The Asada Estate was a fortress of polished marble and stiff tradition, perched on the mid-tier of Oakhaven. As Shino walked through the towering arched hallways, her boots—once rugged forest gear, now cleaned and oiled—felt loud against the pristine stone.
Beside her, Kazuto looked stiffer than usual. He had traded his training gear for a formal blue tunic, but his hand stayed close to Shino’s side, a silent anchor in a sea of judging portraits.
The Duke’s Judgment
They were ushered into a study filled with the scent of expensive tobacco and old law books. Duke Aris Asada sat behind a mahogany desk, his silver hair a mirror of his son’s, but his eyes were as cold as a mountain spring.
"So," the Duke said, his voice a low rumble. "This is the 'Wild Shadow' I’ve been hearing about. A Cait Sith who shatters A-Rank dummies and reorganizes the Royal Library in her spare time."
Shino stood tall, her tail still but her ears swiveling to catch the echoes in the room. "I’m Shino, Your Grace. I’m an adventurer."
"You are a distraction," the Duke countered, standing up. "My son is meant to lead the Northern Reach. He is meant to be a knight of the Academy, not a wanderer following a demi-human into the woods." He looked at Kazuto, then back to Shino. "If you are as 'analytical' as they say, you know you don't belong in a Noble's court."
The Counter-Offer
Kazuto stepped forward, his face flushed. "Father, she saved my life! She’s stronger than half the squires in the barracks!"
"Strength in the woods is not strength in society, Kazuto," the Duke snapped. He turned his gaze back to Shino, a predatory glint in his eyes. "However, I am a man of results. The Royal Magic & Combat Academy begins its entrance trials tomorrow. It is the proving ground for the elite. If you are truly his equal, prove it there. Enroll. Pass. Show the faculty that a 'librarian' has a place among scholars and kings."
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But if you fail, you leave Oakhaven. Alone. My son will not have his future anchored to a fluke."
The Choice
Outside on the balcony, overlooking the glowing lights of the city, Kazuto gripped the stone railing until his knuckles turned white.
"You don't have to do it, Shino," he said, his voice thick with guilt. "He’s just trying to push you away. I’ll leave with you. We can go back to the guild, take a contract in the South—"
Shino looked up at the moon, her [Analytical Eye] tracing the mana-currents in the air. "Kazuto, did you know the Academy has a 'Restricted Archives' section?"
Kazuto blinked, caught off guard. "The Silver Vault? Yes, it’s supposed to hold books from before the Great Accord. Why?"
Shino smiled, her fangs peeking out in a way that made Kazuto’s heart skip a beat. "Your father thinks he’s giving me a choice between you and my freedom. But he’s actually giving me a library card to the most dangerous books in the world." She reached out, gently patting his armored shoulder. "I'm not leaving you, and I'm definitely not leaving those books."
The Vow
Kazuto looked at her—the girl who had survived four years of solitude and was now ready to take on the highest institution in the land just to stay by his side (and read some old scrolls).
"Then we go together," Kazuto said, his voice steadying. He took her hand, his fingers interlacing with hers. "I’ll handle the politics. You handle the magic."
Shino felt the warmth of his hand, a "slow-burn" sensation that made her ears flush pink. "Deal. But Kazuto? You’d better keep up. I don't plan on coming in second."10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOuVQzA3nN
and then Add to home screen.