Chapter 18: Liam’s Shield Reflected the Me of the Past
The academy training grounds were covered in grass still wet with morning dew‚ faintly gleaming‚ while wooden target dummies stood in rows as if drinking in the cold air. A simple barrier stretched a thin film that reflected the morning sun in rainbow-like ripples. While his still-sleepy companions gathered‚ Liam alone was meticulously checking the formation.
“Shoelaces good‚ armor clasps good‚ sword angle good……”
He was the picture of seriousness. But he had tied his shoelaces so tightly that his ankles were squeezed‚ and the moment he tried to walk he grimaced with an “Ugh.” Beside him‚ Cross gave a wry smile.
“You’re binding yourself too tight first thing in the morning.”
“……Discipline is important.”
(Yeah‚ it hurts‚ but loosening them here would mean defeat……!)
Liam’s earnestness sometimes drove him into a corner. But that‚ too‚ was simply his nature.
Suddenly‚ a childhood memory flickered through his mind. Aria‚ who had been called a prodigy. A calm‚ precise mage who never showed emotion. Liam had admired that back and chased after it desperately.
(……Back then‚ Aria was perfect‚ like a machine. I was just barely managing to chase that shadow.)
But now‚ Aria‚ chatting with their companions in a corner of the training grounds‚ wore a soft smile. Tapping their fingertips lightly‚ they laughed and shook their shoulders at Iris’s joke.
(……They’ve changed. Or maybe they’ve grown? But it’s different from the “prodigy” I knew. How am I supposed to take this?)
In the morning light‚ admiration and confusion coexisted in Liam’s chest. Even the pain of his shoelaces seemed to symbolize that frustration.
In the center of the training grounds‚ Aria was practicing magic. While deploying a barrier‚ they tapped their fingertips lightly. In time with that motion‚ light swayed softly‚ resonating like a melody. Liam couldn’t help but stop in his tracks.
(……Is this the Aria of now? They used to be like a cold‚ precise machine. Now…… are they putting emotion into it?)
Childhood memories resurfaced. The expressionless prodigy Aria‚ drawing magic circles and completing chants without the slightest error. Admiring that figure‚ Liam had aimed for “perfection.” But the one before him now was Aria‚ laughing with companions and pouring emotion into magic.
“Liam‚ were you watching?”
Aria turned and gave a gentle smile.
“……Ah‚ yeah. Amazing…… No‚ I think it’s a highly advanced form of emotional waveform control.”
Cross‚ standing nearby‚ burst out laughing at the overly serious compliment.
“Your way of praising is too stiff! Just a normal ‘Awesome!’ is fine!”
“……A-awesome……”
His face flushed at the unfamiliar words.
(……The one I admired was the calm‚ perfect Aria. But the one now is different. Soft‚ human. How am I supposed to accept this? I’m still chasing “perfection”……)
Frustration sprouted deep in his chest. The gap between ideal and reality. His admiration wavered‚ and confusion spread. At the same time‚ Liam was beginning to sense that Aria’s form as a companion was taking on new value.
The afternoon training grounds were filled with the tension of a mock exercise. Barrier lines were drawn‚ and illusions mimicking magical beasts appeared one after another. Liam was assigned to frontline support and defensive positioning‚ standing as the shield to protect his companions.
“Defensive barrier‚ deploy!”
At Liam’s voice‚ a transparent shield spread in front of his companions. The membrane of light swayed‚ emitting a low sound each time it took an impact. While desperately holding it‚ he called out instructions to those behind him.
“Cross‚ restrain the illusion on the right! Rinne‚ layer the support barrier!”
But his voice was too rigid‚ and Cross replied with a laugh.
“You sound like you’re giving military commands! Say it more normally!”
“……What is ‘normally’ supposed to mean!”
His overly serious instructions earned light teasing from his companions. Liam’s face reddened‚ but he strengthened the shield.
At that moment‚ Aria deployed a new spell ahead. Light like a melody infused with emotion spread and enveloped the illusions. Liam was surprised.
(……This is Aria’s magic now. Different from the cold precision of the past. But the power to protect companions is definitely strong.)
Shield and melody overlapped‚ and the illusions faded away. Liam immediately switched coordination‚ adjusting his defense to match Aria’s magic.
“……Alright‚ now! Assault team‚ forward!”
The companions moved as one‚ and the mock exercise ended in success. Wiping away sweat‚ Liam held complex emotions deep in his chest. Admiration and confusion‚ and pride as a companion. All of it was mixed together.
Training ended‚ and the training grounds at dusk regained their quiet. Alone‚ Liam set his shield aside and exhaled deeply. Sweat cooled‚ leaving a heavy feeling in his chest.
(……What I admired was the “perfect Aria.” The calm prodigy who shut out emotion. But the Aria of now is different. They laugh with companions and pour emotion into magic. It should be far from my ideal…… so why does my heart waver?)
He realized that his admiration had idealized an image. Simply chasing a perfect back would not allow him to grow. The Aria of now‚ while humanly wavering‚ still supported their companions. Liam was finally beginning to understand the value in that figure.
He made a resolution.
(……I won’t blindly chase admiration. I’ll become someone who protects my companions.)
As proof of that‚ Liam approached Aria to hand over a care package. He held out a small bundle‚ but nerves made his hand slip‚ and it fell to the ground.
“……!”
Hurriedly picking it up‚ he held it out with a bright red face.
“Th-this…… for nutritional support after training……”
His words stumbled from embarrassment‚ and Iris held back a laugh.
“Liam‚ you’re so serious it’s actually cute.”
“……Don’t tease me.”
It was an awkward first step‚ but a definite sign of growth. Liam‚ who chose not only to chase admiration but to act in support of his companions. That resolve was quietly carved into the dusk light.
Night at the academy training grounds. While the companions who had finished the exercise cleaned up‚ Liam watched them from a slight distance. The arm holding his shield was still heavy‚ but his heart felt strangely light.
(……My admiration is no longer the “perfect Aria” of the past. The one now laughs with companions and uses magic infused with emotion. I respect that figure and want to protect it. My role isn’t to chase their back‚ but to support them by their side.)
Aria called out to the companions. Rinne laughed‚ Iris tossed out a joke‚ and Cross shouted exaggeratedly.
“Liam! That was a nice guard just now! The shine of your shield was worth a hundred men!”
“……Your way of praising is way too over-the-top.”
His face bright red‚ Liam still managed a small smile.
Within the circle of companions‚ he realized that his awkward actions were creating a sense of security. Not perfect‚ but definitely useful.
A night breeze blew through‚ and the faint light of the barrier swayed. Preparations for the next mission were about to begin. Liam gripped his shield again and quietly swore in his heart.
(……I will protect my companions. To go beyond admiration and walk together.)
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