Chapter 10 – Karela Academy

“I’m… I’m so nervous! What should I do?”

“This is a problem.”

“Ahh! Aren’t you nervous, Miss Ellie? Am I the only one shaking?”

“I’m nervous too.”

“You’re terrible at lying, Miss!”

“…Hey. Be quiet and leave.”

“Hmph…”

“Hurry up and get out. I’m going to change clothes.”

“Should I help you dress?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Just wait outside.”

“Yes, ma’am…”

Two years had passed.

The day of the academy entrance exam had finally arrived.

And here I was…

Whummm—

I watched the vibrant pink mana bloom outside my body. I had ascended to a new level.

“Impressive, huh.”

I looked at the rose-colored mana swirling around my hand and let out a sigh filled with despair.

Both the quality and quantity of mana had far surpassed my previous life.

My growth speed was terrifyingly fast.

It was ridiculous how talented I was.

But.

Why did it have to be pink?

Hair, eyes, and now even my mana—all pink. I could live with my hair and eyes being that color since it was the Eustetia family’s signature look, but the mana too?

Where did all the testosterone I had as Ronan go?

Sigh…

I let out a heavy breath, staring at the mirror.

“I haven’t even grown taller.”

I looked at the line marked on the mirror and saw my head just barely reaching it.

Somewhere around 140cm.

I’d blend in with dwarves at this rate.

For a martial artist, height is often the one advantage, and I didn’t even have that.

Arisa had long arms and legs. I, being shorter, had short limbs.

And my body was still soft, smooth, and slender… and squishy.

No matter how much meat and milk I consumed, my height refused to budge. Does that even make sense?

Sure, I gained some muscle, but it’s still pathetic.

Even my skeletal structure became more… feminine.

“Damn it.”

Grinding my teeth, I changed my clothes.

At least my chest didn’t get bigger. That would’ve just been a hindrance in battle.

Satisfied with the lack of growth in certain areas, I finished changing.

Now, it was time to tie up my hair.

Hmm.

Since I won’t see her for a while…

I reached for the bell to call for Sara, but instead, I stood up and walked outside with my hair tie in hand.

“Miss Ellie, aren’t you going to tie your hair?” Sara asked, tilting her head when she saw me outside the door.

Without answering, I simply waved the hair tie I held.

Understanding what I meant, Sara smiled warmly and bowed.

“You’ve made the right decision.”

“Right decision, my foot.”

***

Ssss- Ssss-

The gentle sound of brushing glided through my hair, as if it would bring a song to my lips.

“What’s gotten into you, Ellie, that you’d come to ask your mother to tie your hair?”

Chewing on a candy I’d pushed to the side of my mouth, I finally spoke up.

“…Nothing in particular. I just won’t be able to see you for a while, so… I, uh, just felt like it.”

“Hehe. So you missed your mother, huh?”

“That’s not it.”

Despite my blunt response, Mother chuckled softly.

Dealing with Mother is always strange. No matter what I do, it feels like she sees right through me.

She knows everything about what I’m thinking, whereas I can’t read her at all.

Even with all my experience from my past life, I can’t figure her out.

Well… I do know that she cares for me deeply.

“I figured, but you don’t seem too worried. I’ve never seen you study. Are you sure you’ll be okay, Ellie?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”

Study?

I had studied with Yurasia, but since I already knew everything, I stopped right after we started.

The Empire’s history?

I lived through most of that era.

The ecology of demons?

I’m the human who’s killed the most demons.

There were other subjects too—sacred relics, methods for hunting monsters, and so on.

But I didn’t see the point in reviewing them.

I’d checked with someone, and the academy confirmed that all I needed was a combined score of 140 across both practical and written exams to pass.

Even if I scored 100 in the practical test and only 40 in the written test, I’d still pass.

The two subjects where I’d get those 40 points were history and demon ecology.

So, I spent the remaining time training and sparring.

As a result, Yurasia’s fighting style has changed to suit my taste. The original form of Eustetia’s techniques is almost unrecognizable now.

Yurasia seemed a bit down about the changes, but I’m quite satisfied.

She’s gotten stronger too.

Though she still gets beaten badly by me.

In any case.

I have no worries about the entrance exam.

