01x11 - The King's Decision

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Xyrus Academy.

It's famous for having produced

scholars, entrepreneurs,

royal guards, public leaders,

and military officers.

A prestigious institution

where all children who pursue magic

in this kingdom seek to learn.

And now

here I am, encountering the

director who holds all authority

at this incredibly well-accredited school.

I'm pleased to finally meet you,

Arthur Leywin.

I'm curious about whether or

not Vincent was exaggerating.

Let's take a look.

Okay.

Very good. Then let's begin.

#11 The King's Decision.

This child is shockingly resolute.

I can sense an incredible power;

the kind you would expect from the director

of the most famed magic school in the nation.

I suppose if I show off a little,

it should prove that Vincent wasn't lying.

First

I'll use wind element magic.

How's that?

Wha—

I'm still not getting as much firepower

with wind as I do with fire and water.

In that case

She defended?!

A wall of wind?

I'm impressed.

You might overestimate your strength a bit,

but you definitely are remarkable

in both sorcery and combat skills.

So, shall we finish?

Try not to lose consciousness.

The element of sound?!

Is she some sort of unique sorcerer?!

You pass.

The state of your wind magic makes

me want to teach you personally.

Not only that, but you can use

the earth element too, can't you?

I trust there's even more than that?

She's as sharp as I'd expect.

Well there's water.

Don't you have something you want to tell me?

Considering you came all this

way to show me your power.

She's seen right through me.

You're right.

I'm here because I need the influence

and authority that you possess.

I want to use them to protect my family.

If you're willing to share them with me,

I'll enroll at the academy,

and revere you as a teacher

whom I owe everything.

I hope you realize even the Sapin royal family

hasn't tried such a blunt negotiation before.

You must be pretty sure of yourself.

I am. I believe what I'm offering

is worth your while.

And I think you'll feel the same way.

That said, if I'm going to enroll,

I think it should be when I'm the

same age as the other children.

That's three years from now.

If your studies began now,

you'd be so much stronger.

Why the hesitation?

Because I want to live my life to the fullest.

I want to become an adventurer,

and learn all about this world.

There'll be time for the academy after that.

Well, it seems you've already decided, then.

So, have you told your family yet?

No, I was going to after this.

Fair enough.

Once you've convinced them,

we'll complete the deal.

No! Absolutely not! Inconceivable!

Afterwards, I used Vincent as an intermediary

to tell Alice and Reynolds about my powers,

and how I want to become an adventurer.

We only just got him back! And now we're talking

about him doing something so dangerous?!

I should have told them myself.

No. There is no way. Over my dead body!

Don't be angry, Mommy! Don't be angry!

Alice, let's at least hear him out.

I can't believe you'd say that, knowing

how much we've been through already!

Don't you feel the same way?!

Well, I've been thinking about it.

What if Arthur went with someone to protect him?

No way. Reynolds, you can't be

seriously considering this, can you?

Our son is too young to be off on a journey!

It wouldn't be a journey.

I'd be returning home every few months,

and if you want, I can even make

it more frequent than that.

You mean it?

I do. I promise.

Big brother, you're leaving soon?

Not at all! Not for a while, still.

Okay, then.

Mom, I don't intend on leaving right away.

I was looking forward to coming to home a lot.

In that case

But I want to see more of

the Dicathen Continent.

There's too much that I don't know.

And besides

I want to feel the same things you

did when you were adventurers.

That's your reason?

Yeah.

Staying here simply to train would be dull.

I wasn't willing to tell them about my

desire to use the techniques I've obtained

to test how strong I am.

You still haven't told us

about your different elements.

Come on, Arthur. No more secrets.

Right.

What Alice said struck me through the heart.

If only I could truly share

everything with them

It's only natural that your mom worries.

Danger goes hand-in-hand

with being an adventurer.

Your mother might've interrupted me

before, but this is what I think:

What if we sent Arthur out

with someone we can trust?

So, is anyone up for the job?

Sorry, but I have to pass.

Babysitting isn't my thing.

And I can picture Arthur k*lling

me in my sleep one night.

I know what you mean.

You're rude enough to warrant it.

True.

She's right.

Yeah. Plus, he's just plain unpleasant.

At times, yeah.

What the hell?!

You're the one who said it!

I wouldn't do that.

To be honest, it's not like there's

much I can offer in return.

But if you do go with him,

I'll do whatever I can to repay you.

Don't make it sound like that.

Being able to watch out for Arthur as

he grows up would be great for us, too.

Durden's right.

For sure.

I volunteer.

Jasmine? I thought you preferred

working alone even more than Adam?

It's for Arthur's sake.

I see. I was kind of hoping

it'd be Helen or Durden,

but when I think about it, in terms of

combat skills, Jasmine might be the best choice.

Durden is best suited

to protecting a group with

spells that affect a large area.

Protecting people really

isn't my strong suit, either.

Jasmine, are you sure you don't mind?

Looks like we've got a winner, then.

When you consider she's an

augmenter who can use elements,

and that she hit light orange last year,

plus her wind magic skills, she really

does seem suited for the job.

Agreed. I would've liked to

have gone along too, but

There's always next time, Durden.

Thanks, Reynolds.

I'm grateful, and I look

forward to working with you.

Well, that's one less thing to worry about.

Lilia!

No fair practicing on your own!

It looks like Lilia is now capable of meditating

without me projecting mana for her.

No fair!

I know. I'm sorry.

