Chapter 19
Ethan spoke first.
“You hate it when other people touch your things, yet you leave your stuff with Lucia?”
“Huh?”
Lucia lifted her head in surprise.
“You didn’t know? People share things a lot in the dorm, but Herwin has never done it even once.”
“That’s right. He really hates people touching his things. He’s as picky as he looks.”
“I… didn’t know. He’s never done that with me.”
Herwin, glaring sullenly at Ethan and Brian, met Lucia’s dazed gaze.
“Well, you’ve known me since I was little. You and Lucas are fine.”
Lucia briefly hoped it was because she was special, but she soon accepted his words.
“Right, he’s like that with my brother too, isn’t he?”
“Lucia, you have a brother?”
Ethan’s eyes widened.
“Yes, I have one older brother.”
“Oh, you have an older brother? I didn’t know.”
“Really? I’ve never mentioned him.”
Kristin and Bianca looked surprised, and Lucia felt awkward.
“Didn’t I ever tell you?”
“No, you never mentioned it. I’d love to meet your brother sometime.”
“How much older is he? Is he at the academy by any chance?”
“Yes, he is. He’s two years older than me, so he’s in his final year.”
When Bianca joked about it, everyone was once again amazed.
“Wow, I can’t even picture it… Lucia’s older brother? Herwin, what kind of person is he?”
“Is he small and cute like Lucia?”
Curious, Ethan and Brian asked Herwin.
“Cute, sure. He looks a lot like Lucia, but he’s completely different. Quite playful too.”
“I want to see him.”
“Me too.”
As Ethan imagined Lucas’ face, a familiar voice rang out.
Turning, they saw Arista standing there, having arrived unnoticed. Ethan’s startled scream was natural.
“You! When did you get here?!”
“Just now. Lucia, you have a brother?”
Lucia, equally shocked, nodded while clutching Bianca.
“What’s his name?”
“Lucas Agnes.”
“Lucas…”
Arista’s eyes widened.
“What’s going on? Got something to say?”
Arista had been staring intently at Lucia, but then quickly turned to face Herwin.
“I’m here to declare war! I, personally, will be the top scorer in today’s practical assessment! Just you wait!”
Arista challenged Herwin.
Always rivals for first and second place, the two were clearly competitive.
Herwin smirked, his red eyes flashing.
“Just what I wanted. Give it your best shot.”
Sparks flew between Herwin and Arista, each brimming with competitive spirit.
“See, I told you Princess Lydia really does like Herwin.”
Bianca whispered quietly to Lucia. She could only smile awkwardly.
Thunder! Boom!
Lightning flashed outside the window.
“Everyone, focus.”
The professor scolded the students as they murmured.
“It’s only May, why is it raining like the monsoon?”
“I know, right? Today’s swordsmanship practical assessment… I wonder if it’s okay out there.”
Bianca and Kristin chatted as they watched the heavy rain outside.
“…I’m worried.”
Lucia couldn’t take her eyes off the window, her expression full of concern.
Today was the most important practical assessment in Swordsmanship.
Herwin had mentioned that it would take place in the foothills next to the academy, and with this much rain, it was impossible not to worry.
‘I hope nothing happens.’
If it had rained since morning, the academy would have postponed it, but the rain had come without warning.
With such sudden downpour, someone could slip or get lost in the hills.
‘Herwin is strong, so he’ll be fine…’
At sixteen, he was already a knight on the verge of becoming a Sword Expert. Surely, he would return safely.
“Class is over for today.”
Just then, the bell rang.
Lucia rose with Kristin and Bianca.
“Shall we go meet our friends?”
“Now? It’s pouring outside.”
“Exactly why we need to go. They probably don’t even have umbrellas, we should take one at least.”
Since all classes were finished, Kristin suggested going to pick up Herwin and the others.
Bianca hesitated at first but eventually joined when Kristin and Lucia insisted.
Prepared for the rain, they brought umbrellas and towels as they headed toward the assessment site.
The wind and rain rendered the umbrellas useless, soaking their clothes.
Bianca clung to Kristin to avoid getting wet.
“Ugh! I didn’t want to come in this weather!”
“Just a little longer. Look, there’s a tent over there.”
Following Kristin’s pointing, they saw tents set up by the academy, probably for stranded students or professors.
They hurried toward the tents.
“We have to go rescue them right now!”
Inside, they heard Brian shouting loudly.
A bad feeling gripped them.
“There are monsters on the mountain! Herwin and Arista aren’t back yet! If they run into monsters, will the professors take responsibility?”
Brian was angry at the professors.
“Wait until the rain stops. If you go now, you won’t even find them properly. And monsters? That’s nonsense. There are no monsters here—”
“Professor! I’m not lying! I saw a monster too. It’s definitely not a beast! It’s an ogre!”
Ethan shouted this time, hobbling as he supported Brian’s words.
