Farewell

The year turned, and it was now March.

Allen checked his equipment one last time. In his hand was his beloved mithril sword, which had not suffered a single scratch ever since he bought it over a year ago following his encounter with a murdergalsh. Because it would get in the way, he was not wearing his mantle—his usual manservant uniform was the most appropriate outfit for his upcoming battle.

Allen looked into the eyes of his opponent, Mihai. For some reason, the atmosphere around the older boy seemed somewhat different from previous years.

After spending three full years at the Academy, Mihai had successfully graduated. Naturally, Cecil, who adored her eldest brother, was overjoyed to hear the news. However, as soon as he returned via magic ship, the first thing he did was summon Allen.

"I want you to fight me in earnest," he said, his usual smile absent from his face.

"Very well, milord. I shall fight you in earnest," Allen had replied.

He had no idea what the reason for this fight was, but the two were currently facing each other in the garden of the Granvelle mansion. In a marked contrast from the matches of the previous two years, Mihai seemed to be emanating some incredible and great resolve.

Allen called out his grimoire to check his Status one last time. When he had turned ten the previous October, the modifier to his stats had disappeared completely, making the numbers much easier to read.

___

Name: Allen

Age: 10

Class: Summoner

Level: 34

HP: 865 + 400

MP: 1,340

Attack: 472 + 400

Endurance: 472 + 600

Agility: 883 + 600

Intelligence: 1,350

Luck: 883

Skills: Summoning {5}, Creation {5}, Synthesis {5}, Strengthening {5}, Expansion {4}, Storage, Sharing, Deletion, Sword Mastery {3}, Throwing {3}

XP: 1,490,410/7,000,000

Skill Levels

Summoning: 5

Creation: 5

Synthesis: 5

Strengthening: 5

Skill Experience

Creation: 1,256/10,000,000

Synthesis: 1,820/10,000,000

Strengthening: 2,455,180/10,000,000

Creatable Summons

Insect: D, E, F, G, H

Beast: D, E, F, G, H

Bird: D, E, F, G

Grass: D, E, F

Stone: D, E

Fish: D

Holder

Insect: D x 30

Beast: D x 20

Bird:

Grass:

Stone:

Fish:

___

Whereas Allen's aim the last two duels had been to gauge the growth of someone in Normal Mode, this time he was actually trying to win. As such, he had altered the distribution of his cards accordingly, getting rid of all the Grass cards and even disbanding the Summons Squad to dedicate every last stat point to this fight.

"Thank you, Allen."

"I'm sorry, milord?"

Allen was taken by surprise at Mihai's abrupt expression of gratitude, but at the same time, he also picked up on how serious his opponent was about this fight. He nodded in acknowledgment, prompting Mihai to draw his sword and assume a stance.

From his position between the two, Captain Zenof, who was serving as referee, asked, "Master Mihai, Allen. Are you both ready?" Both nodded.

As always, the Baron's direct family was in full attendance. They held their breath, waiting for the start of the duel.

"Ready... FIGHT!"

That instant, Allen, whose Agility had finally surpassed 1400, rushed forward, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. He intended on ending everything with this first blow.

Surprise flitted across Mihai's face, but he still managed to react in time.

'Gah, he parried it. No, I've still got this—judging from his movements, my Agility is higher!'

However, although Allen was convinced that he was faster, he found Mihai calmly dealing with all his attacks, looking unperturbed as if he had already covered them in class. What was more, he soon realized that he was losing out to Mihai in strength.

Every time the two swords clashed, it was Allen who was beaten back. Even so, Allen pressed on.

In sharp contrast to his family members' astonishment, the Baron watched with a thoughtful expression.

'He's...matching me somehow. Is he predicting my movements or something? Is my Sword Mastery skill too low?'

Mihai was parrying all of Allen's attacks with what looked like textbook movements. Even though Allen was faster, he found himself slowly losing the initiative. He felt like he was being shown indirectly that all he had going for him was speed and that his maneuvers were far too simplistic.

Perhaps it was because of a difference in Sword Mastery level; perhaps it was something else. In any case, it was not long before Allen once again found Mihai's sword at his throat.

He stopped, breathing heavily.

"Match over!" Captain Zenof announced. It was Mihai's victory.

'Ugh, I lost. I know I was faster, but I couldn't get past his guard. Does he have higher-leveled Sword Mastery boosting his accuracy? Should I have gone with more Agility? Hmm, but the difference between our Attack was way too large—he was pushing me back with pretty much every blow.'

