Lili placed my application form back onto the roster.

"And then, it’s because there was an available room."

"…What?"

"The Leon Knight Academy is fully residential. The number of new students is determined by the number of available dorm rooms. Eremia, who was admitted as an exception, didn’t have a room left. That’s all. If any male student dies or drops out during the curriculum, I can move you to the boys’ dormitory."

So she was planning to shove me into a haunted room. What a terrible disciple. Well, considering how many enemies I slaughtered in my past life, I don’t believe in such things, but still.

I lowered my head, resting my hand on my forehead.

"So there’s no alternative. Refusing would mean being homeless, wouldn’t it?"

"Exactly."

Lili’s lips curled up ever so slightly.

"What’s so funny? What’s there to laugh about?"

"Nothing. I just remembered someone who sulked in a similar way once. You might know the name. Sword Saint Blythe."

That would be me.

Of course. I should’ve realized. Just as I know Lili’s past, she knows me from my previous life.

Having her see me like this—a pathetic sight—is…embarrassing. Though even if I told her the truth, she wouldn’t believe me.

"Only what’s written in historical documents."

"With your age and interest in reading such documents, I can see why you scored so well on that exam. Honestly, I was surprised. When I was your age, I…"

Lili trailed off.

She had already been running through battlefields then, knife in hand, chasing after Blythe like a loyal dog. Imitating my swordsmanship, defeating enemies, and surviving.

Even after losing her master.

A fog clouded my mind.

"…?"

Come to think of it, how did I die again…?

The haze in my memories deepened.

I shook my head.

Well, it doesn’t matter now. The topic at hand is the dorm.

Were I younger, perhaps I could’ve enjoyed this environment of a girls’ dormitory. Unfortunately, my soul is that of an old man. Compared to these young girls, even Lili in her current state is more…appropriate.

But considering how I saw her as a scrappy, scrawny stray in the past, that’s absolutely impossible. To me, she’s nothing more than the most troublesome disciple I’ve ever had.

"For now, can you show me to my room?"

"Alright. It’s already late. Time for children to be asleep. …Eremia, have you had dinner?"

"I ate at the inn."

"Then follow me."

I walked behind Lili through the girls’ dormitory. Occasionally, we encountered some girls who looked at me with curious eyes.

In my past life, only sweaty men seemed interested in me. Yet, this small body of mine now seems to catch the attention of young women. My changed face—shifting from the rough visage of a seasoned warrior to a more androgynous appearance—likely plays a role.

Ugh. What a hassle.

Still, every girl we passed greeted Lili. Considering the academy only opened this year, and Lili herself was appointed just recently, she seemed quite well-connected.

"Hey, Li—Instructor Ituka."

"It’s ‘Instructor.’"

"Instructor Ituka."

"What is it?"

"You seem awfully familiar with everyone here. Did you know many of them beforehand?"

"No, I met most of them for the first time yesterday."

Huh?

Lili furrowed her brow and muttered.

"I fought quite flamboyantly on the battlefield against the Republic. It seems I’ve become a bit famous."

"Is that so?"

It seems that even after my death as Blythe, Lili continued to fight. At the forefront of the war against the Republic, imitating me.

As a woman, she didn’t have to go that far… Foolish girl.

"The King of Kilpus tried to fashion me into the second Sword Saint. I declined, citing my inability to match Blythe’s caliber."

"Huh… …The second Sword Saint?!"

Wha-wha-wha-what?! How much did this girl accomplish after my death?!

As far as I knew, no one besides me had ever officially received the title of Sword Saint.

Even those self-proclaimed disciples never had my teaching. Lili was no exception—I never taught her the sword. She simply watched me.

She watched my back. The back of a beast wielding what they mocked as a “formless” sword style.

"Yes, and no. As I said, I declined. Still, the pressure to accept was growing, so when the ceasefire with the Republic was signed, I retired from the military. But then the King of Kilpus strongly requested I nurture the next generation, like Blythe once did."

"Oh… …I see. That’s why you’re at the Lehan Knight Academy."

"It’s a royal order. I had no choice."

Damn it, old man. My father is putting my disciple through hell. What are you two even doing?!

Lili let out a weary sigh.

"And that story spread as gossip from the military to the academy. That’s why everyone already knows me. It’s very inconvenient."

"Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

Well, between my name, the Sword Saint title, and the royal couple—my parents from this life—it’s all causing her so much trouble. But of course, I couldn’t say that.

"You’re right…"

The tangled karma from my previous life is giving me a headache.

Judging by the King’s judgment—my father—Lili is already a swordswoman comparable to Blythe. Just how much did she accomplish?

Perhaps it’s not entirely true, and there’s some political propaganda involved. A nation possessing a Sword Saint would certainly deter its enemies. Because of Blythe. In the end, it’s my fault.

If that’s the case, Kilpus may have been surprisingly shrewd all along. Elevating Blythe to a national hero created a deterrent figure in the form of the Sword Saint.

Still, is Lili truly Sword Saint-caliber? Or is she merely playing a politically convenient role?

To think that scrappy, skinny girl—well, now a stunning beauty—might actually rival a Sword Saint. I’d love to see her skills firsthand.

As I pondered, my eyes trailed to her hips.

No, don’t misunderstand. My shorter height simply made them more noticeable. There’s no ulterior motive. Absolutely not.

Eventually, her hips—no, her steps—halted.

"We’re here. This is the room you’ll live in from today."

"I see."

Still reeling from the earlier conversation, I barely noticed her unlocking the door.

She opened it.

The room was…blindingly pink. Pink wallpaper, a slightly large closet, and even a simple kitchen in the back.

But it felt oddly lived-in. The bed was covered in stuffed animals, and women’s laundry was hanging on the balcony.

After some thought, I looked up at Lili.

"So, girls’ dormitories come fully equipped with everything, huh?"

It had all the necessities—uniforms, dishes, and even a grand sword mounted on the wall. And a ridiculous number of stuffed animals.

There was even a fruity fragrance in the air.

In my Blythe days, the military dorms and barracks were never this luxurious.

"I heard the boys’ dorm is quite bare. Seeing this, they might get jealous. Is this preferential treatment because of the lower number of girls?"

"That’s a misunderstanding. These are all my personal belongings and hobbies."

"…I see."

"Applicant number 017, Eremia Neu. From today, you’ll be living here with me."

"…What?"

I paused for a moment.

Then I double-took at Lili in astonishment.