I went to a small restaurant in Chorus with Whipney.
Their specialty was grilled fish—not the usual salted kind, but freshly caught fish grilled right there on the spot.
I didn't understand how they managed to get live fish when there wasn't even a river nearby, but the taste was undeniably good. Price aside.
"By the way, Whipney, how did you get into the Academy?" I asked, picking bones out of the fish.
Whipney smiled as he chewed, his expression bright.
"I got a letter~ It said my talent was exceptional~"
"Talent?" I echoed, unsure what he meant.
Was he talking about… sleeping?
"I have a special constitution~ I can gather and control mana even while I'm asleep~"
"What? You can use magic while sleeping?"
"Yup~ And the magic I use when sleeping is even stronger~"
"That's impressive. Is that different from a gift?"
"Yeah~" he said, smiling shyly as he picked the bones from his fish.
So, he could cast spells while sleeping—and they were even more powerful than when awake.
Only then did I realize why the professors never scolded Whipney for sleeping in class.
He was actually training.
…Probably.
"But even if you can use magic while sleeping," I said, "doesn't it lose meaning if you can't sense your surroundings?"
"It's okay~ I can still tell what's happening nearby~"
"Oh, then can you listen to the lectures while asleep?"
"Hmm~ I don't really remember what they say though~"
"Then that's pointless."
Maybe I should tell the professors anyway.
"Then it's my turn~" Whipney said, setting his fish bones neatly aside.
"How did Connor get into the Academy~?"
"Me?"
"Yeah~"
"By chance, really. I also got a letter. I was going to decline at first, but people told me if I graduated and became a Guardian, I'd never have to worry about money again."
"Is that so~? Even if Connor doesn't graduate, he can still work as a mercenary, right~?"
"…I don't really like being a mercenary anymore. Even if it kept me alive until recently."
"Really~?"
Whipney chuckled softly, an unreadable glint in his eyes. Then he took another bite of fish.
…Maybe someday, I'll figure out what goes on in that head of his.
The next morning—Sunday.
The Trinity Academy's training grounds were silent and cool, with the dawn breeze still lingering.
No one was here.
"I guess only weirdos like me come here on a Sunday morning," I muttered, checking around just in case.
No one. Not even near the magic circles or the strange machines lined up along the walls.
"Alright. Safe enough."
I stretched out my arm. "Kyle, take out the sword."
Blue mana flowed from my palm, forming a blade.
The Dwarven Blade Zephyros had given me.
"Phew…"
Normally, I wouldn't waste a Sunday morning training, but today was different.
I wanted to confirm whether the sensation I felt during my duel with Sina was real—or just an illusion.
[It'll be useless. The physical instincts from the mask are temporary. What you felt was an illusion.]
[Then I'll confirm it myself.]
Ignoring Kyle's voice, I started up the training device.
The magic circles linked to mechanical consoles through dark mana lines. Following the guidebook's instructions, I pressed a red button marked 'Scarecrow (Straw)'.
A flash of light—and a straw scarecrow appeared.
"…That's incredible."
[It's not. It's a machine that triggers a bound summoning spell through a mechanism. Simple, really.]
"It's still amazing."
I drew my sword, the blade whispering like sliding ice.
Even the sound felt good.
I took a stance and swung.
The scarecrow split neatly down the middle—clean and smooth.
"…No drag at all."
The cut surface was perfect.
Just one swing, and it was over.
"So this is what a real Dwarven weapon feels like…"
[Of course. Their craftsmanship surpasses humans by far.]
"Must be nice, being able to gift something like this."
I pressed another button: 'Scarecrow (Wood)'.
The wooden scarecrow appeared, sturdier but still nothing special.
I swung again. Another clean cut.
Still, I didn't feel that strange resonance from before.
"…So it really was my imagination?"
[I told you so.]
"Well, during my duel with Myael a few days ago, I didn't feel any—"
'I thought it was beautiful.'
"Ugh."
