th volume prologue

Some time had passed since the end of the tournament, but I hadn't seen anyone from the guild. After my classes, I would go straight to the dormitory and lock myself away from everyone. Despite what the Rector had told me, my conscience wouldn't allow me to leave the Academy, but I also didn't want to stay here. Perhaps if I distanced myself from the others, they wouldn't mourn my absence. Meanwhile, I delved into ancient books, trying to find any seals that the Rector might have mentioned. Unfortunately, it seemed that what he spoke of had occurred before the creation of the first books, leaving me puzzled as to how the old man could know about such things. I also didn't rule out the possibility that he was bluffing just to keep me at the Academy, using any means necessary.

A couple of times, Vina tried to lure me out of my room, saying that there were quite a few people at the café who wanted to have tea with the champion, and many of them were girls. In response, I claimed to be unwell and didn't leave my room until someone else knocked on the door.

"Krito, it's me," the familiar voice of our brave guild master came from behind the door. "Everyone is worried about you. You haven't been to the guild for a long time."

"It's nothing, I just caught a little bug."

"It's not because of what happened between us, is it? You're not leaving because of that, are you?"

I remained silent, carefully choosing my words. After all, I didn't want to hurt her even more.

"It's alright; I just wanted to be alone for a while. How is it going at the guild?"

"Well, everything's fine. After the tournament, Hilda came to us, even though she was very upset about the role you assigned her. But we convinced her that it was necessary."

"That's good. I know she's a good warrior, but that's the only way to tame her temper and teach her to protect her comrades."

"Also, after the tournament, Seleria went home. The king himself asked her to return because of some matters requiring her personal presence."

"I hope they're not trying to marry her off against her will again."

"I hope not. Her country won't survive another financial crisis. Oh, and we also received a quite lucrative contract."

"Hmm? Was it from one of the spectators at the tournament?"

"Well, not exactly. The client said his acquaintances were at the tournament and recommended our guild to him. But he made it clear that childish pranks are of no interest to him."

"Why then did he turn to us?"

"I don't know. He hired us to capture a gang of bandits causing havoc in his lands. It seems he already tried to catch them with his guards, but they know the area well and always managed to hide whenever people in guard armor approached. That's why he decided to turn to mercenaries."

"Logically, and is it far?"

"No, the client's name is Rion De'Grenor, and his lands are about five hours' ride to the northwest of the Academy. The reward is a whopping five thousand, much more than what we used to get," Katrina paused for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing, "If you need more rest, don't worry; we'll handle it ourselves."

"No, I'm going," I said, abruptly opening the door and coming face to face with the princess. We both felt embarrassed and looked away. "It's just that the story seems a bit shady to me. Paying such money for common bandits."

"Well, why don't you trust people that much? The Baron was one of my father's best generals during the last civil war, and he was rewarded with his lands for that. There must be reasons for him to offer such a reward."

"Alright, we'll figure it out on the spot," I took my blades and went to the guild with the princess.

Not only the price but also the client's name bothered me. Something didn't sit right with me, and I had already heard that name before, someone familiar speaking it with bitterness. The answer to my doubts revealed itself in the form of a blue-haired warrior nervously pacing on the porch.