The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41
“That… that can’t be right.”
“….”
“Rubian, I’m not really mad at you. Okay? You know that, right?”
Void approached in quick, shuffling steps and circled around Rubian.
As he fussed about like a needy puppy, Rubian—who had been pouting—suddenly burst into laughter.
“Alright, alright. You’re not mad. We’re good, right?”
When he acts like this, he really does seem grown-up….
Watching Rubian laugh with that bright, carefree sound, Void exhaled a long sigh.
“Anyway, Kalid is my friend, so treat him well.”
“Tch, but look at what that guy’s been doing!”
“I’m asking you now. You won’t grant me this favor?”
Void faltered and stepped back.
“…I even do free grammar checks for you.”
Rubian stared at the diary in Void’s hands with an exaggerated, dejected expression.
Ha, that’s right! Grammar corrections are indeed tedious work!
“Fine, fine. I get it, so don’t look so miserable!”
“Hehe.”
Rubian’s eyes curved into crescents as he laughed. A sweet fragrance suddenly wafted over—he must have eaten apple jelly recently.
“You’re the best! Thanks!”
Rubian hung from my back, dangling playfully. Lately, my younger brother had grown fond of clinging to me like this.
And when he does, the heart of an older sibling melts like ice cream under the midday sun.
“Really… why does he require so much attention?”
Is this what it means to be the youngest?!
Even as I grumbled, my hands moved with practiced ease, lifting him up and down in a playful airplane motion—as reliable as ever.
* * *
Whiiing.
Dry, dusty wind. A desolate training ground.
I stood in the very center of it once more.
“My Grandfather….”
Zebert Grandfather, silhouetted against the sun.
It felt as though I faced some colossal beast.
“Depending on what you do, you can become a demon or a demon.”
“So you’re saying it’s a demon either way!”
I burst out in protest, and Grandfather laughed heartily.
“Come now, gather around. You little brats!”
Void, who had his diary and grammar thoroughly picked apart by me yesterday, stood pale-faced at my side.
“Star….”
The scoff of exasperation naturally came from Kalid, who stood on my other side.
We were lined up in a row in the middle of the training ground. The Knight instructors, as if enjoying the spectacle, pretended to train while watching us.
At that farce, Kalid’s face broke into another amused expression.
‘He slept soundly at the Knight Barracks, they said.’
His skin was smooth and unblemished. In any case, the boy’s adaptability was truly remarkable.
“Huh? Haa? You water-logged night sky of a person.”
Wait, that’s what I heard yesterday.
“Stand up straight this instant, you water chestnut!”
“What chestnut?”
“You too, step forward one pace, you little runt Void!”
“Y-yes, understood….”
Grandfather clamped his hands down on both boys’ shoulders.
Void’s shoulder sagged under the pressure. Kalid, however, didn’t budge an inch.
“I should have you two spar first! That way I can gauge your true abilities!”
‘What?’
I was taken aback. We’d already seen everything at the Training Ground, so why again?
“G-Grandfather. This might be a bit unfair for Void….”
“Come on, ready! Get set!”
“….”
I seem to have gotten ahead of myself.
“Ah, that kind of match….”
“It’s going to be a rough fight. The obstacles these boys must overcome won’t be easy….”
Hehehehe. Grandfather chuckled darkly.
Throughout the Training Ground, obstacles were set up at intervals. Vault boxes, mud pits, nets….
‘K-military…?’
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu, but I’d let it pass.
But it actually looked fun. After all, I’d been running through the Mini Training Grounds diligently. Surely I could clear a single vault box without breaking a sweat?
“Huff, huff.”
I began my warm-up exercises briskly.
“Then I will too.”
Just as I was heading toward the starting line with a determined expression, my nape was firmly grabbed.
“No way, no way. A little thing like you would blow away in the wind!”
“But I’m part of this group too, aren’t I?”
I’d even properly dressed in my knight’s uniform!
I wanted to run too! I wanted to try the obstacle course!
“Besides, I haven’t done today’s Training Ground yet! I want to count this instead! Stamina! Strength!”
“….”
When I looked up with eyes blazing with determination, Grandfather’s lips pressed into a firm line. His eyebrows, which writhed like living things, didn’t look like they’d give in easily.
