“Mystery Trials,” Cecilia mumbled. “The Mystery Trials of the Scholar Hall tested our understanding and control of Mysteries, and how we connect them with our Glyphs. Could the Mystery Trials be the same?”

  “Maybe. At least that was what I thought earlier. But now…”

  “…Signpost, is it?”

  “It is not just that,” Alnea said. “If the two Mystery Trials are the same, then what is the point in separating them in different Halls?”

  “…Because the basis of the two Trials is different,” Cecilia said. “One of them tests our understanding of Mysteries in relation to Glyphs, while the other tests our understanding of Mysteries in relation to Arcanas…”

  “And how exactly are the two different?”

  “Probably in the way they are summoned, and employed… No, it is our interpretation of Mysteries. One is an original expression of Mysteries as it is, while the other is interpreted through a Wanderer’s perception. But then, how are they going to test our interpretation of Mysteries? If they ask us to cast Arcanas, then we can just cast the best Arcanas we have learned. How will they know that it is not our own interpretation?”

  “And that is exactly what I am confused about. How exactly are they going to test our interpretation of Mysteries…”

  “How about going in, and checking for yourselves?” Yuri said, raising her brows in amusement. “What is the point in just standing here, and discussing what may or may not be? Since we are already here, let’s just go in, and clear the Trials.”

  “I cannot argue with that logic, but we cannot just charge in either. Or have you forgotten about the Scholar Trials?”

  “If you are so worried about the Trials, then you should have inquired about their information before coming here.”

  “…That’s because we also have to exercise our ability to adapt to all kinds of situation…”

  “Really?” Yuri said, pausing in her steps, and turning towards, raising her brows once again. “Are you really thinking about exercising our adaptative abilities, and not about seeking the thrill to challenge the unknown?”

  “…What do you take me for?” Alnea said, staring at Yuri in confusion. “Why would I try to seek thrill in challenging the unknown? I am not such a masochist.”

  “…I would not be so sure about the masochist part—

  “Hey!”

  “But I do not think that he is purposefully seeking out thrill either,” Cecilia said, shaking her head. “That’s not like the Alnea that I—we know.”

  “Is it?” Yuri said, turning towards Cecilia. “Then what is the Alnea we know like?”

  “How to say it… He is like a stone in a storm, unaffected by things that happen around him. Like a mountain that we can rely on. And always comes up with some interesting ideas. Though he is also a little pervert, who keeps attracting all sorts of girls around him…”

  “…The last part was uncalled for…”

  “…In short, the Alnea I know is calm, composed, and a responsible man, whom I can trust with my life.”

  “…Is that really the Alnea you used to know?” Yuri said, as she turned towards him. “Or the Alnea that is standing with us now?”

  “…What is the difference?”

  “…Did you forget how reckless and emotionally unstable he used to be, shouting to take Oaths in every other sentence?”

  “…Everyone changes with time. And didn’t we ask him to not be reckless with his Oaths in the first place?”

  “Indeed, we were the ones who asked him not to be reckless with his Oaths. And surprisingly, this time, he seemed to have to listened to us. Except for a couple of times, he has been very restrained and measured with his Oaths.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  “…I did not want what happened in the Night Canyons to repeat once again,” Alnea said, shrugging his shoulders.

  “However, just because he has been measured with his Oaths, does not mean that he has never had any impulsive thoughts.”

  “…I may have been tempted a few times, but how does that change anything? I still did not take any reckless Oaths… At least not too many.”

  “That’s the point. It changes nothing. Especially the urges hidden within your Heart. The ones that drive you to be a little reckless. To let go of all your restraints, and just follow your Heart.”

  “…How do you know about something like that?”

  “I know you even better than you know yourself,” Yuri said. “Relax, I am not blaming you. Everyone has some urges from time to time. It is the fact that we can control our urges that sets us apart from beasts. Yet, it is also true that we cannot just keep on bottling our urges. Especially for Wanderers like us. We must find ways to release these urges from time to time, lest they infect our Heart. This is what hobbies are for. Or why I kept asking to relax a little. You never listen to me though, do you?”

  “…How was I supposed to know that you were asking to me relieve my urges? And how was I supposed to relieve them in the first place? Do you think I have the time to cultivate a hobby?”

  “…You did have a hobby once. That’s right. I am talking about the Oaths you used to take.”

  “…How can taking Oaths be considered as a hobby?”

  “It should be, considering how often you used to take your Oaths. Unfortunately, I was a little too ignorant back then, and did not think of the consequences that you might have to face by restricting yourself from taking too many Oaths…”

  “…What do you mean by consequences?”

  “…I have been observing you for a while… You are excited at the thought of facing a hundred Wanderers, right? You probably want our enemies to be even stronger. Strong enough to threaten your life. Only then, can you relieve the stress in your Heart. It is just that there is still some time before we face them, so you are relieving your stress by finding thrill in the Trials.”

  “…I…”

  “…That’s a little too much, Yuri,” Cecilia said, glancing towards Alnea with worry. “Alnea… he is not like that. He would never think of deliberately think of harming us.”

  “Oh, that I am sure of. After all, in essence, he is still the same Alnea that we used to know. Naive, reckless, and bold, ready to give up his own life at any moment for the people he has recognised. He would never put us in harm’s way. Even if it meant that he would have to face the entire world itself. But exercising our adaptive abilities? Maybe, at first, he did think like that. Now? I am not so sure.”

  “…He was just thinking about us…”

  “Then why did he not let you take the lead in the Scholar Trials?”

  “…You know the reason. I am not as good as either of you in the path of Scholars.”

  “Then should we not have let you take the lead even more to exercise your adaptive abilities?”

  “…That’s because our priority is still to enter the inner city. And obviously, that was a decision that the two of you came up with together. Why am I now defending it for you?”

  “Forget about the Scholar Trials,” Yuri said, before turning back towards Alnea. “What about the Trials we are going to face now? Are you going to let Cecilia take the lead this time?”

  “…Thank you, Yuri,” Alnea said after a brief moment of silence, involuntarily letting out a sigh of relief. It could not be helped. The words that Yuri said… they had just toppled the huge rock weighing on his chest. “I understand what I need to do.”

  “…There is no need to say thanks,” Yuri said, turning her face away from him. “As long as you do not hate me…”

  “Why would I ever hate you?” Alnea said, shaking his head with smile. “How long have noticed my abnormality?”

  “Ever since we returned from the Fortune Spring…”

  “…No wonder you have been repeatedly asking me to take a break.”

  “…I am sorry for speaking so harshly…”

  “It’s not your fault. I needed that wake up call.”

  “…Why do I still not understand what you two are talking about?”

  “…Is this the blessing that comes with ignorance?” Alnea said, glancing at Cecilia, and the dumb cat following next to her. “Or the blessing of the Goddess of Good Fortune?”

  “…Why do I suddenly have the urge to beat you up?”

  “…Maybe you should try picking up a hobby,” Alnea said, chuckling at his own words, with Yuri joining in with him.

  “…Forget it. I don’t want to deal with you two. Just tell me, how are we going to challenge the Mystery Trials?” Cecilia said, pointing to the giant doors in front of them.

  “This time, we go in together,” Alnea said, grinning with confidence.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “What about the records?”

  “Forget about the records. Just go in and do your best.”

  “But our plans—

  “Don’t care.”

  “…What if I fail in the Trials?”

  “I know you will not.”

  “…Geez. Fine. I get it. I will go in with you, but only because you insist.”