Chapter 11: Meet the Future Hero Knight
Just like yesterday, Arnold and I went to the King's Castle together and I watched his back disappear as he entered the place where the exam was taking place.
Then I waited patiently in the waiting room for relatives while having a snack.
The air in the waiting room was even more tense than yesterday.
I wonder if the results of who passed / failed will be announced by the end of the day, I didn't know about that either.
It's because I've to ask Arnold and after getting short answer I've to ask again and again until getting a little more of information.
But, well, it's not like I didn't get anything from this travel at all.
So after I encouraged myself - or cheered, as they say - began to look through the books of literature I had brought with me.
I brought them with me to kill time during the wait.
Yesterday, I felt that the clock was advancing rather slowly because I had too much time on my hands.
--Suddenly, the sound of the door's bells took me out of my book.
I was so caught up in the story that I lost track of the time.
I wonder what time is right now...
Did Arnold's exam finish already?
I straightened my stiffened body because of sitting for so long.
It was a great idea, time flies when you're enjoying the lecture.
I wonder if it's over now, as I was asking myself that question I saw Arnold coming near.
It seemed the exam finished earlier than yesterday, or perhaps I was
so concentrated on the book that I didn't notice the hour?
I got up from my seat in a hurry and rushed over his side.
"I got it."
Arnold said as talking of a matter of fact.
"...Huh?"
I couldn't digest the words Arnold had spoken, and my voice sounded like that of a stranger.
"You passed the exam?"
Even though I know it's understandable since he's so good at his studies, I flinched at his early acceptance.
"From tomorrow on I'm an apprentice of Royal Alchemist Master"
"...will I also know if I've passed or failed on the spot?"
"I was very good at what I did."
He said it in his usual tone, without any sarcasms or pride.
I could tell that things were starting to rustle around me.
From the point of view of the fathers and mothers around me, when they hear that a boy suddenly appeared and saying he passed the test.
They immediately think.
"What about our child? Did he already received his results too?"
It isn't unreasonable to be impatient after all this time.
"Maybe he finished early. "
"It's a good idea to wait a little more, we don't know if the exam time is over, or if the results are being provided to each child personally by order"
But after all, Arnold is excellent.
He took it for granted that he passed his exam, and he passed for real.
I guess that's how confident he was.
But, I also have to be careful not to get carried away with the conceit that I have talent.
Let's study hard for two more years until the time of our exam comes.
The preliminary inspection to get information about the exam was not as useful as I thought, but I was inspired by the results of Arnold.
I'm going to start studying harder from tomorrow on.
"Come with me."
"Ehhh?"
He grabbed my wrist and walked away while pulling me.
We went through the garden and entered the inner part of the castle.
The knights on guard and the well-dressed scholars, all of whom were surprised by the sight of two children nearly running through the castle, but they all relaxed at seeing Arnold's face.
Even so, there was an expression on their faces that I couldn't finish understanding, and I didn't even know where Arnold wanted to take me in the first place, so I kept looking around to find any clue.
A red carpet and an opulent chandelier, it's the same scenery we saw in "The Last Brave"
We walked through two large double doors and out into the courtyard.
There was a large fountain at the center of the garden, the water falling of it was shining in the sunlight.
"It's beautiful."
Suddenly, I saw a figure by the fountain.
He was standing with his back to us, but his slouchy back is clearly that of a man.
It would be better to concentrate on what you're doing right now and where are you going and stop thinking on useless things.
"Mister Kasper!"
Arnold stopped in his tracks and called out to the shaggy-headed man.
At the sound of his voice, the man turned around.
As soon as he looked at me, he opened his eyes wide through his round glasses.
Then, with a smile and a white toothy grin, he ran to us.
"Oh, aren't you? The little genius from before! Hey there, Genius."
The words were directed at Arnold, what an honorable nickname you have received.
Nevertheless, I wondered if this man was the Royal Alchemist Master of the Palace, in addition that he was looking like "one", also .... at this stage, I already know Arnold well enough...
"Is that pretty girl over there your girlfriend?"
My thoughts were blown away.
Huh?
I hope it's just me hearing things.
"What is your name? Oh! You're such a pretty girl."
