Chapter 17
There's a saying, *An awl in a sack*.
It means that a sharp awl in a sack cannot be hidden.
Indeed, Linmel was too sharp an awl to be hidden just because she was an Orphan.
Linmel! *Linmel!* No, but why did she run off?
Linmel!...I'm not sure, but it seems she felt burdened after a conversation with the Knight, which led to talk of adoption...
Everyone from the Orphanage seemed to have formed groups and was searching for Linmel in the middle of the night.
*Well, I wasn't there in the middle of the night either,* I thought for a moment. But it seems I'm being classified as half an adult.
It's true. In contrast, Linmel is truly a child, so if she were to meet a bad person...
*Hmm... The bad person might end up dead.*
There's no greater foolishness than throwing away the chance to become a knight's daughter by becoming a murderer.
There was nothing for it. I let out a small sigh and headed into the forest.
This won't do. I'll go on ahead alone.
...Are you sure you'll be alright?
Yes.
The Matron seemed to be deliberating whether she should stop a ten-year-old child from going into the forest at night, or whether it was foolish for her to worry about a Mage.
To reassure her, I showed her directly.
—*Crunch!* I made a rotten tree lying nearby *perceive* me, lifted it, and then compressed it.
However, I felt a slight dizziness in my head. This was my limit. If I synchronized with the Deep Sea beyond this—
*Even the medicine won't hold up...*
Something similar to what happened at lunch today would occur.
Still, my proficiency had improved incomparably from before.
The cost was a slightly reduced field of vision and the sensation of water coiling around my limbs with every step.
Considering my Magical Perception Range had expanded dozens of times over, it was an advantageous trade.
The Matron nodded and earnestly cautioned me with a firm expression.
Alright, I'll ask this of you. Don't do anything too dangerous.
"Understood."
I extended my Magical Perception just enough so that the others wouldn't come, and began sweeping the forest.
At the same time, I realized something. This, with its expanded range, was truly unparalleled for scouting.
To what extent? I could count the number of feathers on a bird sleeping on a high branch of that tall tree. I could feel a family of rabbits sleeping in the burrow next to it...
I didn't bother shouting Linmel's name.
She was searching all over, so she must have heard. She just didn't want to come out. That must be it.
Still, you're not *that* high up, are you?
...?
A giant old tree, about a 10-minute walk away.
The tree was obscured by leaves, its top invisible, but my Magical Perception pinpointed her exactly.
...
Linmel seemed to think she hadn't been discovered, so she quieted down. She probably thought I was just talking to myself.
I tapped the tree, bluffing.
I can see everything. Your wooden sword is sticking out.
Oh?! Wooden sword? I don't have one...?
Right. I must have seen wrong.
Easy.
Linmel clamped her mouth shut, looking dumbfounded.
Come down. Let's talk for a bit.
...No.
Really? Then I'll come up.
?
As I made a motion to climb the branches, Linmel poked her head out from between the leaves and stopped me, flustered.
N-no, Jereun. You might get hurt climbing up.
Indeed, it was a smooth and tall tree, difficult to climb unless you were a superhuman like Linmel.
Will you come down then?
That's...
As her words trailed off, I stepped forward without hesitation.
With the Current pushing my back, and it was instantaneous, there was no fear of falling, so the disaster Linmel imagined didn't happen.
I practically walked up. As I quickly ascended the tree and settled on a nearby branch, Linmel covered her mouth in surprise.
*W-what in the world?!* How did you do that?
I learned the Body Strengthening Technique too, you know.
Oh, is that right...? Jereun, you're amazing. It took me a week to climb this tree!
I lied without batting an eye.
I still don't quite understand the difference between Body Strengthening Technique and physical conditioning. I know I've become much more flexible, but as for whether I can withstand Water Pressure, well.
I'll have to learn it all the way through; I suppose.
So, why did you run away?
...I didn't run away.
Linmel puffed out her cheeks and hugged her knees on the branch.
If I were to take that posture, I'd fall immediately, but her sense of balance was surprisingly good.
I was *kicked out*.
"Why?"
They want me to go, even though I don't want to...
Then don't go.
It was a simple problem. At my words, Linmel glared fiercely at me.
How can I? I can't do that!
How can you not? Just say you don't want to go, and that's it. Who's forcing you to go? Choose what your heart desires. It's your life's decision. Don't leave it to others.
It's not that easy.
It is easy. Go down now and tell the Matron you don't want to be adopted. She'll make sure they don't send you away, no matter what. You know what kind of person the Matron is.
That's not the problem...
Linmel hung her head, looking dejected.
