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Allen averted his gaze and took his seat.
He looked down.
On the table, the plate before him was already filled with lunch—prepared by Sylphie, all his favorite dishes.
He had once felt embarrassed about this, as if he were being treated like some "young master." He had even cautiously told Sylphie that she didn't need to do this, that he could manage on his own.
But she had refused with a smile.
"Allen... You've been struggling with the Soundless Sword lately, haven't you? I can only use magic, so this is the little thing I can do to help. I know what you're thinking, but it's really okay."
"Consider this 'payment' for the dress you bought me."
Allen wanted to look up and thank her, but after a brief hesitation, he simply picked up a piece of bread instead.
His neck stiff, he kept his head down.
Ever since he had written "Sylphie" on that piece of paper half a year ago, he had inexplicably felt a strange "fluster" whenever he saw her face. He could no longer look at her the same way—no longer as just a child.
Damn it.
At least Sylphie didn't seem to have noticed that he had let Eris skip class again.
His strategy—making Eris change clothes and comb her hair while deliberately keeping his own outfit unchanged—had worked perfectly.
A flawless "alibi."
This way...
He wouldn't have to explain himself while staring into her eyes.
That was harder than reaching Saint-rank in swordsmanship.
Beside him, Rudeus watched Allen's expressions with quiet amusement, a faint smirk forming—before it immediately froze.
Because...
He felt a "burning" gaze.
From the side.
He turned sharply.
Eris was staring at him, eyebrows raised in the exact same manner as Allen, her eyes slightly narrowed.
Rudeus shuddered.
Wait, Young Lady?! Are you seriously competing over this too?!
But then he realized his assumption was wrong.
Because in the next moment, Eris spoke.
Loudly.
A declaration.
A "command" from superior to subordinate, stating the "facts."
"I skipped class today to sleep in the stables! I didn't go find Allen! Look, my clothes aren't even wet!"
The moment she finished, smack—Allen's palm met his face, then dragged down in exasperation. Eris, however, looked at him proudly, arms crossed, utterly satisfied with how well she had followed his instructions.
See, Allen? I explained just like you told me to! Aren't I amazing?!
Meanwhile, Rudeus and Sylphie—who had literally seen the two practicing swords on the roof that morning—both turned to stare at Eris in stunned silence.
What a flawless alibi.
Even those who had and hadn't watched Detective Conan were left speechless.
Allen rubbed his face for a long moment before finally looking up.
He opened his mouth to explain—
But then he saw Sylphie's ears twitch.
As if sensing his gaze, she turned to him.
Allen froze, his words vanishing instantly.
Because...
The wind stirred.
The morning breeze after the autumn rain carried the scent of damp earth.
It brushed against the dining hall's curtains.
Swaying.
Shifting.
Sunlight spilled across the table.
Perhaps it was just the brilliance of the post-rain morning sun—
But at this moment...
Allen could see a shimmering, flowing light in Sylphie's eyes.
Those soft, reddish-brown irises.
Within them, the swaying reflections of the curtains danced like ripples.
And then—
Sylphie's signature gentle voice reached his ears.
"It's okay."
"Allen."
She smiled, her eyes curving slightly as she pointed at his plate.
"Let's eat. The soup's getting cold."
Allen looked at her—then immediately averted his gaze again.
He stared down at his bowl.
But the image lingered in his mind.
In her eyes...
Had been his reflection.
"Don't focus on facial expressions! Sense the killing intent! Expressions can lie, movements can be feints—but killing intent doesn't deceive. Understand?"
Crack!
Wooden splinters burst from the clashing training swords.
Allen stared into Eris' eyes at point-blank range, her blade pressing against his with enough force to make the wood groan.
Yet Allen's sword didn't budge an inch.
As if...
Eris was the only one truly exerting herself.
Eris bared her teeth, glaring.
"I'm trying! But I can't sense anything!"
Allen paused. Then, realizing something, his eyebrows rose slightly.
He lowered his gaze.
Looked at his sword.
Avoided Eris' eyes.
And then—
Killing intent.
It surged.
Eris' entire body locked up, goosebumps racing up her arms.
Her sharp swordsman's instincts screamed at her—an indescribable "cold" seeping through the wooden blade into her hands.
Thick.
Freezing.
She shuddered.
Clatter.
Her sword hit the ground.
She snapped her head up, staring at Allen's eyes.
Allen met her gaze.
His expression was the same as always.
In an instant, the "cold" vanished.
Eris blinked, then looked up at the setting sun.
The sunlight was still warm.
As if nothing had happened.
"Remember that. That's killing intent."
Eris nodded dumbly.
"But why couldn't I sense it earlier?"
Allen's mouth twitched. He glanced at her silently.
"...That's my fault. I probably wasn't actually releasing any earlier."
"Hah?!"
Nearby, Ghyslaine shook her head and stepped forward, taking Allen's place.
"I'll spar with you."
"Yeah!"
Allen walked off to the side, where Rudeus sat reading.
"Have you really given up on swordsmanship completely?"
Rudeus didn't look up.
"I still practice, Allen-sama~ But only enough to stay fit. Besides, isn't that what you're here for? Why should I bother?"
Allen rubbed his chin, considering this.
...He's got a point.
In the original story, had Rudeus' swordsmanship ever been truly useful?
Not really.
The only notable moment he could recall was—
His face stiffened.
The one time Rudeus had shown off his swordsmanship was... when Ariel entrusted Sylphie to him, and he had a spar with Luke outside the house.
A rare "highlight" for Rudeus' sword skills.
Unfortunately, Luke was only Intermediate-rank in Sword God style—and barely even Beginner in Water God.
Yeah, he probably doesn't need it...
Then, suddenly, Allen paused.
He glanced around.
"Where's Sylphie?"
At this, Rudeus finally looked up.
He stared at Allen with half-lidded eyes, an eerie smile on his face.
Allen's scalp prickled under the gaze.
But before Rudeus could even speak, Allen already realized.
"Every time Lord Sauros and Lord Philip are away, and Eris comes to eat with us in the servants' dining hall... Sylphie always takes the afternoon off to have 'tea' with Lady Hilda, doesn't she?"
As he spoke, Allen looked up at the second-floor window.
No one was there.
Sylphie was making up for the missing "companionship."
She was thoughtful like that.
She didn't want Hilda to feel lonely.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 235 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 35 power stones I will publish the next chapter.