Chapter 3

The capital of the Kingdom of Gardia—Vosier.

The city, divided into five districts, is home to many people.

At its center stands the royal castle, a symbol of the kingdom, and the knight orders that protect the country are divided into four branches centered around the castle.

Fiorum Academy is known for having many students from noble backgrounds, and it boasts not only a vast campus but also extremely well-equipped facilities.

In terms of jurisdiction, it falls under the Black Wolf Knights, to which I belong.

In the early morning, I walk through the expansive campus.

It’s still a bit early for students to arrive, so there are few people around.

Since most students live in the dormitories on campus, it might also be why it feels so spacious.

(Still, I stand out...)

Being a twelve-year-old in the high school section, I inevitably attract attention.

I should head to the staff room early.

(The captain said it would be fine, but is everything really in order?)

I can’t help but worry.

Given my appearance, it’s questionable whether I can play the role of an outsider.

(Well, there’s no choice... and the pay is almost double, after all.)

Including the funds for my activities at the academy, the money I receive, which includes my salary from the knight order, is nearly doubled.

In short, I get a lot of money just for protecting the girl known as the "Sword Saintess," who is renowned as the strongest.

Honestly, I wondered if there was even a need to protect her, but apparently, there are some unsettling movements.

(Well, I guess it will work out...)

I head straight for the staff room.

I hope the guard duty ends without any incidents.

***

“...?”

A girl looks towards the school building.

In her line of sight, there is the figure of a boy.

However, he quickly disappears into the school building.

“...Is something wrong?”

The girl, Ilyse, is addressed by her classmate, Aria.

With a sleepy expression, Aria peers at Ilyse’s face.

Her hair, which she had just brushed, was already messy again.

“Look, you have bedhead again.”

“Hm...”

Aria and Ilyse have very different personalities, yet they are always together.

To Ilyse, Aria is like a troublesome little sister.

And Aria, despite Ilyse being called the "Sword Saintess," treats her normally.

“I saw a little kid.”

“...? A dwarf?”

“Haha, not that small. I think it was probably a student from the elementary section.”

If someone is here, it’s usually because of family matters.

The elementary, middle, and high school sections are separate but still within the same campus.

(Something about him seems familiar...)

“Ilyse, let’s go to the training hall quickly?”

Aria tugs at Ilyse’s sleeve.

She had been sleepy just a moment ago, but now her face is filled with enthusiasm.

In terms of mood swings, she’s like a cat.

Ilyse smiles at Aria.

“Sure. We have a swordsmanship test today, so let’s do some warm-up.”

“Ilyse doesn’t need that.”

“I do. I still need a lot of practice.”

Ilyse responds to Aria’s words.

The two girls head in a direction away from the school building, chatting as they go.

***

The school bell rings.

Aria and Ilyse rush into the classroom.

They had been so engrossed in swordsmanship training at the training hall that they almost missed the start of class.

“Phew, just in time...”

“Yeah, that was close.”

“Just barely late.”

Odds Colster, the grade head, chides them.

Despite his muscular build, he is an excellent teacher as a mage.

It feels odd to see the grade head, rather than the homeroom teacher, at the front of the class.

“Just take your seats.”

“Yes... sorry.”

“Sorry.”

Aria and Ilyse take their seats.

The classroom, which is auditorium-style, has free seating, but everyone usually sits in the same spots.

Aria and Ilyse sit by the window at the back.

As they sit down, they finally notice the boy standing next to Odds.

(That kid...)

It’s the boy Ilyse saw this morning.

If he’s here, he must be a younger sibling of one of the students, but it’s strange for him to be here at the start of homeroom.

“Ah, suddenly... but from today, we have a new homeroom teacher.”

“Eh?”

Ilyse looks at Odds in surprise.

The class starts to murmur.

“What do you mean?”

“Did something happen to the old man?”

“Hey, don’t call the teacher an old man. Mr. Vol was originally a substitute for the teacher who was supposed to start today.”

Mr. Vol was the teacher in charge of Ilyse’s class.

He taught magical pharmacology and, despite being a homeroom teacher, he gave an unreliable impression.

Ilyse and her classmates had only been in the high school section for a month, so the change in homeroom teacher was surprising, but not impossible.

What was impossible was what they were about to hear.

(No way...?)

The homeroom teacher is changing.

The boy standing next to Odds.

It’s impossible, Ilyse thought, but her bad feeling was about to come true.

“Erm, from today, this class’s homeroom teacher and the swordsmanship instructor will be—Alta Schweitz.”

The boy—Alta—steps forward.

With a friendly smile, Alta introduces himself after Odds.

“Yes, I’m Alta, and I’ll be your homeroom teacher from today. Nice to meet you all.”

“““Eh!?”””

The entire class lets out a collective gasp of surprise.