Night.

I was sitting on the edge of the inn’s bed, knees pulled up, my head hanging low.

I’d really done it this time. In my frustration, I must have used too much strength without realizing it. Not long ago, a messenger from the elementary division came by and informed me that I’d managed to crack five of that weakling Lawrence’s ribs. Five ribs! I thought it’d be maybe two at most.

Clenching my fist, I punched the pillow and muttered venomously:

“Even as a proper knight, how can you be so pathetically weak?! You talk big, but your body’s made of slime, is it?!”

The follow-up message I received read:

—Although there were no issues with your written exam or practical skills, for the safety of other students, we cannot admit you to the elementary division of our school.

And that was that.

While the official decision was yet to be finalized, it might as well be hopeless.

“Haahhhh...haaahhhhhhh...”

My first day, after making such bold declarations to my brother, my mother, and my father, had turned out like this.

There was no way I could return to the royal castle now with my tail between my legs. Sure, Mother would welcome me back with open arms, but my idiot brothers would ridicule me, and Father would be exasperated. I’d be forced to abandon the path of the sword. That was unthinkable.

But, then, what could I do?

I mulled it over for a while. And after thinking, I made my decision—teary-eyed, as befitted my ten-year-old self.

“Maybe I should just set off on a journey or something.”

The kingdom wouldn’t fall apart just because one or two of its youngest royal children went missing. Yes, that’s it. Let’s do that. Enough is enough. I’ve endured ten years of this; I don’t need to take any more.

With my mind made up, I began packing my things without delay—

Knock, knock.

Someone was at the door.

I’d already paid for the room in advance. The elementary division had already decided my rejection. Who could possibly have business with me now, in this crummy room belonging to an exasperated, fallen Sword Saint, or so I imagined?

I stood up, small and unimposing, and opened the door, my expression clearly showing my annoyance.

“What is it? I’m busy right n—”

“Good evening.”

Standing there was a woman.

She looked to be in her mid-twenties. Her dark navy hair was long and tied into a single ponytail at the nape of her neck.

Somewhere...I think I’ve seen her somewhere before... Where was it...?

“Ah—”

Yes, that’s it. One of the examiners. The one jotting down notes about the candidates. She wasn’t wearing her glasses now, which threw me off at first.

But even before that—somewhere else. Where was it? Was she at the royal palace?

My head felt itchy as I tried to recall. I shook it to clear the sensation.

“What do you want? If it’s about the elementary division’s rejection, I’ve already been informed.”

I didn’t need to hear the same thing over and over.

The woman, undeterred by my curt and blunt manner, spoke calmly:

“Candidate number 017, Eremia Neu. I’ve come to pick you up.”

Her voice—!

Her voice struck me like a lightning bolt through my brain.

Suddenly, memories surged back. Memories of my hazy past life.

“You’re...”

There were a few people who had followed me on the battlefield, uninvited, in my past life as Blythe. Among them was a scrawny kid wielding a rusty knife instead of a heavy sword, chasing after me like a stray puppy through perilous battlefields.

Blythe’s last disciple.

Well, “disciple” was self-proclaimed in all cases. My memories were still foggy, and I couldn’t recall the name.

“Forgive me, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Lili Ituka. I’ve been appointed as an instructor at the Royal Lehan Knights Academy’s advanced division starting this year.”

“Lili...!”

Yes, that was her name.

What a surprise. To think we’d meet again in a place like this. She’s grown up a lot. That scrawny little runt has changed.

Now she’s far more...well, womanly.

But what did she just say?

The upper division? What business does an upper-division instructor have with someone like me, applying for the elementary division?

“A-ah, uh, Lili, what exactly—”

“—Ituka-sensei. And don’t stare at a lady so blatantly.”

“Oh, right. Yeah. ...Ituka-sensei.”

Though unfazed by most things, it seemed being addressed casually was a no-go for her. Probably a matter of setting an example as a teacher for the students.

“Good.”

Still—...

Yes, it all came back to me now. Lili Ituka.

That crybaby twig of a kid who couldn’t be told apart as a boy or girl. A vagabond orphan from a troupe of traveling performers. Now I remembered.

She briefly showed a puzzled expression at my stunned reaction but quickly regained her composure.

“Pack your things and follow me. There’s a carriage waiting in front of the inn.”

“A-all right. ...Wait, where are we going?”

“What are you talking about? Where else would it be but the Lehan Knights Academy?”

With that, Lili briskly exited the room.

The sweet, fruity scent she didn’t have back then lingered in the small room of the inn.