Chapter 37
A few days later, Sion’s entrance exam was held.
The location was the indoor dueling arena of the main building.
“You’ve arrived, young master.”
Upon entering the arena, Sion was greeted by Ulric Sherman and Diene Schto.
Sion nodded and looked around the quiet venue.
“Is this everyone who will be observing the test?”
“Yes. The First Knight Order’s entrance exam is confidential. Apart from myself and Sir Diene, no one else is permitted to observe without authorization.”
“I see.”
“We thought it would be best for you to focus without distraction. But if the atmosphere is too dull, we can bring in a few more people.”
Ulric Sherman asked teasingly.
Sion shook his head.
“No. Quiet is better.”
He handed his robe to Garen and lightly warmed up.
“Let’s begin as soon as you’re ready.”
“Understood.”
For someone about to take the knight order entrance exam, Sion showed absolutely no tension. Ulric Sherman’s eyes gleamed with amusement.
“Please come this way, both of you.”
Diene Schto guided Garen and Genebia Lilo to the side of the arena.
Garen was present as Sion’s attendant, and Genebia as a healing priest in case of injury.
And I was currently hiding inside Genebia’s curly hair, watching everything.
Then—
“Huh?”
The senior knight I thought would be Sion’s opponent, Diene Schto, stepped back.
Instead, Ulric Sherman stepped forward.
I whispered in shock.
“What? Don’t tell me that massive commander-type knight is Sion’s opponent?!”
“…It certainly looks that way.”
“No way!”
It was absurd.
A newly adult nineteen-year-old versus the vice-commander of the knight order?!
Even in the original story, Sion only joined after gaining far more experience—and even then, he never faced someone of this rank.
Garen, equally stunned, spoke up.
“Wait. Are you saying the young master’s opponent is the vice-commander, not Sir Diene?”
“Yes. Why?”
Diene replied calmly.
“This is completely unfair,” Garen protested. “No matter how talented the young master is, he just came of age and has no real combat experience. How is he supposed to match a vice-commander?”
Diene shrugged.
“That’s simply how the First Knight Order operates.”
At that moment, Ulric Sherman rolled his shoulders and stepped forward.
“As Sir Diene said, this is the Order’s policy. The most suitable opponent to evaluate Young Master Sion’s abilities has been chosen—and that is me. Nothing more.”
He looked at Sion.
“Of course, Sir Diene is also a capable knight. But personally, I wanted to verify something myself. If you object, feel free to speak.”
“I don’t. Let’s proceed.”
Sion’s calm reply made Ulric nod in satisfaction.
And then—
He removed his upper clothing.
“…No way.”
“…Wow.”
Both Genebia and I gasped.
His massive, scar-covered upper body—easily 1.5 times Sion’s size—looked overwhelmingly powerful.
In short—
He looked ridiculously strong.
“…This feels bad.”
I bit my lip nervously.
There’s no way Sion loses… right?
Sion was a genius swordsman capable of rivaling the main male lead.
But even so, against a veteran like that, experience mattered too much.
“Ugh, no.”
I couldn’t let this rare opportunity for Sion’s rise be blocked.
After a moment of thought, I decided.
I have to help.
I whispered into Genebia’s ear.
“Take me to Sion.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Now.”
With a sigh, Genebia raised her hand.
“Excuse me, sorry—just a moment.”
All eyes turned toward her.
“I have something to relay to the young master.”
“If it’s not important, wait until after the duel.”
“Unfortunately, it is important.”
Ulric tilted his head slightly, then nodded.
Genebia approached Sion and leaned in as if whispering—
And at that moment, I popped out from her hair.
“Sion.”
“…Rin?”
Sion looked surprised as I suddenly appeared.
I quickly slipped into his armor.
“I came to help.”
“What?”
He stiffened.
“That vice-commander is clearly much stronger. He’s older and far more experienced. This fight is unfair. So I need to balance it.”
“…Even if I fail this exam, I will accept the result. Do not interfere, Rin.”
Sion said firmly.
But I ignored him.
Before he could say more, Ulric spoke.
“Are you finished?”
“Yes.”
Genebia stepped back.
And the duel began.
“I will begin.”
With those words—
Ulric kicked off the ground.
Despite his massive frame, he moved with terrifying speed, closing the distance instantly.
His sword slashed down diagonally with crushing force.
Sion didn’t block head-on. Instead, he twisted aside—
And countered toward Ulric’s exposed flank.
CLANG—!!!
“!!”
“!!”
Their blades collided midair with a thunderous impact.
After that exchange, both assessed each other in an instant.
“As expected. My judgment was correct.”
Ulric smiled, clearly excited.
Sion didn’t respond, but his focus sharpened further.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their exchanges intensified rapidly.
Faster.
Sharper.
Far beyond the level of the assassins Sion had previously fought.
My vision struggled to keep up, but I forced myself to focus.
If the opportunity comes, I’ll use my skill immediately.
I wasn’t sure how effective it would be against someone like him, but even a single opening would be enough.
Sion had told me not to interfere—but this match was unfair from the start.
If this were the main male lead, he’d win with luck, plot armor, and stats.
