FYI
Scene/ POV
: Speech
- Thoughts
[Flashback]
"Quoting"
(Author Note)—————————————————————————————————————
Capital
We made it to the capital and finally met with Wilhelm and Felix.
Wilhelm: Oh Lady Emilia and Kiyotaka-San.
Koji: Hello.
Wilhelm: I heard of your accomplishment in defeating the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. That was quite impressive.
Koji: Thank you.
Wilhelm: Was there a reason for your visit? Perhaps you wished to spar once again?
Koji: Of course.
Wilhelm stepped inside the building and stepped out with wooden swords.
Emilia: So you wanted to spar.
She still had a worried look on her face from learning about my past. I don't think she'll ever look at me the same.
Koji: That and other things. How about you rest in the mansion Lady Emilia?
She gave me one more worried look before walking into the mansion.
Wilhelm: Well. Shall we begin?
Koji: Yes.
I got into a stance. I rushed in swinging my sword as Wilhelm went into a bind with me and I tried a thrust attack as Wilhelm dodged the attack and backed off.
Wilhelm: As always your swordsmanship is superb.
Koji: And as always I wouldn't be able to keep up with you if you went all out.
Wilhelm rushed in swinging full force which shocked me as I jumped back barely dodging it.
Wilhelm: While I agree your ability to react to attacks is even more remarkable than I expected. I am shocked to say you've clearly improved in that regard.
Koji: I... just felt your intention.
Wilhelm: I can't exactly explain it but it was indeed like you could sense it. You moved before I had even fully swung the blade.
Koji- What enabled me to do that? Come to think of it. In those 151, 314 loops I began to be able to do this. How did I do it?
I contemplated it when I realised it.
Koji: I felt the mana in my surroundings get disturbed.
Wilhelm: You what? That's unheard of. It must have taken years of practice to sense the mana so closely.
Koji- Yes years of... practice.
Koji: Shall we continue?
Wilhelm: Alright.
I started leaning into this ability I had unconsciously developed. I closed my eyes focussing. The changes were so subtle that it was difficult for me to sense them intentionally but I took a deep breath and parried a flurry of strikes from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm: Incredible!
Koji: Having to close my eyes to do it is very disadvantageous though. I'll have to practice before I can use it intentionally.
Wilhelm: Agreed.
Wilhelm rushed in. I closed my eyes and parried his strikes off to the side as I swung my sword down at him as he dodged I felt the mana being disturbed causing me to change the direction of my attack as I landed a blow on him for the first time.
Wilhelm: Oh?
The blow didn't even hurt him.
Koji: I landed a hit.
Wilhelm: Spectacular Kiyotaka-Dono.
Koji: It's thanks to you for bringing it to my attention. Thanks to you I have another tool in my arsenal that I can pledge to Lady Emilia.
Wilhelm: You truly are incredible Kiyotaka-Dono.
Koji: Thank you Astrea-Sama.
We bowed to each other and went inside as I saw Emilia and Crusch speaking.
Crusch: So this is the man who defeated the Archbishop of Sloth.
Emilia: Yes. His name is Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.
I bowed.
Crusch: He is truly only a manservant? He doesn't seem like the type.
Wilhelm: Despite his placement, his swordsmanship is near perfect. I can see him defeating an Archbishop without a doubt.
Koji: Lady Crusch. I thank you for the letter informing us of the White Whale's location and the witch Cult's attack.
Crusch looked at me confused.
Crusch: I sent no such letter.
Koji: Oh? I had a feeling it was you. It seems I was wrong.
With this, I was able to assess her reaction. She certainly wanted to find the White Whale. More interesting was that Wilhelm had an even more intense desire to find it.
Koji- I see. So this is what caused their deaths.
Koji: Emilia-Sama. I apologise for not telling you this prior but I've made up my mind.
Emilia: Yes?
Koji: I wish to stay in the capital and become a knight.
Emilia was shocked.
Emilia: Kiyotaka?
Koji: I would like to serve under you as your knight when I return.
Wilhelm looked at me smiling happily. I had observed the papers Crusch had. She was attempting to gain aid from the capital. If I could facilitate this aid they would have a higher likelihood of success and have lower casualties.
Emilia: Very well.
Crusch: You're sure about this? Training to become a knight can take years.
Koji: I'm confident I'll finish my training quickly and return to Lady Emilia's side.
Wilhelm: I agree. Though it would be unheard of I don't doubt that Kiyotaka-Dono could become a fully-fledged knight quickly.
Crusch: Wilhelm. What do you intend to do?
