Klarion’s shoulders stiffened as he heard the sounds of footsteps rushing closer. Instinctively, he reached for the hilt of his greatsword as he glanced sideways at Hatsune, whose ears twitched in the direction of sound before he could turn. His immediate thought was that Chadwick had returned, having mustered enough courage for another confrontation.
But as the figures came into his line of sight, Klarion’s wariness eased, and he dropped his hand from his weapon. Rather than Chadwick, or some other scion intent on causing him trouble, it was Valdre and Redrek heading his way. The two others with them made it immediately clear that they had successfully acquired bodyguards of their own.
“Valdre, Redrek,” Klarion greeted. Hatsune came to a stop closer to him, her stance still somewhat wary.
Valdre was the first to respond, a grin lighting up his face as he looked over Klarion and the Leporine woman at his side. “Klarion! Looks like you also found a bodyguard. Too bad we don’t share the same Foundations of History.” He nodded toward Hatsune, whose sharp eyes darted between Klarion’s friends and their bodyguards.
Before Klarion could reply, or introduce Hatsune, Redrek interjected. “Perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to share some of the other required courses,” he said, his tone hopeful.
“That would be nice,” Klarion agreed, but his attention was fixed on the two bodyguards who stood behind his friends.
Standing just behind Valdre was a towering human clad in simple but sturdy heavy armor. The man’s presence was formidable without being ostentatious. His armor, though lacking intricate embellishments, bore the marks of practical wear and reliable craftsmanship. The shield slung across his back was equally unadorned, its surface scuffed and dull from countless impacts. At his side rested a plain longsword, again unremarkable in design. His face, framed by a short crop of brown hair, was rugged and stoic, marked by a faint scar that ran diagonally across his left cheek. The man’s expression was unreadable, his deep-set eyes scanning the surroundings with the vigilance of someone accustomed to danger.
“This is Garran,” Valdre said, gesturing at the armored figure after seeing where Klarion’s eyes had gone. “He’s a seasoned mercenary with years of battlefield experience who was looking for something a bit more stable. Figured I could use someone with his background.”
Garran gave a curt nod to Klarion, his posture straight and disciplined. Despite his intimidating size, there was a calmness to him, a sense of reliability that immediately conveyed competence.
“Scion,” Garran said in a deep, gravelly voice, his words succinct but polite. Greeting done, he returned to keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Redrek’s bodyguard was in stark contrast to Garran’s imposing presence. An elf with light grey skin, he moved with a fluid grace, every step silent on the floor. His lean frame was covered in simple leather armor, dyed a muted black that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. At his waist were twin long knives in plain sheaths, while across his chest was a bandolier holding a number of throwing knives. His angular face was partially obscured by a dark hood, but Klarion could still make out violent eyes within it.
“This is Kael,” Redrek said, his tone betraying a hint of pride. “Beyond the obvious, he is also skilled in observation and scouting.”
Kael nodded but didn’t say anything, as he too was focused on keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Hatsune’s ears twitched again, and Klarion could sense her tension as she took in the other two bodyguards. Though she maintained her composure, her eyes lingered on Kael’s knives, and she shifted slightly closer to Klarion.
“This is Hatsune,” Klarion said, stepping forward slightly to shield her from the gazes of Valdre and Redrek. He could tell she was nervous and didn’t want the scrutiny, so he did what he could to take some of the attention off of her. “She’s… well, I’m still learning about her skills, but everything I’ve seen so far shows her to be capable.”
Hatsune dipped her head in acknowledgment, her expression carefully neutral. “Nice to meet you,” she said, her tone polite but distant.
Valdre raised an eyebrow, clearly curious but refraining from pressing further. “Interesting choice,” he murmured, his eyes going back to Klarion before continuing, “but why haven’t you selected for her any equipment yet?”
“I can do that?” Klarion asked, honestly confused. He had just assumed that whatever she had with her was it and that he would have to figure out weapons and armor later by himself.