His round glasses and shaggy head made him look like a "old nerdy researcher" but his tone of voice made me realize he was younger than he looked like - or, to put it more bluntly, a young man.
"She, too, is going to be here in two years"
Arnold, instead of taking issue with the man's words, said something that let me even more at lost than before.
Why are you saying it like that, as something already decided.
It's true, I'll be taking the test in two years, but...
I was so flustered by one statement after another that I didn't know how to correct them.
"Apprentice-kun's girlfriend is... Apprentice-chan?"
The man grinned as if amused, hurriedly I raised my voice before the conversation spread further and the misunderstanding become impossible to clear ever again.
"No! I'm just going to take the test in two years! I'm not Arnold's girlfriend in the first place."
"KASPER! IS HE THE RUMORED GENIUS BOY?"
Tragically, my voice was drowned out by a thick male voice that came from the other side of the garden.
Who are you? I was almost angry, but then realized that his voice sounded familiar.
No... "Me from my past life" remembered.
The deep voice of a mature man.
>>It's a familiar voice that everybody is fond of<<
Time and time again "the old me" was guided by that voice, I was encouraged by it.
I looked back, as I once did in the game, guided by that voice.
A stout-looking man wearing a black armor was approaching.
A pleasant smile that brought back old memories to my mind.
The navy blue hair, an all-black armor, narrowed green eyes, lips forming a big arc, and the stout arm wielding a great sword.
The person who was adored by many people as the most outstanding of the Order.
The character that came back to my mind, and the man in front of me overlapped each other.
The first lines he pronounced in the game, lines that had been blurred in my memory until this moment have become clearer.
<<You're welcome, my dear lady.>> He said laughing, and there was a big scar in his right eye.
"Mr. Vake! That's right, he is the genius who passed the test on the spot because his results couldn't compare to the one of the other candidates, and has brought a girl that he says will be a genius too"
--There is not scar.
The person, who is somewhat younger than I remember, bent down.
He made eye contact with us and smiled with his shining white teeth to me.
"My name is Vake Bakel. Even though I look like this, I'm the Knight Commander of the Chevallier Order. I'll say hello to you early, as I'm sure that in the future you'll help me with your recovery potions. Take good care of me, future Alchemist Master."
The man who gave me a pleasant greeting - Vake Bakel - was one of the members of the "Last Brave" party.
Vake was the oldest of the party members and was portrayed as a mature man who would guide the protagonist.
The navy blue hair in the all-black armor, the narrowed green eyes, the lips like large arcs, and the strong arm wielding a great sword... all those details were identical.
Vake, who helped me many times in the game, the image was the same, the only difference was that he didn't have the big scar in his right eye.
Because of that injury, Vake was almost blind in his right eye.
But he didn't seem to care about it, nor did he hided his wounds with an eye patch.
In the game he used to say, "It's an honor injury."
It was explained that the wound was the result of a battle against a monster, but no detailed information was given as to when it was obtained or under what circumstances.
If "the old me" had to make a comment about her opinion on this, I thought it was just another detail to add personality to the character's design.
But now, the thought of Vake getting a scar on that right eye in the next few years makes my heart ache.
I was really excited about this unexpected encounter with a major character in "The Last Brave" without even realizing it myself.
I felt something similar when I found out that Arnold was Elvira's brother, but the excitement of meeting "the character" this time was incomparable.
In spite of all that have happened, I've always loved the game "Last Brave".
Anyone could have notice that, my heartbeat pulsing very loud, as a fan in front of one of his idols.
I bowed my head, my cheeks flushed with excitement.
"I'm looking forward to working with you. I'm Laura Ampere."
"Oh, me, me, me! My name is Kasper Classen, the Royal Alchemist Master of the King. Nice to meet you."
The man with a shaggy head, or Mister Kasper, came in between.
Vake with a light movement of his head gave a warning to Mister Kasper, "Out of the way".
Ah, one of the best characters of The Last Brave, Vake, he is in front of us ~~
"Well, I didn't expect you to be so moved by those words, but--"
Vaik was called by another man of the Order and left the scene, but this excitement and emotion filled my mind for a while after he has already left.
