Youngest 041
by CristaeEpisode 41
“That’s… That can’t be true.”
“……”
“Ruby, I swear, I wasn’t really mad at you. Okay? You know that, right?”
Void hurried over on quick little steps and hovered around Rubian in circles.
When he acted like a puppy in need of a walk, Rubian—who had been pouting—suddenly burst into laughter.
“Alright, alright. I know you weren’t mad. Satisfied?”
At times like this, she really does seem like an adult…
In any case, seeing Rubian laugh, Void heaved a sigh of relief.
“Anyway, Khalid is my friend, so be nice to him, okay?”
“Tsk, that depends on how that guy behaves!”
“I’m asking you nicely here. Are you really not going to do what I ask?”
Ugh. Void shrank back.
“…I even do your spell check for free.”
With an exaggeratedly sulky expression, Rubian stared at the diary Void was holding.
Ha, that’s right! Spell checking is bothersome work!
“Alright, alright, so stop looking so down!”
“Hehe.”
Rubian’s eyes crinkled into a smile. At some point, she must have eaten apple jelly; a sweet scent wafted from her.
“You’re the best! Thanks!”
Rubian clung to his back, swinging lightly. For some time now, the younger sibling had come to like hanging on like this.
And the heart of an older sibling just melts away like ice cream in the summer sun.
“Really… Why are you so much work?”
Is every youngest sibling like this?!
Even as he grumbled, Void dutifully lifted her for a piggyback airplane ride, as always.
Whooosh.
A dry, dusty wind. The training ground was bleak beyond measure.
Today again, I stood at its very center.
“Your old grandfather…”
It was Zevert the Elder, his back to the sun.
It felt just like standing before a giant beast.
“Depending on how you perform, you could become a demon—or even a devil.”
“So, basically you’re saying a devil, right!”
When I shouted in protest, Grandfather cackled.
“Come now, gather round! You little snot-nosed brats!”
Void, who had had his diary and spell check snatched by me just yesterday, stood at my side, his face pale.
“Well then…”
The snort of disbelief, of course, was from Khalid, standing on my other side.
There we stood, lined up at the heart of the training ground. The knights, pretending to train, watched us with the air of spectators at a good show.
Seeing this spectacle, Khalid’s face wore an amused expression.
‘So he actually slept well at the knights’ quarters.’
His face was smooth and refreshed. When it came to adapting, he was unmatched.
“Huh? Haaaah? You washed-out, night-sky-looking rascal!”
Wait, I heard that yesterday.
“Shape up and stand straight, you sullen nut!”
“What nut?”
“You too, Void, step forward! Now!”
“Huh? Y-yes…”
Grandfather placed a firm hand on both boys’ shoulders.
Void’s narrow shoulders slumped. Khalid didn’t budge an inch.
“First, you two will spar! That will help gauge your skills!”
‘What?’
I was startled. He’d seen us train plenty—why again?
“B-but Grandfather, that kind of puts Void at a bit of a… disadvantage…”
“Right then! Running! Ready!”
“…”
I had jumped the gun.
“Ah, so that kind of match…”
“It shall be fierce combat. The obstacles these boys must overcome are not so easily conquered…”
Heh heh heh. Grandfather gave a sinister chuckle.
All across the training ground, obstacles were arranged—vaulting horses, mud pits, nets…
‘K-military…?’
It felt strangely familiar, but I let it go.
Besides, it looked somewhat entertaining. I’d been practicing hard on the mini training ground, after all. Surely I could leap over a vault or two by now?
“Heh, heh.”
I began my warmup in earnest.
“Then I’ll… as well.”
With a determined face, I headed to the starting line—only for someone to seize the scruff of my neck.
“No, no. You, little snot, would get swept away with one gust of wind!”
“What? But I’m part of the group too!”
I’d even properly donned my knight’s uniform!
I wanted to run too! I wanted to try an obstacle course!
“And I haven’t finished today’s training session! I want to count this! For stamina! For strength!”
