As I get down the hill and start running towards the carriage, I could feel a strange itch in my mind. It was almost like... almost like I jinxed something.

That's a weird thought to have.

I shook my head and refocused on the present. It was better to find out what the hell was this about before thinking any further.

I ran up to the carriage - before it even got anywhere close to Obuch - and the carriage stopped in turn.

I recognized the ground dragon that was pulling the carriage. It was the most loyal and well behaved one the Karsten family had. As such, there was no one holding the ground dragon's reins, as it could perfectly guide the carriage by itself.

The door opened and I saw Wilhelm through it. My eyebrows rose in surprise.

They sent Wilhelm here? That's... unexpected.

Cylob: "What's up with the sudden visit? I hope it's nothing catastrophic."

Wilhelm gestured for me to sit across from him and I did as such. Wilhelm closed the door and I could feel the carriage rolling again.

Wilhelm: "Don't worry, Cylob. Nothing much has happened. Except for Subaru-dono complaining about how Anastasia can't stop trying to get him, and Ezzo saying that he finished the job you gave him, there're no real messages for you."

I smirk.

Cylob: "So she's finally started pestering him, huh? And Ezzo's done too... that's good. But on the important note, if there're no messages for me, why are you here?"

He smiled warmly at me. His smile made him look like a grandpa.

Wilhelm: "I wanted to see your home, Cylob."

At that, I had nothing to say.

He... wants to see my home.

Of course, Obuch wasn't my actual home, and Wilhelm knew that too, but I did proclaim that and I do consider Obuch my home, so there was no surprise there.

What really left me stunned was that Wilhelm went out of his way to go here. He was a very busy man, all things considered, so him taking time out of his schedule for this... I didn't know how to feel about that.

On one hand, I felt warm since he cared enough about me to go all the way here. On the other... I didn't really want my home and my work place to interact - that's the best way I could explain how I was feeling right now.

But most importantly of all... I was scared for Chis.

It's going to be fine. Even if Wilhelm sees Chis's talent, I could explain to him why I don't want for Chis's talent to be known. He would understand me and respect my decision.

Or so I hoped, at least. The thing was, if a person high-up in the hierarchy forced him to answer, he wouldn't have much of a choice but to.

Sure, there were only a couple of people who Wilhelm couldn't go against. But there also were people he couldn't go against.

I sighed. It was probably just me being overly anxious again.

Cylob: "So it's just something personal? That's a relief. I was really worried about something bad happening. Considering how much I changed everything... it would be no surprise if the Witch Cult just went ahead and attacked us, you know?"

Wilhelm: "Yes, that's true. But even if they did, we now know how to deal with them, thanks to your efforts."

I smiled at Wilhelm's comment. He was clearly trying to lift my mood and ease my worries.

We spent the next couple of minutes talking to each other about this and that as the carriage neared Obuch. It was very enjoyable as I haven't had the time to talk with Wilhelm during the last couple of weeks.

At some point the carriage stopped, signifying that we have arrived.

Wilhelm walked out and looked at Obuch with an unnoticeable smile. I stood next to him, somewhat nervous for no reason.

Cylob: "Well... this is my home, I guess. It's normally very lively... but you literally arrived at sunrise. Nobody is awake yet, except for Chis maybe. Why did you arrive so early anyway?"

Wilhelm coughed a bit.

Wilhelm: "I was expecting some trouble to happen to me during the ride, so I specifically leaved earlier than I should've. Thankfully, nothing happened and I was able to arrive without incidents."

Huh. I didn't think of Wilhelm as a meticulous person, but here we are...

A smirk slowly formed on my face.

Cylob: "Since nobody is awake right now, how about you join me for a run?"

Wilhelm blinked in surprise for a bit, but then just smiled.

Wilhelm: "I don't see why not."

.▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒.

That's how I, Chis and Wilhelm ended up running together.

Cylob: "Chis, this is Wilhelm, the Sword Demon. Wilhelm, this is Chisou, my student." I say, not slowing down my pace at all.

Chis trips from the shock, but manages to not fall. Still, to say that his jaw was hitting the floor wouldn't be a lie.

Chis: "Cylob-sensei, you personally know the Sword Demon?!"

I smirked.

Cylob: "I don't just know him, he's my teacher. Why do you think your sensei is so strong? It's because I've been trained by the best there is."

Chis: "Whoa."

Chis gaze kept jumping between me and Wilhelm in admiration and surprise.

Wilhelm was also surprised, but for a different reason.

Wilhelm: "You have a student, Cylob?"

Cylob: "Indeed. I haven't told anyone about him, mostly because there was no need to, but I do have a student."

Wilhelm: "How did you end up teaching him?"

I shrugged.

Cylob: "He just wanted to become a knight, and he asked for me to train him. Since I had nothing better to do, I thought "Why not?", you know? It's as simple as that."

