To say nothing else, if they had taken part in the defense of Leyndell, Finlay and the others would have protected Nolan without fail.
Malenia might not even realize that changing bodies requires death. Trina, who was directing the plan, was probably keeping that from her foolish younger sister.
Otherwise, the last time they faced the Church Confessor, she wouldn't have charged in so recklessly. It was embarrassing, but at least he survived.
With Finlay and Malenia at her side, dying would be difficult enough, let alone attempting spirit summoning to change bodies.
As for having Nolan learn sorcery, Trina may indeed have had that intention. After all, balanced development mattered. Still, it was no more than a secondary consideration.
Nolan never said anything like "turning into a werewolf for Ranni." Besides, Caria already knew who he was.
Swearing loyalty to a demigod he had only met a couple of times and barely spoken to would have been ridiculous.
Whether the Lunar Princess believed it or not was beside the point. Nolan himself didn't believe in empty vows. Betrayal never sat well with anyone, and what he had just said was simply the truth.
He had once told Trina that he intended to become a Lord for the people.
That was no joke. Even if Trina asked him again, his answer would be the same.
Ranni's gaze shifted slightly. Compared to the earlier words framed in knightly duty, she found this answer far more appealing.
"Doing more here? Then the one you're thinking of is neither me nor my brother. Still, that doesn't sound wrong."
"Blaidd, I've told you before. Don't overthink everything. He is an exceptionally fine knight."
A trace of awkwardness appeared on the usually aloof werewolf's face.
Why did Ranni always speak up for outsiders? Had he really become someone who judged others with such petty suspicion?
At a loss for words, he could only turn his head aside.
Seeing this, Ranni did not tease him further and continued,
"You're right. I'm glad to have a warrior like you fighting for Caria. Even if I were to stumble on the path ahead, I would accept it without regret."
Nolan said nothing. He knew demigods were beings of unshakable conviction, willing to pay any price for their goals, even if it meant being abandoned by all or shattered beyond recognition.
Seeing his quiet demeanor, Ranni let a faint, almost imperceptible smile form at the corner of her lips.
"No need to be restrained. You've earned merit. What reward do you desire?"
"I only have one request," Nolan said without hesitation.
"Go on," the princess nodded, signaling him to continue.
"Um… I'd like to study a spell under Preceptor Miriam. The one called 'Miriam's Vanishing.'"
Nolan answered after a moment's thought, anticipation shining in his eyes.
The spell held immense appeal for him. It was similar to teleportation, and its range surpassed that of Bloodhound's Step.
He had considered other options, such as asking for runes.
But on second thought, even with his contributions in this mission, the amount he could receive would be limited and would not significantly improve his strength.
Ranni was slightly surprised by Nolan's request.
She naturally knew the spell named after Miriam. In fact, she herself had mastered it.
In her view, a young man like Nolan should have sought higher status or honor, or at least some wealth. She had not expected him to ask to learn magic.
"I nearly forgot. You came to Liurnia in the first place to study,"
Ranni said with a hint of satisfaction in her voice.
His earlier display of goodwill had, without her realizing it, left her with a favorable impression. She disliked the heartless, and held nothing but contempt for those who chased power and favor.
"I can grant your request. Take this."
After a brief moment of thought, Ranni brushed her hand over the ring on her finger. A leather-bound notebook appeared in her palm.
"This contains the spell 'Miriam's Vanishing.' Miriam has been very busy lately and likely has no time to teach you in person. You'll have to study it on your own."
Nolan nodded.
Within the academy, this spell was famously rare. Among all the professors, only Miriam could use it. Even Ranni had learned it, which spoke volumes about its value.
"May I ask for my teacher to guide me?" Nolan asked.
"Of course. You've brought back considerable merit. Consider this your reward. You may handle it as you see fit."
When Nolan mentioned Sellen's name, a flicker of curiosity passed through the eyes of the princess, who often called herself a witch. She was just about to ask about that teacher when—
Blaidd, who had been silently standing guard nearby, gave a light cough.
"Your Highness, it's getting late. This place isn't safe," Blaidd said, unable to hide his concern.
"I know, I know. Don't rush me so much."
The authority in her voice had clearly softened. After only a brief pause, she adjusted herself, returning to that calm, unhurried tone as she slowly rose to her feet.
"Nolan Bethel, I look forward to what you will accomplish in the days ahead. May the light of the stars and moon remain with you always, guiding your path."
As her words fell away, deep blue motes of light burst forth, scattering through the air like fine dust, dreamlike and fleeting.
Before Nolan could even react, the Lunar Princess had already vanished without a trace.
All that remained were those brilliant, starlike particles drifting into the distance, as though quietly declaring that she had once been there.
Miriam's Vanishing… there's no way I can skip learning that.
A sense of yearning welled up in Nolan as he replayed their conversation in his mind, especially that subtle, unguarded change at the end.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
That princess… she's actually kind of cute.
Nolan didn't stay long. Raziel took him on a short tour of the stronghold and even picked out a few large shrimp from the kitchen for him.
Nolan didn't hold back his complaints about how stingy the Carian Knights were, only to be told in response that everything here was royal property.
There was nothing he could say to that. After all, this was their territory.
Left with no choice, he grabbed the shrimp with a scowl and, as he left, took an extra bottle of fruit wine, as if venting his frustration that way.
He casually fed Torrent a few Rowa Fruits. Watching the little fellow chew away happily, the heaviness in his chest eased a little.
Mounting Torrent, Nolan headed toward the royal lands, the sound of hooves echoing across the empty road.
Sometimes, relationships between people really were simple. A bit of bickering between two knights was enough to make them almost friends.
Nolan entered a hastily erected barracks, where a faint scent of fresh wood lingered in the air.
Sellen was sprawled over a table, utterly listless, like a salted fish that had lost all will to live.
But the moment she saw what Nolan had brought back, the dullness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a spark of life.
"You idiot apprentice, you're way too late getting back!" Sellen scolded him, though there was more concern than anger in her voice.
"What was I supposed to do? Her Highness summoned me. I couldn't exactly refuse. What if she really did kick both of us out?"
As he spoke, Nolan walked over to the table and carefully took a book out from his spirit ring.
This sudden war had truly taken a strange turn.
Just days ago, they had been thrown into a battlefield drenched in blood and carnage. Now, the two sorcerers had somehow found themselves in a moment of calm, fully immersed in research instead.
Sellen quickly slipped into her research mode. She opened the notebook, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes as she let out a quiet gasp.
"'Miriam's Vanishing'? This is Miriam's signature spell. How on earth did you manage to get this?"