Valdre rolled his eyes in mock exasperation and gestured toward a section of the wall opposite from where they stood talking. There, an assortment of weapon racks, armor stands, and shelves had been set up, probably due to the rush of first-year scions coming in to select their first bodyguards. “Equipment is part of the process, you know. I’m surprised no one told you that you’re entitled to basic equipment for your bodyguard. Go on, get her outfitted properly. Can’t have her looking like you just grabbed her off the street.”
Hatsune’s ears twitched again, but she said nothing, instead turning to look in the direction where Valdre indicated. Klarion found himself increasingly perplexed by Hatsune’s body language. Her expressive ears seemed to carry a whole vocabulary of their own — one he couldn’t yet understand. In the short time they had spent together, they had twitched, perked up, and swiveled, often without any accompanying explanation, leaving him unsure about her mood or intentions. Hopefully, he would be able to figure out what their movements meant soon.
He turned to Hatsune, as he asked, “What would you prefer? You’ll be the one using it, after all.”
She tilted her head slightly, considering his question. “A long sword,” she said after a moment. “And scale armor, if it’s available.”
“Long sword and scale mail it is, then.”
Valdre and Redrek indicated they would wait over by the entrance, their bodyguards following close behind them. Klarion led Hatsune toward what seemed almost to be a makeshift store. As they came closer, Klarion immediately got the sense that all the weapons and armor on display were the equivalent of starter equipment from some of the games he had played growing up. One of the attendants, a middle-aged human man with sharp eyes and a professional demeanor, stepped forward to greet them.
“Claiming gear for your bodyguard, scion?” the attendant asked, his tone brisk but polite.
“Yes,” Klarion replied. “A long dword and scale mail armor.”
The attendant nodded, gestured for them to wait, then disappeared down the rows towards the back. As they waited, Klarion glanced over at Hatsune. She stood poised and calm, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. If she felt any excitement or apprehension, it didn’t show on her face.
After a few minutes, the attendant returned, carrying a scabbarded long sword in one hand and a neatly folded set of scale mail armor in the other. He set them both down on a side counter, the gestured for Hatsune to step forward.
“This should fit,” he said, indicating the armor. “And the sword is standard issue but reliable.”
Hatsune approached, inspecting both with a critical eye. She picked up the sword first, testing its weight and balance with a few experimental swings. She grimaced slightly but ultimately nodded. Setting it aside, she turned her attention to the armor. After a brief inspection, she said, “I’ll have to try it on.”
The attendant pointed out a curtained area off to the side of all the displayed equipment. “There’s a fitting room right there. Let me know if you need any adjustments.”
Hatsune took the armor and disappeared behind the curtain, and Klarion found himself waiting awkwardly once again. He glanced around the hall, watching as other scions and their bodyguards moved about, some engaged in animated conversation, others preparing to leave. Each pair seemed to have their own dynamic, some fluid and natural, others tense and awkward, much like his own interactions with Hatsune. Klarion envied the ones that shared apparent ease, hoping that his own rapport with the Leporine woman would be to that level soon.
When Hatsune emerged a few minutes later, the transformation was striking. The scale mail fit her perfectly, emphasizing her slender yet athletic frame, and when she secured the long sword around her waist she truly looked the part of a bodyguard.
“Everything works for you?”
“It’ll do,” she said.
“Alright, let’s join the others,” he turned to the attendant to thank him, but he was already helping another group of scions pick out equipment for their new bodyguards.
When Klarion and Hatsune returned to where Valdre, Redrek, and their bodyguards were waiting, Valdre’s grin widened at the sight of Hatsune in her new gear.
“Now that’s more like it,” Valdre said, clapping his hands together. “You’ve got yourself a proper bodyguard now, Klarion. She looks ready for anything.”
Redrek was less effusive but offered a nod of approval. His elven bodyguard, Kael, watched Hatsune with a measured gaze, his violet eyes unreadable.
“We were just talking,” Valdre said, his tone cheerful. “Since class is done for the day, we thought we’d grab a bite at The Hearth & Ember. Ordran’s place, remember? Great food, good atmosphere. Probably not too busy yet. What do you say?”
Klarion hesitated, glancing at Hatsune. She seemed indifferent to the idea, her gaze focused on a nearby group of scions. The way her eyes seemed to be tracking the movements of the bodyguards seemed to indicate that she was taking her new duties seriously.
