CH 57

“Haa… When you suddenly disappeared, I knew you had come to Aria’s place.”

“Oh, I just wanted to see the person you like.”

“Hey, don’t talk about that in front of the person!”

Yuren-kun blushed.

I was happy to hear him talk about me, but I didn’t know how to react.

“Hahaha! Well, it’s all good!”

“Was I wrong to tell you earlier…”

“Don’t say that. Anyway, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Ash Salem, the second prince of this country and Yuren’s older brother. Nice to meet you.”

“Y-Yes! Nice to meet you too!”

I bowed deeply.

Then Prince Ash laughed heartily and said, “You don’t have to be so formal. Before you are a person from the royal palace, you are our benefactor! Please feel free to talk to me.”

“W-Well, that’s…”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with, Aria. It makes you nervous to talk in a forced, broken way, doesn’t it?”

“Is that so? Well, then let’s do that.”

Yuren-kun and His Highness Ash stand side by side.

Despite their completely different builds, they look somehow similar.

The atmosphere is different.

Yes, siblings do look alike after all.

“Hey, Aria, can I thank you?”

“Huh, yes?”

“I heard it. You made Irina feel better, right?”

Oh, that’s what he meant earlier when he called me a benefactor.

“As her brother, I want to express my gratitude. Thank you so much! That’s why I hurried here to tell you.”

His Highness Ash smiles.

His smile is like a dazzling sun and overlaps with Irina-chan’s smile.

It’s a very warm and enveloping feeling.

“You’re welcome. But I was only doing what I could do.”

“You’re so serious. Is that what you like about her, Yuren?”

“Don’t bring me into this. Well, that’s one thing, though.”

“I see. You’ve found a good woman.”

His Highness Ash slaps Yuren-kun’s shoulder with all his might.

It’s so wild that Yuren-kun’s body shakes up and down.

“Well, that’s all I needed to discuss. Sorry for bothering you.”

“No, it was nice to meet you.”

“I see. Please keep getting along with my siblings from now on.”

“Yes!”

I see, it certainly exceeded my expectations.

In a good way.

He had a large physique and a sense of intimidation, but it all turned into inclusiveness.

Like the sun… No, he was like the wide sky that surrounds everything.

“Well then, we’ll be going.”

“See you, Aria.”

The two turned their backs and left.

I tried to return to the workshop, but I suddenly heard their conversation.

“Hey Yuren, do you have any free time after this?”

“I do.”

“All right! Then, let’s have a practice session after a long time.”

“I was waiting for those words. Please do.”

It seems that the conversation between the two got exciting and they decided to practice together.

I recalled the conversation I had with him.

His Highness Ash is a magician.

“Oh, umm!”

“”Hmm?””

The two turned around at the same time.

I know it’s a bold request, but I just can’t help but wonder.

What does magic look like?

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I observe the two of you training?”

Summoning up my courage, I ask.

The two of them exchange a glance and answer in unison.

“Of course, feel free.”

“Thank you very much!”

I bow deeply once again.

Excitement wells up inside me.

◇◇◇

The two moved to the royal castle for their training.

On the castle grounds, there was a place for knights to train, and the two also practiced there.

In a spacious and bland room, the two faced each other.

Yuren-kun held a regular wooden sword, while Ash-sama wielded a wooden sword one size bigger.

“Are you ready?”

“Anytime you’re ready.”

“Okay then…let’s go!”

At Ash-sama’s signal, the two charged forward simultaneously.

They closed the distance between them quickly, nearing the range of their swords.

Yuren-kun was the first one to attack.

He attacked with a continuous series of stabs while standing half-ready, aiming for Ash-sama’s face with a sharp thrust.

However, Ash-sama dodged this easily by tilting his head to the side.

He then swung his heavy sword towards Yuren-kun with a large stroke.

Despite the fact that Ash-sama’s sword was bigger and heavier and should have been slower…

“Gah…”

Yuren-kun swung his sword down just in time to be able to receive Ash-sama’s attack, barely managing to withstand the impact of just one blow.

Unable to withstand the impact of just one strike, Yuren-kun fell to one knee.

“That was a good reception.”

“That won’t be enough to end it!”

“That’s the spirit!”

Yuren-kun struck with all his might, but His Highness Ash easily blocked it.

Throughout the training, His Highness Ash remained in control.

The difference in strength was obvious even to me.

Yuren-kun’s attacks barely grazed His Highness Ash, and although he was more agile,His Highness Ash remained calm and composed.

Truly strong.

The attack and defense continued for about ten minutes…

“Haa… Haa…”

Yuren-kun collapsed onto the floor, completely exhausted.

He had reached his physical limit.

“Let’s take a break for now.”

“Yes, please.”

As His Highness Ash-sama sat down next to Yuren-kun, he asked me a question.

“How about it? It’s not interesting just watching like this, is it? Why did you ask to observe?”

“Well, I wanted to see some magic.”

“Hmm? That’s impossible. I can only use magic.”

“Huh…”

What did he mean?

A question mark popped up in my head.

Then…

“What? Don’t tell me you don’t know the risk?”

“Risk?”

“You really don’t know what that feels like. Magic is a power that goes beyond human knowledge. That’s why there are risks involved for the users. For example, if you use magic, it will shorten your lifespan.”

“W-What? Shorten your lifespan?!”

I had no idea that there was such a risk involved in using magic.

The words from earlier.

I realized that “being able to use magic” meant this.