Specialty Change: Christy

Christy! Do you have an appointment after class?

There's this new restaurant I wanted to visit, but I feel too shy to go by myself...

Oh... I'm sorry. I have somewhere else to go.

What? Again?!

You didn't come with us the last time Melany asked to hang out together as well...

Well... I guess that's true.

D-Do you not want to be friends with me anymore...?

What!? No way! I really just have something to do.

Then will you at least tell me what it is...?

Ummm it's just...not the right time, I think.

I mean, I'm not sure how it's going to turn out...

Still, if I were to tell someone about it, you and Melany would be the first to know, I promise.

I hope you're not upset.

Okay...

Even Helen's teary eyes won't work...

I don't think we should pry into something if she doesn't want to tell us...

She also said that she'll let us know first once she's able to tell people...

That's exactly the problem!

There's nothing we can do once it's past the point of no return!

And there's a reason I'm feeling anxious!

Look!

These are...portraits. Of a bunch of guys...

These are pictures sent along with a letter from our parents.

What?! If it's for Christy, we're not supposed to open it!

Oh, come on! Stop being so uptight! Can't you tell? It's an emergency!

In an emergency, there are no rules or morality!

You usually don't really care even if it's not an emergency...

By the way, why are these pictures "an emergency?"

Because...they're Christy's blind dates. All of them.

Whaaaat!?

Christy joined the Dragon Knights only because she was worried about me.

Our parents told her to come back, since I would have adjusted to being a Dragon Knight by now.

And they mentioned something about her needing to search for a husband-to-be after leaving the Dragon Knights.

So the reason she hasn't been hanging out with us is...

Oh, yeah. She's going on blind dates.

She's never once said no to our parents.

Christy... She's dating...and getting married...

Let me introduce you to my future husband!

Hahaha! I've heard a lot about you. You must be Christy's classmates, sort of?

Ah, ugh... Well, that's...

Thank you so much for everything, Helen.

We won't be able to see each other that often, but I'll never forget about the memories we made together...

Will you be my maid of honor?

*crying* Christyyyyyy!

Now's our only chance to prevent a future like that from coming true.

We must do anything we can to get in her way!

Hmm? What was that... I just got chills down my spine.

Is Melany up to something again?

Ugh, what are they going to do without me?

But I guess... I have to start preparing myself for farewells.

Did you bring it, Helen?

Of course. Here, it's Christy's lunch box.

Great! Now, if we just put a little bit of spoiled food here, I'm sure it'll upset her stomach...

ME, LA, NY!

Ahhhh!

I'm the one who should be screaming! What are you doing to my lunch box?!

I thought it was weird that I've been having bad luck recently. Are you behind all this?!

You're pulling pranks on me just because I can't hang out with you?! Geez, grow up!

What?! Helen was a part of it too! This is unfair!

Oh, I'm sure you forced Helen to play along!

N-No, that's not true!

A-Actually, it was my idea to make you sick and stay inside...

Helen? Why?!

Because I was afraid you might leave us...

I-If you get married, Melany's your family, so you won't forget about her...but you'll completely forget about me!

I barely managed to make best friends... *sobbing* I'll never forget you...

Wait, wait. What are you talking about? Who's getting married?!

Stop playing dumb. We already know what's going on.

You've been busy going on blind dates! We saw the letter from our parents!

What?!

...So you've been busy getting prepared for Lefundos's knight selection exam?

Yes! I still have to take the second test, so I've been busy preparing for that.

And the reason I couldn't tell you about it was...

It'd be embarrassing if I fail, you know?

So I was going to tell you once I passed the exam... Why did you even read my letter?!

*sighing* I see...

But why the knight selection exam all of a sudden? And why Lefundos?

...It's true that our parents suggested I go on blind dates.

Because, they thought the only reason I stayed behind was because I was worried about Melany.

They only suggested marriage because they wanted me to focus on my own life, instead of Melany's.

After receiving that letter, I've pondered over many things.

Should I do as our parents say? What am I here for?

And then, you guys came to my mind.

Helen and me?

Do you remember the first time we joined the Dragon Knights?

Helen started sobbing in a corner, saying she feels helpless, while Melany went on a rampage, yelling she's ready to fight anyone.

But now the two of you have become great members of the Dragon Knights.

Throughout that time, Helen's timidity has made her a discreet person, while Melany's one-track mind has made her proactive.

I wanted to be a better version of myself, just like you two.

So I refused their suggestion, and instead, I told them I want to become a knight of Lefundos.

