"Al~" When Arnold exited the auditorium alongside Luke and Ceru, a girl with long jet-black hair ran towards him.
Without warning, she jumped into his arms.
"Hehehe~"
"E-Elizabeth?"
Bewildered, he caught her. Her attitude was a stark contrast to what he had expected.
He did, after all, tell her to take her own life for his sake…
"Hm?" she looked up at him from his chest. Her beautiful fluffy eyelashes fluttered and her blood red eyes stared lovingly up at him.
"…Never mind. Where is Grace?"
"I left her side because I wanted to see you~"
Arnold could sense that Grace was running around on the opposite side of the academy, probably looking for Elizabeth. So, she ran away from Grace's side.
"You looked so cool back there." she rubbed her face on his chest and wouldn't let go of his body.
-Look, a beauty is in that guy's arms again.
-Are you really surprised? Not the first time we've seen it.
-Yeah, but… doesn't she look way prettier than any of the girls he's been with…?
-Shit, you're right! How did that scum get so lucky after threatening the entire fucking school!?
Whispers came from all around them but Elizabeth just wouldn't let go. She was like a maiden in love, rubbing her whole body on him as if to mark territory.
"Don't you need some time to—"
"Nope! As long as I'm with you, I'm fine!" she didn't even let him finish.
"I see…" it was still unbelievable how the second strongest human was right in his hands. Part of him felt a little guilty for giving her that final push. But in the end, it was necessary to both cure her and complete the quest, thereby freeing Aedri and obtaining a powerful ally…
And yes, he had already chosen his sub-class.
While she clung to his arm, the two walked down the stairs, with Luke as a third wheel. Why did Luke seem so sad?
"Did you speak to Aedri while in her dimension?" he asked, knowing that their meeting was probably in some dimension that had time dilation. Since Aedri can split herself up into different consciousnesses, she was probably speaking to Elizabeth while speaking to Arnold at the same time.
"…Yes… She had a lot to tell me…" she said in a small voice.
"What did she look like?"
Arnold asked, even though he knew the answer to that.
"…Like my mother."
"Are you sure it wasn't some disguise?"
"I could feel it—I knew it was her real form. But… I knew she wasn't my mother."
"If she looked just like your mother then that means your mother—"
"—was also an incarnation." She finished what he was about to say.
"Yeah."
"…But how did she die? Goddess Aedri said that by using her blessing, her incarnations have control over life and death…" her grip on his arm loosened as her voice grew smaller.
Arnold genuinely didn't know the answer to that since Elizabeth solved this mystery off-screen and fully devoted herself to him with no other goal.
The grip around Arnold's arm suddenly tightened and he sensed killing intent from that same spot but kept his gaze forward.
"…Who is that fat bimbo flying around you?" she stared up at him with unblinking eyes as her grip tightened even more. How is there so much power in those tiny limbs of hers!?
'Who is she talking about? The only one flying around is… me?' Ceru looked around curiously but then realized who Elizabeth was talking about.
'S-She means me!?' A vein popped on her temple and she gritted her teeth, 'What, are you jealous that you can never have these, Witch!?' she opened her blazer and lifted her bountiful breasts.
Arnold didn't notice that Ceru was floating right in front of the blushing Luke who was looking right at… something. Actually, neither of them did, otherwise Ceru would die of shame since her panties were quite small and the kind you only show your lover.
'Get away from Papa, skinny whore with no boobs! He loves big boobies more than your scrawny body!' Elizabeth stuck out her tongue at Ceru while rubbing her face on Arnold's arm, 'How dare you disrespect an angel!? I am above you in authority, sort of! Take this!'
"Kyaaa!" Ceru pulled Elizabeth's hair.
-Uh, why is that girl's hair floating by itself?
'What's with the outburst suddenly?'
"Uhm, big brother," Luke poked his arm while he was watching the two girls fight, "who is that flying girl?" for some reason, he was blushing.
"You can see her too?"
"She looks a bit transparent but yeah, sure of. Uhm, she's really…. bold…"
'What does he mean by bold?'
It's a good sign that he can see her since it means Luke has almost mastered his Golden Aura, giving him a body that's not dissimilar to that of a demigod. They perceive the world differently from humans.
Arnold spotted a nearby table with a big umbrella overhead after arriving at the bottom of the stairs. He didn't like the heat so he headed towards it to wait out the second bell that will indicate the start of classes. Meanwhile the girls were still fighting each other. Elizabeth probably looked crazy to anyone other than Luke and Arnold.
But nonetheless, seeing a beauty like that have a schizophrenic episode seems to draw in more eyes that admired her beauty.