"Oh, apprentice, may I have a moment? I'd like to explain to you what's going to be your schedule from now on..."
As if remembering, Mister Kasper called out to Arnold.
In the meantime, I glimpsed at them and guessed, it's probably not a good idea to have me on the spot.
"Oh, I'm going home first. Thank you for everything!"
After bowing my head to say goodbye to them, I headed to the garden's entrance.
Arnold took the liberty of bringing me here, but I have the map of the royal castle in my mind, so there's no problem I know how to return home.
"Laura-chan, in two years! I'll look forward to working with you!"
I looked back to see Mister Kasper, who have said that.
It's because of Arnold, or should I say, because the confidence he has on me, that even before taking the exam, the Royal Alchemist Master already knows my face and name.
More and more reasons I've now, I can NOT fail!
When we return to Emme's village, I will study harder than ever before.
And after two years, I will definitely pass the exam.
I'm going to help the warriors of the Chevallier Order, the warriors of the world, and the heroes... ~~ the heroes.
And just as I was burning of expectation in my mind.
"Ampere!"
Arnold called out my name.
I turned around, feeling the sound of footsteps rushing towards me, and saw Arnold's face closer than I had expected.
"In two years, you'll definitely pass it."
"I- I-- I'll try."
Those words... I don't know how many times I've decided to change but I still say the same words.
I let it flow in the wind with a shy smile, but Arnold's face became even more serious.
"If you fail the exam, I'll laugh at you for the rest of your life."
"No! You won't because I'm not going to fail."
It seems that Arnold wanted me to be accepted so badly... Having a little more encouragement in my life, I'm really thankful for it.
With such thoughts in mind, I was about to reply, "I understand. But before that--"
"I'll be waiting."
--The straightforward words of Arnold shocked me.
I don't even know if I can say that.
With such serious eyes...
Surprised, I stared Arnold's back that went away in a hurry.
It might be natural to think about it after three years, but I hadn't noticed it until now...
Kasper and Arnold exchanged a few words of some sort and began to move from the courtyard.
After seeing them off, I started walking again.
--After that day, Arnold and I... we did not see each other again, until two years later.
Chapter 11: Meet the Future Hero Knight
Just like yesterday, Arnold and I went to the King's Castle together and I watched his back disappear as he entered the place where the exam was taking place.
Then I waited patiently in the waiting room for relatives while having a snack.
The air in the waiting room was even more tense than yesterday.
I wonder if the results of who passed / failed will be announced by the end of the day, I didn't know about that either.
It's because I've to ask Arnold and after getting short answer I've to ask again and again until getting a little more of information.
But, well, it's not like I didn't get anything from this travel at all.
So after I encouraged myself - or cheered, as they say - began to look through the books of literature I had brought with me.
I brought them with me to kill time during the wait.
Yesterday, I felt that the clock was advancing rather slowly because I had too much time on my hands.
--Suddenly, the sound of the door's bells took me out of my book.
I was so caught up in the story that I lost track of the time.
I wonder what time is right now...
Did Arnold's exam finish already?
I straightened my stiffened body because of sitting for so long.
It was a great idea, time flies when you're enjoying the lecture.
I wonder if it's over now, as I was asking myself that question I saw Arnold coming near.
It seemed the exam finished earlier than yesterday, or perhaps I was
so concentrated on the book that I didn't notice the hour?
I got up from my seat in a hurry and rushed over his side.
"I got it."
Arnold said as talking of a matter of fact.
"...Huh?"
I couldn't digest the words Arnold had spoken, and my voice sounded like that of a stranger.
"You passed the exam?"
Even though I know it's understandable since he's so good at his studies, I flinched at his early acceptance.
"From tomorrow on I'm an apprentice of Royal Alchemist Master"
"...will I also know if I've passed or failed on the spot?"
"I was very good at what I did."
He said it in his usual tone, without any sarcasms or pride.
I could tell that things were starting to rustle around me.
From the point of view of the fathers and mothers around me, when they hear that a boy suddenly appeared and saying he passed the test.
They immediately think.
"What about our child? Did he already received his results too?"
It isn't unreasonable to be impatient after all this time.
