“Ruite, could you categorize these documents for me as well?”
“Yes, I’ll get right on it.”
After the incident, Ruite recovered and returned to work.
Following his schedule, he balanced field missions with internal paperwork, gradually adjusting to the rhythm of his duties.
However, there was one thing he simply could not get used to, no matter how hard he tried.
“Give those to me. I’ll help.”
Chester, who was sitting boldly in the seat next to Ruite, snatched away half of the documents Ruite had just received.
His actions were so natural that anyone watching might have mistaken him for a member of the Research Department.
In fact, the other knights in the office were already busy stealing glances, wary of Chester’s imposing presence in their workspace.
Cedric, who had just dropped off the request, was no exception.
“Hey, Chester.”
“Hmm?”
When Ruite whispered softly, Chester instinctively leaned in closer.
“Why do you keep staying here? Are you in the Research Department? No—is this even allowed in the first place?”
“I’m on my break, so it’s fine.”
“Then why don’t you go and actually take that break properly?”
“I am.”
Ruite let out a deep sigh and pressed a hand to his forehead.
For the past few days, Chester had been showing up at the Research Department office almost every single day.
Starting with complaints about whether Ruite should even be back at work yet, he was now going as far as doing Ruite’s work for him.
“It’s uncomfortable for me when you do this.”
Chester, who had been flipping through papers, stiffened.
The word “uncomfortable” seemed to strike him with significant impact, as his face immediately clouded over.
“I mean—it’s not that you are uncomfortable, it’s that your actions make things awkward.”
As if trying to soothe the visibly shocked Chester, Ruite added a kind explanation of exactly what he meant by “uncomfortable.”
“But what can I do when I’m worried?”
“…”
Ruite’s face twisted into a complex expression.
It was a mix of being unable to stand the cringeworthy sentiment and a clear flush of embarrassment.
“If you’re going to be like that, why don’t you just transfer to our department?”
A shadow fell over Chester as Ciel approached.
He wore his usual refreshing smile and playfully rested a stack of papers on top of Chester’s head. Seeing this, Ruite grew anxious.
Chester generally did not show such an amicable attitude toward others.
To use Vilter’s words, he was someone who drew a sharp line and never permitted anyone to cross it.
Naturally, Chester was likely to reject behavior that others might see as a cute joke.
Yet, Ciel approached him casually, tapping Chester’s head with the documents.
“Um…”
“I don’t have a talent for Research Department work.”
Chester’s reaction completely defied Ruite’s expectations.
Even though he knew Ciel was messing with him, he didn’t stop him or show any sign of annoyance.
It was a world of difference compared to how he treated Varen, despite both being senior Captains.
“Well, I suppose the Combat Department would throw a fit if I took you away. But why has our Research Department seen your face so often lately?”
“I’m just coming here to rest during my break. Does it bother you?”
“Not particularly.”
Ruite looked back and forth between Chester and Ciel as they conversed naturally.
Chester’s attitude was markedly different from how he treated other knights.
Ruite even felt a sense of polite respect in the way he spoke to Ciel.
Furthermore, asking if it “bothered” him—was Chester the type of person to be so considerate of others’ feelings?
Ruite had worried that Chester would be as prickly to everyone as he was back at Whitmore, but seeing him now, those worries seemed unnecessary.
It was certainly a good thing if Chester was getting along with others, unlike in the past.
However, Ruite’s expression wasn’t exactly bright as he watched the two of them talk.
“My break is over, so I’ll be going now.”
“Right, see you.”
Before standing up, Chester looked at Ruite and whispered softly, “Let’s have dinner together later.”
Even after Chester left, Ruite remained in a daze.
“Ruite? Where are you looking?”
Ciel waved a hand back and forth in front of Ruite’s face.
“Ah, I was just lost in thought…”
“You said you and Chester were Academy classmates, but you two must be really close.”
“…It seems the same could be said for you, Captain?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s my first time seeing Chester speak so comfortably with someone else at headquarters.”
Ruite asked in a passing, disinterested tone, but the smile on his lips was quite stiff.
