Chapter 7: Puffy Augustella von Arcana②
Puffy was blessed with the talents of royalty, but her exceptional aptitude lay even more in the realm of magic research. Her specialty diverged somewhat from that of the sage Angelica, focusing primarily on the theoretical aspects of magic and the development of magic tools and implements. Excelling in both fundamental and applied research, she was a respected figure among her peers in the research community.
In addition to her magical studies, her duties as the Princess of Arcana kept her exceedingly busy. Given her hectic schedule, she only crossed paths with the Holy Knight Boy the day after he was summoned.
At the time of his summoning, the Hero was said to possess the beauty of a noble from some distant land, attracting a throng of admirers regardless of gender. Many women working within the castle became his fans. However, after being taken under the wing of a certain noble from the very day of his summoning, many were disillusioned by his carefree demeanor. Yet, those who continued to support him were either enamored by his looks, dreamily captivated by his title, or were calculating individuals seeking to exploit the Hero’s status.
In contrast, the Holy Knight Boy was somewhat plain compared to the flamboyant and ostentatious Hero. He appeared to be an ordinary, earnest boy. Moreover, he had never even held a wooden sword, let alone trained with a real one. It seemed he had never harmed an animal and was unfamiliar with the act of injuring any living being, including humans. Witnessing his hesitation to swing a wooden sword at another person led many to question whether he was truly a reliable individual.
Considering his training sessions, it was easy to understand their doubts—he would hesitate, strike, be struck down, crawl on the ground, and then rise again, shouting as he brandished his wooden sword. After several days, he had learned to wield the wooden sword, but he was always covered in mud and bruises.
Despite this, he somehow managed to devote the majority of his day to training, receiving countless healing spells from several Sisters.
His training became the stuff of legend. It was said that Sisters and maids who witnessed his grueling sessions would scream and faint. Puffy had heard this tale more than once or twice.
However, it didn’t take long for the winds to change for the Holy Knight Boy. It wasn’t because his skills improved or his body was honed; rather, it was his unwavering spirit that struck a chord with many.
Initially, the only Sister who volunteered to heal him, aside from the Saintess, was Siesta. As days passed, more and more individuals stepped forward to offer their healing services. By the end of the week, nearly all the Sisters were willingly casting healing magic on him.
Not only that, but many maids began to gather near the training grounds, cheering him on with cries of, “Holy Knight-sama! Do your best!” and “Eek! He looked this way!”
According to Puffy’s maid, those supporting the Holy Knight Boy claimed they were drawn to his “strong-willed eyes,” appreciated the “contrast to his usual demeanor,” and felt their hearts flutter at his determination not to give up.
Before long, even Chancellor Madison was rumored to be among his supporters, raising his arms in enthusiastic gestures and shedding tears while watching the training.
Yet, the first encounter between Puffy and the Holy Knight Boy did not take place in the training grounds.
Their first meeting occurred in the Library Room within the Royal Castle.
Amidst his grueling training, he had surprisingly cut back on his sleep to the bare minimum, studying the general knowledge and geography of this world in preparation for his future as a Seeker.
It was Puffy who initiated the conversation, considering that it might be difficult for him to approach her due to their differing social standings. However, after the incident with the Hero, she couldn’t help but brace herself, fearing that the Holy Knight Boy might share similar traits with the Hero—though she soon realized this was unfounded.
The Holy Knight Boy was entirely different from the Hero. He was intelligent, rational, and above all, kind.
When Puffy apologized for summoning him, he responded, “You weren’t there at the time. Perhaps you had no involvement in it, right?”
She had thought it was a situation where blame could easily be placed. What would she have done if she were in his position? Could she have behaved as he did? Princess Puffy found herself intrigued by him.
Their initial exchanges were limited to brief greetings, but as time passed, their conversations evolved into questions about what he was learning and how things were in his world. He would shyly respond with cheerful, quick replies. Encouraged by this, Puffy began to ask him numerous questions, forgetting her usual reserve.
The common sense of her world was entirely foreign to his. There were no dragons or head-hunting rabbits. Magic didn’t exist, and merely possessing a sword could lead to arrest. Every citizen was given the opportunity to learn, attending classes side by side in shared classrooms.
It felt like a world out of a story, yet it was undeniably real. And this kind-hearted, strong-willed boy lived his daily life there.
Puffy realized that the world was vast, filled with things her limited imagination could never grasp. This understanding deepened her feelings for the boy.
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Announcement!
The printed version of the comic adaptation of this work is being released today, November 19th! Both volumes 1 and 2 are coming out simultaneously!
Today is the day… I’m so nervous I can’t sleep!
On a serious note, you absolutely must see Ichiro-kun’s face of despair when Eris goes to Ryuguin! I guarantee you’ll want to see Ryuguin perish!
Let’s all grab a copy of this work and tear our hearts out together!! Volume 2 is pure healing! Let’s all find our peace!
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