Just remembering that moment made my head spin.
No, focus, Connor. Myael doesn't care about you.
He probably only said that as a friend.
Wait… why did he call me beautiful?
[Stop rambling and focus.]
[Yeah, yeah.]
I shook my head and went back to training—
Creak.
The door opened.
"Huh? Someone else here?"
I turned toward the entrance—and froze.
A man with dull blond hair and sharp, cold eyes stood there.
The Ninth Prince of the Platinum Kingdom.
Bercht Platinum.
Maiael of the Hercule Empire.
Zephyros of the Alima Union.
Bercht of the Platinum Kingdom.
What were the odds that a washed-up mercenary like me would meet all three within a week of enrolling?
Coincidence? Inevitability?
Either way, I wasn't happy about it.
[Hey, what do I do when I meet royalty?]
[Get on your knees. Think fast.]
Without hesitation, I knelt.
"…Hello?"
"I've never seen such a mismatched greeting before. Do all mercenaries act like this?"
I couldn't see his expression, but I could feel my blunder.
"I'm kidding. Get up."
"Huh? Ah, yes!"
I quickly stood. Thankfully, Bercht didn't seem offended. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"This isn't a palace. No need for such stiff manners. If students knelt every time they saw me, I'd never get anywhere."
"…Haha."
The image of students dropping to their knees everywhere made me laugh nervously.
"Oh no! I wasn't laughing at you, Your Highness—"
"I know what you meant. I'd laugh too."
He wasn't what I expected. The cold, imposing prince from the entrance ceremony seemed more approachable now—calm, even friendly.
"I didn't expect the Highlander to be so… human," Bercht said. "When you knelt, I could tell your expression just by the back of your head."
"May I ask what kind of person you think I am?"
"I thought you'd be cold and hardened from years on the battlefield. Was I wrong?"
"No, that's understandable."
Apparently, we'd both made the same assumptions.
He smiled. "Then tell me one thing. Is it true you'd risk your life to save someone in danger?"
"…Yes."
Rumors really did travel fast.
"You have a good heart."
"You don't need to say that."
From my perspective, it wasn't a blessing—it was a curse.
Bercht chuckled softly. "I didn't think I'd meet anyone else training this early. Seems we're both early risers."
"I guess so."
He glanced down—and his eyes locked on my sword.
"…A Dwarven Blade. I'm sure you used a regular longsword at the entrance ceremony. That's… interesting."
My forehead tingled.
The warning.
If I said something wrong, I'd regret it.
"…It was a gift. I wanted to refuse, but it would've been rude. So… I'm using it."
Not a lie—just not the full truth.
"So early in the morning?"
The tingling grew stronger.
"I just didn't want to draw more attention. The entrance ceremony was enough. I even fainted at the end."
"…I see."
Bercht was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. The tension eased.
"I understand. I've lived in the spotlight since birth. Sometimes, I wish I could just… live quietly."
I wasn't sure if he meant it, but it sounded sincere.
"I like you, Connor."
"Huh?"
He extended his hand.
"Let me introduce myself properly. Bercht Platinum, Ninth Prince of the Platinum Kingdom. My chance of becoming king is about as bright as the moon at noon—but still, will you be my friend?"
Friend?
A prince?
Me?
[…You gonna keep staring or shake his hand?]
"O-Of course, Your Highness! It's an honor! I'm Connor McCloud!"
I took his hand before my brain could stop me.
He smiled. "No need to be so formal. When no one's around, call me by name. We're friends now."
Friends. With a prince.
"…Yes, Bercht."
"But you said you didn't want attention for using that blade."
"Yes."
"Then I'll keep quiet about it."
"Thank you."
"In exchange," he said, grinning faintly, "I have one request."
My back straightened.
"What kind of… request?"
"I'd like to spar. I missed my chance at the entrance ceremony, so let's have a proper duel—Highlander versus Prince."
And just like that, my peaceful Sunday morning was over.