Wilhelm: I want to train him for the Knight Academy Selection.
Crusch: You would devote time to this even knowing what we're planning to do in two weeks?
She gave him a sharp look as to test his resolve.
Wilhelm: Yes. I believe he will pass with flying colours.
Crusch: Very well but this training will not be your priority. Understood? In addition, I expect to be able to call in a favour from the Emilia Faction at a later date.
Emilia: Of course. Thank you for this.
She looked at me. She seemed happy to be able to do something for me. Does she truly pity me to such a degree? It doesn't feel nice knowing that.
Wilhelm: Understood.
Felix entered the room.
Felix: What's going on here nyow?
Wilhelm: Kiyotaka-Dono is going to train to become a knight.
Felix: Oh? Join our ranks are you Kiyotaka?
Koji: Yes.
Felix: I'll give you some tips so don't...
Crusch: Wilhelm is responsible for his training. Felix, you will not assist him in training Kiyotaka. There are too many things to prepare for.
Felix: Alright alright.
Felix sweated.
Wilhelm: We'll begin your training tomorrow Kiyotaka-Dono.
Throughout all this Wilhelm seemed like he was using me as a way to replay events in his past. Like he was trying to make up for something. I walked outside the room with Emilia.
Emilia: I didn't expect that from you. Why? I thought you just wanted a way to survive.
Koji: Emilia. Being able to talk to you that day. My heart has never felt this light before. Not since the day of my birth. I thank you for that.
I knelt down on one knee taking her hand and kissing it.
Koji: I pledge myself to you entirely.
Emilia blushed but she regained her composure and smiled, closing her eyes and tilting her head. She opened her eyes.
Emilia: I'm lucky to have you. My Knight.
I got up as I went to a guest room and slept.
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Morning
I woke up and walked down to the dining area where I found Emilia, Wilhelm, Crusch and Felix waiting. I sat down as I noticed Emilia turn her face from me. Her cheeks were red.
Koji: Good morning.
Crusch: Good morning.
Wilhelm: Good Morning Kiyotaka-Dono.
Felix: Good Morning Kiyotaka-Kyun!
Emilia turned to face me still red.
Emilia: Good morning Kiyotaka.
It seems she was remembering last night when I pledged myself to her. I suppose Kei was the same at the beginning... wait but I'm not dating Emilia. I sighed finishing my breakfast and stepping outside as I began training with Wilhelm. He had me doing physically strenuous activities to increase my physical strength including swinging a heavy steel rod as a substitute for a sword. Slowly my physical strength began to increase.
Wilhelm: The Knigh Academy Selection begins in a week. We need to train you as much as possible. If it was anyone else I'd say it was impossible. In fact, there are only two people I would ever be convinced they could do it. You are one of them.
Koji: Thank you Astra-Sama. Um... may I ask? Since you have the same name as him I can assume you and Reinhard-San are related. Perhaps grandfather and grandson?
Wilhelm's face changed to a guilty one. It seemed he had made some mistakes in the past... wait is he comparing me to Reinhard?
Wilhelm: You're right. He's my grandson but I don't have the right to call myself his grandfather.
Koji: I see. I'm sure if you spoke to him he'd forgive you.
Wilhelm: What I did. I don't think I can forgive myself let alone be forgiven by Reinhard.
Koji: I see.
Wilhelm: This is not the time to be talking about my personal issues Kiyotaka-Dono. We must make sure you pass.
Koji: Of course.
The Training continued. The physical activity was intense. Even more so than the White Room however there was no physical or mental punishment for failure. Just that I would have to do it again till I got it right. Wilhelm also taught me proper etiquette and behaviour for a knight along with the laws of Luginica and protocol for a night. That was the easy part of training. I could memorise all of that with ease.
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A Week Later
Koji: Astrea-Sama. Do you think I'm ready?
Wilhelm: Yes but you may be on the weaker side physically speaking in comparison tot he other knights I believe you'll still manage to pass.
Wilhelm took me to the site of the test when I ran into Julius who bowed to Wilhelm.
Julius: Astrea-Sama. It's an honour to have you here,
Wilhelm: I'm here to throw a student of mine into the test.
Julius then registered my presence.
Julius: Kiyotaka?
Koji: Yes. I'll be taking the examination, Sir Julius.
Julius: I see. I'll be one of the examiners so I'll look forward to your tests.
I bowed to him as he headed inside.
Koji: thank you for everything Astrea-Sama.
I bowed to him.
Wilhelm: Let's head inside before you're late.
We entered the testing area.
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To Be Continued
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