I’m already guaranteed to pass.

Sara had suggested that I aim for the top spot to show off, but I don’t see the need.

The academy apparently awards scholarships to the top few scorers, but I don’t need the money.

Scholarships should go to those who need them.

In fact, many noble children decline scholarships.

Meanwhile, Yurasia is aiming for one.

Though Eustetia offered to cover her tuition, and even Sir Karon, the First Knight Division’s commander, said the same, Yurasia politely declined.

Instead, she decided to earn her own way and aimed for the top spot, studying diligently even at the expense of sleep.

For a 17-year-old, she’s quite admirable.

“I see. Our Ellie is amazing.”

Mother finished brushing my hair and deftly tied it into a neat ponytail.

The tension on my scalp was just right—not too tight, but not too loose either.

“All done.”

Then she gently patted my head.

Smooch.

“Gah?!”

And kissed me on the cheek.

“At the academy, there won’t be any social distinctions, so you may find yourself in some uncomfortable situations. Even if you don’t care about those things, you still need to be cautious. You could be hit by a stray arrow, even if you don’t get involved.”

“…Yes.”

Feeling a bit awkward, I played with my twin-tails as they hung down my back.

“Even if you do everything right, you can’t please everyone when you’re in a high position.”

“Well… that’s inevitable, I suppose.”

“And if there comes a time when you just can’t take it anymore, feel free to do what you’ve always done. You don’t need to hold back just because of the Eustetia name. Your father and I will take care of the aftermath, so don’t worry.”

In other words, if you’re pissed off, just go ahead and knock some heads.

“Can you do that?”

Whether she was talking about the entrance exam, the academy, or getting into fights, I wasn’t sure, but I answered anyway.

“Of course.”

“Good. I believe in you, Ellie.”

“…Thank you.”

For some reason, the candy in my mouth tasted much sweeter today.

***

Although we were leaving to take the entrance exam in three days, both Yurasia and I were confident we’d pass, so once we left today, we wouldn’t be returning to the Duchy until after the break.

That’s why we were saying goodbye to everyone.

When I complained about doing this, Sara told me it was necessary for the family’s honor.

“…Ellie. You must bear it well if you miss Daddy,” Father said, tears welling up as he clung to my hand.

It looked more like he was the one who would have trouble bearing it.

“Yes. But I’ll be back for the break, so we’ll see each other soon.”

“Break?!”

“Yes, during the break.”

“But… but why not come home on weekends?”

“What’s the point of the hassle? If we really miss each other, we can just exchange letters.”

Father’s face was full of despair.

“But… but isn’t it better to see each other in person?”

“What’s the rush? Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

I chuckled and bowed to him.

Then I bowed to Mother.

For the knights, I gave a formal salute.

The knights, who had been trying to comfort the weeping Yurasia, hurried to return the salute.

Yurasia, too, wiped her nose and gave a snot-filled salute.

Why is she saluting when she’s coming with me?

“Anyway, I’ll be off now.”

Just as I turned to leave.

Father hesitated, then spoke cautiously.

“Ellie, before you go, can I… can I hug you just once?”

If I refused this, Father would be really hurt.

And, well, a light hug isn’t something only sons do.

I’d seen plenty of knights hug their parents before going off to war.

So, yes. This much is fine.

I immediately turned around and hugged Father.

Hugging someone close to 2 meters tall meant I was practically the one being hugged, but still, I was the one initiating it.

“Sniff… Thank you, Ellie. Be safe. If anything difficult or dangerous happens, tell me right away. I’ll drop everything and come to help you.”

“Yes… But don’t abandon the family for it.”

“No, if it’s to protect you, Ellie, I don’t need a family. So, please. Tell me. Okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Feel free to spend as much money as you need. Enjoy good food with Yurasia. If you need more, just let me know.”

“Thank you.”

“And make sure you see lots of interesting sights. Be careful with the carriage, with strangers, and especially at night. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“And remember, Ellie, you are the cherry blossom of our family—the only one in Eustetia. Know that your father, Turrius Eustetia, is always standing behind you.”

“…Yes.”

“And lastly, be wary of men. You’re so pretty and cute and kind that this Daddy—”

“Ack! Enough! Enough!! Let go, please!”