"You really are incredible, Allen," Mihai said, interrupting Allen's thoughts. He was quite out of breath too. "I'm glad you are Cecil's personal manservant."

"Thank you, milord." Allen replied courteously. 'Huh? No handshake this time?'

At the end of the previous two fights, Mihai had approached Allen to ask for a handshake. This time, however, he was apparently forgoing the gesture.

Everyone then headed back inside. Soon, it was dinnertime. Allen was as always on serving duty today.

Suddenly, the Baroness, who had been left dumbstruck after the match earlier in the day, said appreciatively, "I had no idea you could fight that well, Allen."

"Thank you, my lady," Allen bowed. "However, I am still greatly lacking in comparison to Master Mihai."

"Oh, I know!" Cecil clapped her hands, a barely suppressed grin on her face that looked like a combination of both delight at her beloved brother's return and pride at the fighting prowess displayed by her personal attendant.

"How about asking Mihai to give you sword lessons tomorrow?"

"If Master Mihai has the time and so wishes, it would be my honor to receive his instruction," Allen responded, bowing in Mihai's direction.

However, Mihai, who had lowered his gaze at the word "tomorrow" from Cecil, looked up and said, "I haven't told you yet, Cecil, but..."

"...What is it, Mihai?"

"I have royal service for the next three years."

"What?" Cecil froze in shock. She had been under the impression that Mihai was back for good.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you earlier."

"But...! When will you be leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

Cecil was so shocked now that even words failed her.

"Don't worry, I'll write you letters."

Nothing Mihai said was registering in Cecil's head anymore.

'Royal service? This somehow reminds me of what Viscount Carnel said that time.'

The lord of the neighboring fiefdom had dropped by before, seemingly to rub in Baron Granvelle's face the fact that his daughter had been pronounced Talentless. Allen had deduced from this that there was likely a troublesome form of mandated service tied to graduating from the Academy. And sure enough, after working so hard to graduate, Mihai now had to leave home for three years to fulfill this so-called royal service.

***

While Allen was eating breakfast the next morning, Sebas came into the servants' dining hall and informed everyone that Mihai would be leaving at 9 am. and that they were to see him off. Allen normally headed upstairs at 8 am to get Cecil's things in order, so he had to hurry to finish everything in time.

While cleaning her room, Allen shot a look at Cecil, who had already finished getting changed. She was clearly still feeling depressed. Three years was quite a long time.

What was more, as Mihai had explained last night, royal service did not come with long breaks like the Academy's spring break, so Cecil's contact with him would truly be reduced to mere letters.

In the blink of an eye, 9 am arrived. There was a carriage already parked in front of the mansion's entrance, and the front gate was thrown wide open.

All the servants had gathered at the entrance hall a bit earlier and were now standing in two rows on either side of the carpet that stretched from the main staircase to the door.

As the newest member of the manservants, and therefore the one at the bottom of the hierarchy, Allen's position was at the very end, right next to the door.

Heavy clanking sounded as Mihai emerged at the top of the staircase and began his descent. He was wearing a full suit of armor and had a sword at his waist. The other members of the Baron's family followed behind him.

'Is he going to show up to the royal family's service in that armor?'

When the family reached ground level, Mihai reached over to Cecil, who had been looking down the entire time, and gave her head a few gentle pats.

"...I'll be waiting for you to come home, Mihai."

"Mm. I'll see you again, Cecil."

After exchanging his final goodbyes, Mihai started walking toward the door.

'Farew— Huh?'

Instead of making for the carriage outside, to Allen's surprise, Mihai headed straight for him.

Allen watched his approach in bewilderment. Then, without any prior warning, the older boy who was a head taller enveloped him in a hug.

'What is this...?'

"Allen, I leave Cecil in your hands. Protect her," Mihai said in a low voice so that only Allen could hear.

Despite being completely mystified, Allen managed to reply with, "Y-Yes, milord."

Mihai let go and walked several steps away to stand in the doorway before he turned around. With the carriage at his back, he declared, "I shall now go and fulfill my duty on behalf of House Granvelle."

After leaving behind those words, he boarded the carriage as everyone saw him off.

'Huh? Was he shaking?'

Allen could not tell for sure through the armor, but he thought he sensed the other boy quivering during the hug.

In this way, Mihai once again left the mansion, setting off to fulfill his royal service.