Rinaldo Renzi was the youngest man to ever become a sage, only to pick up the sword in his 30s and become one of the greatest swordsmen on the continent by the time he was 40. In his later years, he also became a master alchemic engineer and magic researcher, whose knowledge was as vast as the cosmos.

He was, without a doubt, the strongest person on the continent. He lived up to the spectacular nickname given to him by the sitting emperor of the Apollyan Empire: “Empyrean,” the man who descended from the heavens. The only reason people didn’t compare him to Emperor Apolly, was because they feared he may even outshine the legendary emperor.

The simple fact that he was born a commoner, from one of the southern city-states, elevated the status of commoners. And his existence emboldened the masses to start uprisings decades ago in the old world. Although everyone called on his power, he remained neutral and only sought to mediate a peaceful solution. The number of people he personally slayed could probably counted on two hands, but they included a foolish king and his knight who blindly claimed to be the world’s strongest man. Rinaldo rarely needed to brandish the sword, since merely standing in his presence was enough to bow before his strength. He only became a prolific presence on the battlefields against the hordes of the World’s End.

His only weakness was a soft heart for someone he considered a friend, family even.

Having left the Shin family’s royal villa earlier in the morning, Hildebrand and Hugo found themselves back on the western half of the continent on a well-shaded road to the end of a natural bay. The fruit trees that guarded the path were so fruitful they were more red with fruit than green with leaves. They were so bountiful their roots were covered in rotting fruit. That too was Hildebrand’s handiwork. There was so much excess that it even seemed dangerous.

While Hugo was busy admiring the abundance, or perhaps condemning the excess, Hildebrand stretched her legs.

“My knees are killing me,” she whined.

“You could have teleported us closer,” Hugo said.

“Hush, you,” Hildebrand said. “You need to appreciate the finer things in life.” She gestured to the colorful trees. They swayed with the ocean breeze and even the blotchy shadows they cast upon the ground waxed and waned like the waves of the cerulean ocean beyond.

“I’ve seen them before,” Hugo said, continuing his journey at brisk pace.

“Slow down,” Hildebrand said. She stumbled to catch up to the gait of the tall Hugo, only to fall to the ground. “Agh!”

“You want me to carry you?” Hugo asked, looking back at her.

“…” Hildebrand leered at Hugo. “You’re joking right?”

Hugo sighed and turned to her, hands on his hips. He shook his head. “Such negativity.” He began to offer his hand until he was interrupted.

“Hugo?”

Hildebrand and Hugo both turned to face the woman dressed in black who had appeared out of a blind spot. Hildebrand didn’t recognize the face but did recognize the inappropriate amount of magic jewelry that adorned the woman. Like Yuna and Ryu, she had thick black hair and ruby red eyes marked with a white dot in the middle. She had never made the connection before.

“Maximilliana,” Hugo said.

If Rinaldo was the strongest man, Maximilliana was quite possibly the strongest woman. She didn’t go down without a serious fight. It took Hildebrand and her personal guard, the Divine Shield, going all out to take down the sorceress. She normally wore a black veil to hide her pale face, so it was strange to see her without it. She was unrecognizable. She looked much younger than she actually was, and beautiful too, like a well-groomed raven, which was quite shocking for Hildebrand.

“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Maximilliana said. “I thought you quit teaching at the academy. I hope you’re coming back.”

“It’s been a while. It’s good to see you,” Hugo said, avoiding the topic of the academy.

“Who’s this clumsy young lady?” Maximilliana asked. “Not a new girlfriend, I hope. Aren’t you getting married?”

“She’s just a friend,” Hugo said.

“Very good. Treat that fiancé of yours well, Hugo. I abhor men who play around with women’s hearts.”

“I’m Hildebrand,” said Hildebrand. She clambered to her feet and extended a dirty hand. Maximillian simply stared at her until Hildebrand wiped her hands on robes and added, “Ma’am.”

