“Well then, have a good trip, Abel.”
The next morning, I was about to leave the inn, seeing Claire off.
The morning air was chilly.
That chill amplified my tension even further.
I had a bad feeling about this.
I’d felt much more at ease during the practical exam.
But there was no point in complaining.
Joining the Knight Order was something I had decided for myself.
I had to commit fully and do my best.
“Yeah, I’m off.”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Claire slowly leaned closer to me.
Her sweet breath brushed against my face.
Memories of last night’s intimacy with Claire flashed through my mind, and my heart pounded faster.
My second time having sex in my life had been just as stimulating as my first, if not more so.
The adorableness of her pale body writhing beneath me.
The allure of her naked form dancing atop my hips.
And the exhilaration of releasing my seed to my heart’s content deep within her.
I could still vividly recall every detail, even now, a day later.
To think I’d been intimate with such a beautiful girl, and twice at that…
My heart gave a sweet, twinging ache.
And then, at that moment,
“Mmm…”
The next instant, with a soft sigh, something soft touched my cheek.
“Claire…?”
“A good luck charm… that’s all.”
Claire pulled away, her ears a deep shade of red.
“Th-thank you.”
I couldn’t help but blush.
She’d kissed my cheek to encourage me—what a cliché situation.
But that was good! Alright, I felt motivated!
The tension seemed to melt away as if it had been a lie.
That’s right, I had to do my best for Claire, who was cheering me on.
I’ll absolutely pass!
With renewed determination, I headed towards the venue.
I arrived at the building where the interview venue was located—it was the same Chamber of Commerce and Industry where the practical exam had been held yesterday—and was first shown to a hall that served as a waiting room.
It was the same place as yesterday.
There were many mercenaries who looked like ruffians, but they didn’t feel as intimidating as they had yesterday.
Then I spotted a small girl among them.
Blonde hair and a white robe—it was Racine.
“Hello, Lord Abel~”
Seeing the gentle, smiling priestess rush towards me put me at ease.
“Ah, so Racine, you have your interview coming up too.”
As I said that, I suddenly recalled yesterday.
“How did your practical exam go, Racine?”
She was small and didn’t seem to possess the exceptional physical abilities Claire had.
In terms of combat ability, I doubted she could even stand a chance against the fierce warriors at the venue yesterday, let alone any mages from the Empire.
“Ehehe, I won all my matches! I defeated everyone with Holy Magic.”
“Holy Magic?”
“It’s the general term for the magic used by priests… Ah, but Lord Abel, you’re a mage, and you didn’t know that?”
“Well, I… learned magic on my own.”
My knowledge base was practically zero.
“Then, to have reached such power through self-study… That’s amazing.”
“Hmm? Did you perhaps see my matches?”
“What are you talking about? Almost all the applicants were watching you.”
Racine giggled.
“To unleash such high-output magic that it opened a huge hole in the ground! I’ve never seen such incredible magic before~”
“Well, it wasn’t *that* much.”
Being praised so directly made me feel embarrassed all over again.
It gave me a somewhat ticklish, sweet and sour feeling.
“I think you’re on par with a court mage, let alone the Knight Order. I’m sure you’ll pass, Lord Abel~”
Racine gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
“Next, applicant number two hundred seventy-five, Abel-san.”
Just then, an attendant called out to me.
It seemed it was my turn for the interview.
“Well then, I’m off first.”
“If we both pass, we’ll be colleagues. I’m looking forward to it. Good luck, Lord Abel~”
With Racine’s cheers behind me, I headed to the room where the interview would be held.
I was shown to a large room, like a conference hall, located at the deepest part of the building.
Five men were seated in a row in front of a desk.
They must be the interviewers.
Perhaps it was the sheer size of the room, or perhaps the unnervingly sharp gazes of the interviewers, but my tension exploded.
This is bad, my heart is pounding!
“My name is Roger. These four, along with myself, will be conducting your interview.”
The man in the center of the five announced solemnly.
He looked to be around seventy years old.
His silvery, full hair and stern features gave the impression of a seasoned knight.
Although he was old enough to be called an elder, his gaze was by far the sharpest among the five.
Just facing him made sweat pour from my body.
Calm down, me. Calm down.
I gently touched my cheek.
I recalled the good luck kiss Claire had given me just moments ago.
My feelings gradually began to settle.
The charm was incredibly effective.
With a soft exhale, I met the old knight’s gaze.
The first question would probably be the standard one: “Why do you wish to join the Knight Order?”
I had prepared an answer for that.
Alright, bring it on!
“We hear that you drove back an Imperial mage in your hometown of Eiha Village.”
“Y-yes, I… no, what I intend to do is to help people and serve the country with my power—Huh?”
This question was completely unexpected?!
“Drove back…?”
Roger-san furrowed his white eyebrows, looking puzzled.
Damn it, my answer was completely out of sync with the conversation.
“I’ll ask again. Is it true that you were the one who drove back the Imperial mage?”
The old knight reiterated his question as if nothing had happened.
“I received a report from a knight who will be joining the Knight Order this spring.”
Could that be Claire?
So, she had reported the entire incident of my battle with Gaias to the Knight Order.
“Yes, I repelled him with my magic.”
“You wielded powerful magic and defeated an Imperial mage. A remarkable achievement.”
The old knight narrowed his eyes with satisfaction.
“You used high-output magic multiple times in yesterday’s practical exam. With power like that, you wouldn’t be at a disadvantage even against an Imperial mage.”
It seemed my flashy display of magic yesterday had paid off.
Good, this was a good flow.
“To possess such power in your teens… You are truly formidable.”
“Indeed, a promising prospect.”
I could hear the other interviewers whispering to each other in low voices.
Am I being treated as a promising rookie?
This flow is getting even better.
I hope to break through the interview with this good impression—
