Ch.90Heimdall Rona

Saeirin, Haim Del Rona’s enrollment process was completed without any particular issues.

Fallen nobles with mysterious whereabouts would occasionally resurface unexpectedly in foreign countries. This was precisely why the Empire readily accepted the titles of nobles from fallen nations. Saeirin was simply using one of the identities managed by the Empire.

Despite it not being the regular enrollment period, she entered through a special sponsorship selection. This was a common occurrence. After applying for recognition in foreign countries, nobles would train their children as knights to rebuild their fallen noble houses.

After all, that was the fastest way to debut as nobility.

The same applied to Saeirin, Haim Del Rona. People showed great interest in Saeirin but cast no suspicious glances.

“This is the room where you’ll be staying. If you have any concerns, come find me.”

Saeirin frowned as she looked around the assigned room. This too was just an act. She muttered in a voice filled with irritation.

“It smells and it’s cramped… Isn’t there a better room available?”

“I’m sorry, but this is the best we can offer. If you’re dissatisfied, you might as well request enough sponsorship money to build a new dormitory.”

It was quite an insulting remark. However, this was something the current Haim Del Rona had to endure. She was merely a noble from a foreign country—one that had collapsed and disappeared.

Saeirin thoroughly played the role of Haim Del Rona. She took a deep breath as if suppressing her anger. Her shoulders heaved noticeably, and she placed a hesitant hand on the sword at her waist.

One breath.

She shed all emotions. Haim Del Rona is royalty. She must not behave in a vulgar or undignified manner. The same applies to her speech. She must also possess the maturity to understand her circumstances.

Saeirin took a step into the cramped room.

“Classes begin tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

And so, Saeirin’s life in the elementary division of the Knight Training Institute began.

***

Mornings at the Knight Training Institute start quite early. Still, it was about 30 minutes later than the morning routine at the Blue Wing Headquarters. Saeirin rose from her bed with practiced ease, finished a light face wash, and changed into the training uniform she had been provided.

The clothes were made of rather coarse material. They prioritized functionality over design. Even the color was dull, giving them a gloomy appearance. However, even such a training uniform couldn’t hide Saeirin’s beauty.

Looking into the mirror, Saeirin tied back her red-dyed hair. The ponytail tickled her back. She had dyed her hair and wore lenses. She had also etched a scar that crossed half her face. On top of that, she chose a hairstyle different from her usual one.

A well-groomed appearance with a touch of wildness. A girl with a completely different charm from the usual Saeirin was in the mirror.

‘It doesn’t hide it…’

The girl in the mirror smiled with satisfaction. Supreme beauty cannot be concealed even with makeup. She would be beautiful even covered in mud.

After confirming her appearance, Saeirin extended her hand. The Moonlight Sword flew to her hand with its scabbard from a distance away.

She couldn’t bring the White Dragon Sword and Black Dragon Sword due to their distinctive appearances. The same went for the Mage Killer. That’s why she brought the most inconspicuous Moonlight Sword.

Saeirin attached the Moonlight Sword to the scabbard at her waist and turned around.

A knight must be able to handle dozens of well-trained soldiers alone. Even in the elementary division of the Knight Training Institute, the training intensity was extremely high. The instructors pushed the knight candidates to their limits, as if wringing out their physical capabilities.

“Don’t stop! Anyone who falls behind does an extra lap!”

Instructors shouted as they circled the training ground. It was harsh treatment for the elementary division boys and girls, but it was routine.

Rough breathing erupted from all directions. Only a few children, including Saeirin, maintained their usual complexion. Saeirin was accustomed to training at an even higher intensity than this. A little running wouldn’t tire her out.

‘This is like a light stroll…’

Saeirin looked around. These were the children in the leading group. They all had noble features. Judging by the faint pulses of mana she could feel, they were undoubtedly using mana while running.

‘If not here, then…’

She looked elsewhere. Her gaze turned to the very back. Children who were breathing heavily and lagging behind at the very end. Saeirin’s gaze examined each of them.

Reincarnators tend to follow certain patterns when they are born. They typically inhabit the bodies of talented individuals or completely untalented failures.

This time was no different. The Emperor’s decree stated that one of them had been reborn as a reincarnator. It didn’t specify exactly who. The timing was also unclear. Saeirin’s mission was to identify and eliminate them immediately.

