Episode 496
Behind the Crown Prince’s Palace, Training Grounds.

Jin tugged lightly at his sweat-soaked training shirt. Across from him, Xiao Xi did the same. Both were drenched in sweat as if they’d been doused with water, while Jerat, standing between them, clicked his pocket watch.

“The break will be over soon, Your Highness.”

“Hah… hah…”

“Breathe slowly and steadily. The more rushed you are, the more important it is to control your breath. Otherwise, you lose focus—and that means leaving an opening.”

“Unforgiving, Jerat.”

“It’s not me who’s unforgiving—it’s the sword.”

“Xiao, this time, come with me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiao Xi took a long sip of water and steadied his sword. Though the blade was dull—meant for training—it weighed the same as a real one, making the feel authentic.

Jin lowered his stance, focusing on the tip of Xiao Xi’s sword. At the same moment Jerat pulled the chain of his pocket watch, Jin lunged forward.

Clack, clack! Slash!

A sharp swish! Clang! Clink!

“Well done, Your Highness. When you parry, push more force into it. If you use your waist fluidly, it will come naturally.”

Each clash of their blades sparked tiny flashes. Jin and Xiao Xi gritted their teeth, exchanging endless strikes, while Jerat’s hawk-like eyes corrected their postures. Though, truth be told, Jin was the main focus.

“Sir Xiao Xi! You left an opening just now, didn’t you? Why didn’t you strike? Was it because you were facing the Crown Prince?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

“Xiao! I told you—I don’t mind if you cut me!”

Screeeech!

Jin pushed his blade forward with force, and Xiao Xi stepped back, twisting his body. That revealed a gap at his side.

Jin swung fiercely, attacking Xiao Xi’s ribs, but even as he stumbled, Xiao Xi pressed his sword against Jin’s right neck.

“Enough.”

At Jerat’s command, their swords stopped simultaneously—tips hovering just shy of vital points. Both Jin and Xiao Xi exhaled heavily, glancing at their necks and waists before breaking into faint smiles.

“This round is a draw.”

“Well done, Your Highness. You improve every day.”

“Yes. I will keep growing, so you must improve as well. If I ever defeat you, Xiao Xi, I will hold you accountable.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

For an officer of the Imperial Defense Corps to lose to the Crown Prince in swordsmanship was unthinkable. Jin patted Xiao Xi’s shoulder and stood up, gratefully accepting the water handed to him by a servant.

Clack, clack!

“Your Highness.”

At that moment, footsteps echoed from afar. The hurried pace caught the attention of both Xiao Xi and Jerat, who turned their heads simultaneously.

“What is it?”

“We’ve received word that Prince Noah of Cleaford has entered the city center. He should arrive at the palace soon, but there’s uncertainty about how to handle his entrance…”

“Ah.”

The palace had expected the Cleaford delegation to arrive tomorrow for Jin’s coming-of-age ceremony. But this sudden, unofficial visit?

While the servants were flustered, Jin raised an eyebrow, as if he had a hunch.

“Allow him entry. Treat him with due respect, but if he wishes to see me, he must wait until the ceremony concludes. If it’s urgent, have him come here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Since today’s schedule would only end late at night, he would likely come here. Jin wrapped his own hand in bandages, and Captain Jerat silently donned his protective gear.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard, Your Highness.”

“There’s a war looming. As Crown Prince, I must set an example.”

“Not just to pass the time faster?”

“Of course not. The whole country is caught up in the ceremony preparations—there’s no time for that.”

Jerat’s teasing question drew a smirk from Jin, who lightly denied it, though his tone hinted at some truth. He was eagerly awaiting the day the Ministry of Magic would convene—more precisely, the day Minister Ian Hiel returned to the palace.

“Enough idle talk.”

“Yes, Your Highness. We’ll do our best.”

With a strong punch, Jin signaled the start of the next sparring round.

Xiao Xi stepped back to watch, but soon footsteps echoed down the corridor again. It was Prince Noah.

“Your Highness, Prince Noah of Cleaford has arrived.”

“Hah… hah… Let him in.”

With a firm expression, Noah entered the training grounds. His long hair, tied back to his waist, contrasted with Mei’s shorter cut trailing behind him.

Jin straightened his posture and smiled warmly.

“Long time no see, Prince Noah.”

“I pay my respects to Crown Prince Jin.”

“But what brings you here so early, ahead of schedule? Has Cleaford’s situation improved recently?”

His question was both a probe—wondering if the heir could afford to leave his country—and a rebuke for the sudden visit.

Noah bowed lightly, then met Jin’s gaze. His narrow eyes were sharp and cold—anger, unmistakably.

“My apologies, Your Highness. As you know, Cleaford still writhes in pain. Our people mourn a lost future, living in fear of when the monsters might strike again.”

“I see. Truly unfortunate. But then, why are you here?”

Jin’s question was rhetorical. Noah could hardly believe the sly man before him was the same boy from ten years ago.

“You’ve summoned all the mages to the palace, haven’t you? How could you do that? If the mages withdraw, what will happen to the Cleaford Rift? Have you forgotten our contract?”

In the Cleaford-Bergos war, Cleaford had handed over the right of claim to Bariel in exchange for this: sending mages south to investigate and manage the Rift.

But now, how soon after had they already recalled the mages? This was a threat graver than war itself. No one knew how the Rift would react without the mages.

“I have not forgotten. It’s a treaty between nations—I would never.”

“Then why?”

“I said it was a temporary summons.”

“But there’s no set duration. Everyone in Cleaford fears ‘temporary’ will become indefinite.”

