"All right… let's get started."
A few hours had passed since Lev had left Bleuhaven.
In the transport vehicle, Louis pulled a smartphone from his pocket and, holding it in the palm of his hand, the device projected a holographic screen into the air.
"Lev, how much do you know about Knights?"
With a serious yet rational expression, Louis began with a simple question.
"Not a damn thing."
To which, with his arms crossed and a confident expression, Lev replied without a shred of doubt.
"...Absolutely nothing?"
"NOT. A. DAMN. THING."
"Right… sigh"
While Laute snored softly beside him, Louis covered his mouth with his hand, his expression carefully considering how to proceed.
"Maybe we should start with the basics. Yes, let's start with the basics: what are knights?"
Tapping the holographic screen, he seemed to scroll through something resembling slides until he found what he was looking for.
"Lev, what do you classify as a 'knight'?"
"Hmmm… strong people who fight monsters?"
"You're not wrong, but you're not 100% right. Half a point."
Pinch-zooming in and then out on the screen, Louis zoomed in on a specific part of the current slide.
"Knights are, essentially, individuals trained to handle Demon Frenzy crises and act as guardians of the continent."
The image showed a creature that appeared to be in a state of uncontrolled rage, with people fighting against it.
"An Knight is an umbrella term, but aside from traditional warriors; Casters, Archers, and other individuals also make up our ranks."
Lev nodded, his expression one of excited curiosity.
"To become a knight, there are three ways, though two of them are linked."
"And how would that work, old man?"
"The first is the most straightforward: upon reaching adulthood, you can take a test for a direct license."
He moved to another slide, which showed a figure undergoing various exams.
"It's an old-fashioned method, but a risky one. Because often, unprepared people can pass, and that can be dangerous."
On another slide, a figure, rendered in a very soft, childlike style, appeared as a dismembered wooden puppet.
"There are many technical, bureaucratic, and, of course, planning details that someone entering this way might lack."
"And what's the other way?"
"Through a higher education center."
Louis moved on to another slide, showing a majestic building in various locations.
"A Knight Training Academy is a specialized training center that prepares knights to the fullest before they're licensed to serve in the field."
"So… a school?"
"If that makes it easier to understand, you can think of it that way."
He exited the slide and began playing a short, simple video for Lev.
"Practical training and field activities are assigned to provide the experience necessary for independent performance."
At the end of the video, Louis turned off the projection and put away his smartphone.
"In short, those are two of the methods."
"And the third? You said there were three, right?"
Lev raised his hand like a student asking for permission to speak.
"Yes. And it's linked to the Academy's method. You see… entering an Academy usually requires a qualifying exam."
Louis crossed his arms, staring at the ceiling of the vehicle.
"Only about 60% of applicants usually pass, and of those 60%, 15% tend to drop out of the process."
"So I'm going to have to take an entrance exam? Damn, I'm not the bookworm type, old man."
"You don't need to say that; I noticed it right after I met you."
Lev wore a deadpan expression as he listened to Louis, but then shrugged.
(Can't deny it; it's the truth.)
"That's where the other method comes in… Sponsorship. Before I explain that…"
Louis reached into his robes, found what he was looking for, pulled it out, and showed it to Lev.
"Once again, allow me to introduce myself… Louis Montblanc. #5 on the Knights' Ranking, one of the 10 Treasures."
The object he showed was a necklace, adorned with a black diamond.
At which… Lev clapped his hands with a surprised expression, not really understanding it.
"So you're stronger than Laute, old man?!"
However, something caught his attention…
(#5… top 10… does that mean he's strong? But he doesn't really give off that same vibe as Laute…)
"Well… I'm rusty. Unlike the ranks below 10, the top 10 spots are fixed until the current holders retire."
Lev still looked a little lost, but what really mattered to him was…
"So you're weak?"
He felt a brief pang of disappointment upon hearing about Louis's rustiness, but before it could turn into demotivation.
"… No, I'm strong."
Out of nowhere, an intense pressure emanated from Louis, something Lev hadn't felt at all until that moment.
"It's important to know how to control your strength; setting an example for others is the duty of a respectable knight."
"Haha… my bad, old man."
Louis sighed, hiding his fighting intent.
"…. As one of the Top 10 and the 10 Treasures, we have a special privilege."
Saying this, he pulled something else from his robes—this time, a document.
"It's called a recommendation letter. Basically, we can sponsor talented individuals for direct admission to the Academy without the need for an exam."
"Ooooh!"
Lev clapped his fist against his palm.
"Is that what you meant by sponsoring me, then?"
"... Your lack of interest in the world you live in impresses me a little, you know?"
"My parents used to say the same thing, believe it or not."
Rubbing his temples, Louis looked deep into Lev's eyes.
"Yes. I can get you straight into an Academy as my sponsored student… but I have a few conditions, of course."
"... You could've said that before I came with you guys, you know?"
"Hahaha, don't worry. I'm sure there's nothing about them you'll dislike."
Though his expression remained weary, he didn't even bother to listen to what that meant…
"Okay, spill it, old man."
Louis raised his hand, holding up just two fingers.
"Basically, there are two conditions:
1- You should maintain a positive evaluation above average. You don't have to be at the top, but at least above average."
"Okay, easy… I think. I've always been more of a slightly below-average guy, but I'll figure it out."
Nodding in satisfaction at Lev's response, Louis continued.
"Good. As for the second…
2- Upon graduating, you'll join the Hippolyta Syndicate."
"...Syndicate?"
"Basically, there are factions within the Knighthood. The Hippolyta Syndicate is the one under my command."
Louis gently grabbed his overcoat, pulling it just enough for an emblem to become more visible.
"Our goal is simple: to preserve the essence of what the Knighthood is. I don't need to say it, but… we are not allies of the ranking system."
"Oh, I see… huh? But you and Laute don't…?"
"The rankings are assigned by the Crown and Parliament based on activities; even though we're against it, as Knights, we're still subject to the system."
Lev noticed, even though he tried to hide it, the distaste with which Louis spoke those words.
"Anyway, those are the conditions for my sponsorship. What do you say?"
Lev brought his hand to his chin, staring into Louis's eyes as if deep in thought.
"...Well, I don't really care much about that ranking system thing… but I'm not exactly a exemplary knight material either, I guess?"
"Don't worry, I feel like you have the potential for it—you just need the right encouragement."
Louis said with a friendly, inviting smile, to which Lev replied with a resigned shrug.
"Well, fine by me. We have a deal."
Lev extended his hand to Louis, and they exchanged a firm handshake to seal the agreement.
"By the way…"
"Yes?"
"... What is Demonic Frenzy?"
Lev said with a look of genuine confusion; you could almost see a huge '?' floating above his head.
"... Somehow, I'm not surprised."
And Louis, still wearing a small smile, let out a sigh.
— Chapter 7: End.