“Sounds good to me,” Klarion said finally. Spending time with Valdre and Redrek would be a welcome distraction from what had happened with Chadwick, and it would give him some additional time to adjust to Hatsune’s presence without the pressure of one-on-one interaction.
“Perfect!” Valdre said, clapping Klarion on the shoulder. “Let’s go before the place gets too crowded.”
Stolen novel; please report.
The walk to The Hearth & Ember was uneventful, for which Klarion was grateful, but the whole walk Klarion found himself acutely aware of Hatsune’s presence beside him. The rhythmic clink of her armor was a constant reminder that she was now part of his life, a reality he was still coming to terms with.
When they arrived, the familiar warmth of the tavern welcomed them. The aroma of spiced meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, yet The Hearth & Ember was just as empty as it had been the other time Klarion had been there. Ordran greeted them with a wide smile, his thick arms open in welcome as they came inside.
“Ah, the young scions return!” Ordran boomed. “And with new companions, I see. Come in, come in. Your table from last night is open. I’ll be right with you.”
The group moved to the table, and the bodyguards naturally took up positions around their scions. Valdre’s towering human bodyguard, Garran, sat at one end of the table, his heavy armor creaking faintly as he settled into the sturdy wooden chair. Kael chose a spot near the wall, which would allow him to intervene should anyone approach Redrek, where he sat at the table. Hatsune, meanwhile, hesitated before sitting next to Klarion, her posture poised and alert despite the relaxed setting.
True to his word, Ordran came over to their table just as they had settled into the seats, and the dwarf began reciting the day’s offerings from memory. “We’ve got slow-roasted venison with a Firethorn honey glaze, fresh Silverfin trout in butter sauce, lamb stew with Ironroot vegetables, and for those wantin’ something hearty, Stone-Hearth pork pies seasoned with Flameberry herbs fresh outta the oven. Bread and spiced ale come with everythin’ tonight.”
“I don’t suppose you can make me what you did yesterday? That vegetarian stew?” Valdre asked, then grinned when Ordran nodded. “Thank you.”
“Trout,” Redrek said.
“Lamb stew,” Klarion said when it was his turn.
Hatsune glanced at Klarion before making her decision. “Bread,” she said softly.
Garran opted for the Stone-Hearth pork pie, while Kael also simply requested bread and water. Once the orders were placed, Ordran departed only to return with their drinks, then disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving the group to settle in.
“So,” Valdre began, his tone light. “Did you have any issues picking your bodyguard?”
Klarion hesitated for a moment, glancing at Hatsune. She met his gaze briefly before looking away, her ears twitching slightly.
“Not exactly,” Klarion said carefully. “But there was an incident.”
“Oh?” Redrek’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly. “Do tell.”
Klarion recounted the events with Chadwick — how the scion of House Copperhand had tried to intimidate Hatsune into choosing him and how Klarion had stepped in, evening attempting to draw his greatsword at one point before J-65 had stopped him. He omitted some of the finer details, but the gist of the story was clear.
By the time he finished, Valdre was shaking his head, a look of disbelief on his face. “Typical first-year nonsense,” he muttered. “But drawing your sword? That’s pretty bold.”
“I didn’t really have a choice,” Klarion replied. “Hatsune was —” He hesitated, unsure how to phrase it without making her sound vulnerable. “— in a difficult position.”
“I handled myself just fine,” Hatsune interjected, her tone firm.
Klarion nodded quickly. “Of course. I just meant —”
Redrek interrupted, his voice cutting through the conversation like a knife. “Did you say House Copperhand?”
Klarion frowned, caught off guard. “Yes. Why?”
Redrek leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “I thought as much. It makes sense now.”
“What makes sense?” Klarion asked, his curiosity piqued.
Redrek’s lips curled into a faint smile, exposing the tips of his fanged teeth. “House Copperhand is sworn to House Brightcoin.”
Klarion blinked in surprise. “And you know this because…?”
“It’s part of my family’s business to know,” the hobgoblin replied smoothly. “House Copperhand serves as one of their instruments, and given the confrontation you have already had with this year’s scion of House Brightcoin, I would wager gold that he instructed Chadwick to cause you problems if the opportunity presented itself. Regardless, you should be careful around him.”
