Chapter 98

(6)

10.

“Th-that’s invalid!”

A scream that sounded like a panic.

Ulan tilted his head at the sudden intervention of the merchants.

“Why?”

“You didn’t just extinguish it; you broke it, didn’t you!?”

“That’s right! That makes it invalid.”

“More like, how about compensating for the damages first…?”

As the merchants rambled on and on, Fertisha suddenly chimed in with a question.

“But there was no warning like that, right?”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“If it really were to be invalid, you should have said beforehand not to break the magic lights or smash the walls.”

“That’s…”

For a brief moment, they were left speechless.

It was understandable; after all, who would think of someone throwing darts strong enough to break walls?

Just as he was about to make a counterargument—

“Uh, now that you mention it, that’s true.”

“There was no warning like that!”

“Anyway, we didn’t break any rules.”

“Stop being petty and just give it!”

Suddenly, the bystanders joined in.

They were all guests who had been tricked.

Within the blink of an eye, opinions tilted to one side.

With the public sentiment worsening, the merchants eventually waved the white flag.

“Ugh, fine! We get it!”

“Pick your prizes quickly!”

“You can choose only three.”

Leaving the merchants urging them on, Ulan leisurely scanned the prize display.

‘First, the wrist guard.’

The item he had been eyeing before, intended for Ivella. Next, he chose the large umbrella tucked away in the corner.

As far as Ulan knew, Fertisha’s weather predictions had never been wrong.

‘Lastly…’

What would be a good choice?

He slowly looked around the display, but nothing caught his eye. It was all just decorations, trinkets, or clothing.

Then something caught his eye by coincidence.

A small wooden statue carved in the shape of an owl. As he glanced at it, he soon turned his gaze to Fertisha across from him.

‘Now that I think of it, she liked birds.’

A memory of the past life flashed into his mind. She had a particular fondness for birds, often collecting bird-shaped ornaments or dolls even while battling the Abyss.

Recalling that nostalgic memory, he grabbed the owl figurine without hesitation. Just as he was about to walk over to Fertisha—

“Stop right there.”

A cold voice pierced his ears.

It was Rimer, the brown-haired knight who had stayed by Fertisha’s side since he first laid eyes on her.

“Don’t come any closer.”

With a gaze full of caution, Rimer kept her hand on the hilt of her sword, glaring at Ulan. Yet, Ulan ignored her warning and kept moving.

“…I’ll strike you if you come any closer.”

A harsh final warning flew his way.

But Ulan brushed it off and advanced towards Fertisha. Rimer’s glare turned murderous.

As he stepped within five paces, auras gathered on Rimer’s blade.

The Master’s Domain unfolded in an instant.

Simultaneously, an unthinkably swift attack rained down upon Ulan, a fierce strike without an ounce of hesitation.

But at that moment—

Thud! Crack!

Something unexpected unfolded before Rimer’s eyes.

The sword aimed at his neck was caught in Ulan’s grip.

“…!?”

Rimer’s eyes widened in disbelief.

It dawned on her then.

Even after stepping into the Master’s Domain, the only one who could share time with the domain’s master was the master themselves.

The realization brought a look of horror to her face.

Yet, she didn’t remain frozen in shock. She quickly positioned herself in front of Fertisha to fulfill her duty as a knight.

“Get away! This man—!”

“There’s no need to be on guard.”

However, something even more astonishing occurred.

Ulan had already passed her by at a speed Rimer couldn’t perceive.

“I have no intent to harm.”

His flat voice followed.

This was a clear fact.

If Ulan had intentions to harm, Rimer and Fertisha, along with the escorts, would have long since lost their heads.

‘This is my mistake.’

Rimer bit her lip, feeling the overwhelming skill difference, reminiscent of the Imperial Family’s Sword, Saxen Yul Orden.

Just then, Ulan reached out to Fertisha.

He extended the owl figurine towards her.

“This is for you.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s a thank you for stopping the wind earlier.”

As he looked into her growing crimson eyes, he remembered what had happened moments before.

When Ulan began the extinguish game, the wind on the street had suddenly stopped. This was a result of Fertisha borrowing the power of the spirit.

Right before the wind ceased, she cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered, which was evidence of it.

She always acted that way when speaking to spirits.

‘Of course, even if the wind hadn’t ceased…’

The outcome wouldn’t have changed.

