Leaving the girls' dormitory, I made my way to the classroom for the advanced division.
Class 1-A.

As expected, everyone in the room was far older than me. The boys and girls alike were nearly double my height. No matter who I spoke to, I’d have to look up.

“...Huh? Hey, look over there.”

One of the male students pointed at me.

“A kid?”
“...S-so cute…!?”
“Why’s an elementary schooler here…? Did they get lost?”
“Look, look! That kid’s hair is sooo silky!”

Actually, their gazes were all lowering. Nearly every one of them had stopped what they were doing to look at me. The girls, in particular, ceased their chatter altogether.

The weight of their stares was almost itchy. This alluringly youthful body and androgynous face are downright sinful.

Given how much Lili had mocked my former self, Blythe, for his rugged looks this morning, the attention was a confusing mix of gratifying and bittersweet.

But the moment Lili followed me into the room, the atmosphere flipped in an instant.

“H-hey, she’s here!”

Everyone scrambled to stand at attention where they were, like knights before their commander.

“...T-that’s the Sword-Saint-level Lili Ituka…”
“...Whoa, it’s really her—the Warrior Princess herself…”

The Warrior Princess? Is that what they’re calling her now? It must be a title, or nickname, bestowed after she declined the Sword Saint designation.

If that’s the case, my disciple has done well. Just how much chaos did she wreak on the battlefield in the few years I spent slacking off as a washed-up prince?

Strangely, I feel more proud of her accomplishments than my own. Hearing Lili praised makes me genuinely happy.

If my mother, Arina, hadn’t gone out of her way to shield me from all things war and violence, I might have remembered Lili Ituka’s existence far sooner.

“...She’s nothing like I imagined…”
“...I thought she’d be some broad-shouldered, ogre-like woman, just like Blythe…”

Hey. Don’t talk about my disciple like that. Also, did you just insult me too, like it was an afterthought?

Unforgivable.

“...She’s insanely pretty. Isn’t her figure so slim?”

That’s right, isn’t it? Hard to believe, but this refined, elegant warrior was trained by someone as barbaric in appearance, build, and personality as my past self, Blythe.

“...Being called the Warrior Princess… that’s so inspiring…”
“...She’s an equal to the Sword Saint. What a hero…”
“...Beautiful…”

Thus, the heroic and Sword-Saint-class Lili Ituka made her debut.

With so many people openly admiring her, Lili looked a little uncomfortable, though she took it in stride. After glancing around the room, she placed a handwritten roster on the teacher’s desk and spread it open. She then calmly raised her head.

Perhaps nervous, she took a small breath before speaking.

“Starting today, I’ll be in charge of this class. My name is Lili Ituka. Like you, I’m new to Leanne Knight Academy this year, so I’m not yet familiar with the ins and outs of school life. I look forward to working with all of you.”

Lili bowed gracefully, her long black hair cascading down her back and over her shoulders.

Perhaps unconsciously, most of the students followed suit, bowing their heads in response.

When Lili raised her head again, she continued:

“Now then, before taking attendance—”

Her gaze shifted to me, standing beside her.

“This is Eremia Neu. As you can see, he’s just ten years old. However, considering his intellect and physical aptitude, he’s been granted permission to skip the elementary and middle divisions and enroll directly in the advanced division. While he may be younger than you all, please help him adjust and teach him well as a classmate.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you all!”

I puffed out my chest, standing tall. The first impression is key—if you’re underestimated right away, you’re done for.

The room fell silent. Had I done something wrong?

Lili pointed to a desk near the front, by the window.

“Eremia, you’ll sit there for now. As for the rest of you, please sit in the order of your exam numbers for the time being. Finalized seating arrangements will be decided tomorrow.”

“Wait, Lili.”
“Address me as Instructor Ituka.”

Ugh, how tedious.

“Wait, Instructor Ituka. Why is my seat predetermined? Even as a skipped-grade student, I shouldn’t receive special treatment. Especially as someone meant to lead others, you should avoid such favoritism.”

Lili’s mouth hung open in astonishment.

What’s with that dumbfounded look? Everyone else was wearing the same expression.

Finally, Lili muttered:

“Because you’re short.”

Oh…

The front-center desk would be blocked by the podium and instructor, while the desks behind the first row would have my view obstructed by the other students’ heads. Hence, the front-row window seat.

Ahhh, I see now.

As I averted my eyes in mild embarrassment, I locked gazes with one of the students.

“His... argument... is just too cute…”
“...I can’t... it’s hilarious…”
“Pfft…!”
“Bwahaha! Ahaha… kuh!”

The laughter began with a few students but quickly spread, filling the room. It wasn’t until Lili clapped her hands twice that the noise subsided.

With a serious expression, Lili whispered to me:

“Drink milk every day. It’ll help you grow taller and strengthen your bones.”

“Guh…! D-don’t give me genuine advice! Especially not something that makes the whole class go silent!”

My voice cracked. The room erupted into laughter again.

And thus, the former Sword Saint—reduced to a red-faced, tearful child—had his pride utterly shattered.