Chapter 19

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 19

Chapter Title: Lost in the Downpour

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Ethan spoke up.

“You hate it when other people touch your stuff, but you let Lucia hold onto it?”

“Huh?”

Lucia jerked her head up.

“Didn’t you know? Kids in the dorms share their things all the time, but Herwin’s never done it once.”

“Yeah, he really hates anyone touching his stuff. Picky just like he looks.”

“I... didn’t know. He’s never acted like that with me.”

Herwin, who’d been glaring sullenly at Ethan and Brian, met Lucia’s bewildered gaze.

“You’re different. I’ve known you since we were little. You and Lucas are fine.”

For a brief moment, Lucia had hoped it was because she was special, but she quickly accepted his words.

“Well, he’s the same with my brother.”

“Lucia, you have a brother?”

Ethan’s eyes went wide.

“Yeah, I have one older brother.”

“Oh my, you have an older brother? I had no idea.”

“Really? Never heard a thing about it.”

Christine and Bianca’s surprise left Lucia flustered.

“Did I never mention him?”

“No, you’ve never said a word. Lucia’s older brother? I’d love to meet him.”

“How much older is he? He wouldn’t happen to be at the Academy, would he?”

“Yeah, exactly. He’s two years older than me, so he’s a senior now.”

Lucia confirmed Bianca’s offhand joke, prompting another round of surprise from her friends.

“Wow, hard to imagine. Lucia’s brother. Herwin, what’s he like?”

“Is he small and cute like Lucia?”

Ethan and Brian, curiosity piqued, turned to Herwin.

“Cute? He looks a lot like Lucia, but he’s completely different. Pretty mischievous.”

“I wanna see him.”

“I wanna see him.”

As Ethan muttered while picturing Lucas’s face, a familiar voice cut in.

Turning around, they saw Arista standing there—she must have arrived unnoticed. Ethan’s startled shriek was only natural.

“Y-You! When did you get here?!”

“Just now. Lucia, you have a brother?”

Lucia, just as startled as Ethan, nodded while clinging tightly to Bianca at her side.

“What’s his name?”

“Lucas Agnes.”

“Lucas...”

A glint flickered in Arista’s eyes.

“What’s with the sudden stare-down? Something to say?”

Herwin’s question made Arista, who had been piercingly staring at Lucia, abruptly turn away.

“I’m here to declare war! The top spot in this practical assessment is mine! Just you wait!”

Arista declared to Herwin.

Always battling for first and second place, the two were near rivals.

Herwin grinned, his red eyes flashing.

“Music to my ears. Bring it.”

Sparks flew between Herwin and Arista. Their eyes burned with competitive fire.

“See? The Lydia Duchess’s Daughter definitely likes Herwin.”

Bianca whispered just loud enough for Lucia to hear. Lucia could only manage an awkward smile.

Rumble! Crash!

Thunder boomed as lightning flashed outside the window and faded.

“Now, now, focus.”

The professor called the restless classroom to attention.

“It’s only May—why’s it raining like monsoon season?”

“Right? And today’s the Swordsmanship Class practical assessment. Hope it’s okay out there.”

Bianca and Christine murmured while gazing at the torrent outside.

“...I’m worried.”

Lucia stared out the window, her face etched with concern.

Today was the most crucial practical assessment in Swordsmanship Class.

Herwin had said it was on the mountain right beside the Academy, and with rain pouring like this, worry gnawed at her.

Please, let nothing go wrong.

If it had rained since morning, the Academy would have postponed, but this deluge struck without warning.

Sudden rain like this could mean slips or getting stranded on the mountain.

Herwin’s strong, so he’ll be fine...

Even at sixteen, he was a knight on the cusp of Sword Expert. He’d return safely, no doubt.

“That’s class for today.”

The bell rang right on cue.

Lucia rose with Christine and Bianca.

“Shall we go meet the others?”

“Now? It’s pouring out.”

“Exactly why. They probably don’t have umbrellas—we should take some.”

All classes were done anyway. Christine proposed fetching Herwin’s group.

Bianca hesitated initially but tagged along reluctantly when Christine and Lucia pressed.

Preparing umbrellas and towels for any emergencies, Lucia’s group headed to the Swordsmanship Class practical assessment site.

Fierce winds rendered umbrellas useless, soaking their clothes.

Bianca plastered herself to Christine to minimize the drenching.

“Argh! This is why I didn’t wanna come!”

“Hang on, Bianca. Tent’s right there.”

Ahead, where Christine pointed, stood a tent the Academy had set up.

Likely shelter for stragglers and professors.

Lucia’s group hurried over.

