“Princess... Maki... I don’t want to interfere in your lives.” Brendu and I turn to look at Cokue when we hear him speak. We simply stare at him, waiting to hear what comes next. “When do you plan to have a child?” Brendu lets out a small laugh, while I simply maintain a poker face.
Cokue seems slightly confused by our silence, but he continues speaking. “I don’t know if my wish is asking too much considering Maki’s talent and the Princess’s lineage, but I would like to be the first teacher of your first child.” That proposal is definitely not what I was expecting.
“The teacher of our first child? Why? Would you like to become a teacher? I’m sure that if we expanded the territory’s small school, you could easily become its most famous instructor.” He’s already famous, and he seems like the strict type of teacher.
“One of my dreams is actually to become a teacher when I can no longer continue fighting. I’d like to guide the new generations, but no, that’s not what I’m talking about.” For a moment, Cokue seems lost in a daydream. I hope he isn’t thinking about retiring anytime soon. I won’t allow it.
“Do you really not understand?” Cokue looks genuinely confused. “Princess Brendu already understood why I’m making this request so far in advance, even though you haven’t planned on having a child yet.”
I turn toward Brendu. Sure enough, she’s thinking about it. The princess already understands what he means. “In simple terms, Cokue wants the honor of being the first teacher so he can brag about it to everyone in the future.” She explains it to me.
I’m no longer surprised by how easily Brendu adapts to any social situation. She’s an expert at reading people and always choosing the right response. Brendu has started calling him simply Cokue, just like I do. She must have her reasons, and the other party doesn’t seem bothered by it in the slightest.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want. Maki, I don’t think you fully understand what a child between one of the most talented people this world has ever seen and a princess with Brendu’s talent and intelligence will be like. It may be the greatest talent my eyes will ever witness.” I’ve never seen Cokue’s eyes shine so brightly.
“The honor of simply being the first teacher of someone with that much potential is already incredible. It’s something I’ll be able to brag about to my future generations. And of course, being able to say that I trained the child of two future obsidian-rank powerhouses is something only a chosen few could ever boast about.” I can hear the excitement pouring out of him through his voice.
“If you manage to become one of the strongest diamond ranks, you’re guaranteed to become their teacher.” I declare.
I want to give Cokue a goal. That way, he’ll push himself harder than usual to achieve his dream. It’s a way to motivate him. He’s one of the family’s most trusted people, one of the few nobles who fully opened their doors to my family when our territory was still in its infancy.
Cokue is strong and a genuinely good person. He’ll undoubtedly have a positive influence on my future child. “Do you have any objections or would you like to add more conditions?” I ask Brendu.
“No. I’d be a happy mother if a great diamond-rank individual became my child’s teacher. I have no objections.” She seems to understand my thoughts instantly. The four girls can usually read me like an open book.
I can see Cokue thinking deeply. He strokes his nonexistent beard, clicks his tongue softly, and after several seconds of thought, finally speaks. “I accept. It’s a deal.”
“You don’t sound completely convinced. Were you lying when you talked about the honor of becoming my child’s teacher?” I ask in a serious tone, though it’s obviously a joke. Brendu plays along and gives him a judging look.
Cokue waves his hands in denial. “No, no, that’s not it. I truly want to become their teacher. It’s just that reaching diamond rank is difficult, and reaching the top is even harder.” He finally voices his concerns.
“You’re assuming we’ll reach obsidian rank... We’re the ones who have it even harder.” Brendu responds immediately.
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“You both have the talent to do it, and you work as though you were born without talent. You’ll get there eventually.” He winks at us. “I have a good eye for people. I almost never make mistakes when judging someone’s potential.” He seems quite proud of that ability.
“My situation is a little different. I know I only have a modest amount of talent, and I compensated for it by working harder than anyone else to reach where I am today. But there were many difficulties along the way, and I’m not exactly young anymore. I don’t know if I’ll ever find that spark needed to climb to the very top.” He doesn’t seem sad. He simply views it as reality.
“You’re still quite young, Cokue. I’ve met people over sixty who were stuck at ruby rank for more than thirty years. Then one day, while exploring or under some other circumstance, they accidentally found what they’d been searching for and advanced. I’m completely certain you’ll reach diamond rank.” Brendu offers him encouraging words.
