Chapter 41
“Th-That’s not possible.”
“……”
“Ruby, I really wasn’t mad at you. Okay? You know that, right?”
Void hurried over and circled around Rubian in small, restless steps.
Like a puppy that needed to go to the bathroom.
Seeing him act like that, Rubian—who had been pouting—suddenly burst into laughter.
“Alright, alright. You weren’t mad. Okay?”
At times like this, she really did seem like an adult…
Anyway, watching Rubian giggle, Void let out a long sigh of relief.
“Anyway, Khalid is my friend, so get along with him.”
“Tch, I’ll decide that after seeing how that guy behaves!”
“I’m asking you right now. Won’t you do this for me?”
Ugh. Void hesitated and took a step back.
“…I even proofread your spelling for free.”
Rubian deliberately put on a sulky expression and glanced at the diary in Void’s hand.
Ha, fine! Spell-checking is hard work!
“Alright, I get it, so don’t look so down!”
“Hehe.”
Rubian smiled brightly, her eyes curving into crescents. She must’ve eaten apple jelly earlier—the sweet scent lingered in the air.
“You’re the best! Thank you!”
She clung onto his back, dangling playfully. At some point, his little sister had grown fond of doing this.
And whenever she did, the heart of an older sibling melted like ice cream under the midday sun.
“Seriously… why are you so high-maintenance?”
Is every youngest sibling like this?!
Though he grumbled, he still lifted her up and spun her around like an airplane, just as he always did.
* * *
Whoooosh.
A dry gust of dusty wind swept across the barren training ground.
And as usual, I stood right in the middle of it.
“This old man…”
The elder of the Zevert family stood with the sun behind his back.
It felt like facing a massive beast.
“…can become a demon—or a demon—depending on how you perform.”
“That just means you’re a demon either way!”
I shouted, and Grandfather burst out laughing.
“Alright, alright, gather up, you little brats!”
Void, whose diary and spelling had been completely exposed by me just yesterday, stood beside me with a pale face.
“Ridiculous…”
That scoff came from Khalid, standing on my other side.
The three of us lined up in the center of the training ground. The knights pretended to train while clearly watching us like it was entertainment.
At that ridiculous scene, Khalid smirked again.
‘He said he slept well in the knights’ quarters…’
His face looked smooth and refreshed. Seriously, his adaptability was no joke.
“Hah? Haaah? You faded night-sky-looking brat.”
Huh, I heard that yesterday.
“Stand properly at once, you washed-out chestnut!”
“What kind of chestnut?”
“You too, take a step forward, you little brat Void!”
“Y-Yes, sir…!”
Grandfather grabbed both boys by the shoulders.
Void staggered slightly. Khalid didn’t budge at all.
“I should have you two spar first! That way I can gauge your skills!”
‘What?’
I was startled. He already saw them fight yesterday—why again?
“G-Grandfather, this might be a bit unfair to Void—”
“Alright, running! Get ready!”
“……”
I got ahead of myself.
“Oh… that kind of spar…”
“It will be a brutal battle. The obstacles they must overcome won’t be easy…”
He chuckled ominously.
All around the training ground were obstacles—vaulting boxes, mud pits, nets…
‘Is this… military training…?’
It felt oddly familiar, but I let it go.
Still, it looked kind of fun. I’d been training in the mini field too—I could probably clear at least one vault.
“Heh, heh.”
I started warming up enthusiastically.
“Me too, then.”
Just as I was heading toward the starting line with determination, someone grabbed the back of my collar.
“No, no. You’ll get blown away by the wind, you little brat!”
“Huh? I’m part of this group too, you know?”
I even wore my knight uniform properly!
I want to run too! I want to try the obstacle course!
“And I haven’t done today’s training yet! I’ll substitute it with this! Stamina! Strength!”
“……”
When I looked up with blazing eyes, Grandfather’s mouth stiffened. His eyebrows twitched like they were alive.
Then why did you even call me here?!
“Right, Sir Leon? I should run too, right?”
“…Well, that’s true. But this is the main training field… maybe you should stick to the mini field like usual—”
“You’re discriminating against me right now!”
I shouted, and the composed knight looked troubled.
“I-It’s not discrimination—”
“I want to do it too. You acknowledged me as the youngest knight…”
“Your Excellency…”
Sir Leon turned to Grandfather helplessly.
“A-Alright! Fine! Just don’t pout like that! Smile! Smile!”
Grandfather grabbed my cheeks and kneaded them like dough.
“That means I’m allowed, right?”
“Huh? Y-Yes…”
I quickly turned and ran toward the starting line where Khalid and Void were.
“This is so exciting—PE class!”
“Hey! Be careful, you little brat!”
As I ran up, the two stood awkwardly. Void’s eyes widened when he saw me.
“Ruby! Why are you here? Just rest!”
“I’m building stamina too!”
I smiled and squeezed between them.
Khalid stared at me for a moment, then casually placed his hand on my head.
“Ruby. You’ve gotten taller.”
Gasp! Music to my ears!
“Right?! I knew you’d notice!”
I bounced excitedly and grabbed his hand.
A faint trace of mana flowed through me unconsciously. Since I was wearing the bracelet, it was likely unintentional.
“…Aren’t you two a bit too close?”
Creeeak.
Suddenly, someone wedged himself between us.
Void crossed his arms, looking displeased.
“What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Yes. What’s the problem?”
When Khalid asked, Void’s lips parted, then stopped.
“…Yeah. What is the problem?”
Scratch, scratch. Void rubbed the back of his head.
Leaving him dazed, Khalid leaned closer to me and whispered:
“Do we really have to keep doing this nonsense? I want sword training—when are we—”
“Shh, Khalid. You said you’d get along.”
“…That’s true, but…”
At that moment, Grandfather approached and cleared his throat.
I clenched my fists with determination.
“Ready, go!”
“Your shoelaces are untied!”
I grinned and sprinted forward, taking first place immediately.
The two boys looked down instinctively—then followed a step late.
“Rubyyyy!”
Void’s frustrated voice echoed behind me, along with Grandfather’s booming laughter.
“Your laces really are untied, you little brat!”
“Ahh!”
Void stepped on his loose laces and stumbled noisily.
I kept running without stopping.
Before I knew it, a long shadow appeared beside me.
I knew they’d catch up quickly.
“I’m having fun right now!”
“…What exactly is fun about this?”
I was already out of breath. Khalid wasn’t.
“Running without thinking! Not running because I’m being chased!”
“….”
Clear sky, cool wind, warm sunlight!
Every time I had run before, it had always been in desperate situations.
A pounding heart meant danger.
But here—I could run for no reason at all!
Even if my heart raced, nothing bad would happen!
“And if I finish, I’ll even get praised!”
Healthy body, healthy mind!
“Let’s go—ugh!”
At that moment, my useless foot tangled.
The ground rushed toward me.
Ah. I’m doomed.
“Ruby!”
“Watch—!”
Two arms grabbed me at the same time—one at the back of my neck, one at my shoulder.
Khalid’s eyes were wide with shock.
Void was panting heavily from running full speed.
“Phew… I almost died filming a youth drama.”
I brushed myself off and started running again.
No overpacing. Calm down if I don’t want to break my nose.
Tap, tap.
My footsteps grew steadier.
Focused entirely on running, I had no idea what was happening behind me.
“……”
“……”
The two boys who had caught me exchanged strange looks.
‘Not bad… for my little sister’s friend.’
‘…What the hell is with this guy?’
Of course, I didn’t hear their thoughts.