“Maximilliana. Do be careful,” she purred, gently shaking Hildebrand’s hand.

Hildebrand smiled cautiously. Maximilliana wasn’t someone Hildebrand could openly call friend; the woman was a schemer herself and she wasn’t all that trustworthy. And yet Hildebrand’s light grasp lingered on Maximilliana’s hand.

“Are you okay, dear?”

“I’m sorry,” said Hildebrand. “Yes. I’m fine.”

“We’re kind of in a hurry,” Hugo said.

Maximilliana rolled her eyes. “Hugo, drop by the Helmsgrave Academy whenever you’re done with whatever it is you’re doing.”

Hugo nodded.

“Good boy,” Maximilliana said, smiling as slyly as a vixen.

“Anyway, we need to get going,” Hugo said. “Bye.”

“Very well, off you go,” Maximilliana said, dismissing the pair like shooing away pests.

***

Hugo knocked on the door to the little house at the end of the road. It had a weathered blue roof, and the lower half was lined with stone. It was a quaint little home for someone who wanted to live quietly. In the other world, Rinaldo’s magic tower sat on this plot of land, like a towering lighthouse at sea. It was strange to see the little house standing in its place on the spacious land.

The door opened.

“Hello,” Rinaldo answered.

Contrary to his venerable reputation, the man looked like an angry demon. His intense, narrow eyes examined Hugo carefully. His thick, pointed eyebrows rested angrily on his resting face. Prominent lines under his eyes broke up his rectangular face and revealed his age. The dark goatee that circled his mouth contrasted sharply with his neat, slicked back silver hair. If it wasn’t for his reading glasses, he might have looked like a villain.

Hugo was tall and well built, but Rinaldo with his arms crossed was bigger yet. In a way, they looked similar, and had a similar aura. But Rinaldo, despite having a low, rumbling voice, was soft-spoken and polite, like a respectable father. Hugo had yet to reach that kind of maturity, and probably never would.

“Ah!” Rinaldo exclaimed. His gaze softened and his arms opened. “Hugo! Good to see you, son!”

Hugo nearly flew into Rinaldo’s arms. They patted each other on the back just three times, like they had practiced the hug.

“It’s good to see you sir,” Hugo said.

“Sir? You’re acting like a stranger! I told you to just call me Ren!” Rinaldo opened the door wide open and gestured for them to enter. “Please come in, come in! I’ll put on some tea.”

He wasted no time serving tea.

“My apologies for the mess,” he said, looking at the pile of papers and books on the table. It looked like he had been in the middle of some work, but he quickly cleared everything away. He cleared his throat like an old man and put away his thick glasses. “I was in the middle of some research.”

“What kind?” Hugo asked.

“A new kind of magical shielding,” said Rinaldo. “Actually, I was hoping to speak with you about that, Hugo. I could use your insight.”

Magic research and alchemic engineering were always topics that Hildebrand found tedious. Unlike simply casting magic, they were more scientific. Of course, wizardry was also the pursuit of knowledge, so it wasn’t like they were unrelated. Hildebrand was aware of her talent for magic. It came to her naturally even though she had little use for it, so it was difficult to understand people who crawled over details and minutiae inch-by-inch to find new ways to improve magic. She listened to Hugo and Rinaldo drone on about lattices and crystalline structures and topology while sipping away at her tea.

“Where are my manners,” Rinaldo said. “I’m Rinaldo Renzi.” Rinaldo extended his hand to Hildebrand, who had been staring off into space, at a family portrait.

Stolen story; please report.

“I’m Hildebrand,” Hildebrand said. “I’m traveling with that guy for a little while,” she said, pointing to Hugo.

“I see, you couldn’t have picked a more reliable travel buddy,” Rinaldo said.

“Travel buddy? I’m more like his mount,” Hildebrand complained. “Geez!”

Rinaldo stared at Hugo. “Hugo… Does Yuna know about this?”