They said I have talent. I thought smart kids like you, Jereun, were geniuses, but the Knight told me I'm actually the most outstanding.
...Well, that's true. So what?
Do you know Lian?
I racked my brain at the sudden name.
She was a Knight Aspirant, a few years older than us, I think. I remembered her as being very bright and kind.
Oh, I know her. Didn't you learn swordsmanship from Lian?
Yes. Lian was so sincere. She practiced alone, ran, and worked really hard when everyone else was asleep... I even promised Lian that we'd take the Knight Squire Exam together someday.
Linmel hugged her knees tighter and mumbled.
Lian was so excited when she heard the Knight was coming to watch her sword practice this time. She wanted to show him everything she'd learned. But the Knight just glanced at her and said she needed to work harder, and that was all.
Really? That must have hurt a lot.
No...
She shook her head from side to side.
Lian proudly said she understood and would work even harder. She was really cool.
She has an upright spirit. It is a heartwarming story.
But...
Linmel buried her head, looking almost on the verge of tears.
The Knight, after seeing me swing a sword just once, covered his mouth and called me a talent of the century, saying that if I became his daughter, he would ensure I could someday join the Imperial Knights...
...
I didn't hear the rest of it clearly. I saw Lian's expression, and I didn't want to see that kind of look.
It's a common occurrence, in this world and the next.
Talent crushes effort and dreams.
I don't want to leave. But if I stay, I don't know, but she, Lian, might hate me. I don't want that...
Linmel looked at me with tear-filled eyes.
Jereun, what should I do?
"Hmm..."
It was rare for Linmel to be this serious.
I thought for a moment, but when it came to problems like this, no answer would be the right advice.
I suppose I'd have to use a bit of Shock Therapy, mixed with a lie.
I scratched my head and replied.
First, there's something I need to tell you.
Huh?
Your talent isn't *that* great.
...?
Your talent isn't *that* great. You got one offer from a Knight and you're acting like some tragic heroine, so I had to tell you. Sorry.
At my words, Linmel, who had been gaping—
Instantly flushed crimson.
*Y-you idiot?!* The Knight said my talent for the Imperial Knights...
Exactly. That's nothing special.
Are you jealous of me too? How is this nothing special! This has never happened in our Orphanage even once! You wouldn't understand!
Why, are you angry at the idea that your talent is nothing special?
It's not that I'm angry...
This is what *true* talent looks like.
I pulled Linmel's hand, and she was still squawking.
"Huh?"
She hadn't even imagined it, and losing her balance, Linmel began to fall.
*Kyaa... ack?*
But she didn't hit the ground.
Linmel, who slowly descended to the ground as if sinking in water, wore a bewildered expression, seemingly unaware of what had just happened.
Only after seeing me descend similarly did Linmel's eyes widen.
Jereun, were you a noble?
"I don't think so."
Probably not.
Not stopping there, I used the Current to lift all the surrounding leaves.
Thousands of them were. Instantly surrounded by leaves, Linmel looked around with sparkling eyes, surprised.
Wow...
Linmel. The world is vast. From my perspective, your talent seems truly insignificant. Even I am just a Mage who is nothing special, in this wide world.
I calmly tried to persuade her.
You seem to think you've received an undeserved ability, but this world is overflowing with talents that could make you seem like nothing, even without me. If you get adopted and live the life of a squire, you'll realize that the talent you possess merely gets you to the starting line.
...Even if that's true, Lian—
Yes. Lian couldn't even stand at the starting line.
That's too unfair...
It's the truth.
I chuckled and lightly tapped Linmel's chest.
So, you have to take responsibility.
...?
You, who could, must run in her stead for Lian, who couldn't even stand at the starting line.
Not everyone can become a Knight. That's an obvious truth.
So, those who *can* become one must carry the aspirations of others.
There was only one lie: that Linmel's talent was ordinary.
Linmel will someday reach the pinnacle. It's a certainty.
If you become a decent Knight, Lian will probably be *deathly* jealous of you. But if you become the *best* Knight, she'll be proud. She'll consider the day she guided you onto the path of a Knight her greatest pride.
...Really?
Yeah. That's how everyone lives.
Linmel looked back and forth between me and the ground, as if thinking something over.
...
Seeing the mischievous grin that replaced her gloom I knew what she was going to say, for she was like a rascal about to play a mischievous trick.
Jereun.
Yes.
I want to be a Knight.
That's the right choice.
Becoming a Knight's daughter.
It's the sweetest dream an orphan could have, who wets their bedsheets with tears every night.
To refuse it would be an insult to the other Orphans.