“…”
As I looked up with blazing eyes, Grandfather’s mouth set in a firm line. His eyebrows wriggled as if alive—he didn’t seem likely to be swayed.
Why did you even call me out here, then!
“Right, Leon sir? I should run too, shouldn’t I?”
“…That is true. But this is the main training ground… Why not just do as usual and keep to the mini ground…”
“Are you discriminating against me right now!”
My sudden accusation mixed embarrassment into the knight’s upright face.
“It’s… it’s not discrimination.”
“But I want to join in. You said you recognized me as the youngest knight…”
“Your Excellency…”
Knight Leon glanced at Grandfather, troubled.
“All, alright. Fine, so don’t pout! Cheer up! Smile!”
Grandfather grabbed my cheeks and kneaded them as if they were dough.
“You’re really letting me?”
“Eh? Er, yes…”
I spun away quickly and dashed over to the starting line where Khalid and Void stood.
“Yes, PE class!”
“Oh, you little snot! Be careful!”
As I ran over, I saw the two standing there awkwardly. Void’s eyes widened as he saw me.
“Ruby! Why’d you come? You could’ve rested!”
“I want to build up my strength too!”
I laughed and wedged myself between the two.
Khalid stared at me for a moment, then placed his hand on my head.
“Ruby. Did you get taller?”
Gasp! Words I’d been longing to hear!
“Right? I knew someone would notice!”
I hopped up and down, grabbing Khalid’s hand.
A faint trace of magic pulsed through my body—barely noticeable and likely unintentional, since I was wearing the bracelet.
“…You two are getting a little too close, aren’t you?”
Crackle. At that moment, suddenly a split appeared between us.
Void pushed between Khalid and me, scowling with his arms folded.
“What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Yes. What’s the problem?”
Khalid asked, and Void’s mouth opened and closed helplessly before stopping.
“…Good point. What is the problem?”
Scratch, scratch. Void rubbed the back of his head.
As Void stood bewildered, Khalid leaned in and whispered to me:
“Do we have to keep up this charade? I’d like to practice swordsmanship sometime soon…”
“Shh, Khalid. You promised to get along.”
“…True.”
Just then, Grandfather strode over and cleared his throat. Resolutely, I clenched my fist.
“Ready, set, go!”
“Your shoes are untied!”
With a laugh, I shot out ahead of them. The two, looking down at their feet, joined a split second later.
“Rubyyy!”
Void’s voice carried after me, tinged with frustration. Grandfather’s loud laugh roared behind him.
“You really are untied, Void, you little squirt!”
“Wah!”
Void tripped over his half-tied shoelaces and tumbled noisily to the ground.
I kept running without pause. Soon, a long shadow appeared at my side. As expected, he caught up in no time.
“I’m having fun right now!”
“What on earth about this is fun?”
I was already breathless, while Khalid looked entirely unaffected.
“Running with nothing on my mind! Not because I’m being chased, but just for fun!”
“…”
Clear skies, a cool breeze, the warm sun!
The only times I’d ever had to run before were moments of desperation. A racing heart always meant danger.
But here, I could run for no reason at all!
Even if my heart pounded, nothing bad would happen!
“You even get praised just for finishing, you know!”
A healthy body, a healthy mind!
“Let’s g—whoa!”
Just then, my clumsy foot caught.
The ground rushed up. In that instant of knowing I’d messed up—
“Ruby!”
“Ru…!”
Two arms grabbed my neck and shoulders—one from behind, one from the side.
I saw Khalid, his pupils wide with shock, and Void, gasping for breath after running so hard.
“Phew. Almost died filming a youth drama here.”
I dusted myself off and started running again.
No more over-pacing. Must calm down, unless I want a busted nose.
Tap, tap. My more measured footfalls echoed across the training ground. Worried about tripping again, I focused all my energy on running.
So I didn’t notice what was happening behind me.
“……”
“……”
The two boys who had caught me exchanged a peculiar glance.
‘My sister’s friend is pretty deft, I’ll give him that.’
‘Who the hell is this guy, anyway?’
Those thoughts crossed their minds as well—a matter of course.