Amy wiped her mouth with her sleeve and shouted, her face flushed red as she grabbed a towel and returned.
"Hurry up and wipe it off! It’s so gross, seriously!"
"...You’re the one who spit it on my face. Anyway, to continue our conversation, do you remember that person I mentioned before, Miro?"
"Miro? The first president of the Paranormal Psychic Science Society? You said you saw her in another dimension."
"That’s right. I’ve recently formed a hypothesis—I believe the Immortal Function might be related to superluminal speed. So I want to learn more about her. The headmaster said it would be fine as long as our investigation only covers the Kerego Ruins. Since Rian suggested it, I thought we should go."
Amy let out a sigh of relief.
She had studied the Kerego Ruins before.
"So, you’re asking me to investigate it with you?"
"Yeah. The reason the headmaster approved it so readily is probably because the information accessible at a student level is limited. The Kerego Ruins are under the jurisdiction of the Galliant Autonomous Government. But if possible, I’d like to dig a little deeper. Of course, I want to avoid any real danger, but I’d feel much safer with you around."
Since Rian had proposed a trip for two, the partner had to be a girl.
But even without that condition, Amy was the strongest friend Shirone knew.
Not only did she possess the rare trait of Crimson Eyes, but she also competed fiercely every day and had secured a solid mid-rank position among the graduating class. Shirone believed that no matter what difficulties arose, Amy would be able to handle them.
"Hmph! Of course! Those paranormal weirdos and I are on completely different levels."
"Haha, that’s not exactly what I meant, but sure."
Amy knew that Shirone wasn’t the type to involve friends just because they were strong.
’The real reason he chose me must be...’
It was probably because of the Arcane incident.
Their emotions had briefly crossed paths as they fell off the cliff that day. Even though those feelings remained unexamined, tucked away in their hearts, one thing was certain—their trust in each other had deepened.
"Hmm, so that’s how it is."
Amy walked to the window, lost in thought.
Since they wouldn’t be traveling alone, there was no pressure. If anything, she was more curious about who Shirone’s other friend would be.
’This guy actually has an eye for things. Fine. Since it’s a couples’ trip, I might as well help him out a little.’
As she turned back around, she saw Shirone waiting nervously for her answer, his face tense.
Whatever the reason behind this trip, it was still a case of a boy and a girl spending nights away from home. Even with sweet talk, it would be difficult to convince someone. But looking so stiff and nervous? No girl would readily agree to that.
’Hasn’t changed a bit since we were kids.’
Would he ever grow up?
It almost seemed like all his growth energy had been poured entirely into magic.
"Alright. Let’s go to Galliant Island."
"Good day! I’m Tess Elzain!"
Tess greeted the Ozgent family with a lively voice, while Rian stood beside her, looking anxious.
The reason Rian had been staying at Shirone’s house until now was simple—he was using Tess as a shield to storm his family home.
No parent would simply let their son slack off after coming back from a swordsmanship academy in last place.
But if he brought a friend along, the situation changed.
Especially if that friend happened to be a top student at the swordsmanship academy. His father would surely be more lenient.
"Hmm, I’ve heard much about you. Is your father in good health?"
"Yes! Even while stationed in occupied territory, he never misses a single day of sword training."
Of course, Tess had no idea how her father was actually doing. Nor did she care.
But Rian’s father, Bishop, nodded as if he had expected such an answer.
"As expected of a man who built a legacy with his sword. If the opportunity arises, I shall visit him."
Tess’s father, Baron, was a master swordsman known as ’Flash.’
If the Ozgent style was forceful and overpowering, the Elzain style was precise and sharp.
Determining who was superior depended on the wielder, but both schools took great pride in their lineage and techniques.
"Rian, you’ve found yourself quite the fine young lady."
"We’re not dating! We’re just friends."
Tess shot a glare at Rian.
But what could she do? He needed her help for this trip, so she had no choice but to endure it.
"So, you’re going to Galliant Island for vacation?"
"Yeah. I nearly died from exhaustion at the swordsmanship academy. I need some time to recover. Oh, and Shirone will be here soon. We’re leaving straight from here. That’s okay, right?"
"You can go, but did you really work hard? You never listened, even when I arranged private tutors for you. Hard to believe you’re saying that now."
Bishop hadn’t heard anything about it yet.
"Haha! I knew you’d say that, so I brought proof. Look, I finally unlocked my Schema!"
Rian proudly pulled out a document.
His report card had been confiscated by Reyna, but he still had the certification proving he passed the strength enhancement test.
Of course, now that the placebo effect had been exposed, it was practically worthless.
But Bishop didn’t know that.
"Hmm, you really passed. Congratulations."
Bishop, true to his nature, didn’t show much emotion, but his voice trembled slightly.
Every parent worries more about their less accomplished child. Even though Rian had struggled so much, he had finally succeeded. Deep inside, Bishop was clenching his fists in silent joy.
"Now, as promised, let me take the sword Grandfather said I could have if I unlocked my Schema."
"Of course. Since you’ve opened your Schema, it’s time for you to properly train in Ozgent swordsmanship. But where’s your report card? You seem so confident—it must be pretty good."
"Ah... the report card? Reyna has it."
"Why? Go bring it here."
"I don’t know. She took it, saying she’d show it to Grandfather. You know how she is—I can’t win against that witch. Anyway, just give me the sword already! I worked so hard for it."
The sword Rian desperately wanted was his grandfather’s greatsword, a weapon that embodied the very spirit of the Ozgent family.
It was twice as heavy as a longsword, with a blade so long that only someone as tall as Clump could wield it properly.
Since childhood, Rian had coveted that sword...