The person referred to as “this man” was, of course, Melvern.

“Eh? Y-You mean me?”

Even while sweating from using his powers, Melvern asked in a daze. Ezein seemed just as surprised.

‘Training... with Melvern?’

“Yes.”

Yuder continued without hesitation, just as he had planned yesterday, making sure his intent was clearly conveyed.

“Sir Melvern possesses a power that is as rare now as it will be in the future. However, it is still difficult for him to use it freely, and the rebound symptoms cause considerable discomfort. Since he has come to the Cavalry, I’d like to help him resolve those difficulties.”

‘Can that really be resolved through training alone?’

“Of course, it won’t be a simple, ordinary training. I plan to conduct a program I’ve devised myself to analyze the ability, and I will also have mages within the Cavalry who have signed non-disclosure agreements observe and offer magical insight. These mages already work closely with the Cavalry, and one of them is both a mage and an Awakener.”

‘A mage and an Awakener? That’s a rare combination.’

“That too was a rare case and not without its own hardships. But through research and training based on magical knowledge and various methods, that person has overcome most of their own difficulties.”

‘If someone like that observes Melvern’s condition, they might be able to help solve his problems in a different way.’

As expected of Ezein, he understood the reasoning behind having the mages observe, even without being told.

“Yes. That is what I hope for. If Your Highness permits, I will proceed with the utmost care, ensuring it won’t harm Sir Melvern’s health.”

Yuder had now expressed the primary purpose. But if he only spoke of the other side’s benefit, it could raise suspicion about his true intentions. So he added what the Cavalry and Yuder hoped to gain from this training as well.

“If we succeed in helping Sir Melvern overcome his difficulties, it will greatly aid other Awakeners who may face similar or even worse rebound symptoms. Personally, I won’t deny that gaining experience in this area is something I deeply desire.”

“......”

“I ask you to grant permission so that the Cavalry and Nellarun may walk together toward greater growth in the future.”

Yuder bowed his head sincerely.

In the long run, making this training happen would benefit both nations. Nellarun would gain stability more quickly through Melvern learning from the Cavalry’s accumulated knowledge and systems, while the Cavalry would gain insight into a rare ability and potentially secure cooperation with what might one day become a force as powerful as the Cavalry itself.

Such collaboration had never been achieved in his previous life. Back then, Awakeners, like mages, couldn’t unite under a shared identity that transcended national affiliations.

But now, maybe it was possible.

Unlike before, when he never considered the future, Yuder could now think about the Awakeners who would live in the distant future. Melvern’s training was the first step toward that.

“......”

Ezein’s face within the light appeared deeply contemplative. Perhaps due to Melvern’s fluctuating emotions, the image kept flickering and distorting, making it difficult to read what feelings lay behind his expression.

After a brief pause, Ezein finally spoke.

‘Melvern.’

“...Yes?”

‘What do you think?’

“Even if you ask me... other than saying I will follow Your Highness’s orders, I have nothing else to say......”

‘Is that so? I’ve heard the Cavalry hero’s training is so grueling no one dares replicate it. Think you can handle it?’

Melvern’s expression changed. The usual scatterbrained and chatty face disappeared, replaced by calm sincerity.

“If it’s a chance to be of help to Your Highness and Nellarun, why would I fear hardship? Even if Baron Aile were to half-kill me, if it means I could improve, I can endure anything.”

‘You heard that? That’s what he says.’

Ezein turned to Yuder and smiled broadly.

‘I accept the proposal. He says he can endure anything, so as long as he doesn’t die, I leave him in your hands. Feel free to work him however you like.’

“Your Highness! While I did say I could endure anything, asking for it outright like that is... kind of a different matter......!”

Ezein ignored his retainer’s desperate protest.

‘If there’s anything I need to cooperate with regarding the training, feel free to let me know. I’ll do my best to comply.’

“Yes. If anything comes up, I’ll be sure to inform you. Thank you for granting permission.”

‘I’m the one who’s grateful. Here, we had no idea how to handle someone like Melvern. But thanks to a good friend, help arrives even in a place like this.’

At this point, it became impossible not to sense that Ezein’s limitless goodwill and treatment of him as a close friend didn’t stem from pure sentiment alone.

‘Did he call me a friend just because he had no one else to confide in...? Is he planning to keep that title even after ascending the throne?’

If Ezein still called him that even at the coronation, what should he do? The image of foreign guests being shocked flashed through Yuder’s mind as he worried—when Kishiar smoothly interjected.

“Since Your Highness has entrusted him to someone loyal, I promise we’ll do everything possible as the Cavalry to ensure the training is a success.”

‘Yes. It’s even more reassuring hearing that from the Cavalry Commander.’

Ezein looked at them with a face free of doubt or suspicion. In his gaze toward Yuder standing beside Kishiar, there was warmth—and a faint trace of wistfulness.

‘I know this might not be the time to say this, but... I’m a little jealous of Melvern. How great it would’ve been if I could’ve received special training directly from the hero too.......’

Flick.

With a quiet sound, the light containing Ezein blinked out. At the same time, Melvern, as if reaching his limit, collapsed.

Just as Yuder reached out to catch him, Kishiar gently used his ability to push Melvern’s body onto the sofa, his expression softening into a smile.

“Hmm. We didn’t even get to properly greet him today.”

“It couldn’t be helped. From now on, we’ll train him well enough that we’ll have time left for greetings at the end.”

Melvern’s body shuddered as if he’d caught a chill.

“It’s fortunate that the Crown Prince gave his consent so readily. Now we can proceed as planned.”

“My aide always seems happiest when he’s planning training.”

Kishiar whispered with a smile that looked even more delighted.

“Sometimes I wonder what might’ve happened if I hadn’t put you in charge of Cavalry training. Maybe you would’ve stormed out of the Cavalry because my own plans didn’t meet your standards.”

“You imagine the oddest things.”

Until his previous life and the early part of this one, Kishiar had handled all the Cavalry training plans himself. While not as systematically refined as Yuder’s now-near-perfect regimen developed over a decade, it had still been efficient—fitting for the man who raised the knights of Peleta.

Yuder had built the current training program atop that foundation, so there was no reason to disparage Kishiar’s methods. And even though Yuder now devised most of the training on his own, it wasn’t as if Kishiar had completely stopped participating. His occasional insights often proved unexpectedly sharp and helpful. Truthfully, Yuder rather welcomed those moments.

“You were the one who suggested bringing in mages this time too. If not for that, I wouldn’t have even ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) thought to include them. If you ever want to contribute ideas to the training plan, you’re always welcome.”

“Hmm. I’d like to say I’m not the type to selfishly interfere with one of your few pleasures... but.”

The man glanced at Yuder’s face and smiled with crinkled eyes.

“...All right. If I come up with another idea you might enjoy, I’ll share it. That too would be a pleasure for me.”

Whether or not the envoy from Nellarun finds it fun.

In those words, Yuder realized that he himself was faintly smiling too. It was a smile born from genuine contentment.

“Uuugh...”

Had Melvern not groaned and clutched his head just then, the two of them might have stayed locked in that quiet gaze for a while longer.

“Melvern. Are you all right?”

“Ugh... I’m sorry. I must’ve passed out for a moment again... How embarrassing...”

As Yuder helped the flustered Melvern recover, Kishiar winked slyly so only Yuder could see. It was an unspoken signal to keep their recent exchange between just the two of them, and Yuder nodded back with softened eyes in silent agreement.