“No! That’s not even remotely what she means,” Hugo said. “She just teleports me around.”

“Hahaha! I see! But do be careful. When a man and woman stay alone for too long they catch feelings. My wife and I were like that.”

“Yes sir,” Hugo said.

“Why were you researching magical shielding?” Hildebrand asked.

“Hmm. Have you heard of the conflict up north? There’s been some tension between Brenngard and Rothenboden because of the Northmen, now the Empire is preparing for the worst-case scenario.”

“The barbarians? But why?” Hildebrand almost knocked her teacup over when she slammed the table. What reason could there be? Whether it was food or building materials or clothes or ore, there should have more than humanity could ever need. Even the energy in the air and in humans, the vitale, the source of magic, was stronger than ever before. There would be no reason for war to exist in her perfect world.

Rinaldo seemed taken aback by Hildebrand’s confusion. He clasped his fingers together and smiled patiently.

“It’s complicated even to me,” Rinaldo said. “I don’t have all the answers. But if I had to say, the Empire is threatened by the Northern Confederation’s power.”

The kingdoms of the cold north had somewhat unified in response of the hordes of the World’s End. They had to in the face of an existential threat, but it wasn’t to the point they formed anything like a unified state, just a loose coalition. They certainly didn’t have the manpower, technology, or resources to be a threat to the Empire. More importantly, in this world, there never was a World’s End, let alone an invasion. They never needed to unify, and yet they did it anyway.

“The Northern Confederation has been selling some… Frightening new weapons. New types of airships and a new weapon they call magic bombs,” Rinaldo said. For him to say that it must have been true. He continued, “Some of the former imperial territories have been big buyers.”

“Like to Brenngard and Rothenboden,” Hugo said.

“Yes. That’s correct.” Rinaldo looked at Hugo and smiled. “Sharp as always.” Rinaldo fixed his glasses and continued, “The Empire still holds a lot of power over its former territories, I don’t think it would be wrong to say the Empire considers the Northern Confederation selling weapons to its former territories to be a diplomatic slight,” Rinaldo said.

“But why go to war with the barbarians?” Hildebrand asked. She already knew. It was the same reason why the Far East sent assassins after Hugo, although that may not have happened in this world, it did in the other one. People were obsessed with the balance of power, even more so when it was more balanced in their favor.

“The Empire might see the Northern Confederation as an existential threat, to the hegemony they enjoy now,” Hugo answered.

“That’s true,” Rinaldo said, now smiling. “But I don’t believe war will break out right now. No one wants that.” Rinaldo laughed. “I’m sorry, this old man is just rambling. I didn’t mean to frighten you both. Don’t worry. The magical shielding is just a precaution, and if we finish developing it in time, all the better. Let’s stop talking about such a dreary topic.”

Hildebrand sighed and slumped into her seat, her eyes drifting to the family portrait once again. There was Rinaldo standing beside an elegant woman, and a young girl and young man seated in front of them.

“Is that your family?” Hildebrand asked.

“Yes!” said Rinaldo, lighting up. He was beaming like the sun. It was a sight Hildebrand hadn’t seen in eons. It was nostalgic.

She wiped her eyes. “Sorry,” she said. “They’re beautiful.”

“Haha, I know! I feel that way too,” Rinaldo said. “I’m truly blessed.” He walked over to the portrait and admired it. “I must be one of Altamea’s favorites,” he said.

“Sir,” said Hugo. “Are they?” His voice trailed off.

“Oh, I’m afraid they’re not here,” Rinaldo said. “Gisella and Aurelia went out shopping in the city, and as you know, Elio is at Helmsgrave. Speaking of which, I heard you abandoned your post there. Do you have an explanation for me, young man?”

Hugo chuckled and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

“I needed to find something important to me,” he said.

Rinaldo chuckled. “You’re not quite old enough to have a mid-life crisis. You’re only… 24 now.”

“25,” Hugo corrected.

“Really?” Rinaldo pondered, looking at the ceiling.

