Vol 1 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Thoughts from Four Years Ago (1)

Even before the rooster began to crow, Wynn was already awake.

Ever since he made the oath when he was five, he would always wake up at this time, without exception.

Looking around the small room, he saw Locke on the other bed still snoring.

Carefully as to not wake Locke up, he changed into training clothes, grabbed his practice sword, and then left the room.

Outside the dorm, the spring dawn wind was very chilly.

After warming his body with a light warm-up, he began swinging the practice sword.

Byuu,Byuu. Only the sound of the sword cutting through the air could be heard in the tranquil morning.

Wynn would repeat this scene every day.

― ― No.

Something wasn’t the same. [1]

Today, something was off, causing his sword swings to be off.

He stopped his swings to adjust his breaths, closing his eyes in concentration.

His head was filled with thoughts of his now-strong close friend Leti.

He could see her figure clearly in his mind.

During yesterday’s entrance ceremony…

The noisy cathedral immediately became silent.

Only the sounds of breathing, and slight movements could be heard, and in that silence, a lone girl walked to the middle.

In the cathedral, was a tall platform.

Their backs straightened as her wasteless steps exuded a cold atmosphere.

As she walked up the stairs, the sunlight that pa.s.sed through the stained gla.s.s shone on her golden hair and seemed to give it a soft glow

The girl’s figure attracted attention of not only the students and the teachers, but also the knight leader, temple officials, and invited n.o.bles.

Without any tension at all, the girl reached the top of the stairs, and slowly turned around.

At that moment, unexpectedly, her body was bathed in light — Everybody saw that mirage.

An unbelievable presence.

The sight of the girl made everyone left everyone breathless. However…

Suddenly, her frigid appearance turned into a gentle smile.

As if time had once again unfrozen, the atmosphere became relaxed again, and all around, sighs of relief could be heard.

“How are you everyone? I am the freshman representative Leticia.”

Leticia spoke.

Once again, silence took hold of the cathedral.

The sound of people settling down was heard in the cathedral.

“I was chosen as the representative, but I will be studying with everybody to become a knight. That said, I do have a lot of battle experience. I hope to share that experience with you all.”

Closing her eyes, she slowly put her right hand to her chest.

“Even though the Demon Lord has been defeated, there are still many threats in the world. As knights, you must protect the people around you. Together, we shall learn. Together, we shall work. Then, someday, together, we shall fight.”

She bowed slowly.

One by one, people started clapping. Soon, the once silent cathedral was filled with the sound of thunderous applause.

As Leticia slowly straightened her body, the people in the cathedral saw a smile blossoming on her face.

The person standing on the stage during yesterday’s entrance ceremony was his close friend Leti.

If one looked at Wynn, they would see him crouching at the end of the line of new students.[2]

In merely four years, to think that in those four years, she would change that much.

Shaking his head while exhaling, he renewed his concentration.

He thought of Leticia’s silhouette preparing her sword. [3]

Until then, his image of Leticia was the one from four years ago. Now, he was able to imagine Leticia’s distinct figure preparing her sword.

The incongruity in his sword swings just now was caused by the difference between his image of Leti and reality.

Therefore, after reconciling the difference, he was able to swing it properly.

The sight of Wynn practicing each day returned to normal.

However, the scene was slightly different today. [4]

At a glance, it seemed like there weren’t any differences.

Somebody was hidden in a building, looking at the boy two years older than her, who was solely swinging his sword.

It was a scene that Leticia had once watched every day.

In those days, she herself had spent her time similarly.

Before then, it was always the same scene being repeated.

Every day, the tutor would compare her to her older sisters.

For better or for worse, her docile sisters would comply with the tutor’s orders, and learned to etiquette and behaviour befitting of a n.o.ble lady, while Leticia only remembered bad memories of being scolded for being unable to memorize the alphabet.

“You can’t even do these things. Your elder sisters were able to this at your age, you know?”

“Why are your movements so unrefined? There isn’t a shred of elegance in them.”

Her parents would receive the tutor’s reports, which contained only praise for the two obedient sisters.

One morning, Leticia woke up, slipped out of her room, and exited the gloomy mansion.

Without being able to do anything well, she was scolded every day.

Their master’s att.i.tude also influenced the attendants.

Even the attendants’ scornfully gazed at her.

Even though they did it while they thought she wasn’t looking, the extraordinarily perceptive girl endured those gazes without snapping.

And so, she ran.

She wholeheartedly ran away from the gloomy estate. [5]

Although there were many guards patrolling the large estate, the young Leticia was able to reach the gate without being seen.

The young gate guard would yawn with a “Fuaa…” sound.

In that interval, Leticia slipped under the bars, and successfully exit through the gate.

It was Leticia’s first time outside of the estate alone.

She hadn’t chosen a particular destination.

She had merely wanted to run away from the detestable lessons.

Even then, Leticia ran in the cold morning of the capital.