“I think the same. I can feel that you’re only one step away from breaking the limits of ruby rank.” I add my own encouragement.
Cokue clasps his hands behind his back and raises his gaze toward the sky. I can see him smiling softly. “Thank you. Hearing those words from both of you gives me much more hope that I’ll reach the next rank.” He turns to look at us. “I have no intention of betraying your expectations, or the expectations of everyone else who believes in me.”
Brendu squeezes my hand a little harder. That’s the signal that our plan worked.
The journey back was relatively uneventful. Monsters avoided us the entire time. Cokue possesses a peculiar type of Imra that feels oppressive to monsters. He constantly releases it to drive away weaker creatures. Only monsters with strong willpower or powerful Imra can overcome that pressure.
Before we reach the village, I raise my hand to signal everyone to stop. “Thank you all for risking your lives during this expedition, although it felt more like a hunt than anything else. I’ll personally deliver the report to my grandmother. Anyone who wishes may take tomorrow off. Rendo will arrange replacements, so coordinate with him.”
They deserve it. Many of them were injured several times. Some suffered serious wounds, and nearly half lost at least one body part. A good rest would do wonders for recovering their energy.
Everyone erupts into enthusiastic cheers. They immediately quiet down when Rendo turns and stares at them. One of them is struck by Imra because of his celebration, causing everyone else to laugh at him.
“Don’t worry, young Lord Maki. Every one of these guards is grateful for your guidance and loves this territory dearly. None of them would ask for a day off if they didn’t truly deserve it.” Rendo’s voice sounds firm, but I can tell from his face that he’s joking.
Only Brendu, Cokue, and I seem to notice. The other guards look slightly disappointed. I’m surprised not to hear any complaints. Perhaps they respect me enough not to complain in front of me, or perhaps Rendo raised them with a very strict hand.
I say goodbye to everyone. I’m certain Rendo will give a day off to anyone who wants one. Cokue also leaves to visit his family. He made me promise to train with him tomorrow or sometime soon. He wants to see if he can find a breakthrough by fighting someone stronger than himself.
“Today was more eventful than expected.” Brendu stretches her body lazily. “Sometimes I wish we could have dates like normal couples. Then I remember there’s absolutely nothing normal about you, and I realize that wish will never come true.” She sticks her tongue out at me.
“We could have a picnic together tomorrow. There’s a small lake not far from here. It was already popular before we left for the academy. I imagine it’s even more crowded now that the weather has become warmer.” I think of a place for a date. It’s simply the first idea that comes to mind.
“I know exactly which lake you’re talking about. I’ve gone there several times with the girls. Yes, we can definitely go tomorrow. They’ll be happy to come too.” Brendu shakes her head excitedly. She’s already thinking about plans and deciding what she should wear.
When we arrive near the house, Brendu decides to head in first. She wants to tell the others about tomorrow’s plans. She also wants to check on dinner and help if possible. I, on the other hand, need to see my grandmother.
“How did the expedition go? Did you find anything? How many people are you going to need?” My grandmother puts down the papers she was reviewing and raises her eyes toward me when I enter her office.
“It went quite well. Need people? Grandma, you’re talking to me. I found the problem and solved it. Nothing is impossible for your grandson.” I sit down on the sofa and pour myself some juice from the table. “Don’t look at me like that. I’ll tell you the details.” I continue after finishing my drink.
Her expression is the same as always. She looks at me as though I were some strange creature whenever I become a little arrogant. I tell her everything that happened. I leave out no details, all the way to the monster king’s death. I even tell her about Cokue’s proposal at the end.
“Wonderful. I can always count on you. That truly was a serious problem. The territory could have been in danger. I’ll send several groups to investigate the area, collect anything valuable, and eliminate any survivors if there are any.” She rests her elbow on the desk and supports her head with her palm.
“Another brilliant move to motivate Cokue. If he manages to advance soon, it’ll be a tremendous gain for the territory. You always exceed every expectation, little one.” I smile when I hear her words, then remember the proposal I’ve been considering and drop it like a bombshell.