Status Window Chapter 23 : Vocational Experience at the Knight Order (4)

23. Vocational Experience at the Knight Order (4)

*[I will aim to be a knight]*

*[Actually, I'm interested in adventurers]*

Eh? I'm being forced into this binary choice here?

My heart leapt. To be told to decide something this important right now... I mean, it's my future path, you know? I'm not mentally prepared at all.

If I say "I will aim to be a knight," Celis-san will surely be happy and stay with me forever. She'll probably teach me how to grip a sword, the mindset of a knight, and all sorts of things.

But what if I say "Actually, I'm interested in adventurers"?

Wouldn't Celis-san lose her reason to care about someone like me? Maybe she won't talk to me kindly like she has been. Distance might grow, and eventually, even if we meet, she might just smile like a stranger.

...I hate that. After she's been so kind to me. After she taught me so gently and earnestly.

Then. Should I lie and pretend to be interested?

If I do that, the relationship will continue. Celis-san will be happy, and I won't have to be lonely.

...But.

"What a knight needs is heart."

The words Celis-san said pierce my chest. Back then, she declared it without hesitation. That true strength cannot be obtained through lies or deceit.

Am I going to deceive a person like that?

...No. That's the one thing I absolutely don't want to do. I don't want to hurt her. I don't want to betray such an admirable person because of my own weakness.

So, I have no choice but to choose.

I inhaled sharply, suppressing my trembling heart. I'm scared. But I mustn't run away.

"...Actually, I'm interested in adventurers."

Squeezing the words out, I looked straight into Celis-san's eyes. Our gazes met. At that moment, my chest tightened painfully.

Celis-san opened her eyes wide and gasped as if surprised.

"...Is that true?"

"Yes. The reason I came here is... because it was recommended to me."

Both my hands and voice were trembling. Even so, not a single lie was mixed in.

"...Um, well..."

I stumbled over my words. My heart is still trembling. But if I fall silent here, I'll end up deceiving her again. I hate that.

"I didn't come here because I yearned to be a knight or anything... but because I was just a little bit interested."

Celis-san raised her eyebrows slightly. Not blaming me, just listening quietly. That attitude conversely pierced my heart.

"I just thought, kinda cool~... with a light feeling."

My face grew hot as I said it. In front of such an earnest Celis-san, I feel like I shouldn't be saying things like 'light feeling.'

"So, um... I didn't come thinking 'Let's become a knight!' from the start. Since I have to go to a few places for vocational experience, I just kind of chose it for now."

Choosing my words, but without mixing in lies, I conveyed it desperately.

"It might be very rude, but... right now, I'm not seriously thinking about becoming a knight."

Saying it aloud made my chest feel tight and painful. Because the time with Celis-san was fun, it was extra hard to say.

"Because... right now, the present is fun."

Celis-san's eyes wavered just a little. But it wasn't disgust or disappointment. It was surprise, and a quiet reaction as if swallowing something.

"I got a skill, and doing various things with it is fun, and every day is new... So, I don't want to decide on the future right now."

As I spoke, my feelings gradually took shape. Taking a deep breath, I squeezed out the final words.

"So... I'm sorry. I can't decide 'I'll become this!' yet."

The moment I finished speaking, the tension left my shoulders. At the same time, fear rushed in. Because having spoken honestly, I didn't know what Celis-san would think.

Still, it should be much better than lying. Believing that, I waited for Celis-san's answer.

"...I see."

I heard a voice slightly dropped in tone. Just that made me scared, and my body flinched. At that time, piron, the notification sound rang. It seemed there was some change, but I was too scared to look now.

As I squeezed my eyes shut—pon, a hand was placed on my head.

"Thank you for telling me."

A bright voice. At that gentle resonance, the anxiety tangled in my chest unraveled a little. When I looked up, Celis-san wasn't angry at all. Rather, she was looking at me proudly.

"Rio, you are admirable."

"...Eh?"

"To be able to speak your true feelings even when you're scared. That seems easy, but it's not something just anyone can do. Especially when you don't want to hurt the other person."

Saying that, her large hand rested on my head again. Gentle, but without hesitation.

"What a knight needs isn't just sword skill or stamina. It's the strength not to lie. Rio possesses that properly."

My chest grew warm. But at the same time, I felt a little apologetic.

"Rio's eyes sparkling when looking at the knights. Holding the sword earnestly when you gripped it. I saw it all."

Celis-san narrowed her eyes. There was no sign of blame at all. Rather, she seemed to wrap me in warmth.

"Interested in adventurers. That is fine. The desire to know the world is a precious thing."

Celis-san slowly placed her hand on my shoulder.

"But, Rio. You are leaning a little towards knights too, aren't you?"

"...Yes. Just a little."

"Hmm, that is fine. For now, that is enough."

Saying that, Celis-san laughed softly.

"I have no intention of forcing Rio's feelings to change. However—"

After a beat, she said happily.

"I will make an effort so that you will think 'knights are great' more and more."

"...Eh?"

"So that Rio will truly want to become a knight of her own volition. Let's nurture that current interest properly, shall we?"

As she spoke, Celis-san's eyes were shining like a cat that found prey. But that wasn't a light meant to bind me. It was a light looking forward to growth.

"About the Knight Order, about the sword, the meaning of training... I'll teach you all of it in a much more fun way. Attractively enough not to lose to adventurers."

"Celis-san, you look kind of like you're having fun."

"Of course I am. Whether I can attract Rio's heart or not is a chance to show my skill, after all!"

Saying that, she thumped her chest with a clenched fist. At that pleasant attitude, my anxiety vanished completely, and a feeling of anticipation overflowed.

"Prepare yourself from now on. I'll pull Rio into the world of knights."

"Hmm, I wonder if you can really do it?"

When I said it provocatively on purpose, Celis-san rounded her eyes for a moment—and immediately grinned.

"...Ho. You said it?"

"Ehehe. I said it."

"Alright. In that case, I'll show you. My seriousness!"

Looking at Celis-san overflowing with motivation, the future began to seem fun. I can't imagine proceeding down the path of a knight yet, but maybe having one more path added is a good thing?