— Time flows with cruel relentlessness.

Lately, I can’t help but think so. I vividly remember being sent back to when I was eight years old, desperately struggling to avoid a tragic future. Those days now feel oddly nostalgic.

"...No, I mean, it actually is a long time ago, so of course it feels nostalgic—"

Even so, time passes by in the blink of an eye. It’s far too fast.

Why do I think so?

Because today marks six and a half years since I returned to the past. Six and a half years have also passed since I began training with my Grand Uncle. It feels unreal. Well, technically, I understand it perfectly, but... yeah, maybe it’s just that I don’t want to admit it. Let me say it as many times as necessary: isn’t time moving way too fast???

So much has happened in these six and a half years. I resolved to throw everything aside and live a peaceful, leisurely life, even working hard toward that goal. But life doesn’t care about my plans. The harder I tried, the more my envisioned future drifted away, and eventually, even my fundamental goals changed.

I truly haven’t changed at all since my first life—everything remains half-hearted, and I can never see anything through to the end. Even so, compared to my first run, I feel somewhat satisfied with what I’ve done this time... Or rather, I’m optimistic enough to think, "It wasn’t bad."

Today, I’m leaving the cozy mansion where I’ve lived for so long to set out for the academy.

—At last, the time has come... and I dread it.

To put it bluntly, I’m in despair. No matter how much I’ve tried to come to terms with it, I can’t shake the anxiety lingering deep in my heart. Six and a half years weren’t enough to overcome it, and I’ve almost reached a state of resigned enlightenment.

“Good morning, Alice.”

Seeking some solace from my mental turmoil, I visited Alice’s room.

“Oh! Brother!!”

Knocking and entering her room, my beloved younger sister greeted me energetically. Her eye was still wrapped with a neatly tied eyepatch.

In these six and a half years, Alice’s vision never recovered. Apparently, breaking the curse would require slaying one of the accursed Seven Dragons. Now thirteen, she had grown into a mature young lady compared to before, and her short, red-tinged black hair now reached down to her waist.

“I’m leaving soon, so I came to say goodbye.”

Saying farewell before departure. Alice hardly ever went outside. Her body, still plagued by the shadows carved into her by the Shadow Dragon, remained in a fragile state. On some days, even getting out of bed was a struggle. That’s why I came to her room to say goodbye.

Some old man might act nonchalant about it, but I didn’t want to lump my little sister in with someone like him.

“Oh... You’re really leaving, aren’t you?”

At my words, her face clearly clouded over. Though she didn’t say it outright, it was clear she would miss me being away from the mansion. It made me so happy as her brother that I nearly cried at her reaction.

Without letting such thoughts show, I gently patted her head.

“Don’t look so sad. I’ll definitely come back during the summer break. And in two years, you’ll be able to attend the same academy.”

“Yes...”

“And don’t worry about the curse. I’ll definitely figure something out. While I’m away, Grand Uncle will protect you with everything he’s got.”

“...Okay.”

I did my best to reassure her, but her expression remained downcast, growing even gloomier.

The academy had a boarding system, and commuting from home was not allowed without significant reasons. As such, I wouldn’t return to the mansion properly for a few years. I wouldn’t even get to have simple conversations with her for a while.

—I feel terrible.

But there was no other choice. As the (provisional) heir to the Bradley family, I needed to attend the academy, build connections, and expand my network.

—I’ve barely attended a handful of social events so far.

Father had half-abandoned the idea of involving me in aristocratic affairs, given how absorbed I’d been in training. Until now, I’d distanced myself from the complexities of nobility. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. If I played my cards right, I could easily make up for the lost time during my academy years.

—Not that I have any intention of doing so.

My ultimate goal remained unchanged. I’d worked tirelessly until now to avoid repeating past mistakes. What happens next is out of my hands.

But even if I could come to terms with it, Alice couldn’t. Despite her mature demeanor, she was still a young girl, yearning for affection.

And with the constant fear of being attacked by the Shadow Dragon, her anxiety must be immeasurable. How could I brush aside the small hand tugging gently at my sleeve?

