21st Century Archmage

Chapter 35: Becoming a Noble

Translator: Lei

“I-is it true?”

“What is?”

“That, that you won in a duel with a Knight of the Imperial Guard and became a Skyknight!” screamed Russell loud enough to shake the room.

“Oh, that? It turned out like that, yeah.” I rubbed my ear, acting like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Kyre!”

Russell grabbed me in an embrace.

‘Oi oi, why are there so many people wanting to hug me today?’

After the stormy duel ended, I was brought into the warm embrace of the Imperial Princess. Without realizing what kind of impact her actions had, Igis hugged me and everyone shot startled gazes at me, forcing me to quickly escape her hug. As the male knights glared fiercely at me, I was truly able to experience how adored Igis was by the knights of the empire.

‘Huhu, now Bebeto belongs to me! Uhuhuhu!’

The Crown Prince had turned and left, but Marquis Mermos stayed to give me formal ownership of Bebeto.

“You’re amazing! Really amazing!”

Even though Russell would have to give up on his dream of becoming a Skyknight if he failed the upcoming third and last flight test, he was sincerely happy for me, as if it was his own matter.

‘But seriously, why do I feel so happy to get hugged by this guy?’

I had shed my armor and changed into the regular cadet outfit. As Russell hugged me, coming up only to my chin, I felt my breath becoming ragged. My body began to heat up with an itchy sensation.

‘No! I don’t like men!’

In these last few months with Russell, he had really challenged my sexuality. His freshly bathed skin was plump and the red lips I felt at my chest when he spoke gave off a faint fragrance. If he was next to me, I felt the impulse to fool around and hug him or at least grab his hand, but I firmly resisted the temptation. I was already 18, an age where I knew everything I should and then some. I didn’t want to betray the pure heart of a man with someone of the same sex.

“R-Russell, what’s with you today…”

Feeling strange, I tried to break away from Russell. In that moment, I saw clear droplets falling from his eyes.

‘What the, he’s crying?’

“Hngg…”

These days, Russell spent a lot of time crying like a girl. Clearly distraught, he buried his face into my chest and cried.

‘Alright, there are times when a guy wants to cry, too,’ I thought with sympathy. Russell had an indispensable reason why he needed to become a Skyknight. He was surely disappointed in himself for becoming so fearful every time he tried to ride a wyvern.

“Thank you… you at least will become a Skyknight.”

‘Russell…’

For the first time, I heard Russell’s innermost feelings. His words made my chest sting. There was almost a woman’s ardency as she worried about someone she loved in his voice.

‘Alright, friend. I’ll guide you!’

Even if I couldn’t guide my people to a place running with milk and honey like Moses, I wanted to help my friend find hope again. That would be my first gift as a Skyknight.

“Chin up…”

I gently embraced the crying Russell. This was the only thing I could do for him right now.

‘This is nice.’

As I did so, I once again felt that Russell’s small hug was really very comfortable.

* * *

‘So what should I do now?’

Bebeto became my wyvern, but I was clueless on wyvern feeding and care. I didn’t have a ground crew like the other Skyknights, and because I hadn’t formally received a peerage yet, my social status was unclear.

‘Why is everyone giving me so much side-eye?’

That was another problem— all the males were glowering at me with provocative glances. It wasn’t just Skyknights, but crewmates and soldiers as well. As soon as they saw me, they would whisper amongst themselves and shoot daggers at me with their eyes.

‘I’m targeted by the Crown Prince, and because of Igis, even the Skyknights are excluding me. What a great start.’

I had no desire to live my life comfortably anyway. A hero of the ages had to overcome diversity and hardship. That was the future in store for me.

‘Bebeto, you brat, shall we give you a bath?’

Even if I didn’t have a crewmate, there were many things I had to do for Bebeto. I wanted to clean up his dirty hangar and scrub away the years of neglect on his body.

‘The weather sure is great!’

It was a typical spring day. The hillside around the covert was lush with green leaves and flowers whose names I didn’t know. It was perfect weather to pack lunch and go on a picnic. I appreciated the marvels of spring as I walked towards Bebeto’s secluded hangar.

‘Eh?’

Bebeto belonged to me now. Last night, I had definitely closed the hangar door before returning to the dorms, but the door was currently wide open.

And it wasn’t just that. A huge cloud of dust was getting swept out of the hangar. Someone was definitely sweeping.

‘Who is it? Without my permission—!’

Part of me was thankful, but I felt a surge of anger knowing someone had touched the hangar without my permission.