Youngest 090
by CristaeEpisode 90
“As expected. The Zevert young lady is joining the competition…”
“Did you hear? That declaration, full of nonchalance, as if nothing in the world could ever be difficult for her.”
“Truly, the young lady of the north…”
Somehow, it felt like things were going awry.
I buried my face in my palms.
But since I truly intended to get my hands on that herb, I did not deny any of it.
‘I want the Memorial Herb.’
After all, used alone, it’s merely a simple herb…
‘But when used with magic, it can restore lost memories.’
Ever since that kidnapping incident, the memories of the original story that surfaced while I was sick lingered in a frustrating fog.
Of course, I’d asked Wizeria just in case, but received no answer.
I’d grown tired of Wizeria’s selective feedback. So, I decided to rely not only on the memories and knowledge in my own head, but to borrow power from outside.
That very Memorial Herb.
‘I’ll take first place and win that herb!’
I had resolved to do so ever since Asha told me about the additional prize.
Besides, that hero card was something I wanted as well…
“Dad, I’m going to do my best.”
My quiet vow made Father smile, telling me not to try too hard. Then I overheard him order someone to send men to all the herb dealers in the region.
Anyway.
‘I’ve already laid out a strategy for this!’
I turned to look at the elite members who’d compete alongside me.
Team Zevert.
Yes, the best and brightest of us all.
‘With this half-baked memory restored—’
I’ll save Father!
Team Zevert.
That was, of course, Liam, Void, and Khalid.
“Little one, come on. We need to go register for our events.”
Liam reached out to me. At the registration desk in one corner of the hall, children were already massing in a crowd.
The Verdant Festival competition consisted of four events.
- Horse race 2. Quiz bowl 3. Children’s fencing tournament 4. Maze run
Each child could pick one event to participate in.
‘And if you win your event, you get a 100-point “gold badge.”’
Of course, winning wasn’t everything.
If you demonstrated real skill in an event, the judges could award additional 5-point “star stickers.”
‘I heard there was a kid who once won overall first place in the quiz event with nothing but star stickers.’
He got only three questions right, but apparently his solutions were so innovative that he received a hundred star stickers—500 points—for first place.
But that was a great exception. Normally, winners with gold badges vied for the top spots based on how many star stickers they’d collected.
‘So, to make absolutely sure of victory…’
I eyed Liam, Void, and Khalid with sharp scrutiny in turn.
“What are you plotting? Come register for the fencing event with me! I’ll even let you win!”
“No, the little fairy’s registering with me for the quiz bowl. I have no intention of losing, but I will share answers.”
“Hmm. You’re all underestimating the Verdant Festival.”
I waved my forefinger. All three faces lit with question marks. Borrowing Liam’s glasses, I became a clever Rubian.
“Look here.”
I crouched and drew on the ground. The three gathered around.
“What’s the Verdant Festival competition? It’s a battle between houses.”
“Huh, I thought it was just fun games?”
“Not at all. Would you want the hero card snatched away by another house?”
“No way!”
“See? We need a strategy to ensure victory.”
“A strategy? That sounds good.”
Liam nodded toward a nearby trash bin, approving. I quickly returned his glasses.
“The point is, we shouldn’t be competing against each other.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means we all have to enter different events.”
“I see.”
Liam bared his teeth in a grin and sketched on the ground.
- Horse race – Khalid
- Quiz – Me
- Fencing – Void
- Maze – ♡♥Ruby♡♥
“That’s the best plan.”
My name seemed a bit fancier than the rest, but never mind.
“But I didn’t know Khalid could enter.”
I glanced at Khalid’s name and asked, and Void nodded.
“Actually, you don’t have to be a noble to compete in the Verdant Festival. Most commoner kids avoid it because they don’t want to go up against nobles—especially in the horse race or fencing. But he doesn’t seem to care about that.”
“Oh. He really doesn’t.”
Khalid just sat on the ground, listening as if the whole thing had nothing to do with him.
“But I actually prefer this one.”
Khalid’s finger silently pointed to Event 3, fencing. Void snorted.
“Hey. You always mess up combat practice. Forgot about that? You’re just going to stand there again?”