But Sion was a tragic second lead.
No luck. No miracles.
“So a fangirl fairy intervention is totally justified.”
At that moment—
Ulric suddenly pulled back mid-exchange.
“…?!”
And in the next instant—
A brutal kick shot toward Sion’s jaw like a blade.
If it hit, it would be devastating.
Sion barely ducked—
Then immediately rushed forward to counter.
Ulric’s eyes flashed.
He anticipated the move and redirected his sword downward toward Sion.
If both landed, Sion would take far heavier damage.
I activated my hidden skill.
“<Shining Fangirl Power, Full Burst!>”
FLASH—!
“…?!”
A sudden blinding light hit Ulric’s vision.
He flinched for just a split second.
That was enough.
Sion’s sword shot forward—
Swoosh!
And stopped right at Ulric Sherman’s throat.
“……”
“……”
Sion had won.
Ulric Sherman silently looked at the blade halted beneath his chin.
“…Hmm.”
Then he smiled slightly, glancing at Sion—and briefly toward me, the source of the flash.
“An overwhelming difference in experience… I tried to push you to see how you’d respond.”
“……”
“A combination of instinct, talent… and a touch of luck, I see.”
He sheathed his sword and stepped back.
“I acknowledge the result. Congratulations on passing the First Knight Order entrance exam, young master.”
“…!”
“…!!”
I screamed internally.
He did it, Sion!!!
Sion calmly sheathed his sword.
“It was a good duel.”
Then he glanced down at me peeking out from his collar like a mischievous puppy and sighed.
“As you said, Sir Sherman. Without that ‘small amount of luck,’ I would not have won.”
“Variables are always the most dangerous. Like a general dying from a stray arrow despite overwhelming strength.”
Ulric casually put his shirt back on.
“Then we’ll proceed with formal enlistment procedures.”
“So I will depart for the frontier with you?”
At Sion’s question, Ulric laughed heartily.
“Of course not. You’ll have time to prepare. We’ll send Sir Diene as your guide.”
“…I see.”
With that, Ulric Sherman left the arena.
“Wow! Really?”
“Yep, I’m telling you!”
I reenacted Sion’s duel mid-air using a teaspoon.
“That vice-commander guy? Huge monster—like two or three times Sion’s size—and then Sion just whoosh whoosh—!”
My exaggerated storytelling made Elda cheer excitedly.
“Waaah!”
Garen, standing nearby, nodded.
“As Lady Rin said, it was one of the most impressive duels I’ve ever witnessed in my entire knight career.”
That made me blink.
“By the way, how old are you, Garen?”
“I’m thirty-one this year.”
“…What?”
He was older than me?!
I flew over to Sion’s desk, grabbed a cookie, and fed it to him.
“Eat something sweet, Sion.”
Sion paused, startled, then quietly accepted it without thinking.
I smiled.
Then I turned to Garen.
“So, Sir Thirty-One Garen. I have a question.”
“Y-yes?”
“What’s your relationship with Diene Schto?”
“…Pardon?”
His face froze instantly.
Yep. Definitely something there.
After some pressing, he finally admitted—
“…We were actually engaged.”
“Oh damn.”
This was more serious than I expected.
After some awkward talk, I confirmed it—there was definitely unresolved history there.
Interesting. Very interesting.
If Garen and Diene reconciled, it could become a strong connection for Sion in the future.
I turned to Sion.
“Are you taking Garen to the frontier too?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Perfect.”
I smiled at Garen.
Your tragic love story… I will make use of it.
A win-win plan.
But then—
I felt a gaze.
Sion was looking at me quietly.
“…Why are you so interested in Garen?”
“Huh? Just curious about his past relationship.”
“And why are you curious?”
“Well…”
I almost said because I need it for future plans, but stopped.
“…Just curiosity. A fairy’s whim.”
“……”
Sion’s blue-gray eyes dimmed slightly.
“…Sion?”
“Nothing.”
He returned to the documents.
“…?”
Something felt off.
I moved closer and peeked at the papers he was signing.
“Knight investiture ceremony—skipped. Schedule coordination—skipped. Frontier route—approved. Support personnel—flexible.”
Everything related to the upcoming expedition.
I pointed.
“Knight investiture ceremony? That existed?”
“Useless tradition. Not necessary.”
He crossed it out.
“It’s just ceremonial nonsense.”
Ulric Sherman had also said the preparations had been simplified.
Departure could happen in three days.
“The Grand Duchess likely wants us gone quickly.”
That was probably true.
Sion continued speaking.
“Some nobles objected. They are worried I am the last heir remaining in the North.”
“And so it became a one-year expedition.”
Sion clicked his tongue, then looked at me.
“This may last longer than a year. Do you still intend to come?”
I placed my hands on my hips.
“Of course. One year, ten years—it doesn’t matter. I’m going wherever you go!”
Even the dangerous frontier was nothing compared to being away from my favorite character.
Sion stared at me quietly.
For a moment, his expression seemed… softer.
He must feel reassured.
But there was something else too.
Genebia.
I looked around.
“…Huh?”
She was gone.
“Where did Genebia go?”
