Chapter 232 - Cherin, the Land of Sakura and Seven Holy Sword [3] (1/2)

232. Cherin, the Land of Sakura and Seven Holy Sword [3]

I was able to enjoy peaceful days following the end of the student council election.

During the day, I went for classes, and after that, concentrated on practice-swing club activities.

I went out with Ria on my occasional holidays. And I was able to take the end-of-semester exam together with my classmates. Unlike the turbulent days of the past, I had very fulfilling days.

After overcoming the end-of-semester exam, it was finally February 28th.

The graduation ceremony for the third years students will be held today. The entire academy was present.

Seniors, including Jean Bael, the head of the Swordsmanship Club, graduate and will proceed on their chosen path from here on.

Among them was of course the seniors who swung the sword together with me in the practice-swing club.

(It’s a happy day, but I still feel a little lonely.)

I celebrated their departure with such feelings.

After that, I sat in the “last homeroom” of Year 1 Class A..

As usual, Leia-sensei, dressed in a black suit, spoke with a serious expression.

「Ladies and Gentlemen. First of all, you’ve endured relentless classes this year. To tell the truth, the classes that I conducted this school year were much stricter than the average classes. Nevertheless, every single one of you followed through contrary to my expectation. To be honest, this is a very happy miscalculation. I can proudly declare, you are all fine swordsmen who can walk with your heads held high!」

As she declared powerfully, the atmosphere in the classroom became heated.

「Well, I’m not going to bore you all with a long speech. So I’ll just give you one last important point to take note of.」

She cleared her throat, and started talking in a calmer tone.

「As you all know, the international situation in recent years has been more unstable than ever. The Holy Ronelia Empire, the Black Organization, the Demons – you never know when and where these Axis of Evil will attack you. So keep your guard up at all times, and be careful when you go on trips. Then, I hope to see your cheerful faces again in a month from now. Disperse!」

Thus, the last homeroom of our first year ended. After that, we worked hard in the activities of the practice-swing club as usual.

On our way back home.

「The first year is already over… It went by in the blink of an eye…」

「It feels long and short at the same time… A strange feeling that I can’t really describe.」

Ria and Rose, who were illuminated by the afterglow of sunset, whispered softly.

「That’s right… A lot of things have happened, but it feels like just yesterday when everything started.」

So many things happened in the last one year.

It all started with the “100 Million-Years Button”.

(That over a billion years of hell changed my life drastically.)

I received a recommendation admission from Thousand Blade Academy, one of the Five Academy’s, and crossed swords with Sid-san at the Big Five Holy Festival.

After that, I worked as a magic swordsman, and clashed with the Black Organization at the Daido Commercial Festival.

During summer vacation, we held a joint summer camp with Ice King Academy, and I gained an audience with His Majesty Gris in Vesteria Kingdom.

Shortly after the start of the new semester, I rescued Ria, who was kidnapped by Zack and Thor.

At the Sword King Festival, I defeated Idol. And when the Thousand Blade Festival was over, I repelled Fu and Dodriel, who launched an assault on the academy.

(Come to think of it… I also took classes at White Lily Academy as a transfer student.)

Then, I headed to Dagrio, the sunny country, as a Senior Holy Knight trainee, where I cut down one of the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle, Rain Glad.