Before the conversation could continue, Ordran returned with their meals, balancing plates with practiced ease. He set each down with a flourish, the enticing aroma of freshly cooked food filling the air. Meals delivered, he
“There you go,” Ordran said, stepping back to make sure that everyone had their meal. “Eat up, and let me know if you need anything else. Enjoy.”
The group dug in, the conversation shifting to lighter topics as they enjoyed the meal. Valdre regaled them with a humorous story about a classmate’s disastrous attempt to explain to their Foundations of History professor why the classes at the Imperial Academy were overrated after the professor had overheard the scion complaining to his neighbor how early it was. Redrek had offered dry commentary that had everyone laughing, including the bodyguards. Klarion found himself relaxing, the camaraderie of the group easing the tension that had lingered since the Hall of Bonds. Even Hatsune seemed more at ease, though she remained mostly silent, focusing on her meal. The shared meal at The Hearth & Ember had been exactly what he had needed.
Klarion ate his last few bites slowly, his fork moving methodically. As the story had wound down, his thoughts had drifted elsewhere, circling back to Redrek’s warning. Klarion’s instincts told him to be cautious, but the situation gnawed at him. The Academy was meant to be a neutral ground, yet the entanglement of noble houses was unavoidable.
As he mulled it over, Klarion came to a reluctant conclusion: there was nothing he could do about it — at least, not right now. His best course of action would be to stay vigilant and avoid provoking them further.
But that wasn’t the most pressing matter.
The year’s primary goal loomed over him like a specter: attaining a class. Everything else paled in comparison to its importance. Without a class, his future at the Imperial Academy would be nonexistent, and from there, it was not hard to see his chances of doing anything for his family back on Earth dwindling to nothing.
Klarion’s focus sharpened, and he set his fork down. The soft hum of conversation at the table pulled him back to the present. He glanced at Valdre, who was animatedly starting to recount another story, and Redrek, who listened with a mix of quiet amusement and occasional sarcasm. Hatsune, sitting silently beside him, sipped her drink with a poise that reminded Klarion he would need to find out more about her background. But that would be a conversation for later.
Clearing his throat, Klarion leaned forward slightly. “I’ve been thinking about our Academy Assignment,” he said, breaking his silence.
Valdre looked up mid-bite, raising an eyebrow. “Finally. I was wondering when you’d start talking again.”
“Let me guess,” Redrek chimed in. “You’ve come up with some sort of plan?”
“Something like that. I think most scions here will try to complete the Academy Assignment on their own or form alliances out of necessity, not loyalty.” He raised a hand as Valdre was about to speak. “I’ll admit we haven’t known each other for long, but I’d like you both to know that I already consider you friends. If you think the same, then I think we have an opportunity.”
Valdre set his fork down, looked over at Redrek who nodded, then motioned for Klarion to continue, his interest clearly piqued. “Go on.”
“We all want different kinds of classes, right? Even if we don’t know the specifics yet, it’s unlikely they will overlap, given the goals we have in mind. So instead of competing or working separately, why don’t we form an alliance? We can help each other attain the class we each want, pooling our strengths and resources to overcome any challenges that emerge in the process of doing so. It’s a win for all of us.”
Hatsune’s ears perked up slightly at the suggestion, though she said nothing, her expression thoughtful.
Redrek studied Klarion with a calculating gaze. “In theory, that would be nice, but what about once we figure out the actual requirements for unlocking each class? I’ve heard from my father that the rarer the class is, the more likely it is to have material components to unlock it. What if there is an overlap between what our classes require and limited opportunity to attain these materials?”
“That might be true, though I admit to not knowing much about the process yet,” Klarion admitted. “But we have access to the Central Archive. We can spend time there researching class options and figuring out the requirements for each one. Once we know what we’re aiming for, we can create a plan to help each other achieve it. If something does conflict, we can address it together.”
Valdre tapped his chin, considering the idea. “That’s… actually not a bad plan. Most scions will be scrambling to figure out things on their own, but we could coordinate and cover more ground.”