Wilhelm closed his eyes in comprehension. Unsurprisingly, even with closed eyes he could keep running fine.

Wilhelm: "So you started training someone... and I presume for free... just because they asked?"

Cylob: "Yeah. And don't start lecturing me on that. I don't need money, and I actually had fun doing it. There was no reason not to train him."

Wilhelm just smiled like a grandfather again.

Wilhelm: "No no, I never planned to lecture you. I was just thinking about how kind you are. Most people would've just ignored him or asked for money in return, but you didn't."

Argh! That grandfatherly smile hit my heart!

I turn to Chis who was trying to get out of our field of vision.

Cylob: "Chis, don't even think about slacking off. You might think you're slick, trying to slip away while I'm not looking, but that's not going to work against your sensei."

With a face that looked just about to cry, Chis matched my pace.

With that done, I turn to Wilhelm with a smile.

Cylob: "Yeah, I guess you're right. But it's not like I'm the only one who'd do that. There are other kind people in the world, and other people who would've helped Chis for free. Oh, and I'm not trying to diss myself by saying that, I'm just... trying to say that I like how there are kind people aside from me. I know that's weird to say out of nowhere, but I just felt like it."

Where was I going with this? What was I trying to convey? I didn't know, but that was fine.

Talking even about something stupid or something that doesn't make sense was fine, because I was with people who I felt safe around, because I wasn't afraid of wasting someone's time with my pointless talking.

In real life, not every conversation has to have meaning and not every word spoken has to carry weight.

My brow twitches.

Cylob: "Chis, I swear..."

Chis ups his pace.

*sigh* And I was just thinking such sweet things. Why did Chis have to ruin it like that?

With an internal click of my tongue, I also uped my pace.

Chis: "H-Hey! That's not-

Cylob: "That's your punishment. Match my pace."

Was taking out my anger on a child immature? Sure, but I didn't really care.

Wilhelm just chuckled at my antics, but then suddenly, his eyes grew serious. I tensed without even realizing it.

Wilhelm: "Cylob, I must ask you something."

He paused, his silence making his next words carry all the more weight.

"Why are you in Lady Crusch's camp?"

I opened my mouth to answer... but no words came out. I closed my mouth with a contemplating look.

...That's a good question.

Why was I in Crusch's camp?

The answer was easy, it was because I had spent the most time with her, and I was the most comfortable with her. But... that was not a good answer.

Right. In the first place, why did Crusch even agree to let me join her camp?

I didn't like saying it, but I was not really a loyal person. The concept of loyalty was something foreign to me, something I couldn't quite understand.

Don't get me wrong, I would never betray Crusch, but only because I was kind, not because I was loyal. Those were two different things.

If you were to look at it from a logical perspective, I had no reason to be with Crusch. I wasn't loyal to her. I wasn't sure whether I wanted her to sit on the throne. The only reason I was in her camp was because that was the place I had spent the most time in. That's it.

In fact... from what I see, I should join Emilia's instead.

I had a goal, a goal to make sure I wouldn't see any more children crying on the sides of the road.

I had not forgotten that scene back in Yosai. I remembered how that demi-human boy cried into my arms because the whole world left him and hated him.

I made a promise to myself back then. A promise that when I finally dealt with my problems, I would do something about it.

What would I do? I didn't know, but I was sure as hell going to put my all into it. If my efforts will make just one more child happier, I would be happy too.

And Emilia wishes for equality.

For my goals, for my ideals, Emilia's camp was the better one. So the question comes back again.

Why am I in Crusch's camp?

I could come up with countless excuses, countless hollow reasons. "Oh, I can't leave Carol alone!", "How would I train under Wilhelm, then?!", "But joining another camp will be difficult now, especially with my background...". But... they're just that, excuses.

I turn to Wilhelm and with a clear voice say-

"I don't know."

I didn't know why I joined Crusch's camp, considering my goals. I didn't know why I was staying in it, considering my ideals.

"But what I do know, is that I won't be leaving it."

So what if my reason for being in it was stupid? So what if Emilia's camp suited me better? I didn't care.

I will stay.

I sheepishly scratched my head.

Cylob: "That said, I can't really promise that I won't be forced to leave. Anastasia doesn't have any dirt on my anymore, since I revealed everything myself... but I'm worried about Priscilla. No matter how much I'd like to deny it, the world does turn in her favor. Considering she wanted me to be in her camp... The only thing I can promise you, is that I can't promise you anything."

Ah, I finally used that phrase.

That was one of my life goals. To think that I finally achieved it in a serious context.

I sighed in irritation. Somebody was beginning to make me very annoyed.

That lazy bones... I'm going to make him go through hell today.

I uped my pace once again, and ignored the protests I heard behind my back.

.▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒.

"Alright. This time around, you will be fighting me in my normal form, not my small one." I said as I manifested two Cell Swords and threw one at Chis.

