Thunk!
A cheerful sound of impact resonated, and simultaneously, Rensley clutched his forehead and sank down. Whimpering, Rensley lowered himself, and Stan approached, bending down. His face was filled with bewilderment.
“Rensi, are you okay? Why didn’t you defend yourself?”
“Sorry… I was momentarily dazed.”
“If you lose focus during sword practice, what will happen? Both you and I could get hurt.”
The instructor’s voice, who had been observing the training among the apprentice knights, grew louder.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing, sir.”
Rensley quickly stood up in a salute. The instructor approached, walking steadily toward the two apprentice knights.
Although he wanted to pretend that nothing happened, the left side of Rensley’s forehead stung where the blunt training sword struck. Pressing it, he could feel a slight bump.
The instructor’s voice became sterner.
“You mustn’t let your guard down for even a moment during practice. Even with training weapons, you can still get injured.”
“I apologize.”
After the admonition, the instructor didn’t leave immediately; instead, he glanced at Rensley for a moment and then gestured toward his forehead.
“Since there’s an induction ceremony tomorrow, wouldn’t it be better to cut your hair a bit? It’s obstructing your view. It might interfere with training.”
“Oh, yes. I was thinking about it anyway.”
The long hair, left unattended and flowing freely for a while, had become bothersome, falling over his eyes when he moved vigorously. Even when gathered and tied at the back, during intense movements, it slipped out and strands tickled his cheek and forehead.
Stan, who had been listening to the conversation between the instructor and Rensley, chimed in.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Lbk jybea P mea la obg sbe? P tjnf atgff sbecufg rlyilcur, jcv P jikjsr mea atflg tjlg.”
“Efjiis? Ktfc P’ii jrx sbe joafg agjlclcu lr bnfg.”
Yo mbegrf, atf gfjrbc obg cba jnblvlcu Vajc’r jaajmx pera cbk kjr cba rlwqis yfmjerf atf tjlg byragemafv tlr nlrlbc. Efcrifs, lckjgvis rmbivlcu tlwrfio, alutais ugjrqfv atf kbbvfc rkbgv jujlc.
He thought he would wake up in his right mind after a night’s sleep, but even in the morning when he opened his eyes, he felt like he had a fever, as if catching a cold. The sensation of his feet floating about an inch above the ground persisted, as well as the rapidly pounding chest, and an unwanted person popping up in his mind.
Something was wrong. Could this strange condition be fixed with magic?
Thunk!
While accurately parrying the approaching training sword, Rensley’s vision became momentarily blurred.
After finishing the training in a somewhat weakened state, Rensley wrapped himself in a light and large cloth and sat on a chair. The sound of metal blades lightly rubbing against each other echoed, and each time it did, Rensley’s shiny hair, like threads of gold, fluttered down like feathers over his shoulders.
Stan, while trimming his hair, expressed admiration continuously.
“Your hair is really pretty. My younger siblings would be so envious if they saw it. One of them dreams of becoming a blonde.”
“A guy’s hair being pretty doesn’t matter. Where would you use it?”
“Anything beautiful is good. I wish my hair was a bit softer. It’s always stiff and gives me a headache when I get up.”
“So what if it’s a bit stiff? I prefer looking strong and knightly. But, blondes have their advantages. You can sell it at a good price if necessary; it’s a good investment.”
“How about it? Is this okay?”
Rensley accepted the mirror that Stan handed him and turned his head left and right to inspect his shortened hair. He liked it. Although still longer than when he was in Cornia, it was more suitable for this land where a cold wind blew day and night. Exposing his neck too much would make him feel the chill.
“You’re amazing. I like it. Since you’re this skilled, can I pay you? Stan, thanks.”
“I’ll take the money. Five bronons.”
“I thought we were friends… are you sincere to someone like me who hasn’t even received my first salary?”
“Don’t worry. There’s a good system called credit in the world.”
“Got it, got it. Wait a bit. I’ll win some gambling money and pay you within today or tomorrow.”
