Liora tilted her head in confusion.
"What's even the difference?"
"I'm learning to become a spellsword. One of the few in the entire nation, ha. No, actually, the history of the nation!"
Boisterous.
"What the hell is a spellsword?" Linnie said. "Sounds lame, anyway. Pfft."
Alwyn stepped in to explain, saying:
"It's... well, essentially, it's a knight that uses magic. Typically they aren't quite as skilled in swordsmanship or magic as a knight or wizard is, respectively, but it's the combination that makes them powerful. The young lady isn't lying, they're pretty damn rare!"
. . .
"Oh. Cool... I guess."
'That sounds awesome, what the hell!? Can I become a spellsword!? I wanna become a spellsword, dammit!'
"Woooow! So you're pretty talented, huh?" Liora said, grabbing Marielle's hands—much to her surprise. "Using a sword and using magic! Cool!"
Caught off guard, her face turned red. This time, it wasn't out of rage. Though, she did still yank her hands away.
"T-thanks, I guess."
Linnie wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was able to understand why Alwyn had decided to take The Lady in as an apprentice.
The wizard had said once before that for him to take an apprentice, they had to be special—like him or Liora. And Marielle, now, too.
Then that would only mean...
"So then what's the deal with you, Prince?" Linnie asked.
The boy jumped, surprised at the sudden question.
"Uh... nothing? I just... like magic."
'Well that wasn't what I was expecting to hear. Is he just shy? Maybe he just doesn't want to boast. What a snooze.'
Linnie turned to Alwyn with a curious gaze. But there was no response.
"Ah, well, there's no shame in it. Liking magic is as good a reason as any, I guess."
A memory appeared in his head for a second, but he quickly waved it off. He had known someone, not too long ago, that was simply interested in magic.
'Maybe he's just got a good aptitude for magic, like me and Liora.'
"Yeah..." The Prince mumbled.
"Here we are!" Alwyn said, signaling for the kids following him to stop.
"This is the place...?" Marielle asked.
"Yup! I've been craving the food here for a while! Last time I was here in Corvailles, I found this place on accident. A real hidden gem!"
It was a beat-up, dilapidated building that had no traffic going in or out. It was hard to believe anything tasty would be inside, but Alwyn didn't seem to see anything wrong with it.
From her pocket, Marielle fished out two white gloves—quickly putting them on—and the five of them entered the dusty restaurant.
Liora sneezed from the dust, and Marielle grimaced at the state of the place.
"I don't think so... I know many great places, uh—Teacher. Let's go somewhere else."
"T-teacher? Yes... I mean, no! This place is incredible, you won't regret it! Just relax and trust me. I'm your 'teacher' aren't I~?"
'Why's he have to make it weird every time?'
"I don't even see anyone. This place must've closed down in the time you were gone."
"No, no, this is exactly how it was the last time. Hello? Miss owner lady? Are you here? I'm back~!"
After a few moments, a ruckus sounded from somewhere in the supposed kitchen. Then, a woman came running out. Her hair was messy, and she looked like she had just woken up.
Actually, she probably did just wake up.
"Sir Alwyn! You actually came back, what a surprise! I thought you were just being nice, saying you liked my food and all."
"No, I wouldn't lie about something like that! And have you thought it over while I was gone?"
"Oh my, you were serious about that? You really want a failing chef like me?"
'What the hell? Is this a romance!? What is happening right now?'
Linnie was too unfamiliar with all sorts of things revolving around romance, really. This was, of course, not a romance.
"Of course! Whether you're failing or not has nothing to do with how good your food is. In fact, your food is some of the best I've ever eaten, hand to gaud!" Alwyn said, smiling brightly.
"Well, it looks like I'll have to sell this place soon, since I don't get barely any business. In that case, I'll gladly accept," she said, holding her now red face.
She was certainly happy to hear the praise.
The five took a seat at a table while she ran into the kitchen to prepare the food. They hadn't ordered or anything, but Alwyn said he trusted her with whatever she'd cook.
Linnie was really hoping the food was actually good and wasn't just Alwyn trying to woo this poor lady.
"Alwyn... you sly mutt. How many women have you got on your string, with that damned evil face of yours?"
"What the hell are you talking about, you idiot? The chef at the estate died last winter. My... benefactor, asked me to find a suitable replacement. I just happened to find this place, and I offered her the position immediately."
"Estate?" Liora asked. "You have an estate?"
"Of course I do! Well, sort of. It's complicated. But, I'm a wizard, we're practically nobility, you know," Alwyn said proudly.
Linnie heart Marielle scoff, saying under her breath: "Ha, 'practically.'"
"Wow! When're we gonna see it? Where is it? Is it on the way to the capital? Is it big?"
"Forget about all that, you'll see when we go. But it won't be for a while, you know. Only after we leave the capital."
Marielle and, more noticeably, The Prince, jerked up in surprise.
"E-excuse me, why would we be going to the capital?" The Prince asked.
Liora's eyes shone, and she turned to The Prince.
"Right, you two haven't met her. There's another person that's traveling with us—Aliza—you guys will probably like her. She's a noble, too. And she's super nice and pretty and stuff—"
'Nice... right. She didn't have nice things to say about me back then.'
Since that incident a few nights prior, Linnie had grown a bit of a one-sided, sour relationship with Aliza. In all fairness, who wouldn't have? She might've already seen the boy as her brother, but it most definitely did not extend both ways.
She was, still, practically a stranger. Alwyn and Liora, too.
That is not to say the boy would abandon them at the drop of a hat. Still...
Alwyn laughed dryly. "And a leech. But she's sick, and I need to cure her before I can toss her away."
"Why the capital? I'm sure there's suitable treatment here in Corvailles," Marielle said. "Recently, the medicine here has become just as advanced as in the capital."
"It's not medicine she needs. There's no medicine that can cure her—it's a very... unique illness. I need to pick up some things I left in the capital to treat her."
"Is it serious? How soon do we have to leave?" Marielle asked.
Linnie was surprised by her show of concern. Perhaps it was because Aliza was a noble, like her. That made him a little angry.
"Her life isn't in any danger as it is right now. Actually, we're not going to leave for a while. Probably not until the festival is over."
"Really?" Marielle asked. "But that's not for another week. I was sure we were going to leave as soon as you got here. I've already packed and everything."
"We're staying here a whole week!?" Liora said, giddy.
"Why?" Linnie asked.
"Ahem, it's because of you two. It's true that I didn't follow my agreement with The Duke, so now I have to do a little extra favor for him."
Linnie squinted his eyes.
"What type of favor?"
"Nothing... ha—definitely not your business. Actually, I wanted to talk to you four about that. I'll probably be busy all week, and you might not see me much."
He paused for a second, grabbing his chin, then continued with a smile.
"So I want you four to take time enjoying the festival. Together. Bonding."
His smile was eerie, and in no way the type you'd see on a teacher asking his students to get along. But, that might've just been his face.
Marielle looked at Linnie and Liora, her eyes sharp. Linnie glared back. The Prince just gulped.