Wilhelm was standing at the side, watching us. I couldn't help but feel nervous. Maybe because I didn't want him to be disappointed in how I taught, maybe because I didn't want him to find out just how good Chis was, but I was truly fearing what was next.

Chis didn't notice my worry at all and just calmly got into a stance.

Well, no wonder he didn't notice, I was hiding it.

I didn't get into any kind of particular stance, instead just opting to stand with my sword pointed to the ground.

Cylob: "First though, tell me your thoughts. What is going to be important in this fight?"

Chis flinched a bit as he didn't expect to be questioned. But he quickly regained his calm and answered without lowering his sword.

Chis: "Reach. Reach will be important. To get around that limitation, I will have no choice but to get as close as possible."

I nodded.

Cylob: "Alright, and how are you going to do that?"

Chis: "By putting pressure on your sword until I get close enough. I will limit your sword's movements as much as possible by blocking and parrying and have you sword constantly clashing with mine, never giving it any breathing room. Once I am close enough, your long reach will become your downfall and I will win."

I clapped my hands.

Cylob: "Good answer. Now, let's get into the fighting."

Immediately as I said that, Chis dashed at me. The fight went pretty much just as Chis described it.

I kept retreating to continue pressuring him with my reach, while Chis tried to get as close as possible while trying to neutralize my sword.

It was clear that Chis was struggling. He hadn't had the experience of fighting people with bigger reach before (If we don't count other weapons like spears), so even though he knew what to do and how to win, he couldn't quite do it.

Numerous times did he fall for the same trick - the trick of switching from a two-handed grip to a one-handed grip, even further increasing my range. Of course, I always used the trick in different ways, using it two times in the complete same way would never work on Chis, but it was still the same trick, technically.

Chis had gotten smarter since our last training session though. Even when I blocked with only one hand to punch him in the gut with the other, he kept his calm and never fell for it. His main problem right now was the reach, not some other tricks I could pull.

But don't get complacent now.

I switched to a one-handed grip and tried to reach Chis with my thrust. He barely managed to dodge, but barely was enough, I didn't reach him. If I tried to increase my reach even more, I would break my balance.

So that's exactly what I did.

Throwing away any kind of proper fighting logic, I inclined forward so far that I was quite literally falling now. My center of gravity was messed up, making me unable to deliver any kind of proper strike.

But did you need a proper strike to reach just one inch further? The answer was no.

My sword shifted around Chis's neck as to not cut it, and I promptly fell face-first onto the ground.

"You died."

I looked stupid right now, laying on the ground like I was, but I had won, and that's what truly mattered.

I looked up to see Chis with puffed out cheeks.

Cute.

Chis: "That's unfair! You don't just... purposefully destabilize yourself! If your strike didn't land, you would've died!"

Cylob: "But it landed, didn't it?" I smirked. "And hey, if something's unfair, be unfair back. So what if the world works against you? Work against the world."

I wasn't sure whether that last sentence was meant for Chis or for me.

That was when I heard someone clapping not too far away.

Right. I kinda forgot Wilhelm was here.

I was so absorbed in the fight that I completely forgot about him.

I rose from the ground and Predated the dirt on me.

Cylob: "I assume you liked the fight?"

Wilhelm: "Indeed. You were always brilliant, so that wasn't a surprise, but Chis... the talent this young boy shows is remarkable."

Alright. Wilhelm doesn't think of Chis as a one of a kind genius, since he doesn't know how fast the boy grows, so this is fine. This is salvageable.

Chis: "T-thank you, Wilhelm-san! I've only started training seriously a few days ago, so hearing you say that makes me really happy!"

Crack*

My teeth broke under the strain. They quickly reformed, but the pain remained. It was fine though, the pain dulled the anger.

Just like I thought, Wilhelm's eyebrows rose in surprise as he studied Chis once again, reevaluating his opinion of him.

I suppressed a grunt and smiled.

Cylob: "That's right, our Chis is very talented and hardworking. He's been practicing even without me for the last couple of months, so he worked hard for his strength."

Just make him sound less impressive. That's all I have to do! Not hard, right?

Wilhelm: "He's been training only for a couple of months?"

Crack*

Salvageable. Salvageable, I say. This was still salvageable.

Cylob: "Yes, that's right. He's been training day and night this whole time to get where he is right now. I don't think I could've asked for a better student."

Chis: "Thank you Cylob-sensei!"

Wilhelm stared at Chis with a thoughtful gaze. Then, he smiled.

Argh, who am I kidding. It's already a lost cause. Just have to convince Wilhelm not to tell anyone about him.

I slumped, defeated, while Wilhelm started ruffling Chis's hair.

But this is still fine. I can still convince Wilhelm, I just have to come up with the right words.

As I started compiling the 'keep Chis here' speech inside my head, Wilhelm started talking.

Wilhelm: "Chisou, what do you say of going to the capital?"

...Fuck.