The professors’ expressions darkened as two people claimed to have seen a monster.
“Think about it. The only ones not back are Herwin and Arista. They’re the most skilled here. All the others have returned. Doesn’t it seem strange that only those two haven’t?”
“Professor! They’ll be in danger!”
Brian and Ethan wanted anyone—professor or student—to move quickly to find the missing Herwin and Arista.
Thud—
“What… what is happening…?”
“Herwin is missing?”
Students who had just entered the tent gasped in shock.
“Lucia…!”
Bianca, suddenly remembering Lucia, turned around quickly.
A chill ran through her entire body.
Her bright blue eyes, once lively, went blank. Like a lifeless doll, devoid of soul.
Lucia staggered toward Brian and Ethan. The two, who had been arguing with the professors, were startled by her unexpected appearance.
“How did you get here…?”
“What’s this? Herwin is missing…?”
When Brian hesitated, Lucia’s expression twisted in frustration.
“Tell me properly!”
“Well… so…”
She wished he would say it was a mistake, that she misheard, but Brian could neither confirm nor deny.
His hesitation mirrored Herwin’s current dire situation.
Lucia gasped, and Brian and Bianca quickly held her up, fearing she would collapse.
But she didn’t.
No, she couldn’t. Collapsing wouldn’t bring Herwin back.
“Lucia, don’t worry too much. He’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, maybe he’s just taking shelter from the rain somewhere.”
Her friends tried to comfort her. Hearing that a childhood friend was missing, no one could stay calm.
Bianca, knowing words wouldn’t help much, hugged Lucia tightly, stroking her shoulder.
Helplessness and despair sank deep. Lucia clenched her fists, eyes shut tight.
She wanted to cut through the rain to find Herwin immediately. But reality was cruel.
Unlike Brian or Ethan, she couldn’t wield a sword, use magic, or even rely on physical strength.
All she could do was pray for Herwin’s safe return. Nothing more.
“Someone’s coming!”
Suddenly, a student shouted, pointing outside the tent.
Lucia opened her eyes and squinted through the pouring rain.
Two dark figures appeared in the distant gray landscape.
“Arista, Herwin!”
Seeing them, several people ran out immediately, including Lucia.
“Herwin!”
Despite the heavy rain making it hard to see, Lucia rushed toward him.
As they drew closer, the shapes became clear.
“Huff… huff… huff…”
Arista, covered in mud and rain, struggled to support the taller Herwin.
She stopped to catch her breath when she saw the runners approaching.
“Arista! We’ll help you support Herwin now.”
Brian and Ethan quickly took Herwin from Arista.
Herwin wasn’t in good shape. He looked dazed, as if on the verge of collapsing, limping on one leg.
“Herwin!”
Lucia hurried to him, and Herwin’s blurred eyes met hers before he dropped his head.
“Damn it! Bring a stretcher immediately!”
“Herwin! Stay awake! You can’t lose consciousness here!”
A stretcher was approaching from afar. Lucia felt like crying out loud.
In fact, she was already crying, but the rain hid her tears.
“Ah, Arista!”
Arista, behind Herwin, staggered forward.
Lucia caught her before she fell.
“Th-thank you…”
Her weak voice barely carried, but she still held her sword firmly in her right hand.
Her hands were pale with tension.
“Arista, you did well. You can relax now.”
Lucia gently placed her hand over Arista’s, letting her release the sword.
“…Huh?”
Something flickered faintly from Arista’s sword.
But as she let go, the shimmer disappeared.
‘Did I imagine that?’
Puzzled, Lucia felt Arista’s weight and checked on her quickly.
Others who had carried Herwin came over and helped Arista into the tent.
Inside, they were busy treating Herwin.
“Lucia! You’re soaked!”
“You’ll catch a cold.”
Bianca and Kristin handed her towels.
Lucia took one and checked on Herwin.
“Ethan! How’s Herwin? Is he okay?”
“No major injuries. Some concussion symptoms and a swollen ankle, probably from a fall. Thankfully, that’s all.”
Ethan wiped his head with a towel while reporting.
“Arista’s fine too, she overexerted herself and is exhausted.”
No serious damage had occurred. Relief washed over Lucia, and she relaxed.
She sank to the floor, and Brian and Ethan quickly supported her.
“Thank goodness… he’s not hurt…”
“You can relax now. Go ahead inside.”
“Yeah, we’ll stay with Herwin.”
They tried to escort Lucia back to the dorm, thinking she needed rest after such a shocking event.
She was soaked from the rain and visibly shivering.
“…No, I can’t leave until Herwin regains consciousness.”
“But, Lucia, if you collapse, it’ll be serious.”
“Right, let’s at least change your clothes.”
Despite their persuasion, Lucia remained firm. Her friends sighed, realizing she wouldn’t budge.
END
