The clothes were still damp, but we were going to get drenched in the rain anyway. Just warming up my body was enough.

As we exited the rare dungeon, the rain had intensified. A downpour so heavy it was sickening. Of all times.

I should have worn a rain cloak when I dashed out of the school.

“It’s pouring like a waterfall. Should we head back to our love nest?”

“I don’t want to call a massive dungeon, teeming with giant slimes and swarming with countless goblins, a ‘nest.’ The rain actually works in our favor—patrolling knights won’t be out.”

“I see.”

Both Riona and I draped our uniform jackets over our heads as makeshift rain protection and began walking.

Rain is disliked not only by people but by monsters as well. Only plants welcome it. Thanks to that, even when we left the dungeon and entered the academy city of Lehan, there were no people in sight. Well, to be exact, the gatekeepers were there, but they were zoning out inside a building, so we slipped past unnoticed.

Even our footsteps were drowned out by the rain.

We ran through the city and entered the gates of Lehan Knight Academy. Riona hesitated at the school building entrance, but when I reassured her that no one knew what she had done, she nervously stepped inside.

It was class time anyway. Most students were in their classrooms. Void and Oujin too.

We crouched and ran through the main building, crossed the corridor, and made our way up to the boys' dormitory.

However, as soon as we reached the floor where the director’s office was, I realized I had underestimated the situation.

There, standing guard in front of the door, was the War Maiden, Lili Ituka.

Lili had already drawn her sword. She must have sensed us approaching. She held her bared blade low, her knees already bent.

For just a fleeting moment, her eyes widened upon seeing me.

But the instant she spotted Riona behind me, Lili kicked off the floor.

Sliding rapidly at a height level with my abdomen, she closed in.

“Li—!”

Even my voice couldn’t keep up.

Lili slipped past me and swung her longsword at Riona. I barely managed to deflect its trajectory with my hastily drawn gladius.

A sharp metallic clang echoed, and Lili scraped the floor with both feet, spinning around.

My arms, gripping the gladius, buzzed with numbness.

“Step aside, Eremia.”

“Wait, Lili! Listen to me—!”

Just as I slid between Lili and Riona, Lili leaped over me, bringing her blade down toward Riona from above.

“Duck!”

“—!?”

Shouting, I jumped back and covered the curled-up Riona, blocking Lili’s strike with my gladius.

A crushing impact surged through my body.

“Ghh… Just… listen… to me…!”

She’s serious. She really means to kill.

Seeing Riona’s hand reach for her rapier, I shouted instinctively.

“Don’t draw it, Riona!”

“…!”

“If you draw, everything will be ruined! You said you’d trust me!”

Immediately after, a heel slammed into my side—a spinning back kick from Lili. My head hit the floor, and I rolled, crashing against the wall.

“Gah…!”

“El-tan!”

Ignoring me, Lili sprinted toward Riona, blade pulled back, exuding pure killing intent.

I yanked my scabbard from my belt and hurled it at Lili’s legs.

“…!?”

As she flinched, I dashed in front of Riona once more, knocking aside Lili’s blade with my gladius.

Sparks flew from the clash of metal.

A conditioned reflex seared into my body.

“—!”

Both of us hesitated mid-counterattack.

Lili’s target wasn’t me, and I had no intention of cutting Lili. But neither of us lowered our guard.

We reached a stalemate.

I readjusted my stance, holding my gladius in a high guard. I had already discarded my stiletto, sheath and all.

Too heavy. If I didn’t lighten up, I wouldn’t even be able to follow Lili’s movements.

Damn it. But still…

“Step aside.”

“Tch… You stubborn fool.”

What kind of disciple kicks her master? Idiot.

I was pissed. Oh, I was pissed. Maybe it was time to spank her again.

Just like that night—when she had followed me in secret all the way to the battlefield.

Lili kicked off the ground again.

“I can’t let Her Majesty die. That would ultimately lead to the deaths of millions.”

She was still trying to bypass me and go for Riona.

With a sideways lunge, I rammed my shoulder into her.

“You idiot. Ignoring me at a time like this?”

“Ri—liiii!”

Surprised, Lili staggered. In that moment, I swung my gladius upward with all my might.

“Grrrahhh!!”

“Wait—!”

Of course, I didn’t aim to cut her. I aimed for her rear—with the flat of the blade.

As the wind whooshed, Lili barely dodged in time, her confused gaze locking onto mine.

“What… are you…?”

Feigning ignorance, are we?

“Don’t you DARE dodge!!”

“—!?”

I roared like thunder, making Lili flinch.

“I told you! If you don’t listen to me, you get punished!!”

“Huh? Wait—no—”

But my swung gladius once again sliced through empty air.

In the past, my arms were longer, and no matter how much she squirmed, I could reach her rear. But now, my arms were shorter, and her legs were longer.

How frustrating. This little runt, who once trailed behind me everywhere, now had longer legs than me? How dare she!

“Oooooryaaaahhh!!”

Lowering my stance even more, I slid across the carpet and swung the gladius at her backside. Lili clutched her rear with both hands and fled.

“Stop! Wait!”

“Too late nowww!”

Whoosh—once again, I missed.

At this point, Lili had completely abandoned Riona and was focused solely on escaping from me.

“Wait, wait, B-Bly—?”

Lili suddenly froze mid-sentence.

Taking advantage of her hesitation, I caught up and smacked her rear with the flat of my gladius.

With a satisfying smack, Lili yelped and jumped.

“Ahh!! Uuuugh…!”

She stumbled forward a few steps, clutching her behind.

Finally, I landed a hit. I got you. Ha! Serves you right.