We moved our base to the upper floor.

Ilga Freiges, who was severely injured, was transported on an improvised stretcher made by tying two halberds together with several uniforms. Meanwhile, our classmate Fix Ougus continued to use healing magic on him, but it seemed to take all his effort just to maintain a state of temporary stability. The injury likely extended to his internal organs.

The Freiges family is a prominent noble house in the central royal capital, a marquis family at that. If an heir were to be lost due to an accident during the curriculum, it could jeopardize the very existence of the Lehan Knight School. Such is the influence of this great noble house.

That would be a significant problem for me. I enrolled in this academy solely to pursue the way of the sword, to wield my blade freely. Therefore, Ilga must survive.

As we passed through the corridor littered with countless goblin corpses near the stairs to the upper level, I thought there might be some sort of commotion, but everyone pressed on in silence. I later learned that a group of goblins had attacked the base again. However, since the rest of the students handled it without the third group’s help, they regained some confidence.

Although exhaustion was evident, their expressions had changed more than anything else—especially their eyes.

Ironically, the crisis brought about by the goblin attack had transformed everyone in the first-year Class 1 of the upper division into warriors with the eyes of battle-hardened fighters. It was mental growth. However, with their physical growth yet to catch up, it wasn’t a situation to celebrate wholeheartedly. Ilga’s rash incident on the first layer exemplified the dangers of such a state.

Courage needs to be accompanied by knowledge and skill.

Led by Void and Oujin, we cautiously ascended the stairs to the upper floor. Next came the first and second groups, followed by the injured Ilga and his healer Fix. Behind them were the fourth and fifth groups, and at the rear were Miku and me.

Keeping an eye on the rear, we followed our classmates up the stairs. Fortunately, though part of the stairs had collapsed, the entrance to the upper floor wasn’t blocked. Though somewhat narrow, it seemed the lead group managed to ascend.

In the darkness of the staircase, I turned to Miku and asked:

“Do you sense any pursuit?”

“Why’re you asking meee?”

“Though I hate to admit it, you’re better at sensing presences than Oujin or me. Like a dog with a keen nose.”

I am the man once called the Sword Saint. If an enemy steps into my domain, I can sense them even in deep sleep. I have considerable confidence in my ability to detect danger. In my previous life, this ability saved me countless times.

Even though my physical capabilities have declined in this life, my skills in detecting presences remain intact. This ability shouldn’t have weakened in any way. And yet, Miku Orunkaim has detected enemies over a far wider range than I have—twice now. It’s hard to call that mere coincidence.

Miku smirked.

“El-tan, that’s not a compliment for a girl, you knooow?”

“Ugh… sorry. I just… think dogs are, well, kind of cute. Wait, no, I mean… I’m not used to complimenting women, but I think your ability is a natural gift.”

“Haha, I’m not seriously upset. Sorry for teasing you.”

She ruffled my hair messily.

This time, I let it slide. I was in the wrong.

“Don’t worry. There’s no one following us.”

“I see.”

“Hmm? Not gonna shake me off? This is my chance—how about a kiss?”

“Of course not!”

“Pleeease? I’ll settle for your lips instead of your cheek!”

“At least try to stay sane!”

I grabbed her hands with both of mine and pulled them down.

“Oh, how cold.”

Finally, we—the rearguard—reached the top of the long staircase. Each layer had a decently high ceiling, and this one was no different. Looking up, the ceiling was fairly high above us. This floor was also an artificial dungeon, with walls and floors neatly carved.

At the top of the stairs, everyone had stopped. The staircase was narrow, but the floor seemed to have a reasonable amount of space.

“The ceiling’s high,” I remarked.

“Yeah, probably because this is the third layer above. If we’d fallen from any higher, even a sand dune’s slope wouldn’t have saved us,” Miku replied.

“…True.”

Sharp as ever. It seems we were thinking the same thing.

If so, then the goal was near. It felt like we had completed something intended to take a year in just one day. Still, this was far better than being thrust onto a battlefield. Much better than that hell where humans had to kill each other to survive.

For some reason, I thought of Lili’s childhood.

When Lili Ituka was the same age as my current classmates, she was already staining her hands with blood on the battlefield, fighting against knights of the Republic Army.

Blythe had turned the young Lili into an adult. He decided it was necessary for her survival, but was that truly the right decision?

“…Why am I even thinking about this now…”

“Huh? What’s up?” Miku asked.

“It’s nothing.”

I had simply remembered something from the past. But I decided against saying so. Explaining my previous life would only cause confusion.