With enough power to smash walls and topple tents, even if the direction was somewhat off, it would have yielded the same result.

But it was true that he had received a favor.

And with a favor, one must give a proper repayment. Such is the way of the prairie.

“Then, excuse me.”

With the wrist guard and umbrella in hand, Ulan turned without hesitation.

As though he had nothing more to attend to.

But Fertisha wasn’t done. For a moment, looking blank, she quickly shouted,

“W-wait a second!”

With a trembling voice, she had many questions for him.

She was curious about how he had anticipated the rain, and how he had realized she could stop the wind using a spirit’s power.

But what intrigued her more was—

“H-how did you know?”

“What do you mean?”

“That I wanted this.”

She loved birds since childhood.

Seeing them freely soaring through the sky without being caged was a joy for her.

Thus, her reasons for joining the extinguish game were fueled by half curiosity and half a desire to acquire a bird figurine she had never seen before.

‘But…’

Only her older brother, Crown Prince Chartang, knew that she liked birds.

Everyone else was unaware, even her escort knight, Rimer.

Yet Ulan had seen through this as well.

He formed a fitting hypothesis.

‘Could it be that he can see spirits like me…?’

What started as curiosity quickly turned into fascination as Fertisha awaited Ulan’s answer with a strangely tense expression.

A short while later, she received a rather lackluster response.

“I just thought you might like birds.”

“Th-that’s all?”

“That’s it.”

After a silent nod, Ulan turned away again.

As he completely vanished into the crowd, a sudden memory flashed through Rimer’s mind.

“…!”

Istan El Deorg.

Seoric Al Gorphant.

She remembered the master from the border who had defeated the two masters of the Rubens Empire.

Both swordsmen had echoed one truth.

The warrior who had defeated them possessed a domain so special that it eluded the perception of ordinary masters.

At that moment, piecing everything together, the identity of the man who had just been here became clear.

“Could that savage be…?”

“Ulan Bator.”

Just then, Fertisha interrupted Rimer.

Her starry-eyed expression sparkled as she murmured,

“What a fascinating person.”

Holding the owl figurine she received from Ulan tightly, she stared longingly at where he had disappeared.

With a hint of intrigue in her expression.

11.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Ulan, having left the market, returned to the plaza.

It was just past 7 PM.

As the promised time approached, a familiar face appeared from a distance. A girl with light blond hair came running towards him. It was Ivella.

“Sorry! Did you wait long?”

“It’s fine. I just got here too.”

Ulan waved his hand lightly, as if to dismiss the matter.

“Huh? Where did you go?”

“I was sightseeing at the night market. Did you finish what you had to do?”

“Yeah, all done.”

A bright smile blossomed on her lips.

It seemed her business had gone well.

At that moment, Ivella pulled something from her bag.

A small box, wrapped in elegant paper, was handed to Ulan.

“Here, take this.”

“What’s this?”

“Open it!”

With a strange smile, Ivella urged him.

Without thinking much of it, Ulan accepted the box and tore off the wrapping paper.

“This is…?”

Inside was a luxurious-looking black leather belt.

As Ulan tilted his head in confusion, Ivella beamed and exclaimed,

“Happy birthday, Ulan!”

His eyes widened slightly at her words.

Today was May 15th.

It was indeed his birthday.

He just had forgotten it since he had never celebrated one in either of his lives.

However, there was one puzzling point.

“How did you know it was my birthday?”

“Ah, I heard from Noa!”

Ivella replied as if she had been waiting for the question.

In fact, the reason she had pushed back using the outing permission and ended up using it today was that she had heard about Ulan’s birthday from Noa beforehand.

However, she hadn’t had enough time to prepare a birthday gift, hence why she had made sure to carve out an hour for it.

Yet Ulan’s question remained unanswered by her response. He had never told Noa when his birthday was.

‘But how did she know then?’

For a moment, that doubt brushed through his mind, but he didn’t dwell on it for long as Ivella continued her chatter.

“The reason I chose a belt is that I was tired of tying my waist with string. I thought it would look better if it were something sturdier…”

She trailed off, glancing at him.

Ulan could read what she wanted from Ivella’s gaze. So, he promptly wrapped the leather belt around his waist.

Click! Snap!

As he secured the buckle, it definitely felt much more stable than a string. As he finished putting on the belt, Ivella subtly asked,

“So, how does it look? Think it’s okay?”