Eleanor will likely awaken at 7 or 8 years old.

Assuming she has the perseverance

to keep working at it.

You wanna practice together, then?

Not today.

That said, it might be better

for her to not awaken too young.

I'd be worried if she started

drawing too much attention.

Dad, can I head over to the auction house?

I want to pick out a sword.

Yeah, of course.

I see. You wan t a sword to use for the

adventurer's guild entrance exam.

Feel free to look around.

Thank you.

You've decided to become an adventurer, then?

Yes.

Arthur is late.

Should we go pick him up?

He's very serious about the

choices he's making. Let's be patient.

Let's be patient, Mommy!

You've got a point.

This is unbelievable. Such a huge selection

of swords, and I don't want any of them.

Not this one.

Or this.

It may be because the majority of

soldiers in this world are augmenters.

As a result, the majority of swords are

either two-handers or bigger one-handers.

A sword I can use with this small body

is proving elusive.

Sylvie?

Did you find something?

A staff? That's not what I'm looking for.

Fine.

This is heavy!

The weight is too unbalanced

for it to be a staff.

It feels more like a sword.

Could it require the use of an element?

I doubt it, but

It's worth trying.

No way.

This shouldn't be.

What a beautiful sword.

It's more striking than any weapon should be.

It's still a bit too heavy to

make great use of, but

Sorry about this, Mr. Helstea.

This sword

"Dawn's Ballad W.K. IV."

What could that mean?

I'm okay. It's nothing.

The weight and balance have changed.

Not only that, but the handle and grip are

now a length perfectly suited to this body.

I know, Sylvie. You hit the jackpot.

In my past life, any number of incredible

swords passed through my hands,

yet never once did I find any of

them as perfect a fit as this one.

This does remind me of a story I heard.

There was once an expert craftsman who

made a scepter for a single individual,

that practically became an extension of them.

But that involved the owner

infusing it with mana.

The idea of a weapon adjusting itself

to its wielder is unheard of.

W.K. IV. Who could that be?

Arthur, time to head home.

Alice is at home making dinner.

One second!

I'll take this.

So, you found one that you liked.

It's not as fancy as the other swords,

but I swung it around and took a liking to it.

It's a little off-balance. Maybe the

craftsman tried to make it lighter.

But that might be perfect for you, Arthur.

What do you say, Vincent?

As long as Arthur's happy, I'm good.

Thank you.

What's that staff around your waist?

Huh

Have to act normal.

I saw it on the floor. It felt sturdy and about the right weight when I picked it up,

so I was thinking about

using it during practice.

I didn't know we had something like that.

Jameson, can you check the inventory?

Oh, I think I remember that item.

Some old guy was yelling,

"There's no one fit to use it!" and dumped it on us.

We've had a few appraisers check it and

they all said it's just a sturdy, hard staff.

It seemed like a waste to toss

it out, so I kept it in here.

I see.

Should I have a higher ranked

appraiser check it out?

W-Well

If it's valuable, then I'm sorry

But I like how it feels,

and I was hoping to keep it.

Uncle Vincent.

You don't need to apologize!

It was just gathering dust anyway!

Take it with you!

Thanks, Uncle Vincent!

Come on! He called me uncle!

It worked!

For a period after that,

I spent a pleasant times with Alice,

Reynolds, Eleanor, and the Helstea family.

But I was also preparing

to become an adventurer.

It has now been nine years

since I came to this world.

Happy birthday, Arthur!

Thank you.

You're already nine. I can't believe it!

Come on, now, Alice, save the

sentimentality for after the party.

Well, everyone, don't be shy! Eat your fill!

And now with dinner done,

it's time for the presents.

First, something from us.

Those gems on the top have been

enchanted with healing magic by me.

Thank you, Mom!

Next is ours.

Arthur, will you marry me?

No way.

Don't tease the boy.

This one is for you, Arthur.

And this is for you, Alice.

If Arthur's mana ever reaches a dangerously

low level, your ring will light up, Alice.

This is from us.

It's a scroll that can produce sounds.

I'll be real with you.

It cost an arm and a leg—

You use mana to leave a message on the scroll.

When Alice receives it,

she can make one reply.

That's great!

Thank you.

I'm so grateful for all

these wonderful presents.

I might be leaving tomorrow, but Mom, Dad,

Eleanor, Uncle Vincent, Auntie Tabitha,

Lilia, everyone in the Twinhorns

I'll work hard to make sure you

don't have to worry about me.

Well said, Arthur.

Just be careful, okay?

I don't care about you becoming

famous or making a bunch of money.

I just want you to stay safe.

I know.

Something I'd felt for a

while was confirmed today.

In this current life, I have

family and friends who love me.

I never want to lose the feeling

of security that gives me.

I care about them more than anything else.

And if it ever seems like I might lose them,

I will fight with everything

I have in their defense.

And for that I need to become stronger.

Stronger than when I was

a king in my past life.

Looking good.

You could pass for an S-Rank adventurer.

You really think so?

You're a strong boy, but you

shouldn't let that make you c*ck.

Don't try to solve everything on your

own; remember to rely on Jasmine.

Okay.

You don't have to worry. I'm fine.

We'll all be fine.

You be a good girl too, okay, Sylvie?

Well get going.

And don't forget to put your ring on.

Okay.

Arthur, we're all rooting for you.

Have a good trip.

I'll be back.

Are you ready?

Yeah. Let's go.