Chapter 11 Meeting The Future Hero
Just like yesterday, Arnold and I headed to the royal castle together, seeing him off as he went for the exam. Then, I elegantly waited in the waiting room while enjoying some snacks.
The atmosphere in the waiting room was even more tense compared to yesterday. I wonder if the results will be out today. I have no idea about that either. Despite saying it's just a preview, Arnold isn't the type to voluntarily share information, and I'm not the type to pry either - we're not that close to casually ask each other. I was just seeing Arnold off.
But well, it wasn't a complete waste.
Encouraging myself - or rather, deceiving myself - I began to read the documents I brought with me. I brought them to pass the time. Yesterday, I felt the clock's hands moved unusually slowly due to boredom.
――Suddenly, the sound of a bell could be heard from somewhere.
I was so engrossed in my studies that I lost track of time. What time is it now? Is Arnold still taking the exam?
I tried to stretch my stiff body and glanced around absentmindedly in that position — and there, at the entrance, I spotted Arnold.
Has it already ended? It seems faster than yesterday, but maybe it's because I was so focused on the materials I brought.
Thinking that, I hurriedly got up from my seat and ran towards him.
"I passed."
Arnold casually said as if it was nothing.
"...Huh?"
I couldn't quite digest Arnold's words, and a strange sound escaped me.
Passed the exam?
Even though I understood that was the only possibility, I was taken aback by the unexpectedly early news of his passing.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll be a Royal Alchemist trainee."
"...You find out the results on the spot?"
"It seems I did exceptionally well."
Without showing off, he said in his usual tone. I could tell that people around us were starting to get restless.
For other's parents, it was understandable to be anxious upon hearing the sudden news of the boy's passing the exam, wondering, "What about my child!?" Arnold, however, remained indifferent to the commotion spreading like ripples.
Nevertheless, Arnold was indeed outstanding. He passed the exam as if it were natural, accepting it with a nonchalant expression. He must have been very confident.
I need to be careful not to get too conceited about my own talents. I'll work hard in my studies until the end of the next two years.
Although it was a somewhat unsatisfactory trip for a preview two years later, I was inspired by Arnold's presence. It seems like studying will progress well again starting tomorrow.
"Come here."
"Huh, wait!?"
He grabbed my wrist and started walking, pulling me along. We walked through the garden and ended up inside the castle.
Two kids ran through the castle, surprising the guards and well-dressed scholars. They all smiled when they saw Arnold. I didn't understand their expressions or where Arnold was taking me. I just looked around.
There was a grand chandelier on a red carpet, just like the scene in "Last Brave."
We passed through two large double doors and entered a courtyard with a sparkling fountain in the center, shining in the sunlight. It was beautiful.
Suddenly, I spotted a figure near the fountain. He stood with his back to us, clearly a man with messy brown hair and a slouching posture. He wore a long white garment that resembled a robe.
"Kasper-san."
Arnold stopped and called out to the man with messy hair. The man turned around.
He looked over here, his eyes widening behind round glasses. Then he flashed a big smile, showing off his white teeth, and came running over.
"Oh, isn't it the genius guy!"
Genius guy. Those words were directed at Arnold. Quite an honorable nickname.
But is this guy really a Royal Alchemist? He looks the part, and the fact that he already knows about Arnold at this stage...
"Is that cute girl over there your girlfriend?"
My mind went blank.
"Huh?!" I blurted out to the person above me, but I hope he'll overlook it this time.
Girlfriend? And a cute girl at that.
Despite his appearance with round glasses and messy hair, he seemed like a "nerdy researcher" type, but with his manner of speaking, he might surprisingly be a young guy—charming, you could say.
"This guy will also join us here in two years."
Arnold didn't just disagree with the guy, he went on to rant about it.
Why make such a big deal out of it? Sure, I'll be taking the exam in two years, but――
As I panicked trying to figure out how to respond to the barrage of comments coming one after another, the guy smirked and said,
"So, is she the girlfriend of the genius guy... the genius-chan?"
Seeing him amused, I quickly raised my voice before the conversation could spread any further without correction.
"No! Um, I'm just taking the exam in two years! Besides, I'm not Arnold's girlfriend――"
"Kasper! Are you hanging out with that rumored genius boy?"
Unfortunately, my voice was drowned out by the deep voice of a man coming from the side.
I was about to get angry and wonder who it was — then I realized, no, I "remembered."
It was the deep, mature voice of a man. A voice that was clear and pleasant to the ears. That voice had guided "me" many times. Encouraged me.
Turning back as if guided by that voice, a strong man in black armor was approaching.
