Chapter 24: Serin’s Gamble

Ugh.

The blue-haired knight hesitated, yet her feet kept moving forward. The time the mage had promised was fast approaching.

When that time came, she would be alone with the man she adored.

“It’s been so long…”

It had definitely been over a year. Since joining the hero’s party, she hadn’t had a moment alone with Aswell, away from Raphilia and Aria.

The last time they were alone was probably when she trained him in swordsmanship before he was chosen as the hero. Even then, other knights joined them later, so it was hardly “alone” time.

And now, the opportunity had finally arrived.

‘What should I talk about…?’

She had so much she wanted to say that she couldn’t decide on a topic. The mage who devised this plan had told her to talk about today’s battle.

‘I should follow Rui’s advice…’

If today went well, similar opportunities would arise. She could talk to him little by little each time.

And if there were no such opportunities? It didn’t matter. She and Aswell were on the front lines; she could easily talk to him during brief respites in battle.

“Phew…”

She hadn’t been this nervous even when facing the giant monster in the east. Serin tried to calm her racing heart.

“Aswell should be here any minute…”

“Oh, Serin?”

“Eek!”

She wasn’t ready yet! But she couldn’t ignore Aswell. If she did, everything would be over.

Serin turned around awkwardly, her preparations incomplete.

‘Huh?’

Aswell wasn’t wearing his usual armor; he was in casual clothes. And on his chest was a sparkling jeweled brooch.

‘Did he always have that…? Ugh… I don’t know.’

She didn’t know if he had always had it or if he had acquired it recently. But that wasn’t important. Now that they had met, she had to start the conversation.

“A-Aswell? What brings you here?”

‘I bit my tongue!’

But fortunately, Aswell didn’t seem to notice.

“Ah… Rui asked me to escort her to the magic tool shops.”

“I see.”

As expected of the clever mage. Aswell had arrived at the central shopping district just as planned.

“What about you, Serin?”

“I just finished the battle in the north and came here to relax. I wanted a drink.”

“A drink? I thought you didn’t like alcohol.”

“Well… I feel like drinking today.”

He even remembered that! Serin struggled to contain her excitement.

“Um… Aswell.”

“Yes?”

She had to say it now. This oblivious hero would never make the first move.

“If you’re free… want to have a drink together?”

“Uh…”

And this considerate hero never refused a companion’s request.

“Sure. Where should we go?”

“I have a place in mind. This way.”

The plan to lead him to the restaurant went off without a hitch.

‘Thank you, Rui.’

The young mage must be cheering her on right now. Serin felt a surge of gratitude as she walked beside the hero towards the restaurant.

“Here it is.”

The restaurant she suggested had a cozy atmosphere. It was a small restaurant where she used to eat when she was a knight trainee. With only a few tables, it seemed to focus solely on the food.

“Welcome. Sit wherever you like.”

At the owner’s gruff words, they sat at a table in the corner.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm… I think I’ll have the stew.”

And some alcohol.

The food and drinks arrived quickly. Aswell hadn’t ordered any alcohol, but two mugs filled with beer were already on the table, thanks to Serin.

“Cheers~”

“Cheers.”

The two wooden mugs clinked, and foam spilled over. Contrary to Serin’s worries, the conversation flowed smoothly.

“So, I came up with a variation of the first form of the standard swordsmanship today…”

It was mostly about battles and training, topics they often discussed. But Rui had told her to start with familiar topics, and Serin found herself relaxing.

As the alcohol started to take effect, Serin changed the subject.

“…You used to speak formally to me, Aswell.”

When Aswell wasn’t officially the hero yet, when Serin was training him, they used formal language.

“You want me to call you ‘Master’ again?”

“Heh, it’s been a while since I’ve heard that. But it’s okay. I don’t like that title anymore.”

“Oh, why?”

“Because…”

Perhaps Serin herself realized, a little too late, what she was saying. But emboldened by the alcohol and the mage’s encouragement, she continued,

“If we’re just teacher and student, you won’t look at me.”

“…Huh?”

It was a sudden, unexpected confession. It was filled with more passion and emotion than the lines the mage had given her.

“Heh.”

“W-wait, what did you just…?”

“I said I don’t like it because you won’t look at me.”

The young mage hadn’t anticipated this: how bold Serin became under the influence of alcohol. Of course, Serin herself hadn’t known this either.

“Aswell.”

“…Yes.”

“I like our current situation. Being in a party with you… me… Aria… Raphilia… and Rui…”

Serin took another sip of her beer.

“…”

“Why is that? Hmm? Aswell, why do I feel this way?”

Serin looked at Aswell with soft eyes. His face seemed to be flushed.

Was it the alcohol? Or the lighting in the restaurant? Or…

“S-Serin, I think you’ve had too much to drink…”

“No. Well, I am drunk. But I know what I’m saying.”

She wasn’t feminine and demure like Aria, nor was she bright and cheerful like Raphilia. And she wasn’t incredibly talented and contributing to the party like Rui. All she had was their past relationship and their current proximity.

Serin wanted to be closer to him.

‘But if I get too close, he’ll feel pressured.’

So, before Aswell could answer, she interrupted him.

“Tell me your answer… later. Okay?”

“…Okay.”

“Hehehe, thanks. Then I’ll be going now. I’m feeling hot.”

The cool evening air hit her as she left the restaurant. Expressing her long-held feelings was incredibly refreshing.

“It’s all… thanks to you.”

The young mage had told her that Aswell and the others praised her and had seen through her feelings for Aswell. If it weren’t for Rui, she would still be agonizing over her feelings.

She hadn’t confessed. Not exactly. She had simply hinted at her feelings and made him more aware of her.

Judging by his stunned expression, she could consider this a victory.

She didn’t know if her actions were right. But she didn’t want them to be “right”; she just hoped they weren’t “wrong.”

“…I have to do my best tomorrow!”

She stretched, feeling the alcohol wear off. Serin jogged for a few hours before returning to the mansion.

“…“

Did he realize her feelings? Or was he truly oblivious?

‘…I don’t know.’

Aswell stared at his unfinished drink, recalling the knight who had been sitting across from him moments ago. He had vaguely sensed it when she asked that question.

Love, or romantic interest. It probably wasn’t that serious yet. But Serin was interested in him.

“Sigh…”

Honestly, he didn’t mind. No, it actually made him happy.

Serin was a knight he greatly admired and respected. Knowing she was interested in him made him interested in her as well.

But the reason he sighed was because of the other members of the party.

He had similar thoughts a few weeks ago, during the incident with Raphilia in the flower field. He was captivated by Raphilia, radiant in the sunset and flowers.

Serin’s confession was similar, yet different. Seeing Raphilia was like water suddenly boiling, while seeing Serin was like a single drop creating ripples in a still pond.

He took a few gulps of his drink.

“Sigh…”

He was starting to feel confused. The only consolation was that he hadn’t been involved with Aria, the saintess. But he couldn’t ignore these confusing feelings.

The respected knight who showed interest in him.

The elf princess who almost captivated him.

And… the mage, the cause of this confusion, who was constantly on his mind.

He didn’t know what to do.