“I’ll miss you...”

“Alice...”

As I struggled for a response, there was a knock at the door, and a maid entered. It was Kanna.

“Master Clay, the carriage has arrived.”

“Oh, right.”

Seeing our exchange, she sighed deeply.

“Sigh... You’re doing this again? Master Clay, you really become soft when it comes to the young mistress. And the young mistress, who never makes unreasonable demands, suddenly acts so honest with you. Honestly, you both should rely on us more!”

“K-Kanna?”

Her exaggerated antics left me speechless, but I pleaded with her for help with my eyes. Alas, she offered none.

“You’re both so hopeless... but we all love you for it.”

“What’s with the sudden declaration?”

Hearing a calm and collected person like her suddenly say “love” caught me off guard. My face heated up, but she continued.

“We won’t see you for a while, after all. I thought I’d seize this opportunity to say it.”

“Way too abrupt!”

Compared to when we first met, she had certainly become more candid. I smiled wryly, unable to get mad. Considering my first life, I never imagined I’d grow this close to her.

“Well, it’s really time to go now.”

“...Alright. Alice, I’m off.”

“Yes. Take care, Brother.”

With Kanna’s urging, I steeled myself. Despite my little sister’s sorrowful expression that pained me, I left the room and headed to the mansion’s main gate. There, as expected, the carriage awaited, along with my parents and the servants, who had come to see me off.

“Do your best, Clay.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“Yes. You both take care as well, Father and Mother.”

Like Alice, my parents also seemed somewhat lonely, which gave me a peculiar feeling.

“Do your best, young master!”
“You are the pride of the Bradley family!”
“We wish you the best of luck!”

“Thank you, everyone.”

The chef, the gardener—each servant offered me words of encouragement. The sense of something being out of place lingered.

—It’s just... something I’ll never get used to.

I knew the source of my discomfort. I wasn’t accustomed to being cared for by so many people.

In my first life, I’d never received such a grand send-off or earned such admiration.

Despite everything, I could think, “This isn’t so bad.” That’s because I’d gained so many things in this second life that I could never have in my first.

“Father, where’s Grand Uncle?”

As I was about to board the carriage, I realized the old warrior was absent. I hadn’t seen him since this morning.

—It’s my departure, after all.

I resigned myself, figuring it was too much to expect decorum from that eccentric old man. Just as I was stepping into the carriage—

“Gotcha!”

“Like hell you did!!”

A shout came from behind, and as I turned, a massive fist loomed before me. Reflexively, I swung my arm to meet it. In that instant, the two fists collided with a force that sent a shockwave through the area.

Though initially startled, my exasperation quickly overtook my surprise. This crazy old man had chosen to pull a stunt like this at the last minute.

“Hahaha! As expected, Clay! Your control hasn’t slipped a bit!”

“You damn geezer! Can’t you see me off normally for once!?”

Despite his sudden attack, the old man laughed heartily, while I yelled at him. No one else seemed fazed. Some even sighed, as if to say, “Here we go again.” This scene had become a common occurrence over the past six and a half years.

Even as our argument heated, no one intervened. Some even remarked, “This will be the last time...” with nostalgic smiles.

—What’s wrong with these people?

I couldn’t understand what they found sentimental about this pointless exchange.

The old man, however, soon changed his tone, adopting a serious expression.

“Clay—”

Recognizing the shift, I stayed quiet. This, too, was a familiar pattern. Moments like these were always followed by sincere words.

“—Over these six and a half years, I’ve trained you to at least a decent level. But don’t let it go to your head. Your goal is to kill one of the Seven Dragons.”

“...Yeah, I know.”

“You’ll learn more at the academy than ever before. Make the most of it. Don’t take anything lightly or grow complacent.”

“Of course. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way already.”

“...That’s right.”

Hearing my firm reply, the old man grinned. While most people didn’t understand our exchange, seeing us laugh at the end made everyone else smile as well.

That day, I—Claym Bradley—set off for my second journey at the academy. From here, my fate would accelerate even further.

~End of First Arc: Childhood Arc~