"Luke, have you decided which martial art you'll use yet?" Arnold and Luke sat down at the table.
"Eh… Not really… All I've been doing so far is train my body."
"If you're training your body already then does that mean you've mastered Sebastian's footwork techniques?"
"Yup! Master said he'll be my sparring partner every day from now on! I'll need to spar with him daily to see if my work paid off."
"What about taking you out on the field? He should've done that already by now."
Arnold started doing this right after he finished his footwork training. The goal is to survive several battles against monsters and evading their attacks until Sebastian allows you to slay the monsters. This helps with building your "Warrior Sense" until it becomes second-nature. Of course, it's the first step of many.
"…I-I don't think I'm ready yet…"
"You're scared? Even after you proudly proclaimed to the entire school that you'll protect them?"
Luke blushed and squirmed.
"Flora mentioned taking you on one of her quest runs. Unlike Sebastian, she will intervene if she senses you're in danger. Speaking of Flora, you'll need to ask her to help you look for a martial art that's suitable for you. Something that only you can use."
"R-Right! I'll ask her when I get home! I can't wait to get right back to training!"
"Hm? She's in the capital?" Arnold couldn't sense her so she must be hiding her signature.
"Yup, she's been training hard every day since she got back."
"I see. It seems she's quite determined to see her master again."
But to do that, she would need to prove to Arnold that she's ready. And to prove this, she would need to become "one with the sword."
The sound of the grass rustling caught their attention. Looking to the side, they noticed someone there glaring at Arnold with cold eyes.
Standing there was a familiar girl with silver hair who he used to fawn over like an idiot. At the entrance to this little park where the two of them sat was a carriage, meaning she just arrived at school. It's rare for her to arrive late.
"I do hope you aren't trying to influence Sir Luke negatively." Olivia stood beside Luke like a protective guard.
"E-Eh, Princess?"
"Good morning, Sir Luke. I apologize for not fetching you at the manor this morning."
Arnold noticed that her skin was paler than he remembered—almost porcelain, but not the elegant kind. It was the kind that suggested her blood struggled to keep up. A faint bluish tint clung to the skin beneath her eyes, and her lips were just a shade too dull. She wasn't wearing her academy blazer today—just a long-sleeved dress shirt, which only partially hid the thin puncture marks that trailed faintly along the inside of her arms. Some were old and faded, others fresh and pink.
His gaze lingered on them.
She noticed.
For the briefest moment, her poise cracked—her fingers tightened slightly around Luke's wrist, and her eyes darted toward Arnold's, as if daring him to comment.
He didn't say a word or ask what was going on.
He didn't need to since he already knew.
From a description in the game:
-"She had tried everything—doctors, alchemists, forbidden tinctures that left burns on the veins beneath the skin. She was fighting a battle with her body, one no one else could even name. And she was losing."
Ten years. That's all the game gave her. But those ten years will be agonizingly slow because of what she'll need to endure.
Judging by her appearance… the clock was already ticking louder.
She'll die a great commander who aided the Hero in vanquishing the Demon Army.
Whether she died without regrets wasn't known to him.
Arnold noticed Olivia staring at his face intently.
"I will save my questions for another time." Then she looked away, "Come, Sir Luke, I will escort you to class."
'I'm more surprised by the fact that she knew it was me before I even spoke.'
"Wha, but I wanted to walk around with Big Brother!"
"Who? It can't be… Since when has he stared calling you that?"
"I am his older brother technically so I don't mind." He shrugged.
"Uhm, Princess." Luke pulled her hand, making her face him.
"Yes?" her cold gaze that was fixated on Arnold all this time turned soft when she faced him.
"There is something I need to tell you before you hear it anywhere else… The truth is—I'm…"
…
"…." Olivia finally opened her eyes after Luke was done explaining himself, "I have always known there was something special about Sir Luke. It seems Lord Berkley had a good reason for making you heir to his House… But… even if I am the luckiest woman in this world to have the honor of bearing your first child and marrying you—I still worry about the things you will have to endure just for the sake of humanity. And in the future, I will always imagine you dying in some far-off country just to keep others safe."
"It's okay!" he held her hands, "I'll endure anything to protect all of you!"
"I see." A small smile appeared on Olivia's face, "Sir Luke, if you are going to take the mantle of Hero, I suggest you minimize your interactions with Arnold."
"Eh!? Why!?"
"He is a bad influence on you. Young heroes need positive role models in their lives and need to be surrounded by good people. If you stay close to him, his delinquency and tendency for trouble will rub off on you."
A shadow hung over Luke's face but not the kind radiating sadness, but something dark. Arnold didn't notice this, neither did Olivia. That strange gaze was directed at Olivia.