Redrek nodded slowly. “It’s practical. And if it means I don’t have to waste time dealing with scions who see me as a sacrificial pawn, all the better.”
Klarion smiled, relieved they were on board. “Then it’s settled. We’ll start by gathering information at the Central Archive. Once each of us decides on a class, we’ll work together to make it happen.”
“Does this… cooperation include us as well?” The question came from Valdre’s bodyguard, Garran. The man’s tone was steady but hesitant, as though he expected to be reprimanded for speaking out of turn.
Valdre turned sharply, his face twisted in irritation. “You will —”
“Yes,” Klarion interrupted Valdre, his calm voice cutting through the half-elf’s anger. The unexpected answer made everyone pause, even Hatsune, who glanced at him curiously. Klarion leaned back in his chair, eyes taking in everyone at the table around him. “It only makes sense. If we’re helping each other unlock our classes, why wouldn’t we include those who protect us? None of you have classes either. Helping you unlock stronger ones makes you more capable, and in turn, makes us safer. It’s simple logic.”
Valdre’s mouth snapped shut, clearly caught off guard, while Redrek had a look of amusement on his face. Garran nodded slowly, his expression unreadable but appreciative while Kael clearly looked excited at the possibility of unlocking a better class.
“Are we all agreed?” when everyone nodded, Klarion continued, “Then we’ll all benefit from this. No one gets left behind.”
Valdre raised his drink and was soon joined by everyone else at the table. “To teamwork, then. May we all walk out of this year and into the next one with the classes we want — and preferably without embarrassing ourselves in the process.”
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they finished their meals. Valdre resumed his storytelling, this time touching on some of his childhood escapades. Redrek countered with dry observations that earned a few laughs, at one point even getting Hatsune to snort. Klarion had chosen not to make a big deal about it when her face clearly lit up in embarrassment. Before much longer, Garran and Kael were offering the occasional comment as well. Klarion noticed how Valdre and Redrek had looked at him to see how he would respond to the participation of the bodyguards in the conversation at the table. When Klarion simply included them, both of his fellow scions did the same. While he didn’t know for sure, how Valdre and Redrek were acting seemed to indicate that allowing bodyguards to participate was not the norm at the Imperial Academy. That was one expectation he was happy to turn on its head.
When their plates were empty, Ordran returned to clear the table, his stout frame moving with practiced efficiency. “Good to see you lot enjoying yourselves,” he said with a grin. “Don’t be strangers now, y’hear? This place’ll be bustling soon enough, but there’ll always be room for you.”
“Thanks, Ordran,” Valdre said warmly. “We’ll be back.”
The group bid the dwarf goodnight, stepping out into the cool early evening air. The streets were quiet, as classes were ended and Klarion guessed most people were inside having their own dinners.
As they walked, Klarion found himself falling behind the other scions slightly, his thoughts turning inward. The night had been a good one, one of the best in a while. He’d strengthened his friendship with Valdre and Redrek, and they’d come on board with his plan for the year ahead. He enjoyed their company and that of Garran and Kael as well towards the end. Even Hatsune, though still something of a mystery to him, had begun to fit into the group in her own quiet way. They still fell short of his friends back on Earth, but he hoped that would change in time.
Klarion glanced at her as she walked beside him, her new scale mail glinting faintly in the moonlight. She caught his gaze, her expression unreadable.
“Thank you,” she said softly, breaking the silence.
“For what?” Klarion asked, genuinely curious.
“For including me,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Klarion nodded, unsure how to respond. The truth was, while he didn’t fully understand her yet, he felt certain that choosing Hatsune as his bodyguard had been the right decision. Her defiant spirit and unyielding stance, even in the face of Chadwick’s veiled threats, had impressed him. The memory of how she had drawn herself up after claiming her family would come for her lingered in his mind — a reminder that she wasn’t merely a servant bound by a contract but a person with her own goals. He watched Hatsune out of the corner of his eyes, but she did not speak up again, opting to keep her attention on their surroundings, much as Garran and Kael were doing up ahead.
For now, he resolved to trust his instincts. Time would tell if his choice of a bodyguard had been wise, but something about Hatsune felt undeniably… right.