“I really like it.”

Ulan smiled.

With a satisfied grin.

“Thank you! I’ll use it well!”

“Yay! I’m glad you like it!”

Ivella also beamed back at him.

After the birthday wishes and gift-giving passed, she turned without hesitation.

“Now let’s go. It’s almost time for the last carriage.”

The carriage heading towards Arsen Academy from the capital would be leaving at 8 PM.

Currently, it was 7:20 PM.

If they moved now, they should arrive with a bit of time to spare. Just as he was about to step forward—

“Wait.”

“Huh?”

“I have something for you too.”

Suddenly, Ulan stopped Ivella.

Then he pulled out the bracelet he had purchased earlier in the market alley. A bracelet in the same pale golden hue as her hair.

“Th-this is…?”

Startled, Ivella took the bracelet in her tremulous hands.

As if asking why he was giving her this. Ulan responded casually,

“I thought it would suit you.”

Of course, he also had bracelets for Delia and Noa, but he didn’t feel the need to mention those.

As she received his answer, Ivella’s cheeks flushed crimson.

Overjoyed at receiving an unexpected gift from Ulan.

“Hehe, thank you! I’m really happy!”

With a bright smile, Ivella replied.

Yet, it was still too early for her to express gratitude. He had one more gift for her.

“I also got this for you.”

“Huh? A wrist guard?”

“That’s right. The swordsmanship you practice is tough on your wrists, so it’s better to wear a guard and wield your sword from now on.”

If she starts taking care of herself now, she would suffer less from wrist pain in the future.

Looking at Ivella with her eyes wide open, Ulan presented the wrist guard along with his congratulatory words.

“Congratulations on reaching the intermediate knight level.”

“…!”

Ivella’s expression turned to one of shock.

After a moment, she looked back at him with wide, round eyes, like a child who had been caught hiding something.

“Uh, when did you know?”

“Since the other day when you crossed the wall.”

Ulan replied nonchalantly.

Ivella’s rate of growth was much faster than in her past life. If this pace continued, she would soon become a formidable force.

And so, he offered her genuine congratulations.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Ivella’s expression was one of deep emotion.

While she was grateful for the gift, what truly delighted her was the fact that he had noticed how her swordplay put stress on her wrists and gifted her a wrist guard.

‘Does that mean…’

He was paying close attention to her, which filled her heart with warmth and brought an involuntary smile to her face.

“Thank you so much, Ulan!”

Holding the bracelet and wrist guard tightly, she beamed with genuine joy.

“I’ll cherish them.”

Today truly was the best day ever.

Not only had she spent the whole day on a date with Ulan, but she had also received compliments and unexpected gifts.

‘But secretly…’

She wanted to become closer to him.

Not simply friends, but perhaps take a step forward in their relationship. However, wishing for that right now would be too greedy.

After all, she felt completely happy just like this. With her heart brimming with happiness, Ivella turned her body.

But that was only for a moment.

Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the night sky, painting a scene that soothed her elation.

Woosh! Shwoosh!

Heavy rain poured down.

Although Ulan had preemptively retrieved an umbrella, they still got somewhat wet from the sudden downpour.

However, two more problems arose on top of that.

First, the rain was pouring far too heavily.

Second, as a result, the carriage service to Arsen Academy had been suspended.

『Announcement』

【Carriage service is temporarily suspended.】

【Scope: Outskirts of the capital】

「Camille Village, Barodan City, Yuka Lake, Roelika Monastery, Arsen Academy, etc.」

“……”

Who would have thought the carriage would be discontinued?

This wasn’t part of the plan. He hadn’t expected so much rain either.

So, feeling rather flustered, Ulan frowned.

Actually, returning to the academy wasn’t too difficult. He remembered all the paths, and he was already accustomed to this level of downpour.

The issue was Ivella.

Walking back in a downpour great enough to render an umbrella useless would likely result in her catching a cold.

In other words, they had no choice but to wait for the rain to stop.

But no matter how long they waited, there was no sign of the rain letting up. As the hours passed, it was soon 9 PM.

‘Ugh, what now?’

While feeling anxious, her gaze was suddenly caught by something.

“…Ah.”

It was the coupon for accommodation that had been enclosed in the letter sent by Count Deorg to Ulan.

And the previous night, as he hastily packed his things, he shoved it in his bag during Noa’s sudden visit.