Pushing Father away, I nodded vigorously.

“I get it all, so don’t worry too much. And I won’t get a boyfriend even if someone puts a sword to my neck, okay?”

Hearing that I wouldn’t get a boyfriend made Father’s face light up with joy.

“Ha-hahaha! Alright. Thank you, Ellie.”

What’s he thanking me for…?

And.

They’re all just kids, so what’s with this talk of romance?

Besides, am I crazy enough to date a guy?

I’m a man.

Even if my body looks like this, I’m still a man.

Inside, Ronan the manly man full of testosterone is still very much alive.

And in both my previous life and this one, I’ve never even thought about dating.

I’m too busy trying to kill the Demon King to think about romance.

The academy is a place for learning.

A sacred institution of education.

And people date there?

They’re all a bunch of fools.

They keep going on about this peaceful era, and now kids even date at school?

Back in my day, that was unthinkable.

It’s the end of the world.

Click, click.

As I was inwardly clicking my tongue, I noticed Mother spreading her arms behind Father.

“Ellie?”

With a small sigh, I eventually gave Mother a hug as well.

“Do you remember what I said earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Good. But I still can’t help worrying.”

“I understand.”

“Hoho.”

Rubbing her cheek against mine, Mother whispered in a very soft voice.

“Ellie, there are many branches of the Eustetia family. You’ll probably meet some at the academy. They’ll be easy to recognize. Their colors are lighter than yours, but they still carry the Eustetia blood.”

With that, she stepped back.

She didn’t elaborate, but I fully understood her meaning.

This time, I responded sincerely.

“Don’t worry.”

“Good.”

She nodded, signaling that she, too, trusted me.

After that, the carriage, with Sara, who had strongly insisted on accompanying me until the exam results came out, departed. There were three of us in total.

Sara was driving.

Turns out she knows how to handle a carriage too.

“Sniff… Miss Ellie isn’t even crying…”

“Why would I cry? It’s not like I’m going off to die.”

“But… but it’s still sad… Sniffle.“

“What a strange thing to be sad about. Wipe your nose. Don’t get snot all over the carriage.”

“Ugh… Thank you…”

Yurasia blew her nose loudly into the tissue I handed her and then rummaged through her bag.

Eventually, she pulled out a small cloth bundle.

Curious, I waited to see what she was doing until she opened it.

“…Why did you pack boiled eggs and cookies?”

It was a pile of eggs and cookies.

I mean, why wrap them in a cloth like some beggar? She could’ve asked someone to pack them properly in a container.

“Of course I had to pack them! Boiled eggs are an essential snack for long carriage rides! Look, I even brought drinks!”

“…Really?”

Is that a thing nowadays?

We didn’t have that back in my day.

I mean, sure, we packed food, but eggs and cookies? Something so fragile?

We only brought jerky and rock-hard bread.

And something to warm us up, like alcohol.

“Here, Miss Ellie, have one. I brought some for you too.”

“Did you boil these yourself?”

“Yes!”

After a moment’s hesitation, I accepted the egg Yurasia offered.

But as soon as I cracked it against the side of the carriage…

“Hey, wait! This isn’t cooked!”

A mess of gooey egg spilled down the wall.

“Oh! I’ll eat it!”

“W-What? Hey! Why are you eating something that fell? Are you a beggar?”

“Ugh… It’s a habit… I’m sorry. And it hadn’t fallen on the ground yet…”

“I used to do that too, so don’t apologize. But aren’t you a knight? What kind of habit is that… Sigh. Forget it. Just don’t do that again.”

“Hiiing…”

“Don’t ‘hiiing’ me. I’ll buy you food next time, so don’t eat things like that anymore.”

“Gasp! Miss Ellie, you’re so cool!”

As Yurasia beamed at me, I turned to look out the window.

The sky was clear, and the air felt crisp.

“Miss Ellie, this one’s properly cooked.”

“Get lost. I’m not eating it.”

“But I promise it’s perfectly done this time! The yolk’s soft, and the white is nice and tender. It’s really delicious!”

“…Fine, then you peel it for me.”

“Hehe, yes!”

The egg Yurasia peeled for me was still a little underdone, but it wasn’t bad.