If that was the case, why did he call me here in the first place!
“Right, Senior Leon? I should run with them too, shouldn’t I?”
“…That’s true, but. This is the main Training Ground, and…. It would be better if you just did the Mini Training Grounds as usual….”
“You’re discriminating against me right now!”
“Whoa!” As soon as I spoke, the upright Knight’s face twisted with difficulty.
“It’s n-not discrimination.”
“I want to participate too. You acknowledged me as the youngest knight, and yet….”
“Sir….”
Leon turned to Grandfather with a troubled expression.
“Fine, fine! I understand, so stop drooping those lips! Lift them! Smile!”
Grandfather suddenly grabbed my cheeks and kneaded them like dough.
“So you’re allowing it?”
“Eh? Y-yes….”
I quickly spun around and dashed toward the starting line where Kalid and Void stood.
“This is exciting—physical training time!”
“Oh my, you little rascal! Be careful!”
As I ran over, I saw the two standing awkwardly. Void’s eyes widened when he saw me.
“Rubian! Why are you here? Just rest!”
“I’m going to build my strength too!”
I grinned and squeezed myself between them.
Kalid stared at me intently, then placed his hand on top of my head.
“Rubian. Have you grown taller?”
Ah! That was exactly what I wanted to hear!
“Right! I knew you’d notice!”
I bounced excitedly and grabbed Kalid’s hand.
Without my realizing it, faint magical energy flowed through my body. Since I was wearing the bracelet, it was almost an unconscious action.
“…Aren’t you two getting a bit too close?”
Screech. Suddenly, a wedge was driven between us.
Void inserted himself between Kalid and me, crossing his arms with a displeased expression.
“What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Yes. What is the problem?”
When Kalid asked, Void’s lips flapped open then closed.
“…Right. What is the problem?”
Scratch, scratch. Void rubbed the back of his head.
Leaving the bewildered Void behind, Kalid leaned close to me and whispered.
“Do we have to keep doing this foolish act? I want to do sword training—when exactly will this end….”
“Shh, Kalid. You said we’d get along well.”
“…That’s true, but.”
Just then, Grandfather approached and cleared his throat loudly. I clenched my fists with a determined expression.
“Ready, go!”
“You two, your shoelaces are untied!”
I laughed and bolted ahead in first place. The two, who had been looking down, followed a step behind.
“Rubiaaaaan!”
Behind me, Void’s voice followed, tinged with indignation. My Grandfather’s hearty laughter—a booming “Kha-ha-ha!”—accompanied it.
“You’re completely untied, Void, you little rascal!”
“Oof!”
Void stepped on his loosened shoelaces and tumbled noisily across the ground.
I ran without pause. A long shadow fell beside me before long. I’d known he’d catch up quickly.
“I’m having fun right now!”
“What exactly?”
My breathing already ragged, while Kalid remained utterly composed.
“Running without thinking about anything! Not running because I’m being chased!”
“….”
A clear sky, a refreshing breeze, warm sunlight!
I only ever ran when facing urgent, desperate moments. My pounding heart was nothing but a danger signal.
But here, I could run for no reason at all!
Even if my heart raced, nothing terrible would happen!
“And I’d even get praised for finishing!”
A strong body, a strong heart!
“Let’s go… Oof!”
In that instant, my pathetic foot twisted beneath me.
The ground rushed toward me, and I thought, this is it—
“Rubian!”
“Whoa—!”
Two arms caught me—one at the nape of my neck, one at my shoulder.
I saw Kalid with pupils blown wide in shock, and Void gasping for breath as he sprinted toward us, eyebrows nearly flying off his face.
“Phew. Almost died filming a youth drama.”
I brushed myself off and took off running again.
No overexertion. No overexertion. Calm down if you don’t want a broken nose.
Tap-tap. My footfalls, now more measured, echoed across the Training Ground. I focused all my attention on running, terrified of another stumble.
So I had no idea what was happening behind me.
“….”
“….”
The two boys who’d caught me stood exchanging a peculiar glance.
‘Not bad for a younger sibling’s friend.’
‘So what is this guy, anyway.’
The thoughts that crossed their minds, naturally.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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