C-Can't you just stay in the Dragon Knights then? With us, together...

You don't have to go all the way to Lefundos to become a better person...

I know, it's just that... I want to test my own individual limits, not as someone's family or friend.

So far, I haven't really had the time to focus on myself because I was busy taking care of others.

...Okay, I get your point.

If you're leaving because it's your own decision, not because of our parents, we have no right to stop you.

B-But... I don't want Christy to leave us...

It's not like we won't see each other ever again.

If I come to find the answer and grow as an individual, I'll return to you guys.

But right now, I need the support of my friends.

...Okay.

You promise?

Of course, I promise!

I'm Tywin, the Captain of the Royal Guard of Lefundos. Congratulations to those who made it to the final exam. I pay my respects to you all.

Of course, not everyone will pass the exam, but I can provide you with an opportunity to strive for improvement.

To reward your effort and for the sake of your future improvement, I'll be your opponent myself.

I hope you can use this opportunity to realize the level of your current skills and ascertain your future goals.

Come on, you've got this!

Who's next?

This is the final exam...

This is my first time fighting alone without the others. I'm nervous...

Christy! You've got this!

...! This voice is...

You...go...girl...!

Helen! Your voice is too small. Come on, do you really have to be so shy now?

C-Christy! You can do this!

It's Helen and Melany...? How did they...

And what's with that banner?! When did they even find time to make it?

*chuckling* They're so silly.

But thanks to them, I don't feel nervous anymore.

Okay, let's just do my best. That'll be enough!

All right. I think we can call it a day. Good job.

*panting* Yes, Captain!

I heard he became captain through his excellent swordsmanship alone...

Although he usually sticks to the basics, he caught me off guard at a critical moment.

His diligent and stylish swordsmanship... I wish to be like him one day.

Was it helpful?

Yes, I think I learned what I need to do.

The swordsmanship of Wintenberg is better suited for fighting monsters than Humans.

So I'll have a lot to learn, but that's exactly what I'm excited for.

Good, I appreciate your attitude.

I wish you luck.

I heard you're off to Wintenberg tomorrow.

While it's a shame to lose a great member like yourself, I'm sure it'll be a great opportunity for you to grow.

Congratulations on becoming a knight of Lefundos.

I will forever be grateful for what you've taught me.

Because I joined the Dragon Knights, I was able to learn so many things from various people.

And I'll never be able to repay you for that.

The exam's notorious for being difficult to pass, yet you made it on your first try! I knew it!

Since Christy is such a hard worker, I'm sure she put in a lot of effort.

You're so inspiring. I'll do my best in the future as well!

Helen, where's that thing?

Oh, yes...! Here, it's a gift from us.

This is...

Helen made this key chain. Apparently, this is Helen, and this is me. Isn't it hilarious?

I hope it reminds you that no matter how far apart we are from each other, we're always rooting for you.

Since we won't be right by your side.

And Helen wouldn't stop crying all day long, saying, "Christy will adjust to the new environment so quickly that she'll soon forget all of us..."

M-Melany! I told you to keep it a secret between us!

Ahahaha, I never said I would!

Come on, it's not like we're going to be parting ways for good. It's just a temporary farewell.

And how can I ever forget?

All those beautiful days spent with you guys...

...And all those moments we spent together, laughing and crying.

I'll cherish them forever. Whether it's our memories, or this key chain...

*sobbing* Stay healthy, Christy...

Considering the talents and achievements you've demonstrated in the training grounds, all knight apprentices have been assigned to an order.

Please step forward when your name is called.

First, Christy Naughton!

As our best apprentice, Captain Tywin requested a special assignment for you.

Captain Tywin? Am I going to be assigned to the Royal Guard?

You're assigned to the Silvertide Order.

The Silvertide Order...?

It's an order responsible for guarding and patrolling the surroundings of the Lone Tundra, located at the northeastern border of Lefundos.

Due to its geographical features, they work closely together with the Dragon Knights of Wintenberg.

I already told them there's a newbie from Wintenberg, and that I'd like to add you to the list.

You must be excited to return to your friends.

...

...And that's how I came to stay here for a while.

*laughing*

Hahahaha! You were so determined to leave us, only to be assigned to the nearest neighborhood right away.

Of course I told you to come back, but I never meant this soon! Ahahaha!

Whatever, keep laughing...

Still, I'm so happy I don't have to be apart from Christy.

..I feel the same.

Through this exam, I came to realize many things about my potential and what future path to pursue...

But I also realized how important you guys are to me.