“Sorry sir, you’re right,” Hugo said. “I’m only 24.”

“Hah, don’t be in such a rush to grow old,” Rinaldo said.

Rinaldo rubbed his goatee like he had a great idea. “Why don’t you see everyone before you go? Gisella and Aurelia will be back soon, and I’ll send a message to Elio. There’s a teleportation circle in the city. I’m sure he’ll come running. Just stay one night.”

“Uhh,” Hugo muttered. Hugo looked to Hildebrand, like a puppy hoping for a treat. She looked back at him, just as hopeful.

“That would be wonderful, sir! If you don’t mind us imposing,” Hugo said.

“Not at all, hahaha! Why would you be imposing, Hugo, you’re part of the family!”

“Thank you.”

“And of course, Hildebrand, you’re welcome too,” said Rinaldo.

“Thanks o—” she said. Hildebrand bit her tongue before she could call him “Old Man” as she always did and corrected herself. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” Rinaldo said.

“Excuse me, I should send for Elio right away,” he said. Rinaldo pointed at his desk and spun his finger around. A piece of paper whipped out of a stack of papers along with a pen. The letter was complete in seconds, and with a flick of his finger, it slipped out the bottom of the front door and took flight in the shape of a bird.

Hildebrand watched it spread its wings from out a window. It reminded her of the first time Rinaldo had shown her magic. The first time she actually believed the gods cared about mere mortals. The bird he showed her during the dreary days at the temple was like an angel - beautiful, warm, and its time in the mortal coil fleeting, like a little flame. It was the first and only magic spell she learned and practiced with deliberation. Of course, they didn’t actually care. Magic wasn’t merely a benign gift of knowledge, it was the gift of a consuming fire. It was a blazing sword for men to brandish.

“It’s beautiful,” Hildebrand said. In the blink of an eye, the little bird was beyond her vision.

When Hildebrand turned back, Hugo and Rinaldo were already setting up a chessboard. She had watched them play from time to time, although it never particularly interested her.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Rinaldo said. “I’m rather fond of pigeons.”

“Don’t you mean doves?” Hildebrand asked.

“Haha. Yes, of course.”

Hugo beamed like he used to, flashing his white teeth. Seeing it made Hildebrand nostalgic. And as usual, Rinaldo let Hugo take the first move.

“Do you play chess, Hildebrand?” Rinaldo asked.

“Not really,” she said. “I’ve watched this guy play a few times.” She pointed at Hugo.

“You must be good friends,” Rinaldo said.

“Why do you think that?” Hildebrand asked.

“Even if you had the patience of a saint, you’d need to be good friends to watch ‘This Guy’ play chess,” Rinaldo said.

“Hah, you do need the patience of saint,” Hildebrand said. “Sometimes I worry about him.”

“As do I,” Rinaldo said.

“Hey,” Hugo whined, watching the board like a hawk. “I don’t take that long to think!”

Rinaldo and Hildebrand both laughed.

“Thank you for worrying about him,” Rinaldo said. He spoke as if Hugo was his own flesh and blood. “Hugo, you’re lucky to have such a good friend.”

“Friend? She hates my guts,” said Hugo.

“I can’t stand him,” Hildebrand confirmed.

“Is that so! Hahaha!” Rinaldo laughed. And soon Hugo joined in.

“But sir,” Hugo said. He broke his concentration to look at Hildebrand through the auburn locks that covered his eyes. “I thought you knew Hilde.”

‘So annoying,’ she thought.

“I don’t believe so,” said Rinaldo, turning to Hildebrand. “Have we ever met before?”

Hildebrand shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Hmm.” Rinaldo rubbed his goatee. “Now, I’m beginning to think we have,” he said. “Have you ever tried Sea Salt Milk Candy?” He opened a tin on the table and pulled out a handful of candies.

Hildebrand cleared her throat. “Y-yes,” she said.