Memories of a pleasant smile resurfaced in my mind. He had slicked-back navy hair, narrow green eyes, large curved lips, and powerful arms wielding a greatsword. He was admired by many as the bravest knight in the order.
The image of him that resurfaced in "my" mind overlapped with the man who was now right in front of me. The blurry outline in my memory became clearer.
――Please take care of this, Hero-dono.
He said with a smile, a large scar visible in his right eye.
"Vake-san! Yeah, that's right, he's a genius who stood out so much from the other applicants that he was accepted on the spot. And this cute girl here is his girlfriend, who seems to be a genius too."
――But now, there were no injuries.
The man, who appeared slightly younger than in my memories, bent down. He met our gaze, flashed a toothy grin, and chuckled.
"My name is Vake Buckel. Despite how it looks, I'm the leader of the Savila Knights. I'll likely be able to help you with your healing potions in the future, so let's greet each other early. Nice to meet you, future alchemist."
The man who gave a pleasant greeting, Vake Buckel, was one of the members of the "Last Brave" party.
Vake was the oldest among the party members and was depicted as a mature man guiding the protagonist.
His navy hair slicked back, slender green eyes, large curved lips, powerful arms swinging a greatsword, all remained the same. Vake, who had saved them countless times in the game, was just as he was. The only difference was the large scar that used to be on his right eye, now gone.
Because of that injury, Vake can hardly see with his right eye. However, he didn't seem to mind it at all, not bothering to hide the injury with an eyepatch, saying it was a "injury of honor." The explanation was that he got the injury during a battle with monsters, but the details of when and how he got it were not revealed.
In a meta sense, I thought it might be a symbol to give character design some uniqueness, but thinking about Vake getting that scar on his right eye in the coming years made my heart ache.
I found myself getting excited without even realizing it at the unexpected encounter with a key character from "Last Brave." When I found out Arnold was Elvira's brother, I felt a similar sense of excitement, but meeting the "real person" this time was incomparable.
Despite everything, I loved the game "Last Brave." Feeling the strong, pulsating heartbeat, I truly felt it.
With excitement flushing my cheeks, I bowed deeply.
"Um, nice to meet you. I'm Laura Ampère."
"Oh, me too! I'm Kasper Claesen from Royal Alchemist. Nice to meet you!"
Interrupting immediately was the messy-haired man - or rather, Kasper-san. Vake-san lightly nudged his head, thinking it was in the way.
Ah, the main character of "Last Brave," Vake, was moving right in front of me.
I never expected to be so moved. Vake was soon called away by the knights, but the excitement and emotions lingered.
"Hey, Arnold, can I have a moment? I want to explain something about the future..."
As if remembering suddenly, Kasper-san called out to Arnold. Catching a glimpse of the glance directed towards us, I understood.
It wouldn't be appropriate for me to be there.
"Ah, I'm heading back alone."
"Thanks for your hard work," I said, bowing my head and changing direction. Arnold brought me here without asking, but I have the map of the royal castle in my head, so it's not a problem.
"Laura-chan, I'm looking forward to seeing you in 2 years!"
I returned a smile with a hint of a wry smile at Kasper-san's words. Thanks to Arnold — or should I say, because of him — I was already recognized by face and name by the Royal Alchemist even before taking the exam. I can't afford to fail in 2 years.
When I return to Emme Village, I'll study even harder than before. And in 2 years, I'll definitely pass. I'll become a force for the Savila Knights, warriors around the world, and Hero-sama — the heroes, even if in a small way.
Just as I was burning with determination,
"Ampère!"
Arnold called out to me.
Feeling the approaching footsteps, I turned around and found Arnold's face much closer than I had thought.
"In two years, you'll definitely pass."
"I'll put in the effort."
Words I've heard countless times. I casually brushed them off with a smile, but Arnold's expression turned even more serious.
"If by some chance you fail the exam, I'll make sure to laugh at you for life."
He really wants me to pass.
Shouldn't he offer more straightforward words of encouragement?
But knowing Arnold's personality, I can't expect that.
Thinking such rude thoughts, I was about to reply, "Understood." However, before I could, he said,
"I'll be waiting."
――Arnold's straightforward words shook my eardrums.
What, he can say such words too? And with such sincere eyes.
I watched in surprise as I saw the back running ahead. That back felt much stronger compared to three years ago. It might be natural considering the three years that have passed, but I didn't realize it until now.
Kasper-san and Arnold exchanged a few words and then started moving from the courtyard. After seeing them off, I started walking again.
――After that day, Arnold and I didn't meet again until two years later.
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