Ethan went to the Forbidden Section of the Library to look for Lyle, but he was nowhere to be found. Of course, the Will of the Founder of Eques Manor didn't always stayed in the library and wandered wherever he felt like going.
Because of this, Ethan went to look for Nicole in the Eques Manor, but all the guys there barred him from entering.
Their reason was that he already had a wife and fiancee's, so he should not go after the ladies from their Manor too.
When the young man told them that he and Nicole were only best friends, a few of them gave him the middle finger and said they were not born yesterday.
Since anyone who did not belong in the Manor needed to gain permission from the Head Prefect before entering a Manor, Ethan was unable to go in by force.
In the end, he decided to just ask her at lunchtime in the Dining Hall of the academy.
Since he was suddenly free, he went to the Coliseum, where Joanne and Hecate were currently sparring.
The Headmaster had given them permission to use the Coliseum as their training grounds whenever they wished for it.
When Ethan arrived, there were a few students in the stands, watching the battle between the two.
Joanne was casting dozens of Shadow Bullets, while Hecate evaded, deflected, and blocked them with ease.
The Saintess of the Magdar Kingdom was wearing enchanted gauntlets and shoes, allowing her to match Joanne's firepower by punching and kicking her attacks.
Hecate already told them that the only magic she could cast was body-strengthening magic.
If she were to cast any spells aside from that kind of spell, she would end up summoning a random Elemental Spirit that was highly likely strong but would attack its own summoner.
She even said that this was the reason why she came to Brynhildr Academy—to find the solution to this problem.
At least, that was what Hecate wanted them to know.
However, when Ethan visited the young lady's room, he saw a small portrait of himself, which was produced by the Magic Camera they had in the past.
Of course, Hecate said that all the Saintess before her carried the picture frame.
This was to ensure that they would know who the Tidebringer was so that they could assist him if ever he needed their help.
Her excuse was foolproof, and frankly, Ethan and Joanne didn't want to pry into her private life.
Hecate also didn't hide the fact that she had come to Brynhildr Academy because she knew that Ethan would be there.
What she didn't expect was that Joanne would also be here, which came as a pleasant surprise.
In short, she was their biggest fan and the only Saintess who managed to see Ethan and Joanne outside of the Magdar Kingdom.
As a fellow warrior, Ethan could tell that Hecate had been trained properly and that her understanding of her Martial Style was at a high level.
This was only possible if someone had been trained since a young age.
According to her, she had just turned eighteen, just like Ethan, and decided to go to Brynhildr Academy to study magic.
As the battle reached its climax, Joanne unleashed countless Shadow Balls the size of a basketball.
Hecate took a fighting stance before taking a step forward.
In that brief moment, she transformed into a blazing comet that smashed through the Shadow Ball Barrage.
"I'll let you win this time," Joanne said as Hecate's fist hovered a foot away from her chest. "I now have eighteen wins and seventeen losses."
"Isn't it the other way around?" Hecate smirked before resting her hand on Joanne's shoulder. "I am the one with eighteen wins, and seventeen loses."
"Hah? Do you know how to count? I have been keeping tabs, so I am on the lead."
"Listen here, I have been keeping tabs as well."
"Hmph! I am the youngest, so I am the one who's right."
"How petty. This is rich coming from someone who always teased the first Saintess. You always said that you are right because you are older than her, even if it's just a month."
Joanne pouted. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I never used my age when it came to Ramona."
"Uh huh~ you should read her diary then," Hecate commented. "She said that she was very frustrated because whenever you are at a disadvantage, you will always use the fact that you are older than her by a month to win the argument."
"Nice try." Joanne crossed her arms over her chest. "It was Ramona who always said that she was older than me, so your argument doesn't count."
Ethan shook his head helplessly because his sister was clearly lying.
He had no idea that Ramona kept a diary. For some reason, he was very curious to read how she spent her life after they had left the Magdar Kingdom.
As the two continued their argument, Ethan appeared beside them and handed hand towels to the two of them.
"That was a nice fight," Ethan said with a smile. "Good job to both of you."
Joanne accepted her brother's towel and wiped her face dry with it.
Hecate did the same and thanked the young man for his kindness.
"Sir Ethan, when will we have our next battle?" Hecate asked. "I prepared something special for you, so look forward to it."
"Same here," Joanne commented. "I prepared a killer move! You better be careful, brother, or you might accidentally kick the bucket when you fight us."
"You plan to use a killer move on me?" Ethan didn't know if he should laugh or cry at his sister's declaration. "What will you do if I really die?"
Joanne blinked once and twice before her eyes widened as if coming to a realization.
"You're right," Joanne exclaimed. "What was I thinking?"
"Maybe you thought that Sir Ethan wouldn't die even if you used it?" Hecate inquired.
"Yes, that's it. I just don't think that it will be enough to take my brother down in a single hit. I need multiple hits to make it happen."
"Don't worry. I will help you kill him when that happens."
Ethan wiped the imaginary beads on his forehead as the two girls brainstormed how to kill him in front of him.
In order to prevent their thoughts from going down the path of no return, Ethan decided to change the subject and asked his sister a question. seaʀᴄh thё novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"Joanne, can you tell me more about our grandfather?" Ethan inquired. "I want to know what he is like."
"Grandpa?" Joanne asked. "He is the best grandfather in the world. He spoils me a lot."
A single glance was enough to tell him that Joanne really loved their Grandfather, whom he hadn't been able to see when he was still in Caer Wydion.
He didn't know if Balthzar hadn't met with him on purpose and whether the Demon Lord thought that now was not the right time for the two of them to meet.
Even so, after seeing that great battle that Fortis Dud had shown him, he wanted to know how his grandfather was currently living his life.
"Let's talk about it somewhere else," Joanne said before giving the students who were watching them from the stands, a sidelong glance.
Ethan nodded in understanding, and the three of them returned to Dud Manor.
However, since the two girls had worked up a sweat, they decided to take a shower in Hecate's room together.
The two of them had gotten close to each other, and Ethan knew that his sister might be treating Hecate like she treated Princess Ramona.
Ethan couldn't blame her because he thought the same.
Although he no longer doubted that Hecate and Ramona were not the same person, his heart still thought that way, which was a weird feeling.
While he was waiting for the two girls to return to the Common Room of Dud Manor, he heard the enchanted doorbell ring, signaling that there was a guest waiting in front of the door of their Manor.
Since Ethan was already in the Common Room, he decided to see who it was.
"Were you looking for me earlier?" Nicole asked in a teasing tone. "Lennox told me that you came to the Eques Manor to find me but got chased out by my Manor Mates."
Instead of replying, Ethan raised his palm and pressed it over Nicole's forehead.
A few seconds later, a frown appeared on his face.
But instead of saying anything, he held Nicole's hands and took her to his room.
Although she greeted him in a teasing manner, her complexion didn't look that good, and the coldness of her body confirmed that his suspicion was right.