“…Oh.”
Yikes. Not quite used to real combat yet, it seems.
Though Khalid looked displeased, he had no retort.
“Hold on.”
This time it was me objecting. My own event was in question and I found myself truly uncertain.
“But I want to join the quiz bowl! Can’t Liam take the maze?”
Honestly, I wasn’t confident in the other events. But the quiz bowl focused on herbs this year, so it was my best shot at winning.
Liam chuckled.
“Me, find my way in a maze? I can’t even find the bathroom.”
“…”
Well, that’s fair.
“Alright. If you insist, I’ll do the maze. I’ll say my farewells now—I expect I’ll see you again in another life…”
“Ack! Enough with the next life jokes!”
I hurried to cut Liam off.
It couldn’t be helped. Liam was the cleverest, probably even better than me at quizzes.
‘Finding my way through a maze—I might not be bad at that myself.’
Strategy session complete, we hurried to the registration desk.
“Very good, four entrants from House Zevert. You’re all registered. Here’s your schedule.”
The desk was already packed with potential rivals.
All unfamiliar faces. But perhaps because the three boys at my side radiated such presence, everyone only sneaked glances without attempting to approach.
‘Heh. With these three, someone is bound to win first place.’
I prided myself on being an objective child.
To be honest, this wasn’t a magical duel, and my odds of winning among these gifted kids weren’t great.
‘As long as those prizes come home to us, I don’t care who wins!’
Liam and Khalid had already promised to hand over their prizes to me, with Void caring only for the hero card.
Looking around, I caught sight of Father, Grandfather, and Mother Rosetta in the stands. The three of them waved at me with beaming smiles.
Wow.
I bounced up and down, waving back, unable to hold back my glee. I’d never known how exciting and reassuring this could feel!
A sports day with my parents there.
It really was wonderful!
The first event up was the horse race.
As the opening competition, the stadium swarmed with people.
Watching the crowd’s sparkling eyes and the buzz of excitement, I thanked my luck a hundred times that I’d chosen the maze.
Riding a horse in front of all those people?
‘A hundred percent chance of making a mistake out of nerves.’
Of course, the ever-apathetic Khalid was merely stroking his horse’s muzzle with a bored expression.
“To think all my little ones are competing.”
Father sat beside me, murmuring.
“Turns out parents have the busiest job.”
“Hng hng.”
For some reason, I suddenly felt happy as I looked down at the crown of Khalid’s head.
Most of the children in the horse race were noble scions who’d received systematic riding instruction since childhood.
Even among these peacock-like children in their fancy outfits, Khalid was undaunted.
Rather, he was like a swan seated among the peacocks.
‘He’d hate to hear that.’
I’ll have to tease him later.
People cast glances and whispered.
“They say that boy is a prodigy, personally raised by the Duke of Zevert in the knight order, right?”
“My, just look at his eyes. I hear the old Duke Zevert keeps a close watch on him, too.”
In truth, the Zevert knight order was always short on manpower and its doors were open, and Grandfather just enjoyed playing with the children—but…
‘It’s not exactly untrue, I suppose.’
It wasn’t such a bad feeling, hearing my friend praised.
“You can do it, my daughter!”
“Go, Young Master Simon!”
Cheers erupted from all sides.
It surprised me.
Frankly, I’d thought the nobles would remain elegant and reserved, silently observing like at an art exhibition… But perhaps because it was a festival, the atmosphere was much more free and spirited.
‘Or maybe when it comes to cheering their children, status melts away.’
Of course, there were aristocrats like my own father, maintaining perfect dignity and posture…
‘Gasp, even cheering equipment.’
With signs and fans inscribed with encouraging slogans, I realized just how invested everyone was in this festival.
Ah! If only I’d known, I’d have brought my own sketchbook!
“Father! Over here!”
Just then, I heard Mother and Grandfather calling from the far end.
“Out of my way, you dust flecks! We need room to unfurl our support banner!”
Two bulls charged through the crowd, kicking people aside…
And then, the largest banner in the arena unfurled in full glory.
Pride of the Zevert Knights!
Go, kiddo Khalid!
“……”
Khalid’s face, standing below, twisted into utter horror.