“Perhaps you haven’t read the contract carefully, Prince Noah. It clearly states that if Bariel’s security is threatened, the mages may be withdrawn at any time. This summons is based on that.”

“But how are we to know if there’s a threat or not?”

“Such a naive question, Prince Noah. Did you think the Empire would inform the kingdom of its dangers? Perhaps our ties are stronger than I thought. Hmm?”

Jin’s light jab made Noah bite his lip. Though not entirely true, there was some trust built over time. Noah swallowed his sigh and added:

“Your Highness, this was effectively a notification from Cleaford’s perspective. Given the gravity, Bariel should show respect to Cleaford as an ally.”

“That’s why I told you to come with notice. Assuming Idgal is sufficient, I judged that even without the mages, we could manage for two weeks to a month.”

Noah had no comeback. It was frustratingly precise—reminding him of someone. Soon, he realized it was Ian.

“Your Highness, is the rumor true?”

“What rumor?”

“That you’re preparing for war with Bergos. If so, please reconsider. Cleaford will provide appropriate troops.”

“Reducing the value of mages to mere troops is laughable. And what if Bergos invades the now-weakened Cleaford?”

“That only means Cleaford is willing to give everything—for the mages.”

Jin leaned back on the sofa, staring intently at Noah. If Bariel didn’t clarify its stance, how would Cleaford respond? They might detain the mages as hostages or seek a three-nation alliance again. Not an immediate threat, but a headache for Jin, newly ascended and managing the realm.

Jin gestured to the sofa opposite him.

“Ian has returned.”

Noah froze, turning to Jin.

Did he hear that right?

“Ian? Ian?”

“He’s coming down from the north with the palace guard. The mage summons came from Ian, so as Crown Prince, I have no grounds to interfere. Nor the authority.”

“W-wait a moment.”

“When Ian returns, he will decide whether to send support to Cleaford. Tell your king that. Oh, and your troop offer is interesting—I’ll discuss it positively with my ministers.”

Jin smiled, satisfied. Just by shaking the long-standing treaty, Bariel had gained new leverage. If war with Bergos broke out, they could demand Cleaford’s troop support.

Cleaford would naturally try to minimize troop deployment, so invoking the value of mages could secure more aid.

But Noah set aside all other concerns and focused solely on the news of Ian’s return.

“So, uh, when is he coming to the palace? The coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow.”

Once the ceremony was over, Noah planned to return to Clifford. But wouldn’t it be a shame to leave without seeing Ian? His arrival was sure to stir up a storm across Gaia, surpassing even Bariel. It would be wonderful to discuss the current situation with him in person.

Yet, Jin just shrugged, saying even he didn’t know.

“No detailed updates yet?”

“Ha, ha… well, you know how it is.”

“Anyway, don’t worry too much about Clifford. Trust Bariel. Once Sir Ian returns, I’ll let you know.”

Jin noticed Xiaosi signaling that it was time for the next appointment and stood up.

Who was more eager to know when Ian would arrive than Jin himself? He had even developed the habit of glancing at the window, half-expecting another urgent message to come flying in.

“Any word yet from the Magic Department?”

“No, I’ll ask again.”

“…Very well. It’s going to be hectic, but after the ceremony, I’ll personally send someone north.”

If the return is delayed, there’s no choice but to lead the way.

Jin looked out the window but didn’t notice the cherry blossom petals swirling beautifully in the breeze. His mind was clouded with thoughts of someone he longed for.

---

“Romandro!”

“Why now? Every time you call, my heart skips a beat!”

Just as Jin feared, the Magic Department was swamped to the point of exhaustion. While other departments were steadily preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony, they had to track down scattered colleagues to carry out the minister’s orders.

To fill the gaps, the mages worked frantically, so busy they might as well have been wearing their clothes backward.

“Here’s the report you requested last time.”

“You’re only giving this to me now? This is driving me crazy!”

“Sorry, I’m buried under a mountain of work too.”

“Hey, Administration! Someone go to Administration! No time to saddle a horse—just fly there and back, quick!”

“Ugh. No time to ride, and I’m out of energy.”

“What? Are you even okay?”

“A little… yeah, it’s tough, but I’m managing.”

The mage wiped sweat from his brow and smiled, but Romandro studied him carefully, worried. He didn’t look well, but the words to tell him to rest wouldn’t come out. What to do now?

KABOOM!

“Nyah!”

Akorella, who had been holed up in the lab, burst through the door.

Everyone froze. Romandro and the mages stared blankly at her before rushing forward to grab her by the collar and shake her.

“You crazy captain! Everyone’s drowning in work, and you’re hiding in the lab? And you still call yourself the captain?”

“Hey, careful, you’re gonna tear my collar off.”

“Akorella, you’re going too far. What have you been doing all this time?”

“Aww, just watch.”

Akorella shook a glass vial filled with liquid and winked, clearly aware she’d been slacking.

“This is a welcome-back gift for Sir Ian. A magic recovery potion! If he was worn out enough to stop by the north, his condition must be rough. But one sip of this, and his magic will be full again!”

“That didn’t work so well last time.”

“Hmph, you can’t compare. This one’s been improved a lot. No matter how bad the state, it’ll restore him to full strength in an instant.”

“…Any side effects?”

“Side effects?”

With a sly grin, Akorella grabbed one of the mages and pulled him forward. “There are some, but it’s fine! They’re super cute, so we can just overlook them.”

So…

“If you’re curious, you’ll just have to try it yourself, won’t you?”