'She's trying so hard to make Luke her little puppet that only she can control.'
Fortunately for her, Luke is very gullible when it comes to interacting with people who know how to manipulate him. Adult Luke was expressive, unable to or unwilling to sense malice in interactions with others (maybe because he believed everyone can change) and shows his weaknesses boldly because he believed by relying on his comrades, it makes him a better hero.
Is this Luke the same?
Like most things he's encountered so far, Luke's attitude towards him was different. Meaning there will be no Death Flag from one of the most powerful beings in the game, which is a weight off his shoulders. But what else changed about him?
Luke became a "yes ma'am" in the game, even during the School Arc because Olivia knew how to control him. She always tried to pin that "yes ma'am" Luke against Arnold throughout the game.
"Since I've missed the announcement in the auditorium." Olivia changed the subject when Luke didn't respond and took a cursory glance at the auditorium, "Lots of new faces today but it's a shame they weren't introduced today."
Every year, on the first day of school, the new first years are introduced to the whole school right at the start of the presentations planned for that day. That didn't happen today because this was the last day the seventh years from last year will attend school. Tomorrow they will walk on a path filled with new opportunities.
This time next year, Arnold will also be saying goodbye to Celeste.
"Ah, did you hear about what Arthur did to Big Brother!?" Luke then remembered something and blurted it out.
"Arthur?" there was suddenly a mocking glint in Olivia's eyes, "Did you finally lose in battle?"
"I got killed actually—funny, isn't it?"
"E-Eh?" Olivia blinked; disbelief written on her face for a moment. She looked him up and down, "…Say I believe you, why do you look so different and why are you alive?"
"…"
As if she could read his judging eyes, she spoke before he could:
"…Arthur had genuine hatred for you for a time but I don't believe for a second he would kill you over it. It was just the kind of hatred children outgrow."
"…"
"…Our relationship has been rocky for years now so I suppose I have no right to interfere in your life, especially since… I pushed you away." Olivia sounded less cold than usual.
'Oh? Is that regret I sense?'
"This isn't right!" Luke suddenly interjected, "The two of you have known each other since childhood and were even engaged to be married at one point! Why do you hate him so much, Princess!?"
Olivia took a deep breath as her poker face returned:
"You've been around long enough to know the answer by now—if not from the stories others tell, then from how he acts. Arnold is a hotheaded tyrant who thinks violence is the answer to everything. You think you're looking at someone misunderstood, but you never knew him before things went wrong. He wasn't always like this. When we were little, he was gentle—quiet, even. He used to pick flowers for me, remember my birthday weeks in advance, and talk about wanting to become a knight who protected the weak. But around the time we turned eleven or twelve, something changed. He grew aggressive, possessive. He'd lash out at anyone who so much as looked at me the wrong way. If someone called out his behavior, he'd taunt them until they struck first, just so he could beat them and call it self-defense. He stopped caring about right and wrong—only winning mattered. When I questioned him, he'd shout, grip my wrist too tightly, call me selfish for not understanding how 'hard' things were for him. He hit other girls—ones who cared about him—and told them they were too sensitive. I saw it all. I tried to justify it—to myself, to everyone else. I thought if I loved him more, stayed quiet, forgave him one more time, the boy I remembered might come back. But he didn't. And do you know what's worse than being hurt by someone you fear? Being hurt by someone you love. I spent years protecting him from the consequences of his actions. But people like that don't stop. So, no—I don't hate him because I'm cruel. I hate him because I gave him everything, and he turned it into a leash to strangle me. His possessiveness made things worse well into adulthood and continues to be his most disgusting trait."
Olivia didn't even take a breath before she continued, "This is why you must sever whatever bond the two of you share."
"…."
Noticing Luke glare at her, Olivia raised an eyebrow.
"What is that look for?"
"…I don't want to…"
"?"
Luke hit the table with so much force that it shattered under them, making Olivia jump from her seat, "I will not push him away! If I had to choose between him and you, I'd choose him!"
"W-What?"
Olivia's eyes swam around, noticing the spectators were increasing. They were also closer than before.
"I want him in my life so why should I push him away!? You're just going to be a wife who listens to my father and the emperor's orders, offering me nothing that helps me grow! Meanwhile he's helped far more than you can know!"
"Luke." Even Arnold wanted him to stop. The number of eyes on them were starting to get on his nerves.
"I… That day when miss Claudia and Norn almost died just because I couldn't control my power… Do you know how many nights I couldn't sleep!? I wanted to save them but almost ended up killing them in the end! I swore to never use this power again…" he clenched his fists tight, "But then Father told me that my power is a gift—a gift I should accept… How could I even do such a thing when shortly after that I almost hurt people again just because I became mad…?"