“We need to go search for them now!”

Upon arrival, Brian’s shout echoed from inside.

Dread hit instantly.

“Monsters on the mountain! Herwin and Arista are the only ones not back! If they run into one, will you professors take responsibility?!”

Brian raged at the professors.

“Wait till the rain lets up. Going now, you won’t even find them. Monsters? Nonsense. There aren’t any here...”

“Professor! No lie! I saw one too. Not a beast—an ogre!”

Ethan yelled next, limping as he reinforced Brian.

Two witnesses to monsters darkened the professors’ faces.

“And think: only Herwin and Arista aren’t back. The top two in skill. Everyone else is here—only those two missing? Makes no sense.”

“Professor! They’re in danger!”

Brian and Ethan pleaded for immediate action to find Herwin and Arista.

Plop—

“Wh-what’s this...”

“Herwin’s missing?”

New arrivals gasped entering the tent.

“Lucia...!”

Bianca whirled, finally remembering her.

A chill seized Bianca.

Lucia’s vibrant blue eyes, clear as sky, had emptied in a flash—like a soulless doll.

Lucia staggered toward Brian and Ethan. The pair, pressing the professors, startled at her.

“How’re you here...”

“What’s going on? Herwin’s missing...?”

Brian faltered; Lucia’s eyes twisted.

“Spit it out properly!”

“Well... that is...”

She prayed for denial—you misheard—but Brian couldn’t affirm or refute.

His silence painted Herwin’s plight vividly.

Lucia gasped; Brian and Bianca lunged to catch her fall.

But she didn’t collapse.

No, she couldn’t. Falling wouldn’t bring Herwin back.

“Lucia, don’t fret. He’s fine.”

“Yeah, probably hunkered down from the rain.”

Friends rushed to console her. Childhood friend missing? Sanity would shatter anyone.

Words wouldn’t pierce now, so Bianca hugged Lucia tight, stroking her shoulders.

Helplessness and despair crashed down. Lucia clenched fists, eyes shut tight.

She yearned to pierce the rain, find Herwin now. Reality forbade it.

No sword like Brian or Ethan, no magic, no endurance.

Pray for his safe return—that was all.

“Someone’s out there!”

A student pointed outside, yelling.

Lucia’s eyes flew open, scanning the blurry downpour.

Far in gray haze, two black shadows emerged.

“Arista! Herwin!”

Recognized, several bolted out—including Lucia.

“Herwin!”

Rain stung her eyes shut, but Lucia raced to him.

Closer, shapes clarified.

“Hah... huff... huff...”

Arista, mud-caked and drenched, struggled supporting the bigger Herwin.

Spotting the rush, she halted, gasping.

“Arista! We’ll take him.”

Brian and Ethan relieved her of Herwin.

Herwin looked rough. Semi-delirious, maybe gravely hurt, limping badly.

“Herwin!”

Lucia rushed up; Herwin glimpsed her hazily, head lolling.

“Damn it! Stretcher—now!”

“Herwin! Stay awake! Not here!”

Stretcher neared. Lucia longed to sob.

No—she was. Rain masked her soaked face tears.

“Ah, Arista!”

Arista, behind Herwin, lurched forward.

Lucia, watching Herwin loaded, caught her.

“Lu...cia... thanks...”

Her voice faint. Still gripped her sword tight.

Hand ghostly pale, tension lingered.

“Arista, you did great. Rest easy.”

Lucia overlaid her hand gently, urging release.

“...Huh?”

Odd. Faint ripple from the sword.

But gone as Arista let go.

Hallucination?

Puzzled tilt, then Arista’s weight hit; Lucia checked her.

Others lifted Arista, rushing to tent.

Inside, frenzy treated Herwin first.

“Lucia! You’re drenched!”

“You’ll catch cold.”

Bianca and Christine thrust towels.

Lucia grabbed one absently, eyeing Herwin.

“Ethan! Herwin okay?”

“No big injuries. Concussion signs, ankle swollen—took a tumble, but lucky.”

Ethan toweled his hair, updating.

“Arista’s good, just exhausted.”

No feared catastrophe. Relief flooded; Lucia slackened.

She sank; Ethan, Brian caught her.

“Phew... glad he’s not hurt bad...”

“Relax now. You all go back.”

“We’ll watch Herwin.”

Ethan and Brian urged Lucia dormward.

Short shock merited rest.

Drenched beyond mental strain, lips blue, shivers creeping.

“...No. Not till Herwin wakes.”

“But Lucia, you’ll collapse.”

“At least change first.”

Persuasion failed; her resolve steel. Friends sighed.