“Is that so? He usually draws a very firm line with me, just like with everyone else. If you felt that way, perhaps it’s because I was personally in charge of Chester’s guidance?”
“Guidance?”
“Standard protocol dictates that when one becomes a Rank 2 mana user and reaches the rank of Captain, a senior Captain is assigned to help them adjust. Normally, since Chester is in the Combat Department, a Combat Captain should have handled it. But Varen was more interested in trying to play with Chester than teaching him, so I couldn’t stand to watch and took over myself.”
Apparently, during that guidance period, Ciel had helped Chester adjust to his new responsibilities.
No matter how rude or prickly Chester’s personality was, he wouldn’t act that way toward someone who had helped him.
Even to Ruite, it was clear that Ciel loved his work and took pride in it.
Consequently, he was highly skilled in various fields and possessed an excellent character.
He had the strong aura of a ‘senior whom all juniors would like and follow.’
Chester must have recognized that, which is why he showed Ciel respect.
Once his thoughts reached that point, Ruite’s mood soured even further.
It wasn’t exactly a bad mood, but rather a suffocating, uncomfortable feeling—as if a heavy stone had settled deep in his chest.
Ruite tilted his head, rubbing his chest.
“By the way, I’m a bit concerned.”
“About what?”
“About Dane. He’s seemed so listless ever since that day.”
When they unexpectedly encountered the evolved monster in the cave, the person who had been the most shocked was none other than Dane.
Ciel had faced evolved monsters before and was a veteran Captain regardless.
Cedric, as an assistant knight—the highest rank among regular knights—had been just as flustered, but he had managed to keep his wits and fought alongside Ruite.
As for Ruite, he naturally had a temperament that wasn’t easily shaken, and more importantly, he had experienced something similar during his time at Whitmore.
But Dane had only been in the Knights for a year and had only recently been promoted from a trainee to a regular knight like Ruite.
Since his first real experience was such a large-scale disaster, it was only natural that he would take a psychological hit.
“I think he can’t get past the guilt.”
Ciel had been severely injured while trying to save Dane.
If the attack had gone any deeper, nerves might have been severed, potentially costing him the use of his arm.
Furthermore, while Ruite and Cedric had moved to confront the monster, Dane had been paralyzed with panic and unable to do anything.
Given the circumstances, it was unavoidable, but it seemed Dane couldn’t accept that for himself.
“Vice-Commander Vilter said giving him time to think alone is the priority, but I’m still worried. I’m afraid he might even quit. Dane has a strong will and great potential; I really want him to stay in the Research Department.”
The Knights are a place every mana user dreams of, but conversely, many people quit and leave.
The reasons varied, but most were due to hitting a wall in their abilities or experiencing trauma on the field.
“Captain Ciel, please check these documents.”
“Right, I’m coming. Well, see you later, Ruite.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ciel didn’t stop sighing until he left, clearly burdened by his worry for Dane.
Afterward, Ruite handled some morning work and then left the main building when lunchtime arrived.
Normally, he would be thinking about what was on the menu today, but currently, Ruite was just as worried about Dane as Ciel was.
“Oh.”
As he stepped outside, he spotted Dane heading toward the back of the main building.
Ruite hesitated for a moment before following him.
A moment later, he stopped at the corner of the building and peeked around.
He saw Dane crouching on the ground, letting out long, heavy sighs.
Ruite didn’t hesitate.
He walked up to Dane and abruptly crouched down beside him in the same position.
“Ruite?”
“Dane.”
“Uh… huh?”
Dane seemed quite flustered, not only by Ruite’s sudden appearance but also by the fact that he had sat down right next to him.
“The world doesn’t usually go the way we want it to. If everything went exactly according to our plans and will, we’d be gods, not humans, right?”
“Ah, yeah. But why are you saying that all of a sudden?”
“It means that at times like this, you need to fill your stomach with something delicious. Have you eaten lunch?”
Dane slowly shook his head.
“Then come eat with me.”
Ruite stood up, dusting off his pants.
