New Path

"Hoh, so that's how it is?"

Rian, who never looked down on others even if they were enemies, now saw Shirone in a new light.

"N-No, it's not like that! How could I…?"

Feeling Reina's gaze, Shirone lowered his head, unsure where to look. Rian pitied him. How could any girl approach someone so timid?

Reina nodded.

"Alright. I'll propose it to Father, but he'll likely insist you enroll in the swordsmanship school. He exploits weaknesses ruthlessly."

"Tch! Whatever. I'll think about it."

For Shirone, even joining the military wouldn't matter if it served his master. Besides, this matters to me too. As an aspiring mage, he couldn't protect Rian with a sword alone.

A knock interrupted them. A servant entered.

"Young Master Shirone's family has arrived. The Family Head permits you to greet them at the gate if you wish."

Rian slapped his knee.

"Oh! Shirone's parents? What'll you do?"

The question was unnecessary. Shirone's eyes were already fixed on the mansion's distant gates, his legs fidgeting.

Reina smiled.

"Go welcome them. We'll wait in the parlor. Escort him, please."

"Yes, my lady."

Shirone followed the servant out.

"This way. Mind the stairs."

The sudden shift in the servant's demeanor—from dismissive to overly polite—unsettled him.

"You can act normally. I'm no noble."

"Please don't say that! My head would roll!"

Shirone, who'd once risked his life for a book, understood the fear.

"Even if you slip up, I won't report it. Relax."

Though the servant's shoulders eased slightly, tension lingered. Shirone, however, no longer cared—not when a carriage bearing the Ozent crest waited at the gate.

His vision blurred as his parents' faces came into view. Memories of sleepless nights in the library, surviving on scraps, flashed like a storm. Ignoring the servant's shouts, Shirone sprinted toward the gates.

"Mom! Dad!"

Shirone led his parents to the parlor. Tears had swollen their eyes since the gate, and emotions still roiled. Whether due to Clamp's consideration or the lengthy meeting ahead, Shirone had time to reunite freely.

"Let me see you, son." Vincent's eyes welled anew. Though Shirone looked healthier, to his parents, he seemed starved and weary.

"You've suffered so much."

"I didn't! I read books and had fun! How have you been, Dad?"

"Of course! We ate well! Look how plump your mom's gotten—almost had another kid! Haha!"

"Dear, stop that nonsense in front of our son!"

Shirone forced a smile. After a year and a half, his parents looked frailer. They probably worried themselves sick. His throat tightened.

Vincent grew serious.

"Why summon us? If your work here's done, come home. Unless they're holding you hostage?"

"No. There's… an opportunity."

Shirone explained everything—his friendship with Rian, the knight's vow, the family's acceptance. Vincent's face paled with each word.

"You're… friends with a noble? And they allowed it?"

It defied reason. Shattering societal norms, one after another, like thunderclaps in his mind.

"Tell the truth. Did someone hurt you? Drive you mad?" Vincent demanded, fearing nobles who'd ruined countless commoners.

"It's true! Why would I lie?"

Before Shirone could argue, the Ozent family entered.

Bishoff spoke first.

"Greetings. I am Bishoff v Ozent, Family Head."

Though Clamp and Lai were absent, Rian and Reina accompanied him.

Rian stepped forward brightly.

"Hello, sir! I'm Rian, Shirone's sword! Future greatest knight!"

"And I'm Reina, his sister. We've heard much about you."

Vincent bowed hastily.

"Honored to meet you! I'm Shirone's father. Why would nobles…?"

"Didn't Shirone explain?" Reina asked.

Vincent's mind reeled. Could my son's wild tale be real?

"It's true," Reina confirmed. "Rian and Shirone are bound by a knight's oath. That's why we invited you."

Vincent's heart raced—not with joy, but dread. What has my boy gotten into?

Dinner was a lavish spread, even the hunter Vincent stunned by exotic dishes. Seated by rank, he realized the Ozents' sincerity when servants deferred to him.

Bishoff set his utensils down.

"Ease your manners. Etiquette exists to show respect, and your struggle alone honors us."

Vincent shuddered. Whether kindness or pride, such consideration was unprecedented.

As servants whispered instructions, Shirone noticed their panic. The Ozents truly accept me.

Yet tension lingered. What did they want with a commoner?

Bishoff addressed Vincent.

"Frankly, I'm displeased."

Utensils froze.

"But a knight's oath is sacred to our martial house. To scorn it over status would shame Rian's honor. Thus, we'll keep formalities but ask you not to fret."

Shirone understood—the Ozents' pride outweighed even their ruthlessness. Nobles fight for their beliefs, unafraid of the world's scorn.

Clamp chuckled.

"Our Family Head finally speaks sense! Why send the boy off next year? Keep him!"

Bishoff ignored the jab.

"Lai has unlocked his Schema and will earn recognition. Rian hasn't, so the Kaiser Swordsmanship School is his path."

"Don't dismiss the blue-haired line's passion," Clamp warned, chewing lamb. "Underestimate it, and you'll regret it."

Rian grinned, thumbs up. Bishoff snorted.

"Blue or black hair, they're my sons. And that's what makes us—"

The family chorused, backs straight:

"—Ozent."

Post-dinner, they reconvened. Reina proposed Shirone attend Alpheas Magic School, a top-tier institution whose principal was Clamp's friend.

"Graduates earn royal certification," Clamp said. "He'll become a mage."

"A… mage?" Vincent gulped. Mages—lords of phenomena, transcending status—were legends to commoners.

Olina wept, hugging Shirone. Yet Clamp frowned.

"But his commoner status bars entry. Even our influence can't bypass noble-dominated admissions."

Vincent's hope shattered.

"There's one way," Clamp said. "The only way."

Silence gripped the room.

"Adopt Shirone into our family."