He then caressed the sword by his waist, "…If it weren't for him, I never would've gotten this. I never have to worry about hurting anyone in a fit of rage again and can focus on getting stronger and controlling my power without the sword. And if it wasn't for Big Brother, Miss Flora wouldn't be in my life! I want to become strong—like him! What have you ever done for me!?"
Olivia couldn't say anything. This was definitely the first time he opposed her in an argument. Until now, he was just a naïve boy that she could order around and manipulate.
"Stop being childish! Think of how your relationship with him will impact your reputation! Especially now that you're officially recognized as Promethius' successor! I am not just speaking from what I know, every noble you will ever form connections with will say the same thing!"
That was true, Arnold admitted silently.
"To hell with that reputation…" he trembled as his head lowered, "I have no need for their love or respect when all I want to do is save lives!"
His voice reverberated throughout the surroundings, no doubt touching many hearts as to what a hero should be.
-Man, Princess Olivia is acting like a bitchy stepmom again.
-Isn't he just throwing a tantrum?
-Are you crazy? He just said that tyrant helped him get this far! Now that I think about it, what would've happened to us in the auditorium if he didn't have that sword? He just admitted his power is chaotic without it.
-Yeah, the amount of energy that he released in there was crazy…
-You're right. We would've died.
-…Am I seriously considering being on Arnold's side in this?
-But it's because Luke is so passionate about this, right? He's the hero so naturally we should take his side…
-Princess Olivia is just being unfair.
"…"
"…I wanted to help the two of you bond again, even after everything that happened but if you're intentionally trying to create a wall between the two of us then I would rather make that wall between you and me instead. Your only purpose is giving me a child that connects the Berkleys to the Imperial Family. Beyond that, you are nothing to me."
Arnold noticed Olivia's condition changed from "mildly irritated" to—
--Condition: Shamed
The cold stares from the crowd pierced through her pride. Even the girls she often has tea gatherings with during breaks looked at her coldly. Her fists were clenched at her sides, but her posture hadn't shrunk, to maintain what little dignity as a princess she had left. She was now just a girl who looked like she'd been scolded in front of her entire family.
Maybe she just wasn't prepared for Luke's outburst just now.
Arnold couldn't help but remember a memory from the past when he noticed this exact scene where she was being treated badly by girls she used to consider friends. Even at such a young age, she wasn't the least bit different from what she was today. But before Celeste, she had another best friend in her childhood years but that relationship ended horribly. She was bullied relentlessly by that friend and her new band of friends.
They were from high-status noble households tied closely to the emperor. In their eyes, Olivia would always be the liar, the "jealous girl making up stories". Whenever things got serious, they'd find some commoner to take the blame.
Arnold had been deep in Sebastian's brutal training back then, unaware of what she was going through—until he saw it with his own eyes. Olivia, frail and trembling, wounds on her arms and legs, just standing there in silence. Crying.
But when he appeared, her teary eyes found him.
He never forgot that look.
And yes, he beat them to a bloody pulp—even if they were girls.
Now, just like back then, Olivia stood alone, powerless as the crowd's judgment closed in.
Then she looked at him.
As if the noise around her didn't matter, her eyes found his again—just like they did all those years ago. In that moment, the younger Olivia and the woman she'd become blurred together.
Even now, beneath the pride and sharp words, she was still someone who needed a strong shoulder to lean on.
Seeing that powerless and timid expression made Arnold's heart flutter as a young boy but in the present, he felt nothing for it, not even a tingle in his heart.
He wanted to get up and walk away but even then, her eyes would follow him.
Unrest grew among the spectating student as they pointed to the sky.
A giant shadow flying overhead at a rapid speed disturbed the delicate atmosphere. It wasn't an airship since those don't typically move as fast. Arnold could also sense several powerful presences approaching the academy.
-D-Did you guys see that!? I think it was a dragon!
-What would a dragon be doing in the middle of the capital, idiot?
Even the students stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky. Suddenly, the sound of flapping caught their attention, and above the clouds, a gigantic shadow emerged. It was probably the size of the whole academy.
Its wing span parted the clouds, revealing its full form, hiding even the afternoon sun behind it. Surrounding the behemoth were countless smaller dragons.
It was a behemoth of a flying lizard that Arnold knew well.
Tyrgavion Sulphuru, the oldest known Ancient Dragon alive today.
"—Greetings, lowly imperial nobles and peasants—" a young woman's voice echoed atop that flying behemoth, "I am in search of the Black Dragon Lord's successor, Arnold von Berkley!"
Suddenly, everyone's eyes turned to Arnold.
What?