"Maybe he finished early. "
"It's a good idea to wait a little more, we don't know if the exam time is over, or if the results are being provided to each child personally by order"
But after all, Arnold is excellent.
He took it for granted that he passed his exam, and he passed for real.
I guess that's how confident he was.
But, I also have to be careful not to get carried away with the conceit that I have talent.
Let's study hard for two more years until the time of our exam comes.
The preliminary inspection to get information about the exam was not as useful as I thought, but I was inspired by the results of Arnold.
I'm going to start studying harder from tomorrow on.
"Come with me."
"Ehhh?"
He grabbed my wrist and walked away while pulling me.
We went through the garden and entered the inner part of the castle.
The knights on guard and the well-dressed scholars, all of whom were surprised by the sight of two children nearly running through the castle, but they all relaxed at seeing Arnold's face.
Even so, there was an expression on their faces that I couldn't finish understanding, and I didn't even know where Arnold wanted to take me in the first place, so I kept looking around to find any clue.
A red carpet and an opulent chandelier, it's the same scenery we saw in "The Last Brave"
We walked through two large double doors and out into the courtyard.
There was a large fountain at the center of the garden, the water falling of it was shining in the sunlight.
"It's beautiful."
Suddenly, I saw a figure by the fountain.
He was standing with his back to us, but his slouchy back is clearly that of a man.
It would be better to concentrate on what you're doing right now and where are you going and stop thinking on useless things.
"Mister Kasper!"
Arnold stopped in his tracks and called out to the shaggy-headed man.
At the sound of his voice, the man turned around.
As soon as he looked at me, he opened his eyes wide through his round glasses.
Then, with a smile and a white toothy grin, he ran to us.
"Oh, aren't you? The little genius from before! Hey there, Genius."
The words were directed at Arnold, what an honorable nickname you have received.
Nevertheless, I wondered if this man was the Royal Alchemist Master of the Palace, in addition that he was looking like "one", also .... at this stage, I already know Arnold well enough...
"Is that pretty girl over there your girlfriend?"
My thoughts were blown away.
Huh?
I hope it's just me hearing things.
"What is your name? Oh! You're such a pretty girl."
His round glasses and shaggy head made him look like a "old nerdy researcher" but his tone of voice made me realize he was younger than he looked like - or, to put it more bluntly, a young man.
"She, too, is going to be here in two years"
Arnold, instead of taking issue with the man's words, said something that let me even more at lost than before.
Why are you saying it like that, as something already decided.
It's true, I'll be taking the test in two years, but...
I was so flustered by one statement after another that I didn't know how to correct them.
"Apprentice-kun's girlfriend is... Apprentice-chan?"
The man grinned as if amused, hurriedly I raised my voice before the conversation spread further and the misunderstanding become impossible to clear ever again.
"No! I'm just going to take the test in two years! I'm not Arnold's girlfriend in the first place."
"KASPER! IS HE THE RUMORED GENIUS BOY?"
Tragically, my voice was drowned out by a thick male voice that came from the other side of the garden.
Who are you? I was almost angry, but then realized that his voice sounded familiar.
No... "Me from my past life" remembered.
The deep voice of a mature man.
>>It's a familiar voice that everybody is fond of<<
Time and time again "the old me" was guided by that voice, I was encouraged by it.
I looked back, as I once did in the game, guided by that voice.
A stout-looking man wearing a black armor was approaching.
A pleasant smile that brought back old memories to my mind.
The navy blue hair, an all-black armor, narrowed green eyes, lips forming a big arc, and the stout arm wielding a great sword.
The person who was adored by many people as the most outstanding of the Order.
The character that came back to my mind, and the man in front of me overlapped each other.
The first lines he pronounced in the game, lines that had been blurred in my memory until this moment have become clearer.
<<You're welcome, my dear lady.>> He said laughing, and there was a big scar in his right eye.
"Mr. Vake! That's right, he is the genius who passed the test on the spot because his results couldn't compare to the one of the other candidates, and has brought a girl that he says will be a genius too"
--There is not scar.
The person, who is somewhat younger than I remember, bent down.
He made eye contact with us and smiled with his shining white teeth to me.
