Translator:winniethepooh, Kris_LiuEditor:Vermillion

The morning sunshine was not very strong. Lucien was lying in the sun, covered with wounds and blood. Staring at the clear blue sky, breathing the fresh air gently, Lucien forgot the pain. His mind was waving like a deep ocean.

Lucien realized that everything he had experienced before led him to his final decision: learning magic. Although he knew he had to be even more careful and cautious in the future, at the same time, he felt more relaxed than ever before, after making up his mind.

There was even a smile on Luciens bruised face. He felt he had genuinely grown up within the past couple of days, much faster than in his own world. The anger, the feeling of inferiority and the sense of insecurity had blended together and pushed him to that decision. And he was also gifted with the library.

So why not? Lucien asked himself, feeling relieved from his long-time repression.

My poor Evans! Oh my poor Evans! Are you alright? Alisa tried to hold Luciens hand.

The slight movement of his arms and legs made Lucien wince in pain.

Im okay, Aunty Alisa. They didnt want to kill me, fortunately.

Aunty Alisa held Luciens arm and led him back to her place. She kept swearing with great anger, These bastards would be hanged and tortured in hell by endless flames!

After cleaning the wounds, Alisa was about to ask Lucien what happened today. Before that, it seemed like she suddenly thought of something, and her hands acted a bit awkward.

Lucien

Yes, Aunty Alisa?

This this is the thing. Johns coming back today. Can you keep this to yourself without letting him know? You know John Youre his best friend. If he hears about it Im afraid that he wouldnt be able to constrain himself from taking revenge. As a knight squire, he would be in big trouble then

Knowing John was Aunty Alisa and Uncle Joels great hope, Lucien nodded.

Of of course. Its not a big deal, actually. Lucien put a hard smile.

Alisa held Luciens hand, with tears in her eyes.

Thank you, my little Evans.

Are you trying to hide anything from me?

It was Johns voice. Wearing the grey knight suit, John was standing by the door. Neither Alisa nor Lucien noticed him.

Alisa answered hurriedly, Nothing, nothing. You came back earlier?

John walked in and pulled a chair for himself. He sat down beside Lucien.

The Grand Duke summoned Lord Venn, and I followed him back to Aalto. Mom, Im a knight squire now. Im not an imprudent young boy anymore.

Then he turned to Lucien. You look much worse than the last time we got thrashed together. What happened? Dont try to lie. I bet lots of neighbours were there and saw it. John added.

Lucien looked at Alisa, who had already compromised the secret. Then he told John the story in full detail. During his talking, Lucien could feel the tension in the air due to Johns feelings, which was the same that he felt from the guards he fought together in the sewers.

Of course, John was very angry, but he managed to calm himself down quickly. He patted Luciens hand gently and smiled.

Youre really clever, the most clever among us. Find money in trash really, good for you! Im sure you will do a good job if you learn to read.

Then, shrugging his shoulders, John went outside of the room and fetched a long wooden club from the kitchen.

Oh no Alisa sighed.

Mom, you know I gotta do this, for my friend.

But John, Lord Venn wont be happy about this

Yes, John Lucien hurriedly asked, Dont go. Its not a big deal. Look at me. Im okay.

John turned around and shook his head.

Lord Venn always told us, as a knight, one is supposed to protect the weak and fight against the violent. As a squire, I already regard myself as a knight and try to follow the knights belief.

His eyes were intent. His gestures expansive.

Lucien, my friend, was bullied, and his place got ruined. If I remain silent simply to no piss Lord Venn off, my inner guiltiness will never leave me. Yes, maybe I will not be able to awaken the blessing anymore because I broke the rules, but Ill be faithful to my beliefs. Lord Venn will be on my side, I believe.

I know, John. I know but Alisa got tears in her eyes.

John hugged his mom and comforted her gently.

Its okay, mom, Im not gonna kill anyone. I will not overdo it. Look! Im holding a club, not a blade. Can you trust me, mom?

Finally Alisa nodded with great effort. Do be careful, John.

They are the ones who have to be careful, mom. Grabbing the club, John smiled with confidence.

When he was about to leave, Lucien called him from behind.

Wait, John.

Yes? John looked back.

With all his remaining strength, Lucien stood up from the bed. He felt his blood was flowing fast, burning his body.

We are going together.

Luciens smile looked kind of funny with his swollen mouth. But John could tell his determination. He laughed, Theres another club in the kitchen. Lets go, like when we were kids.

Holding the club, Lucien comforted aunty Alisa in a low voice when he passed by her.

Ill watch him. Dont worry.

It was easy for them to find out where Jackson and his men went by asking around. When they were on their way, John asked Lucien, all of a sudden:

Do you believe in justice, Lucien? He sounded confused.

Yes, I do. Why do you ask?

John lowered his head but did not stop.

I do, too. But Lucien, I am not as noble and brave as I claim to be. I do this only because youre my friend. If it was someone else, I dont know I dont think I would. Im used to picking my fights well, avoiding doing anything that would be beyond my capability. Im selfish I only want to protect my family and friends. Im a coward, am I not?

I dont think so. Every knight, or say, every person, has a priority. Some pursue justice, some loyalty, some mercy You chose family. Only when a person knows what he really wants to protect does he stick to justice. Or justice would be just like the clouds, nothing substantial.

Lucien just realized that John was still a young lad like himself, no matter how mature he appeared to be. Thanks to the book about the knights spirit from his mental library, he was scrabbling up his sentences to comfort John. Now he was much better at looking up information among all the books in the library.

You really think so? John still looked puzzled.

Sure. If youre capable, will you protect the weak, fight against the wicked and uphold justice?

If Im capable, of course I will.

So youre still a knight of justice. If you were not capable, you would fight and die for nothing. You gotta be able to protect yourself first, only then you can protect those who need your help. Lucien felt he was quite suitable for being a mentor.

John seemed relieved, and he started smiling, Every time I asked Lord Venn about this, he told me I was too inexperienced to understand. But Lucien, youve grown up, too. Youre good at comforting and maybe youre right. But Im still longing for the genuine justice.

Once, Lord Venn told us a story about a legendary knight sword. The sword had divine power inside, but looked just like the common ones. Its hilt was made purely of wood, without any gems, pearls, or anything out of ordinary. The nobles and the high level knights wouldnt take a second look at the sword. Johns eyes were on the far distance and he continued.

But actually the sword was far more powerful than they thought. Especially when it was used to fight against evil. What impressed me most was the words engraved on the sword: Justice is pale, compared with splendour and power. But everyone can be its representative: wealthy or poor, intelligent or illiterate, warrior or farmer. Justice is pale, but it is everywhere.

Pale Justice, thats the name of the sword. It disappeared along with a Grand Arcana Knight in the the Dark Mountain Range.

John became excited. His depression was gone.

Lucien laughed, Then our slogan today is gonna be For Justice!

For Justice! John waved his club.

A few minutes later they saw Jackson, who was walking on the broad street of the market. A bunch of guys were still following him.