Decision for future

Ultimately, the goal was to give the students confidence and experience by

letting them cross swords with the most skillful members of the military. It was

a great honor for the participating student representatives, and the students

who showed promise in the tournament could even be recruited early by the

knighthood.

"The primary school division representatives were selected from this class. I

will now announce their names — respond and step forward if you hear your

name. First are the sixth years: James,Jacques, Alestar —"

Kyle watched on indifferently as the instructor listed off the names one after another to the cheers of the selected students. But then—

" —and Kyle."

Kyle's eyes widened with surprise when he realized his name had been called.

The students around him began stirring noisily.

"From the fifth years is Steven. That's all." The instructor ignored

the commotion among the students and wrapped up the announcement.

Wait a minute! I cannot accept this!" a voice suddenly protested. It was

James.

"What's wrong, James? Are you dissatisfied with the idea of representing

the class?" the instructor asked, looking at James.

"That's not it! S-Sir, I cannot accept that the commoner was selected as a

class representative. It would be an embarrassment to have him challenge the

knights as our representative." James blurted out, his words scornful about Kyle.

"Magic ability is not part of the selection criteria. This choice was made by

prioritizing swordcraft ability."

"Swordcraft ability? Are you suggesting that the commoner has a decent

sword arm?" James asked with a sneer.

"That's right." The instructor nodded without hesitation. His reply made the

other students frown alongside James.

"...I'm afraid I find that hard to believe. He's a simpleton with no talent to

show for."

"That's not something for you to judge. The decision has already been made

— your objections are overruled."

"...Yes, sir." James nodded with a sullen expression at the instructor's curt

phrasing.

Entry into the swordcraft course meant that during martial arts class, the

instructor's words were final. The aim of this was to teach military discipline —

that the higher ranks were the ones that made decisions. Kyle himself wanted to

object to his participation in the tournament as a representative of the Academy, but the aforementioned military discipline prevented him from

speaking up.

"We shall now begin our training. Grab your weapons and march for five

clicks. Move it!"

At the instructor's orders, the class began for the day.

"I heard the rumors... You're participating in the congenial tournament with

the kingdom knights?" William happily brought up the topic during their tea party

in the research lab one day after school. "I too wanted to participate in this tournament in my earlier days but I graduated quite early so I was not able to take part in it."

"It's good you didn't, who knows what you would do to knights fighting you" Kyle said with a strained smile. In all this years he had stayed at the academy he found that William is avery syrong person. He is expectionally gifted both in magic and swordcraft. If not for his interest in magic research he would have already became part of royal guard. He was only 17 year by this time.

"Ha, maybe you are right. " William said with a smile.But you should show a little more enthusiasm! If you do well in the

matches, you could be scouted by the knighthood before your graduation."

"Yeah, but I don't intend on becoming a knight anyway," Kyle replied with a

wry smile.

"Really? I know they say the work is exhausting, but gaining the title of

'knight' will provide you with status and a stable income. It's not a bad deal."

"I'm not interested in those things. There's something else I want to do after I

graduate," Kyle said. He took a sip of his tea in a refined manner. William was

impressed by how natural his movements had become.

"Oh, really?" William interjected with curiosity, briefly wondering whether it was

appropriate to dig deeper before deciding to ask him outright. "Your graduation

is less than a year away now. What do you want to do after that?"

"I'm thinking of going on a journey in the near future. There's a place I've

always wanted to visit."

"Huh? You're going to leave the kingdom?" Kyle's answer shocked William. He

hadn't even considered the possibility that he would leave the country.

"Well, it would be a bit difficult for me to stay in this country."

That... might be true, but..."

Most of those problems could be resolved by becoming a knight. "...Hey, why don't you come work in my laboratory? I'm not sure I can

function without you here anymore," William said as he looked around the room.

Five years had passed since William and Kyle met.

At first, the mess of William's research lab had been an unbearable sight for Kyle,

but after countless visits, he simply went about cleaning up the room on his

own. As a result, William was more than well aware of how refined Kyle's life skills

were. These days, Kyle not only managed the state of the room, but helped out

in everything from taking care of everyday necessities, to assisting with hisresearch. He had become an irreplaceable partner to William.

"That's a good offer but I am afraid I have to refuse it." Kyle said smiling wryly.

"It seems I cannot stop you." William said with a sigh.

"B-By the way, where were you thinking of going?"

My parents' homeland — the Dulcan region."