“Would you like some?” Rinaldo already held them out for her, as if he knew she would accept them.

“Thank you,” Hildebrand said, accepting the wrapped candies with both hands. She unwrapped one and examined it. It looked exactly as she remembered it, like a misshapen can with the color and texture of rough ivory. Streaks of light blue swirled around the candy, mingling with the white cream. It was a special flavor. The ends were stuck ever so slightly to the wrapper, where they had been twisted by warm hands that melted the candy slightly. And it tasted the same as Hildebrand remembered it too, like rich, sweet cream with the hint of salt that made it all the more savory. The hint of blueberry was a nice addition. It was a novelty. Hildebrand quietly added, “They’re my favorite.”

“What a coincidence,” Rinaldo said. “They’re my daughter’s favorites too.”

“A lot of people like them,” Hildebrand said.

She chewed on the tough marbled candy. It was similar to a hard and tough taffy, but after grinding away at it a little, it softened up like gum, and then it melted in her mouth. It wasn’t until later in her life that she learned most people just sucked on the sweet and savory treats and let them melt slowly. Maybe it was just her own childish impatience that made her want to chew them up and gulp them down, or maybe it was the influence of her guardian at the Church, Bishop Theodore.

“Do you know Bishop Theodore?” Rinaldo asked.

Hildebrand shook her head. “No.”

“I see,” Rinaldo said. “Based on your robes, I assumed you might be from the Holy Kingdom.”

“I am. But it’s a big place. I know of him, but I don’t personally know him,” she lied.

“Yes, of course,” he said. “He happens to chew on them like you do.” Rinaldo raised a finger in warning. “But careful, he lost a tooth doing that. Pulled straight out of his mouth! Learn from a foolish old man’s mistakes.”

Hildebrand nervously chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She thought, Don’t remind me, I haven’t forgotten. She was there when it happened.

They turned to Hugo, who was still thinking.

***

In hindsight, Hildebrand felt it might have been a mistake to just let them play. She had been snacking on the candies for so long she felt guilty about eating so many of them. They played so slowly it felt like their match would never end. It gave her too much time to stew in self-consciousness.

“Checkmate,” Rinaldo said.

Hugo examined the board for a few minutes that each stretched into eternity, but finally declared his defeat.

“I don’t think I’ll ever beat you,” Hugo said.

“It was well played, Hugo,” Rinaldo said. “You’ll defeat me before you even realize it.”

“I doubt it,” Hugo said. “Excuse me sir. I think we’ve been boring Hilde to death.”

“I’m sorry Hildebrand, we got carried away,” Rinaldo said.

“Don’t worry about it, Old Man,” Hildebrand grumbled.

“Old man?” Rinaldo asked.

Hildebrand stammered out noises. “Sorry,” she said. “You just reminded me of someone…”

“Hahaha,” chortled Rinaldo. He waved his hands to dismiss her worries. “I am an old man! But don’t remind me,” he said. “I haven’t forgotten it.”

Rinaldo sighed and said, “Do this old man a favor.”

“Sure,” Hildebrand said. “What is it?”

“Head into the city and-“ Rinaldo fished something out of his pocket and held his fist out to Hildebrand, who cupped her hands to accept it. “And get something good to eat. Have some fun.”

Hildebrand, only a few years short of being in her 30s, felt like a child. She looked at the large silver coins, the Konradts. It was more than generous.

“Thank you,” Hildebrand said.

“Would you like to come with us?” Hugo asked.

Rinaldo waved his hands. “I’m a busy old man, I don’t want to slow you youngsters down,” he said with a smile.

Hildebrand couldn’t help but smirk at the Old Man. He could cross a field in the blink of an eye and scale a mountain and be back down in an hour.

Rinaldo added, “Plus, I’m afraid I must finish my work. I’m planning to go on a trip with my wife soon, and she’ll kill me if I bring my work with us!” He laughed, and Hugo laughed. Hildebrand laughed quietly too.