The story of Nereid and her daughter Atyura is a national secret of the Republic, and at the same time, treated as classified information by the Kingdom, which cannot reveal the existence of homunculi to its citizens or ordinary knights.

Therefore, even though we have learned the truth, there is nothing we can do. To put it bluntly, as long as Kilpus, the king, is aware of it, that is enough.

A few days after the heavy meeting on the rooftop, just before the third dungeon curriculum, it was finally decided that all first-year students in the advanced division would be distributed equipment from the Juanere Trading Company.

Prior to that, we had to return the equipment we had been using to the Lehan Royal Knight Academy. Apparently, after being polished, these blunt swords will be reused by the intermediate division.

At the Lehan Royal Knight Academy, students start handling real swords midway through the elementary division, but even then, the blades are dulled. In that sense, one could say that the true handling of swords begins only from the intermediate division onwards.

Until now, the intermediate and advanced divisions used the same blunt swords, but it was a mistake to lump them together in the first place—especially when the advanced division experiences actual combat while the intermediate division uses them only in matches.

Anyway, I'm glad we made it in time before the next dungeon curriculum.

After school, I was walking across the courtyard with Riona toward the girls' dormitory.

Early summer. The lush greenery was swaying in the shimmering heat. Before I knew it, the seasons had changed, and the students’ clothing had shifted entirely to short-sleeved summer uniforms. The coolness of just a few days ago now seemed like a lie.

No, more importantly—

"Living without a sword at my side feels unsettling."

"I get it! It's like... not wearing underwear!"

I gave an exaggerated sigh, jutting my chin out.

Riona pressed her hands against the front of her skirt and said it with a playful air.

"I bet you're imagining me half-naked now! El-tan, you perv!"

"I'm not."

"Eh, saying that with a straight face... You should imagine it... since you have the chance..."

What is with that shocked expression?

Ah, could it be—

"Is it that feeling of insecurity from not having a heavy sword belt around your waist? That I can understand a little."

"Nope. It's breezy and insecure because it's like not wearing underwear."

Enough. I was foolish to think seriously about it.

Two little girls from the elementary division ran past us, holding hands. To think they could run around pointlessly in this heat—kids are truly fearsome.

"You have club activities today?"

"Nah, I have work. I can hardly show up for club activities lately~"

"Is that okay?"

Riona brushed her red hair back from her forehead and gave a bright smile, showing her white teeth.

"Yeah! I make sure to write individual training menus for everyone in the Special Operations Club, so as long as they follow them seriously, they should be growing fine. So no worries!"

I pressed my forehead and looked downward.

"That's not what I meant. Are you telling me you're doing that even after your part-time job?"

"Of course. If I don't, everyone will eventually die, right?"

She tilted her head, saying something absurd.

"True, but I'm talking about your burden. You seem to be eating at least, thanks to Void feeding you, but you have dark circles under your eyes."

"Even if I'm being fed, my heart remains mine! Thank-you's are just lip service! Don't worry, I'm all El-tan's!"

"No, that's not—"

While I was thinking of how to respond, Riona grinned mischievously.

"I'm kidding. Thanks, really, for worrying about me."

"Hmph, don't misunderstand. If you become useless, it means more burden on me during the curriculum. I'm not doing it for you. It's my problem."

This time, she bent down to look into my face, holding her hair aside with one hand.

Her expression—just a little—was different. More serious than before.

Riona opened her mouth slightly.

"Yeah. That's fine with me. Actually, it's better that way. If El-tan would be troubled, then I won't do anything to drag you down. I'll be careful to keep enough strength."

"...Y-yeah... Please do."

Damn it. Now I feel like an idiot for coming up with such a pathetic excuse.

We entered the girls' dormitory and bowed slightly to Holy, the dorm mother at the reception. Unusually, Holy stopped me.

"Ah, Neu-chan. A cute girl was looking for you just a little while ago."

"Me?"

"Yes, she's from this dormitory. Sorry, I haven't memorized her name yet. Since I can't give out your room number, I told her your mailbox number. She might still be at the mailboxes."

"I see. Thank you, Holy-san. Thanks for handling it that way. Also, this Belzhein knows that Instructor Ituka and I share a room, so it's fine to speak openly about it."

The kindly old lady deepened the wrinkles on her already wrinkled face and smiled warmly.

"Got it. Now, go on quickly."

"Thanks."

Since Holy had let her into the dormitory, it must be a girl.

From the way she spoke, it probably wasn't Lili, and if it were Juanere, she would have mentioned her blindness. Riona was right next to me.

...Then who?

"Later, Riona. Take it easy with the work."

"Yeah. No cheating, El-tan."

"Idiot."

I left Riona behind and ran toward the mailboxes. Thanks to the latest magical air-conditioning system with ice crystal stones, the dorm interior wasn't nearly as hot as outside. It felt refreshing, like coming back to life.

Sure enough, a small girl was standing in front of the mailboxes.

She was wearing the Lehan Royal Knight Academy uniform, but I had no recollection of her. Judging by the color of her school badge at her collar, she was from the elementary division. She had short, brownish hair and gave a boyish impression.

She looked about the same age or a bit younger than me—definitely under ten years old.

The girl turned to me and bowed deeply. I furrowed my brows and returned a bow.

"Uh, sorry, but who are you?"

"U-um, this. Someone asked me to give this to Neu-san. They said they preferred it handed directly instead of dropping it in the mailbox."

In her hand was a sealed letter.

I accepted it. Turning it over, there was no sender's name.

"Hmm...?"

"W-well then, I'll be going!"

"Ah, thanks."

Before I could finish, she ran off. Though, being an elementary division girl, she probably lived in this dorm.

Still...

A letter from an unknown sender?

I broke the seal and pulled out a sheet of letter paper. In small, round handwriting, it said:

――To Eremia Neu. I have feelings for you. I will be waiting at the Flower Garden at dusk, no matter how long it takes.

"Huh?"