"My name is Vake Bakel. Even though I look like this, I'm the Knight Commander of the Chevallier Order. I'll say hello to you early, as I'm sure that in the future you'll help me with your recovery potions. Take good care of me, future Alchemist Master."
The man who gave me a pleasant greeting - Vake Bakel - was one of the members of the "Last Brave" party.
Vake was the oldest of the party members and was portrayed as a mature man who would guide the protagonist.
The navy blue hair in the all-black armor, the narrowed green eyes, the lips like large arcs, and the strong arm wielding a great sword... all those details were identical.
Vake, who helped me many times in the game, the image was the same, the only difference was that he didn't have the big scar in his right eye.
Because of that injury, Vake was almost blind in his right eye.
But he didn't seem to care about it, nor did he hided his wounds with an eye patch.
In the game he used to say, "It's an honor injury."
It was explained that the wound was the result of a battle against a monster, but no detailed information was given as to when it was obtained or under what circumstances.
If "the old me" had to make a comment about her opinion on this, I thought it was just another detail to add personality to the character's design.
But now, the thought of Vake getting a scar on that right eye in the next few years makes my heart ache.
I was really excited about this unexpected encounter with a major character in "The Last Brave" without even realizing it myself.
I felt something similar when I found out that Arnold was Elvira's brother, but the excitement of meeting "the character" this time was incomparable.
In spite of all that have happened, I've always loved the game "Last Brave".
Anyone could have notice that, my heartbeat pulsing very loud, as a fan in front of one of his idols.
I bowed my head, my cheeks flushed with excitement.
"I'm looking forward to working with you. I'm Laura Ampere."
"Oh, me, me, me! My name is Kasper Classen, the Royal Alchemist Master of the King. Nice to meet you."
The man with a shaggy head, or Mister Kasper, came in between.
Vake with a light movement of his head gave a warning to Mister Kasper, "Out of the way".
Ah, one of the best characters of The Last Brave, Vake, he is in front of us ~~
"Well, I didn't expect you to be so moved by those words, but--"
Vaik was called by another man of the Order and left the scene, but this excitement and emotion filled my mind for a while after he has already left.
"Oh, apprentice, may I have a moment? I'd like to explain to you what's going to be your schedule from now on..."
As if remembering, Mister Kasper called out to Arnold.
In the meantime, I glimpsed at them and guessed, it's probably not a good idea to have me on the spot.
"Oh, I'm going home first. Thank you for everything!"
After bowing my head to say goodbye to them, I headed to the garden's entrance.
Arnold took the liberty of bringing me here, but I have the map of the royal castle in my mind, so there's no problem I know how to return home.
"Laura-chan, in two years! I'll look forward to working with you!"
I looked back to see Mister Kasper, who have said that.
It's because of Arnold, or should I say, because the confidence he has on me, that even before taking the exam, the Royal Alchemist Master already knows my face and name.
More and more reasons I've now, I can NOT fail!
When we return to Emme's village, I will study harder than ever before.
And after two years, I will definitely pass the exam.
I'm going to help the warriors of the Chevallier Order, the warriors of the world, and the heroes... ~~ the heroes.
And just as I was burning of expectation in my mind.
"Ampere!"
Arnold called out my name.
I turned around, feeling the sound of footsteps rushing towards me, and saw Arnold's face closer than I had expected.
"In two years, you'll definitely pass it."
"I- I-- I'll try."
Those words... I don't know how many times I've decided to change but I still say the same words.
I let it flow in the wind with a shy smile, but Arnold's face became even more serious.
"If you fail the exam, I'll laugh at you for the rest of your life."
"No! You won't because I'm not going to fail."
It seems that Arnold wanted me to be accepted so badly... Having a little more encouragement in my life, I'm really thankful for it.
With such thoughts in mind, I was about to reply, "I understand. But before that--"
"I'll be waiting."
--The straightforward words of Arnold shocked me.
I don't even know if I can say that.
With such serious eyes...
Surprised, I stared Arnold's back that went away in a hurry.
It might be natural to think about it after three years, but I hadn't noticed it until now...
Kasper and Arnold exchanged a few words of some sort and began to move from the courtyard.
After seeing them off, I started walking again.
--After that day, Arnold and I... we did not see each other again, until two years later.