‘A reincarnator who will change the course of this world… Could someone like the Sword Emperor have crossed over?’

There was nothing she could determine right now. Saeirin turned her head again.

After physical training, it was lunchtime. The exhausted children, rather than chatting with each other, quickly finished their meals and took naps in sunny spots.

Even the instructors who had been shouting all day were lenient during lunch. They didn’t point out disorderly behavior.

Of course, there were those who didn’t nap. Children whose bodies weren’t tired. Noble family children who knew how to handle mana from a young age were like that.

They moved in small groups, engaging in conversations only they understood.

Saeirin was alone. She herself had no intention of being alone, but her aura kept the children from approaching. The blade-like aura she unconsciously emitted made the children tense.

Nevertheless, there were children who approached Saeirin. Sitting alone, she watched a group of boys slowly approach. They soon stopped in front of her.

Saeirin asked.

“What do you want?”

“Haim Del Rona. I heard you’re from Reverse Haim. I’ve been there before. A country most beautiful when dyed in autumn leaves… It’s a shame what happened.”

The group consisted of three boys. Two children followed a boy who appeared to be the leader. It was also the leader-like boy who spoke.

Saeirin looked up at him.

“That’s in the past. It doesn’t exist now. Neither the autumn leaves you saw, nor the beautiful city.”

“…I apologize if I offended you. It’s just that the old memories…”

“I’m not offended. I just want to be alone.”

At Saeirin’s response, the boy’s eyebrows twitched noticeably. His expression didn’t change. However, being still young, he couldn’t properly hide his true feelings. Saeirin detected a faint attraction in the boy’s gaze.

Most gazes were like this. Even girls of the same gender were no different.

“Miles Edenhofer. That’s my name. If you ever have any troubles, come find me.”

Saeirin simply nodded lightly. The two boys beside Edenhofer also introduced themselves, but Saeirin didn’t pay much attention.

After Edenhofer left, Saeirin had to face similar situations several more times. The children from noble families didn’t hesitate to show their attraction to Saeirin.

Some even brought bouquets of flowers.

It was almost the end of lunch. The children who had been napping began to wake up one by one. Saeirin was about to get up from her seat to move to the next training location.

Thump-

Light footsteps echoed from behind. Saeirin thought that another child captivated by her charm had come.

And that prediction wasn’t wrong. When Saeirin turned her head, a girl was standing there.

“Um, excuse me…!”

“What is it?”

“Th-this…! Would you like to share this bread with me…?”

What the girl held out was bread wrapped in fine paper. She was a familiar child. Seeing the bread wrapper, Saeirin could remember the girl she had encountered yesterday.

“You’re… from then.”

“I’m, I’m Handel. I wanted to become friends with you…”

She didn’t hesitate to reveal her true feelings. Saeirin felt drawn to Handel’s pure demeanor. The way she approached—cautiously yet boldly—reminded her of a squirrel.

Saeirin naturally offered the space beside her.

“Am I making you uncomfortable…?”

“Hmm…”

As she hesitated to answer, Handel began to read her expressions more than necessary. Saeirin smiled lightly and pointed at the bread.

“Didn’t you say you’d share the bread? I’m waiting…”

“Ah! Yes!”

Saeirin shared the bread with Handel and engaged in brief conversation. It was mostly Handel who initiated the topics. The stories flowed randomly without structure. Saeirin sat beside her, watching the chattering girl.

It reminded her of her younger sibling who used to sit beside her and chatter all day long. Of course, Handel was much taller than the current Saeirin. The difference was more than a head, so Saeirin had to look up at her.

Just then, a small bell rang. It was the signal marking the end of lunch. As the children began to rise from their seats and move to the next class location, Saeirin and Handel also stood up.

Handel looked down at the small girl standing beside her. Knight Training Institute students typically have larger builds than average children. This is because they eat well and move their bodies actively.

That’s why Saeirin’s small stature stood out even more. Handel thought it was like having a younger sibling.

‘Can I, can I hold her hand…’

It was a tiny hand. It even looked soft. Handel’s hesitant hand moved toward Saeirin’s.

Slap-

Her hand was swatted away.