I gazed down at the pair of rings inside the box.

Curious.

What are these rings?

Could they be artifacts?

“What’s this, Irene?”

“I received it as a prize for winning the tournament… Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Hmm.”

I didn’t respond to Irene’s question.

Whether it’s beautiful or flashy isn’t really important to me.

What truly matters is whether it has any actual effect.

Especially since in this setting, accessories often came with power-ups like increased strength stats, faster fatigue recovery, or improved mana regeneration.

With that in mind, I asked,

“But is this truly the prize? I thought tournament winners received prize money, not rings.”

I remembered receiving money in the game.

How strange.

A hint of surprise crossed Irene’s face as she replied,

“Oh, ah! They said this ring is worth more than the cash prize! It’s not just any ordinary accessory; it has a special effect! I thought it was better than the cash! As you know, Theo, first-year students can’t bring outside artifacts into the academy, right? But they said this ring is an exception…”

Irene rattled on.

A subtle tremor in her expression.

“I see.”

Well, I doubt Irene would lie.

Now, what kind of special effect does it have?

Considering it’s a tournament prize, I’d be disappointed if it didn’t have a useful function.

I projected the item’s information in front of me.

●Tournament Winner’s Ring [Grade: Rare]

: A prize from the Knight Department’s 2v2 Tournament.

When worn, it slightly increases the experience gain for stat growth. [View Details]

‘Wow…’

Irene wasn’t lying.

This ring is indeed more valuable than a monetary reward, especially if it is allowed inside the academy.

Then there’s no need to hide it like the [Amplification Orb].

Increasing the experience gain for stat growth is quite the benefit… I should wear this at all times.

It’s been a while since my strength, stamina, or tenacity increased.

[Name: Theo Lyn Waldeurk]

Gender: Male

Age: 16

Race: Human

Affiliation: Elinia Academy Hero Department / Waldeurk House

Strength 8

Stamina 8

Mana 0

Tenacity 5

Traits

Descendant of the Hero (Passive / Bloodline Ability) [View Details]

Twisted Noble’s Dignity (Passive) [View Details]

Magic Nullification (Active) [View Details]

Observer’s Eye (Passive) [View Details]

Sword Beginner (Passive) [View Details]

Still, there’s plenty of room for growth in my stats.

None of them have surpassed 10 yet.

I haven’t been neglecting my training, and I’ve accumulated a good amount of real-life combat experience…

Maybe wearing this ring and continuing my training will lead to an increase in one of them soon.

“Thank you, Irene.”

I accepted the small box from Irene and took out the ring.

I tried it on various fingers, one after the other.

‘Hmm?’

It fit perfectly on the ring finger of my left hand, as if it had been crafted specifically for it.

I looked up at Irene.

For some reason, she was smiling broadly, a look of pride evident in her eyes.

“What’s making you so happy, Irene?”

“Oh, nothing much. I just thought the ring suits you really well…”

Irene trailed off, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Come to think of it, they come in pairs.

Of course, the other one must be for Irene.

She definitely deserved this ring.

I was about to hand the box back to her when a sudden thought crossed my mind.

‘Would the other ring… fit perfectly on the ring finger of Irene’s left hand, too?’

I took out the other ring.

“Irene, show me your left hand for a moment.”

“Um… Why?”

She hesitated, fidgeting.

“Don’t make me ask twice.”

Without waiting for her reply, I grabbed her left hand and slipped the ring onto her fourth finger.

“Just as I thought.”

It fit perfectly.

Just like how mine fit, the ring fit perfectly on the fourth finger of Irene’s left hand.

“Why… How? How is it the perfect size?”

I looked at Irene, whose eyes were wide with surprise.

“Well, they said it was adjustable. I’ve noticed a lot of our classmates wear rings on their ring finger.”

“But how did you know my size?”

“Well… remember when I was teaching you swordsmanship and I corrected your posture? I made an educated guess then!”

“I see.”

“Yes, yes!”

Irene nodded vigorously, her expression flustered.

‘Of course, it’s just like Irene.’

They look like couple rings.

On paper, Irene and I are engaged, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

With that thought, I sneaked a glance at her.

“······Hehe.”

Irene was gazing at the ring on her left hand, wearing an unmistakably delighted smile.

Afterward, I trained alongside Irene.

Though my body wasn’t quite ready to move, it felt like a waste to just leave the training ground after having come this far.

I was briefly resting when I heard my name.

“Theo! There you are!”

A voice called out from the entrance of the training ground.

I turned to see who it was.

“What is it, Aisha?”

“Why are you even asking? You should’ve told me where you were going! Do you know how worried I was? I thought you died yesterday! But, sigh… it seems I was overthinking it.”

Aisha, drenched in sweat, eyed me up and down before rushing over.

“Should you be moving already? Just yesterday, you looked like you could barely breathe.”

“Well, as you can see, I’m perfectly fine now. If I don’t move, I feel stiff.”

I replied, standing up to face her.

“Thanks for your concern, Aisha.”

“W-well, of course! It’s only natural for me to worry about the future head of the Waldeurk family!”

Aisha’s voice raised a pitch, her face slightly flustered.

‘What’s gotten into her?’

“By the way, how did you know I was here?”

“I went to your dorm first. But only Amy was there, surrounded by countless reporters, guild representatives, and government officials. They even held me up for a while too. Amy told me you went to the Healer’s Guild. When I checked there, they said you’d already left, so I guessed you might be here.”

“You’re sharp.”

“Of course! After all, I am from the Waldeurk family. I should at least be able to anticipate the future head’s actions!”

Aisha sneaked a glance at Irene as she spoke..

“Speaking of which, where’s Siena? I saw her with you yesterday. Did you come alone?”

“No, we went to your dorm together. But when she saw Little Fist, she told me to go ahead. Seems she has a soft spot for puppies. She’s probably playing with him now.”

“…”

Playing? More like they’re at each other’s throats.

Given Siena’s affinity with spirits and Little Fist being a divine beast that spirits detest, it’s obvious they wouldn’t get along.

“Well, if that’s all. I’ll continue my training now.”

I was about to go back to training when Aisha grabbed my arm,

“What do you mean ‘that’s all’?”

“Is there something else you want to talk about?”

“Of course there is! As the future head of the Waldeurk family, shouldn’t you pay more attention to your promises?”

With a fiery spirit, Aisha reached for a practice longsword from the weapon rack.

“You remember our agreement, right? Three times a week! You promised to teach me swordsmanship! You do remember, don’t you?”

“…Did I?”

I feigned ignorance.

This isn’t the Hero Department training ground, but the Knight Department’s.

With over a thousand students in one grade, there are too many prying eyes around.

An outsider might find our current appearance rather odd.

Especially with Aisha being the academy’s idol, I have to be particularly careful.

For her sake as well.

Although the training ground is empty now, someone could walk in at any moment.

However Aisha was determined.

“Yes! You agreed to teach me throughout our first year! Regardless of exams, rain, or snow! We made that pact in the Hero Department’s training ground! You, the future head of the Waldeurk family, wouldn’t go back on your word now, would you?”

“…Right, let’s head over to the Hero Department then.”

“Why are we leaving? This is a training ground, isn’t it?”

“Mm.”

I nodded slowly.

Aisha had remembered every detail flawlessly.

‘I have no choice then. I’ll have to teach her here.’

I turned to Irene and said.

“Irene, let’s wrap up our training for today. I promised Aisha I’d teach her some swordsmanship.”

“Is that so?”

With a cool expression, Irene stood up, clutching her practice longsword.

She then positioned herself in front of Aisha.

“Why don’t I, be your instructor, Aisha.”

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