Although the regular training time had ended, some people remained in the training ground to continue with personal training or engage in conversation. Rensley and Stan were among them. While Stan was using a mirror and chatting, Rensley suddenly heard the voice of the knight commander.
“Your Grace, what seems to be the matter?”
Rensley’s shoulders, which had been tense, flinched as the knight commander’s voice echoed through the training ground. The ensuing response was particularly clear, and Rensley listened silently to his words.
“It’s been a while my last visit, it seems training hours have ended.”
“Yes, we started a bit earlier today, so we finished early.”
“Has the induction ceremony for the new recruits been scheduled?”
“We plan to have it tomorrow. If Your Grace visits, it will boost everyone’s morale.”
Gezell’s voice, who had entered the training ground after a long absence, was cut off there. His eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised.
Up until that point, Rensley, who had been sitting with a mirror in his hand, couldn’t divert his gaze from Gezell. Stan shook Rensley’s shoulders urgently, and only then did Rensley raise himself, placing his hand over his left chest, a gesture learned after induction.
“To the Guardian, honor.”
However, Gezell, staring at the two young novice knights, didn’t immediately respond to the greeting. The knight commander, who found Gezell’s silence peculiar, approached and whispered to him.
“Your Grace, please acknowledge the greeting.”
“Oh, may you have a peaceful day.”
Gezell’s expression, unlike a moment ago, became nonchalant as usual. When Anton called Stan away for another task, only Rensley, Gezell, and a bit farther away, Anton, remained in the training ground. Gezell’s composed voice was directed at Rensley.
“You cut your hair.”
“Oh, yes. It was always short, but I couldn’t maintain it during my journey to Aldrant. It was inconvenient during training, so I finally cut it.”
Seemingly unable to meet his eyes, Rensley apologized hesitantly.
“Do you not like it…? I’m sorry. I should have asked before cutting…”
“An individual’s hair follows the individual’s heart; what kind of talk is that? I was just a bit surprised by the sudden change; don’t worry about it.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you.”
For some reason, he couldn’t meet Gezell’s gaze. The desire to leave him alone and not look at him clashed with his wandering eyes, moving up and down, left and right. The man in front of him eventually asked:
“How’s your health? You didn’t look well yesterday.”
“I’m fine. I guess I was a bit tired, as you mentioned.”
“How’s life in the Order of the Knights? Have you gotten close to people?”
“Yes. I was a bit worried, but everyone was kind and treated me well. Today, Stan, a new comrade from the Order, cut my hair. He always cuts his younger siblings’ hair, and it seems he’s quite skilled. I think I can rely on him in the future.”
Gezell nodded and prepared to leave. Only then could Rensley look at him properly. Perhaps he came to visit because the commander had some business with him.
“That’s good to hear. See you later.”
“Take care, Your Grace.”
Although he wanted to say more, there was nothing else to say. Rensley sighed softly enough not to be heard by others as he watched Gezell’s retreating figure. He realized he shouldn’t have cut his hair thoughtlessly, causing more trouble.
Although he usually didn’t have to play the role of a duchess, occasionally it might be necessary. In that case, having long hair would make it easier to disguise himself. He forgot that he was still in a position with a secret and let his guard down too much. Gezell’s surprise was understandable.
“…I can always grow my hair back.”
Rensley looked somewhat sadly at the golden strands scattered on the floor, then took a broom and swept them all away.
A/N everyone please give a warm welcome to Ohno, our new editor (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Rensley is so clueless 😆 . Aw~~ my Sweetheart experiencing his first Love ( ◜‿◝ )♡
Gezell here just to check if All knights functioning properly. Yup totally 😌.
No hidden Agenda .
Annnnnd a big shout-out to OHNO ! Please take care of Us in the future , edit out all those juicy stuff🤤
Thanks Translator sama . A li’ll burden off your shoulders no ? (✿^‿^)
Ahh that’s sooo trueeee, I feel so content now with Ohno here~😆😍
And as always, thank you for your support~~
Oh I forgot to sing…..
Ohno Ohno oh no no no no no ~~~
Haha bye 😂.
I love how he doesn’t notice the affect the king has on him😂