Knock, knock.
The next morning, Esper was woken up by a knock on the door.
She opened her eyes to find herself still nestled in Eladia's embrace.
Deep blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, carrying a very faint floral scent.
Eladia was already awake, quietly watching her with her sky-blue eyes.
Like a puppy... No, wait, why was she suddenly thinking about that?
Why did she wake up again?
Knock, knock.
The knock sounded twice more, unhurried and carrying a rigid, steady rhythm.
“Constantine? What does that guy want now...”
Esper mumbled as she sat up from the bed, ran a hand through her messy hair, and walked barefoot to the door to pull it open.
She froze.
Standing outside the door was a familiar figure.
Rank Eight Renn.
He wore a slightly faded set of dark gray casual clothes, with his familiar sword hanging at his waist, and a metallic gleam peeking out from beneath the fabric at his right shoulder.
His right arm was no longer an empty sleeve; in its place was a brand-new mechanical arm.
The silver-gray casing was etched with custom runes from the Mage Tower, the joints interlocking precisely, and each finger shimmering with a cold gleam in the morning light.
“Renn, your arm...”
“An adaptive prosthetic from the Mage Tower. Master Wald personally reviewed the blueprints, and the performance is decent.”
Renn raised his mechanical arm, clenching and opening his fingers one by one. The movement was so fluid that it was almost impossible to tell it was artificial.
“And... your sword? Is it fixed?”
He didn't speak, simply drawing his sword.
The runes were still there, and Annihilation was still there, but there were new runes on the blade.
“...I see. Nice.”
Renn nodded, then sheathed the sword.
“Master has something to discuss with you. She asked me to pass along a message: if you're willing, she can instruct you in swordsmanship. Time is short, and the expedition is imminent, but she believes your foundation is worth taking the time to polish.”
Esper was taken aback.
Why didn't she mention this before?
The question was a bit presumptuous, so she didn't ask.
But Renn could tell.
“There were too many trivial matters to deal with on the Empire's side. Her Majesty Veronica just implemented several reforms, and the nobles were making a huge fuss, so Senior Yulia has been helping Her Majesty keep them in line. Things have quieted down a bit now.”
“...Time is really tight. I just finished training with the Church, and now I have to learn swordsmanship.”
“Precisely because time is tight, she feels she can't let you head onto the battlefield like this.”
Esper thought for a moment, then nodded.
“...I understand. When do we start?”
“This afternoon. The training ground is on the east side of the Empire's camp.”
“What about you? Are you coming too?”
Renn fell silent for a moment, his left hand instinctively touching the wrist joint of his mechanical arm.
The runes beneath the metal casing glowed faintly, then dimmed.
“...There are other things to handle on the Empire's side. But I'll watch the recordings.”
Esper looked at him and suddenly let out a soft laugh.
“...Alright.”
“Mm.”
Renn nodded, turned, and walked away.
His posture was straight as an arrow, his back receding into the distance between the stone pillars of the corridor.
The mechanical arm swung slightly at his side, coordinating perfectly with his natural stride.
Esper closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long breath.
Eladia had already gotten out of bed and handed her a cup of warm water.
Esper took the cup, sipped from it, and watched the morning light spreading outside the window before drinking the rest in one gulp.
Rate on N.U.
